A number of my indie author friends and I are offering romance books for free or 99 cents today. Don’t miss these treats. I’ve read almost all of them and can testify that they are sweet and satisfying and have excellent messages.
Among them is my book Romance’s Rest. I call it a romance novel for people who avoid romance novels. It’s truly a romance novel with various twists on the genre, as, while it does follow the path of two people heading towards a relationship with each other, its primary theme is pursuing a relationship with God – or, rather, the way that He lovingly and perfectly pursues that covenant relationship with us. If you’d like to be encouraged, challenged, and inspired in your walk with God – and reminded just how stunningly He loves you – this book will be a very worthwhile investment of your time.
FROM REVIEWS
“This was beautiful. This is what I want my love story to look like.”
“I found the concept of a romance story for non-romance readers both intriguing and well done! Kethin’s struggles are real, relatable, and encouraging. The theme of covenant love and understanding more about true love, starting with God, was absolutely incredible. Every page was filled with rich, convicting truths.”
“What I enjoyed most of all with this book, though, was how it portrayed what a Christ-Centred, God-honouring relationship should look like. Unlike most Christian romance books that put emphasis on the flesh and emotions, Erika Mathews reminds her readers of the part that prayer, purity and patience play in seeking God’s will for a life partner.”
TOMORROW ISN’T PROMISED
For another book to grab, I highly recommend Chelsea Burden’s Tomorrow Isn’t Promised.
This is another non-typical romance with a twist but the messages and life lessons and takeaways are just SO GOOD. I had the privilege of editing it and it blew me away.
Merry Christmas! To celebrate the birth of Jesus, I have not one, not two, not three, but FOUR new God-honoring Christmas stories for you! All are historical fiction and on sale at a special release price. Two are short stories and two are novelettes… and one of them, To Make a Merry Christmas, already earned a Top New Release in Christian Children’s Books!
To Make a Merry Christmas Short story, historical fiction, vintage and homey and cheery, Five Little Peppers feel, quick read, family-friendly, great for all ages, themes of prayer, perseverance, contentment, joy, and close-knit family, set in 1900 England
The Christmas Fruit Bowl Novelette, historical fiction, nine lively cousins and their Christmas-loving, wise auntie, the fruit of the Spirit, life lessons, Christmas carols, read-aloud for the whole family, set in rural Minnesota in 1900
The Christmas Violin Novelette, historical fiction, post-World-War-I, violin music, a lively toddler, follows characters from The Christmas Fruit Bowl nineteen years later, themes of trust, satisfaction, joy, contentment, and miracles, set in rural Minnesota in 1900
Everything: A Christmas Reminisce Short story, sentimental and sweet, a lonely elderly woman and her box of special Christmas ornaments, themes of gratefulness, giving thanks in everything, letting go, surrendering to God, acceptance, and Christmas peace
I’ve also teamed up with some other Christian authors to offer you a Christmas story every day until Christmas. I’ve read almost all of these stories and highly recommend them all. Some of them are free or 99 cents on the day they are featured, so don’t miss this special Christmas advent countdown! Click here to download the full list of stories:
I’m so excited to announce that MY LATEST BOOK IS HERE! Today is launch day for a new novella collection: Springtime in Surrey: a Wild Blue Wonder Press anthology! My novella Fear Not Tomorrows is one of eight in this collection!
This collection of eight stories is full of sweet romance, heartwarming themes, and loveable characters—not to mention the charming vintage vibes. There’s something for everyone in Springtime in Surrey anthology!
The genre is … Christian Women’s Fiction, both Historical and Contemporary
It’s launching …TODAY! Tuesday, July 25th, 2023
Some important dates are …
Blog Tour — Monday, July 24th through Tuesday, July 29th
This collection of novellas, set in County Surrey, England, features both historical and contemporary stories by new and old authors!
Springtime in Surrey contains the follow eight novellas:
Jesus, I Am Resting by Faith Blum
Elinor Chapman, an orphaned laundry woman, must fight to survive after WWI breaks out. She prays her beau doesn’t die on a foreign battlefield like her father did 14 years ago. She is forced to take on nursing, but her passion for helping other orphans distracts her from this job, leaving her little time for rest. Will she run herself into the ground … or will she learn to rest in Jesus?
