Christian Historical Fiction Talk: Recent Episodes
Liz Tolsma
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Connilyn Cossette joins us on the podcast again to talk about her latest release, Splendor of the Land. The book, set at the very beginning of the times of the kings in Israel, is a wonderful read, and we had such a lovely conversation about it. On of my favorite quotes, that is now taped to my computer monitor, is "For those who feel unseen, the One who lit the stars aflame is calling you by name." Wow. So we chat about those who feel unseen and the God who sees us, among many other things. There's even something special in store for patrons.
Splendor of the Land by Connilyn Cossette
"A triumphant story in which flawed characters face real choices and must rely on a real God to save them."--MESU ANDREWS, bestselling and award-winning author
Gavriel, a soldier in the elite company of Yonatan--son of King Saul--dreams of forging his destiny through crafting weapons with his own hands. Despite earning his place among Israel's finest, he is haunted by a dark past that no distraction can dispel. When his reckless behavior crosses a line, Yonatan gives him one last mission to prove his worth: help persuade a distant Kenite tribe to sever their ties with the Amalekites.
Zahava, a gifted goldsmith hidden behind her father's legacy, lives in the shadows due to her physical affliction. Her unmatched and unrecognized talent is a closely guarded secret within her family. Disheartened by a future that seems unattainable, she resigns herself to a life of obscurity. However, when Gavriel arrives in her village, they're tangled together in ways neither could have imagined. As they navigate unforeseen dangers and enemy threats, Gavriel must confront his past and either bend his knee to the One True King or lose the woman he loves forever.
Get your copy of Splendor of the Land.
More about Connilyn:
When I finally put aside my fears and put that first manuscript out there in the world, to my astonishment, I semi-finaled in the ACFW Genesis contest, won the Frasier Award from My Book Therapy, signed with literary agent Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and within only a few months I'd signed on with my dream house, Bethany House Publishers.
Since my first book was published in 2016 my books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, have won both Christy and Carol Awards and have sold thousands of copies all over the world in several languages.
Above all that God has done with my writing career and regardless of where He may lead me in the future, my passion is to write stories that draw readers into an immersive fictional experience within the rich ancient world of the Bible, to personalize the history found there, and to spark a curiosity that will lead to digging deeper into the truth of the Word.
Thank you for stopping by, I'd love to connect with you on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter and you are welcome to drop me an email at connilyn@connilyncossette.com.
Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter that will bring you exciting updates and opportunities for giveaways and sales!
Visit Connilyn Cossette's website.
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Ann Gabhart joins us on the show this week to talk about her new book, The Pursuit of Elena Bradford. As we discuss this story, we talk about the wealthy people who used to come to Kentucky to "take the waters." We also chat about her love for her farm, walking her dogs, and listening to audio books. Patrons will hear what she might have done if she hadn't become an author.
The Pursuit of Elena Bradford by Ann Gabhart
Nothing would please her family more than her securing an admirable match, but true love and loyalty are harder to come by than she imagined.
At twenty-two, Elena Bradford has never met a man who made her consider marriage. But when her father dies and leaves the family deeply in debt, Elena becomes their only hope. Her mother uses their last funds to take Elena and her younger sister to Graham Springs, Kentucky, where people find healing by drinking the mineral spring water and healthy recreation through the many daily activities--including dances almost every evening.
As her mother schemes to find Elena a wealthy husband, Elena finds herself drawn to two men her mother would never consider. Charming artist Kirby Frazier spends his days drawing and painting the guests, but his real mission is to find a wealthy bride to finance his dream to go west. Melancholy Andrew Harper has come to Graham Springs in need of healing after a broken heart.
When a beautiful young lady shows up at the Springs with no chaperone and a story that seems suspicious, nearly everyone is charmed and intrigued. But when an unexpected tragedy occurs, Elena, Kirby, and Andrew will all be faced with decisions of life, love, and loyalty.
With a Southern flair and a spark of intrigue, this stand-alone clean historical romance will charm readers with masterful artists, colorful dances, a love triangle, and endearing family relationships.
Get your copy of The Pursuit of Elena Bradford by Ann Gabhart.
Meet Ann Gabhart:
Hi, glad you could stop by to get to know me better. I’m a country girl, born and raised on a farm in the Outer Bluegrass region of Kentucky. I know you’re thinking horse farm, but no, not out my way. Mostly cows on the farms around here. My grandfather did have a big old workhorse when I was a little girl. My family grew tobacco and corn. We had a few milk cows, some hogs and sheep, but mostly beef cattle. I grew up working on the farm and enjoying the woods and animals. My roots go deep in the land, and I now live on a farm just a mile away from the farmhouse where I was raised.
I started writing when I was ten and have been writing ever since. My first published writings (personal experience pieces, youth stories, and poems) were in church periodicals like Home Life. My first novel, A Forbidden Yearning, a historical romance about the settling of Kentucky, was published by Warner Books in 1978. Since then I’ve published forty other novels for adults and young adults. Some of the early titles are out of print now but still floating around out there as used books.
Visit Ann Gabhart's website.
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Fall is coming, and it's getting to be that time of year when it's great to curl up with a blanket, a cuppa, and a good book. What's better in the autumn than a good Victorian gothic mystery? Not much! Michelle Griep is out with a new novel, Of Silver and Secrets, and it's a great one to add to your TBR. She is such a great interview, and we had a fabulous time chatting about this latest release. There's even something special in store for patrons.
Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep
Buried underneath are truths bent on keeping them apart. . . .
In 1889 Victorian England, Eva Inman is haunted by guilt over her parents' deaths while struggling to care for her blind sister and manage her family's crumbling estate. With the tax deadline looming, Eva's situation looks dire until an ancient silver ring is unearthed on the property. Despite superstitions warning against disturbing the supposedly cursed acres, Eva's need for funds ignites her curiosity about the potential of finding more buried relics.
Cambridge professor Bram Webb must prove a legendary Christian Roman settlement exists, or he'll risk exposing his uncle's deteriorating memory and they'll both lose their positions. Then Eva steps into his office with the prospect of an archaeological dig that might lead to the very evidence Bram requires--provided he and Eva can set aside painful memories of a time they would rather forget. As the dig forces the two to confront their pasts, the work becomes fraught with challenges that threaten Eva's and Bram's hopes, as well as the growing attraction between them.
"Sure to delight fans of archaeological adventure and historical romance."--JULIE KLASSEN, bestselling author
Get your copy of Of Silvers and Secrets by Michelle Griep.
Michelle Griep is an award-winning author who pens historical romances like a tea-sipping time traveler—full of heart, rich with adventure, and always with a mischievous glint in her eye. She’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas, and these days crafts stories that transport readers to richly drawn pasts.
Her stories have picked up their fair share of shiny gold stars—including a Christy Award for 12 Days at Bleakly Manor and a Carol Award for The Doctor’s Woman. She’s also landed finalist spots for the INSPY Awards with fan favorites like The Thief of Blackfriars Lane and The Captive Heart.
She lives in Missouri, where she’s always dreaming up her next story—and often crafting twists that lead her characters to hope, healing, and happily ever after.
You can follow her escapades by signing up for her newsletter or on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Visit Michelle Griep's website.
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Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.
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Have you ever participated in a readers' retreat? What's more fun than spending time with other likeminded people? Especially bibliophiles like yourself? Nothing comes to my mind LOL! Imagine getting to talk about books all day to people who love them just as much as you do - and who understand your obsession with them. Then throw in some of your favorite authors as a bonus, and it makes for a great day or even a great weekend.
I recently had the privilege of being one of the featured authors at the Mississippi River Readers' Retreat in Little Falls, Minnesota. In the episode, you'll hear about the wonderful readers I met, some old friends, and some new. And how even I got to fan-girl over some of my favorite authors. Yes, I'm not ashamed to admit that I do that too.
This was my first retreat of its kind, both as a reader and an author. Spoiler: it was a fantastic experience, one I can't wait to have again. Sit back, enjoy the episode, and plan for your own trip to a readers' retreat. The Mississippi River Readers' Retreat won't be back until 2027, but there are plenty around to take advantage of. And honestly, there's no harm in grabbing the nearest book right now, turning off your phone, and enjoying your own mini readers' retreat!
Books by some of the authors at the Mississippi River Readers' Retreat:
Hope Like Wildflowers by Pepper Basham.
A Sea View Christmas by Julie Klassen.
A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky.
Every Hour Until Then by Gabrielle Meyer.
As Sure As the Sea by Jamie Ogle.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.
Show your appreciation for the show and buy me a coffee. You'll find details by following this link.
Jane Kirkpatrick joins the show this week to chat about her new release, Across the Crying Sands. Oh my, what a wonderful talk we had. You might even get a few tears in your eyes as you listen to her share her personal story and the story of how Across the Crying Sands came to be. Patrons will get to hear all about the painting that's the header on her website.
Across the Crying Sands by Jane Kirkpatrick
A Tale of Uncharted Adventure and Discovery Inspired by a True Story
In 1888 Mary Edwards Gerritse is a witty and confident young woman who spends as much time as possible outdoors on the rugged Oregon coast where she and her husband, John, have settled. The two are a formidable pair who are working hard to prove their homesteading claim and build a family. But as Mary faces struggles of young motherhood and questions about her family of origin, she realizes that life is far from the adventure she imagined it would be.
After losing the baby she's carrying, grief threatens Mary, but she finds an unconventional way to bring joy back into her life--by taking over a treacherous postal route. As Mary becomes the first female mail carrier to traverse the cliff-hugging mountain trails and remote Crying Sands Beach, with its changing tides and sudden squalls, she recaptures the spark she lost and discovers that a life without risk is no life at all.
Get a copy of Across the Crying Sands by Jane Kirkpatrick.
Jane Kirkpatrick is a New York Times best-selling and award-winning author of over 40 books and numerous essays for over 50 publications throughout the United States including The Oregonian and Daily Guideposts.
She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times in 2012, the Caldera Achievement Award from The Nature of Words in 2006, and the Distinguished Northwest Writer award in 2005 from the Willamette Writers Association.
Her works have sold over two million copies, and have won prestigious literary awards such as the Wrangler (National Cowboy Museum), WILLA Literary (Women Writing the West), Will Rogers Medallion (Will Rogers Foundation), and the Carol (American Christian Fiction Writers).
Her many historical novels, most based on the lives of actual people, speak of timeless themes of hardiness, faith, commitment, hope, and love.
Jane speaks internationally on the writing and the power of stories. Her presentations reflect stories of inspiration and courage believing that our lives are the stories other people read first.
She is a Wisconsin native and graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Communications and Public Address and holds a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Clinical Social Work.
Prior to her writing career, she worked with Native American families on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in Central Oregon as a mental health and early childhood specialist for seventeen years. She was also the director of the Deschutes County Mental Health Program in Bend, Oregon.
Jane and her husband Jerry now live in Redmond Oregon with their dog Ruppert.
Visit Jane Kirkpatrick's website.
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Mary Connealy rejoins us on the podcast this week to talk about her latest release, Legends of Gold. We catch up with what she's been doing since she was last on the show, why she decided to write a story about a treasure map, and what she would do if she wasn't a writer. Patrons hear about how she came to be a writer in the first place.
Legends of Gold by Mary Connealy
On a risky treasure hunt in the rugged wilderness, can love trump all odds?
After years of solitude, Tilda Muirhead's life takes an unexpected twist when she accepts a teaching position at Two Harts Ranch following her cross-country pursuit of two brothers obsessed with a treasure map left by their grandfather. Tilda is now tasked with educating those mischievous MacKenzie boys, who are bent on remaining out west with the rest of their family until they find the hoped-for treasure. Then a man named Ben arrives, claiming to be her own long-lost brother. Raised as an orphan with no memory of her past, Tilda is both fascinated and wary of Ben's sudden interest in finding her.
When Ben's motives grow increasingly suspect, rancher Josh Hart suggests Tilda and the young MacKenzies set off on a quest with him that aims to protect Tilda while unearthing the map's secrets. As they explore the wilderness, Tilda becomes captivated by the history behind the map, though she doubts it leads to anything more than old artifacts. Yet danger looms ever closer, and Tilda and Josh must rely on faith and their blossoming love to navigate the treacherous path ahead.
A clean, witty, action-packed Western romance highlighting the bonds of family and the quest to belong. Fans of cowboy heroes, frontier romances, and hijinks adventure will be captivated.
Get your copy of Legends of Gold by Mary Connealy.
Get a copy of book one, Whispers of Fortune.
Preorder a copy of book three, Riches Beyond Measure.
Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.
Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader's Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of 75 books and novellas. She has over a million and a half books in print.
Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Visit her website or find her at Petticoats & Pistols!
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Sarah Loudin Thomas returns to the podcast this week to chat about her latest release, These Blue Mountains. It's a stunning story about German POWs in the US during WWI and a young woman's search for her missing fiancé in the time between the two wars. We talk about what the times were like, what Sarah would have done if she found herself in the heroine's position, and allow her to brag about her sweet dog. Patrons will hear her opinions on the Rocky Mountains vs. the Appalachians.
These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas
A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.
German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda is stunned to see Fritz's name in a photograph of an American memorial for German seamen who died near Asheville, North Carolina. Determined to reclaim his body and bring closure to his ailing mother, Hedda travels to the US. Her quest takes a shocking turn when, rather than Fritz's body, his casket contains the remains of a woman who died under mysterious circumstances.
Local deputy Garland Jones thought he'd left that dark chapter behind when he helped bury Fritz Meyer's coffin. The unexpected arrival of Hedda, a long-suffering yet captivating woman, forces him to confront how much of the truth he really knows. As they work together to uncover the identity of the woman in the casket and to unravel Fritz's fate, Hedda and Garland grow closer. But with Hedda in the US on borrowed time while Hitler rises to power in Germany, she fears she'll be forced to return home before she can put the ghosts of her past to rest.
"These Blue Mountains is a masterful tale that weaves together two continents, two wars, and two lives defined by longing and resilience."--PATTI CALLAHAN HENRY, New York Timesbestselling author
"North Carolina's mountains hide the secrets of a war long past and a young love cut short in this atmospheric tale of unexpected hope."--LISA WINGATE, New York Times bestselling author
This inspirational historical fiction is set in the mountains of North Carolina in the tumultuous years before World War II. With threads of intrigue, romance, and an international cast of characters, These Blue Mountainsis the perfect book club pick and Southern fiction read.
Get your copy of These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas.
Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to live there. Her historical fiction is often set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia.
Sarah is the director of Jan Karon’s Mitford Museum in Hudson, NC. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Coastal Carolina University and is the author of the acclaimed novels The Right Kind of Fool–winner of the 2021 Selah Book of the Year–and Miracle in a Dry Season–winner of the 2015 Inspy Award. Sarah has also been a finalist for the Christy Award, ACFW Carol Award and the Christian Book of the Year Award. She and her husband live in western North Carolina.
Visit Sarah Loudin Thomas website.
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Roseanna M. White returns to the podcast, this time to talk about her recent release, The Collector of Banned Books. We discuss the real library in Paris that held many of the books that were banned in Germany during the time of the Nazis and the power of words and how we need to be responsible with our words. She also shares an update on her cancer journey. Patrons get to hear her call out for us to read dangerously.
The Collector of Banned Books by Roseanna M. White
In this gripping World War II historical about the power of words, two people form an unlikely friendship amid the Nazi occupation in Paris and fight to preserve the truth that enemies of freedom long to destroy.
Paris, 1940. Ever since the Nazi Party began burning books, German writers exiled for their opinions or heritage have been taking up residence in Paris. There they opened a library meant to celebrate the freedom of ideas and gathered every book on the banned list . . . and even incognito versions of the forbidden books that were smuggled back into Germany.
For the last six years, Corinne Bastien has been reading those books and making that library a second home. But when the German army takes possession of Paris, she loses access to the library and all the secrets she’d hidden there. Secrets the Allies will need if they have any hope of liberating the city she calls home.
Christian Bauer may be German, but he never wanted anything to do with the Nazi Party―he is a professor, one who’s done his best to protect his family as well as the books that were a threat to Nazi ideals. But when Goebbels sends him to Paris to handle the “relocation” of France’s libraries, he’s forced into an army uniform and given a rank he doesn’t want. In Paris, he tries to protect whoever and whatever he can from the madness of the Party and preserve the ideas that Germans will need again when that madness is over, and maybe find a lost piece of his heart.
- Stand-alone historical fiction from a bestselling, Christy Award-winning author
- A thought-provoking novel perfect for book clubs
- Includes discussion questions
Get The Collector of Banned Books by Roseanna M. White.
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.
Jennifer L. Wright, a first-time guest, joins us on the podcast this week to talk about her new book, Last Light over Galveston. We discuss what meteorology was like in 1900, how this storm took the city by complete surprise, and how Jennifer got her start in writing, plus much more. Patrons will learn what she loved about growing up in the Midwest.
Last Light over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright
Amid the 1900 Galveston hurricane, one woman’s perseverance is tested in this captivating story from the author whose work has been called “intelligent and arresting” (Foreword Reviews) and “historical fiction as it is meant to be told” (Library Journal).
“Old Galveston shines in this beautifully written tale of a woman’s quest to both lose herself and find herself.”
Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Shelterwood
Galveston, Texas. September 1900. Only months ago, Kathleen McDaniel returned from finishing school in Switzerland to her family home in New York’s Hudson Valley with a future of promise and privilege set before her. But one horrific event shattered her picturesque life. Now she has fled as far as the train line and a pocketful of money would take her, finding refuge at the St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum on Galveston Island, where she helps the nuns care for their young charges and prays her past will not find her. Despite her tenuous standing at the orphanage―and the grief and betrayal that drove her from home―Kathleen slowly begins to make friends. There is Emily, the novice nun she rooms with; Maggie, the tempestuous young girl who only bonds with Kathleen; and Matthew, a kind, handsome man recently employed by Isaac Cline at Galveston’s office of the US Weather Bureau.
Then in one fateful day, Kathleen’s fragile new life begins to crack as it becomes clear that she can’t run far enough to escape the reach of her former life. Meanwhile, as troubling news about a storm crossing the Gulf from Cuba swirls in the Weather Bureau offices, Matthew holds fast to Cline’s belief that no hurricane can touch Galveston. But as darkness falls on the island, Kathleen must gather her courage and reach for a strength beyond her own if she―and those she loves―are to survive.
- A stand-alone historical novel about the 1900 Galveston hurricane
- A gripping read inspired by true events
- Features themes of resilience, found family, and redemption
- Includes discussion questions perfect for book clubs
Get Last Light over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright.
Jennifer L. Wright has been writing since middle school, eventually earning a master’s degree in journalism from Indiana University. However, it took only a few short months of covering the local news to realize that writing fiction is much better for the soul–and definitely way more fun. A born and bred Hoosier, she was swept off her feet by an Air Force pilot and has spent the past decade traveling the world and, every few years, attempting to make old curtains fit in the windows of a new home.
She currently resides in New Mexico with her husband, two children, one grumpy dachshund, and an overly demanding guinea pig.
She is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers Association), and can be found on Facebook,
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.
Jenelle Hovde is a newcomer to the show but not to writing, though she takes her first foray into Regency romance with her latest release, No Stone Unturned. In this week's episode, she shares how she combined her love of antiquity and Jane Austen into a fabulous Regency novel, how she's loving life in Florida, and what got her started writing in the first place. Patrons, you get a special bonus because she shares which are her favorite film versions of both Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre.
No Stone Unturned by Jenelle Hovde
She wants to uncover the past. He wishes to build a future. In this Regency romance set in rolling hills of West Sussex, two opposing wills discover their fate may lie in the common ground.
Miss Bridget Littleton’s passion for history and antiquities defies most social conventions, even in her small village nestled in the beautiful English countryside. When a local farmer discovers an elaborate mosaic buried in his field, Bridget dreams of making a name and future for herself by excavating the Roman ruins. Unfortunately, her quest puts her at odds with the ambitious new lord who recently inherited the title and Hawthorn Abbey from his estranged uncle.
Recovering from wounds of both body and spirit, Captain Rafe Hawthorn is intent on restoring his long-neglected ancestral home. His plans to rebuild the abbey’s once thriving orchards require a road that will pass straight through Bridget’s potential trove of artifacts. He will not―cannot―fail again, even if he is moved by Bridget and her passion.
Yet this impasse might not be their greatest obstacle. A natural disaster and a series of suspicious accidents threaten both their plans, along with the livelihood of the nearby villagers dependent on their success. With their dreams in the balance, Bridget and Rafe must work together to fend off an unexpected enemy that may prove more dangerous than either could have imagined.
Get your copy of No Stone Unturned by Jenelle Hovde.
More about Jenelle Hovde:
’m so glad to share a little of my writing journey with you. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a story swirling in the back of my mind. To this day, I have novels written when I was seven years old. The subjects changed (it was puppies back then), but the love of writing never disappeared.
I stuffed away all desire for creative pursuits, obtaining a doctorate in audiology. Though I enjoyed the world of science and medicine, my husband encouraged me to write fiction seriously.
I did just that. I wrote and wrote. My life transformed as a result, and for the better.
My favorite fiction includes faith-filled stories with plenty of adventure. In fact, one of my favorite genres to read is historical romance, especially Regency! As a teenager, I adored the classics such as Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, and anything with Georgette Heyer where the stakes are high, and the romance, sweet but fulfilling.
When I’m not scribbling on scraps of paper, you can usually find me within used bookstores perusing antique romance novels, historical journals, theology, and anything regarding ancient history.
Visit Jenelle's website.
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Dawn Wagner, a voracious reader, joins us on the podcast this week to chat about books! She shares how she manages to read so much while homeschooling three boys, how we can turn our kids and grandkids into readers, and some of her favorite places to get books. Patrons will find out her recommendation for her favorite historical novel of 2026 so far.
Find Dawn Wagner on Instagram.
Follow Dawn on Goodreads.
Follow Liz on Goodreads.
Get The London Masterpiece by Katherine Reay.
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All the way from France, Elizabeth Musser joins us this week to chat about her latest release, a wonderful WWII novel called From the Valley We Rise. She's especially thrilled about this one, but you're going to have to tune in to find out why this book is so special to her and why the release was thrilling for her. As always, there's something special in store for patrons.
From the Valley We Rise by Elizabeth Musser
Loyalty during PerilIn the heart of war-torn France, Isabelle Seauve's resolve is tested after her father sacrifices his life to protect her involvement in the French Resistance. Heartbroken, Isabelle becomes more dedicated to hiding Jewish children in and near the village of Sisteron despite the growing danger when she discovers a traitor within the Resistance ranks.
Truth amid Deception
As the shadow of betrayal looms, Isabelle's world collides with that of US Army Chaplain Peter Christensen, who carries emotional scars from his first position in Kentucky and his service in North Africa. Together, they face the brutal reality of war as the second D-Day--the Allied invasion of Provence--unfolds.
Bravery through TrialFifteen-year-old René Amblard narrowly escapes a devastating German attack that claims the lives of his mother and their fellow Maquis fighters. With a Jewish orphan girl at his side, René seeks out his cousin, Isabelle, for refuge while he contemplates revenge.
When the bombs of Operation Dragoon begin to fall, this unlikely group of heroes must find freedom in their souls before they can rebuild what has been destroyed.
"Elizabeth's signature artistry as a storyteller dazzles."--SUSAN MEISSNER, bestselling author, onBy Way of the Moonlight
For readers of Kristin Hannah and Sarah Sundin, an evocative, emotionally gripping World War II historical novel set in Southern France and woven through with moving themes of courage and redemption.
Get a copy of From the Valley We Rise by Elizabeth Musser.
ELIZABETH MUSSER writes ‘entertainment with a soul’ from her writing chalet—tool shed—outside Lyon, France. Elizabeth’s award winning, best-selling novel, The Swan House, was named one of Amazon’s Top Christian Books of the Year and one of Georgia’s Top Ten Novels of the Past 100 Years. All of Elizabeth’s novels have been translated into multiple languages and have been international bestsellers. Elizabeth’s most recent novel, By Way of the Moonlight, was a Publisher’s Weekly Top Ten Pick in Religion and Spirituality for Fall Releases in 2022 and a Christy Award Finalist in General Fiction for 2023. Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, work with the non-profit One Collective. The Mussers have two sons, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren. Find more about Elizabeth and her novels at www.elizabethmusser.com and on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and her blog.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.
Amy Lynn Green returns to the show this week to chat about her new release, The Codebreaker's Daughter. She tells us about how codebreaking began in the US during WWI, why she chose to include a character with mental illness, and what kind of radio drama she would write if given the chance. Patrons will hear if writing is getting easier or harder the more books she writes.
The Codebreaker's Daughter by Amy Lynn Green
"Readers will thrill in peering behind the curtain of US-based intelligence during the world wars."--ERIKA ROBUCK, bestselling author
In the heart of the US capital, Dinah Kendall's role for the Office of Strategic Services isn't the thrilling espionage career she dreamed of. Instead, she spends her days crafting rumors aimed at undermining Axis morale. As Dinah navigates her duties, she uncovers a startling revelation: Her mother, Lillian, was once a codebreaker, cracking military ciphers during the Great War alongside some of the nation's most brilliant minds. The deeper Dinah dives into her mother's past, the more secrets come to light--including the heavy cost of high-stakes codebreaking.
Lillian, though resolute in her decision to avoid war work, reluctantly enters the fray when old friends in Washington, DC, seek her expertise. Both mother and daughter find themselves working behind the scenes--and working together--to support the Allied cause. But just when Dinah begins to excel in her new position, everything she's worked so hard to obtain comes crashing down around her. Caught in a web of intrigue and unsure who to trust, she must piece together the truth in time to confront the shadowy threat that could compromise the impending D-Day invasion.
A compelling World War I and World War II home front novel inspired by true stories of codebreakers and OSS agents. Courage, danger, and a mother-daughter bond interweave in this compelling historical tale that will appeal to readers of Sarah Sundin and Madeline Martin.
Get your copy of The Codebreaker's Daughter by Amy Lynn Green.
Amy Lynn Green is a lifelong lover of books, history, and library cards. She worked in publishing for six years before writing her first historical fiction novel, based on the WWII home front of Minnesota, the state where she lives, works, and survives long winters. She has taught classes on marketing at writer’s conferences and regularly encourages established and aspiring authors in their publication journeys. In her novels (and her daily life), she loves exploring the intersection of faith and fiction and searches for answers to present-day questions by looking to the past.
If she had lived in the 1940s, you would have found her writing long letters to friends and family, daydreaming about creating an original radio drama, and drinking copious amounts of non-rationed tea. (Actually, these things are fairly accurate for her modern life as well.)
Be sure to interact with her on Facebook and Instagram, and sign up for her newsletter to stay up-to-date on her latest releases.
Visit Amy Lynn Green's website.
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Christine Hill Suntz joins us all the way from Canada this week to talk about her new book, The Lawyer and the Laundress. During the interview, we chat about what got her interested in writing, what her plans are to celebrate her very first release, and why it's important to understand each other and maintain connections with people. We'll even learn a little Canadian history along the way. Patrons get to hear why she chose to be a French teacher.
The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz
Lawyer James Kinney isn’t looking for love, and laundress Sara O’Connor doesn’t want to be found. When their paths cross in a British colony on the brink of rebellion, a marriage of convenience may be their best hope of survival.
Canada, 1837. Widower James Kinney knows his precocious daughter, Evie, needs more than his lessons on law and logic, but Toronto offers few options. Classes with the neighbor children seem ideal until James discovers Evie is secretly spending her time with Sara O’Connor, a kind and mysteriously educated servant. For propriety’s sake, James forbids their friendship. But then Evie falls victim to the illness ravaging the city, and James must call upon Sara’s medical knowledge and her special bond with Evie to save his daughter’s life.
When Sara’s presence in his household threatens scandal, however, James offers an unexpected solution: become his wife, in name only, and help him raise Evie to be a proper young lady.
If Sara can ignore the sparks she feels when they’re together, his logical proposal could keep her secret secure forever. But soon, the forces of rebellion unravel their tidy arrangement. When James is accused of treason, Sara must find the courage to face a past that could save her husband’s life.
- Clean and wholesome, marriage-of-convenience historical romance
- Filled with love, faith, and adventure
- Inspirational historical fiction that’s perfect for fans of Julie Klassen, Laura Frantz, and Tamera Alexander
- Includes discussion questions for book clubs
Get your copy of The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz.
History has always captured Christine's imagination. When she first read about Canadian pioneers and sisters Catharine Parr Traill and Susanna Moodie, she was hooked. Their fascinating accounts of early life in colonial Canada inspired her to create stories that focus on the talents and courage of women in nineteenth-century Canada.
Christine is represented by agent Rachel McMillan and her debut, The Lawyer and the Laundress, will be published with Tyndale House in June 2025.
When she isn't writing, Christine teaches high school French and brings her research in 19th-century skills and recipes to life on her hobby farm.
Subscribe to her newsletter to witness her adventures firsthand!
Visit Christine's website.
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Joanna Politano comes to the show this week to chat about her new release, The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House. This novel combines steampunk, romance, mystery, Gothic Victorian England. In other words, it has it all. Find out how she managed to juggle all these moving parts, how she got to collaborate with her husband on this, and when she finds time to write. Patrons hear why she thinks it's great to be married to your polar opposite.
The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Politano
A clever young woman, a contested will, and an estate that does not easily give up its secrets.
It is 1901 when clockmaker and tinker Sydney Forrester receives a most unusual inheritance. Blakely House, the island estate of an estranged uncle she's never met, seems almost alive, revealing and hiding its secrets at will. It is filled with remarkable inventions, including an intriguing unfinished automaton Sydney is itching to get her skilled hands on.
The estate is also home to a number of peculiar people--including two men intent on removing this interloper from the island. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle's death, the late master's nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn.
Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate's butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master's brilliance as well as his property--or someone else will.
Get The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Politano.
Meet Joanna Politano:
I’m a work-from-home mom of two fun and adventurous littles and we’ll soon be homeschooling. I married my hero Vince, who is my love and my polar opposite. I write, he tears it up with the red pen. I break cars and other mechanical things, he puts them back together. He’s nailed the “speak the truth” thing, and I bring the “in love” part. But the real spark to our marriage is that he does not like chocolate and I… like it a normal amount. We love and live from our little house in the woods near Lake Michigan.
Visit Joanna's website.
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Jen Turano joins us this week for a lively chat about her most recent release, A Lesson in Propriety. Want to know what favorite cartoon of hers helped to inspire the book or what colors she absolutely hates? Then you're going to want to tune in and hear what she has to say about all that. She also shares with us a little bit about the big move in her life since we last had her on the show. Patrons hear about why she loves to create strong quirky characters.
A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano
LESSON ONE: Stand in the way of the Windy City's criminal world and expect a most improper proposal from an eligible gentleman in return.
With her father dead, her fortune stolen, and her fiancé casting her aside, Miss Drusilla Merriweather's privileged life has been upended. She is left with only one option: to provide for her family by opening a finishing school in the allegedly haunted castle she's inherited from her eccentric aunt. However, her plan is immediately threatened by unscrupulous developers keen on claiming the coveted estate for themselves by any means necessary.
Mr. Rhenick Wittenbecker, a dashing architect with a tendency to charm his way out of trouble, is convinced he can protect Drusilla but is challenged by her fierce independence. Yet when strange occurrences--walking suits of armor and unexpected ghostly visitors--arise within the castle's grounds, Drusilla must decide whether to risk her family's safety and her school on the gallant architect who seems to have found his way into her heart.
Laugh-out-loud witty banter, swoon-worthy romance, and delightful mischief in the Gilded Age string together this entrancing series starter. Fans of clean romance, Christian fiction, and strong female characters will enjoy this read.
Get your copy of A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano.
Named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publisher Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside of Denver, CO. Readers may find her at www.jenturano.com – www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor, www.instagram.com/jenturanoauthor
Jen is represented by Sarah Younger, senior literary agent, Nancy Yost Literary Agency, New York.
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Have a favorite romance trope? Maybe meet-cute, meet-cringe, love at first sight, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, love triangles, forced proximity, off-limits crush, fake relationship, marriage of convenience, second-chance love, etc? In this episode, I let you know what some of our listeners said were there favorite romance tropes.
Here are some historical romances you might like:
Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen
This has an amnesia trope, one we didn't even discuss.
In the midst of a fierce storm, a carriage carrying Sir John Mayfield, Lady Marianna Mayfield, and her lady's companion careens off a narrow cliff road, changing their fates forever. When the wreckage is found, Sir John is gravely injured, and a woman is discovered unconscious wearing a valuable ring. As the woman regains consciousness in a strange house, she grapples with fragmented memories of the accident, unsettling dreams of a child in peril, and a deep mystery tied to the ring on her finger. Surrounded by unfamiliar faces and haunted by a sense of foreboding, the survivor realizes she cannot trust anyone and must uncover the truth of what happened that stormy night, even as danger mounts and enemies conspire against her.
In this revised and updated 10th anniversary edition of Julie Klassen's acclaimed novel, a woman's startling secrets lead her into unexpected danger and romance in Regency England.
Lady Maybe is a clean Regency romance full of mystery, adventure, and a search for identity. This novel will delight fans of the amnesia trope, Julia Quinn, Jane Austen, and Mimi Matthews.
Get your copy of Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen
Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham
Reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, a recluse and a young woman discover that the scars of life are no match against an act of love.
Iowa, 1903. All of Monticello believes Otis Taylor has been away fostering his musical genius. But the truth is that his father exiled him long ago, rejecting Otis's appearance and the scars that came with it. Now that he is the last living Taylor, Otis has covertly returned to settle his family's affairs and rid himself of his past for good. However, he soon discovers that he may not have been the only abandoned Taylor and begins a tireless search for his missing toddler niece.
At twenty-three years old, Sadie West left her family farm and found employment at the Hoag feather duster factory. It isn't a romantic job, but she's hardly had a glimmer of romance since her beau went off to college, leaving her with no promise of a future together. Desperate to save money and help her family make ends meet, she trespasses and finds shelter in an abandoned building--and is thrown in the path of the town's mysterious bachelor.
Otis's wounds are deep, but as Sadie's friendship with him grows, she begins to fall for the man beneath the mask. Locating his long-lost niece, however, is more difficult than either could have imagined, and Sadie West may be the key to Otis Taylor finally finding his way home.
Get your copy of Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham.
The Lady's Mine by Francine Rivers
A delightful new western romance and New York Times bestseller fro
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Barbara Tifft Blakey, a first-timer on the show, joins us this week to chat about her new release, The Angel of Second Street. We discuss the interesting story behind how this book came to be published, what Eureka, California, was like in the 1850s and now, and the difference seeing a place makes when writing about it. With the patrons, she shares the fascinating story of how she got into writing.
The Angel of Second Street by Barbara Tifft Blakey
How Can Compassion be Considered Wrong?
When life is weighed down by challenges, pillars of enduring hope and love are always waiting to be discovered.
Ida Dempsey has grown up in a privileged life of luxury thanks to her aunt and uncle. Although Second Street—where women of ill repute ply their wares—is off limits to respectable citizens, her heart of compassion compels her to frequent the area, hoping to make a difference in their lives. Ida has also befriended Qui Shau, a Chinese woman who keeps house for her family, but friendships between the whites and Chinese are taboo in Eureka. Ida tries to keep secret her forbidden compassion, but someone is watching and will use it against her.
When Blaine Prescott meets Ida at a church picnic, his parents warn him away from any relationship with the young lady who has been seen on Second Street in the company of a Chinese woman. But how could such a kindhearted, lovely young woman be anything but good? But when riots break out in Chinatown and Ida disappears, Blaine will do anything to find out where and why she has gone.
Get your copy of The Angel of Second Street.
I live on five wooded acres outside of Olympia, Washington with my husband, Terry. I have four grown children and eight grandchildren, seven of whom live within sixty miles, giving great joy to my grandma heart.
Like many authors, I dreamed of writing stories very young. At eight-years-old, I rewrote Cinderella. In my version, the prince comes down with measles and the ball is postponed.
I didn’t begin seriously writing historical fiction until after the advent of grandchildren as the Lord had other plans for me. During our homeschooling years, I developed Total Language Plus (TLP), an award-winning, literature-inspired language arts program written for homeschoolers and private Christian schools. I am beyond blessed to have thirty years of producing study guides that make a difference in children’s lives. Nothing is more meaningful to me than influencing children with Kingdom principles!
But as we know, God’s timing is always best. I delight in doing the research historical fiction requires and bringing stories of hope and love to my readers. Time ceases to exist as the Creator of the universe and Lover of my soul draws near to me as my fingers fly over the keyboard. When I write I feel His presence in extraordinary, precious ways.
When I’m not writing, reading, or playing with my grandchildren, you can find me volunteering in the kitchen of Pleasant Valley Christian Camp near Mt. Rainier. I’m also an avid soccer fan, especially for the Seattle Sounders. During stormy weather, my husband and I head for the ocean in our RV to take in the power of crashing waves against rocks. Calm weather also beckons us to the beach to dig razor clams and fish for Dungeness crabs.
Visit Barbara Tifft Blakey's website.
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Jennifer Uhlarik returns to the podcast this week to talk to us about her latest release, Love and Order. She tells us why this book is so unique, how a Florida girl came to write Westerns, and what she means when she says she writes with grit. Patrons hear about one of her business ventures outside of writing.
Love and Order by Jennifer Uhlarik
Wanted: Family, Love, and Justice
Separated as children when they were adopted out to different families from an orphan train, the Braddock siblings have each grown up and taken on various jobs within law enforcement and criminal justice.
Pinkertons Callie Wilson and Joe Trenamen come to Cambria Springs to stop a killer. But when evidence points to a ghost from Callie’s childhood, she must choose between two men she loves.
Falsely accused, bounty hunter Rion Braddock vows to prove his innocence. Former flame Maya Fellows and dime novelist Lucinda Peters both offer help, but is either beauty truly on his side?
In her first solo case, attorney Andi McGovern defends Rion, but the infuriating prosecutor, Daniel Littrick, outwits her. Following a hunch could win her case—or leave Andi dead.
Can these couples stop the true culprit and right the greatest injustice of Callie, Andi, and Rion’s lives?
Get your copy of Love and Order.
Jennifer Uhlarik discovered the western genre as a pre-teen, when she swiped the only “horse” book she found on her older brother’s bookshelf. A new love was born. Across the next ten years, she devoured Louis L’Amour westerns and fell in love with the genre. In college at the University of Tampa, she began penning her own story of the Old West. Armed with a B.A. in writing, she has won five writing competitions and finaled in two other competitions. In addition to writing, she has held jobs as a private business owner, a schoolteacher, a marketing director, and her favorite—a full-time homemaker. Jennifer is active in American Christian Fiction Writers and lifetime member of the Florida Writers Association. She lives near Tampa, Florida, with her husband, teenaged son, and four fur children.
Visit Jennifer Uhlarik's website.
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Dana McNeely is a first time guest on the show, and we're so pleased to have her join us to talk about her book, Mantle. We chat about her road to publication—a super interesting story—how it felt to final in the Christy and Carol awards, and the pitfalls of writing about real biblical characters. Patrons hear about one of her big writerly fiascos.
Mantle by Dana McNeely
In the aftermath of Elijah’s fiery ascension, the mantle of prophecy rests heavily on Elisha’s shoulders. Called to shepherd Israel through turbulent times, he faces challenges from rulers, prophets, and even the people closest to him.
Jaedon, who has shadowed Elisha since boyhood, is torn between loyalty to the prophet and his deepening desire to right a grievous wrong. As the young vintner struggles to understand why Yahweh allowed his family’s murders, he considers a step toward revenge that will jeopardize his relationship with the man he regards as an elder brother.
Gehazi, whose faith sometimes flickers, is tempted by the promise of wealth and power. His actions threaten to tear him away from the very blessings he sought to protect.
Meanwhile, Ziva, an innocent girl in the sleepy settlement of Gischala, is swept into a world filled with uncertainty and danger. With unimaginable loss behind her, she struggles to look beyond her grief to find God’s will. It is then she realizes only one path remains.
Faith. Redemption. The cost of leadership. Will the next generation rise to the challenge and uphold the legacy of Elijah, or will they falter under the weight of the mantle?
Get your copy of Mantle by Dana McNeely.
Dana McNeely dreamed of living in a world teeming with adventure, danger, and romance, but she had a problem—she also needed a lot of peace and quiet. She learned to visit that dream world by stepping into a book. Better yet, hundreds of books. Soon, she began writing her own stories, fact and fiction.
Inspired by the Bible stories of Elijah, Dana wondered why the prophet came to stay with the widow of Zarephath and her son. Who were they? What was their life, before? How did the boy change after he died, saw the other world—and came back?
Those questions led to Dana writing RAIN, in which she built her dream world of adventure, danger, and romance. Peace and quiet, however, have remained elusive.
No stranger to drought, Dana lives in an Arizona oasis with her hubby the constant gardener, two good dogs, an antisocial cat, and migrating butterflies.
Her debut novel RAIN spins the tale of a mysterious prophet, a desperate youth, and a relentless queen. In 2021 RAIN became a finalist in The Christy Award® and was also a finalist in the 2022 ACFW Carol Award.
WHIRLWIND, the second novel in the “Whispers on the Wind” series, tells the story of a king’s downfall and a love that transcends war.
Visit Dana McNeely's website.
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Lauraine Snelling and Kiersti Giron join us to chat about their new book, Land of Dreams. One of the pioneers in the Christian fiction industry, Lauraine now teams with Kiersti to continue to bring books that entertain and that strengthen our faith. We chatted about what working together is like, how a volcano kicked off Lauraine's writing career, and how important trusting God is. Patrons will hear what is the biggest difference in the writing styles of the two of them.
Land of Dreams by Lauraine Snelling and Kiersti Giron
On the ship to America, Norwegian immigrant Amalia Gunderson makes a solemn promise to a dying mother, vowing to watch over her five-year-old daughter, Ruth. Together, Amalia and Ruth trek to Iowa to claim the farm and former boardinghouse that Ruth has inherited, despite opposition from a difficult cousin. Struggling with an empty house and scarce resources, Amalia resolves to return the boardinghouse to its former purpose, aided by the kindness of strangers and the resilient spirit of her young charge.
As Amalia and Ruth fight for their new home, a trail of orphans shows up on their doorstep, and Amalia makes a promising friend in Absalom Karlsson, the magistrate's son. With each challenge they face, Amalia and Ruth find hope in believing that faith and determination can overcome even the most daunting of trials.
Get Land of Dreams by Lauraine Snelling and Kiersti Giron.
Award-winning and bestselling author Lauraine Snelling began living her dream to be a writer with her first published book for young adult readers, Tragedy on the Toutle, in 1982. All total, she has over eighty books published with more than 4.5 million copies in print.
As a sought-after speaker, Lauraine encourages others to find their gifts and live their lives with humor and joy. Her readers often clamor for more books, and Lauraine would like to comply ... if only her paintbrushes and fragrant flowers didn’t call quite so loudly.
Lauraine and her husband, Wayne, have two grown sons and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
Visit Lauraine's website.
Kiersti Giron holds a life-long passion for history and storytelling and currently collaborates on series of historical fiction with Lauraine Snelling, as well as writing her own historical novels. She loves to write stories that show the intersection of past and present, explore relationships that bridge cultural divides, and probe the healing Jesus can bring out of brokenness. Her novel manuscripts set in the American West have been contest finalists and winners, including two ACFW Genesis Awards, and her debut solo novel, Beneath a Turquoise Sky, releases April 2025.
Much of Kiersti’s interest in Native American cultures and history comes from the relationships built with Native friends after living five years on the edge of the Navajo reservation in New Mexico. She has a heart for racial healing, justice, and reconciliation, as well as a B.A. in English from Azusa Pacific University. When she’s not writing, Kiersti enjoys teaching 8th grade English online, trying to master baking sourdough bread, and spending time with her husband, lively young son, and two cuddly kitties.
Visit Kiersti's website.
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Tracie Peterson returns to the show this week to talk about her new book, A Constant Love. We discuss what the dying up winter was, how and why she tackles tough subjects, and how she got her start in publishing. Patrons hear about where and what time period she would travel to if she were a time traveler.
A Constant Love by Tracie Peterson
Heartache has left them emotionally desolate, but traces of love and healing could forge a future.In the wake of a harsh winter, Micah Hamilton and Charlotte Aldrich are grappling with loss and guilt after the disaster that took the lives of their loved ones. Struggling to cope with his grief, Micah abandons his father's dreams of a prosperous ranch and cuts himself off from the rest of the world.
Charlotte has loved Micah her entire life and is determined not to lose him as well. With her mother's help, she begins coaxing Micah to live again. Despite their enduring heartache, the affection between them deepens, but just as Charlotte thinks her dreams may come true, a scorned suitor threatens everything she holds dear. Micah and Charlotte must embark on a journey of healing and renewal to build a life founded on faith, hope, and love.
A Constant Love is a clean, frontier-era historical romance of heartache, grief, Christian faith, and second chances in the newly developing American West.
Get your copy of A Constant Love by Tracie Peterson.
Tracie Peterson gave her life to Jesus at the age of six. Tracie knew at an early age that God was calling her to ministry, and writing for Him has allowed her to offer the Gospel message and encourage people to hope in the Lord. Her motto in writing, as well as all other aspects of life is Soli Deo Gloria—For God Alone the Glory.
Often called the “Queen of Historical Christian Fiction,” Tracie Peterson is an ECPA, CBA and USA Today best-selling author of more than 110 books, most of those historical. Her work in historical fiction earned her the Best Western Romance Author of 2013 award from True West magazine and the USA Best Books 2011 Award for best Religious Fiction for Embers of Love. She was given the Life Time Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers in 2011 and the Career Achievement Award in 2007 from Romantic Times, as well as multiple best book awards.Tracie received her first book contract in November 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership’s vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row. Eventually, Tracie also managed Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents book line—overseeing the production of 52 books a year.
In December 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers/Baker Publishing Group. She has co-written with a variety of authors including Judith Pella, Judith Miller, James Scott Bell, Kimberley Woodhouse, and Tracie’s daughter Jennifer.
Tracie, a Kansas native, now makes her home with her husband, Jim, in the mountains of Montana.
Visit Tracie Peterson's website.
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Lauralee Bliss returns to the podcast this week to discuss her latest release, When the Avalanche Roared. We talk about the history behind this fascinating slice of history, why it contains the theme of bullying, and what hikes she has planned for the future. Patrons get to hear about her garden and her plans for it this year.
When the Avalanche Roared by Lauralee Bliss
The Day Hope Seemed Swept Away
Enjoy a series of 6 exciting novels featuring historic disasters that transformed landscapes and multiple lives. Whether by nature or by man, these disasters changed history and were a day to be remembered.
Lillian Hartwick has been in the small railroad town of Wellington, Washington, caring for her cousin and assisting the postmaster when February snows bring all train traffic to a halt. Slow-witted but kind Griffin Jones, who works odd jobs for the railway while enduring taunts from other workers, has tried his best to gain Lillian’s interest, but she is engaged and waiting her fiancé’s arrival from California. Predawn thunderstorms on Tuesday, March 1, 1910, trigger a devastating avalanche, sweeping two trains down Stevens Pass. Lillian and Griffin work together to help survivors, including Griffin’s tormentors. In the midst of the catastrophe their feelings for each other grow. But is it enough when Lillian’s fiancé finally arrives in the spring, ready to claim her as his own?
Get your copy of When the Avalanche Roared.
The rest of the Day to Remember series:
Book One: When the Waters Came by Candice Sue Patterson
Book Two: When the Flames Ravaged by Rhonda Dragomir
Book Three: When Hope Sank by Denise Weimer
Book Four: When the Mountain Crumbled by Angela K. Couch
Book Six: When the Sky Burned by Liz Tolsma
Meet Lauralee:
Lauralee Bliss is a published author of over thirty romance novels and novellas, both historical and contemporary. Lauralee’s prayer is that readers will come away with both an entertaining story and a lesson that speaks to the heart and soul. When she is not writing, Lauralee is an avid adventurer in the great outdoors where she has logged over 10,000 miles of hiking and enjoys speaking and writing about her hiking adventures at Blissful Hiking Adventures.
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This week we chat about book clubs. What's a silent book club? What are some good online book clubs and how do they work? Are there disadvantages to them? What are some fun things people have done at their book clubs? Tune in to find out, then head over to my website or find us on social media and let us know what you think.
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Check out these Facebook Book Clubs:
Christian WWII Readers Book Club
Biblical Fiction Aficionados
BBH Fiction Book Club
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Sarah Sundin joins us this week to chat about her new book, Midnight on the Scottish Shore. We talk about how different the hero and heroine are and how much time she spends developing the characters before she writes, about the different faith journeys in different books, and her trip to Scotland. Patrons get to hear me try to stump Sarah.
Midnight on the Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin
In a time of war, danger lurks beneath the water--and in the depths of the human heart
As the German war machine devours the Netherlands, the only way Cilla van der Zee can survive the occupation is to do the unthinkable--train to become a spy for the Nazis. Once dispatched to Britain, she plans to abandon her mission and instead aid the Allies. But her scheme is thwarted when naval officer Lt. Lachlan Mackenzie finds her along the Scottish shore and turns her in to be executed.
Yet perhaps she is more useful alive than dead. British intelligence employs her to radio misleading messages to Germany from the lighthouse at Dunnet Head in Scotland--messages filled with naval intelligence Lachlan must provide. If the war is to be won, Lachlan and Cilla must work together. But how can he trust a woman who arrived on his shores as a tool of the enemy--a woman certain to betray both him and the Allied cause?
Get your copy of Midnight on the Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin.
Meet Sarah:
My novels explore the drama, daring, and romance of the World War II era. My latest novel Midnight on the Scottish Shore received a starred review from Library Journal and is a bestseller. The bestselling Embers in the London Sky received starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal. The bestselling The Sound of Light was a finalist for both the Christy Award and the Carol Award, Until Leaves Fall in Paris received the 2022 Christy Award, When Twilight Breaks and The Land Beneath Us were Christy Award finalists, and The Sky Above Us won the 2020 Carol Award.
When I’m not writing…
my husband and I enjoy traveling and taking our two rescue dogs for lengthy walks. I teach Sunday school and women’s Bible studies, and I speak to community, church, and writers’ groups. I also serve as c0-director of the West Coast Christian Writers Conference. Visit my speaking page for more information.
Visit Sarah Sundin's website.
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Jennifer Deibel transports us to Ireland this week as she comes for a chat about her new book, Heart of the Glen. In addition to talking about her favorite cuppa, we discuss the spiritual thread in her book and what life is like as a leftie. Patrons hear if she'll ever set a book in Vienna.
Heart of the Glen by Jennifer Deibel
Can the lonely thread of her life be woven into a new and finer pattern?
When Saoirse Fagan arrives at Drumboe Castle to start her new job as housemaid, she is dismayed to learn that the lord of the house passed away a week prior. Already running from the tragedy that claimed the lives of her family members, Saoirse wanders the road through the darkening glen with nowhere to go until Aileen McCready offers her a lift and a place to stay for the night.
Aileen's brother, sheep farmer and weaver Owen McCready, is known for his intricate and impeccably woven tweed. But when he's injured, his entire livelihood is endangered. A new--and distracting--mouth to feed adds fuel to the fire, and Owen struggles to keep his family afloat. Though Saoirse is eager to help, even offering to learn the weaving craft, Owen is hesitant to accept aid from this strange young woman, no matter how inexplicably magnetic he finds her.
But Saoirse is not one to give up easily. She's determined to convince the McCreadys that they need her--perhaps as much as she needs them.
"Jennifer Deibel is an amazing writer and storyteller. She weaves a tale of love and forgiveness that's as beautiful as the cloth she describes."--Tracie Peterson, bestselling, award winning author of over 140 books, including The Heart of Cheyenne and the Pictures of the Heart series
Get your copy of Heart of the Glen.
More about Jennifer Deibel:
I’m Jennifer, but most people call me Jen. Just please don’t call me Jenny. As a wife, mom, full-time public-school teacher, and author, I’m right in the trenches alongside you as I work, serve the Lord, and love my family. I’ve just been blessed to get to do some of it in the west of Ireland and Vienna, Austria. However, after a decade of life overseas, we have settled back in America–in sunny Arizona!
I currently teach middle school English, and when I’m not working on school things, I’m spending time with my incredible family–my husband Seth and our 3 awesome kids–and writing.
There’s just something so intimate and uplifting about a good story, isn’t there? I write stories that explore home through the lens of faith, family, and culture–with the beauty and depth of Ireland coloring much of it. And all of my books aim to bring you all the charm of an Irish village, the beauty of the Emerald Isle, and the hope and encouragement of faith.
Not only do I write books, but I’m also honored to have been a monthly contributor at The Better Mom and have posts shared at (in)courage, Djibouti Jones, Tricia Goyer, Unveiled Wife, Intentional by Grace, and more.
Visit Jennifer's website.
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Donna Wichelman, a first-time guest, joins us this week to talk about her new book, A Song of Deliverance. In addition to talking about the book, we discuss how her writing journey began, the importance of imagination, and her love for kayaking. If you're a patron, you'll get to hear about how she would spend a rainy day.
A Song of Deliverance by Donna Wichelman
Born into the Irish system of landholding that favors the moneyed class, Anna Sullivan has no dowry and no chance of marrying the man she loves. Poor and heartbroken, she flees Ireland to tend to Uncle Liam’s house in Colorado and take on her deceased aunt’s sewing business.
But when Anna arrives in Georgetown, she discovers a mine disaster at the Singing Silver Mine has killed her uncle. Orphaned and destitute again, she gathers her faith, courage, and ingenuity to establish a life in the community. Only one person stands in her way—the mine’s owner.
A wealthy, grief-stricken widower of European nobility, Stefan Maier threw his energies into making his mark as a silver mining baron in Colorado when his wife and child died at sea, emigrating to America. Now, everyone blames him for the mine disaster that killed nine men. But how does he convince the lovely and opinionated Irish woman of his innocence?
Will Anna’s heart soften towards Stefan? Will Stefan prove himself worthy of Anna’s affections? Each will have to risk everything to attain what they want and need most—love.
Get your copy of A Song of Deliverance.
Weaving history and faith into stories of intrigue and redemption grew out of Donna’s love of travel, history, and literature as a young adult while attending the United World College of the Atlantic—an international college in Wales, U.K. She enjoys developing plots that show how God’s love abounds even in the profoundly difficult circumstances of our lives. Her stories reflect the hunger in all of us for love, forgiveness, and belonging in a world that often withholds second chances.
Donna received her master’s degree in mass communication/journalism from San Jose State University and became a communications professional before writing full-time. Her short stories and articles have appeared in inspirational publications. She has two indie-published Christian romantic suspense novels in her Waldensian Series—Light Out of Darkness and Undaunted Valor, and her Gilded Age historical romance, A Song of Deliverance, released on December 3, 2024.
Donna and her husband of forty years participate in ministry at their local church in Colorado. They love spending time with their grandchildren and bike, kayak, and travel whenever possible.
Visit Donna Wichelman's website.
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Jill Eileen Smith returns to the show this week to talk about her new book, Dawn of Grace. Among other things, we talk about her move from women of the Old Testament to women of the New Testament, what it means for God to call us by name, and what kind of games she likes to play on her phone. Patrons hear about who took the beautiful pictures of her trips on her website.
Dawn of Grace by Jill Eileen Smith
She's been pulled up from the depths of despair--but what happens when the hope she has found slips from her grasp?
From her earliest days, Mary Magdalene has known fear and loss at a level so deep she has no hope of surfacing. Bound to the demons within her and incapable of freeing herself, Mary 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. Let her be buried in his tomb, for she cannot live without him.
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.
Get your copy of Dawn of Grace.
JILL EILEEN SMITH IS THE BESTSELLING AND AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF MANY BIBLICAL NOVELS, INCLUDING HER FIRST SERIES THE WIVES OF KING DAVID.
Her upcoming release Dawn of Grace, Mary Magdalene’s Story, will hit the shelves in February 2025.
After twenty years of closed doors, she has published 24 books, fiction and nonfiction, and had one of those books optioned for film. She loves Jesus and His Word and all things related to learning more about the culture and times of the people of the Bible, particularly the women, whom God has immortalized there.
While she loves writing and researching, she is willingly interrupted by her west-coast children and adorable grandchildren. Traveling to Israel was a highlight of her life, but traveling west is her new favorite vacation location. When she’s not packing her bags, she can be found reading stories that take her away, playing too many games and puzzles on her phone (call it down time), or snuggling her lovable, mischievous cats Kody and Kaelee.
