Author Rachel Fordham has written a lovely historical Christian romance with her soon to be released Where the Road Bends. This captivating novel had me turning pages until I devoured this masterpiece in one sitting. It is engaging, emotional, and has timeless life lessons. There were twists I thought would happen but did not. Other things surprised me. I really loved this. It is my favorite one by author Fordham, and I have read all of her books.
Set in 1880 Iowa, this is the story of Norah King. The book begins with her engaged to an older man in order to save her family farm. Her parents have died, and with just Norah to maintain it, the bank is threatening foreclosure.
It is also the tale of Quincy Barnes. He stumbles into Norah’s life battered and bleeding. She is determined to nurse him back to life, but what will her fiancé say or the townspeople? This is a gritty story of redemption, forgiveness, truth, and second chances. It is a love story about true love.
Author Fordham has carefully crafted a multi-layered story with characters that stole my heart. They were realistic with quirks and flaws. The hero, tall, handsome, and caring who wants to make his sweetheart’s dreams come true, is my new literary crush. The villain is despicable. A young scamp is adorable, and an elderly matron is perfect as a substitute mother.
Author Fordham is a master wordsmith. She takes words and exquisitely weaves them into a beautiful tapestry of an engaging, captivating story. Her story is filled with many things to ponder and is still lingering in my mind. It is well researched, organized, and easy to follow. At the end are Discussion Questions for those in a reading group or wanting to dig deeper.
I highly recommend this novel. It receives a 5 star rating from this reader. A copy was provided by NetGalley, but these are my honest words.
“Then Judgment” is a thought provoking Biblical Fiction by author Caryl McAdoo. She uses her gift of writing and storytelling and offers her perspective on the days between the crucifixion of Jesus and His resurrection. It is a beautiful story.
The author illustrates her knowledge of scripture throughout this book. It is a well researched, planned and written book. Her husband, Ron, assisted her with writing this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Biblical Fiction is one of my favorite genre when done in agreement with scripture. Much thought has gone into this book as well as many hours of studying the Bible. I was captivated.
I highly recommend “Then Judgment: The Three Days Jesus Did Not Spend In The Tomb” to everyone. It will stay with you long after finishing it. Readers who enjoy Biblical fiction will not want to miss this one. It gets a 5 star rating from me.
I received a complementary copy of “Then Judgment”from Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.
About the Book
Book: Then Judgement
Author: Caryl McAdoo
Genre: Biblical fiction
Release date: April 8, 2022
A story of the three days Jesus did not spend in the tomb. The Son of Man was made sin, cast away from the presence of the Great I AM’s presence, and condemned to Hades to face judgement. What exactly happened during those three days from the Lord’s lifeless body of flesh being placed in the tomb and His glorious resurrection? Hints throughout the Scriptures give clues to what transpired—how He got to Paradise to be with the thief on the cross that same day. One thing is certain! He rose on the third day and now lives forever more seated on His throne at the right hand of the Father! Hallelujah!
Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling stories—over sixty published—delight Christian readers around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her; you may listen at YouTube. Sharing four children and twenty-one grandsugars (three are greats), Caryl and Ron, her high-school-sweetheart-husband of fifty-three years, live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas. The McAdoos wait expectantly for God to open the next door.
More from Caryl
As many of you know, my husband Ron and I write together. When Simon and Schuster released our tenth title, the editor requested one name for the cover and since it was a historical romance, preferred a female’s. The arrangement worked so well for us that we continued only my name being on the cover after we went Indie!
Anyway, we have been talking about writing this book for years, coming across little clues for the story in Scripture studies now and again over that time. At last, God released us to write THEN JUDGEMENT based on the twenty-seventh verse of Hebrews, nineth chapter: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”
I love searching the scriptures and telling a story that strictly adheres to God’s Book, His Living Word, the Holy Bible. I love His stories and so understand that His Word is bread to our souls, feeding us wisdom and knowledge of our Creator and His everlasting, never-ending love for us!
Creating Biblical fiction tales carries a lot of responsibility that I truly enjoy taking on, being a guardian of the Truth. I love to bring characters from those days gone by so long ago to life on the pages of my books! I do feel a bit like John when he said this, writing of our Savior.
“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” John 21:27
Biblical fiction could easily become my favorite genre—if it isn’t already. I do write more historical romance stories set in the 1800s (a favorite time period) in Texas (my favorite state)! And as much as I love that research . . . nothing compares to digging into the Word!