The Cottage on the Hill by Andrea Renee Cox
During every teatime at her cottage hideaway, Moira struggles to discover hope amongst her lost ballerina dreams. Unsettled by elusive goals of his own, sheep farmer Adrian observes his uncle’s neighbor crying into her tea and wonders why… and what he can do to cheer her up. While facing their regrets, can Moira and Adrian trust that God has a good plan despite crushed dreams and far-off hopes?
If I Knew You Were Coming by Bailey Gaines
With her husband off to war and two evacuee children staying in her home, Joan feels duty-bound to contribute to the war effort via her participation in the Women’s Land Army. She is thrilled to learn that her husband has leave. But when the London Blitz ruins her plans to see him, Joan must decide what is most important in her life: her contribution to the war effort or her calling as a mother?
Her Heart’s Home by Grace A. Johnson
Forced from her childhood home after her father was killed in action, Meredith Tate is forced to seek employment at the Deepdene Hotel until she discovers the next step. Which most certainly does not include the brooding Captain Trevor Seaton, a guest who always manages to catch her at her worst. Despite his gentle magnetism, Meredith is determined not to fall for a military man—but God may have other plans.
The Tussie-Mussie by Katja H. Labonté
Caitrìona is determined to rescue her family from poverty by making a brilliant match. She is on the verge of success when her brother is arrested for a sensational crime. Banished to the country, she meets Ewart, a fearful recluse with a younger sister in need of aid. Ewart and Caitrìona grow together through shared goals—but as mysteries are uncovered and characters tested, what truth will be revealed?
The Odd Duck Society by Rachel Leitch
Jessamy Aubertine is too much for her university classmates, too little for her overstressed mum, and nothing in between. Then a mysterious letter signed by Jane Austen brings her back to her family’s fading tea shop and a pair of unlikely comrades. Will they find the letter writer—and perhaps discover themselves along the way? Or will their friendship fade with The Muses?
Fear Not Tomorrows by Erika Mathews
Hardworking Margaret Enfield is thrilled with her engagement to her lifelong best friend Lester. When his brother’s sudden illness forces Lester’s prolonged and indefinite absence, every tomorrow feels bleak to Margaret as lonely drudgery overtakes the once-rosy springtime. As she throws herself into her tasks, can she learn to trust her tomorrows with Jesus—one day at a time?
Courage to Stay by Kellyn Roth
Rosalind finds herself engaged to Matthias after her former fiancé, his brother, perishes in battle. Determined to forge a connection, she embarks on a risky mission. When Matthias retreats into his own turmoil on a hunting trip, Rosalind disguises herself as a man and follows him to the forest, vowing to fight for their love. Will Matthias summon the courage to stay, or will his fractured mind drive them apart forever?
The authors of Springtime in Surrey are hosting a huge giveaway with not one but two winners—a US winner and an international winner—over the course of the blog tour!
From July 25th to July 31st, follow the tour, commenting on posts, and subscribe to the authors’ newsletters and blogs! The winners will be announced on August 1st and contacted by email!
US Prizes
A printcopy of Springtime in Surrey, twobookmarks and a quote sticker, a spring-themed mug, a bookish ornament, a spring-themed candle, an inspirational journal, and tea.
International Prizes
An ebook copy of Springtime in Surrey, two bookmarks and a quote sticker, a gift card, an ebook of choice by Erika Mathews, an ebook from the winner’s Amazon wishlist, an exclusive epilogue of The Tussie-Mussie, and a phone wallpaper.
Rules
Entrants must be 18+ or have parental permission to enter. Two winners—one US and one international—will be randomly selected at the end of the giveaway and contacted by email. The winners must be comfortable sharing their shipping addresses. Any and all information provided through the giveaway will be used only for the purposes stated.
Feel free to check out Wild Blue Wonder Press on Instagram and Facebook, participate in the social media bookish challenge, or browse the other posts on the blog tour using our …
Faith Blum is a wife, mom, author, and entrepreneur. She’s published over 30 books, most of them in the Christian Historical Fiction genre. She loves stories because they can teach history, but in a fun way. It is also her way to have a creative outlet while taking care of a household and toddler.
She’s been a proud small town resident her whole life and wouldn’t have it any other way. She lives in Central Wisconsin with her husband, son, and cat, Smokey. She’s blessed to write as a part time career. You can find her books on books onmost eBook retailers.
When not writing, you can find her cooking from scratch, reading, figuring out social media content, or spending time with her family. She also loves playing piano for church and being part of the Author Conservatory.