Her favorite verse is Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” She has been married to the love of her life for 47 years and counting and lives in a quiet neighborhood in southeast Michigan.
Visit Jill's website.
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Elizabeth Camden makes a return appearance on the show this week, talking about When Stars Light the Sky. We chat about life in Berlin during WWI, the difference between academic and fiction publishing, and what she thinks about some of her reviews. Patrons will hear about her favorite Hitchcock movie.
When Stars Light the Sky by Elizabeth Camden
In a world on the brink of war, two hearts must navigate shadows of uncertainty.Inga Klein's carefree life in New York takes a dramatic turn when she sails for Berlin, Germany, to serve as the secretary for America's ambassador. Amid the glamour of life at the embassy, she continually finds herself at odds with the straitlaced and imposing Benedict Kincaid, the diplomatic chief of staff who harbors deep misgivings toward the German-born Inga.
As Europe hurtles toward World War I, Benedict's determination to keep America out of the conflict adds to the already tense atmosphere. Despite their relentless sparring, Inga and Benedict succeed in keeping the embassy afloat through one crisis after another. But when they run out of diplomatic options, a marriage of convenience may be Inga's only hope of escape from the impending war.
Praise for Elizabeth Camden"This intriguing and unique story took so many twists and turns, I couldn't look away--a must read!"--GABRIELLE MEYER, bestselling author on While the City Sleeps
"What a fascinating, multifaceted adventure! I thoroughly enjoyed traipsing all over New York City, from posh hotels to subway tunnels to the harbor and all points between."--JOCELYN GREEN, Christy Award-winning author on While the City Sleeps
For fans of the enemies-to-lovers, marriage of convenience, and workplace romance tropes, When Stars Light the Sky is a clean Gilded Age romance that will sweep you off your feet.
Get your copy of When Stars Light the Sky.
Elizabeth Camden is a research librarian at a small college in central Florida. Her novels have won the coveted RITA and Christy Awards. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband near Orlando, Florida.
Visit Elizabeth's website.
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KyLee Woodley joins us this week. I've had to change things around a little due to scheduling conflicts, but you're going to enjoy this conversation about her book, The Bandit's Redemption. We talk about what got her into writing, what a lab school is, and how her early life influenced her writing. Patrons will hear what she sees as differences between the Pacific Northwest, where she grew up, and Texas, where she lives now.
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.
Get your copy of The Bandit's Redemption by KyLee Woodley
KyLee Woodley teaches preschool at a lab school in Texas where she lives with her husband of 18 years and their three teenage children. Having been raised in the Pacific Northwest and spent part of her adult life in Texas, she has a deep respect for American values. She grew up in an impoverished area and began ministering to homeless, drug addicted, and desperate people while in her teens. As a result, she feels a deep sense of concern for society’s unloved. This comes through in her stories, enriched with historical detail that shows how loving the unlovely is a timeless need. On weekends, KyLee cohosts and produces the Historical Bookworm Show—a steadily growing author interview podcast for history lovers and readers of historical fiction.
In her spare time, she cares for a rescue mutt—Lucky Dog—a feisty feline named Hazel, and two adorable Boston Terrier puppies. She listens to Cricket Country and K-Love radio, reads classic books to her children, and watches Marvel movies with her husband who might resemble Superman.
Visit KyLee's website.
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AI and fiction. What do they have to do with each other? Maybe more than you think. In this week's episode, I discuss how I, as an author and editor, use AI, what are some benefits and drawbacks of it for authors, and how readers may use it and what they should be aware of. AI is here to stay, whether we like it or not, and it's wise to be knowledgeable about it and to know what to look for and what to avoid. AI and fiction can and will co-exist.
These are the two articles I reference in the episode. They are well worth a read.
She Reads: https://shereads.com/how-will-ai-impact-reading/
Writer's Digest: https://www.writersdigest.com/be-inspired/think-ai-is-bad-for-authors-the-worst-is-yet-to-come
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Heather Kaufman joins us on the podcast this week to talk about her newest release, Before the King. We chat about what got her interested in writing novels instead of nonfiction, how she manages to write fiction in which Jesus makes an appearance, and what is the best part of living in St. Louis. Patrons will hear what she would love to do if she wasn't writing - and if she had the talent for it!
Before the King by Heather Kaufman
"Heather Kaufman is a truly fresh voice in biblical fiction."--TESSA AFSHAR, bestselling author
"A beautifully told and imagined story of secrets, faith, love, and devotion. With a compelling plot and cast of characters, Before the King is a tale not to be missed."--TOSCA LEE, New York Times bestselling author
Joanna's wealthy family aspires to Herod's inner circle, but when her father's esteemed position in the Sepphoris Sanhedrin is threatened, her family harbors a dark secret. Entangled in the complexities of aristocratic life and an impending arranged marriage, Joanna is caught between her own desires and maintaining appearances. When tragedy strikes, Joanna grapples with a new future that challenges her sense of duty and hope for love.
Years later, Joanna is forever changed when a rabbi comes preaching a new kingdom and healing the sick. As she contributes to his ministry, Joanna treads a perilous path between a court that mocks Jesus of Nazareth, disciples who view her with suspicion, and a husband who guards his own secrets. With pressure increasing on all sides, Joanna must decide where her allegiances lie and protect her relationship to the Christ, whose message is as compelling as it is dangerous.
Get your copy of Before the King by Heather Kaufman.
Heather Kaufman is the author of Up from Dust: Martha’s Story and Before the King: Joanna’s Story, the first two books in her Women of the Way series with Bethany House Publishers. A former editor turned writer, Heather worked eight years in the publishing industry while earning her master’s degree and spinning tales late into the night. When she fell in love with studying the Bible through a cultural lens, the words of Scripture came springing to life, and Jesus became even more astoundingly beautiful. Now she crafts stories that imaginatively enter the lives of biblical characters and compel readers deeper into the Bible. When not reading, writing, or accumulating mounds of books, Heather can be found exploring new parks with her husband and three children near their home in St. Louis, Missouri.
Visit Heather's website.
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Laura DeNooyer is our guest on the show this week, her first time with us. We discuss her new book, A Hundred Magical Reasons, including why she has long been fascinated with L. Frank Baum, what her research was like for the book, and the importance of teachers in encouraging their students' dreams. Related to that, patrons will hear a little more about her teaching career.
A Hundred Magical Reasons by Laura DeNooyer
Most fairy tales have happy endings, but is it too late for this one? After all, Mrs. Charlotte Rose Gordon, the disgruntled town recluse, is eighty-eight and has grown weary of fighting the dragons of her past—including the desire to clear her husband’s name of a 1918 crime.
Dragons of a different kind pursue Carrie Kruisselbrink.
During 1980, the summer of her private rebellion, Carrie defies parental expectations and pursues her café dream. While waiting for funding, she takes a job with Mrs. Gordon.
As Mrs. Gordon unfolds the story of her oppressive childhood and delightful friendship with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum, Carrie never expects to encounter her own fears and soul-searching.
In this modern-day fairy tale that weaves between 1980 and the early 1900s, Mr. Baum’s influence impacts each woman’s personal quests on a hero’s journey neither anticipates. Can Carrie and Mrs. Gordon find common ground in battling their respective dragons?
Get your copy of A Hundred Magical Reasons by Laura DeNooyer.
Laura DeNooyer thrives on creativity and encouraging it in others. A Calvin College graduate, she is a teacher, wife, parent of four adult children, and an award-winning author of heart-warming historical and contemporary fiction. Her novels are perfect for fans of Patti Callahan Henry, Erin Bartels, or Heidi Chiavaroli. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading, walking, drinking tea with friends, or taking a road trip.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Naomi Stephens is a first-time guest on the podcast, but this isn't her first book. She stops by to chat about her latest release, The Burning of Rosemont Abbey. We talked about why she chose to set it in 1956, what she loves about the fashion of the time, and how she was able to write a mystery that has a lightness to it. Patrons will learn what her favorite place to live has been.
The Burning of Rosemont Abbey by Naomi Stephens Everyone in Wilbeth Green has something to hide, but she's about to uncover their secrets. 1956: In a quiet English village, the smoldering ruins of Rosemont Abbey have set the residents' tongues wagging, and everyone is quick to accuse troublemaker Paul Everly of the crime of arson. Paul has vanished without a trace, leaving only his plucky twin sister, Louisa, certain of his innocence. Fueling her conviction is an inexplicable connection--she felt her twin's death an hour before the abbey went up in flames.
Armed with nothing but her wit and her keen sense of intuition, Louisa embarks on her own investigation, challenging the dubious townspeople and the disdain of her aunt and uncle. Even Inspector Malcolm Sinclair, once Paul's closest friend, warns Louisa to abandon her pursuit. But Louisa is determined to solve a murder no one else believes was committed, even if it means unraveling secrets that could shake Wilbeth Green to its core.
"A thrilling and beautifully written tale from start to finish, filled with a strong sense of time, deft characterization, and more than enough twists to keep one guessing. Readers will be as hard-pressed as I was to put this one down once they begin."--ANNA LEE HUBER, USA Today bestselling author
"What an absolute delight of a novel! Naomi Stephens has a new fan in me!"--SARAH SUNDIN, Christy Award-winning author
"An English murder mystery set in the 1950s, plus a friends (and sometimes enemies)-to-more romance? Naomi Stephens is an author to watch!"--JULIE KLASSEN, bestselling author
Get a copy of The Burning of Rosemont Abbey by Naomi Stephens.Naomi Stephens is a bookworm turned teacher turned writer. She received a B.A. in English from Concordia University in Ann Arbor and an M.A. in English from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.
Her first novel, Shadow among Sheaves, was an Inspy Award shortlist contender and winner of the 2020 Carol Award in Debut Fiction. In bookstores, Naomi gravitates towards 19th-century British novels—the broodier the better (i.e., Jane Eyre)—but she can also be found perusing the young adult, mystery, and fantasy sections. Anything that keeps her turning pages past midnight!
Though she's called many places home over the years, she currently lives in New York with her husband, her two children, and a rascal of a dog named Sherlock. When not writing or having adventures with her family, she can be found drinking tea, practicing photography, and pining for London.
Visit Naomi's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Liz Tolsma (that's me!) is the guest this week. My niece Becca makes her annual stop on the podcast to interview me about my latest release, What I Left for You. We discuss who the Lemko people in Poland were, why they are important to both of us, and where hope shines through in the dark circumstances of this story. Patrons get to hear about my sweet little dog.
What I Left for You by Liz TolsmaA Family's Ties Were Broken in Poland of 1939
1939 Helena Kostyszak is an oddity—an educated female ethnic minority lecturing at a university in Krakow at the outbreak of WWII. When the Germans close the university and force Jews into the ghetto, she spirits out a friend's infant daughter and flees to her small village in the southern hills. Helena does everything in her power to protect her family, but it may not be enough. It will take all of her strength and God's intervention for both of them to survive the war and the ethnic cleansing to come.
2023 Recently unengaged social worker McKenna Muir is dealt an awful blow when a two-year-old she's been working with is murdered. It's all too much to take, so her friend suggests she dive into her family's past like she's always wanted. Putting distance between herself and her problems might help her heal, so she and her friend head on Sabbatical to Poland. But what McKenna discovers about her family shocks everyone, including one long-lost family member.
Get your copy of What I Left for YouPassionate might best describe Liz Tolsma. She loves writing and researching historical fiction, and editing for other authors. Her passion shines through in her writing, many of her novels being award finalists or award winners. On any given day, you might find her pulling weeds in her perennial garden, walking her hyperactive dog, or curled up with a good book. Nothing means more to her than her family. She’s married to her high-school sweetheart, and they live in the Wisconsin countryside. They are now blessed with three grown children, including a son, daughter, and daughter-in-law who are all US Marines and a daughter with special needs who brightens their days.
Visit Liz Tolsma's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.My favorite 2024 reads.
There were so many wonderful Christian historical novels that released last year, everything from the perennial favorite Regency, Western, and WWII novels to dual time fiction and ground-breaking time crossing fiction. So what were my favorite 2024 reads? Why did I enjoy these books so much? Do you agree with me or not?
Here, in no particular order, are my favorite reads of 2024. You'll have to listen to the episode to find out which one topped the charts for me.
Never Forgotten by Hannah Linder
The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron
The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Politano
Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin
For a Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer
The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel
Let me know what you think about my favorite 2024 reads!
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.The future of WWII fiction? Is it still popular or is it on its way out? This week, I trace the rise of the genre, why it's popular, who is writing it, and what does it look like in the coming years. Join me as I talk about one of my favorite subjects!
Some of the authors we discussed in the episode:Melanie Dobson Memories of GlassThe Winter RoseCathy Gohkle The MedallionSaving AmelieLynn Austin Chasing ShadowsIf I Were YouA Woman's Place This is the one I forgot the name of during the show.Sarah Sundin The Sound of LightEmbers in the London Sky Midnight on the Scottish ShoreKristy Cambron The Butterfly and the ViolinA Sparrow at TerezinThe British BooksellersThe French KitchenBrock and Bodie Thorne The Zion Covenant The Zion ChroniclesJohnnie Alexander When Memory WhispersThe Cryptographers DilemmaWhere Treasure HidesAmanda Barratt My Dearest DietrichThe White Rose ResistsWithin These Walls of SorrowThe Warsaw SistersLiz Tolsma What I Would Tell YouWhat I Promise YouWhat I Left for You
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Mesu Andrews returns to the show this week to chat about her new book, Brave. We talk about her amazing story of how she came to know the Lord, why she chose to write about King David's wives, and what it's like to write real biblical characters in her books. Patrons will find out what Happy Thanksmas is.
Brave by Mesu Andrews
"The Old Testament stories of David come to vibrant life in Brave. . . . Wonderful!"--Angela Hunt, Christy Award-winning author of The Emissaries
In the tumultuous world of ancient Israel, Ahinoam--a dagger-wielding Kenite woman--flees her family farm with her unconventional father to join the ragtag band of misfits led by the shepherd-turned-warrior David ben Jesse. As King Saul's treasonous accusations echo through the land, Ahinoam's conviction that David's anointing makes him Yahweh's chosen king propels her on a perilous journey to Moab and back into Judah's unforgiving wilderness, only to encounter more hardship and betrayal.
Amid the challenges, Ahinoam forges an unexpected bond with David's sister and gains respect among David's army through her knowledge of Kenite metalworking. Though some offer friendship, Ahinoam, scarred by past relationships, isolates to avoid more pain and refuses to acknowledge her growing feelings for the renegade king. As Ahinoam's heart grapples for footing, King Saul's army closes in, and Ahinoam must confront the true meaning of love, loyalty, and courage. Is she brave enough to trust new friends and love Israel's next king?
Get your copy of Brave **by Mesu Andrews.
MESU ANDREWS** is a Christy Award-winning, best-selling author of biblical novels and devotional studies whose deep understanding of and love for God’s Word brings the Bible alive for readers. Her heritage as a “spiritual mutt” has given her a deep yearning to both understand and communicate biblical truths in powerful stories that touch the heart, challenge the mind, and transform lives. Mesu lives in Indiana with her husband Roy, where she stays connected with her readers through newsie emails, blog posts, and the social media we all love to hate. For more information, visit MesuAndrews.com.
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Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Denise Weimer returns to the show this week to talk about two books—When Hope Sank and A Calculated Betrothal. She shares the fascinating history behind both books, how she redeems her characters, and why she loves dressing up in period fashion. Patrons will get to hear what her next great adventure is going to be.
When Hope Sank by Denise WeimerThe Civil War has taken everything from Lily Livingston—her parents, her twin brother, her home. Now she works at her uncle’s inn and keeps her head down. Speaking up for her beliefs proved too costly in a part of Arkansas split by conflicting loyalties and overrun by spies and bushwhackers.
Emaciated in body but resilient in spirit, Lieutenant Cade Palmer is crowded onto the Sultana with other paroled Andersonville and Cahaba POWs for the journey north. But a fiery explosion on April 27, 1865, rends the steamer and empties two thousand men into the frigid Mississippi River.
Recovering from wounds that might end his career as a surgeon but clinging to his faith, Cade threatens both Lily’s defenses and her heart. How can she tell him she might’ve prevented the tragedy if only she’d reported a suspected saboteur’s claims? And when the man returns to town and encoded messages pass through the hotel, will Lily follow her convictions to prevent another tragedy?
Get your copy of When Hope Sank.A Calculated Betrothal by Denise WeimerThe death of her titled husband means that not only is Tabitha Gage no longer a lady—but she’s also abandoned on an isolated Southern Georgia plantation on the eve of revolution. With the fine house and fields sold to a neighbor, she’s left with a log cabin on unsettled timber land. Rather than marry the neighbor’s son, Tabitha determines to make her own way—and never again be shackled to a man she doesn’t love.
Sergeant Edmond Lassiter is one assignment away from promotion when he comes to the aid of a red-haired beauty fending off cattle rustlers. Thrown together during an attack at a nearby fort, the Patriot scout and Loyalist widow are surprised by the values they share—including honesty, loyalty, and equality. When Edmond learns the same man who ruined his family is after what little Tabitha has left, he convinces her they should work together to make her land profitable—all while fighting off the British from East Florida and her greedy neighbor, who sabotages their every effort to succeed. Their work together will be a business arrangement…nothing more. But as a British invasion threatens, the truth soon becomes clear—continuing the connection between them will risk far more than their hearts.
Get A Calculated Betrothal by Denise Weimer.More about Denise:I write historical and contemporary romance and romantic suspense mostly set in my home state of Georgia. I've authored around fifteen traditionally published novels and a number of novellas. A freelance fiction editor and a mother of two wonderful young adult daughters, I always pause for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.
Visit Denise Weimer's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Jaime Jo Wright comes to visit with us again, and we had a great chat about her latest book, Specters in the Glass House. We talked about the economic impact of Prohibition, especially in Wisconsin, if she ever thinks her body count gets too high, and about why she handled mental illness the way she did in the book. Patrons hear about if she's passed on her love of hunting to her kids.
Specters in the Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright An ominous butterfly house. A sinister legacy. An untraceable killer.In 1921, Marian Arnold, the heiress to a brewing baron's empire, seeks solace in the glass butterfly house on her family's Wisconsin estate as Prohibition and the deaths of her parents cast a long shadow over her shrinking world. When Marian's sanctuary is invaded by nightmarish visions, she grapples with the line between hallucinations of things to come and malevolent forces at play in the present. With dead butterflies as the killer's ominous signature, murders unfold at a steady pace. Marian, fearful she might be next, enlists the help of her childhood friend Felix, a war veteran with his own haunted past.
In the present day, researcher Remy Shaw becomes entangled in an elderly biographer's quest to uncover the truth behind Marian Arnold's mysterious life and the unsolved murders linked to an infamous serial killer. Joined by Marian's great-great-grandson, can Remy expose the evil that lurks beneath broken wings? Or will the dark legacy surrounding the manor and its glass house destroy yet another generation?
"Wright is in a class by herself."--Library JournalGet Specters in the Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright.Jaime Jo, the coffee-fueled and cat-fancier extraordinaire, has entwined her life with the legendary Captain Hook, residing serenely in Wisconsin's rural woodlands.
Her literary vocation involves penning chilling Gothic tales, a baffling change from that of Austenites, with a strong preference to the master of dark, Edgar Allan Poe. Two mischievous urchins adorn their family, who keep their mother on her toes - providing an exhilarating amount chaos.
"If I were to summarize my life in three words, my instinct is to say: "I love coffee", and leave it at that. But, I realize that is rather shallow and a tad obsessive. So, summarizing who Jaime Jo Wright is can be a challenge.
I love life. I always have. God has blessed me, even in severe trials, such as the loss of three of my babies. He has never failed, never given up, never gone easy on me, and always disciplined me with a loving hand. (and trust me, when you have my personality which pushes boundaries and considers rules to be negotiable, you need discipline).
I married my husband in 2000. He wasn't exactly Prince Charming when I met him, so I aptly nicknamed him Cap'n Hook after he pirated off with my heart and has yet to give it back.
Our ship was joined by a little Tinkerbell in 2009. Our CoCo has tamed the pirate exponentially better than I ever could. Peter Pan came along in 2012 and whisked me away to Neverland where we refuse to grow up and make mischief on a daily basis.
Visit Jaime's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Hannah Linder returns to the podcast this week to chat about her latest release, Never Forgotten. We talk about how she came to write Regency romantic suspense, if she designed the cover for this book, and her new favorite hobby, square dancing. Patrons will hear if she reads reviews of her books and why or why not.
Never Forgotten by Hannah Linder
All He Wanted was Justice. All She Wanted was His Heart.
Georgina Whitmore, not accustomed to any man being unaffected by her charms, is plagued with the disappearance and rejection of Simon Fancourt. Twelve years later, Mr. Fancourt returns to British society with two children and a mad hunger for justice.
Racing against time, Simon works to uncover the men responsible for his wife’s horrific murder, protect his children, and fulfill his father’s unexpected will by marrying Georgina—the last thing in the world he wants to do.
Though her heart throbs to accept, she would rather lose him again than have his name without his love. She denies his proposal of matrimony, knowing it will cost them both. But as tragedies unravel and secret enemies narrow their sights on Simon, Georgina risks her life—and her reputation—to protect him and the children. Will the danger scorch them alive? Or will it, for the first time, open his heart to her?
Get your copy of Never Forgotten by Hannah Linder. HANNAH LINDER resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. Represented by Cynthia Ruchti with Books & Such Literary Management, she writes Regency romantic suspense novels filled with passion, secrets, and danger. She is a four-time Selah Award winner, a 2024 Carol Award finalist, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).
When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing instruments—piano, guitar, ukulele, and banjolele—songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, square dancing, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse. Her greatest desire is to please her Savior and to write in a way that glorifies and uplifts Him. Follow her journey on Instagram, Facebook, or the newsletter.
Visit Hannah Linder's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Karen Witemeyer returns to the show this week after a long absence, and we're thrilled to have her join us to talk about her new book, Cloaked in Beauty. Based on "Sleeping Beauty" and "Red Riding Hood," this is book three in a series. She tells us all about the series, why she chose the fairy tales she did, the old-time photo she and her husband took, and her son's wedding. Patrons will hear why she loves Texas so much. Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer Trust no one in the shadows of the piney woods . . .Letty Hood has spent the last fifteen years of her life hidden away with her grandmother in the backwoods of east Texas to escape the deadly schemes of an uncle who wants her dead. Now, with her twenty-first birthday on the horizon, she is forced to accept the escort of a stranger and return to Houston in secret so she can claim a birthright that will make her one of the wealthiest women in Texas. If she lives long enough to inherit.
Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael has one duty: get the Radcliffe heiress home alive. Expecting a spoiled girl, Philip is surprised to encounter a woman of rare strength with a kind soul and keen wit. As they journey together, Letty's resilience wins his admiration, breaking through his hardened cynicism. Yet the threat to her survival grows more menacing with every mile, and Philip fears that keeping Letty out of harm's way may be just as impossible as keeping her out of his heart.Get your copy of Cloaked in Beauty.More about Karen Witemeyer:After growing up in California, Karen moved to Texas to attend Abilene Christian University where she earned bachelor and master's degrees in Psychology. It was also there that she met and married her own Texas hero. He roped her in good, for she has lived in Texas ever since. In fact, she fell so in love with this rugged land of sweeping sunsets and enduring pioneer spirit, that she incorporates it into the pages of her novels, setting her stories in the small towns of a state that burgeoned into greatness in the mid- to late1800s.
A life-long bookworm, Karen is living her dream by writing novels. Her books have consistently hit bestseller lists and have garnered numerous awards. When not writing, she loves to pester her adult children, play board games, and cross-stitch intricate patterns reminiscent of the historical eras present in her stories.
Karen's favorite aspect of her writing life is hearing from readers. Nothing encourages her heart more. She'd love to hear from you. You can contact her here.
Visit Karen's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Michelle Shocklee makes a return appearance on the show this week, talking about her new release, All We Thought We Knew. We chat about the interesting intertwining of the WWII and Vietnam War eras, how it feels to be a Christy Award finalist, and why she'll never read a book in ebook format. Patrons will hear about all the special items she has sitting on her desk.
All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee
She was so sure she knew her family’s story . . . Now she wonders if she was wrong about all of it.
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When Mattie Taylor’s twin brother was killed in Vietnam, she lost her best friend and the only person who really understood her. Now, news that her mother is dying sends Mattie back home, despite blaming her father for Mark’s death. Mama’s last wish is that Mattie would read some old letters stored in a trunk, from people Mattie doesn’t even know. Mama insists they hold the answers Mattie is looking for.
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Ava Delaney is picking up the pieces of her life following her husband’s death at Pearl Harbor. Living with her mother-in-law on a secluded farm in Tennessee is far different than the life Ava imagined when she married only a few short months ago. Desperate to get out of the house, Ava seeks work at a nearby military base, where she soon discovers the American government is housing Germans who they have classified as enemy aliens. As Ava works to process legal documents for the military, she crosses paths with Gunther Schneider, a German who is helping care for wounded soldiers. Ava questions why a man as gentle and kind as Gunther should be forced to live in the internment camp, and as they become friends, her sense of the injustice grows . . . as do her feelings for him. Faced with the possibility of losing Gunther, Ava must choose whether loving someone deemed the enemy is a risk worth taking, even if it means being ostracized by all those around her.
In the midst of pain and loss two women must come face-to-face with their own assumptions about what they thought they knew about themselves and others. What they discover will lead to a far greater appreciation of their own legacies and the love of those dearest to them.
Get your copy of All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee.
More about Michelle:
I have always loved the written word. As far back as I can remember I've enjoyed books.
My mother, an elementary school teacher, read to my four older siblings and me a lot while we grew up in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains in Santa Fe, New Mexico. After I learned to read on my own, books were part of my daily life. When I walk into a bookstore, I take a deep breath, inhaling that wonderful, unique aroma. Ahhh.
(Sorry techies, but ya just can't do that with a Kindle!)
So it wasn't a big surprise when I discovered how much I enjoyed writing my own stories. I filled pages of notebooks and eventually computer screens with tales of love, heartbreak, drama and humor. Although I write various genres,
historical settings are my favorite.
When I'm not writing, editing, or dreaming up new stories, my husband and I work as Estate Caretakers! We also enjoy spending time at the beach with our two grown sons and their beautiful wives.
Visit Michelle's website.
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Wow! Somehow, Christian Historical Fiction Talk has made to it to 200 episodes. That's unbelievable to me. Thank you all for your support of the show over this past 4+ years. I appreciate it more than you can ever know.
On this episode, we do a little celebrating. I pull back the curtain and give some insight into how an episode comes to be, I share a little bit of trivia about the show, and think aloud about what I'd like to see happen to the show in the future and what I've learned along the way.
If you'd like to check out some of my books, take a look at these:
What I Would Tell YouWhat I Promise YouWhat I Left for YouWhen the Sky BurnedBooks by some of the show's most popular authors:
Embers in the London Skyby Sarah Sundin
For a Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer
The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz
By Evening's Lightby Leslie Gould
Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Tessa Afshar joins us on the show this week to talk about her upcoming book, The Queen's Cook. We chat about her research for the novel, her love of cooking and what she's growing in her garden, and many other fun topics. Patrons will hear what her first impressions of America were when she came to the country.
The Queen's Cook by Tessa Afshar "A tender and touching tale. Tessa Afshar has given us two wonderfully charming heroines."--ANGELA HUNT, New York Times bestselling author of The Emissaries series
In the heart of ancient Persia, the empire's Jewish citizens face an ominous edict that threatens their very existence. Roxannah, the daughter of an impoverished Persian lord, is devastated by the news but feels helpless to come to the aid of her Jewish friends. Desperate to support her family, Roxannah approaches the royal physician, Adin--the man whose kind eyes haunt her--and seeks his help to find employment in Queen Esther's kitchens.
In the opulent palace of Susa, Roxannah tries to survive the spiteful ploys of the other cooks as she ascends through the ranks. Her loyalty earns her the trust and friendship of Queen Esther, who is navigating dangerous politics with wisdom and grace. When Roxannah and Adin uncover a sinister plot against Amestris, the king's most powerful wife and Esther's archenemy, they find themselves tasked with the impossible job of discovering the culprit. As secrets unravel and alliances are tested, the fate of Esther's reign hangs in the balance.
Get your copy of The Queen's Cook by Tessa Afshar.Tessa Afshar’s historical fiction has been on Publishers Weekly, CBA, and ECPA bestseller lists and has been translated into 12 languages.
Her novel, Pearl in the Sand is the recipient of the ECPA’s Bronze Milestone Sales Award. Tessa’s books have received the Christy, INSPY, and ECPA Christian Book of the Year (Bible Study category) Awards, and are Carol, Christy, and ECPA Christian Book Award finalists.
Tessa was born in the Middle East and lived there for the first fourteen years of her life. She then moved to England, where she survived boarding school for girls and fell in love with Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, before moving to the United States permanently.
Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life forever. Tessa holds a Master of Divinity from Yale, where she was elected as the co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School for one year. She served in women and prayer ministries for twenty years before becoming a full-time writer.
Tessa is a devoted wife, a mediocre gardener, and an enthusiastic cook of biblical recipes.
Visit Tessa's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Carrie Turansky is our very special guest this week, here to talk about her book, A Token of Love. We discuss how she crafted this dual time novel, what she loves most about London, and what's her favorite thing to bake. Patrons will hear about whether she likes the East Coast or the West Coast better.
A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky Separated by centuries, the lives of two women intertwine through their shared pursuit of love, truth, and justice.In 1885 London, Lillian Freemont embarks on a treacherous journey to reunite with her long-lost niece, Alice, who was abandoned at the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Fueled by her sister's plea and armed with the gold token that identifies her niece, Lillian teams up with investigative reporter Matthew McGivern to expose the grim reality of the shadowed streets of London. As Lillian and Matthew unravel the mystery of Alice's disappearance, their partnership blossoms into one of shared purpose and undeniable attraction.
In present-day London, Janelle Spencer finds herself unexpectedly running the Foundling Museum. When filmmaker Jonas Conrad arrives to document the museum's history, their collaboration takes a surprising turn as they uncover articles from the past that shed light on a haunting connection to the present. As Janelle becomes caught between exposing the truth and protecting the museum's reputation, she must decide if she can risk everything for what she believes.
Get your copy of A Toke of Love by Carrie Turansky.Carrie Turansky has loved reading since she first visited the library as a young child and checked out a tall stack of picture books. Her love for writing began when she penned her first novel at age twelve. She is now the award-winning author of more than twenty inspirational novels and novellas. Carrie has won the ACFW Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the Holt Medallion. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Scott. They have five grown children and twelve grandchildren. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her walking around the lake near her home, working in her flower gardens, cooking healthy meals for family and friends, or leading women’s ministry at her church. Carrie loves to connect with reading friends on social media and through her website: http://carrieturansky.com
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Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Donna Mumma, a first-time guest joins us on the show this week to talk about her new book, The Women of Wynton's. She tells us about the four women who are the novel's main characters, about why she set it in the 1950s, and her love for alligators. Oh, my! Patrons get to hear about her dogs and why she thinks each one is special.
The Women of Wynton's by Donna Mumma
Mid-Century Glam Meets Murder Mayhem
Get swept away to the glamor of a 1950’s department store where four women’s loyalties, vanity, friendship, and detective skills are put to the test.
Audrey Penault once led a glamorous life as a model but now works as devoted secretary to Mr. Wynton. To her fellow employees, she is too vain and uppity.
Mary Jo Johnson, a wife and mother, longs to find her worth in the cosmetics department, but it may take a while for the shy housewife to discover her voice.
Vivian Sheffield owns and runs the bridal salon within Wynton’s. She is proud of her accomplishments and won’t let anyone take them away.
Gigi Woodard dislikes her job as waitress in the store’s lunchroom, but she is determined not to let her secret shortcomings cause her to lose the position.
These four women have much to dislike about each other, but they unanimously agree that Mr. Wynton is the best of employers and must be protected at all costs from someone who seems determined to see him gone for good. When other employee deaths occur, can the women band together to solve the murders, or will they discover it is one of their own bent on destroying Wynton’s from within?
Get The Women of Wynton's by Donna Mumma. Meet Donna MummaI am a native Floridian, farm kid and dreamer. I was blessed with two wonderful parents who taught me how stories enable us to learn, escape, connect and be inspired.
My writing inspiration also comes from the folks I knew in my growing up years. I came from a small town in Central Florida filled with some of the greatest storytellers. Tales of hunting trips gone awry, flipped airboats, eccentric relatives and beloved dogs seasoned my childhood.
From the stories of my parents and neighbors, I learned two important lessons. First, life comes with sunshine and hurricanes. Second, with God’s help, we can flourish in both.
My parents had a saying. It’s not important that you get knocked down but that you get back up. I write stories about people who fall, stand and press forward with God’s help.
I invite you to come with me on this writing journey. My hope is somewhere along the way we can discover all the Good Lord intended when He set us on this path.
Visit Donna's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Michelle Griep stops by this week to talk about her new book, Of Gold and Shadows. We discuss how a Christian author deals with supposed curses, her English Garden, and she tells the story of Iron Bridge in England. Patrons hear what makes her a hippie homesteader.
Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep The shadows hold secrets darker than they ever imagined. . . .
In 1888 Victorian England, Ami Dalton navigates a clandestine dual life. By day, she strives to establish herself as a respected Egyptologist, overcoming the gender biases that permeate academia. But with a heart for saving black-market artifacts from falling into the wrong hands, she is most often disguised as her alter ego, the Shadow Broker.
After eight years in India, Oxford's most eligible bachelor, Edmund Price, has come out of the shadows to run for Parliament and is in search of an Egyptologist to value a newly acquired collection. Expecting a renowned Oxford professor, Edmund instead finds himself entangled with Ami, the professor's determined daughter. As they delve into the treasures, their connection deepens, but trouble emerges when a golden griffin--rumored to bear the curse of Amentuk--surfaces, and they're left to wonder if the curse really is at play, or if something more nefarious is hiding among the shadows. . . .
"Don't miss all the romance, adventure, and danger in [this] new page-turner."--JULIE KLASSEN, bestselling author of Shadows of Swanford AbbeyGet your copy of Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep.Michelle Griep is an author, blogger, and occasional super-hero when her cape is clean.
Dare I be so bold as to call myself an author? Being that I’m one of those freaks who attended poetry workshops instead of summer camp during my formative years, yes, I will. While other teens busied themselves throwing parties when their parents weren’t home, I was the nerd holed up in my room with pen and paper.
A RELATIVEI’m a wife of thirty-something years and mother of two sons and two daughters. And yes, it’s true…boys are way easier than girls, unless drama is something you crave. The last of my nestlings has flown the homeschooling nest and I’m now a crazy hippy homesteader.
A PRINCESS
No, I’m not currently on medication for delusions of grandeur. I am a daughter of a King. Seriously. I take the Bible as inspired truth and that’s what it says (Romans 8:16, 17).
AN ANGLOPHILE
What’s the deal with me and Great Britain? Beats me. I’m as passionate about anything English as I am about chocolate and java. Oddly enough, I prefer Bronte over Austen, and if you’d like to debate the qualities of Typhoo versus PG Tips, feel free to e-mail me.
A CHEF
Sorry, I did not graduate from the Cordon Bleu. I didn’t even cough up the cash to attend. I am, however, a veteran of once-a-month cooking, and you can be, too. Also, if you’d like to email me, I’ll send you my favorite brownie recipe. Just go to my contact page and gimme a holler.
Visit Michelle's website.Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Amanda Dykes joins us as a first-time guest on the podcast, talking about her book, Born of Gilded Mountains. We chat about the power of language, how friendships change over time, and why she puts Easter eggs in her books. Patrons hear about what she does to encourage her children to read.
Born of Gilded Mountains by Amanda DykesLegends are tucked into every fold of the Colorado mountains surrounding the quaint town of Mercy Peak, where residents are the stuff of tall tales, the peaks are taller still, and a lost treasure has etched mystery into the very terrain.
In 1948, when outsider Mercy Windsor arrives after a scandal shatters her gilded world as Hollywood's beloved leading lady, she is determined to forge a new life in obscurity in this time-forgotten Colorado haven. She purchases Wildwood, an abandoned estate with a haunting history, and begins to restore it to its former glory.
But as she does, her every move tugs at the threads of the mountain's lore, unearthing what became of her long-lost pen pal Rusty Bright, and the whereabouts of the infamous Galloping Goose Railcar No. 8, which vanished years ago--along with the mailbag it carried, whose contents could change the course of countless lives. Not to mention the fabled treasure that--if found--could right so many wrongs.
Among the towering mountains that stand as silent witnesses, the ghosts of the past entangle with the courage of the present to find a place where healing, friendship, and hope can abide amid a world forever changed.
Get your copy of Born of Gilded Mountains by Amanda Dykes.Amanda Dykes is a drinker of tea, dweller of redemption, and spinner of hope-filled tales who spends most days chasing wonder and words with her family. She's the winner of the 2020 Christy Award Book of the Year, a Booklist 2019 Top Ten title, and the winner of an INSPY award for her debut novel, Whose Waves These Are. She’s also the author of Set the Stars Alight (a Christy Award finalist), Yours is the Night (recipient of the Kipp Award, Christy Award finalist), All the Lost Places (starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Foreword), and three novellas. Find her online at amandadykes.com.
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Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Connilyn Cossette and I had a great time catching up and talking about her new book, Shield of the Mighty. She tells us more about the entire series, why story is important, the cultural context of her books, and how she feels about coming to the end of her homeschooling career. Patrons will hear about her favorite writing spot and why she loves it so much.
Shield of the Mighty by Connilyn CossetteCaptured by the Philistines as a young boy, Zevi has grown into a formidable warrior. As a captain in King Saul's army, he is assigned a crucial mission: Recruit soldiers, gather tribute for the royal coffers, and find talented artisans for the king's court. But when he is sent to Maresha, the town he was forced to leave as a child, he faces a startling truth--the elder council rejects King Saul and his campaign against their enemies.
Yochana, a widow and skilled woman of business, is captivated by a stranger who enters her perfume shop. Upon discovering he is not only a soldier but a captain responsible for enlisting young men to die in battle, fury and pain from her past loss resurfaces, threatening to consume her. But when Zevi's actions in Maresha entangle Yochana in his radical scheme, they're forced to confront present dangers and past scars.
Embark on a journey through ancient Israel with bestselling and award-winning author Connilyn Cossette in this exhilarating tale of vengeance, justice, and healing.
Get your copy of Shield of the Mighty.Get the first book of the series, Voice of the Ancient.Meet Connilyn:“She is too fond of books, and it has addled her brain.”
― Louisa May Alcott
I was that girl. The one with her nose in books all the time. The one with a stack of library books up to her chin. The one who got caught reading under her desk in school (usually during math class).
Among all those lovely books that 'addled my brain' as a young girl, the ones that became my best friends were the historical novels—the ones whose rich details and long-ago adventures took me to Regency England, Ancient Israel, the Civil War Era South, hidden rooms in WWII Amsterdam, Colonial America and into the Wild West. It was these stories that brought history to life in a way that schoolbooks never could, and fueled a desire to imagine myself in these times and places that would eventually spill over into my own writing.
Since my first book was published in 2016 my books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, have won both Christy and Carol Awards and have sold thousands of copies all over the world in several languages.
And none of it would have ever happened without those first knee-shaking steps of faith and a God whose faithfulness and goodness far outweighs my doubts and insecurities.
Thank you for stopping by, I'd love to connect with you on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter and you are welcome to drop me an email at connilyn@connilyncossette.com.
Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter that will bring you exciting updates and opportunities for giveaways and sales!
Visit Connilyn's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Leslie Gould joins us on the show this week to talk about her new book, By Evening's Light. We discuss how war affected the Anabaptists, what her inspiration for the book and the series was, and what an urban hike is. Patrons get to find out what she would miss most if she lived as an Amish woman.
By Evening's Light by Leslie GouldTreva Zimmerman finds herself at a crossroads in life after a heartbreaking failed relationship. Returning to Lancaster County to visit her Amish grandparents and elderly aunt, Treva plans to leave her Plain heritage behind for a fresh start in Alaska. Torn between the expectations of her community and her own desires, she seeks to follow her own path--but all that changes when her aunt Rosene suffers a heart attack.
As her aunt recounts her own past--a poignant journey through Cold War Germany and a fervent desire to escape her Plain life to search for a lost love--Treva is determined to discover the whereabouts of Rosene's former sweetheart. Amid the turmoil, their former farmhand Gabe Johnson returns unexpectedly, throwing Treva's plans into further disarray.
While working hard to save the farm and explore her own destiny, Treva confronts her deep-rooted ties to her heritage and must decide if she will embrace her family's legacy or break free from the pressures of her past to forge a life of her own.
Get your copy of By Evening's Light by Leslie Gould.Get book one in the series, A Brighter Dawn.Get book two of the series, This Passing Hour.More about Leslie:My strongest memories from childhood include stories of hope and grace—and how those stories connected me to family and friends. I also soaked up stories of redemption in the small-town churches we attended.
Even though I knew I wanted to write fiction by the time I was in the sixth grade, as I grew older I pursued other things, such as majoring in history and communications, working as a museum curator, then as a public relations specialist, and finally as a magazine editor. Once I finally started writing fiction, it was another ten years until I sold my first novel. Soon after, I received a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, which allowed me to teach writing at a local university besides writing novels full-time.
I’ve written a large collection of dual-time, Amish, and contemporary novels, set in a variety of places—from the Pacific Northwest to Amish Country to France to Vietnam.
My husband, Peter, and I have been married forty-one years and have four adult children and two grandchildren. We live in Portland, Oregon and enjoy traveling, urban hikes, and hanging out with family and friends!
Visit Leslie Gould's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Gabrielle Meyer is back on the podcast to talk about her new book, For a Lifetime. We chat about all the twists in the book (without any spoilers), how she has brought time-crossing novels into the mainstream, and a surprise she has for fans of her books. Patrons get to hear about all the wonderful hosting she does at her home.
For a Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer
Grace and Hope are identical twin sisters born with the ability to time-cross together between 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, and 1912 New York City. As their twenty-fifth birthday approaches, they will have to choose one life to keep and one to leave behind forever--no matter the cost.
In 1692, they live and work in their father's tavern, where they must watch helplessly as the witch trials unfold in their village, threatening everyone. With the help of a handsome childhood friend, they search for the truth behind their mother's mysterious death, risking everything to expose a secret that could save their lives--or be their undoing.
In 1912, Hope dreams of becoming one of the first female pilots in America, and Grace works as an investigative journalist, uncovering corruption and injustice. After their parents' orphanage is threatened by an adversary, they enter a contest to complete a perilous cross-country flight under the guidance of a daring French aviator.
The sisters have already decided which timeline they will choose, but an unthinkable tragedy complicates the future they planned for themselves. As their birthday looms, how will they determine the lives--and loves--that are best for both of them?
Get book one in the series, When The Day Comes.Get book two in the series, In This Moment.Preorder book four in the series, Across the Ages.Meet Gabrielle Meyer:WIFE, MOM, WRITER, FRIEND...
Gabrielle lives on the banks of the Upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing historical and contemporary novels inspired by real people, places, and events. The river is a constant source of inspiration for Gabrielle, and if you look closely, you will find a river in each of her stories.
When Gabrielle is not writing, you might find her homeschooling her children, cheering them on at sporting and theatrical events, or hosting a gathering at her home with family and friends.
Visit Gabrielle Meyer's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.What our some of our past guest's favorite Christian historical novels? That's what we're discussing this week. Several authors phoned in and shared with us what they love to read and some of the books that influenced their reading or writing. There is a wide variety of answers, and I found a few that I'm adding to my TBR.
Terri Wangard told us about her favorite series, Daughters of Fortune, by Judith Pella, her bestselling historical series set at the onset of World War II. The three Hayes daughters couldn't be more different. But when war separates them across the globe, they learn true significance of family.Get Somewhere a Song.Candice Sue Patterson phoned in to tell us that her favorite Christian historical novel is A Note Yet Unsung by Tamara Alexander.
Get A Note Yet Unsung.Amanda Cabot chimed in with her favorite Christian historical novel, Angel Sister by Ann Gabhart.
Get Angel Sister.I put Leslie Gould on the spot during her upcoming interview to ask about her favorite book. She shared that it is A Sweetness to the Soul by Jane Kirkpatrick.
Get A Sweetness to the Soul.Tracie Peterson joined us to share with us her favorite Christian historical novel. Actually, she has two favorite series, The Zion Covenant and The Zion Chronicles, both by Brock and Bodie Thoene. With their themes of war and the establishment of the modern state of Israel, they are inspiring to Tracie, especially in light of what is happening in the world today.
Get The Zion Covenant Series.The Zion Chronicles series is also available on Amazon and other book retailers.
I couldn't let the opportunity pass me by to share the book that started my love of Christian fiction, that being Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke. Many of you probably agree with me that it is what ushered you into the world of Christian historical fiction. In many way, it's the book and the series that started it all.
Get Love Comes Softly.The rest of the series is available on Amazon and other book retailers.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Ann Gabhart is this week's guest, as gracious as always. She chats about her new book, The Song of Sourwood Mountain. We talked about how she gets to know her characters, why there is so much Appalachian fiction, and what her church means to her. Patrons hear about her writing space and her blackberry picking.
The Song of Sourwood Mountain by Ann GabhartWhile the century began with such promise, it is 1910 when Mira Dean's hopes of being a wife and mother are dashed to pieces. Her fiancé dead from tuberculosis, Mira resigns herself to being a spinster schoolteacher--until Gordon Covington shows up.
No longer the boy she knew from school, Gordon is now a preacher who is full of surprises. First, he asks Mira to come to Sourwood in eastern Kentucky to teach at his mission school. Second, he asks her to marry him. Just like that. And all at once the doors that had seemed firmly shut begin to open, just a crack.
With much trepidation, Mira steps out in faith into a life she never imagined, in a place filled with its own special challenges, to serve a people who will end up becoming the family she always dreamed of.
From the pen of bestselling author Ann Gabhart comes a heartwarming story of the unexpected blessings that can come when we dare to follow the Lord's leading.
Get your copy of The Song of Sourwood Mountain.
Hi, glad you could stop by to get to know me better. I’m a country girl, born and raised on a farm in the Outer Bluegrass region of Kentucky. I know you’re thinking horse farm, but no, not out my way. Mostly cows on the farms around here. My grandfather did have a big old workhorse when I was a little girl. My family grew tobacco and corn. We had a few milk cows, some hogs and sheep, but mostly beef cattle. I grew up working on the farm and enjoying the woods and animals. My roots go deep in the land, and I now live on a farm just a mile away from the farmhouse where I was born and raised.
I started writing when I was ten and have been writing ever since. My first published writings (personal experience pieces, youth stories, and poems) were in church periodicals like Home Life. My first novel, A Forbidden Yearning, a historical romance about the settling of Kentucky, was published by Warner Books in 1978. Since then I’ve published over thirty other novels for adults and young adults.
.My husband and I were both very young when we married, but we defied the odds and are still married all these years later. That could be because we went to church together and were committed to the Christian life. We are blessed with three wonderful children who picked some great people to marry and now we have nine amazing grandchildren I spoil every chance I get.
And I do love to write in my office with big windows all around. Writing is what I’ve always wanted to do. The desire of my heart is to tell stories to readers like you. Thank you for reading!
Visit Ann's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Sara Turnquist joins us for the first time on the podcast this week, though she isn't a new author at all. She tells us about her book, Laura, The Tycoon's Daughter, about the legend of Casey Jones, and how she came to be a writer (it's an interesting journey). Patrons will get to hear what some of her favorite hobbies are.
Laura, the Tycoon's Daughter by Sara Turnquist
She is in a hopeless situation. He has sworn off love. Can they find hope in each other and, possibly, a way out of their personal prisons?
Laura Millington is the daughter of a prominent railroad tycoon, but that luxury comes at a price. Her father’s intentions are to use her as a pawn, steal her choices, and press her into a mold she can’t seem to fit. When her curious nature and desire for justice finds her caught up in the middle of a train run gone wrong, can she stand for the truth even if it places her in opposition to her powerful father?
Jack Patterson has been betrayed by love. And he is determined to never risk his heart again. The vulnerable, strong-willed Laura intrigues him more than he’s allowed since his heartbreak. Can he overcome his reluctance? Moreover, will he be able to protect her from the man who would see her future dashed?
Crossing paths with train engineer Casey Jones and his heroic act of self sacrifice, will Laura and Jack find a way to stand side by side against the overwhelming forces keeping them apart?
Get your copy of Laura, the Tycoon's Daughter by Sara Turnquist.
Meet Sara:
I’m a coffee lovin’, word slinging, clean Historical Romance author whose super power is converting caffeine into novels. I love those odd tidbits of history that are stranger than fiction. That’s what inspires me. Well, that and a good love story.
But of all the love stories I’ve read, mine is my favorite. I live happily with my own Prince Charming and our gaggle of minions. Three to be exact. They sure know how to distract a writer! But, alas, the stories must be written, even if it must happen in the wee hours of the morning.
I have authored some enticing historical fiction with meaningful romances, including: A Convenient Risk, The Lady Bornekova, The General’s Wife, Hope in Cripple Creek, The General’s Wife, Off to War, A Convenient Risk, and more!
But of all the love stories I’ve read, mine is my favorite. I live happily with my own Prince Charming and our gaggle of minions. Three to be exact. They sure know how to distract a writer! But, alas, the stories must be written, even if it must happen in the wee hours of the morning.
I have authored some enticing historical fiction with meaningful romances, including: A Convenient Risk, The Lady Bornekova, The General’s Wife, Hope in Cripple Creek, The General’s Wife, Off to War, A Convenient Risk, and more!
Visit Sara Turnquist's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Roseanna White visits the podcast this week to talk about her new book, A Noble Scheme. We discuss if writing suspense is difficult, what inspired the series, and she shares her breast cancer journey. Patrons get to hear Roseanna's thoughts on why books set in Edwardian England retain their popularity.
A Noble Scheme by Roseanna White
In the opulent and perilous world of high society's most elite--and most dangerous--families, two investigators must set aside their broken hearts to uncover the truth.
Gemma Parks is known to the London elite as G. M. Parker, a columnist renowned for her commentary on the cream of society. Behind the scenes, she uses her talents to aid the Imposters in their investigations by gathering intel at events and providing alibis for the firm's members through her columns. Yet her clandestine work would be more exhilarating if it weren't for the constant presence of the gentleman who broke her heart.
Graham Wharton has never had eyes for anyone but Gemma, and she left his heart in tatters when she walked away from him. When the Imposters take on a new job to recover a kidnapped boy mistaken for his aristocratic cousin, Graham is determined to use the time with Gemma to not only restore the missing boy, but to also win back the only woman he's ever loved. As they trace the clues laid out before them, Graham and Gemma must devise a noble scheme to save the boy's life and heal their hearts.
"A Noble Scheme is as clever as it is glamorous."--LAURA FRANTZ, Christy Award-winning author of The Seamstress of AcadieGet your copy of A Noble Scheme by Roseanna White.
Get the first book in the series, A Beautiful Disguise.
Preorder book three, An Honorable Deception.
Roseanna White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
Being educated at St. John’s College (the Great Books School) taught Roseanna to ask questions, to value conversation, and to never accept the simple answer without exploring it for herself. She and her family make their home in the mountains of West Virginia where she and her husband both grew up. Roseanna is a member of ACFW, a frequent speaker at writers events and small groups of readers, and an unabashed email addict.
Visit Roseanna White's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.
We welcome debut novelist Nicole Miller to the show this week, talking about her book Until Our Time Comes. She tells us about how she found out the book would be published, where her love for Arabian horses comes from, and why she loves stories so much. Patrons will hear about her brood of animals on her hobby farm.
Until Our Time Comes by Nicole Miller
American horse trainer Adia Kensington is living her dream of working at the famous Janów Podlaski stables in Poland, where they breed the best Arabian horses in the world. But her plans to bring the priceless stallion Lubor to the US are derailed when the German army storms into her adopted country in 1939. Little does she know this is just the beginning of six long years of occupation that will threaten her beloved horses at every turn.
Bret Conway is at Janów Podlaski under the guise of a news reporter, but his true mission is intelligence gathering for the British. That and keeping Adia safe, which is harder and harder to do as she insists they must evacuate 250 horses to save them from being stolen, sold, or eaten by the invading forces. What follows will test their physical, mental, and emotional strength, as well as their faith in God, humankind, and each other.
Drawn from true events of World War II, this epic story of escape, capture, resistance, and love from debut novelist Nicole M. Miller will thunder into your heart like a herd of beautiful horses across a raging river.
Get your copy of Until Our Time Comes by Nicole Miller.
More about Nicole Miller:
I live in Southwest Washington state with my husband and two sons, along with my two purebred Arabian horses, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats, and guinea pigs. As a long-time horse owner, I've been involved in several horse organizations throughout my life, including serving as a Clark County Fair Court Princess and Miss Teen Rodeo Washington.
When I'm not writing or tending the animals, I works in human resources. A journalism major, I've received several national and regional awards for my nonfiction writing from American Horse Publications and the Society of Professional Journalists.
Check out my short stories from Revell, too!
Follow me on Instagram at @nicolemillerwriter.
Visit Nicole's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.
Patricia Raybon joins us for the very first time on the podcast, though she isn't a new author. We discuss her latest release, Truth Be Told, if writing a mystery is hard for her, what she'd like readers to take from the book, and what makes a good mystery. Patrons will find out what her current favorite movie is and why.
Truth Be Told by Patricia Raybon
On a lovely June night in 1924, amateur detective Annalee Spain is mingling bravely at a high-class political fundraiser in the lush backyard garden of famed political fixer Cooper Coates, one of the wealthiest men in Denver's Black neighborhood of Five Points. When Coates’s young daughter discovers a pretty stranger dead in her father’s garden shed, Annalee is thrust onto the baffling new case just as she’s reeling from another recent discovery—a handwritten letter, found buried in her own garden, that reveals the identity of her mother.
Not ready to face the truth about her hidden past, Annalee throws herself into solving the mystery of the young woman’s demise. With the help of her pastor boyfriend Jack Blake, her orphaned buddy Eddie, and her trustworthy church friends, Annalee follows the clues to three seemingly disconnected settings—a traveling carnival set up downtown, a Black civic club, and a prestigious white seminary on the outskirts of Denver. Intriguing advice also comes from a famous, real-life Denver visitor. But is Annalee on the right track or just running in circles, fleeing from conflicts racing in her heart?
In a taut, heart-gripping narrative driven by secrets, romance, and lies, Annalee must unravel a case with higher stakes than she imagined—one where answers about a lovely woman's death point to truths and tensions still throbbing today.
- A clean historical mystery featuring an amateur female detective, from the Christy Award–winning author of All That Is Secret
- Third installment in the Annalee Spain series
- Includes discussion questions for book groups
Get your copy of Truth Be Told by Patricia Raybon.
Christy Award winner Patricia Raybon was reared near Denver, Colorado under big sky, bright sunshine, and the humbling mystery of Christ. A newspaper journalist who turned to historical fiction, she authors devotional writing for Our Daily Bread and writes the Annalee Spain Mystery series set in Colorado's dangerous 1920s Klan era.
Visit Patricia's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Jennifer Mistmorgan joins us all the way from Australia to discuss her WWII novel, The Mapmaker's Secret. We discuss what inspired the book, why she is so passionate about WWII, and what her unique hobby is. Patrons will hear about her wonderful, quirky little dog.
The Mapmaker's Secret by Jennifer Mistmorgan
May 1943, Lincolnshire, England: Grace Deroy’s family estate is requisitioned by the Air Ministry, so she takes a job in the new cartography facility to protect what used to be her home, a small cog in the vast machinery of war. When the new American intelligence officer Jack Marsden arrives, she has no idea he’s been sent to spy on her.
Jack has little experience with espionage, but his real task is simple enough: get close to Grace and find out whether she’s leaking Air Ministry secrets to the enemy. It should be a dream assignment, but Jack finds himself tongue tied and awkward every time he comes in contact with his target––a sure sign he’s falling in love.
Grace isn’t the Nazi sympathizer that MI5 suspects, but that doesn’t mean she’s got nothing to hide. When compromising stories about her appear in the press, Grace fears someone she trusts––someone working in her own home––is trying to expose her. Can she find out who before all the shameful secrets from her past are laid bare? And can she trust this quiet new American to help her work out who the real traitor is?Get The Mapmaker's Secret by Jennifer Mistmorgan.Get Book 1 of "On Victory's Wings" series, Heart in the Clouds.Australian author Jennifer Mistmorgan sometimes feels like she was born in the wrong era. So she writes romantic historical fiction set in the 1940s, against the backdrop of WWII and its aftermath. She infuses her sweet romances with wartime drama, gentle faith and a dash of intrigue. She lives in Canberra with her family and a wonky-eared West Highland terrier.