I pray you will enjoy living through the three days that Jesus did not spend in the tomb! May my story cause you to dig a little yourself, checking out our theory! I know this to be Truth: “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
Hallelujah! Glory be to His Holy Name! The righteous run into it and are saved! There is no one like unto Him! He alone it the Great King over all the earth! Worthy to receive glory and praise! As always, I’m ‘Praying my story gives God glory!’ Blessings, y’all!
We’d love for you to join us tonight, Thursday May 5, at 7pm CST for our relaunch party on Facebook of Jesus Can Give You a New Life. It will be a live event on our Facebook page:
Invite your family, friends, and contacts to enjoy the fun, low prices, and specials that will be featured only at our Relaunch Party for Jesus Can…Give You A New Life!
If you are a Christian writer, there are spaces available to be included in future books. Get your questions answered and apply tonight.
Grief Exposed: Giving a Voice to the Unspeakable by author Mike Sollom was not an easy book for me to read. My husband died a year ago, so my emotions are still raw. Even though it was my husband and not my child that died like Mike’s, I could still relate to his story.
Mike Sollom displays transparency in his writing. He never suggests that he has answers. He simply wants to tell his story in the hope it might encourage someone else. He gives voice to the despair and grief that come with the passing of a loved one.
One of the things that really hit home with me was when he talked about people that thought their words were encouraging, but actually those words made him feel worse. He does share bits of healing, which were very encouraging. All throughout my reading, I found myself nodding in agreement and crying in empathy. It is a very emotional book.
I highly recommend it for someone grieving, knowing someone grieving, a church library, or those that help someone who has lost a loved one – a pastor or Sunday School teacher, perhaps. It gets a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided from Celebrate Lit, and these are my honest words.
About the Book
Book: Grief Exposed: Giving a Voice to the Unspeaking
Author: Mike Sollom
Genre: Non-fiction / Grief
Release date: March 15, 2022
In those dreadful early days and nights after Mike’s son died, the only thing he could think to do, when he collided with the morbid memories of his son’s suffering and the unbearable ache of Jim’s absence, was to find some way to describe how he was feeling. So, he found a spiral-bound notebook and wrote. And wrote and wrote and wrote.
Mike believed if he could assign words to the grief and pain, he might find a way to endure them. If he could bring those words into the light, it might make the whole thing bearable. Many of the words were dark and raw and angry and did little more than chronicle ten interminable years of wrestling and railing. But there were island of hope and yes, there were words of light.
Through the gentle and generous encouragement of friends, Mike came to wonder if those words of light, which he discovered in the darkest of nights, might also help someone else endure the unbearable realities of their grief and loss—that they might become someone’s guide. If they could, then how could he keep those words buried in a stack of spiral-bound notebooks?
Mike Sollom is a hard-working, Midwest-born, farm boy married to his high school sweetheart. He and LuAnn have raised four children.
Mike is the son of a father who died of cancer at a young age. He is the father of a son who also died of cancer at an even younger age.
In the consequences and aftermath of their son’s death, Mike and LuAnn lost nearly everything. They are “houseless” and living the challenging and adventurous life of modern-day nomads and pilgrims. You can follow their journey at http://www.mikesollom.com.
More from Mike
My “One Day” Has Come
“One day you will tell the story of how you overcame what you went through and it will become someone else’s survival guide.”
I don’t know who wrote that. I saw it on a poster with no credit given. But it’s a good description of how this book came to be and what I hope will be its outcome—its path and its purpose.
Here’s the truth of it: I didn’t set out to write anything. Much less a book. I still don’t see myself as a writer. Yet, here I am.
I went somewhere I didn’t want to go. I went through something I never dreamed I’d have to go through. I didn’t have a choice. I went there. I went through it. And now I’m telling my story.
My first-born son died of cancer.
In those dreadful early days and nights after Jim died, the only thing I could think to do—when I collided with the morbid memories of his suffering and the unbearable ache of his absence—was to find some way to describe how I was feeling. So, I found a spiral-bound notebook and wrote. And wrote and wrote and wrote.
I believed if I could assign words to the grief and pain, I might find a way to endure them. If I could bring those words into the light, it might make the whole thing bearable. Many of the words were dark and raw and angry and did little more than chronicle ten interminable years of wrestling and railing. But there were islands of hope and yes, there were words of light.