Born and raised in north Texas, Andrea Renee Cox is a born-again child of God who enjoys writing stories that inspire, copyediting fiction manuscripts, tutoring middle school students, and going on road trips with her family. Whether she’s working on historical or contemporary, women’s fiction or romance, she uses her skills in research and writing techniques—as well as a large dose of prayer and guidance from God—at every turn in the journey to produce the best story of her ability every single time. Her books may be found on her website, and readers are welcome to follow her blog for the latest updates in her journey.
Bailey Gaines is a Georgia girl who loves history. Through her writing, she hopes to show how God works in all periods of history, bringing healing and helping people know they have value because of their identity as a human created in God’s image. Her stories range from King Richard the Lionheart’s England to 1930s Appalachia to 18th century England to 19th century America.
Bailey is a student of the Author Conservatory, and has a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. When she’s not writing, she’s helping homeschoolers with their writing or working at an escape room. Her hobbies include playing the piano, sewing, and exploring the world of vintage fashion.
Grace A. Johnson is a Christian fiction authoress, book reviewer, and avid reader. She lives in beautiful (but humid) South Georgia, surrounded by farmland and forestry, with her parents and six younger siblings. She has indie-published the first three novels in a Christian historical romance series, the Daughters of the Seven Seas, and a smattering of short stories and novellas, as well as a devotional. She’s also a marketer and editor who loves helping young authors through her editing business S&J Editors and her small publishing company Sky’s the Limit Press. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook @graceajohnsonauthor or blogging on her website at www.graceajohnson.com. Join her for a virtual cup of tea and a free preview of her debut novel when you sign up for her e-newsletter!
Katja H. Labonté is a Christian, an extreme bibliophile who devours over 365 books in a year, and an exuberant writer with a talent for starting short stories that explode into book series. She is a bilingual French-Canadian and has about a dozen topics she’s excessively passionate about (hint: that’s why she writes). Katja writes both contemporary and historical fiction, as well as non-magical historical and contemporary kingdom fiction, and covers themes of worth, love, peace, and Christian growth. She spends her days enjoying little things, growing in faith, learning life, and loving people. You can follow her life journey, find free books, browse her services, and more on her website and blog.
Rachel Leitch discovered the book of writing when she was seven. She’s been turning pages ever since! She lives her own adventure in northern Indiana, with her parents, three sisters, two brothers, and a dog who thinks he’s the hero of her story. She writes young adult historical fiction with a dash of adventure or a spark of magic. When she’s not hidden away writing, she’s trying to fit all her reads on her shelf in a somewhat organized manner, obsessing over character arcs, drinking chai, daydreaming at the piano, or teaching students to be just as bookish as she is. In all her adventures, she learns how to shine brighter for the Father of Lights. For more bookish ramblings (and a free digital short story involving a magical violin) follow her adventure journal at https://racheljleitch.com/!
Erika Mathews is an author and editor who writes family-friendly Christian living books, both fiction and non-fiction, that demonstrate the power of God through ordinary people, transforming daily life into His resting life. Her works include Truth from Taerna, a kingdom adventure fiction series with deep spiritual themes, Resting Life, a Christian living nonfiction book about finding rest in Jesus in modern life, and a variety of historical fiction and poetry. Erika lives in the farm country of Minnesota with her husband and children. She’s a homeschool graduate with a Bachelor’s in Communications, a Master’s in Biblical Ministries, and a passion for sharing Jesus Christ and His truth. When she’s not working with books, she enjoys reading, outdoor activities, piano and violin, organizing, and using the Oxford comma.
Kellyn Roth is a historical romance & women’s fiction author who writes about the empty places where hope has the most room to grow. Her novels include the inspirational Victorian family saga, The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, and the Kees & Colliers series, which follows a broken family in the tumultuous years of the first half of the 20th century.
Hi everyone! I have a special announcement to make. Today I’d like to introduce you to Old Ruddy’s Questions by Courtenay Burden.
I had the privilege of editing this sweet little book, and oh! I enjoyed it! It was convicting, challenging, inspiring, entertaining, and delightfully vintage all at the same time. And now I’d like to give you the opportunity to read this amazing book.
Quick Facts
Title: Old Ruddy’s Questions
Author: Courtenay Burden
Publisher: Sheep Among Wolves Publishing
Genre: Historical Fiction (Victorian Era)
Audience: Family
Page Count: 86
Release Date: March 30, 2023
About the Book
Art thou weary, art thou languid,
Art thou sore distressed?