Visit Jennifer Mistmorgan's website.
Fellowship One:Seven
Fellowship One:Seven™ is biblical podcast from Child Evangelism Fellowship®. On the...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Kim Sawyer returns to the podcast this week to talk about her new book, The Songbird of Hope Hill. We discuss how she creates such fascinating characters, what led her to writ this book, and her love of renovating old houses. Be sure to listen to the end for a huge announcement from Kim!!! Patrons will hear about her most treasured antique find.
The Songbird of Hope Hill by Kim Sawyer
A young woman sings of God’s love—even if she doesn’t believe He can forgive her—in this heartwarming novel inspired by historical events, from the bestselling author of A Tapestry of Grace**.
“An unforgettable story of God’s grace and redemption.”—Kathleen Y’Barbo, author of The Black Midnight**
Driven by survival to a life at a house of ill repute, Birdie Clarkson now longs only for escape. So when Reverend Isaiah Overly and his son, Ephraim, appear and offer a better life, she jumps at the chance. Ignoring the furious raging of the madam, Birdie climbs into the back of the preacher’s wagon.
The men take her to Hope Hill, the haven the reverend and his wife, Ophelia, founded so women like Birdie can be taught skills to help them rise above their pasts. Soon a resistant Birdie finds herself singing in the choir Ephraim leads at revival meetings, even though she’s certain she’s the last person who should be representing God.
Reverend Overly teaches that no one is irredeemable, but even as Ephraim is falling in love with her, Birdie remains convinced that she’s past saving. After all she’s been through, can she ever believe that God’s redemption wipes every soul clean? And can Ephraim convince her that God loves her more than she can grasp—and that he does, too?
Get your copy of The Songbird of Hope Hill by Kim Sawyer. Kim Vogel Sawyer grew up in Kansas. All over Kansas. Her dad, an educator by vocation and a house fixer-upper by design, had itchy feet. Consequently, Kim attended seven different schools in five cities before graduating from high school.
Although Kim dreamed of being a writer from her earliest memories—even recalls telling her kindergarten teacher that people would check out her book in libraries someday!—she chose to become an elementary school teacher. She used her degree first in an in-home daycare/preschool, then as a home visitor with Head Start, and finally in a fifth grade classroom. Kim loved the kids, but health challenges (a variety of auto-immune disorders) made it difficult to keep up the pace of full-time teaching.
In 2001, she dropped to part-time status and began using the morning hours at home to write. The characters and stories that had lived in the back of her brain for years found their way from her fingertips onto a computer screen. She made a promise: to never write anything that would embarrass her mother or to write anything she would be embarrassed for her daughters or former students to read.
When Kim isn’t writing, she enjoys traveling with her retired military hubby, quilting, antique-shopping, and spoiling her quiverful of granddarlings who are the joys of her life. She likes them even more than chocolate, and that’s saying something.
Visit Kim Sawyer's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Jen Turano is back with us this week, and as you can imagine, we had so much fun. Join us as we talk about her new book, Meeting Her Match. She tells us what she does on release day, how some of her characters get names, and if she laughs or not while she's writing. Patrons, you have a very special bit of bonus content and we discuss some of her many book covers. (Here's your special link, patrons. Be sure to have this page open when we get to your bonus content. https://loom.ly/-Y-N4MY)
Meeting her Match by Jen TuranoMiss Camilla Pierpont, a renowned matchmaker and influential member of the New York Four Hundred, has vowed never to marry after suffering a devastating heartbreak during her debut years ago. However, when she is nearly abducted along the Hudson River, she finds herself rescued by an annoyingly outspoken, albeit fascinating, gentleman who challenges her in a manner she wasn't expecting.
After learning that Camilla Pierpont has enjoyed success with taking wayward young ladies in hand, Mr. Owen Chesterfield travels to the Hudson River Valley determined to convince Camilla to sponsor his sister, who is in desperate need of social rehabilitation.
Knowing her life is in danger, Camilla agrees to Owen's proposition and travels with him to West Virginia, finding herself charmed by the less-than-formal attitude of his small hometown, as well as by Owen himself. But danger waits in the shadows, disrupting what she knows would be the most spectacular match she's ever made--her own.
Get your copy of Meeting Her Match by Jen TuranoNamed One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publisher Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside of Denver, CO. Readers may find her at www.jenturano.com – www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor, www.instagram.com/jenturanoauthor
Jen is represented by Sarah Younger, senior literary agent, Nancy Yost Literary Agency, New York.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Amanda Cabot returns to the show this week to talk about her new book, Into the Starlight. We chat about why books set in Texas are more popular than ones set in Wyoming, why our husbands put up with our craziness, and what it means to have a sister. Patrons will also hear about the fear Amanda conquered on a trip to Australia.
Into the Starlight by Amanda CabotAfter more than a year in Europe, Joanna Vaughn returns to Sweetwater Crossing, her dreams of becoming a concert pianist shattered. As if that weren't enough, her husband, whom she married after a whirlwind courtship, has died. The only thing sustaining her on the journey back to Texas was the thought of her childhood home. But to Joanna's dismay, she's changed so much that the place she once loved no longer feels like home.
After his fiancée married his partner and both blamed him for a patient's death, Dr. Burke Finley believes it's time for a change. A quick trip with his almost-aunt Della Samuels to Sweetwater Crossing turns into an extended stay to discover what happened to his uncle and her would-be husband. But the beautiful and musical Joanna makes it more than bearable.
As the two join forces to help Della, there is no denying the attraction felt on both sides. But ghosts from the past are coming to call--and threatening to destroy any chance at happily-ever-after.
Get swept away by this emotional tale of family, friendship, and the kind of love that overcomes every obstacle.
Get a copy of Into the Starlight by Amanda Cabot.Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of more than forty novellas, eight novellas, four nonfiction books, and what she describes as enough technical articles to cure insomnia in a medium-sized city. Her stories have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists, have garnered a starred review from Publishers Weekly, were a Woman's World Book Club selection, and have been finalists for the ACFW Carol, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers Best awards.
A former director of information technology for a major international corporation, Amanda is now a full-time writer living happily ever after with her husband in Cheyenne.
Visit Amanda's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Thank you all for being patient with me last week. As you know, I didn't get an episode out because I was away from home and reliable internet finishing my next book. To make up for it, there will be two episodes this week, Lord willing. Joanna Politano is up first.
Joanna joins us to talk about her new book, The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple. We chat about the inspiration for this fabulous book, what film making was like in the very early 1900s, and if Joanna is anything like Lily Temple. Patrons get to hear about her experience homeschooling her kids and how she manages to find time to write.
The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Politano
Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator to the wealthy, has never met anyone like Lily Temple. The beautiful silent-film actress spins fairy tales and plays frivolous roles in front of the cine-camera, but beneath the costumes and stage makeup is a woman with a quick wit--and a murky past.
Peter has been tasked with locating the legendary Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire, which Lily wears beneath her gown. In order to stay close to her and hopefully unravel the mystery of her story--and the sapphire--Peter employs Lily's help on a case, which leads to a useful partnership. But as they are investigating together, Peter is also investigating Lily. The closer he gets to the truth, the more danger they face. And the closer he gets to Lily, the clearer it is that he needs her even more than she needs him.
Award-winning author Joanna Davidson Politano whisks you away to Edwardian England in 1903 for a whimsical and layered tale that treads the crooked line between real and make-believe.
Get your copy of The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Politano.
More about Joanna:
I’m a work-from-home mom of two fun and adventurous littles and we’ll soon be homeschooling. I married my hero Vince, who is my love and my polar opposite. I write, he tears it up with the red pen. I break cars and other mechanical things, he puts them back together. He’s nailed the “speak the truth” thing, and I bring the “in love” part. But the real spark to our marriage is that he does not like chocolate and I… like it a normal amount. We love and live from our little house in the woods near Lake Michigan.
Visit Joanna Politano's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Angela Hunt returns to the podcast after some time with her new book, The Sisters of Corinth. We chat about sisterly relationships, the city of Corinth, chickens, and the creative spark in all of us. Patrons will hear about why she went back to school several years ago and got a few advanced degrees.
The Sisters of Corinth by Angela Hunt "Angela Hunt takes her craft to new heights--and depths--as she fully immerses us in the lives and struggles of first-century followers of Yeshua."--Tamera Alexander, bestselling author on The Woman from LydiaWhen the new provincial governor arrives in Corinth, the esteemed Chief Magistrate Narkis Ligus, father to Mariana and Prima, is delighted. He sees a golden opportunity to propel himself to greater power and fortune by uniting his and the governor's households through the marriage of one of his beautiful unwed daughters to the governor's firstborn son.
Yet complications quickly arise in Narkis's own family. Mariana, his stepdaughter, holds steadfast faith in Yeshua, rendering her hesitant to marry a man devoted to the Roman gods, despite Narkis's urging. On the other hand, Prima, his daughter by birth, yearns for a life of wealth and status and is willing to go to great lengths to secure a marriage that fulfills her desires--even if it means betraying Mariana to do so.
Get The Sisters of Corinth by Angela Hunt.Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who expect the unexpected in novels. With over five million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 150 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to non-fiction books, to novels.
Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards–one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City.
Afterward, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport.
Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, chickens, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.
Also in 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree. She completed her doctorate in biblical studies in 2008 and her Th.D. in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her pets, of course. She is also an avid photographer, using her photos to help find homes for animals at local rescues.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.The lovely and sweet Grace Hitchcock returns to the podcast this week after a long hiatus, and we had a wonderful chat about her new release, To Catch a Coronet. We talk about her making the switch from the Gilded Age to Regency, how she handles Regency era language, and who her favorite character was to write. Patrons get to hear if she likes to read on Kindle, paperback, or both.
To Catch a Coronet by Grace HitchcockSometimes the only way to outsmart a scandal is to find a crown big enough to silence it
Muriel Beau, country baker turned heiress, can't stop instigating outrage. She discards two arranged engagements, then further antagonizes Kent society by publicly proposing to a baron at a ball. His rejection leaves her with no choice but to flee to the city and to secure a coronet so splendid that her peers will forget her debacles. The glitter of the London courts convinces Muriel that it's possible to find the future she dreams of, until she finds herself entangled in yet another escapade--one that may cost her more than her crumbling reputation.
After years of serving as a privateer under an assumed name, Captain Erik Draycott, heir to Draycott Castle and soon to assume his uncle's title of Earl, returns to his London home to find it in disrepair thanks to his longtime nemesis. A staunch bachelor intent on returning to his ship, the captain is shocked when his mentor encourages him to take a wife. But while his alleged pauper status causes the potential London brides to turn their noses up at him, the ladies of Kent have no such qualms and are eager to fill his coffers with their fathers' wealth.
Caught in a whirlwind of high society and high seas, Muriel and Erik navigate a risky undertaking that threatens their futures and creating stakes that soar above the masts of Erik's ship. Will Muriel's bold charm and Erik's daring bravery be enough to outsmart the scandal and secure a future as glittering as the crown Muriel seeks?
"To Catch a Coronet by Grace Hitchcock is perfect Regency! This hilarious novel has it all: sparkling dialogue, a spunky heroine with a penchant for baking, and a dreamy hero who loves her in spite of her antics. I loved it and highly recommend!"
--Colleen Coble, USA Today best-selling author of Fragile Designs
Get a copy of To Catch a Coronet by Grace HitchcockI have always loved to read. As a child, going to the library was a highlight and I would read through entire shelves of Historical Fiction until every single favorite author’s works were exhausted.
The power of the written word captivated me and I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a writer. I wrote my first “novel” as a senior in high school for my English project. Of course, when I read it now, I giggle at my word choice and cringe at my sentence structure, but I had so much fun writing it that I decided to Major in Creative Writing and Minor in History. I loved studying the art of creative writing, so I stayed in school and obtained my Masters in Creative Writing as well.
Visit Grace's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Janyre Tromp is the guest this week on the podcast, here to talk about her latest release, Darkness Calls the Tiger. We discuss the significance of tigers to her story and the people her book is about, why she wrote this particular novel, the market for WWII fiction set in Asia, and her eccentric dog. Patrons will hear about what life is like for her now that she has left her nine-to-five job.Darkness Calls the Tiger by Janyre Tromp "Evocative and transportive, filled with nuance and spiked with the violence of war, Darkness Calls the Tiger is a story of redemption in the midst of hopelessness." --Tosca Lee, New York Times best-selling author
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Imperial Japan devours the southern portion of Burma, intent on taking over mainland Asia. Unaware of the coming darkness, Kailyn Moran drifts in her role as the only daughter of a widowed missionary. As whispers of war snake through the Kachin mountains, Kai's father is convinced God will protect the mission. He entrusts the village to her and the kind yet inexperienced new missionary, Ryan McDonough, while he makes routine visits to neighboring villages.
War descends like a tempest upon the mountain peaks, and an unbreakable bond forms between Kailyn and Ryan as they unite to provide solace to both villagers and the flood of refugees. Despite their tireless efforts, a brutal enemy shatters almost everything they love, pushing Kailyn to embark on a path of unrestrained vengeance.
Afraid he's losing the woman he loves, Ryan fights to protect Kai from the deadly consequences of her choices. But in the face of destruction, can he convince her of the power and freedom of forgiveness?
Get your copy of Darkness Calls the Tiger by Janyre Tromp.Janyre Tromp is an award-winning and best-selling writer with a deep love for all things nerdy. If she isn’t editing or reading, most of the time you’ll find her writing heart-wrenching, hope-filled historical novels with a healthy dose of suspense. But she’s also a mom, wife, award-winning veteran editor, and wrangler of all things, who hunts for beauty even when it isn’t pretty. Her books include Darkness Calls the Tiger, Shadows in the Mind’s Eye, O Little Town, and Lovely Life.
You can find her all over social media (@JanyreTromp) or on her website
Twitter: www.twitter.com/JanyreTromp
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JanyreTromp
Instagram: www.instagram/JanyreTromp
BookBub: Janyre Tromp Books - BookBub
http://JanyreTromp.com (where you can grab a copy of her FREE novella, Wide Open)
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Terri Wangard joins us this week on the podcast to talk about her new WWII novel, Seashells in My Pocket. In addition to chatting about the book, we talk about her interesting day job, her extensive knowledge WWII-era planes, and how she infuses humor into what can be a very dark time period. Patrons get to hear about the one place in the world she wishes she could travel to.
Seashells in My Pocket by Terri WangardGerman-Brazilian Isabel Neumann delights in creating seashell art, but it’s her mathematical ability that lands her a job at the American air base in Natal, northern Brazil during World War II. She doesn’t need a calculator to determine the correct weights and balances for the Air Transport Command’s cargo planes.
Daniel Lambert, an American transport pilot based at Natal, endures the taunts of combat pilots that he is “allergic to combat.” His flying skills win him respect, however, and his friendship with Isabel deepens, even as a new source of trouble looms.
Isabel is caught in the crosshairs of a German saboteur who is obsessed with her. He insists that she belongs with him, and demands that she help him sabotage the Allied base. Her growing relationship with Daniel angers the Nazi, who will do anything to get rid of him. What will happen to Isabel if the madman captures her?
Get your copy of Seashells in My Pocket by Terri Wangard. More about Terri:I grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the Lombardi Glory Years. My first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. These days I’m writing historical fiction, and won the 2013 Writers on the Storm contest and 2013 First Impressions, as well as being a 2012 Genesis finalist. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, I live in Wisconsin. My research included going for a ride in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress bomber.
Visit Terri Wangard's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Humorous books. We all love them from time to time, to give us a break from our troubles. They are what reading is all about - escapism. This week, we talk about books that make out laugh out loud. Discover some new authors, some old favorites, and a few surprises.
Angela Bell
A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventures
Pepper Basham
The Juliet Code
The Mistletoe CountessThe Cairo Curse Mary ConnealyForged in Love The Laws of AttractionMarshaling Her Heart Karen Witemeyer
Fairest of HeartIf the Boot FitsCloaked in Beauty Lynn AustinA Proper PursuitRegina JenningsCourting MisfortuneProposing MischiefEngaging Deception Grace HitchcockMy Dear Miss DupreHer Darling Mr. DayHis Delightful Lady Delia Penny ZellerForgotten MemoriesDreams of the HeartWhen Love ComesLove's Promise
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Jocelyn Green returns to the podcast after a bit of an absence, so it was great to catch up with her and talk about her new book, The Hudson Collection. We discussed how she drew such rich and layered characters, how Flaco the Owl in Central Park inspired her while writing the book, and why you don't want to tango with crows. Patrons get to hear about her favorite writing pants and where you can pick up a pair.
The Hudson Collection by Jocelyn Green Step into the beguiling world of 1926 New York and discover the power of resilience, friendship, and love from award-winning author Jocelyn Green.
Elsa Reisner's lifelong dream of working as an ornithologist at the American Museum of Natural History is fading as the job begins to drain her passion. But fate takes an unexpected turn when she is assigned to catalog the bequest of a recently deceased patron whose Gothic country mansion holds secrets and treasures waiting to be discovered.
As Elsa delves into her task, she forms an unlikely bond with the estate's delightful gardener and her daughter, as well as an architectural salvage dealer who still bears scars from the Great War. Together, they embark on a thrilling treasure hunt for a missing relic intended to safeguard the servants' futures before the estate is sold. At the same time, Elsa's body seems to betray her with new symptoms from a childhood disease that isn't through with her yet.
With the brooding veteran and her handsome colleague joining the search, Elsa must navigate the tangled web of secrets and hidden motives along with the changing state of her health. As her deadline looms ever closer, will she be able to secure a new life for her friends before the estate slips from their grasp?
Get your copy of The Hudson Collection by Jocelyn Green.Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King; Wedded to War; and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, pie, the color red, and reading with a cup of tea. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.I am so pleased to welcome Sarah Thomas Loudin to the podcast this week to talk about her new book, "These Tangled Threads." We chat about her time at the Biltmore, the Jan Karon Museum and what her role is there, why she first shied away from writing books set in real places, and why living in Appalachia is so wonderful. Patrons will get to hear her brag about her dog Thistle.
These Tangled Threads by Sarah Loudin ThomasSeven years ago, a hidden betrayal scattered three young friends living in the shadow of Biltmore Estate. Now, when Biltmore Industries master weaver Lorna Blankenship is commissioned to create an original design for Cornelia Vanderbilt's 1924 wedding, she panics knowing she doesn't have the creativity needed. But there's an elusive artisan in the Blue Ridge Mountains who could save her--if only she can find her.
To track the mysterious weaver down, Lorna sees no other way but to seek out the relationships she abandoned in shame. As she pulls at each tangled thread from her old life, Lorna is forced to confront the wounds and regrets of long ago. She'll have to risk the job that shapes her identity as well as the hope of friendship--and love--restored.
In this seamlessly woven historical tale, award-winning Appalachian author Sarah Loudin Thomas delivers a poignant novel of friendship, artistry, restoration, and second chances.
Get your copy of These Tangled Threads by Sarah Loudin Thomas.Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to live there. Her historical fiction is often set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia.
Sarah is the director of Jan Karon’s Mitford Museum in Hudson, NC. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Coastal Carolina University and is the author of the acclaimed novels The Right Kind of Fool–winner of the 2021 Selah Book of the Year–and Miracle in a Dry Season–winner of the 2015 Inspy Award. Sarah has also been a finalist for the Christy Award, ACFW Carol Award and the Christian Book of the Year Award. She and her husband live in western North Carolina.
Visit Sarah's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Tracie Peterson returns to the show this week, and it's always a delight to have her. We chatted about her new book, A Love Discovered. She shared why she decided to write a marriage of convenience story, why she chose Cheyenne as the setting for this new series, and what she would ask a reader if she could. Patrons get to hear about her long-ago pen name and why she chose one. That was a very interesting discussion we had on that topic.
A Love Discovered by Tracie Peterson
The heart finds its way when one least expects it--even in the most unforgiving frontiers.Invited by a friend to trek west and help establish the newly formed town of Cheyenne, Edward Vogel is prepared to leave the haunting memories of his wife and son's deaths behind him. The only problem is the corrupt new railroad town wants family men who can establish law and order, and desperation leads Edward to his friend Marybeth with a proposition of marriage.
After her father's death leaves her with no means of support, Marybeth Kruger is in danger of having her two-year-old half sister taken from her. So when Edward Vogel, the widower husband of her late best friend, offers her a marriage of convenience to escape both their troubles, she has no choice but to accept.
Life in Cheyenne is fraught with danger, but will this arrangement be enough to save Edward and Marybeth from the pasts they tried to escape? Or will life with each other put them--and their hearts--in more danger than ever?
Get a copy of A Love Discovered by Tracie Peterson.Tracie Peterson gave her life to Jesus at the age of six. Tracie knew at an early age that God was calling her to ministry, and writing for Him has allowed her to offer the Gospel message and encourage people to hope in the Lord. Her motto in writing, as well as all other aspects of life is Soli Deo Gloria—For God Alone the Glory.
Often called the “Queen of Historical Christian Fiction,” Tracie Peterson is an ECPA, CBA and USA Today best-selling author of more than 110 books, most of those historical. Her work in historical fiction earned her the Best Western Romance Author of 2013 award from True West magazine and the USA Best Books 2011 Award for best Religious Fiction for Embers of Love. She was given the Life Time Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers in 2011 and the Career Achievement Award in 2007 from Romantic Times, as well as multiple best book awards.Tracie received her first book contract in November 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership’s vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row. Eventually, Tracie also managed Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents book line—overseeing the production of 52 books a year.
In December 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers/Baker Publishing Group. She has co-written with a variety of authors including Judith Pella, Judith Miller, James Scott Bell, Kimberley Woodhouse, and Tracie’s daughter Jennifer.
Tracie, a Kansas native, now makes her home with her husband, Jim, in the mountains of Montana.
Visit Tracie's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Do you think authors don't like libraries because you aren't buying their books then? Well, this episode might just change your mind, because we discuss ten reasons why authors love libraries - and why you should too. So tune in for this unique topic and learn why libraries have been pivotal in so many authors' lives.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.
Erin Bartels stops by the podcast this week to chat about her new book, The Lady with the Dark Hair. In addition to talking about this fantastic book, we chat about Erin's own artistic abilities, her love affair with books, and she answers whether or not her son likes to read, plus she shares her husband's podcast, High and Silver Presents Pilgrim's Progress. Patrons hear about what is going to be her first international trip.
The Lady with the Dark Hair by Erin Bartels
Esther Markstrom and her artist mother have always been proud of their ancestor, painter Francisco Vella. They even run a small museum and gallery dedicated to raising awareness of his scandalously underappreciated work. But when Esther reconnects with her former art history professor, she finds her once-solid family history on shaky ground as questions arise about Vella's greatest work--a portrait entitled The Lady with the Dark Hair.
In 1879, Catalan orphan-turned-fugitive Viviana Torrens has found sanctuary serving in the home of an aging artist in Southern France. It is in his studio that she meets Francisco Vella, a Gibraltarian merchant who sells artists' pigments. When her past catches up to her, she is compelled to pose as Vella's sister and join him on his travels or be deported back to Spain to stand trial. Along the way she will discover that the many parts she has been playing in order to hide her identity have far-reaching implications she never could have foreseen.
This dual-timeline story from award-winning author Erin Bartels takes readers from the sleepy Midwest to the sultry Mediterranean on a relentless search for truth, identity, and the freedom to follow one's dreams.
Get your copy of The Lady with the Dark Hair by Erin Bartels.
Check out her husband's podcast here.
ERIN BARTELS writes character-driven fiction for curious people. Her readers know to expect that each of her novels will tell a unique story about fallible characters so tangible that it’s hard to believe they are not real people. Whether urban, rural, or somewhere in between, her settings come alive with carefully crafted details that engage all the senses and transport the reader to a singular time and place. And her themes of reckoning with the past, improving the present, and looking with hope to the future leave her readers with a sense of peace and possibility.
Erin is the award-winning author of We Hope for Better Things, The Words between Us, All That We Carried, The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water, Everything Is Just Beginning, and The Lady with the Dark Hair (coming March 2024). A two-time Christy finalist and winner of two WFWA Star Awards and two Michigan Notable Book Awards, Erin has been a publishing professional for more than twenty years. After eighteen years in the capital city of a state that is 40% water, she now lives with her family in a charming small town surrounded by farm fields and pasturelands.
You can find her on Facebook @ErinBartelsAuthor and on Instagram @erinbartelswrites.
Visit Erin's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Sarah Sundin joins us today, and I'm always so pleased to welcome her to the show. Along with talking about her new novel, Embers in the London Sky, we chat about the history of the BBC, refugees in Britain during the war, the cat who makes an appearance in the story, and her travel bucket list. Patrons get to hear about the pets who rule her roost.
Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin
As the German army invades the Netherlands in 1940, Aleida van der Zee Martens escapes to London to wait out the Occupation. Separated from her three-year-old son, Theo, in the process, the young widow desperately searches for her little boy even as she works for an agency responsible for evacuating children to the countryside.
When German bombs set London ablaze, BBC radio correspondent Hugh Collingwood reports on the Blitz, eager to boost morale while walking the fine line between truth and censorship. But the Germans are not the only ones Londoners have to fear as a series of murders flame up amid the ashes.
The deaths hit close to home for Hugh, and Aleida needs his help to locate her missing son. As they work together, they grow closer and closer, both to each other and the answers they seek. But with bombs falling and continued killings, they may be running out of time.
Get your copy of Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin. **Learn more about Sarah:
Although I came from a home wallpapered in books,**
I only briefly envisioned myself as a writer. Instead, I studied chemistry in college and earned my doctorate in pharmacy. Not until I was a young mother did I start writing seriously.
Family tales drew me to the World War II era.
My grandfather, Frederick Stewart, served as a pharmacist’s mate (medic) in the US Navy, and my great-uncle, Roderick Stewart, flew a B-17 Flying Fortress in Australia and England—and flew into Pearl Harbor during the attack.
My grandfather, Frederick Stewart, at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, April 1944.
My novels explore the drama, daring, and romance of the World War II era. My most recent novel, Embers in the London Sky, received starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal. The Sound of Light was a 2023 Christy Award finalist, received starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal, and is a bestseller. The bestselling Until Leaves Fall in Paris received the 2022 Christy Award and was a semi-finalist for the Carol Award. When Twilight Breaks and The Land Beneath Us were Christy Award finalists, and The Sky Above Us won the 2020 Carol Award.
When I’m not writing…
my husband and I enjoy traveling and taking our two rescue dogs for lengthy walks. I teach Sunday school and women’s Bible studies, and I speak to community, church, and writers’ groups. I also serve as co-director for the West Coast Christian Writers Conference. Visit my speaking page for more information.
Oh, and I also had the privilege of flying in a B-17 Flying Fortress! I blogged about this incredible experience here.
Visit Sarah Sundin's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Jill Eileen Smith returns to the podcast this week to discuss her new book, The Ark and the Dove, about the women who surround Noah in the ark. It's so interesting, and we talk about the hardest part about writing about the ark and the people inside, whether or not one of her books will be made into a film, and patrons get to hear what she would be doing if she wasn't writing. Let's hope she never stops!
The Ark and the Dove by Jill Eileen Smith
Zara and Noah have walked together with the Creator for their entire lives, and they have done their best in an increasingly wicked and defiant world to raise their three sons to follow in their footsteps. It has been a challenge--and it's about to get much, much harder.
When the Creator tells her husband to build an ark to escape the coming wrath against the sins of humankind, Zara steps out with him in faith. But the derision and sabotage directed their way from both friends and extended family are difficult to bear, as is knowing that everyone she interacts with beyond her husband, her sons, and their wives is doomed to destruction. And when the ark is finally finished and the animals have been shut up inside, Zara and her family embark on an adventure that will test their patience and their faith as they await deliverance and dry ground.
Experience the story of Noah and the flood like you never have before. With bestselling and award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith as your guide, you'll never look at a rainbow the same way again.
Get your copy of The Ark and the Dove by Jill Eileen Smith.Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling, award-winning author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs, Daughters of the Promised Land, the Heart of the King, and Star of Persia, Esther’s Story, along with the nonfiction books When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams, and She Walked Before Us. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times.
When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or play with her lovable, “helpful” cat Tiger. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.
Visit Jill's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Abbey Downey, a first-time guest, joins us on the podcast this week to talk about her new book, An Uncertain Road. It's the fascinating story about a woman driving a race car in 1905. We chat about the research she had to do for the book, how she got her start in writing fiction, and the farmhouse built in 1900 that she and her husband are bringing back to life. Patrons get to hear what her pen name used to be and why she chose it.
An Uncertain Road by Abbey Downey
A female auto racer, a mechanic determined to walk away from the sport, and the race of a lifetime…
When young widow Flora Montfort returns to America, she’s determined to use her training in auto racing to support herself and her French mother-in-law—even if female drivers are rare in 1905. So when the owner of a successful sporting goods store hires her to drive in the Glidden Tour, a ten-day race through New England, she jumps at the opportunity.
Jensen Gable must be convinced that joining the team as the ride-along mechanic is worth the risk. After losing his best friend in a tragic racing accident, Jensen has vowed never to participate in the sport again. But his promise to protect that friend’s younger brother, also on the tour, is the only thing that outweighs his fear of the dangers.
As they race through New England, Flora and Jensen find common ground that ignites their interest in each other, but doubts and old enemies come between them. Hazardous road conditions, meddling locals, and competitors who’ll stop at nothing to win—they all conspire to prevent Flora and Jensen from reaching the finish line. As the race of a lifetime heats up, one question rises above all others…can their love find the road that leads to forever?
Get your copy of An Uncertain Road by Abbey Downey.
Hi, I’m Abbey. I write sweet, uplifting romance. Usually historical, always including faith. I love creating stories with strong heroines, heroes who do the right thing in the end, and historical details that add a dash of fun.
While writing has always been the best way I could make sense of the world, I never dreamed it would also one day be my career. It took many job changes and false starts before God led me to write stories.
The first of three books in my Adventurous Hearts series from Wild Heart Books will be released in February 2024. I also have two books published with Love Inspired Historical (under the pen name Mollie Campbell).
Please continue to check here, follow my social media, or sign up to receive my newsletter for information about upcoming books.
Visit Abbey Downey's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Jamie Ogle is our guest on the podcast this week, and she's here for the first time. Her new book, Of Love and Treason, is her fictionalized version of St. Valentine, so perfectly appropriate for this time of year. We chat about her research, her struggle with the end of the book, and her hobby of beekeeping, among other things. What a great book, endorsed by Francine Rivers! Patrons get to hear about the very first story she ever wrote.
Valentine defies the emperor and becomes a hero . . . and the most wanted man in the empire. Compelled by his faith, he has nothing to lose, until a chance encounter with the daughter of a Roman jailor changes everything.
Rome, AD 270. In the wake of the emperor’s marriage ban, rumors swirl that there is one man brave enough to perform wedding ceremonies in secret. A public notarius and leader of an underground church, Valentine believes the emperor’s edict unjust and risks his own life for the sake of his convictions. But as his fame grows, so do fears for his safety.
Iris, the daughter of a Roman jailor, believes regaining her sight will ease the mounting troubles at home. Her last hope rests in searching out Valentine and his church, but the danger of associating with people labeled a threat to the empire is great. Still, as Iris's new friends lead her to faith in God, Iris is drawn to Valentine and they both begin to hope for a future together beyond the treacherous empire.
But when a past debt and a staggering betrayal collide, Valentine, Iris, and everyone they love must fight for their lives . . . and wrestle with trusting a God who can restore sight yet does not always keep His followers from peril.
Get your copy of Of Love and Treason. Learn more about JamieI'm Jamie Ogle, award-winning author of historical fiction full of danger, (good) rebels, and deep faith.
I grew up in northern Minnesota listening to my grandparents tell stories from their youth. Stories of fighting in WWII, of panning for gold in Alaska, of crossing the Nebraska prairies in a covered wagon during the Great Depression, of gypsies stealing chickens, of a city girl falling in love with a farmer. Listening to them, I fell in love with stories, with history, with grit and perseverance.
I also grew up listening to my parents read missionary stories to me and my sisters before bed. Those stories of faith, sacrifice, and courage inspired me even more. I read everything I could get my hands on and started writing stories of my own. My first story was self-published and self-illustrated on a piece of cardboard, and I've never stopped writing since. I studied English and writing craft at Iowa State University and am a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).
My husband and I love to travel, and currently live in central Iowa where we can usually be found gardening, beekeeping, homeschooling, and tromping though the woods with our three young children.
Okay, that's enough about me. I'd love to connect with YOU!
Drop a note on the Contact page, join my email list, or connect with me on Instagram or Facebook! I'd love to hear from you!
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Jennifer Deibel returns to the podcast to talk about her latest release, The Irish Matchmaker. We chat about the true-to-life matchmaking festival that is the center of the novel, how she keeps the romance from becoming too predictable, and more. If you can find the Lord of the Rings reference in this story, contact Jennifer, and she'll send you a signed bookplate! Patrons of the show hear about her singing and dancing aspirations.
The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer DeibelAs daughter of a well-known matchmaker, Catríona Daly is no stranger to the business of love--and sees it as her ticket away from the sleepy village that only comes alive during the annual matchmaking festival. Enter Lord Osborne's son, Andrew, who has returned to the festival after being disappointed by a rival matchmaker's failed setup. Catríona seizes the opportunity to make a better match for the handsome man--and for herself!
Cattle farmer Donal Bunratty is in desperate need of a wife after loss left him to handle the farm and raise his daughter on his own. Shy and lacking the finer social graces, he agrees to attend the matchmaking festival to appease his daughter. But when he arrives, it's not any of the other merrymakers that catch his eye but rather his matchmaker--who clearly has eyes for someone else.
Catríona will have to put all her expertise to work to make a match that could change her life forever. Will her plan succeed? Or will love have its own way?
Get your copy of The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel. More about Jennifer."I’m Jennifer, but most people call me Jen. Just please don’t call me Jenny. As a wife, mom, full-time public-school teacher, and author, I’m right in the trenches alongside you as I work, serve the Lord, and love my family. I’ve just been blessed to get to do some of it in the west of Ireland and Vienna, Austria. However, after a decade of life overseas, we have settled back in America–in sunny Arizona!
I currently teach middle school English, and when I’m not working on school things, I’m spending time with my incredible family–my husband Seth and our 3 awesome kids–and writing.
There’s just something so intimate and uplifting about a good story, isn’t there? I write stories that explore home through the lens of faith, family, and culture–with the beauty and depth of Ireland coloring much of it. And all of my books aim to bring you all the charm of an Irish village, the beauty of the Emerald Isle, and the hope and encouragement of faith.
Not only do I write books, but I’m also honored to have been a monthly contributor at The Better Mom and have posts shared at (in)courage, Djibouti Jones, Tricia Goyer, Unveiled Wife, Intentional by Grace, and more."
Visit Jennifer Deibel's website.
Use my special link LIZ to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Liz Tolsma (that's me!) is featured on the podcast this week with a special guest host. Along with my niece, we chat about my latest release, What I Promise You, about the challenge of writing three different timelines, how I managed to get a photo on the book's cover, and what research was like. Patrons get to hear what my writing space is like and will even get to see some pictures of it.
What I Promise You by Liz Tolsma A Family’s History Is Lost to the Ravages of WWII in Southwest France
1942
Noémie Treves, a young, pregnant Jewish woman, had her entire world shattered when she is arrested and taken to the Camp de Rivesaltes transit camp in Southwest France. No sooner does she arrive, though, than she assists in helping two young girls scheduled for transport escape to a nearby maternity hospital. The matron there befriends her and changes her name to help hide her. But nothing goes according to plan, and Hannah finds herself doing the unimaginable to save one precious life.
2022
Caitlyn Laurant is haunted by recent events in her life and hopes becoming a nurse on the mission field will help her forget. While in training, she and her friends travel to France where her grandfather was born. What should have been an easy search for his birthplace turns into anything but and reveals secrets that no one alive has ever heard.
Get your copy of What I Promise You by Liz Tolsma.Don't miss out on book of "Echoes of the Past", What I Would Tell You.
More about Liz
Passionate might best describe me. I’m passionate about my writing, about my family, and about God. I started on this publication journey in 2011 and am so blessed that I get to work at my dream job every day. I love nothing better than settling into my comfy office chair at the big desk my husband built for me and letting my imagination go crazy.
I also love editing, especially helping new authors hone their skills and start on their own publication journeys. I have a passion for seeing others succeed in this business. There is always room for more well-written books.
At heart, I'm a story-teller and teacher, and so I enjoy speaking and presenting. If you're ever looking for a speaker at your event or a teacher at your writing conference or writers' group, I'd be happy to talk to you.
My other passions, besides writing, include camping, kayaking, working in my perennial garden, and walking. There is nothing more important to me than faith and family. My husband and I live in semi-rural Wisconsin, and we've been married more than 35 years now. The Lord blessed us with three children through adoption. Our son is a U.S. Marine, our daughter is a college graduate training to be an officer in the U.S. Marines, and our youngest daughter has both physical and intellectual disabilities, but she's a joy, and she loves going to daycare.
While there are many Bible verses that really speak to me, Romans 8:38-39: For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Visit Liz Tolsma's homepage.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Eli: The Phenom's Story by Mark Zimmerman
Mark Zimmerman, a broadcaster by day and an author by night, joins us on the podcast this week to talk about his book, Eli: The Phenom's Story. Combining Amish with baseball, he sits down to chat about how and why he has illustrations on the book, what he knew about the Amish when he started writing it and what he learned along the way, and so much more. Patrons will get to hear what other hobbies he has.
Get your copy of Eli: The Phenom's Story by Mark Zimmerman
A native of the Cleveland area, Mark Zimmerman graduated from West Geauga High School in Chesterland. At Bowling Green State University, he majored in Broadcasting, and minored in American Literature.
He entered the working world at WUAB-TV in Cleveland, working behind the scenes for 6 years. His 12-year advertising career followed. Starting as a copywriter, he became a producer, and a creative director – winning local, regional, national and international recognition.
In 1993, concurrent with his advertising career, he re-entered the radio world, working mainly as the morning drive host at WCRF – 103.3fm in Cleveland. Currently, Mark is the morning drive host for Heartfelt Radio at 91.9fm, with studios in Barberton.
Mark Zimmerman and his wife Wendy have been married for over 35 years, have three grown daughters, two great sons-in-law, and two grandchildren.
A lifetime Cleveland baseball fan, Mark wants – with the rest of us – “just one before I die.”
Visit Mark Zimmerman's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Darlene Bocek is my guest this week on the show, and she comes to us all the way from Turkey to discuss her book, Trunk of Scrolls. This novel is set during the Byzantine period, so she tells us what time period that was and what was going on then, what life is like for her in Turkey, and the unique way you can contribute to getting this book distributed to the Turkish people because they have no Christian fiction market there. Patrons get to hear about her children who are flung all over the globe.
Trunk of Scrolls by Darlene Bocek
"Trunk of Scrolls fell open and I fell in..."Dr. Michael S. Horton.
A.D. 526 The earth shakes like a beast awakening. Now Antioch, once the glory of Rome, lies in ruins--a broken-backed man that cannot stand. Marcellus, a sixteen year old Byzantine nobleman, takes up sword and wits to protect his young neighbors against wild animals, wild men, and a wild God they do not understand. Bearing a cursed betrothal ring, a lucky tooth of an infant saint, and a neglected trunkful of Scripture scrolls, can they survive a seven hundred mile journey to Constantinople to find their missing father and restore their lost fortune? Or will Marcellus stop this fated journey before it is too late? Kyrie Eleison. God have mercy. Trunk of Scrolls is a "on the edge of your seat" survival story. If you like fast-paced adventures, spontaneous young heroes, suspense-filled plots, and a dash of romance, then you'll love Trunk of Scrolls! Good for the whole family! Great for a curl-up-on-the-bed read.BUY it today! Take and Read!
Get your copy of Trunk of Scrolls by Darlene Bocek.Contribute to Darlene Bocek's Kickstarter campaign and help get the book into the hands of the Turkish people.Darlene Böcek and her family live in Izmir, Turkey. She and her family are Marvel MCU, early Star Wars, and Twilight Zone fans.
Besides being a pastor’s wife, Darlene is mom to four wonderful young adults: one skilled dentist, two hard-working dental students, and one high school student/Turkish TikTok influencer.
The family lives on an olive farm overlooking the Aegean Sea. To date, they have twenty-four cats, three giant dogs, FOUR cute Havanese doggos and one African Grey parrot.
A native of San Diego, California, she received a Bachelors Degree in Social Science with an Ancient Middle Eastern emphasis from Westmont College, and elementary and secondary teaching credentials from Southern California College. She is connected to Westminster Theological Seminary of California through her husband, Fikret.
She spends “most” of her time in front of the washing machine and her spare time writing (or vice-versa).
Visit Darlene Bocek's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Laura Frantz is our guest on the podcast this week, here to talk about her new book, The Seamstress of Acadie. We chatted about how she used French in the book and what it was like to speak it in Paris, her answer to the question of evil in a world ruled by a good and loving God, and what the Tea and Quill Tour is. (Hint: If you love Laura or Pepper Basham and traveling, you don't want to miss this part!) Patrons will get to hear what her proudest mom moment has been.
The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz
As 1754 is drawing to a close, tensions between the French and the British on Canada's Acadian shore are reaching a fever pitch. Seamstress Sylvie Galant and her family--French-speaking Acadians wishing to remain neutral--are caught in the middle, their land positioned between two forts flying rival flags. Amid preparations for the celebration of Noël, the talk is of unrest, coming war, and William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger raising havoc across North America's borderlands.
As summer takes hold in 1755 and British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, he resigns his commission. But that cannot save Sylvie or her kin. Relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia, Sylvie struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. When her path crosses once more with William's, they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present and forge an enduring future.
Get your copy of The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz.Bestselling, award-winning author, Laura Frantz, has been writing stories since age seven. She is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century and her novels often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Proud of her heritage, she is also a Daughter of the American Revolution. Though she will always consider Kentucky home, she and her husband live in Washington State.
According to Publishers Weekly, "Frantz has done her historical homework." With her signature attention to historical detail and emotional depth, she is represented by Janet Kobobel Grant, Literary Agent & Founder, Books & Such Literary Agency of Santa Rosa, California. Foreign language editions include French, Dutch, Spanish, Slovakian, German & Polish.
Readers can find Laura Frantz at www.laurafrantz.net
*Subscribe to Laura's seasonal newsletter and receive new release information, news about contests, giveaways, and reader events, sneak peaks and teasers, signings and appearances, and more!
Visit Laura Frantz's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.How do you like to read? Do you prefer print books, audio books, or ebooks? Why is that your preferred method of reading? This week, I take answers from the question I posted on social media - how do you like to read? The input and feedback was fantastic. Take a listen and see if you agree with those who answered. You might even find your answer to the question how do you like to read in the episode.
If you didn't see the question about how do you like to read on social media, comment and let me know how you like to read - ebook, audio book, or print book. I'd love to hear your thoughts as well.
I appreciate all the support during the past year and look forward to a great 2024. We're in the process of putting together a great line up. Please take a minute and consider supporting the podcast by joining my Patreon. Each month, you'll get early access, bonus content, and depending on the level you join, an entry into a book giveaway. You can join here.
Don't forget about the bonus for preordering What I Promise You, which releases on January 15th. Preorders are important to authors because the more preorders there are of a book, the more likely Amazon and other online retailers are to recommend it. And it doesn't matter which format you order it on - ebook, audio book, or print book.
The preorder gift is a special Zoom party with me, where I'll give away a couple of prizes, including the grand prize of a fabulous purse. Just preorder at your favorite online retailer or local bookstore by 11:59 pm CST on January 14th, then come back and fill out this form. I'll send out the link to the party which is on Tuesday, January 23rd at 7:30 pm Central time. You don't need to be present to win (but it would be fun if you were!).
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Kimberly Woodhouse joins us for the last episode of 2023. It's appropriate since she was the first guest of the year. This time, she's here to talk about her new release, The Secrets Beneath. We talk about this fascinating book centered around paleontology and women, about how difficult it is for someone of faith to work in science, and her "Million Miles with Kim" program. Patrons will hear if she likes working alone or collaborating better.
The Secrets Beneath by Kimberly Woodhouse Some secrets can only stay buried for so long. . . .Anna Lakeman has spent her life working alongside her paleontologist father, drawing intricate sketches at every dig. When they find dinosaur bones near their home in Wyoming Territory, they're given the opportunity of a lifetime and are swiftly caught up in the competitive era of the Bone Wars. But after her father becomes sick and Joshua Ziegler, an old beau, returns for the summer, Anna's world is upended, and the practical, orderly life she has made for herself shatters.
Medical student Joshua Ziegler left his hometown to forget Anna, the one woman he truly loved and deeply hurt. But when he returns, time hasn't erased the feelings they've always had for each other. After Joshua's nephew goes missing--just like his sister did years ago--and Anna's job is threatened, tensions mount and dangerous secrets are unearthed.
"Kim has long been a favorite author of mine, and her book The Secrets Beneath is no exception. This book is full of intrigue and adventure, twists and turns."--TRACIE PETERSON, USA Today bestselling author
Get your copy of The Secrets Beneath by Kimberly Woodhouse. More about Kimberly WoodhouseKimberly Woodhouse is a devoted wife and mother, and a third generation Liszt student. She has passed down her love of music and the arts to hundreds of students over the years, recorded three albums, and appeared at over 2,000 venues to more than a million people. Her quick wit, enthusiasm, and positive outlook through difficult circumstances have gained her audiences at conferences, retreats, churches, military functions, and seminars all over the country.
The Woodhouse family’s story has been on the front page of newspapers, in magazines, articles, medical journals, and most famously featured on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. They were also asked to share their story on The Montel Williams Show and Discovery Health Channel’s Mystery ER along with hundreds of other TV appearances and radio interviews.
Kim has been writing seriously for more than twenty years. Songs, plays, short stories, novels, picture books, articles, newsletters – you name it – she’s written it. It wasn’t until a dear friend challenged her to “do something with it” that she pursued publication. Now, she is a best-selling author of more than two dozen books, with more on the way. She has won The Carol Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and has finaled in the Selah Awards and the Spur Awards.
She is passionate about Bible study, reading, music, cooking, and pretty-much-all-things-crafty. Kimberley has been married to her incredible husband for twenty-nine years and counting and they have two married adult children.
Visit Kimberly Woodhouse's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Jody Hedlund makes a return appearance on Christian Historical Fiction Talk this week, and we chat about her new book, Calling on the Matchmaker. We talk about what makes a "swoony" romance, how she balances between the funnier aspects of her stories and characters and the heavier topics she deals with, and growing up without a TV. Patrons will also hear what her favorite dessert is that her girls make for her. It sounds delicious!
Calling on the Matchmaker by Jody Hedlund
"Jody Hedlund's novels are a joy to read."--ELIZABETH CAMDEN, RITA and Christy Award-winning author
"A historical romance reader's delight. Treat yourself! Jody Hedlund does not disappoint."--ROBIN LEE HATCHER, Christy Award-winning author
Haunted by the death of her sister, Finola Shanahan has resolved that she's not worthy of a family of her own and commits to spending her days caring for immigrants in the slums. When Finola sabotages yet another unwanted relationship her parents arranged for her, her father calls upon the local Irish matchmaker, who pairs her with successful wagonmaker Riley Rafferty. Finola quickly realizes her usual tricks won't work on him, however, as she cannot outsmart or outwit the dashing, determined, and daring man.
A candidate in the St. Louis mayoral election, Riley is confident a union with the wealthy Shanahan family will help solidify his chances of winning--and even more assured he and Finola can make a difference together. When a cholera outbreak begins to take St. Louis by storm, they must navigate a burgeoning attraction and growing danger testing all they know about love and sacrifice.
Get your copy of Calling on the Matchmaker.More about Jody Hedlund:I’ve been married for over twenty-five years to my college sweetheart. My husband has been one of my biggest cheerleaders over the years, doing his best to understand and support my writing even in the days when publication was only the whisper of a dream.
As we’ve raised our busy family of five children, he’s happily helped me carve out writing time. He’s very helpful around the house and pitches in wherever possible. (I have to admit that he does ALL of the grocery shopping!). We really work together as a team to support each other in our pursuits and work.
We’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to homeschool our children and are thankful for the close relationships we’ve developed in our family as a result. Now as we traverse the season of having teens and adult children, we’re excited to see God at work leading our children into new adventures.
My mom was the most influential person in my writing career. When I was young, she helped facilitate my love of writing by reading aloud to me, giving me good books to read, and providing the kind of environment that fostered my creativity (in fact we didn’t have a TV for a number of years). She always believed in me, encouraged me to pursue my dreams, and rode alongside me cheering me on.
Visit Jody Hedlund’s website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Pepper Basham stops by the podcast this week to chat about her latest release, The Juliet Code. We talked about how she balances the romance and adventure in this book, how challenging it was to write a romance centered around an already-married couple, how she writes about Venice even though she's never been there, and why she picked speech pathology as her day job. Patreons will get to hear how her Granny's stories inspired her to write - and about a special book coming up!
The Juliet Code by Pepper Basham Newlyweds Lord and Lady Astley Finally Reach Their Honeymoon Destination Only to Encounter a New Mystery in Need of Solving
Frederick and Grace Percy finally make it to Italy to enjoy a delayed honeymoon and explore the beauties of the historic city of Venice. To their surprise, their friend, Detective Jack Miracle, is also in the city, investigating a series of art heists starting at the house of eccentric millionaire, Laraby Covington. Drawn into a world of boat races, mysterious houses, and parties of the rich and unusual in Venice, Frederick and Grace learn of the existence of the Juliet paintings, (Renaissance paintings feature Shakespeare’s tragic heroine) rumored to hold a secret code to an underground vault of similarly treasured artwork assumed lost over the centuries. As Freddie and Grace are pulled deeper into the mystery and their beloved Detective Jack disappears, can they use their wits and work as a team to find the thieves and Jack before it’s too late.
The Juliet Code is a Freddie and Grace Mystery, sequel to The Mistletoe Countess and The Cairo Curse.
Get your copy of The Juliet Codeby Pepper Basham.Get your copy of The Cairo CurseGet your copy of The Mistletoe CountessMeet Pepper Bashsam
I wrote my first story when I was a nine year- old, freckled-faced tomboy in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains (my earlier writings wouldn’t have been considered “books”, more like short stories). Coming from a long line of oral storytellers, weaving a good yarn seemed a typical part of my life. It wasn’t until I finished college, had two children, and a full-time job before I began to study the ‘craft’ of writing (you know when I had plenty of time).
My music-director turned pastor husband took his first senior pastor position eight years ago, moved the 6 of us to Tennessee, where we added our fifth and final kid to the Basham crew. And now we’re in Asheville, NC. Yep, we love the Blue Ridge Mountains.
So…now I’m an older, freckled-faced mommy enjoying life, learning to write, and laughing often. My mom says that I must have a small bit of insanity because I don’t realize how stressed I ought to be.
I’m also a speech-language pathologist who spends her time hanging out with kids who have social communication and language difficulties! It’s a challenge and a blessing – and constantly teaches me about the importance of thinking outside the box!
Visit Pepper Bashsam's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. Favorite 2023 ReadsThis week, I asked what your favorite 2023 reads were. I loved reading your answers, and we had a good variety across plenty of different time periods. So sit back with a cup of hot cocoa and see what other listeners and readers picked as their book of the year. Do you agree? Did you have some favorite 2023 reads that didn't make the list?
In no particular order:
In This Moment by Gabrielle MeyerMaggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night, she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives--and everyone she knows in them--forever.
Get In This Moment by Gabrielle MeyerWithin These Walls of Sorrow by Amanda BarrattAn unflinching tale that implores readers to stop and see, not a massive crowd of people, but individual hearts and souls.
Get Within These Walls of Sorrow by Amanda BarrattMan of Shadow and Mist by Michelle GriepHow can two solitary individuals fight ugly, local superstitions and rumors that villanize a rich, transplanted family? As evil happenings increase and coincide with either the appearance of Sir James Morgan or ill weather, gossip runs rampant and feelings get out of hand.
Get Man of Shadow and Mist by Michelle GriepThe Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin
American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to leave Copenhagen and abandon her research--her life's dream. While printing resistance newspapers, she hears stories of the movement's legendary Havmand--the merman--and wonders if the mysterious and silent shipyard worker living in the same boardinghouse has something to hide.
Get The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin
The Cairo Curse by Pepper BashamClue meets Indiana Jones with a fiction-loving twist only Grace Percy can provide. The Cairo’s Curse is a delightful sequel to The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham in the Freddie and Grace Mystery series.
Get The Cairo Curse by Pepper BashamA Shadow in Moscow by Katherine ReayIn the thick of the Cold War, a betrayal at the highest level risks the lives of two courageous female spies: MI6's best Soviet agent and the CIA's newest Moscow recruit. Get A Shadow in Moscow by Katherine ReayA Million Little Choices by Tamera AlexanderNow from Tamera Alexander comes the story of two women from different centuries living in the same house who share strikingly similar journeys.
Get A Million Little Choices by Tamera Alexander
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Angela Couch returns to the podcast this week to chat about her new release, Capturing Hope. We talk about if she planned out all the plot twists that are in this novel, what she learned about WWII in Poland while writing the book, and what martial art she practices. Patrons will get to hear which is her favorite time period to write.
Capturing Hope by Angela Couch
One step ahead of the Nazi’s. . .leaves Nadia little room for hope.
Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.
After her father is murdered by Nazis and her mother flees to her native Germany, hope is something of which Nadia Roenne feels little—even if it is the meaning of her name. It isn’t until an American photographer sacrifices his escape from Poland to save a Jewish family, that she finds a purpose. David Reid is very familiar with failure, but when he is charged with getting Nadia safely out of Poland, he is determined to succeed—even if she works against him at every turn, putting other’s lives ahead of her own. While they race against the daily shower of bombs over Warsaw and the ever-nearing German army, Nadia grows used to risking her life. . .but dare she risk her heart?
Get your copy of Capturing Hope by Angela Couch. To keep from freezing in the Great White North, Angela Couch cuddles under quilts with her laptop. Winning short story contests, being a semi-finalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest, and a finalist in the International Digital Awards also helped warm her up. As a passionate believer in Christ, her faith permeates the stories she tells. Her martial arts training, experience with horses, and appreciation for good romance sneak in there, as well. When not writing, she stays fit (and warm) by chasing after six munchkins.Visit Angela Couch's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Denise Weimer is a first-time guest on the podcast, but she's a long-time author, and it was my pleasure to welcome her to the show this week. Her new book is A Courageous Bethrotal, and we talk about how early settlers kept the pathers away, the real-life woman she based her heroine on, and the challenges of writing a novella. Patrons will hear about her love of old houses and what inspired it.
A Courageous Betrothal by Denise Weimer A wounded lieutenant, a woman fierce enough to protect her family, and an American Revolution with everything at stake.
Red-haired, freckle-faced, and almost six feet tall, Jenny White has resigned herself to fame over love. Possessing the courage and wits to guard her younger siblings against nature, natives, and loyalists in Georgia’s “Hornet’s Nest” gives life meaning until she meets scout Caylan McIntosh.
From the time Jenny nurses the young lieutenant back to health after the Battle of Kettle Creek, she can’t deny her attraction to the vexing Highlander, who seems determined to dismantle her emotional armor. But when Georgia falls to the British and Caylan returns to guide Jenny’s family on a harrowing exodus into the North Carolina mountains, will his secrets prove stronger than his devotion? Or will their love be courageous enough to carry them through the battles ahead?
Get your copy of A Courageous Betrothal by Denis Weimer.You can purchase book one of the "Georgia Scouts" series, A Counterfeit Betrothal, here.You can purchase book three, A Cherished Betrothal, here.Preorder your copy of When Hope Sank, part of Barbour Publishing's series "A Day to Remember."North Georgia native Denise Weimer has authored a dozen traditionally published novels and a number of novellas—historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. Former managing editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas’ two historical imprints, she serves as Acquisitions & Editing Liaison for Wild Heart Books and as a freelance editor, helping other authors reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.