Through the gentle and generous encouragement of friends, I came to wonder if those words of light, which I discovered in the darkest of nights, might also help someone else endure the unspeakable realities of their grief and loss—that my voice might become someone’s “survival guide.” If so, then how could I keep those words buried in a stack of spiral-bound notebooks just because I didn’t see myself as a writer?
I’m taking a huge risk by plunging back into that bottomless pit of loss and dragging myself through that incessant slog of sorrow once again, unclear of the worth or usefulness of the outcome. I’m exposing my most intimate grief, with all its messiness and vulnerability, uncertain of its reception or the consequences it will bring. I’m giving a voice—my voice—to the unspeakable pain of death and suffering, unaware of who will hear me or how they will respond. Yet, in the face of all of that, I’ve decided it’s a risk I’m willing to take.
“One day you will tell the story of how you overcame what you went through and it will become someone else’s survival guide.”
“Re-Created for Faith – Training in Spiritual Warfare Through a Mother’s Heavenly Assignment” by author Ashley K. Adams is a poignant true account of one mother’s faith and fight for her son’s life. This is the story of her son Carston Ford Adams. It is the powerful non-fiction inspirational Christian book of spiritual and physical worlds doing battle.
This was an emotional book for me to read. Many times there were tears blurring my vision as I read it. My daughter has a special needs son, and I thought of her and my sweet grandson often when reading. The author faced many difficulties and struggles. Her faith and trust in God is inspiring.
The book begins with acknowledgments, a dedication to Carston, his picture, and a note from the author. Next come eleven chapters. Each one begins with a relevant scripture. The author openly shares a portion of her story, provides scripture listed as ”Artillery Vault,” gives a Faith a Checkpoint for encouragement, and concludes with Weapons of Truth, a page for scripture study and notes.
The author is transparent in her writing. She freely tells her story in words that grab at heartstrings. At times I could feel her pain. Her style of writing is clear and focused. This is a well planned, organized, and written book. I loved all of the scripture references. It was easy to recognize that she is a woman of faith.
This book will help many people. It is a wonderful tool for spiritual warfare, mothers with sick or disabled children, and anyone wanting to read inspiring true stories. I highly recommend it and give it a 5 star rating. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.
About the Book
Book: Re-Created for Faith
Author: Ashley K. Adams
Genre: Christian Nonfiction: Inspirational
Release date: October 25, 2021
In the face of impossible odds, Ashley Adams considered no other option but to rank up in faith, pairing with God on the invisible battlefield over her baby boy’s life.
Re-Created for Faith is the story of Carston Ford Adams and how the spiritual and physical world collided for his existence. When all the voices were crying out “death,” his mother believed for more. There had to be a purpose for these obstacles in her son’s life, but what? How could Ashley triumph over what was sealed for his fate? She was about to find out.
Through intense devotion to God’s word and prayer every day, God gave Ashley a fresh faith and supernatural strength to relentlessly pursue saving Carston’s life. This fight was not merely material but spiritual, a battle between forces of life and death. The hospital room became her training ground of righteousness as God taught her how to use the weapons He has given every believer to fight an enemy only interested in our destruction. Refusing to give up, Ashley experienced many breakthroughs-signs, visions, and answers for some of the biggest decisions she would ever have to make. Miracle after miracle pointed directly to the only One who could truly heal, which may have baffled the experts but spurred her on to keep fighting.
Re-Created for Faith shows what is possible when one mother refuses to back down to the enemy and how to anchor these strategies in everyday life to advance in our battles. When we go beyond belief to action, believing God for a victory regardless of the visible, miracles really do occur, and God’s glory is revealed…big time.
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4)
Ashley Adams is an inspirational writer, who actively journals God’s voice and direction He has for her every day. Re-Created for Faith is the birthplace of her ministry. She blindly trusts in God for the next big steps to expand the Kingdom, faithfully using her social media platforms to encourage people through real-life heartache and God’s plan for it. Ashley lives to see souls saved, serving as a board member and director at Scioto Youth Camp: Reaching Kids for Christ, along with hosting Bible studies in her home for women of the community.