“Come to me,” saith One, “And coming,
Be at rest.”
Old Ruddy sits slumped and dejected on the railway bench. His life at the station is all that he has, and after forty years of faithful service that life seems to be slipping from his grasp.
“Take it to the Saviour!” a nameless traveller breaks into Ruddy’s silent grief.
But when the station whistle interrupts their conversation before the broken-down railway porter can ask the questions that are flooding his soul, Ruddy embarks on a remarkable quest to find the answers for himself.
Will Ruddy’s prayers bring the right travellers to the Tyneford-upon-Mere station? And if they come, will they have the answers Ruddy so desperately craves? Watch as the faith of one soul, groping blindly towards the light, begins to touch and transform lives beyond Old Ruddy’s wildest dreams.
Built around John Mason Neale’s translation of an 8th century hymn, and set against the backdrop of rural Victorian travel, Old Ruddy’s Questions will challenge you to take a closer look at the foundational truths of your faith—and the way those truths intersect with everyday life.
My Review
I’m not an emotional reader, but I teared up rereading Old Ruddy. I love the messages, the themes, and how beautifully they are conveyed. I’m in awe of how the author came up with the idea and structure for this story. I LOVE the parallel structure of each chapter so much. And I love the heartfelt, gently probing questions and the earnest, Biblical, straightforward answers. I love the speaking of truth one knows even when one doesn’t feel it – and how the characters allow the Biblical truth to change their behavior. The tone is delightfully vintage and the story is memorable. Highly recommended.
It’s Taerna’s birthday! Promise’s Prayer turns 6 and Victory’s Voice turns 2 on March 18. Memory’s Mind and Romance’s Rest also have their first within a month of now – not to mention Resting Life turns 3 on March 20!
So I’m celebrating with:
– A SALE. Get the whole series for under $9! (Regularly $23!) These prices are only good March 1-8, so don’t wait. Most of the books are just 99 cents apiece. (Years of work are poured into these books. This sale is totally a steal for you. I’m not making any profit off of these. But I am passionate about getting these books and the messages in them out to people to encourage people in their walk with God.) And just for fun, most of my other books are 99 cents as well. – FREE BOOKS. Promise’s Prayer is FREE for a few days only. And Treasures from Taerna, my short story collection, is also free here. – FUN EXTRAS. Did you know that there are maps of Taerna? Or that Taerna has detailed Pinterest boards with character images, gorgeous landscape photos, and inspirational series-related quotes? Or that you can find out your Taerna title or which Taerna character you are? and more? It’s all here! – A BRAND NEW RELEASE! See below…
2. Everythingis published! Before you scratch your head, I will quickly explain that Everything is the title of a story collection – a collection with 21 stories all on the theme “everything.” I edited, formatted, and published this collection with stories from me and from twenty-one other female Christian authors.
This collection weaves tales both historical and contemporary in a variety of imaginative settings. Everything features lovable characters: a homeless orphan, a reminiscing mother, an agent juggling fatherhood, a wary teenager and his dog, a terrified housebound woman, and a pair of Sherlock Holmes-obsessed orphan twins on a mission. Learn the spiritual lessons of an old car, a mission trip tragedy, a lonely grandmother’s box of Christmas ornaments, and a graphic designer’s work worries. Smile and weep with a wife bereaved by war, a taxi driver and his ministry, a sweet child with a terminal diagnosis, and chronic illness warrior who learns to bless others.
Catch the vision of hope in everything captured in two inspiring poems. Rejoice with a faithful, trusting relative with an uncertain future, sympathize with a health-challenged gardener-wannabe, cry with a family separated by war, and decide who struggles more with birthday party planning: two loyal pixies or a young mother and her mischievous dog.
Warmth, hope, and encouragement pervade the pages, echoing the theme of “everything” from a refreshing plethora of angles equally insightful and entertaining, spiritually profound, and eternally valuable.
Also, today is the release day for a book by some author friends of mine…
A VERY BOOKISH EASTER
It’s four stories by four authors. Each story is based on/themed around a classic novel: Heidi, A Christmas Carol, The Secret Garden, Romeo and Juliet. Each story is resurrection themed.