Visit Denise Weimer's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Amanda Barratt is our guest on the podcast this week - finally! Such an oversight on my part to not have her join us before this. We chatted about her new book, The Warsaw Sisters, about what drew her to writing her last two books in Poland during WWII, What the Warsaw Uprising Was, and the role women played during the war. Patrons will get to hear when she first decided she wanted to be an author.
The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda BarrattOn a golden August morning in 1939, sisters Antonina and Helena Dąbrowska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their beloved city and shattering the world of their youth.
When Antonina's beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls along with the rest of Warsaw's Jewish population, Antonina turns her worry into action and becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland's secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation. But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear the sisters apart--and the cost of resistance proves greater than either ever imagined.
Shining a light on the oft-forgotten history of Poland during WWII and inspired by true stories of ordinary individuals who fought to preserve freedom and humanity in the darkest of times, The Warsaw Sisters is a richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and the resilience of our deepest ties.
Get your copy of The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt.I’m Amanda—novelist, history nerd, and daughter of the King of kings. From an early age, as I wandered through a small-town library, my life has been shaped by countless stories—offerings of art from an author’s heart to mine. I’m passionate about illuminating oft-forgotten facets of history—be it the story of a group of unsung heroes who fought for hope and humanity behind the walls of the Krakòw ghetto, the lives of the university students who stepped from the ranks of the silently complicit in Hitler’s Germany, the love story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Maria von Wedemeyer, or the heroism and tragedy of the Warsaw Uprising. It thrills me to search for the snapshot in the sweeping panorama of a historical event, to delve into the quiet valor of ordinary individuals faced with extraordinary times.
Though my novels and novellas span a variety of eras, I’m ceaselessly intrigued by the Second World War. In times of some of the greatest evil and inhumanity our world has ever known, there emerged glimmers of courage, resilience, and sacrifice. The juxtaposition of those fragments of light against the darkness is extraordinarily powerful and inspires me as I write.
Research is one of my favorite parts of the novel-crafting process and my idea of the perfect vacation is a trip to a museum or historical landmark. I love stories that linger in the heart long after the last page, shelves brimming with books, and cherished moments with family and friends. And I love my readers! Friends like you who take the time to gather around my virtual coffee table.
Visit Amanda Barratt's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Jennifer Lynn Cary visits the podcast this week and chats about her book, Runaround Sue. We talk about cover design (you have to see the covers for all the books in this series), what Kokomo, Indiana, was like in the 60s and 70s, and about Vietnam and Vietnam vets. Patrons get to hear about her passion for crochet and what her most challenging project has been.
Runaround Sue by Jennifer Lynn Cary **She gave away something precious…
…He lost a part of himself.
Can they find a way to help each other heal?**
Sue is hiding out until she is sure her former reputation won’t destroy what she’s trying to rebuild. Unfortunately, that means this brilliant wordsmith turned semi-hermit is working beneath her potential and dealing with stress every time her office door opens.
The last thing she needs to do is greet some biker guy who sets her nerves to jumping just by being in the same room. And if his hairy face isn’t enough to put her off, the mere fact that he’s male is.
So why does she keep ending up in his presence?
Mac is home from Viet Nam and if he never thinks about that place again, it will be too soon. Instead he’s returned to his music that got him through his teen years, his exotic senior trip overseas (thanks to his Uncle Sam), and the deep wound that he brought home with him. Using his GI bill to further his music understanding has pushed him outside his comfort zone, but the leggy secretary at his professor’s office is tempting him with other ideas he thought he’d shelved for good.
Even if she gets flustered every time he runs into her.
What will it take for her to give him a chance? Or is she more wounded than he is?
Return to 1972 Kokomo, Indiana for the third installment of The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series—Runaround Sue—and what happens when people discover who God has called them to be.
You will love Runaround Sue, inspired by Dion and the Belmonts’ 1960s hit song, because everyone understands about facing fears with a do-over.
Get your copy of Runaround Sue by Jennifer Lynn Cary.
My name is Jennifer Lynn Cary.I am a retired teacher, an ardent fan of crocheting and a DIY kind of girl.Oh, and I write. *A lot.*The guy with the sweetest kiss in the world is my hubs of more than 40 years, affectionately known as Mr. Grumpy Pants.Together we’ve raised three of the most beautiful and intelligent daughters ever, who were smart enough to marry three of the most handsome and wonderful young men around. I have often said my sons-in-law are the best on the planet. You’re going to have to trust me on this.And then there are the grands. Yep, I know I don’t look it, but I am a grandmother of an ingenious seventh grader–Stinkerbelle–and a precocious toddler–Stinkerpoo, and his little sister-baby Stinkerella. They make me laugh, cry, and brag more than I ever expected.I saved the most important of all for last. I am a child of the King of kings. He has blessed me beyond reason and has never left me alone. I write for His glory.That’s me. There’s more I could add, but for now, that’s enough of an introduction.
Visit Jennifer Lynn Cary's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Hannah Linder is such a delightful young lady, and she joins us on the podcast again this week. We had a great time chatting about her new book, Garden of the Midnights. We also talked about how both the book title and the book cover go along with the story, how Regency romance has changed in the past several years, and what historical self-portrait photography is. Patrons get to hear what a banjolele is and why Hannah decided to play it.
Garden of the Midnights by Hannah Linder
The accidents are not a matter of chance. They are deliberate. As English gentleman William Kensley becomes aware of the danger at Rosenleigh Manor, he pleads for the truth of his past from the only man he can trust—until that man is murdered.
As the secrets unfold into scandal, William’s world is tipped into destitution, leaving him penniless and alone. His only comfort is in the constant friendship and love of Isabella Gresham. If he does not have their nonsense at the seashore, their laughter, their reckless adventures, has he anything at all?
He should have known that would be ripped from him too. When a hidden foe arises from their acquaintances and imperils Isabella’s life, William may be the only one willing to risk his life to rescue her. But even if he frees Isabella from her captors, will he still have to forsake her heart?
Some sacrifice everything for love. Others sacrifice love for everything else. In this haunting tale of rigid social prejudices and heart-aching regrets, the greatest decision of their life will be determined in the garden of the midnights.
Get your copy of Garden of the Midnights by Hannah Linder.HANNAH LINDER resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. She writes Regency romantic suspense novels filled with passion, secrets, and danger. She is a four-time Selah Award winner, a 2023 Carol Award semi-finalist, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Her latest novels, Beneath His Silence and When Tomorrow Came, released with Barbour Publishing.
In way of career, Hannah is an international and multi-award-winning graphic designer who specializes in professional book cover design. With a Graphic Design Associates Degree under her belt, she designs for both traditional publishing houses and individual authors, including New York Times, USA Today, national, and international bestsellers (hannahlinderdesigns.com). She is also a self-portrait photographer of historical fashion.
When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing instruments—piano, guitar, ukulele, and banjolele—songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse.Her greatest desire is to please her Savior and to write in a way that glorifies and uplifts Him.
Visit Hannah Linder's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Jaime Jo Wright is our guest on the podcast this week, which is always a thrill. Though she tells us about her two most recent books, we also chat how she juggled three timelines, the class system that exists even in small todays today, and why she sets most of her books in Wisconsin. Patrons get an update on how her homeschooling adventure is going.
The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo WrightIn 1870, orphaned Daisy François takes a position as housemaid at a Wisconsin castle to escape the horrors of her past life. There she finds a reclusive and eccentric Gothic authoress who hides tales more harrowing than the ones in her novels. As women disappear from the area and the eerie circumstances seem to parallel a local legend, Daisy is thrust into a web that could ultimately steal her sanity, if not her life.
In the present day, Cleo Clemmons is hired by the grandson of an American aristocratic family to help his grandmother face her hoarding in the dilapidated Castle Moreau. But when Cleo uncovers more than just the woman's stash of collectibles, a century-old mystery and the dust of the old castle's curse threaten to rise again . . . this time to leave no one alive to tell the sordid tale.
Award-winning author Jaime Jo Wright seamlessly weaves a dual-time tale of two women who must do all they can to seek the light amid the darkness shrouding Castle Moreau.
Get your copy of The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo WrightThe Lost Boys of Barlowe TheaterBarlowe Theater stole the life of Greta Mercy's eldest brother during its construction. Now in 1915, the completed theater appears every bit as deadly. When Greta's younger brother goes missing after breaking into the building, Greta engages the assistance of a local police officer to help her unveil the already ghostly secrets of the theater. But when help comes from an unlikely source, Greta decides that to save her family she must uncover the evil that haunts the theater and put its threat to rest.
Decades later, Kit Boyd's best friend vanishes during a ghost walk at the Barlowe Theater, and old stories of mysterious disappearances and ghoulish happenings are revived. Then television ghost-hunting host and skeptic Evan Fisher joins Kit in the quest to identify the truth behind the theater's history. Kit reluctantly agrees to work with him in hopes of finding her missing friend. As the theater's curse unravels Kit's life, she is determined to put an end to the evil that has marked the theater and their hometown for the last century.
Get your copy of The Lost Boys of Barlowe TheaterJaime Jo Wright, the coffee-fueled and cat-fancier extraordinaire, has entwined her life with the legendary Captain Hook, residing serenely in Wisconsin's rural woodlands.
Her literary vocation involves penning chilling Gothic tales, a baffling change from that of Austenites, with a strong preference to the master of dark, Edgar Allan Poe. Two mischievous urchins adorn their family, who keep their mother on her toes - providing an exhilarating amount chaos.
Visit Jaime Jo Wright's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Misty M. Beller returns to the podcast this week to share with us a little about one of her latest releases, Healing the Mountain Man's Heart. We had a lovely chat, as always, and talked about the fun way she decided what to write about in this book, how she walks the line between sweet romance and electricity, and the incredible little book she wrote at a fifth grader. She shares with patrons the mountain range she's secretly always wanted to visit. Healing the Mountain Man's Heart by Misty M. BellerIn the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, loyalty…and a hidden fortune.
Jericho Coulter, the eldest of six fiercely devoted brothers, is entrusted with safeguarding his family and the secret that binds them together: the Sapphire mine. To keep tragedy from striking again, he allows no outsiders on their land. When two women stumble upon their ranch, claiming Jericho himself sent for one of them as a mail-order bride, he aims to send them straight back where they came from.
Dinah Wyatt, a talented and determined doctor, wasn’t about to let her twin sister travel to Montana alone and marry a stranger. Dinah’s skills are immediately put to the test when one of the younger Coulter brothers is gravely injured, forcing the family to trust his life to her.
As Dinah and her sister become entwined in the Coulter family's life, sparks fly between the enigmatic Jericho and the captivating doctor. In a world where trust is hard to come by and secrets hold the power to change lives, Jericho and Dinah must learn that sometimes, the most precious secrets are those buried within our own hearts.
Get your copy of Healing the Mountain Man's Heart by Misty M. Beller Learn more about Misty.
I write romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.
My husband and children are the loves of my life, keeping me both grounded and crazy, sane and out of my mind.
I was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so my Southern roots run deep. Growing up, my family was close, and we continue to keep that priority today. My husband and 5 kiddos now add another dimension to my life, keeping me both grounded and crazy.
God has placed a desire in my heart to combine my love for Christian fiction and the simpler farm life, writing historical novels that display His abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of my characters.
Writing is my passion, and my family—both immediate and extended—is the foundation that holds me secure in my dream.
And you, Dear Reader, bring so much joy to my life! I pray for you regularly, especially those wonderful words in Colossians:
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for YOU,
and to ask that YOU may be filled with the knowledge of His will
in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
that YOU may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him,
being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power,
for all patience and longsuffering with joy.Colossians 1:9-11
Love and blessings to you!
Misty
Visit Misty Beller's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Valerie Fraser Luesse returns to the podcast this week to chat about her new book, Letters from My Sister. We had such a good time, and she's such a gracious lady. We talked about how her grandmother helped inspire the book, the difficulties writing about an African American character, Southern culture and how where you live affects all aspects of your life, and her story shack. Patrons will get to hear from Valerie what was so special about growing up in the South.
Letters from My Sister by Valerie Fraser LuesseTwo Sisters. One Single Event. A Family Changed Forever.
At the turn of the twentieth century, sisters Emmy and Callie Bullock are living a privileged life as the only daughters of a wealthy Alabama cotton farmer when their well-ordered household gets turned upside down by the arrival of Lily McGee. Arrestingly beautiful, Lily quickly--and innocently--draws the wrong kind of attention. Meanwhile, Callie meets a man who offers her the freedom to abandon social constraints and discover her truest self.
After Lily has a baby, Callie witnesses something she was never meant to see--or did she? Her memory is a haze, just an image in her mind of Emmy standing on a darkened riverbank and cradling Lily's missing baby girl. Only when the sisters are separated does the truth slowly come to light through their letters--including a revelation that will shape the rest of Callie's life.
Bestselling author Valerie Fraser Luesse weaves a complex and suspenseful tale dripping with intrigue, romance, and Southern charm.
Get your copy of Letters from My Sister by Valerie Fraser Luesse. Valerie Fraser Luesse is the author of Almost Home and the bestselling, Christy Award–winning Missing Isaac. Her third novel, The Key to Everything, was inspired by a true story. An award-winning magazine writer, Luesse is best known for her features and essays in Southern Living, where she is currently the senior travel editor. Specializing in stories about unique pockets of Southern culture, she has published major pieces on the Gulf Coast, the Mississippi Delta, Acadian Louisiana, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Her editorial section on Hurricane Katrina recovery in Mississippi and Louisiana won the 2009 Writer of the Year award from the Southeast Tourism Society. The author lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her husband, Dave—and a mischievous orange cat named Cheeto.
Visit Valerie's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Johanna Rojas Vann is a first-time guest to the podcast, and it was my pleasure to welcome her to the show this week. We chatted about her very first novel, An American Immigrant. This story is based on her mother's story of coming to the United States and on her life growing up as the child of an immigrant. We talk about how her mother inspired the book, why she used to hesitate speaking English, and how this book has shifted her view of what she wants to write in the future. Patrons also get to hear about how her children's lives are so very different from her own.
An American Immigrant by Johanna Rojas Vann
*A Colombian American journalist tries to save her career by taking an assignment somewhere she never thought she’d go—Colombia—in this heartwarming debut novel about rediscovering our family stories.
“A beautiful homage to a mother’s bravery and to the grace and grit that is our inheritance.”—Alicia Menendez, MSNBC anchor and creator and host of the Latina to Latina podcast*
Twenty-five-year-old Melanie Carvajal, a hardworking but struggling journalist for a Miami newspaper, loves her Colombian mother but regularly ignores her phone calls, frustrated that she never quite takes the time to understand Melanie’s life. When the opportunity arises for a big assignment that might save her flagging career, Melanie follows the story to the land of her mother’s birth. She soon realizes Colombia has the potential to connect her, after all these years, to something she’s long ignored: her heritage, the love of her mother, her family, and the richest parts of herself.
Colombia offers more than a chance to make a name for herself as a writer. It is a place of untold stories.
Inspired by real-life events, An American Immigrant is a story of culture and community, of abiding commitment to family, and of embracing our culture and the generations that have come before.
Get your copy of An American Immigrant by Johanna Rojas Vann.Johanna Rojas Vann is a professional writer whose work can be found online and within numerous publications. She is a second-generation Colombian American, with dual citizenship, and lives with her husband and children in Nashville, Tennessee, where the coffee is good and the people are even better.
She is a big fan of words—speaking them, reading them, and (especially) writing them.
As a novelist, she's passionate about stories that highlight the complexity and beauty of diverse families. But nothing brings her more joy than my role at home as wife and stay-at-home mom.
Visit Johanna's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Shannon McNear joins us on the podcast this week to discuss her latest release, Rebecca. This is a fascinating look into the life of Pocahontas. She tells us about the history behind this story, why call a book about Pocahontas Rebecca, and all the detailed research she did for the novel. She also shares some of the songs that are on the playlist she put together to listen to while writing this series. If you love history with a twist, then you're sure to love this. Patrons also learn the answer to whether she'd rather live in South Carolina or North Dakota.
Rebecca by Shannon McNear
The Lost Colony of Roanoke: *discover an alternate view of their fate alongside the life of Pocahontas.
The colony at Roanoke disappeared into the shadows of history. But, what if at least one survived to leave a lasting legacy?*
Born the daughter of a Powhatan chieftain and a woman of unknown origins, Mato’aka enjoys a carefree life. When strange men from across the eastern waters appear near her home, she regards them at first as a mere curiosity. Soon, though, she finds herself torn between fascination for one of their leaders and the opinions and ways of her people–then becomes a pawn in their delicate and dangerous game of politics. Drawn to a young Englishman, John Rolfe, who has lost a wife and baby daughter, she shares his griefs. . .and perhaps something more.
Could she have a future among the English of Jamestown, accepting their ways and even changing her name? Could her destiny be a part of the lasting legacy of the Lost Colony of Roanoke?
Get your copy of Rebecca by Shannon McNear. Other books in the series:ElinorMaryAfter more than two decades in the South, Shannon McNear now makes her home on the windy northern plains with her husband, two of their eight children, two German Shepherds, a bunny, two cats, several chickens, and a noisy flock of guinea fowl. She serves in worship and youth ministry, and has been writing novel-length fiction since age 15. Her first novella, Defending Truth, from A Pioneer Christmas Collection, was a 2014 RITA® nominee, and her most recent novella, The Wise Guy and the Star in Love’s Pure Light is a 2021 SELAH winner.
When not cooking, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, basking in the beauty of the Dakota prairie.
Visit Shannon McNear's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Debby Lee is a new-to-me author making her first appearance on the podcast this week. Her fascinating new book, Beneath a Peaceful Moon, is part of Barbour Publishing's Heroines of WWII series, and looks at the role of Native Americans in winning WWII, both as spies and as code talkers. We chat about Debby's visit to Arizona to do research, how much Debby, a Native American herself, knows of the Navajo and Yakima languages, and how she went above and beyond (really above and beyond!) in her research. Patrons will get to hear about some of the sad things that happened to Native Americans even after the war, including to Debby's own family, and the repercussions that are still being felt today.
Beneath a Peaceful Moon by Debby Lee
Mary Wishram, an orphaned Yakima tribal member, aches for her brother who suffers in a POW camp in the Philippine Islands and her Japanese friends who languish in a relocation center. Determined to end the war by any means necessary, she employs her language skills to become a spy. Leaving Camp Pendleton for the South Pacific, she faces escalating threats of peril to help bring her loved ones home.
John Painted Horse, a proud Navajo, struggles with the loss of his father who died in WWI for a country that didn’t consider him a United States citizen. Though his home state doesn’t offer him the right to vote, he joins the Code Talker program at Camp Pendleton. Thrust into mounting danger in the South Pacific, he hopes to bring long overdue recognition and honor to his people, no matter the cost.
Will these two wounded souls find healing from their past traumas and a deeper relationship with God, before it’s too late? Or will they lose their chance at love, and everything they hold dear?
Get your copy of Beneath a Peaceful Moon by Debby Lee.
Debby Lee, a member of the Yakama tribe, started writing as a child but never forgets home, the cozy town of Toledo, Washington, and her Native American roots.
A former president of the Olympia chapter of Romance Writers of America, Debby enjoys participating in both RWA and the American Christian Fiction Writers. Her full length title, Beneath a Peaceful Moon, releases June 1, 2023, with Barbour Publishing. She also has six novella collections with Barbour. The Courageous Brides and Mountain Christmas Brides both made the ECPA Bestsellers list.
A self-professed nature lover, Debby feels like a hippie child who wasn’t born early enough to attend Woodstock. She wishes she could run barefoot all year long and often does when weather permits. During football season, she cheers on the Seattle Seahawks with other devoted fans. She’s also filled with wanderlust and dreams of traveling the world.
Visit Debby's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.
I'm so thrilled to have Susie Finkbeiner returning to the show this week. She's so much fun to chat with. We talked about her new book, The All American, what the political climate was like in the early 1950s and how baseball played a role in Americana, and the wonderful woman she got to hear speak about her time in the women's baseball league, as well as what she loves about 1950s fashion. Patrons get to hear about her love for Shakespeare and the fun she has with that.
The All American by Susie Finkbeiner
Two sisters discover how much good there is in the world--even in the hardest of circumstances
It is 1952, and nearly all the girls 16-year-old Bertha Harding knows dream of getting married, keeping house, and raising children in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. Bertha dreams of baseball. She reads every story in the sports section, she plays ball with the neighborhood boys--she even writes letters to the pitcher for the Workington Sweet Peas, part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
When Bertha's father is accused of being part of the Communist Party by the House Un-American Activities Committee, life comes crashing down on them. Disgraced and shunned, the Hardings move to a small town to start over where the only one who knows them is shy Uncle Matthew. But dreams are hard to kill, and when Bertha gets a chance to try out for the Workington Sweet Peas, she packs her bags for an adventure she'll never forget.
Join award-winning author Susie Finkbeiner for a summer of chasing down your dreams and discovering the place you truly belong.
Get your copy of The All American by Susie Finkbeiner.
Susie Finkbeiner is the CBA bestselling author of The All-American, The Nature of Small Birds, All Manner of Things — which was selected as a 2020 Michigan Notable Book — and Stories That Bind Us,as well as A Cup of Dust, A Trail of Crumbs, and A Song of Home.
She serves on the Fiction Readers Summit planning committee, volunteers her time at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and speaks at retreats and women’s events across the country. Susie and her husband have three children and live in West Michigan.
Find her at Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Rachel Scott McDaniel is back with us this week. We've had a little scheduling change, so these may be out of order, but thank you for bearing with me as life sometimes happens.
Rachel is chatting about her new book, The Starlet Spy, another installment in Barbour Publishing's Heroines of WWII series. We talk about the inspiration behind the book, what's real and what's not real, and how she created the fascinating heroine. Patrons get to hear what she loves most about fall and what's up for her in the coming months.
The Starlet Spy by Rachel Scott McDanielIn 1943, movie producer Henrik Zoltan approaches Amelie Blake under the guise of offering the Hollywood star a leading part in his upcoming film, but he has a more meaningful role in mind. Amelie’s homeland of Sweden declared neutrality in the war, but Stockholm has become the “Casablanca of the North.” When top-secret atomic research goes missing in Sweden, the Allied forces scramble to recover the files before they fall into Nazi hands.
The United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS) needs someone who’s subtle enough to spy on the Swedish elite without triggering suspicion. Who better than the “all beauty, no brains” Scandinavian starlet? Fluent in three languages and possessing a brilliant memory, Amelie loathes being labeled witless but uses the misconception as her disguise. She’s tasked with searching for the crucial files, but Finn Ristaffason keeps getting in her way. Is the charming shipping magnate after the missing research? Or does he have other reasons for showing up at her every turn?
With the Gestapo on her heels, Amelie must rely on her smarts in addition to her acting skills to survive a world of deadly spies and counterspies.
Get your copy of The Starlet Spy.More from the Heroines of WWII series:The Cryptographer’s Dilemma by Johnnie Alexander
Picture of Hope by Liz Tolsma
Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson
Mrs. Witherspoon Goes to War by Mary Davis
A Rose for the Resistance by Angela K. Couch
Season of My Enemyby Naomi Musch
The Escape Gameby Marilyn Turk
Escape from Amsterdam by Lauralee Bliss
On My Honor by Patty Hall
Beneath a Peaceful Moon by Debby Lee
Rachel Scott McDanielAs much as I'd love to occupy this space gushing about my fanatical penchant for all things classic movies, I probably should mention that I'm an award-winning writer. I hope to inspire the mind and refresh the soul with words infused with faith and heart.
Thank you, dear reader, for your love of story. Without you, I wouldn't be here. I appreciate each and every email, DM, and note of encouragement. Your sweet support has truly meant a lot.
Visit Rachel Scott McDaniel's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Gabrielle Meyer returns to the podcast this week, and I'm so excited to have her with us to talk about her latest book, In This Moment. It's one of my favorite reads of 2023. We chat about how she juggled three timelines in this novel, how the Mississippi River inspires her to write, and what it was like to research and include her own family history with the Salem Witch Trials in her next book. My patrons will get to hear the fascinating story behind why they just had some French people staying at their house.
In This Moment by Gabrielle MeyerMaggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night, she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives--and everyone she knows in them--forever.
In 1861, Maggie is the daughter of a senator at the outbreak of the Civil War, navigating a capital full of Southern spies and wounded soldiers. In 1941, she is a navy nurse, grappling with her knowledge of the future when she joins a hospital ship going to Pearl Harbor. And in 2001, she's a brilliant young medical student, fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon.
While Maggie has sworn off romance until she makes her final choice, an intriguing man tugs at her heart in each era, only complicating the impossible decision she must make, which looms ever closer. With so much on the line, how can Maggie choose just one life to keep and the rest to lose?
*Gabrielle Meyer's writing captivates with . . .
"A page-turning journey through three riveting, interwoven historical timelines."--MIMI MATTHEWS,USA Today bestselling author"Wonderful settings that brim with ethical dilemmas, fabulous twists, and an engaging heroine."--ELIZABETH CAMDEN, Christy and RITA Award-winning author"A time-traveling adventure with timeless appeal."--JOCELYN GREEN,Christy Award-winning authorGet your copy of* In This Moment.**About Gabrielle Meyer:WIFE, MOM, WRITER, FRIEND...
Gabrielle lives on the banks of the Upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing historical and contemporary novels inspired by real people, places, and events. The river is a constant source of inspiration for Gabrielle, and if you look closely, you will find a river in each of her stories.
When Gabrielle is not writing, you might find her homeschooling her children, cheering them on at sporting and theatrical events, or hosting a gathering at her home with family and friends.
Visit Gabrielle Meyer's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Ann Gabhart returns to the podcast this week. She's always such a pleasure to have on the show, and we had a wonderful talk about her new book, In the Shadow of the River. We chatted about what life was like aboard a showboat, how you can combine faith, fun, and mystery, how much Ann loves her life on a Kentucky farm, and how publishing has changed since her first book released in 1978. Patrons get to hear about how this sweet Southern lady became a rabid fan of University of Kentucky basketball.
In the Shadow of the River by Ann Gabhart*If all the world's a stage, Jacci will play her part.
She only hopes her story does not turn out to be a tragedy.*
In 1881, Jacci Reed is only five years old when a man attempts to kidnap her from the steamboat her mother, Irena, works on. Badly wounded during the confrontation, Irena takes Jacci aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, a showboat tied up beside them. There, Jacci's actor grandfather tends to her mother and Jacci gets a first taste of the life she will come to lead.
Fifteen years later, Jacci is an actress aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, and largely contented with her adopted family of actors, singers, and dancers. Especially Gabe, who has always supported her, and the gruff grandfather she has come to know and love. Jacci's mother has been gone for years, but the memory of the altercation that ultimately took her life--and the cryptic things Jacci has overheard about her past--is always there, lurking in the back of her mind.
When someone on the showboat tries to kill Jacci, it's clear her questions demand answers. But secrets have a way of staying in the shadows, and the answers she craves will not come easily. Gabe only hopes they come in time for him and Jacci to have a future together.
Get your copy of In the Shadow of the River.Meet Ann GabhartI’m a country girl, born and raised on a farm in the Outer Bluegrass region of Kentucky. My family grew tobacco and corn. We had a few milk cows, some hogs and sheep, but mostly beef cattle. My roots go deep in the land, and I now live on a farm just a mile away from where I was born and raised.
I started writing when I was ten and have been writing ever since. My first novel, A Forbidden Yearning, a historical romance about the settling of Kentucky, was published by Warner Books in 1978. Since then I’ve published over thirty other novels for adults and young adults.
My husband and I were both very young when we married, but we defied the odds and are still married all these years later. That could be because we went to church together and were committed to the Christian life. We are blessed with three wonderful children who picked some great people to marry and now we have nine amazing grandchildren I spoil every chance I get.
I’ve been going to the same small country church since I was seventeen and I used my memories of how the church used to be in my Heart of Hollyhill books. My church was established in 1812 and it’s inspiring to think about all the people who have served the Lord there.
And I do love to write in my office with big windows all around. Writing is what I’ve always wanted to do. The desire of my heart is to tell stories to readers like you. Thank you for reading!
Visit Ann Gabhart's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Michelle Griep joins us once again on the podcast, this time to talk about her latest release, Man of Shadow and Mist. This Victorian Gothic romance is absolutely fabulous from the first delicious line to the final, satisfying ending. Our topics on the episode ranged from superstitions to Dracula, who inspired the book, to her new puppy Winston. You'll get to find out why she named him that. There's a very special bonus for patrons who get to discover Michelle's talent for baking brownies. Only patrons will get the details on that recipe! Man of Shadow and Mist by Michelle Griep“The world seems full of good men—even if there are monsters in it.”
–Bram Stoker, Dracula
England, 1890
Vampires are alive and well in North Yorkshire, leastwise in the minds of the uneducated. Librarian Rosa Edwards intends to drive a stake through the heart of such superstitions. But gossip flies when the mysterious Sir James Morgan returns to his shadowy manor. The townsfolk say he is cursed.
James hates everything about England. The weather. The rumours. The scorn. Yet he must stay. His mother is dying of a disease for which he’s desperately trying to find a cure—an illness that will eventually take his own life.
When Rosa sets out to prove the dark gossip about James is wrong, she discovers more questions than answers. How can she accept what she can’t explain—especially the strong allure of the enigmatic man? James must battle a town steeped in fear as well as the unsettling attraction he feels for the no-nonsense librarian.
Can love prevail in a town filled with fear and doubt?
Get your copy of Man of Shadow and Mist.Michelle Griep is an author, blogger, and occasional super-hero when her cape is clean.
"Dare I be so bold as to call myself an author? Being that I’m one of those freaks who attended poetry workshops instead of summer camp during my formative years, yes, I will. While other teens busied themselves throwing parties when their parents weren’t home, I was the nerd holed up in my room with pen and paper.
Relatives. Can’t shoot ’em. It’s against the law, although I bet my husband and four children have been tempted now and again to put me in their crosshairs. I’m a wife of thirty-something years and mother of two sons and two daughters. And yes, it’s true…boys are way easier than girls, unless drama is something you crave.
I am one of those library-card wielding, mini-van driving, let’s-take-a-jaunt-to-the-grocery-store and call it a field trip kind of homeschoolers. But allow me this disclaimer: I don’t wear denim jumpers, and I farm out anything related to science or math. Bonus disclaimer: The last of my nestlings has flown the homeschooling nest, but I continue to tutor writing and offer workshops.
What’s the deal with me and Great Britain? Beats me. I’m as passionate about anything English as I am about chocolate and java. Oddly enough, I prefer Bronte over Austen, and if you’d like to debate the qualities of Typhoo versus PG Tips, feel free to e-mail me."
Visit Michelle Griep's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.First-time guest Cindy K. Sproles joins us today to talk about her new book, This is Where It Ends. It's a fascinating story about an old mountain woman, her long-held secret, and the young man who befriends her. It was great to get to know Cindy better and to chat with her about what it was like to write from the point of view of a 96-year-old woman, how to properly say Appalachian and what she loves most about living there, and what sparked the idea for the novel. Patrons get to hear the bonus question about her advocacy for children and adults with special needs, especially as she's navigated and advocated for her grown son.
This is Where It Ends by Cindy K. SprolesAward-Winning Author Pens a Unique Southern Tale
When Minerva Jane Jenkins was just 14 years old, she married a man who moved her to the mountains. He carried with him a small box, which he told her was filled with gold. And when he died 50 years later, he made her promise to keep his secret. She is to tell no one about the box or the treasure it contains.
Now 94, Minerva is nearing the end of what has sometimes been a lonely life. But she's kept that secret. Even so, rumors of hidden gold have a way of spreading, and Minerva is visited by a reporter, Del Rankin, who wants to know more of her story. His friend who joins him only wants to find the location of the gold. Neither of them knows quite who they're up against when it comes to the old woman on the mountain.
As an unlikely friendship develops, Minerva is tempted to reveal her secret to Del. After all, how long is one bound by a promise? But the truth of what's really buried in the box may be hidden even from her.
"Blood might be thicker than water, but love trumps both in Cindy K. Sproles's touching novel."--Valerie Fraser Luesse, author of Under the Bayou Moon
"This is the way Christian fiction should be written."--Cecil Murphey, author or coauthor of 140 books, including 90 Minutes in Heaven with Don Piper and Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story
Get your copy of This Is Where It Ends.Cindy K. Sproles is an author and a speaker, whose dream is to do nothing more than craft words that speak from the heart. God's plan seems to be for her to write and teach the craft. With God’s guidance, Cindy is expanding her horizons. We'll see how He uses her.
Cindy is a mountain gal. Proud of her heritage, she was born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains where life is simple, words have a deep southern drawl, and colloquialisms like, "well slap my knee and call me corn pone" seem to take precedence over proper speech. Apple Butter, coal mining, the river, pink sunrises, and golden sunsets help you settle into a porch swing and relax. Family, the love of God, and strong morals are embedded into her life in the mountains. Teaching writers, spinning fiction tales about life in the mountains, history, and down-home ideas find their way into all she does. “I love to write devotions, to seek after the deeper side of Christ, and to share the lessons He teaches me from life in the hills of East Tennessee. I am a writer. A speaker. A lover of God's Word and friend to all.” This is Cindy Sproles. Welcome home to the mountains.
Visit Cindy K. Sprole's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.
Kim Vogel Sawyer returns to the podcast this week to talk about her new book, The Tapestry of Grace. We've known each other for quite some time, and it's always a pleasure to catch up with each other. We did plenty of laughing on the episode but also spoke about how beautiful and touching her book is. Among our topics were how she tapped into her own family history to weave the story, how one instance of seemingly unanswered prayer in her own life turn out for the good and the beautiful, and how the title came to be and why it's so perfect for the book. Patrons will get to hear about the time she spoke in a church basement during a tornado warning, so if you haven't yet joined my Patreon, please do so!
The Tapestry of Grace by Kim Vogel SawyerWhen a group of Kansas women start a Frauenverein, a benevolent society devoted to aiding widows and orphans, life changes for more than just the hurting people they seek to help in this heartwarming romance inspired by historical events—from the bestselling author of Freedom’s Song.
With classes paused for the planting season, Alexandertol’s schoolteacher Augusta Dyck is glad for some meaningful work to occupy her time. She even knows exactly who their town’s benevolence society should help first: quiet, reserved widower Konrad Rempel and his young twin sons.
Konrad Rempel, however, is adamant that he doesn’t want help. His boys are mischievous but good-hearted. And though Konrad may be struggling, he doesn’t want anyone else sticking their nose in and telling him what his sons need. Or what he needs.
For her part, the charity’s founder Martina Krahn is relieved to have a reason to spend time outside her unhappy home. It even occurs to her that she may, through her work, encounter a boy in need of a family and so find a son for her husband since they have no children of their own.
Augusta, Konrad, and Martina each have deep needs and desires, and each imagines how they should be met: by reaching out or by being left alone. But God, indeed, knows best. Will the competing agendas of Alexandertol’s residents prevent them from receiving God’s help? Or will the members of this small Mennonite community find the answers to their prayers in the very last place they expect—in one another?
Get your copy of The Tapestry of Grace. **Meet Kim Vogel Sawyer
A**ward-winning, bestselling author Kim Vogel Sawyer is a wife, mother, gramma, chocolate-lover, cat-petter, and--most importantly--a daughter of the King! With more than 1.5 million books in print in seven different languages, Kim enjoys a full-time writing and speaking ministry. Her "gentle stories of hope" are loved by readers and reviewers alike. Kim and her retired military husband, Don, reside on the plains of Kansas, the setting for many of her novels.
Visit Kim's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.We have a little fun on this week's episode, talking about some unusual writer quirks. Everyone who has been listening to this show for a while knows that some authors do some pretty different things. Many of us grew up as nerds, and that has carried into our writing lives. How about our penchant for colorful sticky notes? Did you know that many of us have acted out our scenes? If you're a patron, you'll get to hear a bonus quirk. Hope you have a little chuckle to lighten your day.
Be sure to check out some of Liz's books.
I mention a quirk of Sherri Wilson Johnson's for my patrons. You can find her books here.
I also talk about how Sarah Sundin and I share a quirk in common. Here is where you can find her books.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Candice Sue Patterson is our guest on the show this week, here to talk about her new book, The Keys to Gramercy Park. It's a fabulous dual timeline novel set in New York City involving counterfeiting. We chat about what it was like to write dual timeline, the end of the Doors to the Past series, and I ask the tough questions, like if she's ever split wood! Patrons get to hear about her foray into the cake decorating world.
The Keys to Gramercy Park by Candice Sue PattersonSecrets Sealed Within a Wall Come to Light in Lower Manhattan
Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.
Investigative historical journalist Andrea Andrews is tired of waiting tables to make ends meet. If she could find and write the next breakout story, she could secure a promotion with Smithsonian Magazine as their writer-at-large. But not much happens in lower Manhattan out of the ordinary until she discovers post-Civil War counterfeit bills hidden in the wall of her historic district apartment.
Politics have always been Beau Davidson-Quincy’s passion, despite his family’s real estate empire. His clean image and single status make him a target in the media as he prepares to build his campaign for New York governor. He has nothing to hide until a cute waitress unravels a mystery that could destroy his family’s reputation.
Two centuries earlier, wounded Civil War veteran Franklin Davidson lost everything—his house, his wife, his standing in society. In his darkest moment, he’s awarded a position with the newly formed Secret Service to combat the spread of counterfeit U.S. currency. His life and new home in Gramercy Park are the envy of his peers, but nothing is as it seems. Secrets are meant to be kept, and Franklin will take his to his grave.
Get your copy of The Keys to Gramercy Park.Candice Sue Patterson studied at the Institute of Children’s Literature and is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons in a restored farmhouse overtaken by books. When she’s not tending to her chickens, watching her kids play sports, or helping children discover a love for reading as an elementary librarian, she’s working on a new story. Candice writes Modern Vintage Romance. She is represented by Linda S. Glaz of Hartline Literary Agency.
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She says, "Not only do I love spending time with the fictional people in my head, I also love to get lost in a good book. I’m a Sunday school teacher, a hobby farmer, a sucker for Hallmark movies, and my kitchen is open 24-hours. I love to travel. Some of my most memorable vacations include hiking all the way to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, white water rafting, horseback riding in Wyoming, and traveling the entire coast of Maine.
When I’m not on a deadline, I can be found reading, binge-watching Chesapeake Shores, internet shopping, or enjoying the outdoors. Like Anne Shirley, 'I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.'"
Visit Candice's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.The Swindler's Daughter by Stephenia McGeeA surprise inheritance. A cache of family secrets. A choice that will change her life forever.
Lillian Doyle has lived her entire high-society life with her widowed mother, believing her father died long ago. But when news arrives that her estranged father only recently passed away--in jail--Lillian is startled to find that the man has left a business and all of his possessions to her, making her a rather unusual heiress.
When she goes to take possession of her father's house in a backwoods Georgia town, the dilapidated structure is already occupied by another woman who claims it was promised to her son, Jonah. In her attempts to untangle the mess, Lillian will discover not only a family she never knew she had but a family business that is more than meets the eye--and has put a target on her back.
To discover the truth and take hold of the independence she's always dreamed of, she'll have to make friends with adversaries and strangers--especially Jonah, the dusty and unrefined cowboy who has secret aspirations of his own.
Get your copy of The Swindlers Daughter by Stephenia McGee. Meet StepheniaStephenia H. McGee is a multi-published author of stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South. She lives in Mississippi, where she is a mom of two rambunctious boys, writer, dreamer, and husband spoiler. Her novel The Cedar Key was a 2021 Faith, Hope, and Love Readers’ Choice award winner. A member of the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), she loves all things books and history. Stephenia loves connecting with readers and can often be found having fun with her Faithful Readers Team on Facebook. For more on books and upcoming events and to connect with Stephenia, visit her at www.StepheniaMcGee.com.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Kathleen Denly is out with a new book, Murmur in the Mud Caves. When I saw this, I had to have her return for another chat with us. We had a great time and covered a wide range of topics, including what mudcaves are, adoption and foster care, and what we might find in her chocolate stash (I'd never ask her to reveal where it's hidden!). My patrons get to hear about which craft she is currently enjoying the most, and it might surprise you!
Murmur in the Mud Cavesby Kathleen DenlyHe came to cook for ranch hands, not three single women.
Gideon Swift, a visually impaired Civil War Veteran, responds to an ad for a ranch cook in the Southern California desert mountains. He wants nothing more than to forget his past and stay in the kitchen where he can do no harm. But when he arrives to find his employer murdered, the ranch turned to ashes, and three young women struggling to survive in the unforgiving Borrego Desert, he must decide whether his presence protects them or places them in greater danger.
Bridget “Biddie” Davidson finally receives word from her older sister who disappeared with their brother and pa eighteen years prior, but the news is not good. Determined to help her family, Biddie sets out for a remote desert ranch with her adopted father and best friend. Nothing she finds there is as she expected, including the man who came to cook for the shambles of a ranch.
When tragedy strikes, the danger threatens not only her plans to help her sister, but her own dreams for the future—with the man who’s stolen her heart.
Get your copy of Murmur in the Mud Caves.Oh, hello. You want to know more about me? I’m so flattered, but where do I begin? Let’s see . . .
I suppose if we are going to be friends, the first thing you should know is that I am a daughter of the One True King and without Him, none of this would be possible. You should also know that I am crazy-in-love with my wonderful husband of over nineteen years and we have four young children (okay so a couple have hit the double-digits but they’ll always be my babies), three of whom grew under my heart and one who grew in it.
We live in a modest house on twenty acres in the mountains of sunny California with nine adorable cats (who sometimes think they’re dogs), and one dog who has aspirations of becoming a race horse.
Wipe your feet and come on in. You could sit at the table, but my kids haven’t cleaned up their schooling for the day (we homeschool). So let’s settle on the couch for our chat. (Sorry about that stack of books, my To Be Read pile has gotten a little out of control. Just nudge it to the side.)
Are you on Goodreads? I try to keep my reading status up-to-date there, but I admit some books do get missed. I’m also on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, andPinterest. Are you? Let’s follow each other!
Visit Kathleen Denly's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.What new-to-you authors have you recently discovered? I asked that question on social media the other day, and now I'm sharing those answers with you. I chose to focus on authors I haven't (yet) had on the podcast, hoping to highlight them and give them some much deserved recognition. Perhaps you recognize some of the names; perhaps others are ones you've never heard of before. Whatever the case, I hope you find another great author or two to read and follow. There are also quite a number of genres that are represented on today's show.
Dawn Crandall: She has a wonderful series called "The Overtone Chronicles", beginning with the book, The Reluctant Heiress. ""Romantic! Engaging and absorbing! Crandall brings America's Gilded Age to life on the page with vintage amour and emotional depth. Poetically written, Crandall's stories of faith and love will charm fans of classic literature and Christian fiction alike."
Get your copy of The Reluctant Heiress.Jennifer Q. Hunt: She's out with a brand new book, Through Thorny Ways. With secrets dating back two generations, will Wisteria House unite or destroy an already-fractured family?
Get your copy of Through Thorny Ways.Renee Ryan: A listener says, "Renee is one I have recently read and hardly ever see mentioned here. Her book, The Widows of Champagne, was excellent, one I thoroughly enjoyed. In addition, the audiobook was really well done." WWII fiction!
Get your copy of The Widows of Champange.Get you copy of The Secret Society of Salsberg.Preorder your copy of The Paris Housekeeper.Kathleen L. Maher: A listener says this about her novella, Bachelor Buttons, "It was a wonderful read about redemption, cultural differences and a thread of romance based on one of her family members." Civil War fiction!
Get your copy of Bachelor Buttons.Get your copy of the first book in the "Sons of Shenandoah Series", The Abolitionist's Daughter.Cindy K. Sproles: "Blood might be thicker than water, but love trumps both in Cindy K. Sproles's touching novel." This Is Where It Ends is a unique Southern tale. Women's fiction.
Get your copy of This is Where It Ends.Nerys Leigh: She writes books that are heart-warming, funny, exciting, and above all, wildly romantic. And she adores a blissfully happy ending. She’s British, but she suspects she might be slowly turning into an American while she writes her stories set in the Wild West filled with mail order brides and railroads and cowboys.
Check out her "Escape to the West" series.Check out her "Back to the West" series.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.The irrepressible Chautona Havig joins us on the show this week. She's out with a new book (isn't she always LOL!), this one another in the Ever After Mystery series by Celebrate Lit. A Ransomed Grete is the bridge between the 1920s fairy-tale inspired stories and the ones set in the 1940s and is a retelling of Hansel and Gretel. It's a fabulous story. Listen as we talk about what was happening in Austria at that time, what inspired this entire series and the book in specific, and her new shed-iffice. Patrons will get to hear about her fabulous trip to England and Scotland—even why she had to enjoy the Scottish countryside from the couch.
A Ransomed Grete by Chautona HavigOctober 1939—What happens when you run from danger… and into a trap?
After the Anschluss, Austria becomes a place its citizens don’t recognize—especially its Jewish citizens. Whispers ripple through Jewish communities—whispers about a chalet where a woman protects Jewish children from discovery. She’ll keep them safe, fed, and far away from Nazis.
Parents are forced to make horrific decisions. Send their children away to safety, possibly never seeing them again, or keep their families together and risk their children’s lives?
Hans Hartmann arrives at the chalet with a chip on his shoulder and a little girl in tow. He found Grete waiting at the train station. Alone. But life at Chalet Versteck feels more ominous than the streets of Vienna. Children sometimes vanish, and before Hans can figure out what’s happening, a high-ranking officer appears—and is killed.
It’s a race to find out who killed the man and get himself (and probably that pesky Grete) out!
A Ransomed Grete is the bridge book between the 1920s and 1940s Ever After Mysteries, combining fairy tales with mysteries.
Get your copy of A Ransomed Grete. Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.
More from ChautonaHi! I’m Chautona Havig. (for those who care, that’s Shuh-TONE-uh HAVE-ig). Yeah. Just work with me here. I should have used a pseudonym, but when you grow up with a name like Chautona, it kind of sticks.
I sit in my little house in California’s Mojave Desert and I write to show you why one sister believes one thing, why a brother believes another. I write to show you how some Christians handle trials or triumphs–for you. So when you’re faced with something–good or bad, it doesn’t matter–maybe it’ll spark a memory. Maybe that memory will smolder until you pull out your Bible and see what the Lord said about it–about His great love for you. For YOU!
And maybe, just maybe, you’ll share that love with another hurting, confused, or blessed-with-more-than-she-knows-what-to-do-with soul.
I just happen to think that’s the most blessed giving anyone could hope to receive.
Visit Chautona Havig's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Tosca Lee is my guest this week, and we chatted about the book she co-authored with Marcus Brotherton, The Long March Home. This amazing WWII novel set in the Philippines is a story of friendship and endurance. We talk about the extensive research they both did, what it was like to work with a co-author, and some of the other jobs Tosca has had along the way. Patrons get to hear more about her time as Mrs. Nebraska and how that helped her in her writing.
The Long March Home by Tosca Lee and Marcus Brotherton
Jimmy Propfield joined the army for two reasons: to get out of Mobile, Alabama, with his best friends Hank and Billy and to forget his high school sweetheart, Claire.
Life in the Philippines seems like paradise--until the morning of December 8, 1941, when news comes from Manila: Imperial Japan has bombed Pearl Harbor. Within hours, the teenage friends are plunged into war as enemy warplanes attack Luzon, beginning a battle for control of the Pacific Theater that will culminate with a last stand on the Bataan Peninsula and end with the largest surrender of American troops in history.
What follows will become known as one of the worst atrocities in modern warfare: the Bataan Death March. With no hope of rescue, the three friends vow to make it back home together. But the ordeal is only the beginning of their nearly four-year fight to survive.
Inspired by true stories, The Long March Home is a gripping coming-of-age tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the power of unrelenting hope.
Get your copy of The Long March Home.
Meet Tosca Lee:
Tosca Lee is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author.
She is the recipient of two International Book Awards, Killer Nashville’s Silver Falchion, ECPA Book of the Year in Fiction, and the Nebraska Book Award. Her work has finaled for the High Plains Book Award, the Library of Virginia Reader’s Choice Award, two Christy Awards, and a second ECPA Book of the Year. The Line Between was a Goodreads Choice Awards semifinalist for Best Mystery/Thriller of 2019. In addition to the New York Times, her books have appeared on the IndieBound bestseller list, and Library Journal’s “Best Of” lists..
Tosca received her B.A. from Smith College and lives in Nebraska with her husband, three of four children still at home, and her 160-lb. German Shepherd, Timber.
Visit Tosca's website.
Meet Marcus Brotherton
Marcus Brotherton is a New York Times bestselling author and coauthor dedicated to writing books that inspire heroics, promote empathy, and encourage noble living. His commendations include the Christopher Award for literature “that affirms the highest values of the human spirit.” Born inBritish Columbia, Marcus earned a bachelor’s degree from Multnomah University in Portland, Oregon, and a master’s degree from Biola University in Los Angeles, where he graduated with high honors. He lives with his wife and their three children in the Pacific Northwest.
Visit Marcus's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.
The always lovely Mesu Andrews stops by the podcast this week to chat about her new book, In Feast and Famine. It's a fascinating look at Joseph and his wife, as well as the return of Joseph's brothers. We talk about the very, very historical story that helped her springboard the novel and why we as humans are naturally creative.
I do apologize that again there is no bonus question. This was also recorded when my dad was very ill, and my mind was really at the hospital. Don't worry - I'm remembering them again! I'll also soon have a list of our June recordings so you can get some questions ready for the authors.
In Feast or Famine by Mesu Andrews
Thrust into an arranged marriage, the daughter of ancient Egypt’s high priest plays a pivotal role in Joseph’s biblical narrative in this powerful novel from the award-winning author of Potiphar’s Wife.
After four-year-old Asenath’s mother is murdered by Egypt’s foreign rulers, the child is raised to be a priestess by her overprotective father—high priest of Egypt’s sun god. For fifteen years, Asenath is sequestered in the upper levels of Ra’s temple, convinced it is her destiny to heal the land by becoming queen to the next Egyptianpharaoh. But when Egypt’s foreign king instead gives her as a bride to the newly appointed vizier—a Hebrew named Joseph—her entire world is shaken.
Beyond the walls of her tower, Asenath discovers treachery, deceit, and conspiracy that force her to redefine her destiny and weigh where her true loyalties lie. Can she still trust the gods of Egypt? Or is Elohim, the foreign God of her husband, the one who will heal her nation during the feast and famine to come?
Get your copy of In Feast or Famine by Mesu Andrews.
Get the first book in the series, Potiphar's Wife.
Get to know Mesu Andrews
I’ve been married to Roy Andrews since 1984—who I’ve known since we were both third-graders. You can read more about our story in my Personal Testimony. We have two grown daughters. They’re married now and presenting us with adorable grand babies—our reward for not killing them when they were children. Family adds the spice to my life and keeps my nose buried in my Bible!
During my younger years, I was an over-the-top extrovert; however, in 1997 My Chronic Illness Battle began a transformation that changed the core of my being. I once thrived on people, teaching, speaking. DO-ing ministry of every kind, but when I could no longer DO ministry the way I’d once done it, I had to learn a new way to BE content. You can download a free copy of the Daily Scripture Prayer that helped me through that transition.
God never wastes our suffering, and it was during those long hours, days, and weeks in bed that my passion for biblical novels awakened. Now I love to read it AND write it. I’ll share frequent book reviews of those books I love to read, and the biblical novels I write are listed in Mesu’s Books. Just click to each book’s individual page, and you’ll find various goodies: downloadable Bible studies, group discussion questions, and more!
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Sherri Wilson Johnson, aka my very talented and very fabulous VA, stops by the show this week to chat about her new book, A Season at the Grand. We talk about her writing process, why she always has to slip a little bit of suspense into all of her books, and what movies she and her husband like to watch. Or rather, what movies they compromise on! Take a listen. You're going to love her and her books as much as I do!
A Season at the Grand by Sherri Wilson JohnsonCan the perfect picture reveal the truth before it’s too late?
Photographer Amelia Harris has had enough of her aunts' meddling matchmaking. So when The Photographic Times commissions her to spend the summer on Mobile Bay taking portraits of the elite and capturing nature for penny postcards, Amelia happily accepts. But this job is not as simple as it appears, and Amelia must defend against naysayers if she’s to ever gain respect in a man's world. And that doesn't leave any room for romance.
Point Clear Resort General Manager Titus Overton never wanted the position he inherited when his cousin passed away. If it were up to him, he would be traveling with the Audubon Society to far-off places, enjoying the solitude of nature instead of providing relaxation for his guests. And now he has to deal with the big-city photographer stomping her way through sand dunes that house the migratory birds nesting there. But when she reveals an admiration for his feathered friends, it reawakens a longing in his heart he'd buried after the death of his fiancé.
When threats arise against Amelia and the other resort guests, Titus knows he must step in to help. But she insists they trust God for deliverance. How can he turn to a God who took away his first beloved?
As the danger closes in, he must find the courage to overcome his past before someone gets hurt—especially the woman he’s come to love.
Get your copy of A Season at the Grand. Meet Sherri Wilson Johnson:I love everything about writing and reading. Books are my favorite!
I love reading books by other Christian Romantic Suspense authors like C.D. Gill, Christy Barritt, Patricia Bradley and Nancy Mehl. I also love Historical Romance by authors like Misty M. Beller.
When I’m not writing, I’m usually working my day job as a virtual assistant to authors and other publishing professionals or designing book coversand helping people realize their dreams of becoming an author by formatting and publishing their books for them on Amazon and other retailers.
I live in Georgia with my husband and our two dogs. I love spending time with my adult children and my friends or curling up with a good book or my current work-in-progress. I enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles in the winter and count the days every year until I can take another trip to the beach.
Visit Sherri's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Leslie Gould is this week's guest on the podcast, and what a wonderful and fascinating guest she was. We chatted about her new book, A Brighter Dawn, which is a dual time Amish novel. Among the subjects we touched on were what life was like for the Anabaptists in Germany just prior to WWII, Dr. Joseph Mengle, if she likes to write the historical or contemporary threads more, and what it was like to be a museum curator. My patrons also got to hear what she likes to read and what she's currently reading.
A Brighter Dawn by Leslie Gould "Incredibly well-researched, thoroughly enjoyable, and singularly original."--SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
"A beautiful story of love, loss, and the bonds that connect a family to its faith."--SUZANNE WOODS FISHER, bestselling author of A Season on the Wind
Ivy Zimmerman is successfully navigating her life as a young Mennonite woman, one generation removed from her parents' Old Order Amish upbringing. But when her parents are killed in a tragic accident, Ivy's way of life is upended. As she deals with her grief, her younger sisters' needs, the relationship with her boyfriend, and her Dawdi and Mammi's strict rules, Ivy finds solace in both an upcoming trip to Germany for an international Mennonite youth gathering and in her great-great-aunt's story about Clare Simons, another young woman who visited Germany in the late 1930s.
As Ivy grows suspicious that her parents' deaths weren't, in fact, an accident, she gains courage from what she learns of Clare's time in pre-World War II Germany. With the encouragement and inspiration of the women who have gone before her, Ivy seeks justice for her parents, her sisters, and herself.
Get a copy of A Brighter Dawn.Find out more about Leslie Gould:My strongest memories from childhood include stories of hope and grace—and how those stories connected me to family and friends. I also soaked up stories of redemption in the small-town churches we attended.
Even though I knew I wanted to write fiction by the time I was in the sixth grade, as I grew older I pursued other things, such as majoring in history and communications, working as a museum curator, then as a public relations specialist, and finally as a magazine editor. Once I finally started writing fiction, it was another ten years until I sold my first novel. Soon after, I received a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, which allowed me to teach writing at a local university besides writing novels full-time.
I’ve written a large collection of dual-time, Amish, and contemporary novels, set in a variety of places—from the Pacific Northwest to Amish Country to France to Vietnam.
My husband, Peter, and I have been married forty years and have four adult children and one grandchild. We live in Portland, Oregon and enjoy traveling, urban hikes, and hanging out with family and friends!
Visit Leslie's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Jocelyn Green stopped by the podcast this week to chat about her new book, The Metropolitan Affair. It's a fabulous book with a female Egyptologist set in New York City in the roaring 20s. We had such a fun talk discussing everything she learned about Egyptology, the real places in New York City that make an appearance, and our mutual love for the Great British Bake Off, including why she'd never attempt a recipe from the show. Patrons also get to hear which is her favorite Broadway show and why. We through in lots of laughs along the way!