Ashley and her husband, Justin, now have four children, including their newest baby boy. They recently made a big move out of town and into the country. They now reside on what used to be her great-grandfather’s farm of over one hundred acres and are building a new home, excited for what the future holds. Ashley is determined to obey the Lord as He guides, raising tiny disciples through her homeschooling and pressing in on aspirations to adopt more children. Ashley’s faith has been tried by fire, yet she experiences God’s blessings ten-fold.
To read original posts from Carston’s battle, search #prayersforcartson on Facebook. For current updates and encouragement through life, follow Ashley on Facebook and Instagram @ashleyadams4faith.
More from Ashley
This mission from God all stemmed from one simple prayer and the greatest thirst for Him that could not be quenched. “God, use me!” I prayed day after day, not knowing that God’s plan begun the moment I first uttered those words. Nine months later, He literally delivered what was the most precious and greatest challenge of my faith. In the midst of fighting for my son’s life, I didn’t have much of a choice but to record every detail of battle and victory. This story wasn’t an idea; it didn’t stem from a dream. God chose this assignment for me, a journey much bigger than I would have ever chosen for myself, and so in obedience to His command, I wrote. A simple prayer and a battlefield became my pencil and paper as I revealed the power of God and miracles He still performs today. When you crack open my book, I dare you to make a stronger commitment to Christ and rank up in faith as you relive the battle with me, learning my lessons along the way to receive the crown of victory.
Every Star in the Sky by author Sara Davison is a powerful Contemporary Christian novel about a tragic and sad topic, human trafficking, and the flip side of the coin, healing afterwards. I was riveted by the story. It began with an attention grabbing scene and held my attention throughout most of the book.
This is the tale of Starr and Cole. They each have issues from the past. I was moved reading about their journey. This book discusses not just human trafficking and prostitution, but it also looks at redemption, forgiveness, and God.
Author Davison has a nice style of writing. With the intensity of this material, I did find some parts difficult to read or keep reading. It is very well written and eye-opening. I find it heartbreaking that this atrocity exists today in our country. At the back in her notes, the author lists organizations that help women in these situations. She encourages readers to support them.
This book is not for everyone. A reading group wanting a serious book would find this a perfect choice. If you ever wondered about human trafficking and what happens if someone can escape, this will answer some of your questions. It is thought provoking and stays with you long after you finish it. It gets a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.
About the Book
Book: Every Star in the Sky
Author: Sara Davison
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release date: March 2, 2022
She is willing to testify against her trafficker. If she can stay alive that long.
“You’re safe here, Starr.”
How many times has Detective Cole Blacksky said that to her since helping her escape the life she’d been forced into eight years earlier?
Starr desperately wants to believe him, but she knows Brady Erickson, her former captor, too well. Although Cole has promised her protective custody on his family’s remote ranch, no place on earth is safe enough. Brady will stop at nothing to permanently silence her before she ever reaches the witness stand.
And he is powerful enough to do it.
If Starr wants to help Brady’s other victims, she has no choice but to put herself in God’s hands. And Cole’s. But the longer she and Cole stay hidden, the more her life is at risk.
Sara Davison is the author of four romantic suspense series—The Seven Trilogy, The Night Guardians, The Rose Tattoo Trilogy, and Two Sparrows for a Penny, as well as the standalone, The Watcher. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, she is a Word, Cascade, and Carol Award winner. She currently resides in Ontario with her husband Michael and their three mostly grown kids. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason. Get to know Sara better at www.saradavison.organd @sarajdavison.
More from Sara
A few years ago, I attended a women’s conference in the Canadian capital city of Ottawa. The theme of the conference was human trafficking, which had always seemed to me something that happened in other countries of the world. The speaker informed us that, in fact, sex trafficking is very much an issue in Canada. In fact, she went on to say that if we were staying in a hotel that night, she could pretty much guarantee that somewhere in the building a young girl would be trafficked against her will while we slept peacefully in our beds.
That fact—and the way my subsequent research has borne up that truth—shocked, horrified, and deeply impacted me. And so, Every Star in the Sky was born. This romantic suspense novel puts a face and name and story to the scourge of human trafficking. While the fictional tale of one woman’s experiences, it represents the reality of countless women and shows the devastating toll this evil takes, not only on those in captivity, but on those who love them and desire to see them restored to freedom and eventually physical, mental, and emotional healing.