If you’d like to read a series wrap-up that is simultaneously satisfying, breathtaking, and brings you to the edge of your seat while laughing with, crying with, screaming for, and smiling sentimentally at characters who have become like your best friends, Daican’s Heir by Jaye L. Knight is the book you’ve been waiting for.
ABOUT THE BOOK
For three years, the Resistance has suffered under oppression—first from Emperor Daican and now from his daughter. In her quest for vengeance, Davira has ripped Arcacia apart, and more blood is spilled every day. Newly married, all Jace and Kyrin want is to be able to live their lives in peace. In order to do that, they must help restore the rightful heir to Arcacia’s throne.
Carrying the weight of everyone’s hopes for the future, Daniel works every day to be the leader and king they have all fought so hard to see him become. With the Resistance and their allies from all across Ilyon united behind him, he prepares for a final confrontation with Davira. But to do so will require facing the full might of Arcacia’s military and Davira’s wrath.
When Jace and Kyrin become the primary targets of her ravenous hatred, Daniel finds himself in a race against time to stop his sister and avoid the bloodbath she is determined to unleash. Can he find a way to protect his loved ones and bring peace to Ilyon or will Davira succeed in bringing them all to their knees and destroying everything they hold dear?
Wow, what a book. A long book. What a ride. Ups and downs, highs and lows. Reading it was something like riding a roller coaster. (Not that I’ve ever actually ridden one.) An emotional experience in every way. There’s A LOT going on in this book. There was a lot that needed to get wrapped up, and I think it was wrapped up very satisfactorily. There were so many excellent pay-off scenes in this book – we hung on a long time to get to see these characters have their happily-ever-afters, and, even despite those who may have been missing and the changes that took place, the endings were well worth it.
I loved all the references to Resistance and the memories from that time that were relived. There were so many happy “aw” moments! This book was chock full of them, especially the last third of the book, and it was wonderful. After the bleakness of previous books, it was beautiful to see the family moments.
Once we got into the plot, it kept me on the edge of my seat! The author did excellently portraying that it was the right thing to do, but it was still terrifying. The last third of the book was less dramatically exciting than the rest, but I loved it even more than the dramatically exciting parts. 🙂 The flow was very good and very natural to read.
I loved all the spiritual messages in this book! The peace of God, the leading of God, hearing the voice of God in just the moment it’s needed, trusting God, persevering even when strength is gone, strength in temptation, facing and conquering specific fears, turning weaknesses into strength, redemption, and the protecting, caring, loving hand of Elom watching over the characters’ lives in every event, good or evil… the story of Jace, Kyrin, and their friends was just so beautifully told all around.
Parental guidance warning: so many kisses. It was pretty much all between married couples and all clean and appropriate, but they happened. Some violence/death/injuries/blood (not graphically described but still present on page).
The characters were as excellent as always. SO many characters came full circle in this book, and it was lovely. Daniel has so much beautiful and spiritual character growth. The way this series concluded in regards to Davira was perfect. (I must say, there was at least one element of her storyline I didn’t expect.) My only complaint is that I didn’t remember as much about some of the side characters as I wish I did. I’ll have to reread the entire series through when I get a chance to even more fully appreciate them all.
I loved how clearly character growth happens in every character. No one is the same as they were in Resistance, but they have the same elements of their personality, only refined and strengthened. Everyone has grown up A LOT in many areas and this book both shows and tells that well. I LOVED the way the series left our characters! I couldn’t think of a better way to close their story out than the final scene. Every single character that we know and love and every character we don’t love got wrap-ups more satisfying than anything I could imagine.
Overall, what an excellent conclusion to the series. I’m sad it’s over but so happy with where it ended. (But I still hope for tie-in books with side characters’ stories or what happened later!) It’s a beautiful wrap-up start to finish. I still love this series just as much as ever.
~~~
GIVEAWAY
To celebrate the release, Jaye L. Knight is giving away an autographed copy of Daican’s Heir, a Jace Funko Pop that she customized, a dragon bookmark by @lydiasvintage, and an Ilyon Chronicles t-shirt. The giveaway is open February 17-24. Unfortunately, it is not open internationally. Only within the US. To enter, visit the post on her Instagram or Facebook.
Here it is: your guide to ALL the free books in the Indie Book Sale Black Friday through Cyber Monday! PLEASE NOTE that I have not read most of these, so a title being listed does not mean I endorse or recommend it. Use your own discernment.
Asterisks are listed next to books I have read and can recommend.
RestingLife.com: Written Rest 