The Metropolitan Affair by Jocelyn Green
Bestselling author Jocelyn Green sweeps you away in a dazzling novel of secrets, betrayal, and romance within one of New York City's most esteemed museums.For years her explorer father promised Dr. Lauren Westlake she'd accompany him on one of his Egyptian expeditions. But as the empty promises mounted, Lauren determined to earn her own way. Now the assistant curator of Egyptology for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lauren receives two unexpected invitations.
The first is her repentant father's offer to finally bring her to Egypt as his colleague on a new expedition. The second is a chance to enter the world of New York's wealthiest patrons who have been victims of art fraud.
With Egyptomania sweeping the city after the discovery of King Tut's tomb, Detective Joe Caravello is on the hunt for a notorious forger preying on the open wallets of New York's high society. Dr. Westlake is just the expert he needs to help him track the criminal. Together they search for the truth, and the closer Lauren and Joe get to discovering the forger's identity, the more entangled they become in a web of deception and crime.
Get your copy of The Metropolitan Affair by Jocelyn Green. Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King; Wedded to War; and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, pie, the color red, and reading with a cup of tea. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.This week, we have a topic. I asked if you do or do not take part in reading challenges every years, why or why not, and if you do, how many books do you set as your goal. I got lots of great answers that I share with you on this week's show. Perhaps it will motivate you to join a challenge. It got me going on a Goodreads challenge, so follow along with me and see if I meet the very low bar I set for myself!
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5328518.Liz_Tolsma
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Jen Turano returns to the podcast this week, and boy, did we ever have fun! Not only did we talk about her very charming and witty new book, A Match in the Making, but we also chatted about the 1980s big hair (you have to listen to the episode!), where she gets the ideas for the crazy for her characters, and an embarrassing incident that happened to her that inspired a book. My patrons get to hear her hilarious take on her recent trip to Utah. My sides were aching by the time we were done with the interview!
A Match in the Making by Jen TuranoMiss Gwendolyn Brinley accepted a temporary paid companion position for the Newport summer season, believing it would be a lark to spend the summer in America's most exclusive town. She suddenly finds her summer turning anything but amusing when her employer expects her to take over responsibilities as an assistant matchmaker. Tasked with the daunting prospect of attaining advantageous matches for her clients, Gwendolyn soon finds herself in the employ of Mr. Walter Townsend, the catch of the Season, but a gentleman Gwendolyn finds beyond irritating.
Walter Townsend is reluctantly in search of a wife for the sake of his unruly motherless children who cannot keep a governess for long. What he wasn't expecting was Miss Brinley, an amateur matchmaker who turns his quest for a new wife into a complete and utter debacle. Constantly besieged by society ladies on a mission to win his affection, Walter must find a way to overcome their inundating attention--and his unexpected attraction toward Gwendolyn.
The more time they spend together throughout the Newport Season, the harder it is for Gwendolyn to find Walter a wife when she realizes his perfect match might be . . . her.
Get your copy of A Match in the Making.Named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publisher Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside of Denver, CO. Readers may find her at www.jenturano.com or https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/or on Twitter at JenTurano @JenTurano.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.
Marilyn Turk joins us on the podcast this week, here to talk about her new book, The Escape Game. She chats about the very interesting history behind the story of how a board game maker used Monopoly games sent in Red Cross boxes to sneak the tools Allied POWs would need to escape. It's so very fascinating. She also shares her in-law's love story and how it inspired the love story in The Escape Game. She's a gracious lady, and this is an interview you don't want to miss.
The Escape Game by Marilyn Turk
After the Nazis started the bombing blitz of England, Beryl Clarke puts her college on hold to return to Leeds, care for her mother, and work as a secretary at the Waddington game company. While she endures the war at home, her brother James fights the enemy in the air. When he is shot down, injured, and captured, James reunites with a former college friend American POW Kenneth Bordelon, and they plan to escape the Nazi prison camp. Beryl knows there is a board game with escape plans being delivered to POWs by the Red Cross. But how can she let them know about the game's secret without revealing the information to the enemy?
Get your copy of The Escape Game by Marilyn Turk.Marilyn Turk loves to study history, especially that of lighthouses and the coast of the United States. To date, she had written the Coastal Lights Legacy series – four Civil War era historical fiction books set around Florida lighthouses, and two historical suspense stories set in WWII America, The Gilded Curseand Shadowed by a Spy. Her historical romantic novella, The Wrong Survivor, is part of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Romance Collection. In addition she has written Lighthouse Devotions – 52 Inspiring Lighthouse Stories, based on her popular lighthouse blog. (@ https://pathwayheart.com)
The Florida resident and Louisiana native is a graduate of LSU’s School of Journalism. After moving from the Atlanta area to Florida, Marilyn retired from a career in food service sales and began her next career as a writer. Her work has appeared in a number of inspirational publications including Guideposts magazine, A Joyful Heart, A Cup of Christmas Cheer, Daily Guideposts, The Upper Room, Clubhouse Jr. Magazine, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and Lighthouse Digest magazine.
Marilyn is also director of the Blue Lake Christian Writers Retreat.
Marilyn has always liked lighthouses, but when she saw her first lighthouse in person, the Pensacola lighthouse, she was hooked. Now her husband Chuck is also a lighthouse enthusiast and the couple has visited many lighthouses in the country. In 2015, they traveled to Michigan where they saw over forty lighthouses and stayed in one that had been converted to a Bed and Breakfast. And in the summer of 2016, they traveled the east coast where they visited lighthouses from Maine to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
To find out more about Marilyn’s new releases, sign up for her newsletter at marilynturk@pathwayheart.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.
Marilyn is a popular speaker and is available to speak on motivation, writing, and lighthouses.
Visit Marilyn's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.It is my true pleasure to welcome Amanda Cabot to the podcast this week. She's a returning guest, but she has a new book out, After the Shadows, and it's the first book in a new series, "Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing." She once again has created this lovely fictional town, and she shares with us the story behind the house on the book's cover, we talk about all the ways you can pronounce Cabot, and what her most memorable trip was. For my patrons, you get to hear about her brief stint (and mine) as a playwright.
After the Shadows by Amanda CabotA brighter future awaits--if she can escape the shadows of the past
Emily Leland sheds no tears when her abusive husband is killed in a bar fight, but what awaits her back home in Sweetwater Crossing is far from the welcome and comfort she expected. First she discovers her father has died under mysterious circumstances. Then the house where the new schoolteacher and his son are supposed to board burns, leaving them homeless. When Emily proposes turning the family home into a boardinghouse, her sister is so incensed that she leaves town.
Alone and broke, her family name sullied by controversy, Emily is determined to solve the mystery of her father's death--and to aid Craig Ferguson, despite her fears of men. The widowed schoolmaster proves to be a devoted father, an innovative teacher, and an unexpected ally. Together they must work to unmask a killer and escape the shadows of their own pasts in order to forge a brighter future.
Bestselling author Amanda Cabot transports you to 1880s Texas Hill Country for a brand-new series that will have you flipping pages to solve the mystery and get to the happily-ever-after you long for.
Get your copy of After the Shadows by Amanda Cabot.Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of more than forty novellas, eight novellas, four nonfiction books, and what she describes as enough technical articles to cure insomnia in a medium-sized city. Her stories have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists, have garnered a starred review from Publishers Weekly, were a Woman's World Book Club selection, and have been finalists for the ACFW Carol, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers Best awards.
A former director of information technology for a major international corporation, Amanda is now a fulltime writer living happily ever after with her husband in Cheyenne.
Visit Amanda's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Forged in Love by Mary ConnealyWhen sparks begin to fly, can a friendship cast in iron be shaped into something more?Mariah Stover is left for dead and with no memory when the Deadeye Gang robs the stagecoach she's riding in, killing both her father and brother. As she takes over her father's blacksmith shop and tries to move forward, she soon finds herself in jeopardy and wondering--does someone know she witnessed the robbery and is still alive?
Handsome and polished Clint Roberts escaped to western Wyoming, leaving his painful memories behind. Hoping for a fresh start, he opens a diner where he creates fine dishes, but is met with harsh resistance from the townsfolk, who prefer to stick to their old ways.
Clint and Mariah are drawn together by the trials they face in town, and Clint is determined to protect Mariah at all costs when danger descends upon her home. As threats pursue them from every side, will they survive to build a life forged in love?
Get your copy of Forged in Love.Preorder The Laws of Attraction.Preorder Marshaling her Heart.Get to know Mary Connealy:I wrote for ten years before I got my first book published. When I did get my first contract I had twenty finished books on my computer at home. I had just enough encouragement through those ten long years to keep me going.
I discovered ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and entered my manuscript Petticoat Ranch in their unpublished contest. I was a double finalist in 2004, another book of mine, Montana Rose, was in the running, too. (Montana Rose released in July).
Every year at the conference the acquiring editor for Heartsong Presents gives a contract to an unpublished author. I was so hopeful! I knew there was a chance it could be me. The Heartsong editor, Tracie Peterson, said someone else’s name, so okay, I’ve been rejected before. I kind of expect it.
And then she said, “And this year we’re giving two contracts to first-time authors. We’re offering a contract to Mary Connealy.” I get chills saying that! It was a wonderful, thrilling shocking moment. I had to go up and get the contract, in front of 350 other writers, all clapping. A great, great moment in my life.
With numerous books published, I’ve also had the honor of being a Carol Award winner and a Rita and Christyand IRCC Award Finalist. Subscribe to my email newsletter for the latest information. You’ll also find me on Seekerville, Petticoats & Pistols, and my blog. More details are on my media kit page.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.If you're a fan of Christian Historical fiction, no introduction is really needed to this week's guest, Tracie Peterson. She has written well over 130 books and has more to come. Join us as we chat about her writing day and how she puts a book together, what her research for Remember Me was like, and my patrons get to hear her thoughts on one day hanging up her laptop.
Remember Me by Tracie PetersonFrom the Yukon to Seattle, the hope of a new beginning waits just around the corner.Addie Bryant is haunted by her past of heartbreak and betrayal. After her beau, Isaac Hanson, left the Yukon, she made a vow to wait for him. When she's sold to a brothel owner after the death of her father, Addie manages to escape with the hope that she can forever hide her past and the belief that she will never have the future she's always dreamed of.
Years later, Addie has found peace in her new life as a photographer, training Camera Girls to operate and sell the Brownie camera. During the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo in Seattle, Addie is reunited with Isaac, but after the path her life has taken, she's afraid to expose the ugliness of her former life and to move toward the future they had pledged to each other.
When her past catches up with her, Addie must decide whether to run or to stay and face her wounds in order to embrace her life, her future, and her hope in God.
Get your copy of Remember Me by Tracie Peterson. More about Tracie.Tracie Peterson gave her life to Jesus at the age of six. Tracie knew at an early age that God was calling her to ministry, and writing for Him has allowed her to offer the Gospel message and encourage people to hope in the Lord. Her motto in writing, as well as all other aspects of life is Soli Deo Gloria—For God Alone the Glory.
Often called the “Queen of Historical Christian Fiction,” Tracie Peterson is an ECPA, CBA and USA Today best-selling author of more than 110 books, most of those historical. Her work in historical fiction earned her the Best Western Romance Author of 2013 award from True West magazine and the USA Best Books 2011 Award for best Religious Fiction for Embers of Love. She was given the Life Time Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers in 2011 and the Career Achievement Award in 2007 from Romantic Times, as well as multiple best book awards.Tracie received her first book contract in November 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership’s vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row. Eventually, Tracie also managed Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents book line—overseeing the production of 52 books a year.
In December 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers/Baker Publishing Group. She has co-written with a variety of authors including Judith Pella, Judith Miller, James Scott Bell, Kimberley Woodhouse, and Tracie’s daughter Jennifer.
Tracie, a Kansas native, now makes her home with her husband, Jim, in the mountains of Montana.
Visit Tracie Peterson's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Roseanna White stopped by the podcast this week to chat about her new book, Yesterday's Tides. This wonderful dual-time novel is set on North Carolina's Outer Banks and features storylines in both WWI and WWII. It's such a great read and a fascinating look at the impact our lives have on the generations to come. We talk about the special place that the Outer Banks hold in Roseanna's life, the beautiful jewelry she has for sale that's inspired by the book, and my patrons get to hear what she would do if she found herself stranded on a deserted island with no books (oh, the horror LOL!)
Yesterday's Tides by Roseanna White In two world wars, intelligence and counterintelligence, prejudice, and self-sacrifice collide across two generationsIn 1942, Evie Farrow is used to life on Ocracoke Island, where every day is the same--until the German U-boats haunting their waters begin to wreak havoc. And when special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie's inn, her life is turned upside down. While Sterling's injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, making him even more anxious about the SS officer he's tracking, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Evie, who seems to be hiding secrets of her own.
Decades earlier, in 1914, Englishman Remington Culbreth arrives at the Ocracoke Inn for the summer, never expecting to fall in love with Louisa Adair, the innkeeper's daughter. But when war breaks out in Europe, their relationship is put in jeopardy and may not survive what lies ahead for them.
As the ripples from the Great War rock Evie and Sterling's lives in World War II, it seems yesterday's tides may sweep them all into danger again today.
"Yesterday's Tides has delicious romance, fascinating history, heart-pounding mystery, and wrenching family drama. . . . Please don't miss this novel."--SARAH SUNDIN, bestselling and award-winning author of The Sound of Light and Until Leaves Fall in Paris"Yesterday's Tides triumphs with raw and real emotion, pulse-pounding action, and romance that pays tribute to the legacy of yesterday to anchor the path of our tomorrows."--KRISTY CAMBRON, Christy Award-winning author of The Paris DressmakerGet your copy of Yeterday's Tides by Roseanna White. More about Roseanna White:Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
Visit Roseanna's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Sarah Sundin is my fabulous guest this week, and we had an absolute blast talking with each other. She shared all about her new release, The Sound of Light, what WWII was like in Denmark, the significance of the title, and what it's like to be a brand-new grandma. Spoiler: She thinks it's great! For my patrons, she also shared what country she hasn't traveled to that she'd like to get to one of these days. Enjoy this informative and very fun chat.
The Sound of Light by Sarah SundinWhen the Germans march into Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt exchanges his nobility for anonymity, assuming a new identity so he can secretly row messages for the Danish Resistance across the waters to Sweden.
American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to leave Copenhagen and abandon her research--her life's dream. While printing resistance newspapers, she hears stories of the movement's legendary Havmand--the merman--and wonders if the mysterious and silent shipyard worker living in the same boardinghouse has something to hide.
When the Occupation cracks down on the Danes, these two passionate people will discover if there is more power in speech . . . or in silence. Bestselling author of more than a dozen WWII novels, Sarah Sundin offers pens another story of ordinary people responding to extraordinary circumstances with faith, fortitude, and hope for a brighter future.
Get your copy of The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin. Meet Sarah Sundin:
Although I came from a home wallpapered in books,
I only briefly envisioned myself as a writer. Instead, I studied chemistry in college and earned my doctorate in pharmacy. Not until I was a young mother did I start writing seriously.
Family tales drew me to the World War II era.
My grandfather, Frederick Stewart, served as a pharmacist’s mate (medic) in the US Navy, and my great-uncle, Roderick Stewart, flew a B-17 Flying Fortress in Australia and England—and flew into Pearl Harbor during the attack.
My grandfather, Frederick Stewart, at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, April 1944.
My novels explore the drama, daring, and romance of the World War II era. My latest novel, The Sound of Light, received a starred review from Booklist. Until Leaves Fall in Paris received the 2022 Christy Award, was a bestseller, and received starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal. When Twilight Breaks was a 2021 Christy Award finalist, The Land Beneath Us was a Christy Award finalist, and The Sky Above Us won the 2020 Carol Award.
When I’m not writing…
my husband and I enjoy traveling and taking our two rescue dogs for lengthy walks. I teach Sunday school and women’s Bible studies, and I speak to community, church, and writers’ groups. I also serve as co-director for the West Coast Christian Writers Conference. Visit my speaking page for more information.
Visit Sarah's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.I'm so pleased to have returning guest Jill Eileen Smith on the podcast this week. She is a gracious and thoughtful lady, and it shines through in her writing. Her new book is Daughter of Eden, and it looks at the life of Eve. What an interesting subject matter! We talked about why she chose Eve, some of the challenges with writing about her, and even how reading fiction is said to help you keep sharp as you age! Bonus! And my patrons got to hear her talk about the restaurants she and her husband love to check out and what difficulty there is for her now that she's gluten free.
Daughter of Eden by Jill Eileen SmithThe first time she opens her eyes, Eve gazes on One whose beauty nearly blinds her, whose breath is in her lungs. Her Creator takes her hand and gives her to one like her and yet different. Together, she and Adam experience pure joy as they explore Eden. But her favorite moments are when the Creator comes to walk with them, day after day.
Until everything changes. With one act of disobedience, Eve finds that her world is no longer a friendly place. With remorse in her heart, she must face the unknown future--the births, the deaths, the sacrifices, the loss of the one home she has ever known. Perhaps worst of all is the loss of trust, not only with her Creator but with the man who shares her life. How will they ever survive out of Eden?
Bestselling biblical fiction author Jill Eileen Smith imagines the life of the first woman to ever live, unspooling a story of love, loss, and the promise of redemption.
Get your copy of Daughter of Eden by Jill Eileen Smith.Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling, award-winning author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs, Daughters of the Promised Land, the Heart of the King, and Star of Persia, Esther’s Story, along with the nonfiction books When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams, and She Walked Before Us. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times.
When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or play with her lovable, “helpful” cat Tiger. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.
Visit Jill Eileen Smith's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.What a thrill to welcome Kimberly Duffy to the show this week. She's not a first-time author, but it's her premier visit to the podcast and the first time I've read anything by her. Neither her book nor her interview disappointed. We had so much fun talking about researching circus life, how she made a tall, strong woman who was also feminine, and what are some of her favorite travels. Patrons also get to hear the meaning behind the book's title.
The Weight of Air by Kimberly DuffyTwo women--bound by blood, torn apart by circumstance--find together that true strength comes in many forms.In 1911, Mabel MacGinnis is Europe's strongest woman and has performed beside her father in the Manzo Brothers Circus her entire life. When he dies unexpectedly, she loses everything she's ever known and sets off in the company of acrobat Jake Cunningham in hope of finding the mother she thought was dead.
Isabella Moreau, America's most feted aerialist, has given everything to the circus. But age and injury now threaten her security, and Isabella, stalked by old fears, makes a choice that risks everything. Then her daughter Mabel appears alongside the man who never wanted to see Isabella again, and she is forced to face the truth of where, and in what, she derives her worth.
As Mabel and Isabella's lives become entangled beneath the glittering lights and flying trapeze of Madison Square Garden, their resiliency and resolve are tested as they learn the truth of what it means to be strong.
"Kimberly Duffy not only delivers a beautiful escape, but she also adds layers of emotional depth to build a captivating story readers will love."--JULIE CANTRELL, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PerennialsGet your copy of The Weight of Air by Kimberly Duffy.When I was fifteen, I asked God to please make me a novelist. He went a step further, marrying my love of books and history, and making me a historical novelist. These last few years of researching and writing and learning, I’ve discovered that the human experience doesn’t change no matter the era or setting. Our past is littered with stories of love and brokenness and faith and self-discovery and courage. I love exploring timeless struggles and hopes through characters who lived long ago. I welcome you to join this journey with me. Feel free to connect with me on social media or email me at kim@kimberlyduffy.com. I look forward to meeting you.
Visit Kimberly Duffy's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer DeibelBrianna Kelly was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School as an infant. She has worked there since she was a wee girl and will likely die there. Despite a sense that she was made for something more, Brianna feels powerless to change her situation, so she consoles herself by exploring the Ballymacool grounds, looking for hidden treasures to add to the secret trove beneath the floorboards of her room.
When Michael Wray, the son of local gentry, is sent to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin, he finds himself drawn to Brianna, immediately and inescapably. There is something about her that feels so . . . familiar. When Brianna finds a piece of silver in the woods, she commits to learning its origins, with the help of Michael. What they discover may change everything.
Fan favorite Jennifer Deibel invites you back to the Emerald Isle in the 1930s for this fresh take on the Cinderella story, complete with a tantalizing mystery, a budding romance, and a chance at redemption.
Get your copy of The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel.Hi, friend! I am so glad that you’re here!
I’m Jennifer. My friends call me Jen. Just please don’t call my Jenny. I’m a wife and mom just walking this road of life like everyone else. I’m your typical American mom, working, raising kids, and loving my hubby…I’ve just been blessed to do some of it in Vienna, Austria and the west of Ireland. However, after a decade of life overseas, we have settled back in America–in sunny Arizona!
I currently teach middle school English, and when I’m not working on school things, I’m spending time with my incredible family–my husband Seth and our 3 awesome kids–and writing.
I write stories that explore home through the lens of faith, family, and culture–with the beauty and depth of Ireland coloring much of it.
I am honored to be a monthly contributor at The Better Mom and have posts shared at (in)courage, Djibouti Jones, Tricia Goyer, Unveiled Wife, Intentional by Grace, and more.
I love chatting with you, so please connect with me on Instagram, Facebook,and Goodreads. And be sure to follow me on BookBub to see what I’m reading & recommending!Visit Jennifer Deibel's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Hearts of Steel by Elizabeth CamdenHis steel empire has catapulted him to the top of the world, but loving her could cost him everything.
Maggie Molinaro survived a hardscrabble childhood in the downtrodden streets of Manhattan to become a successful businesswoman. After a decade of sacrifice, she now owns a celebrated ice cream company. But when she offends a corrupt banker, she unwittingly sets off a series of calamities that threaten to destroy her life's work.
Liam Blackstone is a charismatic steel magnate committed to overhauling factory conditions for the steelworkers of America. Standing in his way is the same villain determined to ruin Maggie. What begins as a practical alliance to defeat a common enemy soon evolves into a romance between two wounded people determined to beat the odds.
A spiraling circle of treachery grows increasingly dangerous as Liam and Maggie risk their lives and fortunes for the good of the city. It will require all their wit and ingenuity to protect everything--and everyone--they hold dear.
Get your copy of Hearts of Steel by Elizabeth Camden.I am fortunate to have two careers I deeply love. I am a college librarian by day, and write novels on the weekends.
I became a librarian because I can think of no other career in which you get such a wide exposure to all aspects of recorded knowledge. I have been an academic librarian since 1995, where on any given day I get to research the sonnets of Shakespeare, learn what makes pelican feathers pink, or compile demographic statistics for starting a new company.
But fiction has always been a wonderful escape for me, and I’ve wanted to be a novelist since the third grade when I was devastated by the bittersweet ending of Charlotte’s Web. I remember vowing to re-write the book with a better ending someday. Although I failed to appreciate how copyright law would thwart my ambition to write better endings for other people’s books, perhaps my early experience with sad novels is why I became a romance novelist.
I love writing books about fiercely intelligent people who are confronted with profound challenges. As a rather introverted person, I have found that writing fiction is the best way for me to share my faith and a sense of resilience with others. For those aspiring writers who are interested in my road to publication, you can find it here.
I married relatively late in life, which turned out to be an odd kind of blessing. I had gotten very good at leading a solo life, and although I was not particularly content being alone, I had become reconciled to it. Then when I was in my mid-thirties and just a few weeks after buying my first house, I met the man I was meant to spend the rest of my life with. My years as a single woman taught me many things. I learned to be independent and resilient. I learned how to manage my investments, earn and save enough money to have investments, mow my own lawn, fix the rickety appliances in my sixty-year old house, and spend the holidays o
Ashley T Lee Podcast
Ashley T. Lee Podcast will cover many life issues such as overcoming stress, anxiety...
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Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Terri J. Haynes joins me on the podcast this week, and boy, did we have a fun chat! We talked about her dual timeline novel, Passages of Hope, which is part of Barbour Publishing's "Doors to the Past" series. It's a wonderful book about the Underground Railroad and its legacy. We also chat about her dream when she was in elementary school to get locked inside a library for the night. Doesn't that sound like fun? She almost pulled it off! There was so much more we chatted about. Be sure to take a listen.
Passages of Hope by Terri J. HaynesGracie Kingston begins renovations on the Philadelphia house inherited from her grandmother and finds a secret room. It is connected to a house nearby, the home of William Still, the man known as the father of the Underground Railroad. As she researches, she discovers a mystery in her house’s ownership. In 1855, Olivia Kingston helps a mother and her young child by hiding them in a secret room in her home. As she helps, she learns that there may be an impostor conductor in their community. As Gracie’s and Olivia’s stories intertwine, they learn the meaning of sacrifice and love.
Get your copy of Passages of Hope by Terri J. HaynesTerri J. Haynes, a native Baltimorean, is a prolific knitter and owner of a hand-dyed yarn company, freelance graphic artist, and former Army wife (left the Army, not the husband). She loves to read, so much that when she was in elementary school, she masterminded a plan to be locked in a public library armed with only a flashlight to read all the books and peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She is a storyteller at heart. Her passion is to draw readers into the story world she has created and to bring laughter and joy to their lives.
Terri’s non-fiction publishing credits include Cup of Comfort for Military Families, Urbanfaith.com, Publisher’s Weekly. Her traditionally published credits include four novellas and one full-length novel. Terri has also self-published one full-length novel and six novellas.
Terri holds a Master's degree in Theological Studies and a certificate in creative writing and graphic design. She and her husband pastor a church where she serves as executive pastor and worship leader. Terri lives in Maryland with her three wonderful children and her husband, who often beg her not to kill off their favorite characters.
Visit Terri J. Hayne's website.
Ashley T Lee Podcast
Ashley T. Lee Podcast will cover many life issues such as overcoming stress, anxiety...
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Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Kimberley Woodhouse is our guest on the show this week. She is a delightful woman, and we had a wonderful chat about her new book, A Mark of Grace. This is book three in her "Secrets of the Canyon" series. It's a mix of romance and adventure and suspense and a wonderful read. We talk about how she manages to write so many books each year, what it's like to collaborate with Tracie Peterson, and what is was like to be featured on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition years ago.
A Mark of Grace by Kimberley WoodhouseWhen everything crumbles, her chance for a new beginning hangs in the balance.
Ruth Anniston survived an injury that left her physically scarred, broken, and angry at God. Now, she finds herself working behind the scenes as a kitchen and dining room supervisor at the El Tovar Hotel, hidden away from curious eyes and with little hope of finding love. When money begins to disappear from the hotel, Ruth's entire livelihood is put at risk when she lands on the list of suspects.
Frank Henderson has at last succeeded in obtaining his dream job as head chef at the El Tovar. But competition in the kitchen is fierce, and one mistake could cost him his future. As the thefts at the hotel continue, and his affection for Ruth grows, Frank's career--and his heart--are in jeopardy.
As tensions run high, Ruth and Frank must work together to save the El Tovar. They find themselves growing closer . . . but can their combined ingenuity overcome the odds against them?Get your copy of A Mark of Grace.Get your copy of book 1, A Deep Divide.Get your copy of book 2, A Gem of Truth.More about Kimberley Woodhouse:Kim is a devoted wife and mother, and a third generation Liszt student. She has passed down her love of music and the arts to hundreds of students over the years, recorded three albums, and appeared at over 2,000 venues to more than a million people. Her quick wit, enthusiasm, and positive outlook through difficult circumstances have gained her audiences at conferences, retreats, churches, military functions, and seminars all over the country.
Kim has been writing seriously for more than twenty years. Songs, plays, short stories, novels, picture books, articles, newsletters – you name it – she’s written it. It wasn’t until a dear friend challenged her to “do something with it” that she pursued publication. Now, she is a best-selling author of more than two dozen books, with more on the way. She has won The Carol Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and has finaled in the Selah Awards and the Spur Awards.
She is passionate about Bible study, reading, music, cooking, and pretty-much-all-things-crafty. Kimberley has been married to her incredible husband for twenty-nine years and counting and they have two married adult children.
Ashley T Lee Podcast
Ashley T. Lee Podcast will cover many life issues such as overcoming stress, anxiety...
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Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.This week is very special because I'm my own guest! I welcome a guest host Becca Hope to the show, and she interviews me about my new release, What I Would Tell You. We had so much fun chatting about the book, what the message of the story is, and my trip to Greece to research the novel. It's a fabulous place to travel, and I learned so much while I was there.
What I Would Tell You by Liz TolsmaDetermined to resist the invading Nazis, a Greek Jewish woman's greatest dream has become her worst nightmare, and now she faces an impossible choice whose consequences echo across the generations.
1941—The pounding of Nazi boots on the streets of Salonika, Greece, reverberates in Mathilda Nissim’s ears, shaking her large community of Sephardic Jews to its core and altering her life forever. If only her people would rise up and resist their captors. At great risk to herself and those around her, she uses the small newspaper she publishes to call them to action, all to no avail. Her husband encourages her to trust God to watch over them, but God has once again deserted His people. Amid the chaos, Mathilda discovers she’s expecting a longed-for child. Still, nothing stops the occupiers’ noose from tightening around their necks, and she may have to resort to desperate measures to ensure her daughter’s survival.
2019—College student Tessa Payton and her cousin take a popular DNA heritage test only to discover they don’t share any common ancestors. In fact, the test reveals Tessa is a Greek Sephardic Jew. This revelation threatens her tenuous faith. Always the overlooked child in her family, she empties her savings account and jets off on a journey to Greece to discover where she belongs and which God demands her allegiance. The enchanting curator at the Jewish museum guides her as she navigates life in Thessaloniki, helps with her genealogical research, and loans her a fascinating journal written by a Jewish woman during WWII. Tessa’s search, however, may open old wounds and uncover long-hidden secrets that could fracture her family forever and leave her with more questions than when she started.
Based in part on true accounts of Jews in Salonika, Greece, What I Would Tell You traces two women’s journeys, delving into what faith looks like and where it leads us as they navigate difficult circumstances and impossible choices that have ripple effects across the years.
Get your copy of What I Would Tell You by Liz Tolsma A little bit more about Liz Tolsma:I am so blessed that I get to work at my dream job every day. I love nothing better than settling into my comfy office chair at the big desk my husband built for me and letting my imagination go crazy.
I also love editing, especially helping new authors start on their own publication journeys. I have a passion for seeing others succeed in this business.
I’m married to my high school sweetheart, and we have three children through international adoption. Brian, joined our family from Vietnam when he was five months old. Alyssa came home from
Ashley T Lee Podcast
Ashley T. Lee Podcast will cover many life issues such as overcoming stress, anxiety...
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Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Tessa Afshar is our very special guest on the podcast this week. She is a brilliant and humble and lovely woman who happens to be a fabulous author of novels set in biblical times. Being of Persian descent, she is uniquely qualified to write this particular novel, The Hidden Prince, which starts out in the household of Daniel during the time of the exile and moves to Media during the course of the story.
She shares with us what a particular burden it is to write fiction that contains real-life biblical characters, what research is like for these books, and how she's gotten into cooking and baking ancient recipes - sometimes without a recipe or even the knowledge of what exactly were the ingredients!
Please take a listen to this wonderful interview. You'll leave feeling like Tessa's friend.
The Hidden Prince by Tessa AfsharFrom the bestselling author of Jewel of the Nile comes the thrilling tale of a woman who feels she has no future but soon discovers the fate of nations may rest in her hands.
The beloved daughter of Jewish captives in Babylon, Keren is sold into Daniel’s household to help her family survive. She becomes Daniel’s most trusted scribe, while taking lessons and swordsmanship training alongside Daniel’s sons and their best friend, Jared.
But after a tragic accident changes the course of her life, Keren finds herself in a foreign country, charged with a mysterious task: teaching a shepherd boy how to become a lord. When she overhears whispers that hint at his true identity, she realizes she must protect him from the schemes of a bloodthirsty king.
Jared cannot forgive Keren. Still, he finds himself traveling over mountains to fetch her back to the safety of home. When he discovers the secret identity of Keren’s pupil, Jared knows he must help protect him. Love battles bitterness as they flee from the king’s agents, trying to save the boy who could one day deliver their people from captivity.
Get your copy of The Hidden Prince by Tessa Afshar. Meet Tessa:
Hospitality holds a special significance for the people of the Middle East.Since that is where I was born, let me take a moment to welcome you properly. I am so glad you are visiting! Grab a cup of something refreshing and sit with me for a minute.
Whether writing novels or non-fiction, I try to help my readers internalize these truths.
God is invested in redeeming your life. He considers you His treasure and calls you His beloved. His Son, Jesus, is never far from you. He has set His affections on you and desires to heal your heart, forgive your failures, and renew your hope.
I write books that try to capture these truths . . . about you, and about God.
In my novels, you will find laughter and tears.
You may find love stories that capture your imagination. But my dearest hope is that by the last page, you are closer to God, and closer to your true self.
In my Bible study and DVD teaching, I try to make room for God to carve these truths deeper into your soul until you
Ashley T Lee Podcast
Ashley T. Lee Podcast will cover many life issues such as overcoming stress, anxiety...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Laura Frantz and I had a fabulous chat on this week's episode. Her new book, The Rose and the Thistle, is set in 1715 in Scotland and pits a Jacobite against a Hanoverian. She does a great job of explaining what all that means, how Christian fiction has changed enough to allow her to write a book like this, and how fabulous her trip to her ancestral home in the lowlands of Scotland was. This is an episode you don't want to miss.
The Rose and the Thistle by Laura FrantzIn 1715, Lady Blythe Hedley's father is declared an enemy of the British crown because of his Jacobite sympathies, forcing her to flee her home in northern England. Secreted to the tower of Wedderburn Castle in Scotland, Lady Blythe awaits who will ultimately be crowned king. But in a house with seven sons and numerous servants, her presence soon becomes known.
No sooner has Everard Hume lost his father, Lord Wedderburn, than Lady Hedley arrives with the clothes on her back and her mistress in tow. He has his own problems--a volatile brother with dangerous political leanings, an estate to manage, and a very young brother in need of comfort and direction in the wake of losing his father. It would be best for everyone if he could send this misfit heiress on her way as soon as possible.
Drawn into a whirlwind of intrigue, shifting alliances, and ambitions, Lady Blythe must be careful whom she trusts. Her fortune, her future, and her very life are at stake. Those who appear to be adversaries may turn out to be allies--and those who pretend friendship may be enemies.
Get your copy of The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz. Meet Laura FrantzAward-winning, bestselling author Laura Frantz is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage.
She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying. Proud of her heritage, she is also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
According to Publishers Weekly, “Frantz has done her historical homework.” With her signature attention to historical detail and emotional depth, she is represented by Janet Kobobel Grant, Literary Agent & Founder, Books & Such Literary Agency of Santa Rosa, California.
Visit Laura's website.
Ashley T Lee Podcast
Ashley T. Lee Podcast will cover many life issues such as overcoming stress, anxiety...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.This week, I'm so pleased to present Hannah Linder. She's new to traditional publishing and is making a splash. We have a great chat about what Gothic Regency romance is, which is her favorite Jane Austen book, and what it's like to live in a house chock-full of history.
Beneath His Silence by Hannah Linder
Will Seeking Justice Lead to Her Own Demise?
A Gothic-Style Regency Romance from a Promising Young Author
Second daughter of a baron—and a little on the mischievous side—Ella Pemberton is no governess. But the pretense is a necessity if she ever wishes to get inside of Wyckhorn Manor and attain the truth. Exposing the man who killed her sister is all that matters.
Lord Sedgewick knows there’s blood on his hands. Lies have been conceived, then more lies, but the price of truth would be too great. All he has left now is his son—and his hatred. Yet as the charming governess invades his home, his safe cocoon of bitterness begins to tear away.
Could Ella, despite the lingering questions of his guilt, fall in love with such a man? Or is she falling prey to him—just as her dead sister?
Get your copy of Beneath His Silence by Hannah Linder.Hannah Linder resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. Represented by Books & Such, she writes Regency romantic suspense novels. She is a double 2021 Selah Award winner, a 2022 Selah Award winner, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In way of career, Hannah is a Graphic Design Associates Degree graduate who specializes in professional book cover design. She designs for both traditional publishing houses and individual authors, including New York Times, USA Today, National, and International bestsellers. She is also a self-portrait photographer of historical fashion. When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing instruments—piano, guitar, and ukulele—songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse. To follow her journey, visit hannahlinderbooks.com.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Amy Lynn Green and I had such a fun chat on this week's episode. There were a few serious moments, when she speaks about the power of a happy ending and how that points us to God making all things new someday. There were more lighthearted moments, including a Midwest winter survival guide, and we both answered the question "Would you like to have lived in the 1940s." Join us as we talk about her book, The Blackout Book Club.
The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green
In 1942, an impulsive promise to her brother before he goes off to the European front puts Avis Montgomery in the unlikely position of head librarian in small-town Maine. Though she has never been much of a reader, when wartime needs threaten to close the library, she invents a book club to keep its doors open. The women she convinces to attend the first meeting couldn't be more different--a wealthy spinster determined to aid the war effort, an exhausted mother looking for a fresh start, and a determined young war worker.
At first, the struggles of the home front are all the club members have in common, but over time, the books they choose become more than an escape from the hardships of life and the fear of the U-boat battles that rage just past their shores. As the women face personal challenges and band together in the face of danger, they find they have more in common than they think. But when their growing friendships are tested by secrets of the past and present, they must decide whether depending on each other is worth the cost.
Get your copy of The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green.Amy Lynn Green is a lifelong lover of books, history, and library cards. She worked in publishing for six years before writing her first historical fiction novel, based on the WWII home front of Minnesota, the state where she lives, works, and survives long winters. She has taught classes on marketing at writer’s conferences and regularly encourages established and aspiring authors in their publication journeys. In her novels (and her daily life), she loves exploring the intersection of faith and fiction and searches for answers to present-day questions by looking to the past.
If she had lived in the 1940s, you would have found her writing long letters to friends and family, daydreaming about creating an original radio drama, and drinking copious amounts of non-rationed tea. (Actually, these things are fairly accurate for her modern life as well.)
Be sure to interact with her on Facebook and Instagram, and sign up for her newsletter to stay up-to-date on her latest releases.
Visit Amy Lynn Green's website.
Ashley T Lee Podcast
Ashley T. Lee Podcast will cover many life issues such as overcoming stress, anxiety...
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Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Engaging Deception by Regina JenningsA lively competition draws her into her rival’s blueprints–and maybe even his heart.
Olive Kentworth has spent her life hiding her interest in architecture, even though she pores over architectural books and sketches buildings. When she accepts a job on a home expansion, it’s only because her cousin Amos agrees to pose as the builder. To further hide her involvement, Olive takes a position as a nanny–not knowing that she’ll be working for her idol, Joplin’s leading architect, widower Maxfield Scott.
Maxfield is intrigued by his new nanny–she makes his home and his life bearable again. His work, on the other hand, is a disaster. An untrained builder is remodeling a completed project of his. What’s worse, Maxfield’s current client wants changes to his plans because of that builder’s work.
As the architectural one-upmanship heats up, Olive’s involvement becomes harder to hide. Will the relationship between her and Maxfield survive, or will they both miss out on building something for their future?
Get your copy of Engaging Deception by Regina Jennings.Historical romance author Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a minor in history. She’s the winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award, and a Christy Award and Oklahoma Book of the Year Award finalist. Regina has worked at the Mustang News and at the Oklahoma National Stockyards. She lives outside of Oklahoma City in a neighborhood teeming with kinfolk. Online, she can be found at www.reginajennings.com.
Ashley T Lee Podcast
Ashley T. Lee Podcast will cover many life issues such as overcoming stress, anxiety...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Patty Smith Hall joins us on this episode to chat about her new book, On My Honor. Were you ever a Girl Scout? Have you ever been to the Outer Banks of North Carolina? Even if you answered no to these questions, you're going to love this week's chat. Find out how the title came to be and the significance behind it and how God used a devastating attack to bring Patty to the place she is now.
On My Honor by Patty Smith Hall
A Girl Scout Troop Joins the Battle of the AtlanticGinny Mathis was finished with nursing school and had no intention of staying rooted in the Outer Banks—then war broke out. With her father away, she feels duty-bound to stay and help her mother and younger sister. While working as a clerk for the Oregon Inlet ferry, naval officers ask Ginny and others to be watchful for German U-boats reportedly spotted in the area. So to help occupy her teenage sister, Ginny enlists the Girl Scout troop she leads to help watch for suspicious activity along the coast.
Timothy Elliott is no stranger to death. As a British reporter working with the M-6, he’s numb to the losses of war after two years of fighting the Germans. Maybe that’s why he volunteered for this mission—to connect with an ex-German naval officer who stole the Furor’s battle plan for the Atlantic war. When the boat giving him passage to New York is bombed near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Tim is thrown from the boat and wakes up in the care of a group of young girls.
Ginny follows her sneaky sister on a clandestine mission and discovers the shipwreck victim. Ginny knows she must take charge, but is this man the enemy, or does he hold secrets that could turn the tide of the Battle of the Atlantic in the allies’ favor?
Get your copy of On My Honor by Patty Smith Hall**.
About Patty Smith Hall**Born and raised in the suburbs of Atlanta, Patty considers herself a country girl at heart. A seventh generation Georgian, she developed a love of history and books at an early age and read through the county library by the time she was eleven.
It wasn’t until a brutal attack left her broken and disabled that she picked up a pen and wrote. Since then, she’s written over 30 books and novellas as well as hundreds of articles and devotions.
When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with her own real-life hero, Danny, shopping with her girls, playing with her grandsons (who happen to be the two most brilliant and beautiful boys in the world!) or hanging out with her lifelong friends. She considers herself one blessed woman!
Visit Patty's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Today discuss your answers to my question on social media. The is what I asked:
When you review a book, what standard do you use for 3, 4, and 5-star reviews? Have you ever written a 1-star review? What would make you only give it 1 star?
Listen to the episode, then tell me what you think? What criteria do you use when you rate a book? How do you determine what makes it only worth one or two stars or worth four or five stars? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Speaking of reviews, here are a few for my next book, What I Would Tell You.Four stars: What I Would Tell you is a story that dives deep into one of the darkest times in history—the persecution and annihilation of so many Jews during WW2. This story isn’t a bow-tied ribbon; it’s an honest look at what it would be like for a Jew defying Nazi’s through the power of words and what that act of bravery costs. With deep themes of sacrifice, mending family relationships, and bravery, this book is a compelling read.
Five stars: What I Would Tell You is an incredibly heart-gripping novel set in Occupied Greece during WWII. Set in two time periods, then and now, it tells the story of Mathilda Nissim, a Jewish-Greek women living in Greece during WWII and Tessa Payton, a young adult woman living in the United States in present time. Throughout the book, the author, Liz Tolsma, really showcases the depth of a mothers love in various aspects. You get to see motherhood from a variety of stances in this book and each stance is unique and powerful in its own way. Every decision that is made, every conversation that is had and every emotional moment experienced in this novel is written with such a profound skill. The author makes the reader really feel the emotion that each character is experiencing. A mother will move mountains and do whatever it takes to protect her babies and there are so many examples of this in this book.
Here's the one star I talked about in the episode: Dnf it @ 35%. Not what I was expecting.
Get your copy of What I Would Tell You.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Allison Pittman is my guest this week, here to chat about everything Laura Ingall's Wilder, her childhood crush on Cap Garland and why she painted him the way she did in Laura's Shadow, and how she used to - and sometimes still does - use stories to help her fall asleep.
Laura's Shadow by Allison PittmanFamily Secrets Spill One Conversation at a Time
Visit historic American landmarks through the Doors to the Past series. History and today collide in stories full of mystery, intrigue, faith, and romance.
De Smet, South Dakota—1890
Young women growing up in DeSmet live by two rules: don’t go out in a snowstorm and don’t give your heart to Cap Garland. Young Mariah Patterson only managed to obey one. Orphaned and having devoted her youth to scrapping out a life with her brother Charles, Mariah finds herself with no interesting suitors or means of support. Throwing caution to the wind, she seizes an opportunity to lay her feelings at Cap’s feet, even though she knows Cap sees the world through the torch he carries for Laura Ingalls. Mariah is certain her love for Cap will be strong enough to break both bonds, and she’s willing to risk everything to prove it.
De Smet, South Dakota—1974
Trixie Gowan is the fourth generation of living Gowan women residing in the sprawling farmhouse on the outskirts of De Smet. Well, former resident. She’s recently moved to Minneapolis, where she writes ads for a neighborhood paper edited by Ron Tumble. She might live and work in the city, but her co-workers still call her Prairie Girl. Thus the inspiration for her comic strip—“Lost Laura”—in which a bespectacled girl in a calico dress tries to make her way in the city. The name is a quiet rebellion having grown up in a household where she’d been forbidden to mention the name, Laura Ingalls. But when her great-grandmother Mariah’s declining health brings Trixie home for a visit, two things might just keep her there: the bedside manner of Dr. Campbell Carter and the family secret that seems to be spilling from GG’s lips one conversation at a time.
Get your copy of Laura's Shadow.Meet Allison PittmanAs far as I know, I have always been a writer. Before I could put words to page, I would dictate stories to my mother. I have always lulled myself to sleep by crafting stories--a new chapter each night. When God called me to write, I was thrilled to answer His prompting. And so it was, after a long conversation with my husband, I left a 20-year teaching career to pursue a new direction. It called for a HUGE step of faith, but God has kept me and our family safe.
I count every single one of my readers as one of God's blessings in my life, and I like to think of my stories as being the first step in a conversation. Please visit my website, www.allisonpittman.com and send me an email. It is one of my greatest joys to hear from you
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.My guest this week is Joanna Politano, who talks about her new book, The Lost Song, what asylums were like in Victorian England, and why we gravitate toward stories. (Any my apologies to Joanna. I think I called it The Lost Song in parts of our interview.)The Lost Melody by Joanna PolitanoWhen concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant's father dies, he leaves to her the care of an adult ward she knew nothing about. The woman is supposedly a patient at Hurstwell Asylum. The woman's portrait is shockingly familiar to Vivienne, so when the asylum claims she was never a patient there, Vivienne is compelled to discover what happened to the figure she remembers from childhood dreams.
The longer she lingers in the deep shadows and forgotten towers at Hurstwell, the fuzzier the line between sanity and madness becomes. She hears music no one else does, receives strange missives with rose petals between the pages, and untangles far more than is safe for her to know. But can she uncover the truth about the mysterious woman she seeks? And is there anyone at Hurstwell she can trust with her suspicions?
Fan-favorite Joanna Davidson Politano casts a delightful spell with this lyrical look into the nature of women's independence and artistic expression during the Victorian era--and now.
Get your copy of The Lost Melody by Joanna Politano. Meet Joanna Politano:I’m a work-from-home mom of two fun and adventurous littles and we’ll soon be homeschooling. I married my hero Vince, who is my love and my polar opposite. I write, he tears it up with the red pen. I break cars and other mechanical things, he puts them back together. He’s nailed the “speak the truth” thing, and I bring the “in love” part. But the real spark to our marriage is that he does not like chocolate and I… like it a normal amount. We love and live from our little house in the woods near Lake Michigan.
Visit Joanna's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Fellow Wisconsin author Naomi Musch joins me this week for a chat about her recently published WWII novel, Season of My Enemy. This wonderful book is set in Wisconsin and explores the complicated relationships between the German POWs and the everyday Wisconsin citizens they encountered.Season of My Enemy by Naomi Musch“Get Your Farm in the Fight” - The Realities of WWII Come to a Wisconsin Farm
Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.
Only last year, Fannie O’Brien was considered a beauty with a brain, and her future shone bright, despite the war pounding Europe. With her father’s sudden death and her brothers overseas, Fannie must now do the work of three men on their 200-acre farm—until eight German prisoners arrive and, just as Fannie feared, trouble comes too. Someone seems intent on causing “accidents,” and Fannie is certain the culprit is one of the two handsome older Germans—or possibly both. Can she manage the farm, keep the prisoners in line, and hold her family together through these turbulent times?
Get your copy of Season of My Enemy by Naomi Musch.I’m author Naomi Musch. I was born and raised in central Wisconsin but have made my home for many years in the pristine north woods, where my husband Jeff and I live as epically as God allows, enjoying the families of our five adult children. Amidst it, I write about imperfect people who are finding hope and faith to overcome their struggles, whether the story venue is rich in American history or along more contemporary lines.
Besides writing, my biggest joys are loving on my passel of grandchildren, encouraging homeschoolers and new writers, gardening, camping, kayaking, and fellowshipping with friends.
Visit Naomi Musch's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Episode 100 - It's almost impossible to believe that we've hit this milestone. But we have, soit's time to party and look back at the first one hundred episodes of Christian Historical Fiction Talk.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the podcast over the past two plus years. I couldn't have done it without you. I talk about why I started the show, who some of my favorite guests have been, and what some of my favorite topics were. I enjoyed the reminiscing! It's always fun to take a look back.
There's also a giveaway to celebrate episode 100. One winner will have their pick of any of my published books, either in paperback or in ebook version. The grand prize will be a fun bookshelf ornament and your choice of two of my books. US addresses only, please. Postage has gotten to be so expensive that it would almost be cheaper for me to fly out and deliver the prizes in person. Not that I would mind doing that!
To enter the giveaway for episode 100, please go to my website and follow the Rafflecopter instructions you'll find there. I forgot to mention on the show that if you're already a newsletter subscriber, please shoot me an email through the contact me section of website, and I'll see that you earn an entry for being a loyal subscriber.
The giveaway will be open until Saturday, October 30th at 11:59 pm Central time.
Thank you so much for your support for this podcast. I'll see you next week for episode 101!
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Amy Sorrells is my guest this week, and she chats with us about her fascinating new book, Miracle at the Sideshow. This novel includes the history of baby incubators and how the world came to know about them and accept them because, in part, of their display at the sideshow at Coney Island. Truly a wonderful read.
Miracle at the Sideshow by Amy Sorrells
A deadly fire. A sensational sideshow. And a baby fighting for its life.
Eighteen-year-old Sophie Rosenfeld dreams of a resplendent life in America after escaping the pogroms in Eastern Europe, only to lose her family in the horrific Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. Besides Sophie, the lone survivor is her niece, Mercy, a premature baby the city hospital calls a “weakling” and refuses to save. When it is rumored Mercy’s only hope lies in the dark and dangerous Coney Island freak shows, free-spirited but despairing Sophie takes the chance. Will life in the spotlights lead her to the life and love she’s always imagined, or will another devastating fire force her to return to the ashes of tenement life forever?
Overview
New York City at the turn of the twentieth century is as captivating as it is macabre and as magnificent as it is barbaric, as young Sophie Rosenfeld is about to learn. She yearns for life beyond the dreary tenements, but losing all her family except for her fragile niece, Mercy, in the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire has left her with little opportunity. Sophie has to save Mercy’s life, but to do so she must follow a mysterious man to the only place in the world that saves premature babies: Dr. Martin Couney and his Coney Island side show.
Even as society threatens to shut down Dr. Couney’s life-saving work for premature babies, Sophie joins him in fighting for their lives. Amidst the glittering menagerie of lights, astonishing sights, and her new friends, including the handsome acrobat Nicholas, Sophie begins to find hope.
From the lavish, dangerous shores of Coney Island, to the harsh but at times tender tenement life, Sophie’s heart is split wide open by a roller coaster of unrelenting tragedies, and she finds herself doubting the faith that has always buoyed her. Will Nicholas and her new friends be just the salve Sophie needs to help assuage her grief? Or will she be forced to return to a life that stifled her?
Against a backdrop of romance and unexpected escapades, Miracle at the Sideshow brings to life two back-to-back true stories of fire and injustice that shocked the nation into improving worker safety, and which led to techniques still used in neonatal intensive care units today to save the lives of premature babies.
Get your copy of Miracle at the Sideshow.Amy is an award-winning author of stories highly acclaimed by the likes of USA Today, Library Journal, and a five star review by Publisher’s Weekly. Her stories are full of hope and set in America’s heartland. She lives in central Indiana with her husband.
Visit Amy Sorrells's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Tamela Hancock Murray joins us this week to talk about trends in Christian historical fiction. What's hot and what's not. What's on its way in, and what's on its way out. How do you, the readers, influence the trends that drive the market? We have an interesting discussion with top-notch literary agent Tamela Hancock Murray. She is well acquainted with what is selling in today's market and what isn't and maybe even why it isn't. This is a special peek behind the scenes for readers to see how publishers might decide on what to publish and what to pass on.
Tamela Hancock Marry has been interested in writing in one form or another all her life. She contributed to all of her school newspapers by writing articles and editing. During her time as a Capitol Hill intern, her duties included answering constituent correspondence. Working as a college intern for the Bureau of Public Affairs, Editorial Division of the U.S. Department of State, gave her the opportunity to write in a more journalistic style, including news briefs for the Secretary of State. She graduated with honors in Journalism from Lynchburg College in Virginia. An award-winning, bestselling author, Tamela has more than 20 fiction and nonfiction books to her credit, and has written for magazines and newspapers. She has discussed her work on radio and television.
After serving as a literary agent at Hartline Literary Agency for ten years, Tamela is now thrilled to be with The Steve Laube Agency! Her professional affiliations include American Christian Fiction Writers and The Christian Authors Network.
Tamela enjoys spending wonderful times with her husband and their two daughters, as well as extended family and friends.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Today it's my pleasure to welcome to a show one of Christian historical fiction's best known and best loved authors. Kim Vogel Sawyer has been a mainstay of the industry for many years and has sixty books under her belt. She writes lovely, heart-warming fiction that is sure to soothe and nourish your soul. Her new book, Still My Forever, is sure to please her long-time fans and new readers as well.
Still My Forever by Kim Vogel SawyerCan a frustrated composer find new inspiration with the woman who once made his heart sing? From the bestselling author of Freedom’s Song comes a charming romance inspired by a real historical figure.
Four years after leaving town to make a name for himself as a composer, Gilbert Baty has returned temporarily to Falke, Kansas. Now, he’s trying to keep everyone from learning the truth about his disastrous years in New York City. He hopes to start writing music again in Falke, but he can’t help being distracted by Ava Flaming, the brown-eyed baker to whom he was briefly engaged before he ended things—and who still stirs feelings in him he knows he has no right to pursue.
Ava had thought she was past the loss of Gil Baty. But to her dismay, she’s as drawn to him as ever. The situation only gets worse when Gil establishes a youth band in Falke, showing once more what a good man he is.
But when the band has a chance to compete in a statewide competition, Ava faces the prospect of heartbreak again. Could music take Gil away forever this time? Or might God be stirring in Ava’s and Gil’s hearts a new song that will draw them together for good?
Get your copy of Still My Forever. Best-selling, award-winning author Kim Vogel Sawyer is highly acclaimed for her “gentle stories of hope.” Readers and reviewers alike are drawn to her books and the life lessons contained within the pages. Kim dreamed of being a writer from her earliest memories, and her little-girl dream came true in 2006 with the release of Waiting for Summer’s Return. Now with over 1.5 million books in print in six different languages, she praises God for blessing her far beyond her imaginings. When Kim isn’t writing, she enjoys traveling with her retired military hubby, quilting, performing in community theater, and spoiling her quiverful of granddarlings.
Best-selling, award-winning author Kim Vogel Sawyer is highly acclaimed for her “gentle stories of hope.” Readers and reviewers alike are drawn to her books and the life lessons contained within the pages. Kim dreamed of being a writer from her earliest memories, and her little-girl dream came true in 2006 with the release of Waiting for Summer’s Return. Now with over 1.5 million books in print in six different languages, she praises God for blessing her far beyond her imaginings. When Kim isn’t writing, she enjoys traveling with her retired military hubby, quilting, performing in community theater, and spoiling her quiverful of granddarlings.
Visit Kim Vogel Sawyer's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a Patreon and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Amanda Wen and I chatted about her new book, The Songs That Could Have Been. We had so much fun speaking about writing, genealogy, music, and how Amanda never does anything the easy way.
The Songs That Could Have Been by Amanda WenTwo couples in love. Two sets of impossible circumstances. One powerful God of grace.
After a tailspin in her late teens, Lauren Anderson's life is finally back on track. Her battle with bulimia is under control, her career is taking off, and she's surrounded by a loving family. Then a chance meeting with Carter Douglas, her first love and the man who broke her heart, leads to old feelings returning with new strength. And suddenly her well-balanced world is thrown off kilter.
Now a TV meteorologist, Carter is determined to make amends with Lauren. After all, she still owns his heart. But the reasons they broke up aren't lost--and those old demons are forcing him toward the same decision he faced in the past. He isn’t sure he's courageous enough to make a different choice this time around.
When Lauren's elderly grandmother, Rosie, begins having nightmares about a man named Ephraim--a name her family has never heard before--a fascinating and forbidden past love comes to light. As Lauren and Carter work to uncover the untold stories of Rosie's past in 1950s Wichita, they embark on a journey of forgiveness and second chances that will change their lives--and Rosie’s--forever. Along the way they'll learn that God wastes nothing, his timing is perfect, and nothing is beyond his grace and redemption.