Every Star in the Sky is a love story. Not only between a woman rescued from trafficking and the man who risked everything to save her, but between God and every human being created in his image victimized by this unspeakable practice. The theme of this series, which I hope and pray comes across clearly to every reader, is that we are never alone. God sees what we are going through. He never leaves or forsakes us. He knows the name of every star in the sky, and he knows us deeply and intimately.
As the main character in the story reflects: “And if you know every star by name, you must know every one of us by name.” When no one around her, not even friends like Ruby, knew her real name, she had clung to the truth that God knew it, that it was engraved on the palm of his hand. Without that knowledge, she would have been afraid her name might be lost, since she was so determined not to let her true one slip out to Brady that even in her own mind she had become Starr. But God had kept her name in trust for her until Cole freed her, and now God had given it to her again. She hadn’t planned to tell it to Cole tonight, but something had nudged her to. Had assured her it was safe. That he was safe.
While the problem of human trafficking may seem overwhelming, prayer is our most powerful weapon against the forces of darkness. Pray for all those held in captivity, that they would experience God’s love and presence with them, that they would find freedom, and that all who participate in this evil would one day be brought to justice.
”Anything But Simple” by author Lucinda J. Miller is the account of her life as a Mennonite. It is her memoir and not a novel. The author provides readers with an open and honest view of life inside a Mennonite family.
This is the story of author Lucinda J. Miller (now Kinsinger) and her life as a Mennonite. It is a poignant look at her struggles and joys. Through her openness and words, I began to know this Conservative Mennonite lady. She actually did not seem that different from me in some ways. Both of us have questioned our lives at times, we enjoy writing, and we both love and serve Jesus Christ.
I did learn a lot from this book. It seems like most novels are written about Amish and not Mennonite communities. They are not the same and have many differences.
This is an interesting, well written book. I enjoyed the author’s style of writing. It was welcoming and relatable. At times it felt like chatting with a friend. A surprising thing for me was Lucinda’s friendship with an older, atheist woman. That account was captivating. For me, I found the last chapter, the author’s day, and the FAQ gave a more in-depth look into the everyday life of a Mennonite.
This is a lovely book. I highly recommend it. If you enjoy memoirs, Amish or Mennonite books, or would like to read about a different lifestyle, you will want to get this book. Reading Groups would be able to have much material to discuss in this thought provoking offering. It gets a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.
About the Book
Book: Anything But Simple
Author: Lucinda J. Miller (Last name now Kinsinger)
Genre: Memoir
Release date: July 25, 2017
Plain? Yes. Simple? Well…
If you live in a conservative Mennonite community, edges are sewn shut and questions have answers. So if you’ve got a saucy tongue and a roving curiosity about the world, you’ve got a story to tell.
As a schoolteacher in a small Mennonite school in rural Wisconsin, Lucinda J. Miller wears long dresses and a prayer covering. But she uses a cell phone and posts status updates on Facebook. So why would a young woman with access to all these technologies remain in a sheltered community like the Plain Mennonites? How can someone with an eye for beauty and a sometimes sardonic wit stay within a tradition that values discipline and submission and uniformity?
Anything But Simple is the stirring memoir of a young woman’s rich church tradition, lively family life, and longing for a meaningful future within her Mennonite faith.
Lucinda J Miller Kinsinger has always viewed herself as a shy little Mennonite girl, but refuses to let that stop her from pursuing what she loves—whether that’s writing with honesty and vulnerability or traveling to a remote village in China. In 2019, she married Ivan, the love of her life, and moved from the flat, tree-lined fields of her childhood home in Wisconsin to the rolling hills of Garrett County, Maryland. The couple has a baby daughter, Annalise. Since the publication of Anything but Simple, Lucinda has published a second memoir, Turtle Heart: Unlikely Friends with a Life-Changing Bond. She is columnist for Anabaptist World and blogs at lucindajkinsinger.com.
More from Lucinda
Me, and The People Who Shaped Me
My dad used to say that every person in your life is placed there by God for a reason. Even the ones you don’t like are there to teach you something.
Learn.
If you don’t, God may send someone else to teach you the same lesson you couldn’t learn the first time around.
Anything But Simple is my story, the story of a shy little Mennonite girl growing up to be a writer and asking questions along the way. It is also the story of the many people who enriched my life.
My dad, with his black hair and handsome face and stories from his past.
My mom, with her smooth sweaters and her sure and solid love.