The Songs That Could Have Been is full of the same deftly handled, resonant writing that readers and critics alike enjoyed in Amanda Wen's first book in the series. Fans of Lisa Wingate and Rachel Hauck will add Amanda Wen to their must-read shelves.
Get your copy of The Songs That Could Have Been.Amanda Wen’s debut novel, Roots of Wood and Stone, released to both reader and critical acclaim. The book was named a 2021 Foreword INDIES Award winner and was a finalist in both the Christy and Carol Awards. In addition to her writing, Amanda is an accomplished professional cellist and pianist who frequently performs with orchestras, chamber groups, and her church’s worship team, as well as serving as a choral accompanist. A lifelong denizen of the flatlands, Amanda currently lives in Kansas with her patient, loving, and hilarious husband, their three adorable Wenlets, and a snuggly Siamese cat.
Visit Amanda Wen's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Lauralee Bliss is a fascinating person and a fabulous author, and she joins us on the podcast this week to talk about her new book, Escape from Amsterdam. This book is part of Barbour Publishing's series Heroines of WWII.
Escape from Amsterdam by Lauralee BlissA University Student Smuggles Children Out of Amsterdam
Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.
Helen Smit believed she was called by God to become a teacher. Little does she know that her care for kids will take a drastic turn for survival when the Germans occupy Amsterdam and Jewish children and parents begin to be deported. Now all she can think of is helping all the kids escape before it’s too late.
Erik Misman’s newfound love for Helen is tested when he joins a plot to help move Jewish children to a safe place in the countryside. If danger can foster a closer bond with Helen and save the lives of the little ones, he will do it all. But a German patrol that stumbles upon the farm where they are hiding with three children and a soldier who takes an unexpected interest in Helen, could well destroy their plans for safety and love.
Get your copy of Escape from Amsterdam.
Don’t miss these other stories:
The Cryptographer’s Dilemma by Johnnie Alexander
Picture of Hope by Liz Tolsma
Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson
Mrs. Witherspoon Goes to War by Mary Davis
A Rose for the Resistance by Angela K. Couch
The Season of My Enemy by Naomi Musch
More about Lauralee Bliss:Lauralee Bliss is a published author of over thirty romance novels and novellas, both historical and contemporary. Lauralee’s prayer is that readers will come away with both an entertaining story and a lesson that speaks to the heart and soul. When she is not writing, Lauralee is an avid adventurer in the great outdoors where she has logged over 10,000 miles of hiking and enjoys speaking and writing about her hiking adventures at Blissful Hiking Adventures.
Visit Lauralee Bliss's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a Patreon and enjoy special perks.
When Stone Wings Fly by Karen BarnettUncovering a long-lost family story is the only way to bring her grandmother peace
Kieran Lucas's grandmother is slipping into dementia, and, when her memory is gone, Kieran's last tie to the family she barely knows will be lost forever. Worse, Granny Mac is being tormented by flashbacks of her mother’s death and the loss of their home.
In 1931, Rosie McCauley's Smoky Mountains home is threatened by the Tennessee Great Smokies Park Commission as they create a new national park. But Rosie vows the only way they'll get her land is if they haul her out in a pine box. When a compromise offers her and her disabled sister the opportunity to stay for her lifetime, it seems too good to be true.
The Bride of Blackfriar's Lane by Michelle GriepDetective Jackson Forge can hardly wait to marry the street-sly swindler who’s turned his life upside down. Kit Turner is equally excited to wed the handsome detective. She determines to bring to justice the men who years ago maimed his brother. As she digs into the mystery of what happened, she unwittingly tumbles into her own history and endangers her future happiness with Jackson.The Heart of the Mountains by Pepper BashamTo escape a forced marriage, Cora Taylor travels from England to the Blue Ridge Mountains in search of her brother, a teacher in a mission school. Nothing prepares her for the wild mixture of isolation, community, brokenness, and hope within these mountains…or in the person of Jeb McAdams.Shadows in the Mind's Eye by Janyre TrompCharlotte Anne Mattas longs to turn back the clock. Before her husband, Sam, went to serve his country in the war, he was the man everyone could rely on. But the person who's come back to their family farm is very different from the protector Annie remembers. Sam's experience in the Pacific theater has left him broken in ways no one can understand--but that everyone is learning to fear.The Master Craftsman by Kelli StuartIn 1917, Alma Pihl, a master craftsman in the House of Fabergé, was charged to protect one of the greatest secrets in Russian history--an unknown Fabergé Egg that Peter Karl Fabergé secretly created to honor his divided allegiance to the people of Russia and the tsar's family. Three generations later, world-renowned treasure hunter Nick Laine fears the secret of the missing egg will die with him. With time running out, he entrusts the mission of retrieving the egg to his estranged daughter, Ava, who has little idea of the dangers ahead. The Italian Ballerina by Kristy CambronRome, 1943. With the fall of Italy’s Fascist government and the Nazi regime occupying the streets of Rome, British ballerina Julia Bradbury is stranded and forced to take refuge at a hospital on Tiber Island. But when she learns of a deadly sickness sweeping through the quarantine wards—a fake disease known only as Syndrome K—she is drawn into one of the greatest cons in history.
Present Day. When a mysterious Italian woman reaches out claiming to own one of the family’s precious heirlooms, Delaney is compelled to travel to Italy and uncover the truth of her grandfather’s hidden past.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a Patreon and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Ezekiel's SongA prophet's heart broken, a woman's joy gone. What does Yahweh have planned for His people?
On the brink of Jerusalem's demise, devoted priest, Ezekiel, sees the insincerity of Judah's worship. Despite his efforts to call the people back to true worship of Yahweh, priests, artisans, valiant warriors, and royals are exiled to Babylon. When God gives him messages of continued judgment for the people in his homeland, his heart breaks. How can he minister to the people from so far away?
The presence of the Lord is tangible when Shiriel sings in the temple, and her voice prepares the hearts of many to worship. When she is exiled to Babylon, her faith is shaken. Does the Lord's presence extend beyond Jerusalem and His holy temple?
Ezekiel is struck mute and paralyzed as he begins his prophetic ministry, and Shiriel devises a plan to get the Lord's message back to the unfaithful people of Judah. Shiriel struggles with discontentment as serving the Lord looks nothing like she'd imagined. Can she provide for her family and carry out her husband's ministry when her joy is gone, and her own dreams are placed on hold?
How will Yahweh save His people from themselves? Find out in Ezekiel's Song!Get your copy of Ezekiel's Song. Get to know Naomi Craig
Hi, I'm Naomi.Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, Pastor's wife, and mom to an amazing young lady. I love reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time.
When I'm not serving in various areas at church, or trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes, you'll most likely find me enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee.
Throughout my years in ministry, I've learned this:
Life is hard. God is still good.
My goal is to walk alongside you and offer support. Because you are not alone.
You have value, even when you are feeling overwhelmed. You are an amazing work of art! You are loved and you belong.
Hi, I'm Naomi.Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, Pastor's wife, and mom to an amazing young lady. I love reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time.
When I'm not serving in various areas at church, or trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes, you'll most likely find me enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee.
Throughout my years in ministry, I've learned this:
Life is hard. God is still good.
My goal is to walk alongside you and offer support. Because you are not alone.
You have value, even when you are feeling overwhelmed. You are an amazing work of art! You are loved and you belong.
Visit Naomi Craig's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a Patreon and enjoy special perks and bonus content.
This week, my heart is so happy because I get to welcome Elizabeth Musser to the show. Elizabeth has been serving as a missionary in France for many years but writes dual time Southern historical fiction. The historical part of this one is set during WWII and involves an interesting part of American history I didn't know. We also talk about how our writing often speaks to us as well and about what we do to calm our pre-release nerves. You're going to love this delightful lady.
By Way of the Moonlight by Elizabeth MusserTwo courageous young women, tied together by blood and shared passion, will risk everything to save what they love most.For as long as she can remember, Allie Massey, a gifted physical therapist, has dreamed of making her grandparents' ten-acre estate into a trauma recovery center using equine therapy--a dream her grandmother, Nana Dale, embraced wholeheartedly. But when her grandmother's will is read, Allie is shocked to learn the property has been sold to a developer.
Decades earlier, headstrong Dale Butler's driving passion is to bring home the prized filly her family lost to the Great Depression, but with World War II looming, she's called upon in ways she never could have imagined. And while her world expands to include new friends and new love, tragedy strikes close to home one fateful night during the Battle of the Atlantic, changing her life forever.
As Nana Dale's past comes to light in Allie's search for answers, Dale's courage and persistence may be just what Allie needs to carry on her grandmother's legacy and keep her own dreams alive.
Get your copy of By Way of the Moonlight by Elizabeth Musser.
ELIZABETH MUSSER writes ‘entertainment with a soul’ from her writing chalet—tool shed—outside Lyon, France. Elizabeth’s award winning, best-selling novel, The Swan House, was named one of Amazon’s Top Christian Books of the Year, one of Georgia’s Top Ten Novels of the Past 100 Years and was awarded the Gold Illumination Book Award 2021 for Enduring Light Fiction. All of Elizabeth’s novels have been translated into multiple languages and have been international bestsellers. Two Destinies, the final novel in The Secrets of the Cross trilogy, was a finalist for the 2013 Christy Award. The Long Highway Home was a finalist for the 2018 Carol Award. The Promised Land, won second place in Literary Fiction at the 2021 Georgia Author of the Year Awards and won the 2021 Carol Award for Contemporary Fiction. Elizabeth’s most recent novel, By Way of the Moonlight, is a Publisher’s Weekly Top Ten Pick in Religion and Spirituality for Fall Releases in 2022 and a Parable Weekly Bestseller.
For over thirty-five years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in missions’
work in Europe with One Collective, formerly International Teams. The Mussers have two sons, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.
She’d love for you to join her and stay up to date on her travels and projects! Click here to subscribe.
Visit Elizabeth Musser's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a Patreon and enjoy special perks and bonus content.A Feeling of Home by Susan Anne MasonCan she set aside the pain from the past to embrace a new love?Isabelle Wardrop's well-to-do life has completely unraveled. Within months, she's lost both her parents, her fortune, and her home. With nowhere else to turn, she and her younger sister move in with a trusted former servant in an impoverished area of the city. Desperate for work but having no qualifications, Isabelle is forced to accept help from Dr. Mark Henshaw, the very man she blames for her mother's death.
Mark Henshaw has admired Isabelle for several months, but after the tragic death of her mother, he vows to make amends for the past and help her find her way. But when Mark learns his younger brother has formed an undesirable friendship with Isabelle's sister--one that brings a whole new set of problems into their lives--he doesn't know if Isabelle will ever forgive him.
When startling developments begin to take place, both within Isabelle's heart and their siblings' relationship, her future looks very different than anything she could have imagined.
Get your copy of A Feeling of Home by Susan Anne MasonGet your copy of book 1 of Redemption's Light series, A Haven for Her Heart.Get your copy of book 2 of Redemption's Light series, To Find Her Place.Get to know Susan Anne MasonI have always loved to write. As a teen, I wrote my first novel, only to be politely rejected by my publisher of choice.
Life got in the way – university, marriage and children became the priority. Then once I had time to start reading again, the writing bug bit once more.
I enjoy writing both contemporary and historical Inspirational romances. “Romance sprinkled with faith” describes my writing style. I love themes of forgiveness and redemption!
I am a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and a former member of the Romance Writers of America. My association with such amazing groups of people has been the biggest asset toward learning my craft.
Home for me is Brampton, Ontario, Canada (near Toronto), where I live with my husband and our two children. My day job is a part-time secretary at a local church. In my spare time, I like to read and research our family history online.
Visit Susan Anne Mason's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Lainey of the Door IslandsTake a step back in time to Door County in the 1800s, a time when lighthouse keepers couldn't give up, or lives would be lost. A time when storms on the lakes were as dangerous as the storms in their souls. A time when the people of the islands had to be strong and courageous. A time for Lainey of the Door Islands to become the woman God wants her to be.
For Lainey, life on tiny Pilot Island is more trouble than it's worth. Auntie Edith is always fussing at her and making her do chores, and Uncle Otis spends a lot of time manning the lighthouse. Each day, Lainey stares out at the Great Lakes, praying this will be the day that brings her parents home to her from their travels. Will she ever come to love the islands and their treacherous waters, which seem to only bring a lot of shipwrecks and heartache to the people who live on the islands? Will she ever be able to go home?
With humor, faith, friendship, and love to guide her, will Lainey find the strength to weather her own storms? Lainey of the Door Islands will touch your heart and show you that even in what feels like the worst circumstances, God has a plan to prosper and not to harm.Get your copy of Lainey of the Door Islands.Addy of the Door Islands by Judy Du CharmWhen Addy and her sister Molly step off the Orphan Train Steamer in Ephraim, Wisconsin, no one waits for them. Hopes for a family that would treat them kindly while they worked for them are gone. Addy determines to find a job and care for her sister, but that presents problems she can’t quite handle. Even though Mr. Captain offers to help the girls find a home, Addy is convinced no one will ever want them. She’s just too much trouble and too impetuous. Besides, those pesky feelings of abandonment stalk her heart. As Addy and Molly get to know the kind and strong people of Door County and its isolated islands, perhaps they will actually find a place to call home. But will they ever learn about the family they lost?
Get your copy of Addy of the Door Islands. About Judy
I was a teacher for 22 years, retiring in June of 2012.. I grew up in the small lakeside town of Harrisville in the northern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, the youngest of four children. Following college, Michigan State University, I worked as an announcer at a Christian Radio Station near Lansing. I married Lee in 1975 and we lived in the Detroit suburbs of Berkley and Royal Oak until moving to Wisconsin’s beautiful Door Peninsula in early 1984 with Bethany, age 5, and Christopher, age 3. It was a year or two later that I went back to school to obtain my teaching degree. I taught 5th grade my whole teaching career and loved it. Science was my area of specialty, teaching two or three 5th grade classes of science each year. Of course, reading, language, spelling, social studies, and math were part of my teaching as well. Each subject is unique in its own way.
All the while I was growing up I enjoyed writing short stories and poems. As an adult I put together my own Bible Studies and taught other adults in small groups or Sunday School classes. The desire to write was always in me, but the time commitment never quite seemed feasible. A few years ago the desire grew stronger, and I felt it was becoming a calling from the Lord.
Visit Judy's website.Become a Patreon and enjoy special perks and bonus content.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a Patreon and enjoy special perks and bonus material.On this episode, we discuss what are nonstarters in a Christian historical novel. What would make you not pick up a book or not finish reading it. Thank you, for sharing your thoughts on social media. If you aren't following Christian Historical Fiction yet, please do!
Whare are some nonstarters for you?
1. Complicated plots, where there are too many storylines or too many characters to keep track of. Readers just want to relax and escape for a while. Not too simple or complex, try Melanie Dobson's The Winter Rose.
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Series with a cliffhanger, where the storylines aren't all tied up at the end. If you like series but don't want the cliffhangers, try out Barbour Publishing's series, including True Color Crimes, Heroines of WWII, and Doors to the Past.
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Foul language. This is just a nonstarter from the beginning. We read Christian fiction to get away from things like this. There are work arounds.
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Gratuitous violence. Readers don't like violence played out on the scene in a graphic way. It's a delicate balance, but it can be done. Check out my novel, The Melody of the Soul, for a look at how I handle it..
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Poor editing. There is nothing worse that a book riddled by grammar and spelling mistakes, not to mention plot holes and the like.
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Tropes you don't like including a secret baby, friends to lovers, and the death of a child. I mention History Tea Time with Lindsay Holiday and her series on American First Ladies. You can check that out here.
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Insanely rich, totally good looking hero and heroines. Readers can't relate to them. If you haven't checked out Kelli Stuart's book The Master Craftsman, her contemporary hero (it's dual time) is a nerd. I loved him!
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Stories that are too scary. They can be freaky and hard to read when you're alone or at bedtime. Again, check out Barbour Publishing's True Color Crime series or Jaime Jo Wright's books.
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Hero or Heroine are not on scene right away. That makes it hard to know who they are, and the reader feels like they're missing perspective or part of the story. A nonstarter for many.
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A lot of chatting. Readers like books that get on with the action!
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First person present tense POV.. But check out Gabrielle Meyer's book When the Day Comes for first person done well (it is past tense).
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Bad theology. If you want some theologically sound novels, I try to be sound. Also look at Barbara Britton, Angela Hunt, Lynn Austin, among others.
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Cheating. Like with language, we read Christian novels for a reason.
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Big words. That kind of goes along with stories that are too complicated.
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Silly storylines. Readers just don'e like their intelligence to be insulted. While they don't mind fun, silly is just too much.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Become a Patreon and enjoy special perks and bonus material.This week, Western romance author Mary Connealy joins us on the podcast to discuss her new book, Inventions of the Heart. She calls her books rom-coms with cowboys, and we discuss her love for wit and humor, how she manages to write some many books, and what three elements are essential for a good book in her estimation. Enjoy our chat!
Inventions of the Heart by Mary Connealy (book 2 of 3 of the Lumber Baron's Daughters series)Her heart seeks safety. But will trouble find her even here?
After her sister's marriage, Michelle Stiles is left hiding at Two Harts Ranch with the handsome but stubborn Zane Hart. She's managed to stay one step ahead of her stepfather and his devious plans, but if he finds her, she will no longer be safe.
Zane has problems of his own. Having discovered a gold mine on his property, he must figure out how to harvest it without kicking off a gold rush. Michelle, educated and trained to run her father's business, wants to manage all aspects of the mine, but Zane thinks for a person so smart she can have some misguided ideas. Running the mining operation will be a dangerous job, and he can't risk putting her in harm's way.
But danger finds Michelle anyway when she's suddenly attacked. If they go to the sheriff, they'll reveal her location, but if they do nothing . . . their troubles have only just begun.
Get your copy of Inventions of the Heart.Get your copy of book 1, The Element of Love.Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys. She is independently publishing a contemporary romantic suspense series called Garrison’s Law, book one is Loving the Texas Lawman. Her new historical series, High Sierra Sweethearts begins with The Accidental Guardian. She is also the author of these series: Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Wild at Heart, Cimarron Legacy, Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages and Sophie's daughters, and has man other books.
She is a two-time Carol Award winner and has been a finalist for the Rita and Christy Awards. She’s a lifelong Nebraskan and lives with her very own romantic cowboy hero. She’s got four grown daughters and four spectacular grandchildren.
Visit Mary Connealy's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.What a fun chat I had with author Karen Witemeyer this week. She tells us about her Hanger's Horsemen series and the last book in the series, In Honor's Defense. It's a great read with a wonderful message. We talk about how she keeps Westerns fresh, how she manages to juggle a job and writing, and lots of other stuff.
In Honor's Defenseby Karen WitemeyerHe's Faced Countless Perils on the Battlefield, but Nothing so Dangerous as Falling in Love.Luke Davenport has been fighting all his life--for respect, for country, and for those unable to fight for themselves. But now that his Horsemen brothers are domesticated, he's left alone to battle the wildness within. When an opportunity arises to take a job on his own, tracking down a group of rustlers, he jumps at the chance.
Damaris Baxter has mastered the art of invisibility. Plain and quiet, she hides in books and needlework, content to be overlooked. Until her brother dies suddenly, leaving her custody of her nephew. She moves to Texas to care for Nathaniel, determined to create the family for herself that she never thought she'd have and to give him the family he desperately needs.
When Nate finds himself knee-deep in trouble, Luke's attempt to protect him leaves Damaris feeling indebted to the Horseman. But suspicions grow regarding the mysterious death of Damaris's brother. And the more questions they ask, the more danger appears, threatening the family Luke may be unable to live without.
Get your copy of In Honor's Defense.Get your copy of book #1, At Love's Command.Get your copy of book #2, The Heart's Change.About Karen WitemeyerAfter growing up in California, Karen Witemeyer moved to Texas to attend Abilene Christian University where she earned bachelor and master's degrees in Psychology. It was also there that she met and married her own Texas hero. He roped her in good, for she has lived in Texas ever since. In fact, she fell so in love with this rugged land of sweeping sunsets and enduring pioneer spirit, that she incorporates it into the pages of her novels, setting her stories in the small towns of a state that burgeoned into greatness in the mid- to late1800s.
A life-long bookworm, Karen is living her dream by writing novels. Her books have consistently hit bestseller lists and have garnered numerous awards. When not writing, she loves to pester her adult children, play board games, and cross-stitch intricate patterns reminiscent of the historical eras present in her stories.
Karen's favorite aspect of her writing life is hearing from readers. Nothing encourages her heart more. She'd love to hear from you. You can contact Karen Witemeyer here.
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Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The Master Craftsman by Kelli StuartIn 1917, Alma Pihl, a master craftsman in the House of Fabergé, was charged to protect one of the greatest secrets in Russian history--an unknown Fabergé Egg that Peter Karl Fabergé secretly created to honor his divided allegiance to both the people of Russia and the Imperial tsar's family. When Alma and her husband escaped Russia for their native Finland in 1921, she took the secret with her, guarding her past connection to the Romanov family.
Three generations later, world-renowned treasure hunter Nick Laine is sick and fears the secret of the missing egg will die with him. With time running out, he entrusts the mission of retrieving the egg to his estranged daughter, Ava, who has little idea of the dangers she is about to face. As the stakes are raised, Ava is forced to declare her own allegiance--and the consequences are greater than she could have imagined.
This modern-day treasure hunt from award-winning author Kelli Stuart transports you into the opulent and treacherous world of the Russian Revolution to unearth mysteries long buried.
Get your copy of The Master Craftsman.Kelli Stuart introduces herself.I’m a dreamer, a wordsmith, and a lover of good fiction. I love to laugh, and spent my first six years as a bloggerlaughing with the internet at this crazy thing called parenthood.
I’m a novelist, with my first novel, Like a River From Its Course, releasing to rave reviews. My second book, Life Creative: Inspiration for Today’s Renaissance Mom,was co-authored with Wendy Speake, and written to inspire and encourage creative moms.
I love people and languages, and I’m a passionate advocate for orphan care and orphan prevention.
I’ve been married to Lee for nineteen years and the path has been twisty and full of life, laughter, a little heartache and more blessings than I understand how to articulate. We have five children, and have also been blessed with a heart-daughter who lives in Ukraine. We added our fifth child to the family via adoption through China in November of 2018. He is a gift to our family, and has taught us more about unconditional love and the mercies of the Lord than anyone else.
Visit Kelli's website.
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Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.This week, I'm pleased to welcome Angela Hunt to the show. We're chatting about her latest release, The Apostle's Sister, a fascinating story about Paul's sister. We had so much fun talking, you'll want to be sure to check it out.
The Apostle's Sister by Angela HuntShe's always longed for more, but what if the path she's chosen requires more than she's willing to give?Aya, daughter of Zebulun of Tarsus, does not want a traditional life. After years of being overshadowed by her brilliant brother Sha'ul, she wants a chance to use her own gifts beyond being a wife and mother. When her father insists that she marry a Torah student, she reluctantly agrees.
A dedicated scholar, Sha'ul, or Paul, returns to Tarsus to follow the instructions of the Law and wed the woman his father has chosen to raise his profile and help him earn a seat on the Great Sanhedrin--the highest religious court in the land. But when the Nazarene, Yeshua, and his followers bring trouble to the Holy City, Sha'ul will stop at nothing to silence them.
After moving to Jerusalem with her husband, Aya expects to be bored in her role as wife to a Torah student. Instead, she finds herself fascinated by his studies. Then her brother makes a life-altering decision, and she must face a troubling question: Can she remain true to her beliefs and still love her blasphemous brother?
Get your copy of The Apostle's Sister (Jerusalem Road Book #4) by Angela Hunt.Get Daughter of Cana (Jerusalem Road Book #1)Get The Shepherd's Wife (Jerusalem Road Book #2)Get A Woman of Words (Jerusalem Road Book #3)Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who expect the unexpected in novels. With over five million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 150 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to non-fiction books, to novels.
Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards–one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America.
Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers in 2019.
Also in 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree. She completed her doctorate in biblical studies in 2008 and her Th.D. in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her pets, of course. She is also an avid photographer, using her photos to help find homes for animals at local rescues.
Visit Angela's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.I am so thrilled to welcome my friend and fellow Wisconsinite Jaime Jo Wright to the podcast this week. She's here to talk about her new book, The Souls of Lost Lake, how she goes about writing all the twists and turns, and what made this book so personal for her.
The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright
*"Wright has proven time and again with her masterful storytelling in exceptionally crafted novels that she is a trailblazer extraordinaire in the niche genre combining horror, intrigue and spirituality."--Booklist starred review
To save the innocent, they must face an insidious evil.*Wren Blythe has long enjoyed living in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, helping her father with ministry at a youth camp. But when a little girl in the area goes missing, an all-out search ensues, reviving the decades-old campfire story of Ava Coons, the murderess who is believed to still roam the forest. Joining the search, Wren stumbles upon the Coonses' cabin ruins and a sinister mystery she is determined to unearth.
In 1930, Ava Coons has spent the last several years carrying the mantle of mystery since the day she emerged from the woods as a thirteen-year-old girl, spattered with blood, dragging a logger's ax. She has accepted she will never remember what happened to her family, whose bodies were never found, and that the people of Tempter's Creek will always blame her for their violent deaths. And after a member of the town is murdered, and another goes missing, rumors spread that Ava's secret is perhaps more malicious than previously imagined.
Two women, separated by time, must confront a wickedness that not only challenges who they are but also threatens their lives, and the lives of those they love.
Jaime Jo Wright captivates with . . ."Fast pacing, great writing, deep spiritual truths, and just the right amount of spookiness."--BookPage"Compassion, eerie eloquence, and astounding intensity."--Booklist"Suspense and spine-tingling moments."--Library Journal"Rich characterization and intricate plotting."--Colleen Coble, USA Today bestselling author
Get your copy of The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright
Jaime introduces herself:
"Born in Wisconsin
Lives & works in Wisconsin
... a true Wisconsin original
If I were to summarize my life in three words, my instinct is to say: "I love coffee", and leave it at that. But, I realize that is rather shallow and a tad obsessive. So, summarizing who Jaime Jo Wright is can be a challenge.
I love life. I always have. God has blessed me, even in severe trials, such as the loss of three of my babies. He has never failed, never given up, never gone easy on me, and always disciplined me with a loving hand. (And trust me, when you have my personality which pushes boundaries and considers rules to be negotiable, you need discipline).
I married my husband in 2000. He wasn't exactly Prince Charming when I met him, so I aptly nicknamed him Cap'n Hook after he pirated off with my heart and has yet to give it back.
Our ship was joined by a little Tinkerbell in 2009. Our CoCo has tamed the pirate exponentially better than I ever could. Peter Pan came along in 2012 and whisked me away to Neverland where we refuse to grow up and make mischief on a daily basis."
Visit Jaime's website.Become a Patreon.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.This week, we chat with author Rachel Fordham about her latest release, Where the Road Bends. We talk about the story, boxing, baseball, and how writing is a family affair.
Where the Road Bends by Rachel FordhamAs Norah King surveys her family land in Iowa in 1880, she is acutely aware that it is all she has left, and she will do everything in her power to save it--even if that means marrying a man she hardly knows. Days before her wedding, Norah discovers an injured man on her property. Her sense of duty compels her to take him in and nurse him back to health. Little does she realize just how much this act of kindness will complicate her life and threaten the future she's planned.
Norah's care does more than aid Quincy Barnes's recovery--it awakens his heart to possibilities. Penniless and homeless, he knows the most honorable thing he can do is head on down the road and leave Norah to marry her intended. But walking away from the first person to believe in him proves much harder than he imagined.
Rachel Fordham invites you to experience the strength and beauty of love forged in the crucible of hardship in this heartwarming story.
Get your copy of Where the Road Bends by Rachel Fordham. Meet Rachel Fordham"I'm so incredibly pleased that you stopped by. Writing is often a solitary pursuit and just knowing you clicked your way here makes it seem a little more social. Don’t get me wrong. My life is not quiet. I have a houseful of children that are always competing to see who can make the most noise. Normally it’s impossible to decide on a winner because the ruckus just collides together and fills the house with an indiscernible din. (Thankfully, they are the cutest kids around).
Enough about them.
I grew up in a big family in Washington State and was a tom boy, an athlete, and a voracious reader. I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t nose deep in a book or making up stories in my mind. I never thought I’d be a writer though- that was something other people did (people that understood grammar better than me). I went off to college and earned a bachelors in sociology with plans to be a social worker (this never happened but we did become foster parents). I met my husband, Tyler, while in college and being a wife and a year and a half later a mother. I’m a family first kind of girl so spending my days with my husband and kids keeps my heart happy.
Years later after cross country moves and more children we settled once again in Washington State. This time I am on a beautiful island with my favorite people all around me. I couldn’t ask for a finer setting to ignite my imagination, add to that the fact that my husband has unwavering faith in my abilities. When he made the off-hand comment, “you read so much you should write a book,” I took it as a challenge. And I haven’t stopped since.
And so here I am writing in between diaper changes and packing lunches. It’s not uncommon for my kids or Tyler to ask me why I’m laughing or crying as I type away. It’s become a bit of a family affair this whole writing thing! I love books with satisfying romances, I love all things historical and I consider it a huge success if I can make a reader laugh and cry in the same story.
And connecting with readers is another one of my joys! Thank you for visiting me. Be sure to connect with me on social media I’ll do my best to keep you up to date on all things writing (and probably a few other random “life” things).
Visit Rachel Fordham's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.What Time Period Is Historical Fiction? That's a very good question, especially these days, and one Jennifer Lynn Cary and I try to answer to this week's podcast.When I first got involved in the publishing industry twenty years ago, anything after WWII was considered contemporary. The line was strict, and if you wanted to be published, you didn't cross it.
Many things have led to the blurring of that line. We discuss with author Jennifer Lynn Cary what some of those things are and where that line is now. Jennifer writes what she terms "retro fiction", novels set in the 1960s and 1970s, books that wouldn't have been possible even five or ten years ago.
Please join us for a fascinating conversation on this topic and where we see the trend headed in the future. Chime in and let us know what you think about where the line should be drawn.
Jennifer Cary introduces herself:
"My name is Jennifer Lynn Cary. I am a retired teacher, an ardent fan of crocheting and a DIY kind of girl. Oh, and I write. A lot.
The guy with the sweetest kiss in the world is my hubs of more than 40 years, affectionately known as Mr. Grumpy Pants. Together we’ve raised three of the most beautiful and intelligent daughters ever, who were smart enough to marry three of the most handsome and wonderful young men around. I have often said my sons-in-law are the best on the planet.
You’re going to have to trust me on this.
And then there are the grands. I am a grandmother of an ingenious seventh grader
and a precocious toddler and his little sister-baby Stinkerella. They make me laugh, cry, and brag more than I ever expected.
I saved the most important of all for last. I am a child of the King of kings. He has blessed me beyond reason and has never left me alone. I write for His glory.
That’s me. There’s more I could add, but for now, that’s enough of an introduction."
Visit Jennifer Lynn Cary's website.Get all the books in Jennifer's series, The Weather Girls.
Book 1: SunnyBook 2: StormyBook 3: Windy
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.This week, we are so pleased to welcome Ann H. Gabhart back to the podcast. She was here last year to talk about her book Along a Storied Trail. Now she's out with a new book, and always the gracious guest, she is joining us again to talk about her latest release, a truly beautiful story, Christian historical romance at its best. When the Meadow Blooms by Ann GabhartIf any place on God's earth was designed to help one heal, it is Meadowland. Surely here, at her brother-in-law's Kentucky farm, Rose and her daughters can recover from the events of the recent past--the loss of her husband during the 1918 influenza epidemic, her struggle with tuberculosis that required a stay at a sanatorium, and her girls' experience in an orphanage during her illness. At Meadowland, hope blooms as their past troubles become rich soil in which their faith can grow.
Dirk Meadows may have opened his home to his late brother's widow and her girls, but he keeps his heart tightly closed. The roots of his pain run deep, and the evidence of it is written across his face. Badly scarred by a fire and abandoned by the woman he loved, Dirk fiercely guards his heart from being hurt again. But it may be that his visitors will bring light back into his world and unlock the secret to true healing.
Bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart explores the tender places within the human heart in this character-driven story of trusting God to turn our burdens into something beautiful.
Get your copy of When the Meadow Blooms.Get to know Ann Gabhart."Hi, glad you could stop by to get to know me better. I’m a country girl, born and raised on a farm in the Outer Bluegrass region of Kentucky. I know you’re thinking horse farm, but no, not out my way. Mostly cows on the farms around here. My grandfather did have a big old workhorse when I was a little girl. My family grew tobacco and corn. We had a few milk cows, some hogs and sheep, but mostly beef cattle. I grew up working on the farm and enjoying the woods and animals. My roots go deep in the land, and I now live on a farm just a mile away from the farmhouse where I was born and raised.
I started writing when I was ten and have been writing ever since. My first published writings (personal experience pieces, youth stories, and poems) were in church periodicals. My first novel, A Forbidden Yearning, a historical romance about the settling of Kentucky, was published by Warner Books in 1978. Since then I’ve published over thirty other novels for adults and young adults.
My husband and I were both very young when we married, but we defied the odds and are still married all these years later. That could be because we went to church together and were committed to the Christian life. We are blessed with three wonderful children who picked some great people to marry and now we have nine amazing grandchildren I spoil every chance I get.
I’ve been going to the same small country church since I was seventeen and I used my memories of how the church used to be in my Heart of Hollyhill books. My church was established in 1812 and it’s inspiring to think about all the people who have served the Lord there.
And I do love to write in my office with big windows all around. Writing is what I’ve always wanted to do. The desire of my heart is to tell stories to readers like you. Thank you for reading!"
Visit Ann Gabhart's website.
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Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.This week, Biblical novel author Mesu Andrews joins us to discuss her fascinating new book, Potiphar's Wife. This is the story of Joseph seen through the eyes of the woman who had him falsely accused and thrown in jail. Mess imagines what must have happened in her life to bring her to that point. A not-to-be-missed book.
Potiphar's Wife by Mesu AndrewsBefore she is Potiphar’s wife, Zuleika is the daughter of a king and the wife of a prince. She rules the isle of Crete alongside her mother in the absence of their seafaring husbands. But when tragedy nearly destroys Crete, Zuleika must sacrifice her future to save the Minoan people she loves.
Zuleika’s father believes his robust trade with Egypt will ensure Pharaoh’s obligation to marry his daughter, including a bride price hefty enough to save Crete. But Pharaoh refuses and gives her instead to Potiphar, the captain of his bodyguards: a crusty bachelor twice her age, who would rather have a new horse than a Minoan wife.
Abandoned by her father, rejected by Pharaoh, and humiliated by Potiphar’s indifference, Zuleika yearns for the homeland she adores. In the political hotbed of Egypt’s foreign dynasty, her obsession to return to Crete spirals into deception. When she betrays Joseph—her Hebrew servant with the face and body of the gods—she discovers only one love is worth risking everything.
Get your copy of Potiphar's Wife by Mesu Andrews.
When Mesu Andrews was growing up, God was a central figure in most discussions. But she saw theology as a battlefield and Scripture as a weapon. In her confusion, she rejected God and His Word but was rescued by an old high school friend, who discovered and shared Jesus with her.
Life changed rapidly indeed. A month later, that friend asked her to be his wife. She and Roy were married six months later. Nine months and two weeks later, their first daughter was born. Soon after, their second daughter came along, and they began attending a small church. Suddenly, her desire for God’s Word exploded. So she began scouring the only theology books a young mother has time to read—children’s Bible stories and my Bible.
She devoured God’s Word during my days as a full-time mom, but when her family moved to seminary, her husband became Mr. Mom, and she went to work. When her husband graduated from seminary and received his first call to ministry, she promised the Lord she would forever cherish His Word and never again take for granted the blessings of motherhood and marriage.
Their daughters are now grown and telling their own stories of journeys with Jesus. No doubt, they had joys and sorrows in a pastor’s family, their mom’s speaking ministry slowed by chronic illness and their personal questions for the Creator. It is her prayer, however, that those children’s Bible stories they used to read together have matured into the biblical novels and devotional studies she now writes. In a way, she still tells Bible stories to her girls. They just include a host of other folks who enjoy relating to the real people in God’s Word.
Visit Mesu Andrew's website.
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Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.I am so pleased to welcome Misty Beller to the podcast this week. Misty is a fabulous author who specializes in Western and Rocky Mountain historical fiction. We talk about how a South Carolina author ended up writing about the west, how she manages to find time to write when she has five children, and how she came up with the very unusual setting for her new book, A Healer's Promise.A Healer's Promise by Misty Beller
She was called to be a healer, but her skills--and heart--have never been so challenged.
Levi Masters's time as a British spy hasn't ended, though his country's war with America has. After overhearing a scout reveal a discovery that could give America the upper hand in future conflicts, Levi is sent on one last mission. While trekking through the Canadian Rockies in pursuit of his former enemy, he is taken captive by warriors from a hidden mountain village.
Village healer Audrey Moreau is more curious than afraid of the outsider, and she's drawn to his commitment to honesty even at his own expense. Despite her arguments for his release, the council remains at an impasse. Compelled to help him escape, she sneaks him out of the village. But when Levi faces a life-threatening injury and the fierce mountain winter closes in, Levi and Audrey are forced to discover just how far they'll go to ensure the safety of the other and the love growing between them.
Get your copy of A Healer's Promise.Get the first book in the series, A Warrior's Heart.Misty Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love. For a limited time, you can get one of her bestselling novels FREE here: https://mistymbeller.com/freebook
Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.
Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.
Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.
Visit Misty Beller's website.Become a Patron of Christian Historical Fiction Talk.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.This week we have the fabulous and very knowledgeable Morgan Tarpley Smith with us to talk about split time, time slip, and dual time fiction. She'll define each of those terms for us, tell us how and when and what authors started this category of fiction, and tell us where she sees the industry going from here.
Morgan is a reader just like you who has an affinity for split time fiction. She has put together a number of amazing resources so you can find just the right split time novel for yourself. Here are some that we talked about on the podcast:
A Split in Time Facebook groupled by Morgan.
Split Time Fiction That Travels on Goodreads, also led by Morgan.
timeslipfiction.comrun by Melanie Dobson
Visit Morgan Tarpley Smith's websiteand be sure to sign up for her newsletter.
Here are a few of the books that we talked about throughout the show:
The Winter Sea by Susanna KearsleyThe Lady of Hay by Barbara ErskineThe Shape of Mercy by Susan MeissnerThough Waters Roar by Lynn AustinAnd here's a link to my split time fiction novel, A Promise Engraved.Also, if you're interested in supporting Christian Historical Fiction Talk by becoming a patron, then check this out.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.This week, prolific author Gabrielle Meyer joins us on the podcast as her newest release, the first one she's written for her dream publishing house, hits the shelves. She discusses the unique plot for the novel, the theme of God's sovereignty and how that played out in her own life as she wrote the book. and how she researched the story in the middle of Covid restrictions.
When the Day Comes by Gabrielle MeyerHow will she choose, knowing all she must sacrifice?Libby has been given a powerful gift: to live one life in 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and the other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. When she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the other. While she's the same person at her core in both times, she's leading two vastly different lives.
In Colonial Williamsburg, Libby is a public printer for the House of Burgesses and the Royal Governor, trying to provide for her family and support the Patriot cause. The man she loves, Henry Montgomery, has his own secrets. As the revolution draws near, both their lives--and any hope of love--are put in jeopardy.
Libby's life in 1914 New York is filled with wealth, drawing room conversations, and bachelors. But the only work she cares about--women's suffrage--is discouraged, and her mother is intent on marrying her off to an English marquess. The growing talk of war in Europe only complicates matters.
But Libby knows she's not destined to live two lives forever. On her twenty-first birthday, she must choose one path and forfeit the other--but how can she choose when she has so much to lose in each life?
Get your copy of When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer.Gabrielle lives on the banks of the Upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing historical and contemporary novels inspired by real people, places, and events. The river is a constant source of inspiration for Gabrielle, and if you look closely, you will find a river in each of her stories.
When Gabrielle is not writing, you might find her homeschooling her children, cheering them on at sporting and theatrical events, or hosting a gathering at her home with family and friends.
Visit Gabrielle Meyer's website.Become a patron of Christian Historical Fiction Talkand get some great benefits including early access to extended episodes and the chance to ask the author your questions.
Listen to our earlier conversation about split time fiction.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.This week, author Ashley Clark joins us to talk about her new book, Where the Last Rose Blooms. This fabulous read is a dual time novel set in present-day New Orleans and Charleston, South Carolina at the time of the Civil War. We delve into Victorian floriography (the language of flowers), what kind of tea is good to drink, and Ashley shares an encouraging word for anyone with a dream.
Where the Last Rose Blooms by Ashley ClarkAlice runs a New Orleans flower shop alongside her aunt, but thoughts of her mother, who went missing during Hurricane Katrina, are never far from her mind. After getting off on the wrong foot with a handsome yet irritating man who comes to her shop, Alice soon realizes their worlds overlap--and the answers they both seek can be found in the same place.
In 1861 Charleston, Clara is known to be a rule follower--but the war has changed her. Unbeknownst to her father, who is heavily involved with the Confederacy, she is an abolitionist and is prepared to sacrifice everything for the cause. With assistance from a dashing Union spy, she attempts to help an enslaved woman reunite with her daughter. But things go very wrong when Clara agrees to aid the Northern cause by ferrying secret information about her father's associates.
Faced with the unknown, both women will have to dig deep to let their courage bloom.
Get your copy of Where the Last Rose Blooms by Ashley Clark. Also check out book one, The Dress Shop on King Street, and book two, Paint and Nectar.Ashley Clark is the acclaimed novelist of The Heirloom Secrets Series. She writes women's fiction set in the South, and her stories are filled with faith, sweet romance, and lots of family secrets. She loves all things vintage and the almost-forgotten stories of the past.
Ashley finds her writing interests influenced by the spaces shared between femininity + strength, loss + legacy, and beauty + memory.
She is an English adjunct instructor, a wife and homeschool mama, and she adores her adopted senior Cocker Spaniel.
Visit Ashley Clark's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Editor and debut novelist Janyre Tromp joins us this week to chat about her new release, Shadows in the Mind's Eye. We talk about PTSD, how being an editor affects her writing, and how her grandparents not only inspired her love for history but provided the spark for this book.
Shadows in the Mind's Eye by Janyre TrompCharlotte Anne Mattas longs to turn back the clock. Before her husband, Sam, went to serve his country in the war, he was the man everyone could rely on--responsible, intelligent, and loving. But the person who's come back to their family farm is very different from the protector Annie remembers. Sam's experience in the Pacific theater has left him broken in ways no one can understand--but that everyone is learning to fear.
Tongues start wagging after Sam nearly kills his own brother. Now when he claims to have seen men on the mountain when no one else has seen them, Annie isn't the only one questioning his sanity and her safety. If there were criminals haunting the hills, there should be evidence beyond his claims. Is he really seeing what he says, or is his war-tortured mind conjuring ghosts?
Annie desperately wants to believe her husband. But between his irrational choices and his nightmares leaking into the daytime, she's terrified he's going mad. Can she trust God to heal Sam's mental wounds--or will sticking by him mean keeping her marriage at the cost of her own life?
Debut novelist Janyre Tromp delivers a deliciously eerie, Hitchcockian story filled with love and suspense. Readers of psychological thrillers and historical fiction by Jaime Jo Wright and Sarah Sundin will add Tromp to their favorite authors list.
Get your copy of Shadows in the Mind's Eye
Janyre Tromp is a historical novelist whose loves spinning tales that, at their core, hunt for beauty, even when it isn’t pretty. She’s also a book editor, published children’s book author, and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her family, two crazy cats, and a slightly eccentric Shetland Sheepdog. You can grab a free copy of her novella Wide Open on her website: janyretromp.com
Visit Janyre Tromp on social media:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/JanyreTromp
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JanyreTromp
Instagram: www.instagram/JanyreTromp
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Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.A Rose for the Resistance by Angela K CouchA French Woman and German Soldier Create a Truce
Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.
With her father in a German POW camp and her home in Ste Mere Eglise, France, under Nazi occupation, Rosalie Barrieau will do anything to keep her younger brother safe. . .even from his desire to join the French resistance. Until she falls into the debt of a German solder—one who delivers a wounded British pilot to her door. Though not sure what to make of her German ally, Rosalie is thrust deep into the heart of the local underground. As tensions build toward the allied invasion of Normandy, she must decide how much she is willing to risk for freedom.
Get your copy of A Rose for the Resistance.Get your copy of Where Wild Roses Bloom by Angela K Couch
Other books in the series you may also enjoy:
The Cryptographer’s Dilemma by Johnnie Alexander
Picture of Hope by Liz Tolsma
Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson
Mrs. Witherspoon Goes to War by Mary Davis
To keep from freezing in the Great White North, Angela K Couch cuddles under quilts with her laptop. Winning short story contests, being a semi-finalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest, and a finalist in the International Digital Awards also helped warm her up. As a passionate believer in Christ, her faith permeates the stories she tells. Her martial arts training, experience with horses, and appreciation for good romance sneak in there, as well. When not writing, she stays fit (and warm) by chasing after five munchkins.
Visit Angela K Couch's website.Support Christian Historical Fiction Talk by becoming a Patron. Find out more.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.The Spark of Love by Amanda CabotWhen a spurned suitor threatens her, heiress Alexandra Tarkington flees New York for Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country, where her father is building a hotel. But the happy reunion she envisions is not to be as her father insists she return to New York. Instead, Alexandra carves out a niche for herself in town, teaching schoolchildren to paint and enjoying the company of Gabe Seymour, a delightful man she met on the stagecoach.
But all is not as it seems. Two men, each with his own agenda, have followed her to Mesquite Springs. And Gabe is an investigator, searching for proof that her father is a swindler. When a series of apparent accidents threaten her life, Alexandra and Gabe will have to work together to discover the truth. And perhaps along the way they will discover that the sparks of attraction they've felt from the beginning are more than sparks--they're love.
Bestselling author Amanda Cabot invites you back to 1850s Texas for this exciting and heartwarming tale of treachery, love, and learning to trust.
Get your copy of The Spark of LoveGet book 1, Out of the EmbersGet book 2, Dreams RekindledAmanda Cabot introduces herself:I agree with Thomas Jefferson when he said, "I cannot live without books." Some of my earliest memories are of my parents reading books to me or -- in the case of my father -- telling stories he made up. And even when they weren't reading to me, my parents could often be found, book in hand. Is it any wonder I decided to teach myself to read? Once I did learn, it was hard to find me without a book. My husband will tell you that that's still the case.
There was a brief time when I aspired to be a newspaper reporter, but that was soon eclipsed by my determination to be a novelist. All the while, though, I knew that writing was not the easiest way to earn a living, and so it was always going to be a second career. That's why I went to college and majored in French, fully intending to teach at the university level. When I graduated, I married my high school sweetheart and took a "temporary" job as a computer programmer. Although it hadn't been part of my plan, that turned into a permanent career in Information Technology.
Along the way, I've had a chance to do a lot of writing, including four technical books and what I describe as "enough technical articles to cure insomnia in a medium-sized city." (My budgets were also considered to be works of fiction.) Now, though, I'm able to write full time, and for the first time, all I'm writing is fiction.
No doubt about it, I've been blessed. I had parents who nurtured my love of reading and have a husband who's not just my best friend but who's driven tens of thousands of miles to help me research books and who, after all these years, still hasn't lost his sense of humor, even when dinner is late because I have "just one more scene" to write.
When people ask why I write, the answer is simple: it's part of who I am and who I was meant to be. I truly believe this is God's plan for me, and that's why it is my fervent prayer that my books will touch my readers' hearts and strengthen their faith in Him.
Visit Amanda Cabot's website.Become a Patreon and support this podcast. Levels start at $5 per month. You'll get bonus material and a chance to ask the authors your questions.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Counterfeit Love by Crystal CaudillCan this undercover agent save the woman he loves--or is her heart as counterfeit as the money he's been sent to track down?
After all that Grandfather has sacrificed to raise her, Theresa Plane owes it to him to save the family name--and that means clearing their debt with creditors before she marries Edward Greystone. But when one of the creditors' threats leads her to stumble across a midnight meeting, she discovers that the money he owes isn't all Grandfather was hiding. And the secrets he kept have now trapped Theresa in a life-threatening fight for her home--and the truth.
After months of undercover work, Secret Service operative Broderick Cosgrove is finally about to uncover the identity of the leader of a notorious counterfeiting ring. That moment of triumph turns to horror, however, when he finds undeniable proof that his former fiancée is connected. Can he really believe the woman he loved is a willing participant? Protecting Theresa and proving her innocence may destroy his career--but that's better than failing her twice in one lifetime.
They must form a partnership, tentative though it is. But there's no question they're both still keeping secrets--and that lack of trust, along with the dangerous criminals out for their blood, threatens their hearts, their faith, and their very survival.
Combining rich history, danger, suspense, and romance, Crystal Caudill's debut novel launches this new historical series with a bang. Fans of Elizabeth Camden, Michelle Griep, and Joanna Davidson Politano will be thrilled to find another author to follow!
Get your copy of Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill.Crystal Caudill is a tea-drinking, book-hoarding, history nerd. Her award-winning stories are ripe with history, danger, love, and hope. When not writing, Crystal can be found playing board games with her husband and boys, caregiving for loved ones, hiding in a book, drinking copious amounts of hot tea, or connecting with readers.
Visit Crystal Caudill's website.You can now support Christian Historical Fiction Talk on Patreon. For just $5 a month, you get early access to an extended version of the podcast (starting soon), a chance to ask your own questions of guests, and a shout out on an episode. The $10 includes all that plus a monthly book giveaway. The $20 includes everything plus a bi-monthly Zoom chat with Liz and other patrons in this tier. We'll discuss some of the books and topics we've talked about on the podcast. Please consider becoming a Patreon.
Find out more information here.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.I was thrilled to welcome prolific author Tracie Peterson to the episode this week. We chatted about her book, Along the Rio Grande, about how Christian fiction has changed but still influences people around the world, and about what it's like to coauthor a book.
Along the Rio Grande by Tracie Peterson Is her compassion doing more harm than good?
Recently widowed Susanna Jenkins has decided to follow her family to the booming town of San Marcial, New Mexico, for a fresh start and to aid in her family's sudden change in fortune. They are tasked with managing her uncle's new Grand Hotel, and it takes all her patience to try to help her parents see the good of their circumstances and relinquish their sense of entitlement.
She's hopeful when her brother becomes determined to get a job and make his own way, and she feels drawn to his kind boss, Owen Turner, who works as a boilermaker for the Santa Fe's train shops in town. But the hard work only seems to fuel her brother's anger, and his rough new friends give her pause.
When misguided choices put Susanna's family in an even more precarious situation, she worries her help has only made things worse. Leaving her family to fend for themselves seems like the best option, but how can she walk away from the true friendships--and love--that she's found?
Get your copy of Along the Rio Grande.Preorder the next book in the series, Beyond the Desert Sands.Tracie Peterson gave her life to Jesus at the age of six. Tracie knew at an early age that God was calling her to ministry, and writing for Him has allowed her to offer the Gospel message and encourage people to hope in the Lord. Her motto in writing, as well as all other aspects of life is Soli Deo Gloria—For God Alone the Glory.
Often called the “Queen of Historical Christian Fiction,” Tracie Peterson is an ECPA, CBA and USA Today best-selling author of more than 110 books, most of those historical. Her work in historical fiction earned her the Best Western Romance Author of 2013 award from True West magazine and the USA Best Books 2011 Award for best Religious Fiction for Embers of Love. She was given the Life Time Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers in 2011 and the Career Achievement Award in 2007 from Romantic Times, as well as multiple best book awards.Tracie received her first book contract in November 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership’s vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row. Eventually, Tracie also managed Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents book line—overseeing the production of 52 books a year.
In December 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers. Tracie Peterson now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers/Baker Publishing Group. She has co-written with a variety of authors including Judith Pella, Judith Miller, James Scott Bell, Kimberley Woodhouse, and Tracie’s daughter Jennifer.
Tracie Peterson, a Kansas native, now makes her home with her husband, Jim, in the mountains of Montana.
Visit Tracie Peterson's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.This week, Jennifer Deibel stops by to chat with us about her newest release. There is a fabulous story behind the story you don't want to miss out on, and Jennifer shares with us a little bit about the Gaelic language.
The Lady of Galway Manor by Jennifer DeibelIn 1920, Annabeth De Lacy's father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without all the trappings of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family--descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh Ring.
Stephen Jennings longs to do anything other than run his family's jewelry shop. Having had his heart broken, he no longer believes in love and is weary of peddling the "lies" the Claddagh Ring promises.
Meanwhile, as the war for Irish independence gains strength, many locals resent the De Lacys and decide to take things into their own hands to display their displeasure. As events take a dangerous turn for Annabeth and her family, she and Stephen begin to see that perhaps the "other side" isn't quite as barbaric and uncultured as they'd been led to believe--and that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty are only made stronger when put through the refiner's fire.
Travel to the Emerald Isle for another poignant and romantic story from the enchanted pen of Jennifer Deibel.
Get your copy of The Lady of Galway Manor.Jennifer Deibel is a wife and mom just walking this road of life like everyone else. She's your typical American mom, working, raising kids, and loving her hubby…she's just been blessed to do some of it in Vienna, Austria, and the west of Ireland. However, after a decade of life overseas, they have settled back in America–in sunny Arizona!
She currently teaches middle school English, and when she's not working on school things, she's spending time with her incredible family–her husband Seth and their 3 awesome kids–and writing.
Her debut novel, A Dance in Donegal, released from Revell in 2021. You can read more about that here. And you can also get a copy of it here.
She writes stories that explore home through the lens of faith, family, and culture–with the beauty and depth of Ireland coloring much of it.
She is honored to be a monthly contributor at The Better Mom and have posts shared at (in)courage, Djibouti Jones, Tricia Goyer, Unveiled Wife, Intentional by Grace, and more.
She loves chatting with you, so please connect with her on Instagram, Facebook,and Goodreads. And be sure to follow her on BookBubto see what she's reading & recommending!
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.This week Jody Hedlund stops by to discuss her book, Never Leave Me. We also talk about how she learned a lot about history when she homeschooled her kids and how to get your husband to do the grocery shopping.
Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund
In the last stages of a genetic disease, Ellen Creighton has decided to live out her remaining days at the estate of her longtime friend Harrison Burlington. Harrison cares deeply for Ellen, but as a wheelchair-bound paraplegic, he's never allowed himself to get serious in a relationship. However, he's desperately trying to save her by finding the holy water that is believed to heal any disease.
When he locates two flasks, Ellen refuses to drink one of them because she believes the holy water killed her sister and father. In an effort to convince her to take it, Harrison ingests the contents first, and when Ellen witnesses the effects, she can no longer deny the power of the substance in the bottles. Dangerous criminals are also seeking the holy water, and Ellen soon learns they will go to any lengths to get the powerful drug--including sending her back into the past to find it for them.
Bestselling and award-winning author Jody Hedlund plunges you into the swiftly flowing river of history in a race against the clock in this breathtaking, emotional second Waters of Time story.
Get your copy of Never Leave Me.Read the first book in the series, Come Back to Me.
Listen to our chat about Come Back to Me.
More about Jody Hedlund:I’ve been married for over twenty-five years to my college sweetheart. My husband has been one of my biggest cheerleaders over the years, doing his best to understand and support my writing even in the days when publication was only the whisper of a dream.
As we’ve raised our busy family of five children, he’s happily helped me carve out writing time. He’s very helpful around the house and pitches in wherever possible. (I have to admit that he does ALL of the grocery shopping!). We really work together as a team to support each other in our pursuits and work.
We’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to homeschool our children and are thankful for the close relationships we’ve developed in our family as a result. Now as we traverse the season of having teens and adult children, we’re excited to see God at work leading our children into new adventures.
My mom was the most influential person in my writing career. When I was young, she helped facilitate my love of writing by reading aloud to me, giving me good books to read, and providing the kind of environment that fostered my creativity (in fact we didn’t have a TV for a number of years). She always believed in me, encouraged me to pursue my dreams, and rode alongside me cheering me on.
Visit Jody Hedlund's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Author and editor Jennifer Crosswhite joins us as we discuss the question of how Christian Christian fiction is. Is the tide turning toward more "sweet and clean" novels and away from those with stronger Christian themes?
We start with a discussion of how the Christian fiction industry began and what its purpose was. We move into how it has changed and the role that indie publishing has played in this evolution of Christian fiction. We finish up with a discussion of whether or not there is are places in Christian fiction for both "clean and sweet" and traditional Christian fiction.
This is the link to the article we discuss in the episode.
Jennifer Crosswhite
"At heart, I’m a history buff. I have a degree in history and seriously considered getting my PhD in it. But I think writing fiction drawn on the past is more fun.
I enjoy exploring the beauty of America. There is so much variety. And I always wonder, “Why did the first people settle here? And what makes people stay today?”
When I’m not writing, I’m mom to two young adults. My daughter has juvenile arthritis, my son has autism, and we all are gluten free. It keeps life interesting! While I’m a California native, I spent a significant amount of time in the Midwest. Both places feel like home, even though I’m now back in the Golden State. Follow me on social media to learn about my latest adventures and how they inspire my books!
Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | Pinterest | Twitter | Bookbub
"I own a publishing services company helping writers learn the craft of fiction and navigate the world of publishing, indie or traditional. Find me at www.TandemServicesInk.com."
The Route Home SeriesWelcome to Reedsville! The end of the Oregon Trail and the beginning of a new life for the characters inside.
Coming HomeHe was her first love…
… And the reason she left.
Now she’s falling for him.
In 1881 Oregon, Becca Wilson is a successful university student, determined to be a modern woman and not a resident of the frontier boomtown she grew up in. With her brother’s death, she needs the help of his best friend to find justice. But can she avoid rekindling her feelings for him?
Seth Blake wants answers about his best friend’s suspicious death. But will it come at the expense of his secret? Can he make the choice between justice and love?
As the stakes get higher, Seth must keep both himself and Becca alive long enough to offer a future to this woman he’s fallen in love with. And win her forgiveness.
Get your copy of Coming Home.Visit Jennifer's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah SundinAs the Nazis march toward Paris in 1940, American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favorite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. Lucie struggles to run Green Leaf Books due to oppressive German laws and harsh conditions, but she finds a way to aid the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books.
Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. After they meet in the bookstore, Paul and Lucie are drawn to each other, but she rejects him when she discovers he sells to the Germans. And for Paul to win her trust would mean betraying his mission.
Master of WWII-era fiction Sarah Sundin invites you onto the streets of occupied Paris to discover whether love or duty will prevail.
Get your copy of Until Leaves Fall in Paris.Get your copy of When Twilight Breaks.About Sarah Sundin:Although I came from a home wallpapered in books,
I only briefly envisioned myself as a writer. Instead, I studied chemistry in college and earned my doctorate in pharmacy. Not until I was a young mother did I start writing seriously.
Family tales drew me to the World War II era.
My grandfather, Frederick Stewart, served as a pharmacist’s mate (medic) in the US Navy, and my great-uncle, Roderick Stewart, flew a B-17 Flying Fortress in Australia and England—and flew into Pearl Harbor during the attack.
My grandfather, Frederick Stewart, at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, April 1944.
My novels explore the drama, daring, and romance of the World War II era. My latest novel, Until Leaves Fall in Paris, has received starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal. The best-selling When Twilight Breaks was a 2021 Christy Award finalist, The Land Beneath Us was a Christy Award finalist, The Sky Above Us won the 2020 Carol Award, and both When Tides Turn and Through Waters Deep were named to Booklist’s “101 Best Romances of the Last 10 Years.”
When I’m not writing…
my husband and I enjoy traveling and taking our two rescue dogs for lengthy walks. I teach Sunday school and women’s Bible studies, and I speak to community, church, and writers’ groups. I also serve as co-director for the West Coast Christian Writers Conference. Visit my speaking page for more information.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Chocolate and a handsome ship captain. What more could you want in a book? Laura Frantz joins us this week to talk about her latest release, A Heart Adrift.
A Heart Adrift by Laura FrantzA Virginia chocolatier and a privateering sea captain collide once more after a failed love affair a decade before. Will a war and a cache of regrets keep them apart? Or will a new shared vision reunite them?
It is 1755, and the threat of war with France looms over colonial York, Virginia. Chocolatier Esmée Shaw is fighting her own battle of the heart. Having reached her twenty-eighth birthday, she is reconciled to life alone after a decade-old failed love affair from which she's never quite recovered. But she longs to find something worthwhile to do with her life.
Captain Henri Lennox has returned to port after a lengthy absence, intent on completing the lighthouse in the dangerous Chesapeake Bay, a dream he once shared with Esmée. But when the colonial government asks him to lead a secret naval expedition against the French, his future is plunged into uncertainty.
Will a war and a cache of regrets keep them apart, or can their shared vision and dedication to the colonial cause heal the wounds of the past? Bestselling and award-winning author Laura Frantz whisks you away to a time fraught with peril--on the sea and in the heart--in this redemptive, romantic story.
Get your copy of A Heart Adrift by Laura Frantz She was born and raised in Kentucky, living first in Ashland, Mammoth Cave, Bowling Green, and then Lexington. But her heart has always been in Berea, Madison County, the place her family has resided since the 18th-century. She came to know Christ there at the age of 12, was baptized, and spent her childhood roaming through the woods and swimming in the rivers of her books.
Her earliest memories are of the public library, standing in front of shelves filled with those little biographies of famous historical figures like Daniel Boone and George Washington and Sacajawea. She began scribbling stories at age 7 and thankfully never stopped. Her passion then and now is history and all the wonders of past centuries.
She attended college at Denison University in Ohio and also in England, living in a manor/castle and studying the American Revolution from the British perspective. Shakespeare and 18th-century literature form the backbone of her English degree. Strangely enough, she only took one creative writing class.
It was never a desire of her to be published. She simply loved to write for the sheer joy of writing – and that was enough. But as Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Visit Laura's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.The Prince and the Prodigal by Jill Eileen SmithJoseph is the pampered favorite son of the patriarch Jacob. His older brothers, deeply resentful of his status in the family, take advantage of the chance to get rid of him, selling him to slave traders and deceiving their father about his fate. It seems like their troubles are over. But for Joseph and older brother Judah, they are just beginning.
While Joseph is accused of rape and imprisoned, Judah attempts to flee the memory of his complicity in the betrayal of his younger brother. After decades apart, the brothers will come face-to-face in a stunning role reversal that sees Joseph in a position of great power while Judah begs for mercy. Will forgiveness or vengeance win the day?
Bestselling and award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith brings her considerable research and imaginative skills to bear in this vivid retelling of one of the most popular stories found in Scripture--a story of jealousy, betrayal, and a reconciliation that only God could bring about.
Get your copy of The Price and the Prodigal.Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling, award-winning author of the Wives of King David series, Wives of the Patriarchs, Daughters of the Promised Land, The Heart of a King, Star of Persia, Miriam's Song, and the nonfiction When Life Doesn't Match Your Dreams, and She Walked Before Us. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times.
When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or play with her lovable, “helpful” cat Tiger. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.
Visit Jill's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.The Debutante's Code by Erica VetschJane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes in this new Regency mystery series
Newly returned from finishing school, Lady Juliette Thorndike is ready to debut in London society. Due to her years away, she hasn't spent much time with her parents, and sees them only as the flighty, dilettante couple the other nobles love. But when they disappear, she discovers she never really knew them at all. They've been living double lives as government spies--and they're only the latest in a long history of espionage that is the family's legacy.
Now Lady Juliette is determined to continue their work. Mentored by her uncle, she plunges into the dangerous world of spy craft. From the glittering ballrooms of London to the fox hunts, regattas, and soirees of country high society, she must chase down hidden clues, solve the mysterious code her parents left behind, and stay out of danger. All the while, she has to keep her endeavors a secret from her best friend and her suitors--not to mention nosy, irritatingly handsome Bow Street runner Daniel Swann, who suspects her of a daring theft.
Can Lady Juliette outwit her enemies and complete her parents' last mission? Or will it lead her to a terrible end?
Best-selling author Erica Vetsch is back with a rollicking, exciting new series destined to be a hit with Regency readers who enjoy a touch of mystery in their love stories. Fans of Julie Klassen, Sarah Ladd, and Anne Perry will love the wit, action, and romance.
Get your copy of The Debutante's Code.Erica loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports.
She's a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota, and she's married to my total opposite and soul mate!
When she's not writing fiction, she's planning my next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks.
Visit Erica's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.A Wagon Train Weekend It was just one night at a Victorian B&B. Until they woke up in 1857.
Collette Donaldson never should have taken her boyfriend to her cousin’s wedding. Or introduced him to her parents. After a disastrous weekend, all she wants is to get back home. A heartbreaking fight, a flat tire, and an inconvenient storm force her and Seth to stay the night at a quaint bed and breakfast. But when Collette finds an antique photograph of herself, circumstances quickly shift from weird to unimaginable.
When they wake up stranded on a wagon train in 1857, Seth is determined to get home. But the only way to get out of the past is to face the problems stealing their future.
Get your copy of A Wagon Train WeekendFalling for the FiftiesMaddie Palmer is done with dating. Tired, frustrated, and finished with love, Maddie stays the night at a quirky Victorian bed and breakfast on the eve of her grandparents’ sixty-fifth wedding anniversary. When she suddenly wakes up in 1956, she gets the unexpected chance to witness her grandparents’ fairy tale love unfold and finally learn the secret to finding “the one.” But what is she going to do when she meets her own Mr. Right—only to discover he’s Mr. Wrong Time?
Get your copy of Falling for the FiftiesA Colonial CourtshipAbigail Martin needs a miracle. After a crushing family secret stole her job, her apartment, and her future, she escapes her ruined life and risks a return to her hometown. Hints from a trusted friend that a mysterious bed and breakfast could grant her deepest desires lead her to rent a room. But when her former crush—a man she’s spent months avoiding—won’t leave her side, they both end up facing more than just the past she tried to escape.
Get your copy of A Colonial CourtshipA Castle for ChristmasA life-changing diagnosis sends Avery Stuart on a last-chance Christmas road trip. The cheery bed-and-breakfast offers a festive way to spend the holidays alone. But when she finds her name listed on an ancient family tree next to an English baron, her trip suddenly takes a startling turn—no fairy godmother included. She might have gotten the Cinderella dress, but her prince is more beast than charming.
Get your copy of A Castle for ChristmasBest-selling author of Christian novels, Stephenia H. McGee writes stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South. When she's not twirling around in hoop skirts, reading, or sipping sweet tea on the front porch, she's a homeschool mom of two boys, writer, dreamer, and husband spoiler.
Visit Stephenia McGee's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Undercurrent of Secrets by Rachel Scott McDanielAs wedding coordinator for the 100-year-old steamboat The Belle of Louisville, Devyn Asbury takes pride in seeing others’ dreams come true, even though her engagement had sunk like a diamond ring to the bottom of the Ohio River. When the Belle becomes a finalist in the Timeless Wedding Venue contest, Devyn endeavors to secure the prestigious title with hopes to reclaim some of her professional dreams. What she hadn’t planned on was Chase Jones showing up with a mysterious photo from the 1920s.
A century earlier, Hattie Louis is as untamable as the rivers that raised her. As the adopted daughter of a steamboat captain, her duties range from the entertainment to cook. When strange incidents occur aboard the boat, Hattie’s determined to discover the truth. Even if that means getting under First Mate Jack Marshall’s handsome skin.
Get your copy of Undercurrent of Secrets.The Mobster's Daughter by Rachel Scott McDanielThe one man who could help her, must never know her name.
If Kate Chamberlin can't reveal her true identity to the world, she must settle for sharing only her talent. Hired as a musician for KDKA radio, Kate plays everything from sponsors’ jingles to complex sonatas. As long as the whispers around the broadcasting room refer to her as “Killjoy Kate” and not “Catarina the crime boss's daughter,” then her life is safe from danger.
Or so she thinks.
When anonymous, violent threats surface, Kate's wary of accepting protection from the handsome private investigator, Detective Jennings. His save-the-world attitude is as charming as his manners, but no one, especially him, can know the gruesome realities of her birth.
The 1924 Pittsburgh underworld is as complicated as it is elusive, and though the dealings of the Salvastanos have dwindled, Rhett Jennings is certain the man responsible for his father's death is still at large. But his personal hunt for justice must be set aside when his day job requires him to investigate threats directed at a young radio broadcaster with enamoring brown eyes and secretive behavior.
When danger surrounds them, will the truth of Kate's past become the key to their survival?
Get your copy of The Mobster's Daughter. About Rachel Scott McDanielRachel has a fanatical penchant for all things classic movies, and she's an award-winning Christian romance writer. She hopes to inspire the mind and refresh the soul with words infused with faith and heart. Because she could never resist a good mystery, suspense and intrigue routinely sneak into her stories. Her work is represented by Julie Gwinn from the Seymour Agency. She currently enjoys life with her husband and two children.
Visit Rachel Scott McDaniel's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.The Secret Keepers of Old Depot GroceryThis dual-timeline story from Amanda Cox deftly explores the complexity of a mother-daughter dynamic, the way the secrets we keep shape our lives and the lives of others, and the healing power of telling the truth.My Dear Miss Dupre by Grace HitchcockWillow Dupré never thought she would have to marry, but with her father's unexpected retirement from running the prosperous Dupré sugar refinery, she is forced into a different future. The shareholders are unwilling to allow a female to take over the company without a man at her side, so her parents devise a plan--find Willow a spokesman king in order for her to become queen of the business empire.Night Bird CallingFrom award-winning author Cathy Gohlke, whose novels have been called “haunting” and “page-turning”, comes a historical fiction story of courage and transformation set in rural Appalachia on the eve of WWII.Come Back to MeBestselling author Jody Hedlund is your guide down the twisting waters of time to a volatile era of superstition, revolts, and chivalry in this suspenseful story.The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper BashamWill the magic of Christmas bring these two newlyweds closer together, or will the ghosts of the past lead them into a destructive discovery from which not even a Dickens’s Christmas can save them?Chasing Shadows by Lynn AustinFor fans of bestselling WWII fiction comes a powerful novel from Lynn Austin about three women whose lives are instantly changed when the Nazis invade the neutral Netherlands, forcing each into a complicated dance of choice and consequence.On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor by Jamie Jo WrightAdria Fontaine has been sent to recover goods her father pirated on the Great Lakes during the war. But when she arrives at Foxglove Manor--a stone house on a cliff overlooking Lake Superior--Adria senses wickedness hovering over the property. The mistress of Foxglove is an eccentric and seemingly cruel old woman who has filled her house with dangerous secrets, ones that may cost Adria her life. Freedom in the Mountain Wind (Call of the Rockies Series) by Misty BellerThe last epic journey before her life changes forever.
As Dawn Breaks by Kate BreslinHer daring bid for freedom could be her greatest undoing.
The Mobster's Daughter by Rachel Scott McDanielThe one man who could help her must never know her name.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue PattersonShirley Davenport is as much a patriot as her four brothers. She, too, wants to aid her country in the war efforts, but opportunities for women are limited. When her best friend Joan informs her that the Coast Guard has opened a new branch for single women, they both enlist in the SPARs, ready to help protect the home front.
Training is rigorous, and Shirley is disappointed that she and Joan are sent to separate training camps. At the end of basic training, Captain Webber commends her efforts and commissions her home to Maine under the ruse of a dishonorable discharge to help uncover a plot against the First Lady.
Shirley soon discovers nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust? Why do the people she loves want to harm the First Lady? With the help of Captain Webber, it’s a race against time to save Mrs. Roosevelt and remain alive.
Get your copy of Saving Mrs. Roosevelt.Other books in the series:
The Cryptographer's Dilemma by Johnnie AlexanderA Picture of Hope by Liz Tolsma About Candice Sue Patterson:Candice studied at the Institute of Children’s Literature at age sixteen. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons in a restored farmhouse overtaken by books. When she’s not tending to her chickens, snuggling with her Great Pyrenees, or sharing her passion for reading with students as an elementary school librarian, she’s working on a new story. Candice writes both contemporary and historical romance—where the past and present collide with faith.
Visit Candice Sue Patterson's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Every Knee Shall Bow by Bryan LitfinThe year is AD 316. Imperial persecution has ended, but Christianity's future still hangs in the balance. Will churches rise in Rome where pagan temples once stood? Will the true Scriptures replace the myths of the gods? Will Jupiter finally bow the knee to the Lord Jesus?
For the first time in history, the Roman emperor supports the church. Bishop Sylvester sends Flavia from her convent to seek Emperor Constantine's permission to build great churches and determine the canon of Scripture. But the enemies of God are on the move. Joined by Rex, Flavia's beloved protector who has fought his way out of exile, the two friends cross the empire by land and sea on an epic quest to free the Roman people from the tyranny of the ancient gods.
Bristling with tension and undergirded by impeccable historical research, this tale of courage, defiance, and humble submission to God continues the captivating saga of two unlikely allies in the age of imperial Christianity.
Get your copy of Every Knee Shall Bow.Don't miss out on the first book in the series, The Conqueror.It is AD 312. Rome teeters on the brink of war. Constantine's army is on the move. On the Rhine frontier, Brandulf Rex, a pagan Germanic barbarian, joins the Roman army as a spy and special forces operative. Down in Rome, Junia Flavia, the lovely and pious daughter of a nominally Christian senator, finds herself embroiled in anti-Christian politics as she works on behalf of the church.
As armies converge and forces beyond Rex's and Flavia's controls threaten to destroy everything they have worked for, these two people from different worlds will have to work together to bring down the evil Emperor Maxentius. But his villainous plans and devious henchmen are not easily overcome. Will the barbarian warrior and the senator's daughter live to see the Empire bow the knee to Christ? Or will their part in the story of Constantine's rise meet an untimely and brutal end?
Travel back to one of the most pivotal eras in history--a time when devotion to the pagan gods was fading and the Roman Empire was being conquered by the sign of the cross.
Get your copy of The Conqueror.Bryan Litfin received his PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia and a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. His undergraduate work was at the University of Tennessee in the field of Communications.
Bryan now works as Head of Strategy and Advancement at Clapham School, after serving for 16 years as Professor of Theology at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and 3 years as an editor and writer at Moody Publishers. Bryan is married to Carolyn, and they have two adult children. He enjoys writing, traveling, teaching, reading, spending time with family, and being involved in his local church.
Visit Bryan Litfin's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.There Is a Season by Andrea Boeshaar (book 3 in the Shenandoah Valley SagaTo onlookers, Carrie Ann Bell Collier might appear to be the dutiful wife, sitting at her unconscious husband’s bedside. But she feels like a hypocrite. Instead of trusting her intuition, she allowed herself to believe Peyton was dead. And then she fell in love with his best friend, Eli Kent.
Except, Peyton wasn’t dead, and now Carrie will do anything to keep him alive.
While at City Point, as her husband lay dying, Carrie meets a nurse who claims to be able to work miracles. Hearing her out, Carrie’s hope rises. Doctors had given up on Peyton, so Carrie hires the woman and makes plans for all of them to return home as soon as Peyton can safely travel.
CSS Lieutenant Colonel Elijah Kent has loved Carrie Ann since he met her a year ago. However, now that Peyton is alive, he promises Carrie he will not continue to pursue her. With Peyton near death, Eli finds it difficult to completely forget her and their plans for the future. But he does his best to focus on the ultimatum that General Ulysses S. Grant offered him.
USA Colonel Peyton Collier awakens to intense pain and utter confusion. Where was he? Why did his body hurt so badly? His leg, his back…his head. What was his name? His rank? Why couldn’t he recall?
And who was the stern-looking female standing over him with a hypodermic needle in her hand?
Get your copy of There Is a SeasonGet your copy of book 1, A Thousand Shall FallGet your copy of book 2, Too Deep for WordsAndrea Boeshaar was born and raised in SE Wisconsin, but now resides in the Upstate of South Carolina. She and her husband Daniel have been married for more than 40 years. They count themselves blessed by their wonderful family, including 5 grandchildren.
Visit Andrea Boeshaar's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Author, speaker, and genealogist Angela Breidenbach joins us for a discussion on what independent publishing is, how it differs from traditional publishing, and what that means for you as a reader.
Angela Breidenbach, PLCGS, is a professional genealogist with specialties in English Records and Scotland. She's also a bestselling author, screenwriter, and media personality. She's the president of the Christian Authors Network. Angela lives in Montana with her hubby and Muse, a trained fe-lion, who shakes hands, rolls over, and jumps through a hoop. Surprisingly, Angela can also. Don’t miss her new show, Genealogy Publishing Coach fall 2021!
Visit Angela Breidenbach's website.
Follow Angela Breidenbach on BookBub.
Queen of the Rockies1889 (Helena, MT): As the gold rush era fades, the people of Helena MT must create a new source of income via tourism or become another gold mine ghost town. Calista Blythe enters the first Miss Snowflake Pageant celebrating Montana at Christmastime to expose the plight of street urchins. But hiding an orphan could unravel Calista's reputation, and her budding romance with pageant organizer, Albert Shanahan, if her secret is revealed. Will love or social pressure prevail?
Song of the Rockies1890 Helena MT ~ Song of the Rockies is the story of a sweet music teacher and eleven boys given one chance or else! Evan Russell lost everything—his ranch, his wife, and now, after trusting relatives with his young son, even the little boy is missing. How can a beautiful symphony of the heart come from such chaos?
Heart of the Rockies1892, Helena MT: Delphina O'Connor believed God-given dreams for women didn't stop at marriage and children. Hers might not include a husband or family at all. So when Hugh Thomas rescues the new swimming instructor at the elegant Broadwater Natatorium from near drowning in the Victorian-styled resort pool, how can anyone believe the freedom to enjoy swimming, competition, and a healthy body is an appropriate activity for a proper lady? Hugh is about to find out status quo is the starting line for a courageous woman with a dream!
Flower of the Rockies Helena MT, 1892-95 ~ Can you leave your past behind?
Flower of the Rockies, the 4th book in the Queen of the Rockies series set in picturesque Helena MT at the end of the Gilded Age. No one knows the real Emmalee Warren, or the sacrifices she's made for love. She the infamous prostitute, a soiled dove of no consequence, turned miner's widow. Men are coming out of the woodwork to stake their claim on her and the mine she inherited. They wanted her body before. Now they want her money, and they'll do anything to take it. But love and acceptance seem out of the question for Emmalee.
Society wants nothing to do with her regardless of her changed ways. Who can she turn to when her inheritance and chance at a future is at risk? Will she be forced back into the brothel to survive? Hiring a lawyer, Richard Lewis, to save her from financial ruin might let her start over somewhere else — if he can save a little of her finances from her husband's partner. She'll go anyplace else where no one knows Miss Ellie's name. Anywhere to leave the scorn behind. Becoming an unknown is the only way to freedom…or is it? Can she leave her past and build a new future?
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Behind Love's Wall by Carrie Fancett Pagels The Grand Hotel Slowly Reveals Her Secrets
Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.
Two successful women, a hundred-and-twenty-years apart, build walls to protect their hearts. Modern-day Willa, a successful interior decorator, is chosen to go to Mackinac Island and consult for the Grand Hotel’s possible redesign. During work on a room, she discovers a journal detailing the struggles of a young woman, Lily—which reveals dark secrets. The renowned singer wasn’t who she pretended to be.
As Willa reaches out to Lily’s descendant, a charismatic and prominent landscape artist, she lets down her guard. Should she share the journal with him—revealing hidden history—or once again erect a wall as she struggles to redesign both the Grand and her life?
Get your copy of Behind Love's Wall.Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., is the award-winning and bestselling author of over twenty Christian fiction stories, including ECPA and Amazon bestsellers. Her tagline “Overcoming with God” manifests in her positive story lines. Possessed with an overactive imagination, that wasn’t “cured” by twenty-five years as a psychologist, she loves bringing complex characters to life. Carrie and her family reside in Virginia’s Historic Triangle. A former “Yooper” she enjoys summer trips to the Straits of Mackinac, where many of her stories are set.
Carrie’s novel, My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island, won the Maggie Award and was a Romantic Times Book Reviews Top Pick. The Steeplechase was a finalist for the Holt Medallion. Her short story, “The Quilting Contest”, was the Historical Fiction Winner of Family Fiction’s “The Story” national contest. Her novella, The Substitute Bride, was a Maggie Award finalist for Romance Novellas. All three of her Christy Lumber Camp books were long list finalists for Family Fiction’s Book of the Year and The Fruitcake Challenge was a Selah Award finalist.
Visit Carrie Fancett Pagel's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.A View Most Glorious by Regina ScottReluctant socialite Coraline Baxter longs to live a life of significance and leave her mark on the world. When her local suffragette group asks her to climb Mount Rainier to raise awareness of their cause, she jumps at the chance, even though she has absolutely no climbing experience. If she can do it, any woman can do it. And after her mother issues an ultimatum--that Cora marry the man of her mother's choosing if she is not successful--Cora must do it. But she can't do it alone.
Noted mountain guide Nathan Hardee initially refuses to help Cora, but has a change of heart when he sees what is at stake. He knows enough about the man Cora's mother has chosen to know that the headstrong young woman should have nothing to do with him, much less marry him.
Climbing Rainier will require all of Cora's fortitude and will lead her and Nathan to rediscover their faith in God and humanity. These two loners make unlikely partners in righting a wrong and may just discover that only together is the view most glorious.
Get your copy of A View Most Glorious.Regina Scott started writing novels in the third grade. Thankfully for literature as we know it, she didn't actually sell her first novel until she'd learned a bit more about writing. Since then, she's had published more than 50 clean historical romances. Her books have earned praise from reviewers and readers alike. Booklist calls her work "quietly compelling" and "impeccably written." Huntress Reviews says, "Regina Scott delivers," and "I will always buy a book with Regina Scott's name on it."
Regina Scott is the author of the American Wonders Collection, set in the history of our national parks, and the Frontier Bachelors series set in pioneer Seattle. She is also the author of more than three dozen sweet historical romances set in Regency England in such series as Grace-by-the-Sea, Fortune's Brides, Uncommon Courtships, and the Lady Emily Capers. She has twice been awarded best book of the year for her type of story from industry favorite RT Book Reviews. A Distance Too Grand in the American Wonders Collection was named one of the top 10 romances of the year by Booklist.
Regina Scott has learned to fence, driven four-in-hand, sailed on a tall ship, and dressed as a Regency dandy, all in the name of research, of course. She makes her home in the Puget Sound area of Washington State with her beloved husband. Find her online at her website www.reginascott.com, the blog she shares with author Marissa Doyle at www.nineteenteen.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authorreginascott, and on Goodreads at www.goodreads.com/reginascott. Subscribe to her newsletter at https://subscribe.reginascott.com so you'll always know when a new book is out or on sale.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.The Healing of Natalie Curtis by Jane KirkpatrickClassically trained pianist and singer Natalie Curtis isolated herself for five years after a breakdown just before she was to debut with the New York Philharmonic. Guilt-ridden and songless, Natalie can't seem to recapture the joy music once brought her. In 1902, her brother invites her to join him in the West to search for healing. What she finds are songs she'd never before encountered--the haunting melodies, rhythms, and stories of Native Americans.
But their music is under attack. The US government's Code of Offenses prohibits American's indigenous people from singing, dancing, or speaking their own languages as the powers that be insist on assimilation. Natalie makes it her mission not only to document these songs before they disappear but to appeal to President Teddy Roosevelt himself, who is the only man with the power to repeal the unjust law. Will she succeed and step into a new song . . . and a new future?
Award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick weaves yet another lyrical tale based on a true story that will keep readers captivated to the very end.
Get your copy of The Healing of Natalie Curtis by Jane Kirkpatrick. Jane Kirkpatrick is a New York Times best-selling and award-winning author of over 39 books and numerous essays for over 50 publications throughout the United States including The Oregonian and Daily Guideposts.
She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times in 2012, the Caldera Achievement Award from The Nature of Words in 2006, and the Distinguished Northwest Writer award in 2005 from the Willamette Writers Association.
Her works have sold over a million copies, and have won prestigious literary awards such as the Wrangler (National Cowboy Museum), WILLA Literary (Women Writing the West), Will Rogers Medallion (Will Rogers Foundation), and the Carol (American Christian Fiction Writers).
Her many historical novels, most based on the lives of actual people, speak of timeless themes of hardiness, faith, commitment, hope, and love.
Jane speaks internationally on the writing and the power of stories. Her presentations reflect stories of inspiration and courage believing that our lives are the stories other people read first.
She is a Wisconsin native and graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Communications and Public Address and holds a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Clinical Social Work.
Prior to her writing career, she worked with Native American families on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in Central Oregon as a mental health and early childhood specialist for seventeen years. She was also the director of the Deschutes County Mental Health Program in Bend, Oregon.
Jane and her husband Jerry now live on small acreage between Bend and Redmond in Central Oregon with their dog Ceasar.
Visit Jane Kirkpatrick's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.On this week's episode, we discuss the question, "Is Romance Dead?" You commented on the question on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and it was great to get your feedback. We had some answers on each side of the romance fence, and we discuss what it is readers want from romance now.
Do you still enjoy the straight formula romances, or do you want romance to take a back seat to whatever else is happening in the story?
Join me for this very interesting discussion. Thank you all so much for your input on this episode on romance. I couldn't have done it without you. Be sure to connect with Christian Historical Fiction Talk on social media to enjoy the conversation and get your input into some of the episodes.
If you are interested in any of the Heroines of WWII series, check out The Cryptographer's Dilemma, A Picture of Hope, and Saving Mrs. Roosevelt.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda CoxPresent Day. After tragedy plunges her into grief and unresolved anger, Sarah Ashby returns to her childhood home determined to finally follow her long-denied dream of running Old Depot Grocery alongside her mother and grandmother. But when she arrives, her mother, Rosemary, announces to her that the store is closing. Sarah and her grandmother, Glory Ann, make a pact to save the store, but Rosemary has worked her entire life to make sure her daughter never follows in her footsteps. She has her reasons--but she'll certainly never reveal the real one.
- Glory Ann confesses to her family that she's pregnant with her deceased fiancé's baby. Pressured into a marriage of convenience with a shopkeeper to preserve the family reputation, Glory Ann vows never to love again. But some promises are not as easily kept as she imagined.
This dual-timeline story from Amanda Cox deftly explores the complexity of a mother-daughter dynamic, the way the secrets we keep shape our lives and the lives of others, and the healing power of telling the truth.
Get your copy of The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox.Before becoming a stay-at-home parent, Amanda Cox spent her time counseling children, families, and individuals through life’s challenging moments. Now she uses those same skills to develop layered characters and stories, bringing them on a journey of hope and healing. A journey she hopes her readers experience in their own lives as they read.
A few of her favorite things are the sanctuary of the great outdoors, the feeling of pen on paper, the sound of her children’s laughter, and exploring new places with her husband of 15 years. (Oh, let’s not forget good fiction and good coffee. She’s addicted to both.)
Visit Amanda Cox's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Jewel of the Nile by Tessa Afshar Whispered secrets about her parents’ past take on new urgency for Chariline as she pays one last visit to the land of her forefathers, the ancient kingdom of Cush.
Raised as an orphan by her aunt, Chariline has only been told a few pieces of her parents’ tragic love story. Her beautiful dark skin is proof that her father was Cushite, but she knows nothing else. While visiting her grandfather before his retirement as the Roman official in the queen’s court, Chariline overhears that her father is still alive, and discovering his identity becomes her obsession. Both her grandfather and the queen have reasons for keeping this secret, however, and forbid her quest. So when her only clues lead to Rome, Chariline sneaks on the ship of a merchant trusted by friends.
Theo is shocked to discover a stowaway on board his vessel and determines to be rid of her as soon as possible. But drawn in by Chariline’s story, he feels honor-bound to see her safely to shore, especially when it appears someone may be willing to kill for the truth she seeks.
Get your copy of Jewel of the Nile by Tessa Afshar.Tessa Afshar is the Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of biblical and inspirational historical fiction, including Land of Silence, which won an INSPY Award and was voted by Library Journal as one of the top five Christian fiction titles of 2016, and Harvest of Gold, which won a Christy Award in the Historical Romance category.
Harvest of Rubies was a finalist for the 2013 ECPA Christian Book Award for fiction.
In 2011, after publishing her first novel, Pearl in the Sand, Tessa was named New Author of the Year by the FamilyFiction-sponsored Reader’s Choice Awards.
Tessa’s latest trilogy of biblical fiction, Thief of Corinth, Daughter of Rome,and Jewel of the Nile are based on minor characters from the book of Acts. Daughter of Rome is a finalist for the Carol Award, 2021.
Tessa’s Bible study, The Way Home: God’s Invitation to New Beginnings, based on the book of Ruth, won the 2021 ECPA Christian Book Award in the Bible Study category. Optional videos of the same title are available with this book. The Way Home was chosen by Moody Radio SFL for their summer of 2020 book study.
Tessa Afshar was born in the Middle East and lived there for the first fourteen years of her life. She then moved to England, where she survived boarding school for girls and fell in love with Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, before moving to the United States permanently.
Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life forever. Tessa holds a Master of Divinity from Yale, where she was elected as the co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School for one year.
She served in women and prayer ministries for twenty years before becoming a full-time writer and speaker.
Tessa is a devoted wife, an enthusiastic cook, and a mediocre gardener. But that has not cured her from being exceptionally fond of chocolate.
Visit Tessa Afshar's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Chasing Shadows by Lynn Austin For fans of bestselling WWII fiction comes a powerful novel from Lynn Austin about three women whose lives are instantly changed when the Nazis invade the neutral Netherlands, forcing each into a complicated dance of choice and consequence.
Lena is a wife and mother who farms alongside her husband in the tranquil countryside. Her faith has always been her compass, but can she remain steadfast when the questions grow increasingly complex and the answers could mean the difference between life and death?
Lena’s daughter Ans has recently moved to the bustling city of Leiden, filled with romantic notions of a new job and a young Dutch police officer. But when she is drawn into Resistance work, her idealism collides with the dangerous reality that comes with fighting the enemy.
Miriam is a young Jewish violinist who immigrated for the safety she thought Holland would offer. She finds love in her new country, but as her family settles in Leiden, the events that follow will test them in ways she could never have imagined.
The Nazi invasion propels these women onto paths that cross in unexpected, sometimes-heartbreaking ways. Yet the story that unfolds illuminates the surprising endurance of the human spirit and the power of faith and love to carry us through.
Get your copy of Chasing Shadows. About Lynn:I’m often asked if I’ve always wanted to be a writer. The short answer is, “No.” I was never the type of kid who always had her nose in a book or who wrote stories in her journal every night by lamplight.
I was too busy living in my imagination all day like the little boy with the stuffed tiger in the cartoon “Calvin and Hobbes.” I would imagine wild, dramatic stories wherever I went.
After attending Hope College in Holland, Michigan for three years, I married my husband Ken, and completed my degree in psychology at Southern Connecticut State University. Then we set off on a real-life adventure, living in Bogota, Colombia for two years where I taught 4th grade in a Colombian school and Ken performed in the symphony orchestra.
With no TV and plenty of time to read, I became an avid reader for the first time in my life. That’s when I began to dream of writing the kind of books I loved—books that made me laugh, made me cry, and made me think.
The demands of our growing family postponed my writing career until Ken’s work took us to Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was during those long Canadian winters at home with my children that I finally started carving out a few hours of writing time each day while they napped.
The moment I started writing, I discovered how much fun it was to use my imagination again and create wonderful characters and stories. I was hooked! As my children grew, I returned to teaching and learned to squeeze in writing time amid the busyness of family life.
For eleven years, I studied how to craft good fiction, and endured all the ups and downs of trying to get published. My first novel was finally published in 1995—and it was the same book I had started writing during naptime: Gods and Kings. It evolved into a five-book series, Chronicles of the Kings.
While researching this series, I had a chance to pursue one of my “bucket list” dreams, volunteering on an archaeological dig. My son Joshua and I traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in a month-long dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience not only provided background information for the Chronicles, it also inspired my novel
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Biblical fiction is very popular among readers right now. I asked for your input about the genre on social media recently, and on this episode, we discuss what you like and what you dislike about it. Below are links and descriptions for some of the books I mention on the program.
Seal of the Sand Dweller by Regina Rushing A slave rises from a garrison prison to save Egypt, but first, he must save the king.
There are things more dangerous than interpreting the dream of a sovereign, like convincing him of corruption among his top officials.
Integrity has its price, one Yoseph has already paid at the hands of jealous brothers and his master's wife.
On the whim of a king, he is raised to inconceivable heights as second in command of the realm. And with the authority of a king's seal, this time, integrity might cost him everything...even his life.
Get your copy of Seal of the Sand Dweller. Lynn Austin Chronicles of the KingsFrom Book 1: Gods and Kings is the story of King Hezekiah, heir to the throne of King David. When his evil father plots to sacrifice him, Hezekiah's mother, Abijah, searches frantically for a way to save him. But only two men can help her, and neither of them seems trustworthy. In a time and place engulfed by violence, treachery, and infidelity to Yahweh, Abijah and her son must discover the one true Source of strength if they are to save themselves and their country. Book 1 of Chronicles of the Kings.
Gods and Kings (book 1)Song of Redemption (book 2)The Strength of His Hand (book 3)Faith of My Fathers (book 4)Among the Gods (book 5)Building Benjamin by Barbara M. BrittonLove Grows Where God Grafts the Tender Shoot. Naomi desires to dance well enough to catch the eye of a wealthy landowner. Her father needs a substantial bride price due to the deaths of her brothers at the hands of the tribe of Benjamin. But when Benjamites raid the Ephraimite feast and capture young girls, Naomi is bound and carried from her home by Eliab, a troubled shepherd who needs a wife. As Naomi awaits rescue, she finds Eliab has a strong faith in God and a just reason for abducting her. A reason that affects all the tribes of Israel. The future of the tribe of Benjamin hangs in the balance, but if Naomi follows her heart and stays with Eliab to rebuild his lineage, she must forfeit her family and become a traitor to her own tribe.
Get your copy of Building Benjamin Other guests of Christian Historical Fiction Talk:Rahab's Courage by Naomi CraigBetween the Wild Branches by Connilyn CossetteJewel of the Nile by Tessa Afshar
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Between the Wild Branches by Connilyn CossetteTen years ago Lukio fled Kiryat-Yearim, where he'd been adopted by the Levite family who guarded the Ark of the Covenant. Feeling betrayed by everyone, he returned to his birthplace in Philistia to become a famous fighter. Now the champion of Ashdod, Lukio has achieved every goal with the help of his ruthless cousin. But just as he is set to claim the biggest prize of all, the daughter of the king, his past collides with his present in the form of Shoshana.
After a heartbreaking end to her secret friendship with Lukio, Shoshana thought to never see the boy with the dual-colored eyes and the troubled soul again. But when she is captured in a Philistine raid and enslaved
in Ashdod, she is surprised to find that the brutal fighter known as Demon-Eyes is Lukio himself.
With explosive secrets and unbreakable vows standing between them, finding a way to freedom for both may cost them everything.
Get your copy of Between the Wild Branches.Get your copy of the first book in the series, To Dwell Among Cedars. A little more about Connilyn Cossette:
I was that girl. The one with her nose in books all the time. The one with a stack of library books up to her chin. The one who got caught reading under her desk in school (usually during math class).
Among all those lovely books that 'addled my brain' as a young girl, the ones that became my best friends were the historical novels—the ones whose rich details and long-ago adventures took me to Regency England, Ancient Israel, the Civil War Era South, hidden rooms in WWII Amsterdam, Colonial America and into the Wild West. It was these stories that brought history to life in a way that schoolbooks never could, and fueled a desire to imagine myself in these times and places that would eventually spill over into my own writing.
“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” -Rudyard Kipling
And on top of being a voracious reader, I was a reader with a secret desire to someday see my own book on those library shelves—a secret desire of my heart that, for a long time, I honestly did not give God enough credit to grant me. I kept that secret desire so close to my chest that even those closest to me had no idea that I had been writing a manuscript for years!
But God is bigger than my lack of faith.
When I finally took a chance and put that first manuscript out there in the world, I semi-finalled in the ACFW Genesis contest, won the My Book Therapy Frasier Award, signed with Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and within only a few months I'd signed on with my dream house, Bethany House Publishers.
Since my first book was published in 2016 my books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, have won both Christy and Carol Awards and have sold thousands of copies all over the world in several languages.
And none of it would have ever happened without those first knee-shaking steps of faith and a God whose faithfulness and goodness far outweighs my doubts and insecurities.
Above all that God has done with my writing career and regardless of where He may lead me in the future, my passion is to write stories that draw readers into an immersive experience within the rich ancient world of the Bible, to personalize the history found there, and to spark a curiosity that will lead to digging deeper into the truth of the Word.
Visit Connilyn Cossette's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Rahab's Courage by Naomi CraigA scarlet cord tethers one ruined woman to the salvation of mankind.
Harboring two fugitives in a city slated for destruction, Rahab has one small chance of escape. In exchange for their safety, she bargains for her own. Their agreement rewards her courage, and she flees Jericho and a life of prostitution for a new life among the people of Israel. Never again will she have to depend on anyone—especially men.
Except Salmah won’t take the hint.
High ranking soldier and leader of the tribe of Judah, Salmah is determined not to repeat his parents’ mistakes. He will keep the Lord’s commandments. Rahab’s growing faith fits right in with phase one of his plans: find a wife who loves the Lord and settle down in the new land.
Rahab finds shelter and meaning in the Lord’s ways until her past comes back to haunt her. As her new faith is put to test, she finds herself alone. Isn’t that what she’d always wanted?
With her courage waning, only the Lord can turn Rahab’s life around again, but will He do it before she loses everyone and everything that really matters to her—to her heart?
Get your copy of Rahab's Courage here.Hi, I'm Naomi.
Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, Pastor's wife, and mom to an amazing young lady. I love reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time.
When I'm not serving in various areas at church, homeschooling my daughter or trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes, you'll most likely find me enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee.
Throughout my years in ministry, I've learned this:
Life is hard. God is still good.
My goal is to walk alongside you and offer support. Because you are not alone.
You have value, even when you are feeling overwhelmed. You are an amazing work of art! You are loved and you belong.
Visit Naomi's website.Listen to Behind the Story podcast.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.The Ice Swan by J'nell Ciesielski Amid the violent last days of the glittering Russian monarchy, a princess on the run finds her heart where she least expects it.
1917, Petrograd. Fleeing the murderous flames of the Russian Revolution, Princess Svetlana Dalsky hopes to find safety in Paris with her mother and sister. But the city is buckling under the weight of the Great War, and the Bolsheviks will not rest until they have erased every Russian aristocrat from memory. Svetlana and her family are forced into hiding in Paris’s underbelly, with little to their name but the jewels they sewed into their corsets before their terrifying escape.
Born the second son of a Scottish duke, the only title Wynn MacCallan cares for is that of surgeon. Putting his talents with a scalpel to good use in the hospitals in Paris, Wynn pushes the boundaries of medical science to give his patients the best care possible. After treating Svetlana for a minor injury, he is pulled into a world of decaying imperial glitter. Intrigued by this mysterious, cold, and beautiful woman, Wynn follows Svetlana to an underground Russian club where drink, dance, and questionable dealings collide on bubbles of vodka.
Out of money and options, Svetlana agrees to a marriage of convenience with the handsome and brilliant Wynn, who will protect her and pay off her family’s debts. It’s the right thing for a good man to do, but Wynn cannot help hoping the marriage will turn into one of true affection. When Wynn’s life takes an unexpected turn, so does Svetlana’s—and soon Paris becomes as dangerous as Petrograd. And as the Bolsheviks chase them to Scotland, Wynn and Svetlana begin to wonder if they will ever be able to outrun the love they are beginning to feel for one another.
Get your copy of The Ice SwanBestselling author and with a passion for heart-stopping adventure and sweeping love stories, J'nell Ciesielski weaves fresh takes into romances of times gone by. When not creating dashing heroes and daring heroines, she can be found dreaming of Scotland, indulging in chocolate of any kind, or watching old black and white movies. She is a Florida native who now lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and lazy beagle.
Visit J'nell Ciesielski's website
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.The Last Gasp by Chautona HavigAt the pinnacle of his Hollywood career, Garrison Prince’s reign ends tonight. As Gary Prinz, he can pursue his Bible education & marry the girl of his dreams. He never imagined trading the silver screen for a pulpit would wreak such havoc. A cigarillo girl, Lucinda Ashton spends her days with her boyfriend, Gary, & her evenings selling candy to the Hollywood elite at the Taj Mahal Theater.When gunshots ring out just as intermission begins, Lucinda finds herself in the middle of a brouhaha that leaves 3 dead, & no one has a clue why.
A Giant Murder by Marji LaineJosephine Jacobs was just doing her job, serving at an exclusive party, so why is she now being accused of shooting TG Taggert? With her long-time friend, Office Porter O’Brien, Josie sets out to clear her name & find out who really killed “the giant".
When the Pilot Falls by April HaymanIn 1923, there aren’t many pilots, but Willie Labeau didn’t let that stop her. Hugh Taylor needs a stunt plane pilot, & Willie sets off for California & life as his pilot. There’s just one thing she has to do in addition to flying. Leave his past alone. A fierce air race, a sincere act of humility—are they enough to free Hugh & give Willie a chance to be with him forever?
Murder at the Empire by Cathe SwansonGayle Wells is a killer organist, but does a killer have her in his sights? John Starek fills his theater with fine artwork. He’s pleased to have one of the country’s first female organists. Then the Empire’s treasures start disappearing & employees start dying. Are a few pieces of art really motive for the murders? Will Gayle be next?
The Lost Dutchman's Secret by Rebekah JonesDeeply in debt to Charles Sinclair, Dorothy Hodges’ father finally promises she’ll pay & in gold, no less. When Charles Sinclair ends up dead, Dorothy is the prime suspect, but Sinclair’s son isn’t so certain. Together they work to clear her name & find the real murderer of the Superstitions.
The Nutcracker's Suite by Chautona HavigWhen mob king Mario Topo’s enforcer goes missing after a body is found in his hotel suite, the race is on. Police & mobsters are after Nicolo Natale, & he who finds Nicolo first might determine the enforcer’s fate. A race through the city, a new friend… or more… a new life in the offing. Nicolo & Clara must find who killed Topo’s man & why before the police arrest him or Topo’s men bump him & Clara off.
Silencing the Siren by Denise BarelaAndrew Grayson thought he had everything until he met her. Andrew has always gotten whatever he wanted almost before he knew he wanted it. What more could a young man desire? When things don’t add up, Andrew begins asking some difficult questions, the most important being, “What happened to the little mermaid of the Coney Island freak show?”
Slashed Canvas by Liz TolsmaGrand Duchess Katarina escaped Russia, arriving in Paris just before the birth of her twin girls. She haunts the Louvre, spending hours gazing at one painting. When she returns home to find her daughters missing, Timothy offers his assistance. Together they put together clues to a puzzle they must complete before the kidnapper ensures Katarina & her daughters are never reunited.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.On Sugar Hill by Ann MulliganTo make ends meet, the Fitzgerald women must open their home as a boardinghouse, but will the secrets they uncover prove their undoing?
The day Cora Fitzgerald turned sixteen, she fled Sugar Hill for the bright lights of New York City, leaving behind her senator father’s abuse. But just as her career takes off, she’s summoned home.
The stock market has crashed. The senator is dead. Her mother is delusional, and her mute Aunt Clara pens novels that expose the town’s secrets. Then there’s Boone Robertson, who never knew she was alive back in high school but now manages to be around whenever she needs help.
And the Fitzgerald women need a lot of help, indeed. They are forced to find a way to make ends meet, whether it’s mining for gold or doing what Southern women have done for generations in times of need—turning their home into a boardinghouse.
But will the people of Cora’s past keep her from returning to a brilliant future?
Purchase a copy of On Sugar Hill Ane Mulligan
While a large, floppy straw hat is her favorite, Ane has worn many different ones: hairdresser, legislative affairs director (that's a fancy name for a lobbyist), drama director, playwright, humor columnist, and bestselling novelist. Her lifetime experience provides a plethora of fodder for her Southern-fried fiction (try saying that three times fast).
Ane firmly believes coffee and chocolate are two of the four major food groups. Her passion when she isn't writing her Southern-fried Fiction is Community Theatre. She's Creative/Managing Director of Players Guild@Sugar Hill, a non-profit Community Theatre troupe, where she and her husband act, direct, build sets, and are chief go-fors.
Contributor to the award-winning literary site, The Write Conversation, Ane resides in Sugar Hill, GA, with her artist husband, her chef son, and a rascally Rottweiler.
Visit Ane Mulligan's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.The Cryptographer's DilemmaA Code Developer Uncovers a Japanese Spy Ring
Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.
FBI cryptographer Eloise Marshall is grieving the death of her brother, who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor, when she is assigned to investigate a seemingly innocent letter about dolls. Agent Phillip Clayton is ready to enlist and head oversees when asked to work one more FBI job. A case of coded defense coordinates related to dolls should be easy, but not so when the Japanese Consulate gets involved, hearts get entangled, and Phillip goes missing. Can Eloise risk loving and losing again?
Get your copy of The Cryptographer's Dilemma. Johnnie Alexander is a wannabe vagabond with a heart for making memories. Whether at home or on the road, she creates characters you want to meet and imagines stories you won't forget.
Her award-winning debut novel, Where Treasure Hides, is a CBA bestseller and has been translated into Dutch and Norwegian. She also writes contemporary romances, cozy mysteries, and historical novellas. The Mischief Thief is her first suspense novel.
Johnnie is on the executive boards of Serious Writer, Inc. and Mid-South Christian Writers Conference, co-hosts an online show called Writers Chat, and interviews inspirational authors for her Novelists Unwind program. She also teaches at writers conferences and for Serious Writer Academy.
A fan of classic movies, stacks of books, and road trips, Johnnie shares a life of quiet adventure with Griff, her happy-go-lucky collie, and Rugby, her raccoon-treeing papillon.
Visit Johnnie Alexander's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Under the Bayou Moon by Valerie Fraser Luesse
Restless with the familiarity of her Alabama home, Ellie Fields accepts a teaching job in a tiny Louisiana town deep in bayou country. Though rightfully suspicious of outsiders, who have threatened both their language and their culture, most of the people in tiny Bernadette, Louisiana, come to appreciate the young and idealistic schoolteacher as a boon to the town. She's soon teaching just about everyone--and coming up against opposition from both the school board and a politician with ulterior motives.
Acclimating to a whole new world, Ellie meets a lonely but intriguing Cajun fisherman named Raphe who introduces her to the legendary white alligator that haunts these waters. Raphe and Ellie have barely found their way to each other when a huge bounty is offered for the elusive gator, bringing about a shocking turn of events that will test their love and their will to right a terrible wrong.
A master of the Southern novel, Valerie Fraser Luesse invites you to enter the sultry swamps of Louisiana in a story that illuminates the struggle for the heart and soul of the bayou.
Get your copy of Under the Bayou Moon. Valerie Fraser Luesse is the author of Almost Home and the bestselling, Christy Award–winning Missing Isaac. Her third novel, The Key to Everything, was inspired by a true story. An award-winning magazine writer, Luesse is best known for her features and essays in Southern Living, where she is currently the senior travel editor. Specializing in stories about unique pockets of Southern culture, she has published major pieces on the Gulf Coast, the Mississippi Delta, Acadian Louisiana, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Her editorial section on Hurricane Katrina recovery in Mississippi and Louisiana won the 2009 Writer of the Year award from the Southeast Tourism Society. The author lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her husband, Dave—and a mischievous orange cat named Cheeto.
Visit Valerie's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Wedded to War by Jocelyn GreenIt's April 1861, and a small group of women, including Charlotte Waverly, decide to do something about it, and end up changing the course of the war, despite criticism, ridicule and social ostracism.
An Irish immigrant named Ruby O'Flannery, who turns to the unthinkable in the face of starvation, holds the secret that will unlock the door to Charlotte's future. But will the rich and poor confide in each other in time?
Colors of Truth by Tamara AlexanderTennessee, 1866
Catriona leaves behind her Irish homeland with nothing except the cash her brother sent.
Wade Cunningham is a former Federal soldier who works for the Secret Service and is trying to uncover counterfeiting rings in the postwar South.
When Wade meets Catriona, he is immediately intrigued by her —but what he doesn't anticipate is that the cash in Catriona's possession is some of the most convincing counterfeit money he's ever seen. Soon the object of Wade's affection is also the suspect in a major crime—one he's expected to prosecute.There is a Season by Andrea BoeshaarCarrie Ann Bell Collier will do anything to keep Peyton, her wounded husband, alive. She meets a nurse who promises miracles if she is permitted to administer her secret medicine.
However, Peyton's memory of the past year seems to have been erased by his injuries. When this news reaches Carrie, she writes to him and describes their loving relationship.
But a scheming nurse intercepts Carrie’s letters, and Peyton remains unaware of his marriage. Only flashes fill his mind.
Will Peyton remember their love?
Red Sky over America by Tamara Lynn Kraft In 1857, America, the daughter of a slave owner, is an abolitionist and a student at Oberlin College. America goes home to Kentucky during school break to confront her father about freeing his slaves.
America's classmate, William, goes to Kentucky to preach abolition to churches that condone slavery. America and William find themselves in the center of the approaching storm sweeping the nation and may not make it home to Ohio or live through the struggle.
Candle in the Darkness by Lynn Austin
The daughter of a wealthy slave-holding family, Caroline Fletcher is raised to believe slavery is God-ordained and acceptable. But on awakening to its cruelty and injustice, her eyes are opened to the men and women who have cared for her. At the same time, her father and her fiance are fighting for the Confederacy.
Where does Caroline's loyalty lie? Emboldened by her passion to make a difference and her growing faith, will she risk everything she holds dear?
No Man's Daughter by Kathleen MaherWhen his elderly neighbor passes after the war, Benjamin Sharpe inquires to purchase the land. What he doesn’t expect to find is a beautiful and stubborn squatter has taken residence. Will her claim on the property prove harder to drive out than her claim on his heart?
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.The Nature of Small Birds by Susie FinkbeinerIn 1975, three thousand children were airlifted out of Saigon to be adopted into Western homes. When Mindy, one of those children, announces her plans to return to Vietnam to find her birth mother, her loving adopted family is suddenly thrown back to the events surrounding her unconventional arrival in their lives.
Though her father supports Mindy's desire to meet her family of origin, he struggles privately with an unsettling fear that he'll lose the daughter he's poured his heart into. Mindy's mother undergoes the emotional rollercoaster inherent in the adoption of a child from a war-torn country, discovering the joy hidden amid the difficulties. And Mindy's sister helps her sort through relics that whisper of the effect the trauma of war has had on their family--but also speak of the beauty of overcoming.
Told through three strong voices in three compelling timelines, The Nature of Small Birds is a hopeful story that explores the meaning of family far beyond genetic code.
Purchase your copy of The Nature of Small Birds
Susie Finkbeiner
Susie Finkbeiner is the CBA bestselling author of All Manner of Things, which was selected as a 2020 Michigan Notable Book, and Stories That Bind Us,as well as A Cup of Dust, A Trail of Crumbs, and A Song of Home.
Her latest novel The Nature of Small Birds released in July, 2021.
She serves on the Fiction Readers Summit planning committee, volunteers her time at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and speaks at retreats and women’s events across the country. Susie and her husband have three children and live in West Michigan.
Find her at Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Along a Storied TrailKentucky packhorse librarian Tansy Calhoun doesn't mind the rough trails and long hours as she serves her Appalachian mountain community during the Great Depression. Yet she longs to find love like the heroines in her books. When a charming writer comes to town, she thinks she might have found it--or is the perfect man actually closer than she thinks?
Perdita Sweet has called these mountains home for so long she's nearly as rocky as the soil around her small cabin. Long ago she thought she could love, but when the object of her affection up and married someone else, she stopped giving too much of herself away to others.
As is so often the case, it's easier to see what's best for others than to see what's best for oneself, and Perdita knows who Tansy should choose. But why would anyone listen to the romantic advice of an old spinster?
Saddle up for a heartfelt story of love--love of family, love of place, and the love of a lifetime--from bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart.
Get your copy of Along a Storied RoadAnn H. Gabhart caught the writing bug at the age of ten and has been writing ever since. An award winning author, she's published many books for both adults and young adults. Her books cover several genres from historical to small town family stories to cozy mysteries (mysteries published with author name A.H. Gabhart). Her ideas are sparked by events in Kentucky history and by experiences in her own family. Her first Shaker novel, The Outsider, was a finalist for the ECPA Christian Fiction Book of the Year. Love Comes Home won the Selah Book of the Year award, and These Healing Hills was the Faith, Hope & Love Readers' Choice Women's Fiction Book of the Year.