My bishop with his mouth that turned down like a turtle’s.
My creative writing professor who loved words in a way I had never seen in anyone but myself.
Charlene.
Mara.
Deqo.
Jake.
From these people and alongside these people I arose, breathing, questioning, earnest.
Our journey, like the journey of all the squiggly and intricate humans that wander the face of the earth, is anything but simple.
Love’s Fortress by author Jennifer Uhlarik is a Christian dual time romance novel. It is part of the Doors to the Past Series by Barbour Publishing. Each of these books are stand alone books, and I loved them!
This installment in the series was about historical characters Sally Jo Harris, Luke Worthington, and Broken Bow. Set in St. Augustine in 1875 it tells the heartbreaking story of some Native Americans who were captured and imprisoned. It also is about Dani Sango and Brad Osgood, the present day characters.
The author did a beautiful job weaving the two different time period stories into one heart-stirring novel. Her style of writing is inviting and easy to understand. I was invested in the characters and captivated by their moving stories. This was a page turner with some twists and surprises. I learned some things, too.
Author Uhlarik did a nice job presenting that both sides had good and bad things. She did not lift up on side over the other. For me, it was hard to read about the injustices that Broken Bow and others like him endured simply because of the color of their skin.
This is a story of unconditional love, truth, hope, trust, prejudice, and serving others. The spiritual message is inspiring and well done. This book contains so many different things that anyone should enjoy it. It is historical and contemporary, mystery, adventure, Native American, Artwork, and Christian fiction. The author has interesting notes at the end. Reading groups would enjoy this as a selection and find much to discuss.
I highly recommend this fabulous book. It receives 5 out of 5 stars from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.
About the Book
Book: Love’s Fortress
Author: Jennifer Uhlarik
Genre: Christian Fiction / Historical fiction / Romance
Release date: March, 2022
A Love Story from the Past Brings Closure to Dani’s Fractured Family
Walk through Doors to the Past via a series of historical stories of romance and adventure.
When Dani Sango’s art forger father passes away, Dani inherits his home. Among his effects is a book of Native American drawings, which leads her to seek the help of museum curator Brad Osgood to decipher the ledger art. Why would her father have this book? Is it just another forgery?
Brad Osgood’s four-year-old niece, Brynn, needs a safe home, and Brad longs to provide it. The last thing he needs is more drama, especially from a forger’s daughter. But when the two meet “accidentally” at St. Augustine’s 350-year-old Spanish fort, Castillo de San Marcos, he can’t refuse the intriguing woman.
Broken Bow is among seventy-three Plains Indians transported to Florida in 1875 for incarceration at ancient Fort Marion. Sally Jo Harris and Luke Worthing dream of serving God on a foreign mission field, but when the Indians arrive in St. Augustine, God changes their plans. Then when friendship develops between Sally Jo and Broken Bow and false accusations fly, it could cost them their lives.
Can Dani discover how Broken Bow and Sally Jo’s story ends and how it impacted her father’s life?
Jennifer Uhlarik discovered the western genre as a preteen, 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 BA in writing, she has won five writing competitions and was a finalist in two others. 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 is a lifetime member of the Florida Writers Association. She lives near Tampa, Florida, with her husband, teenage son, and four fur children.
More from Jennifer
Florida has been my home since I was ten, and I’ve visited the city of St. Augustine several times in my many years here. There, I stumbled across the fact that the Castillo de San Marcos, the town’s 350-year-old Spanish fort, was home to several groups of Native Americans in the 1800s. Ever since learning this fact, I’ve considered writing a story about the three-year period from 1875-1878 when seventy-three Plains Indians from various tribes called the fort (known then as Fort Marion) their home. However, since I’m mainly a western and western romance author, all of my story settings to date have been west of the Mississippi—not in Florida. So this interesting historical factoid remained dormant in my imagination for years, waiting for the right opportunity.
That opportunity came last year when I was asked to submit an idea for Barbour’s dual-timeline Doors to the Past series. These stories must be set in or around a major landmark, the plot must focus on a newsworthy event, and there must be a bit of a mystery that connects the historical timeline to the contemporary plot. Obviously, as the oldest masonry fort in the United States, Castillo de San Marcos is an important and interesting landmark. Originally built by the Spanish, it later became a British possession, reverted again to the Spanish, and eventually became part of the United States’ holdings. With such a long and varied history, I’m sure you can see why this unique structure would make an interesting landmark around which to base a story.