Ann lives on a Kentucky farm not far from where she was born. She and her husband have three children and nine grandchildren. Ann enjoys hiking on her farm with her grandkids and her dogs, Frankie and Marley.
Visit Ann's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.The Scarlet Pen by Jennifer UhlarikEnjoy a tale of true but forgotten history of a 19th century serial killer whose silver-tongued ways almost trap a young woman into a nightmarish marriage.
In 1876, Emma Draycott is charmed into a quick engagement with childhood friend Stephen Dee Richards after reconnecting with him at a church event in Mount Pleasant, Ohio. But within the week, Stephen leaves to “make his fame and fortune.” The heartbroken Emma gives him a special pen to write to her, and he does with tales of grand adventures. Secret Service agent Clay Timmons arrives in Mount Pleasant to track purchases made with fake currency. Every trail leads back to Stephen—and therefore, Emma. Can he convince the naive woman she is engaged to a charlatan who is being linked a string of deaths in Nebraska?
Get your copy of The Scarlet PenJennifer Uhlarik discovered the western genre as a pre-teen, when she swiped the only “horse” book she found on her older brother’s bookshelf. A new love was born. Across the next ten years, she devoured Louis L’Amour westerns and fell in love with the genre. In college at the University of Tampa, she began penning her own story of the Old West. Armed with a B.A. in writing, she has won five writing competitions and finaled in two other competitions. In addition to writing, she has held jobs as a private business owner, a schoolteacher, a marketing director, and her favorite—a full-time homemaker. Jennifer is active in American Christian Fiction Writers and lifetime member of the Florida Writers Association. She lives near Tampa, Florida, with her husband, teenaged son, and four fur children.
Visit Jennifer's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.A Lady in AttendanceFive years in a New York state reformatory have left a blemish on Hazel's real name. So when she takes a job as Doctor Gilbert Watts's lady in attendance in 1898, she does so under an alias. In the presence of her quiet and pious employer, Hazel finds more than an income. She finds a friend and a hope that if she can set her tarnished past in order, she might have a future after all.
As Gilbert becomes accustomed to the pleasant chatter of his new dental assistant, he can't help but sense something secretive about her. Perhaps there is more to this woman than meets the eye. Can the questions that loom between them ever be answered? Or will the deeds of days gone by forever rob the future of its possibilities?
Rachel Fordham pens a tender tale of a soft-spoken man, a hardened woman, and the friends that stand by them as they work toward a common purpose--to expunge the record of someone society deemed beyond saving--and perhaps find love along the way.
More about Rachel FordhamRachel grew up in a big family in Washington State and was a tom boy, an athlete, and a voracious reader. She doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t nose deep in a book or making up stories in her mind. She never thought she’d be a writer though- that was something other people did (people that understood grammar better than her). She went off to college and earned a bachelors in sociology with plans to be a social worker (this never happened but she and her husband did become foster parents). She met her husband, Tyler, while in college and became a wife and a year and a half later a mother. She's a family first kind of girl, so spending her days with her husband and kids keeps her heart happy.
Years later after cross country moves and more children, they settled once again in Washington State. This time she is on a beautiful island with her favorite people all around her. She couldn’t ask for a finer setting to ignite her imagination, add to that the fact that her husband has unwavering faith in her abilities. When he made the off-hand comment, “you read so much you should write a book,” she took it as a challenge. And she hasn’t stopped since.
And so here she is, writing in between diaper changes and packing lunches. It’s not uncommon for her kids or Tyler to ask her why she's laughing or crying as she types away. It’s become a bit of a family affair, this whole writing thing! She loves books with satisfying romances, all things historical, and considers it a huge success if she can make a reader laugh and cry in the same story.
Purchase your copy of A Lady in Attendance here.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Come Back to MeThe ultimate cure that could heal any disease? Crazy.
That's exactly what research scientist Marian Creighton has always believed about her father's quest, even if it does stem from a desire to save her sister Ellen from the genetic disease that stole their mother from them. But when her father falls into a coma after drinking a vial of holy water believed to contain traces of residue from the Tree of Life, Marian must question all of her assumptions. He's left behind tantalizing clues that suggest he's crossed back in time. Insane. Until Marian tests his theories and finds herself in the Middle Ages during a dangerous peasant uprising.
William Durham, a valiant knight comes to Marian's rescue and offers her protection . . . as his wife. The longer Marian stays in the past, the more she cares about William. Can she ever find her father and make it back to the present to heal her sister? And when the time comes to leave, will she want to?
Bestselling author Jody Hedlund is your guide down the twisting waters of time to a volatile era of superstition, revolts, and chivalry in this suspenseful story.
Purchase a copy of Come Back to Me
More about JodyI’ve been married for over twenty-five years to my college sweetheart. My husband has been one of my biggest cheerleaders over the years, doing his best to understand and support my writing even in the days when publication was only the whisper of a dream.
As we’ve raised our busy family of five children, he’s happily helped me carve out writing time. He’s very helpful around the house and pitches in wherever possible. (I have to admit that he does ALL of the grocery shopping!). We really work together as a team to support each other in our pursuits and work.
We’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to homeschool our children and are thankful for the close relationships we’ve developed in our family as a result. Now as we traverse the season of having teens and adult children, we’re excited to see God at work leading our children into new adventures.
My mom was the most influential person in my writing career. When I was young, she helped facilitate my love of writing by reading aloud to me, giving me good books to read, and providing the kind of environment that fostered my creativity (in fact we didn’t have a TV for a number of years). She always believed in me, encouraged me to pursue my dreams, and rode alongside me cheering me on.
Find out more about Jody on her website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.This week we talk about authors who do such a great job with the settings of their books that they've inspired you to travel somewhere.
The Nature of a Lady by Roseanna M. WhiteA summer stay in Scilly turns dangerous as Libby and Oliver work together to solve the mystery of his sister's disappearance, when they find ancient legends, pirate wrecks, betrayal, and the most mysterious phenomenon of all: love. Note: I called this Sicily on the podcast. This is Scilly (pronounced Silly). My deepest apologies to Roseanna.
Hope between the Pages by Pepper Basham
Clara Blackwell helps her mother manage a struggling one-hundred-year old family bookshop in Asheville, North Carolina, but the discovery of a forgotten letter opens a mystery of a long-lost romance and undiscovered inheritance which could save its future.
Come Back to Me by Jody HedlundThe ultimate cure that could heal any disease? Crazy. That's exactly what research scientist Marian Creighton always believed about her father's quest, until she tests his theories and finds herself in the Middle Ages during a dangerous peasant uprising. A valiant knight comes to Marian's rescue and offers her protection. When the time comes to leave, will she want to?
Paint and Nectar by Ashley ClarkIn 1929, a spark forms between talented watercolorist Eliza and William, a charming young man who has been hired to forge her popular paintings. In present-day Charleston, Lucy Legare inherited an old house from a mysterious benefactor, along with all its secrets. But as Lucy uncovers secrets about the house, garden, and silver, she becomes more determined to preserve the historic Charleston property.
Where Lilacs Still Bloom by Jane KirkpatrickGerman immigrant and farm wife Hulda Klager possesses a burning desire to create something beautiful. What begins as a hobby to create an easy-peeling apple for her pies becomes Hulda’s driving purpose: plant hybridization. In a time of practicality, can one person’s simple gifts of beauty make a difference?
St. Simon's Trilogy by Eugenia PriceThe gripping story unfolds as Gould follows his dream to the raw settlement of Bangor on the Penobscot River, to St. Simons Island off the coast of Georgia, to lawless Spanish East Florida, and back—at last and finally—to St. Simons. Along the way, he encounters hardship, peril, failure, and success, and the unwavering love of Janie Harris.
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud MontgomerySince her parents' deaths, the eleven-year-old feisty redhead Anne Shirley has bounced around from orphanages to foster homes until she is sent by mistake to live with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert at Green Gables.The Cuthberts were expecting to adopt a boy, but before they can send her back, Anne wins their hearts with her wit, spontaneity and imagination.
A Fall of Marigolds by Susan MeissnerSeptember 1911. On Ellis Island in New York Harbor, nurse Clara Wood cannot face returning to Manhattan, where the man she loved fell to his death in the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire.
September 2011. On Manhattan’s Upper West Side, widow Taryn Michaels has convinced herself that she is living fully. But a chance reconnection and a century-old scarf may open Taryn’s eyes to the larger forces at work in her life.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.In a Far-Off Land A story about the price offame, the truth sacrificed on its altar, and the love that brings a prodigal daughter home.
As the Great Depression hits the Midwest, Minerva Sinclaire runs away to Hollywood, determined to make it big and save the family farm. But beauty and moxie don’t pay the bills in Tinseltown, and she’s caught in a downward spiral of poverty, desperation, and compromise. Finally, she’s about to sign with a major studio and make up for it all. Instead, she wakes up next to a dead film star and is on the run for a murder she didn’t commit.
Only two unwilling men—Oscar, a Mexican gardener in danger of deportation, and Max, a too-handsome agent battling his own demons—can help Mina escape corrupt police on the take and the studio big shots trying to frame her. But even her quick thinking and grit can't protect her from herself. Alone, penniless, and carrying a shameful secret, Mina faces the consequences of the heartbreaking choices that brought her to ruin . . . and just might bring her back to where she belongs.
Click here to get your copy of In a Far-Off Land.
Stephanie Landsem has traveled since she was a teenager—backpacking through Germany and Eastern Europe, studying German in Salzburg, eating gelato in Italy, and riding camels in Morocco. Travel is the best kind of research.
When she can’t travel, she reads. She loves fiction, of course, but she's often found behind a stack of history books or searching the web for historical tidbits. How people lived together, worked, what they ate and what they wore are questions that inspire her imagination and fuel her writing.
She makes her home in Minnesota with her husband of 30 years, occasional adult children, two cats, a dog, and a tortoise named Moe. When she's not writing historical fiction, she's gardening, cooking, volunteering at church, and dreaming about her next adventure – whether it be in person or on the page.
Visit Stephanie's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.The Orchard House Award-winning author Heidi Chiavaroli transports readers across time and place in this time-slip novel that will appeal to fans of Little Women.
Two women, one living in present day Massachusetts and another in Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House soon after the Civil War, overcome their own personal demons and search for a place to belong.
2001
Abandoned by her own family, Taylor is determined not to mess up her chance at joining the home of her best friend, Victoria Bennett. But despite attending summer camp at Louisa May Alcott’s historic Orchard House with Victoria and sharing dreams of becoming famous authors, Taylor struggles to fit in. As she enters college and begins dating, it feels like Taylor is finally finding her place and some stability . . . until Victoria’s betrayal changes everything.
1865
While Louisa May Alcott is off traveling the world, Johanna Suhre accepts a job tending Louisa’s aging parents and their home in Concord. Soon after arriving at Orchard House, Johanna meets Nathan Bancroft and, ignoring Louisa’s words of caution, falls in love and accepts Nathan’s proposal. But before long, Johanna experiences her husband’s dark side, and she can’t hide the bruises that appear.
2019
After receiving news of Lorraine Bennett’s cancer diagnosis, Taylor knows she must return home to see her adoptive mother again. Now a successful author, Taylor is determined to spend little time in Concord. Yet she becomes drawn into the story of a woman who lived there centuries before. And through her story, Taylor may just find forgiveness and a place to belong.
Purchase a copy of The Orchard House
Heidi Chiavaroli (pronounced shev-uh-roli...sort of like Chevrolet and ravioli mushed together!) wrote her first story in third grade, titled I'd Cross the Desert for Milk. It wasn't until years later that she revisited writing, using her two small boys’ nap times to pursue what she thought at the time was a foolish dream. Despite a long road to publication, she hasn’t stopped writing since!
Heidi writes women's fiction, combining her love of history and literature to write split time stories. Her debut novel, Freedom's Ring, was a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist, a Romantic Times Top Pick and a Booklist Top Ten Romance Debut. Heidi loves exploring places that whisper of historical secrets, especially with her family. She loves running, hiking, baking, and dates with her husband. Her latest dual timeline novel, The Orchard House, is inspired by the lesser-known events in Louisa May Alcott's life. Heidi makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons.
Learn more about Heidi by visiting her website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.The Thief of Blackfriar's LaneThere’s Often a Fine Line Between a Criminal and a Saint
Constable Jackson Forge intends to make the world safer, or at least the streets of Victorian London. But that’s Kit Turner’s domain, a swindler who runs a crew that acquires money the old-fashioned way—conning the rich to give to the poor. When a local cab driver goes missing, Jackson is tasked with finding the man, and the only way to do that is by enlisting Kit’s help. If Jackson doesn’t find the cabby, he’ll be fired. If Kit doesn’t help Jackson, he’ll arrest her for thievery. Yet neither of them realize those are the least of their problems.
Purchase a copy of The Thief of Blackfriar's Lane.
Author Michelle Griep was born in Minneapolis. She says she hears voices, which are loud and incessant and extremely real. It gave her two options: write fiction or take a bunch of Prozac. She chose to write fiction, as it is way cheaper.
She has been writing since she discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She seeks to glorify God in everything she writes, except for the graffiti phase she went through in her teenage years.
Be sure to visit Michelle's website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Zion Covenant Series by Brock and Bodie ThoeneBook 1: Vienna PreludeBook 2: Prague CounterpointBook 3: Munich SignatureBook 4: Jerusalem Interlude
Book 5: Danzig Passage
Book 6: Warsaw Requiem
Book 7: London Refrain
Book 8: Paris Encore
Book 9: Dunkirk Crescendo Please note that some of these are links to audio books. Some of the series are only available in packages with others in the series.Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne BischofBook 1: Sons of Blackbird MountainBook 2: Daughters of Northern ShoresWaves of Mercy by Lynn AustinBook 1: Waves of MercyBook 2: Legacy of MercyTimber Ridge ReflectionsBook 1: From a Distance
Book 2: Beyond This Moment
Book 3: Within My HeartMark of the Lion by Francine RiversBook 1: A Voice in the Wind
Book 2: An Echo in the Darkness
Book 3: As Sure As the DawnSunrise at Normandy by Sarah SundinBook 1: The Sea Before Us
Book 2: The Sky Above Us
Book 3: The Land Beneath Us
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Sing in the SunlightRichard Stevens isn’t who he thinks he is. Neither is the woman who now claims his last name.
Disfiguring scars stole Clarinda Humphrey’s singing career, her home, and her family, but she refuses to let her appearance steal her future. While attending The Young Ladies Seminary in 1858 Benicia, California, she finds a man who promises to love and cherish her. Instead he betrays her, leaving her with child, and Clarinda must take drastic measures to ensure her child doesn’t suffer for her foolishness.
Richard Stevens’s life hasn’t turned out as he expected, and when a shocking letter turns even his past into a mystery, he travels to San Francisco in search of guidance. On the way, he encounters a mysterious young woman hiding beneath a veil. That night he experiences a dream that sends him on a quest to find the bride God has chosen for him. He never imagines she’s already told everyone they're married.
Unwilling to lie, nor accept a marriage of mere convenience, Richard wants the real thing. Yet Clarinda's not interested in love, only a chance to save her child. Can he help her rise above the pain that runs deeper than her scars to accept a love worth every risk?
Purchase a copy of Sing in the Sunlight here.
Kathleen Denly lives in sunny Southern California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn't writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.
Kathleen is the award-winning author of Chaparral Hearts, a three-book series of stand-alone novels set in nineteenth century Southern California (plus a prequel novella available exclusively to her newsletter subscribers).
Kathleen would love it if you visited her website at KathleenDenly.com.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Hope between the PagesClara Blackwell helps her mother manage a struggling one-hundred-year old family bookshop in Asheville, North Carolina, but the discovery of a forgotten letter opens a mystery of a long-lost romance and undiscovered inheritance which could save its future. Forced to step outside of her predictable world, Clara embarks on an adventure with only the name Oliver as a hint of the man’s identity in her great-great-grandmother’s letter. From the nearby grand estate of the Vanderbilts, to a hamlet in Derbyshire, England, Clara seeks to uncover truth about family and love that may lead to her own unexpected romance.
Pepper BashamI wrote my first story when I was a nine year- old, freckled-faced tomboy in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains (my earlier writings wouldn’t have been considered “books”, more like short stories). Coming from a long line of oral storytellers, weaving a good yarn seemed a typical part of my life. It wasn’t until I finished college, had two children, and a full-time job before I began to study the ‘craft’ of writing (you know when I had plenty of time).
My music-director turned pastor husband took his first senior pastor position eight years ago, moved the 6 of us to Tennessee, where we added our fifth and final kid to the Basham crew. And now hubby is a music minister in Asheville, NC. Yep, we love the Blue Ridge Mountains.
So…now I’m an older, freckled-faced mommy enjoying life, learning to write, and laughing often. My mom says that I must have a small bit of insanity because I don’t realize how stressed I ought to be.
I’m also a speech-language pathologist who spends her time hanging out with kids who have social communication and language difficulties! It’s a challenge and a blessing – and constantly teaches me about the importance of thinking outside the box!
Be sure to visit Pepper's website.
And don't forget to pick up your copy of Hope Between the Pages.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Nightbird Calling by Cathy GohlkeWhen Lilliana Swope’s beloved mother dies, Lilliana gathers her last ounce of courage and flees her abusive husband for the home of her only living relative in the foothills of No Creek, North Carolina. Though Hyacinth Belvidere hasn’t seen Lilliana since she was five, she offers her cherished great-niece a safe harbor. Their joyful reunion inspires plans to revive Aunt Hyacinth’s estate and open a public library where everyone is welcome, no matter the color of their skin.
Slowly Lilliana finds revival and friendship in No Creek—with precocious eleven-year-old Celia Percy, with kindhearted Reverend Jesse Willard, and with Ruby Lynne Wishon, a young woman whose secrets could destroy both them and the town. When the plans for the library also incite the wrath of the Klan, the dangers of Lilliana’s past and present threaten to topple her before she’s learned to stand.
With war brewing for the nation and for her newfound community, Lilliana must overcome a hard truth voiced by her young friend Celia: Wishing comes easy. Change don’t.Cathy Gohlke
Cathy Gohlke is the four-time Christy Award-winning author of the critically acclaimed novels Night Bird Calling, The Medallion (winner of the 2020 Christy Award), Until We Find Home, Secrets She Kept (winner of the 2016 Christy, Carol and INSPY Awards), Saving Amelie (winner of the 2015 INSPY Award), Band of Sisters, Promise Me This (listed by Library Journal as one of the best books of 2012), I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires (listed by Library Journal as one of the best books of 2008 and winner of the 2008 Christy and American Christian Fiction Writers Award) and William Henry is a Fine Name (winner of the 2007 Christy Award).
Cathy writes novels steeped with inspirational lessons from history. Her stories reveal how people break the chains that bind them and triumph over adversity through faith.
When not traveling to historic sites for research, she and her husband, Dan, divide their time between Northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore, enjoying time with their grown children and grandchildren. Be sure to visit her website and sign up for her newsletter to get your copy of Into the Starry Night.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Miriam's SongIn her eventful lifetime, Miriam was many things to many people: protective older sister, song leader, prophetess, leper. But between the highs and the lows, she was a girl who dreamed of freedom, a woman who longed for love, a leader who made mistakes, and a friend who valued connection.
With her impeccable research and keen eye for detail, bestselling author Jill Eileen Smith offers this epic story to fill in the gaps and imagine how Miriam navigated the challenges of holding on to hope, building a family in the midst of incredible hardship, and serving as a leader of a difficult people, all while living in her brother's shadow. Follow Miriam's journey from childhood to motherhood, obscurity to notoriety, and yearning to fulfillment as she learns that what God promises he provides--in his own perfect timing.
You can purchase Miriam's Song here.
Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling, award-winning author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs, Daughters of the Promised Land, the Heart of the King, and Star of Persia, Esther’s Story, along with the nonfiction books When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams, and She Walked Before Us. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times.
When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or play with her lovable, “helpful” cat Tiger. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.
Be sure to also check out Liz Tolsma's website and sign up for her newsletter where she lists upcoming guests.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.My Dear Miss DupréWillow Dupré never thought she would have to marry, but with her father's unexpected retirement from running the prosperous Dupré sugar refinery, she is forced into a different future. The shareholders are unwilling to allow a female to take over the company without a man at her side, so her parents devise a plan--find Willow a spokesman king in order for her to become queen of the business empire.
Willow is presented with thirty potential suitors from the families of New York society's elite group called the Four Hundred. She has six months to court the group and is told to to eliminate men each month to narrow her beaus until she chooses one to marry, ending the competition with a wedding. Willow reluctantly agrees, knowing she must do what is best for the business. She doesn't expect to find anything other than a proxy . . . until she meets a gentleman who captures her attention, and she must discover for herself if his motives are pure.
You can buy the book here.Grace Hitchcock is the author of multiple historical novels and novellas. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace is a Southerner and lives with her husband, Dakota, and their son and daughter. Connect with her on her website.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Dreams Rekindled by Amanda Cabot - Though she hopes for a quiet, uncomplicated life for herself, Dorothy Clark wants nothing more than to stir others up. Specifically, she dreams of writing something that will challenge people as much as Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin seems to have. But in 1850s Mesquite Springs, there are few opportunities for writers--until newspaperman Brandon Holloway arrives, that is.
Brandon Holloway has seen the disastrous effects of challenging others and has no intention of repeating that mistake. Instead of following his dreams, he's committed to making a new--and completely uncontroversial--start in the Hill Country.
As Dorothy's involvement in the fledgling newspaper grows from convenient to essential, the same change seems to be happening in Brandon's heart. But before romance can bloom, Dorothy and Brandon must work together to discover who's determined to divide the town and destroy Brandon's livelihood.
With this second novel in the Mesquite Springs series, bestselling author Amanda Cabot invites you to discover the healing power of truth.
About Amanda:From the time I was seven, I was convinced I should be a writer. The type of writing varied with the seasons. For a few months I fancied myself a playwright. Fortunately the teachers in my elementary school indulged me, and my class produced my two plays: "All About Thermometers" and "Hawaii." Neither, I am happy to report, made its way to Broadway.
There was a brief time when I aspired to be a newspaper reporter, but that was soon eclipsed by my determination to be a novelist. All the while, though, I knew that writing was not the easiest way to earn a living, and so it was always going to be a second career. That's why I went to college and majored in French, fully intending to teach at the university level. When I graduated, I married my high school sweetheart and took a "temporary" job as a computer programmer. Although it hadn't been part of my plan, that turned into a permanent career in Information Technology.
Along the way, I've had a chance to do a lot of writing, including four technical books and what I describe as "enough technical articles to cure insomnia in a medium-sized city." (My budgets were also considered to be works of fiction.) Now, though, I'm able to write full time, and for the first time, all I'm writing is fiction.
No doubt about it, I've been blessed. I had parents who nurtured my love of reading and have a husband who's not just my best friend but who's driven tens of thousands of miles to help me research books and who, after all these years, still hasn't lost his sense of humor, even when dinner is late because I have "just one more scene" to write.
Visit her website for more information.
Liz Tolsma also has a new book about to release. Preorder The Silver Shadow, a romantic suspense in the True Colors Crime series, here.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
You can learn more about the series on the True Colors Crime website or on Barbour Publishing's website.
Click on each title to learn more and to order your copy!
The White City by Grace Hitchcock - Mysterious Disappearances Taint the Chicago World’s Fair
The Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma - How far will a mother go to find out what happened to her daughter while in the care of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society in 1932?
The Yellow Lantern by Angie Dicken - Forced to Spy for Grave Robbers
The Gray Chamber by Grace Hitchcock - Will Edyth prove her sanity before it is too late?
The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNear - Based on real events beginning in 1797. How many will die before peace can return to the frontier?
The Green Dress by Liz Tolsma (Selah Award finalist) - Can the cause of a rash of mysterious deaths in a single family be found before anyone else dies?
The Black Midnight by Kathleen Y'Barbo - From Texas to London, the story navigates the fine line between truth and fiction as Annie and Isaiah ultimately find the hunters have become the hunted.
The Red Ribbon by Pepper Basham - An Appalachian Feud Blows Up in 1912
The Gold Digger by Liz Tolsma - A string of disappearing suitors may not be what it appears on the surface.
The Purple Nightgown by A.D. Lawrence - Marvel at true but forgotten history when patients check into Linda Hazzard’s Washington state spa in 1912 and soon become victim of her twisted greed.
The Silver Shadow by Liz Tolsma - Will the reporter and the policeman team up to find the man whacking women over the head before he strikes too close for comfort?
The Scarlet Pen by Jennifer Uhlarik - Enjoy a tale of true but forgotten history of a 19th century serial killer whose silver-tongued ways almost trap a young woman into a nightmarish marriage.
Please also check out Liz Tolsma's website for more information about her books.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Jennifer Deibel is a middle school teacher and freelance writer. Her work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic Magazine, and others. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona.
Dance in Donegal
All of her life, Irish-American Moira Doherty has relished her mother's descriptions of Ireland. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira decides to fulfill her mother's wish that she become the teacher in Ballymann, her home village in Donegal, Ireland.
After an arduous voyage, Moira arrives to a new home and a new job in an ancient country. Though a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira's mother are unspoken in her presence but threaten to derail everything she's journeyed to Ballymann to do. Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends--and the strength of Sean, an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up unannounced--as she seeks to navigate a life she'd never dreamed of . . . but perhaps was meant to live.
Jennifer Deibel's debut novel delights the senses, bringing to life the sights, sounds, smells, and language of a lush country and a colorful people. Historical romance fans will embrace her with open arms.
You can buy the book here.
Also be sure to preorder Liz's new book, The Silver Shadow.
Denver of 1900 is still a dangerous place to be following the silver crash of 1893. And of out of the dark comes a shadow intent on harming women. Ambitious young Denver newspaper reporter Polly Blythe is searching for the big story that’s going to launch her career. On Friday evening, August 24, 1900, she gets her break when two women are cracked over the head within a two-minute walk of each other. But policeman Edwin Timmer thwarts Polly’s ideas of a serial criminal. . .until the shadowy figure strikes again. Will the reporter and the policeman team up to find the culprit before he strikes too close for comfort?
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.I had a lovely chat with author Jocelyn Green about her latest release, Shadows of the White City.
The one thing Sylvie Townsend wants most is what she feared she was destined never to have--a family of her own. But taking in Polish immigrant Rose Dabrowski to raise and love quells those fears--until seventeen-year-old Rose goes missing at the World's Fair, and Sylvie's world unravels.
Brushed off by the authorities, Sylvie turns to her boarder, Kristof Bartok, for help. He is Rose's violin instructor and the concertmaster for the Columbian Exposition Orchestra, and his language skills are vital to helping Sylvie navigate the immigrant communities where their search leads.
From the glittering architecture of the fair to the dark houses of Chicago's poorest neighborhoods, they're taken on a search that points to Rose's long-lost family. Is Sylvie willing to let the girl go? And as Kristof and Sylvie grow closer, can she reconcile her craving for control with her yearning to belong?
You can purchase Shadows of the White City here.
You can purchase Veiled in Smoke here.
Visit Jocelyn's website to find out about all of her books and to view the videos that we talk about in the episode.
Visit Liz's website to find out more about her books. Her next release, The Silver Shadow, is available for preorder.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.In this episode, we talk about we the show's listeners like about split fiction/ time slip fiction, what they didn't like about it, and who some of their favorite authors are. Below you'll find links to some of their favorite books.
Memories of Glass by Melanie Dobson
Reminiscent of Diane Ackerman’s The Zookeeper’s Wife, this stunning novel draws from true accounts to shine a light on a period of Holland’s darkest history and bravest heroes.
Fragments of Light by Michele PhoenixAn impossible decision in the chaos of D-Day. Ripples that cascade seventy-five years into the present. And two lives transformed by the tenuous resolve to reach out of the darkness toward fragments of light.The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy CambronBased on true accounts of how Parisiennes resisted the Nazi occupation in World War II—from fashion houses to the city streets—comes a story of two courageous women who risked everything to fight an evil they couldn’t abide.
A Lady in Residence by Allison PittmanCan a Legacy of Sadness be Broken at the Menger Hotel?
The Edge of Belonging by Amanda CoxWhen Ivy Rose returns to her hometown to oversee an estate sale, she soon discovers that her grandmother left behind more than trinkets and photo frames--she provided a path to the truth behind Ivy's adoption. Shocked, Ivy seeks clues to her past, but a key piece to the mystery is missing.
The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo WrightThe Bonaventure Circus is a refuge for many, but Pippa Ripley was rejected from its inner circle as a baby. When she receives mysterious messages from someone called the "Watchman," she is determined to find him and the connection to her birth. As Pippa's search leads her to a man seeking justice for his murdered sister and evidence that a serial killer has been haunting the circus train, she must decide if uncovering her roots is worth putting herself directly in the path of the killer.
A Fall of Marigolds by Susan MiessnerA beautiful scarf connects two women touched by tragedy in this compelling, emotional novel from the author of As Bright as Heaven and The Last Year of the War.
Please also check out Liz Tolsma's website and preorder your copy of The Silver Shadow today!
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Moonlight SchoolHaunted by her sister's mysterious disappearance, Lucy Wilson arrives in Rowan County, Kentucky, in the spring of 1911 to work for Cora Wilson Stewart, superintendent of education. When Cora sends Lucy into the hills to act as scribe for the mountain people, she is repelled by the primitive conditions and intellectual poverty she encounters. Few adults can read and write.
Born in those hills, Cora knows the plague of illiteracy. So does Brother Wyatt, a singing schoolmaster who travels through the hills. Involving Lucy and Wyatt, Cora hatches a plan to open the schoolhouses to adults on moonlit nights. The best way to combat poverty, she believes, is to eliminate illiteracy. But will the people come?
As Lucy emerges from a life in the shadows, she finds purpose; or maybe purpose finds her. With purpose comes answers to her questions, and something else she hadn't expected: love.
Inspired by the true events of the Moonlight Schools, this standalone novel from bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings to life the story that shocked the nation into taking adult literacy seriously. You'll finish the last page of this enthralling story with deep gratitude for the gift of reading.
Suzanne Woods Fisher loves stories worth telling about people worth remembering. With over a million copies of her book sold worldwide, this bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 books is always on the lookout for the unsung hero with an untold story.
Readers are invited to stop by Suzanne's website at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com
Please also stop by Liz's website and don't forget to preorder your copy of The Silver Shadow.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.When Twilight BreaksMunich, 1938. Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent as determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated profession as she is to expose the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany. To do so, she must walk a thin line. If she offends the government, she could be expelled from the country--or worse. If she fails to truthfully report on major stories, she'll never be able to give a voice to the oppressed--and wake up the folks back home.
In another part of the city, American graduate student Peter Lang is working on his PhD in German. Disillusioned with the chaos in the world due to the Great Depression, he is impressed with the prosperity and order of German society. But when the brutality of the regime hits close, he discovers a far better way to use his contacts within the Nazi party--to feed information to the shrewd reporter he can't get off his mind.
Sarah Sundin enjoys writing about the drama and romance of the World War II era. A mother of three, Sundin lives in northern California and enjoys speaking to community, church, and writers' groups. Her novel The Land Beneath Us was a finalist for the 2020 Christy Award, The Sky Above Us won the 2020 Carol Award, The Sea Before Us won the 2019 Reader's Choice Award from Faith, Hope, and Love, and When Tides Turn and Through Waters Deep were both named to Booklist's 101 Best Romance Novels of the Past 10 Years. Sarah serves as Co-Director for the West Coast Christian Writers Conference. Please visit Sarah at www.sarahsundin.com, on Facebook at SarahSundinAuthor, on Twitter at @sarahsundin, and on Instagram at @sarahsundinauthor.
You can buy the book here.Please visit Liz Tolsma's website for more information on her books.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.The Paris Dressmaker Based on true accounts of how Parisiennes resisted the Nazi occupation in World War II—from fashion houses to the city streets—comes a story of two courageous women who risked everything to fight an evil they couldn’t abide.
Paris, 1939. Maison Chanel has closed, thrusting haute couture dressmaker Lila de Laurent out of the world of high fashion as Nazi soldiers invade the streets and the City of Lights slips into darkness. Lila’s life is now a series of rations, brutal restrictions, and carefully controlled propaganda while Paris is cut off from the rest of the world. Yet in hidden corners of the city, the faithful pledge to resist. Lila is drawn to La Resistance and is soon using her skills as a dressmaker to infiltrate the Nazi elite. She takes their measurements and designs masterpieces, all while collecting secrets in the glamorous Hôtel Ritz—the heart of the Nazis’ Parisian headquarters. But when dashing René Touliard suddenly reenters her world, Lila finds her heart tangled between determination to help save his Jewish family and bolstering the fight for liberation.
Paris, 1943. Sandrine Paquet’s job is to catalog the priceless works of art bound for the Führer’s Berlin, masterpieces stolen from prominent Jewish families. But behind closed doors, she secretly forages for information from the underground resistance. Beneath her compliant façade lies a woman bent on uncovering the fate of her missing husband . . . but at what cost? As Hitler’s regime crumbles, Sandrine is drawn in deeper when she uncrates an exquisite blush Chanel gown concealing a cryptic message that may reveal the fate of a dressmaker who vanished from within the fashion elite.
Told across the span of the Nazi occupation, The Paris Dressmaker highlights the brave women who used everything in their power to resist darkness and restore light to their world.
You can purchase The Paris Dressmaker here.
Visit Kristy's website to find out more about her.
Visit Liz Tolsma's website to find out more about her.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Shadows of the White City by Jocelyn Green
The one thing Sylvie Townsend wants most is what she feared she was destined never to have--a family of her own. But taking in Polish immigrant Rose Dabrowski to raise and love quells those fears--until seventeen-year-old Rose goes missing at the World's Fair, and Sylvie's world unravels.
From the glittering architecture of the fair to the dark houses of Chicago's poorest neighborhoods, they're taken on a search that points to Rose's long-lost family. Is Sylvie willing to let the girl go? And as Kristof and Sylvie grow closer, can she reconcile her craving for control with her yearning to belong?
Between the Wild Branches by Connilyn Cossette
Ten years ago Lukio fled Kiryat-Yearim, where he'd been adopted by the Levite family who guarded the Ark of the Covenant. Feeling betrayed by everyone, he returned to his birthplace in Philistia to become a famous fighter. Now the champion of Ashdod, Lukio has achieved every goal with the help of his ruthless cousin. But just as he is set to claim the biggest prize of all, the daughter of the king, his past collides with his present in the form of Shoshana.
With explosive secrets and unbreakable vows standing between them, finding a way to freedom for both may cost them everything.
The Orchard House by Heidi Chiavaroli
Two women, one living in present day Massachusetts and another in Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House soon after the Civil War, overcome their own personal demons and search for a place to belong.
A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Beck Fordham
Rachel Fordham pens a tender tale of a soft-spoken man, a hardened woman, and the friends that stand by them as they work toward a common purpose--to expunge the record of someone society deemed beyond saving--and perhaps find love along the way.
Winning the Gentleman by Kristi Ann Hunter
As secrets come to light and past vulnerabilities are confronted, will Aaron and Sophia sacrifice their former dreams and forge a new one together--against all odds?
Jewel of the Nile by Tessa Afshar
In this transformative tale of historical fiction, bestselling author Tessa Afshar brings to life the kingdom of Cush and the Roman Empire, introducing readers to a fascinating world filled with gripping adventure, touching romance, and a host of lovable characters—including some they may recognize from the biblical book of Acts.
Be sure to follow Christian Historical Fiction Talk on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Check out Liz Tolsma's website and see what books she has coming up in 2021.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
We chat with author Laura Frantz about her latest release, Tidewater Bride, which is inspired by Pocahontas.
Selah Hopewell seems to be the only woman in the Virginia colony who has no wish to wed. True, there are too many men and far too few women in James Towne. But Selah already has her hands full assisting her father in the family's shop. And now she is in charge of an incoming ship of tobacco brides who must be looked after as they sort through their many suitors.
Xander Renick is perhaps the most eligible tobacco lord in the settlement. His lands are vast, his crops are prized, and his position as a mediator between the colonists and the powerful Powhatan nation surrounding them makes him indispensable. But Xander is already wedded to his business and still grieves the loss of his wife, daughter of the Powhatan chief.
Can two fiercely independent people find happiness and fulfillment on their own? Or will they discover that what they've been missing in life has been right in front of them all along?
Bestselling and award-winning author Laura Frantz takes you to the salty shores of seventeenth-century Virginia in this exploration of pride, honor, and the restorative power of true love.
Pick up your copy of Tidewater Bride here.
Visit Laura's website.
Visit Liz Tolsma's website.
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Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.We chat with Author Elizabeth Camden about her latest release, A Gilded Lady, and her upcoming book, The Prince of Spies, as well as her life before she was an author and what she likes and doesn't like about writing.
Be sure to visit her website to find out more about her.
A Gilded Lady
Caroline Delacroix is at the pinnacle of Washington high society in her role as secretary to the first lady of the United States. But beneath the facade of her beauty, glamorous wardrobe, and dazzling personality, she's hiding a terrible secret. If she cannot untangle a web of foreign espionage, her brother will face execution for treason.
Nathaniel Trask is the newly appointed head of the president's Secret Service team. He is immediately suspicious of Caroline despite his overwhelming attraction to her quick wit and undeniable charm. Desperate to keep the president protected, Nathaniel must battle to keep his focus fully on his job as the threat to the president rises.
Amid the glamorous pageantry of Gilded Age Washington, DC, Caroline and Nathaniel will face adventure, danger, and heartbreak in a race against time that will span the continent and the depth of human emotion.
You can purchase the book here.
The Prince of SpiesLuke Delacroix has the reputation of a charming man-about-town in Gilded Age Washington, DC. In reality, he is secretly carrying out an ambitious agenda in Congress. His current mission is to thwart the reelection of Congressman Clyde Magruder, his only real enemy in the world.
But trouble begins when Luke meets Marianne Magruder, the congressman's only daughter, whose job as a government photographer gives her unprecedented access to sites throughout the city. Luke is captivated by Marianne's quick wit and alluring charm, leading them both into a dangerous gamble to reconcile their feelings for each other with Luke's driving passion for vital reforms in Congress.
Can their newfound love survive a political firestorm, or will three generations of family rivalry drive them apart forever?
You can purchase the book here.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
Louisiana, 1875: In the tumultuous era of Reconstruction, three young women set off as unwilling companions on a perilous quest: Hannie, a freed slave; Lavinia, the pampered heir to a now destitute plantation; and Juneau Jane, Lavinia’s Creole half sister. Each carries private wounds and powerful secrets as they head for Texas, following roads rife with vigilantes and soldiers still fighting a war lost a decade before. For Lavinia and Juneau Jane, the journey is one of stolen inheritance and financial desperation, but for Hannie, torn from her mother and siblings before slavery’s end, the pilgrimage west reignites an agonizing question: Could her long-lost family still be out there? Beyond the swamps lie the limitless frontiers of Texas and, improbably, hope.
Louisiana, 1987: For first-year teacher Benedetta Silva, a subsidized job at a poor rural school seems like the ticket to canceling her hefty student debt—until she lands in a tiny, out-of-step Mississippi River town. Augustine, Louisiana, is suspicious of new ideas and new people, and Benny can scarcely comprehend the lives of her poverty-stricken students. But amid the gnarled live oaks and run-down plantation homes lie the century-old history of three young women, a long-ago journey, and a hidden book that could change everything.
The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox
When Ivy Rose returns to her hometown to oversee an estate sale, she soon discovers that her grandmother left behind more than trinkets and photo frames--she provided a path to the truth behind Ivy's adoption. Shocked, Ivy seeks clues to her past, but a key piece to the mystery is missing.
Twenty-four years earlier, Harvey James finds an abandoned newborn who gives him a sense of human connection for the first time in his life. His desire to care for the baby runs up against the stark fact that he is homeless. When he becomes entwined with two people seeking to help him find his way, Harvey knows he must keep the baby a secret or risk losing the only person he's ever loved.
In this dual-time story from debut novelist Amanda Cox, the truth--both the search for it and the desire to keep it from others--takes center stage as Ivy and Harvey grapple with love, loss, and letting go.
The Shepherd's Wife by Angela Hunt
Yeshua of Nazareth has two sisters: Damaris, married to a wealthy merchant's son, and Pheodora, married to a simple shepherd from Bethlehem. When Pheodora's husband suffers an unexpected reversal of fortune and is thrown into debtor's prison, she returns to Nazareth, where she pins her hopes on two she-goats who should give birth to spotless white kids that would be perfect for the upcoming Yom Kippur sacrifice.
In the eighteen months between the kids' birth and the opportunity to sell them and redeem her husband from prison, Pheodora must call on her wits, her family, and her God in order to provide for her daughters and survive. But when every prayer and ritual she knows is about God's care for Israel, how can she trust that God will hear and help a lowly shepherd's wife?
A Portrait of Loyalty by Roseanna M. White
The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin
Fragments of Light by Michele Phoenix
The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jamie Jo Wright
To Steal a Heart by Jen Turano
A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden
Please also check out my l
Debut author Amy Lynn Green joins us to chat about life, writing, and her new novel, Things We Didn't Say.
Headstrong Johanna Berglund, a linguistics student at the University of Minnesota, has very definite plans for her future . . . plans that do not include returning to her hometown and the secrets and heartaches she left behind there. But the US Army wants her to work as a translator at a nearby camp for German POWs.
Johanna arrives to find the once-sleepy town exploding with hostility. Most patriotic citizens want nothing to do with German soldiers laboring in their fields, and they're not afraid to criticize those who work at the camp as well. When Johanna describes the trouble to her friend Peter Ito, a language instructor at a school for military intelligence officers, he encourages her to give the town that rejected her a second chance.
As Johanna interacts with the men of the camp and censors their letters home, she begins to see the prisoners in a more sympathetic light. But advocating for better treatment makes her enemies in the community, especially when charismatic German spokesman Stefan Werner begins to show interest in Johanna and her work. The longer Johanna wages her home-front battle, the more the lines between compassion and treason become blurred--and it's no longer clear whom she can trust.
Purchase a copy of Things We Didn't Say.
Find out more about Amy Lynn Green.
Purchase a copy of Liz Tolsma's book The Refrain Within.
Find out more about author Liz Tolsma.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
We chat about what some of our favorite time periods are to read. Here are some of the books and authors I mentioned for each era. WWITerri Wangard, Roll Back the Clouds
J'nell Ciesielski Beauty Among Ruins
Carrie Turanksy, No Ocean Too Wide
Vietnam EraJennifer Lynn Cary, Relentless Heart
Great DepressionMichelle Shocklee, Under the Tulip Tree
Cathy Gohlke, Night Bird Calling
Civil WarLynn AustinJocelyn Green, Wedded to War
Tamara Alexander, With This Pledge
Revolutionary WarHeidi Chiavaroli, The Tea Chest
Laura Frantz, An Uncommon Woman
Biblical Fiction
Francine Rivers
Lynn Austin
Barbara Britton, Hannah's Journey
Regina Rushing, Seal of the Sand Dweller
Late 1800sJeanette Oke
Elizabeth Camden, The Spice King
Tracie Peterson and Kimberly Woodhouse, In the Shadow of Denali
Regency
Sarah Ladd, The Light at Wyndcliff
Julie Klassen, Castaway in Cornwall
Erica Vetsch, The Lost Lieutenant
WWII
Sarah Sundin, When Twilight Breaks
Kristy Cambron, The Paris DressmakerAmanda Barratt, The White Rose Resists
Amanda Dykes, Whose Waves These Are
Liz Tolsma, The Refrain Within
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.In this episode, I chat with author Joanna Politano. Her newest release is The Love Note.
Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1865 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor.
Everyone at Crestwicke has feelings--mostly negative ones--about the man who wrote the letter, but he seems to have disappeared. With plenty of enticing clues but few answers, Willa's search becomes even more complicated when she misplaces the letter and it passes from person to person in the house, each finding a thrilling or disheartening message in its words.
Laced with mysteries large and small, this romantic Victorian-era tale of love lost, love deferred, and love found is sure to delight.
Also, check out Lady Jane Disappears, A Rumored Fortune, and Finding Lady Enderly.
Please take a peek at Liz's newest release The Gold Digger and her Christmas novella collection, A Joyful Christmas.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel FordhamFan-favorite Rachel Fordham brings to life the dusty streets of an 1880s frontier town in this story that affirms where you come from matters far less than where you're going.
A Castaway in Cornwall by Julie KlassenOn a stormy night Physician’s daughter Laura Callaway is alerted that there’s a shipwreck on the local shore with only one survivor. Alexander Lucas hides his secrets well, but danger seems to follow him to Cornwall.
Saving Ebenezer by S. Daniel SmithSaving Ebenezer picks up on a story started by Charles Dickens in 1843 with A Christmas Carol. Christians will appreciate a heartwarming story of God's love shown in tragedy while all readers will enjoy the common points between Saving Ebenezer and the original work.
The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin ThomasLoyal Raines has survived his share of whispers behind his back. A childhood fever took his hearing. For years Creed Raines' guilt over his son's disability had driven a wedge right down the middle of Loyal's family, but on a hot summer day Creed was the first person Loyal ran to tell about a dead body.
The Librarian of Boone's Hollow by Kim Vogel SawyerA traveling librarian ventures into the mining towns of Kentucky on horseback—and learns to trust the One who truly pens her story—in this powerful novel.
Also check out Liz Tolsma's newest release, The Gold DiggerIn 1907, shy but loyal Ingrid Storset travels from Norway to support her grieving sister, Belle Gunness, who owns a farm in LaPorte, Indiana. Well-to-do widow Belle, who has lost two husbands and several children, provides Ingrid with enough money to start a small business. But Ingrid is confused by the string of men Belle claims to be interviewing for her next husband. When Nils Lindherud comes to town looking for his missing brother, who said he was going to marry Belle, Ingrid has a sinking feeling her sister is up to no good.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
We chat with author Jen Turano about life, writing, and her latest release, To Steal a Heart.
After a childhood as a street thief, Gabriella Goodhue thought she’d put her past behind her until a fellow resident at her boardinghouse is unjustly accused of theft. In the middle of breaking into a safe that holds the proof to prove her friend’s innocence, Gabriella is interrupted by Nicholas Quinn, the man she once considered her best friend–until he abandoned her.
After being taken under the wing of a professor who introduced him into society and named him as heir, Nicholas is living far removed from his childhood life of crime. As a favor to a friend, Nicholas agreed to help clear the name of an innocent woman, never imagining he’d be reunited with the girl he thought lost to him forever.
As Gabriella and Nicholas are thrown together into one intrigue after another, their childhood affection grows into more, but their newfound feelings are tested when truths about their past are revealed and danger follows their every step.
You can buy the book here.
Also, be sure to check out Liz's website and her latest release, The Gold Digger.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Love's Pure Light by Suzanne Dietz, Shannon McNear, Janine Rosche, Deb RaneyBe transported to unique time periods as you follow a treasured family nativity set through four generations of the Shepherd family.
Joy to the World by Carolyn Miller, Amanda Barratt, and Erica VetschIn Joy to the World, three popular authors come together to offer a heartwarming collection of holiday Regency romance. Based on lines from a beloved Christmas carol, these three novellas in one book have depth, faith, and satisfying stories all packed into the perfect length for readers to curl up and take a brief break from their holiday busyness.
A Joyful Christmas by Cynthia Hickey, Liz Johnson, Vickie McDonough, Liz Tolsma, Carrie Turansky, and Erica VetschGrab a warm cup of tea and watch as romance is kindled and joy is restored to broken lives during six bygone era Christmas celebrations.
Silver Bell Christmas by Jennifer Lynn CaryShe's learning to live again…
…He wants to leave the past behind
Together they might find love's second chance in their golden years.
A Christmas Wish by Diana Lesire BrandmeyerShe vowed to marry for love. He promised his daughters a mother for Christmas. Time is running out for both of them.
Please don't forget to check out Liz Tolsma's website.
Michelle Shocklee stops by the podcast and chats about her life, her writing, and her newest release, Under the Tulip Tree.
Sixteen-year-old Lorena Leland’s dreams of a rich and fulfilling life as a writer are dashed when the stock market crashes in 1929. Seven years into the Great Depression, Rena’s banker father has retreated into the bottle, her sister is married to a lazy charlatan and gambler, and Rena is an unemployed newspaper reporter. Eager for any writing job, Rena accepts a position interviewing former slaves for the Federal Writers’ Project. There, she meets Frankie Washington, a 101-year-old woman whose honest yet tragic past captivates Rena.
As Frankie recounts her life as a slave, Rena is horrified to learn of all the older woman has endured—especially because Rena’s ancestors owned slaves. While Frankie’s story challenges Rena’s preconceptions about slavery, it also connects the two women whose lives are otherwise separated by age, race, and circumstances. But will this bond of respect, admiration, and friendship be broken by a revelation neither woman sees coming?
You can buy the book here.
Liz and Michelle were also part of the novella collection, Mail-Order Brides, which you can buy here.
Visit Liz's website and check out the Christmas novella collection she mentioned, A Joyful Christmas.
We discuss the historical novels that are finalists in the 2020 Christy Awards. They include:
Whose Waves These Are by Amanda DykesBoxes of rocks may hold the secret to healing for two generations of people dealing with tragedy.
The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke
An illuminating tale of courage, sacrifice, and survival, about two couples whose lives are ravaged by Hitler's mad war yet eventually redeemed through the fate of one little girl.
Memories of Glass by Melanie Dobson
This stunning novel draws from true accounts to shine a light on a period of Holland’s darkest history and bravest heroes.
My Dearest Dietrich by Amanda BarrattRenowned German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer is famous for his resistance to the Nazi regime and for his allegiance to God over government. But what few realize is that the last years of his life also held a love story that rivals any romance novel.
The Land Beneath Us by Sarah SundinCan a love strong enough to overcome death grow between them before Clay's recurring dream comes true?
The Number of Love by Roseanna M. WhiteAmid biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save themselves from the very secrets that brought them together.
The Painted Castle by Kristy Cambron
A lost painting of Queen Victoria. A library bricked off from the world. And three women, separated by time, whose lives are irrevocably changed.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Roseanna M. White stops by and chats with us about her latest release, A Portrait of Loyalty. You can find out more about Roseanna on her website.
You can purchase her book, A Portrait of Loyalty, here.
Zivon Marin was one of Russia's top cryptographers until the October Revolution tore apart his world. Forced to flee to England after speaking out against Lenin, Zivon is driven by a growing anger and determined to offer his services to the Brits. But never far from his mind is his brother, whom Zivon fears died in the train crash that separated them.
Lily Blackwell sees the world best through the lens of a camera and possesses unsurpassed skill when it comes to retouching and re-creating photographs. With her father's connections in propaganda, she's recruited to the intelligence division, even though her mother would disapprove if she ever found out.
After Captain Blackwell invites Zivon to dinner one evening, a friendship blooms between him and Lily that soon takes over their hearts. But both have secrets they're unwilling to share, and neither is entirely sure they can trust the other. When Zivon's loyalties are called into question, proving him honest is about more than one couple's future dreams--it becomes a matter of ending the war.
Find out more about the host of Christian Historical Fiction Talk, author Liz Tolsma, on her website.
Purchase her latest release, The Refrain Within, here.
To save a life, would you betray everyone you love?
Hungary in 1944 is a dark place. The Nazis have invaded and turned the country upside down, their evil making its way into every life.
Clarinetist Eva Bognar is engaged to conductor and composer Patrik Kedves, happily planning her wedding. At first she doesn’t think the war will affect her directly; everyone around her can be trusted to do the right thing. Then her Jewish best friend and sister-in-law Zofia goes missing--and instead of the Gestapo being to blame, a friend says it was Patrik who led Zofia away. Has he betrayed Eva and everything the family stands for?
When the rest of the family’s lives are directly threatened, Patrik’s secrets must come to light. The Bognars flee for the border in hopes of getting out of the country to the safety of Palestine. Eva must put her life and the lives of everyone she loves in the hands of the very man who betrayed her--and they may not all make it out of the war alive . . .
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
We discuss some of our favorite reads from the past summer. These include:
If I Were You by Lynn Austin. This sweeping story transports readers to one of the most challenging eras of history to explore the deep, abiding power of faith and friendship to overcome more than we ever thought possible. You can buy the book here.
The Tea Chest by Heidi Chiavaroli. Two women, separated by centuries, must find the strength to fight for love and freedom. . . and discover a heritage of courage and faith. You can buy the book here.
Until June by Barbara Britton. Josephine is determined to get Geoff back on his feet—figuratively...Although, sending a rich, handsome WWI veteran back into society may cost Josephine the man she has grown to love. You can buy the book here.
Fragments of Light by Michele Phoenix. An impossible decision in the chaos of D-Day. Ripples that cascade seventy-five years into the present. And two lives transformed by the tenuous resolve to reach out of the darkness toward fragments of light. You can buy the book here.
The White Rose Resists by Amanda Barratt. Inspired by the incredible true story of a group of ordinary men and women who dared to stand against evil. You can buy the book here.
A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden. Amid the glamorous pageantry of Gilded Age Washington, DC, Caroline and Nathaniel will face adventure, danger, and heartbreak in a race against time that will span the continent and the depth of human emotion. You can buy the book here.
The Bride Ships Series by Jody Hedlund. Four books about English women who sail to Vancouver Island in hopes of securing a husband. You can purchase The Reluctant Bride, The Runaway Bride, Bride of Convenience, and Almost a Bride.
Don't forget to check out Liz's website. She also has a new release, a WWII novel called The Refrain Within, set in Hungary and telling the story of the Zionist Youth movement. To save a life, would you betray everyone you love? You can buy the book here.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Award-Winning author of The House on Foster Hilland The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond, Jaime is a prolific coffee drinker as well as a voracious reader of all things Gothic.
Please visit Jaime's website to find out more about her books, for book club information, and some YouTube videos.You can buy her book, The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus,here.
Please visit Liz's website and make sure you pick up a copy of her new release, The Refrain Within.
In this episode, we discuss historical fiction that won Carol Awards in 2020.
Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Historical fiction: Memories of Glass by Melanie Dobson. You can buy the book here.
Historical romance: The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin. You can buy the book here.
Novella: The Groom She Thought She'd Left Behind by Darlene Panzera. You can buy the book here.
YA: Romanov by Nadine Brandes. You can buy the book here.
Debut Novel: Shadow Among Sheaves by Naomi Stephens. You can buy the book here.
Please visit my website at liztolsma.com.
Check out my new release, The Refrain Within.
To learn more about Rachel McMillan, you can visit her on her website.
The London Restoration
The secrets that might save a nation could shatter a marriage.
Madly in love, Diana Foyle and Brent Somerville married in London as the bombs of World War II dropped on their beloved city. Without time for a honeymoon, the couple spent the next four years apart. Diana, an architectural historian, took a top-secret intelligence post at Bletchley Park. Brent, a professor of theology at King’s College, believed his wife was working for the Foreign Office as a translator when he was injured in an attack on the European front.
Now that the war is over, the Somervilles’ long-anticipated reunion is strained by everything they cannot speak of. Diana’s extensive knowledge of London’s churches could help bring down a Russian agent named Eternity. She’s eager to help MI6 thwart Communist efforts to start a new war, but because of the Official Secrets Act, Diana can’t tell Brent the truth about her work.
Determined to save their marriage and rebuild the city they call home, Diana and Brent’s love is put to the ultimate test as they navigate the rubble of war and the ruins of broken trust.
You can buy the book here.
Please visit my website and find out more about me and my books there.
My latest WWII book, The Refrain Within, set in Hungary during the war and focusing on the Zionist Youth movement rescuing Jews, releases on September 29, 2020. You can purchase the book here.
Our sponsor today was Barbour Publishing's book A Joyful Christmas. You can buy the book here.
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The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright
Is uncovering your roots worth putting yourself directly in the path of a killer?
Buy the book here.
A Portrait of Loyalty by Roseanna M. WhiteWhen Zivon's loyalties are called into question, proving him honest is about more than one couple's future dreams--it becomes a matter of ending the war.
Buy the book here.
Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle ShockleeAn unemployed newspaper reporter. A 101-year-old-slave. Will this bond of respect, admiration, and friendship be broken by a revelation neither woman sees coming?
Buy the book here.
The London Restoration by Rachel McMillanThe secrets that might save a nation could shatter a marriage.
Buy the book here.
Please check out my website, purchase a copy of A Joyful Christmas, or order The Refrain Within.