The newsworthy event the plot focuses on is the incarceration of those seventy-three Plains Indians, deemed some of the “worst of the worst” offenders in the Indians Wars of the West. Can you imagine the buzz such an event would create? Once the Indians fell into their routine inside the fort, they were given quite a bit of freedom to interact with the locals and tourists. People came from far and wide to see these men and their historic surroundings along the banks of the Matanzas River. With a simple day pass from the fort’s commander, outsiders could enter, walk among and talk with the prisoners, see the historic fort, and even watch cultural events like dances, powwows, mock buffalo hunts, and archery displays. The Native men could also leave the fort and venture into town to shop or sell handmade goods, from bows and arrows to hand-crafted items made from locally-sourced seashells and plants, to their original “ledger art.”
It’s the ledger art that comprises the mysterious puzzle piece connecting the historical timeline of Love’s Fortress to the present day. When Dani Sango learns her long-estranged father has died, she inherits his rundown St. Augustine house. Inside, she discovers a book of Native American art depicting events from one Indian’s daily life. But because her father was a convicted art forger, Dani questions why he would have the strange and rudimentary artwork. She suspects it was his latest scam, so she enlists the help of Brad Osgood, curator of a western art museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, to help her discover where the art originated and how her father came to possess it. In the process, the pair digs deep into the history of the St. Augustine fort and its former residents.
I found it fascinating to research this brief period in the Castillo’s long history, and I hope you’ll enjoy the story that came from my efforts.
The Christian Writers Collective (CWC), founded by Stephanie Reynolds, seeks 70 more Christian writers who are called by God to join it. Do you have a testimony and stories to share?
There are 30 members/writers featured in our first book, Jesus Can…Give You A New Life! Our ultimate goal is to feature 100 Christian writers in each book of the Jesus Can series. This will help us maximize the outreach of every book. Is God nudging you to be one of the remaining 70?
Benefits of CWC membership: ~The opportunity to have a byline in 6-8 books in 2022-2023 ~The joy of being published without the usual hassles and expense of doing it alone ~1% of the CWC’s net earnings on each book that features an article by you
How to Apply for CWC Membership: We’ve worked hard to make it easy to apply for CWC membership. Now through May 31, 2022 all you need to do is submit your well-written, 500-750 word testimony, using our CONTACT US form at http://www.ChristianWritersCollective.com
Apply before May 31st and if approved you will receive a $10 gift card to the Cheesecake Factory after signing your contract/agreement.
If your application is accepted, you’ll become a member just in time to have your testimony featured in Book #3 of our series, Jesus Can…Give You Purpose.
Testimony Writing Tips: There are many ways to write a testimony. Here’s the format that we prefer:
~My life before Jesus ~How Jesus came into my life ~My life with Jesus
I am hoping that you will give this prayerful consideration and join our group. I will be praying for you!
The Sugarcreek Surprise by award winning author Wanda Brunstetter is a Christian Amish romance novel. It is Book 2 in the Creektown Discoveries Series. It can easily be read as a standalone book.
This is the story of Lisa Miller, a young Amish schoolteacher. She has lived with her grandparents since both of her parents died tragically in an accident. They have taken wonderful care of her. However, she was traumatized by her parents’ death and cannot see a future outside of the safety of their home.
It is also the story of Paul Herschberger. He has moved from Indiana to Sugarcreek, Ohio after his fiancé cheats on him. He is a relatable character and a really nice guy. Mrs. Brunstetter has written a heartwarming, realistic story that is beautiful. It was easy to become invested in the story and lives of Lisa and Paul. There are life and spiritual lessons woven throughout this tale. Twists and turns kept it interesting. I loved it so much that I read it in one sitting. It is definitely a page turner.
Readers that enjoyed Book 1 will be happy to “see” some familiar faces pop up as they read this book.
This is one of my favorite books by the author. It has a lovely story with a heartfelt message. True to her style, the author included recipes at the end along with discussion questions. I love it when authors include those.
I highly recommend this. Any Amish fan will swoon over The Sugarcreek Surprise. Reader groups would enjoy this as a selection. It gets 5 out of 5 stars from me. A copy was provided by the publisher, but these are my honest words.
Abba's Prayer Warrior Princess 