Celebrating a New Book Series featuring Anna Jensen

Today I'll be introducing you to an author from a wonderful book series called Our House on Jakaranda Laan. All the stories In this series, take place In the fictitious town of Cedarfontein, South Africa on Jacaranda Lane. Today, I'm featuring Anna Jensen. Read on to learn about her story.

First off, tell my readers your book title, the genre for your book and the time frame it takes place?
Hi everyone. Thanks for having me, Christine. My contribution to Our House on Jakaranda Laan is the first book in the series, and is called The Mask’s Shadow. I’ve written a dual-time story, my reset in both 1922 and 2019.

Give my readers a short book blurb about your story and characters.
The Mask’s Shadow is a tale of family secrets, identity, and how the past can influence the present and future.

David Jones is summoned from South Africa to an appointment with a solicitor in Glasgow, Scotland, where he receives news of an unusual inheritance; the estate and belongings of his great-great-great grandmother, Lucy Jones, kept secret for almost one hundred years.

The bequest leads him on a quest for answers. Who was Granny Lucy?

What inspired you to write this story?
I knew I wanted to write more about Lucy Jones. She features in books from both previous Our House series — The Ferryman’s Light from Our House on Sycamore Street, and The Lady’s Companion from Our House on Heather Wynd. However, nailing down an actual plot and story wasn’t so easy!

Until I watched a TV show hosted by Sir David Suchet, the actor who played Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot.

The show followed in Agatha’s footsteps as she travelled around South Africa and the then Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). In addition to showcasing the various places she visited, the episode also traced the origins of one of Agatha’s early novels, The Man in the Brown Suit, to this visit to South Africa.

I hadn’t heard of the novel before, so decided I should read it. And in so doing, got the perfect idea for Lucy Jones and Number One Jakaranda Laan.

You’ll have to read The Mask’s Shadow to find Agatha’s cameo!

I'm a big Agatha Christie fan so you definitely have my attention. Now, tell me what’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
My first novel, Given Lives, tells the true story of the plague village of Eyam in northern England, a place I regularly visited as a child growing up in the area.

I sent the book through to the local church and museum, for their feedback. The museum sent a copy to a local historian. She responded with a note, saying it was the best account of the village and the impact of the plague she’d read.

Given Lives is now stocked in both the church and museum in Eyam, and sells many copies during the tourist season.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
On a practical level. Stephen King’s comment in his book On Writing to ‘write with the door closed; edit with the door open’ — basically meaning to write free from the pressure of what others may think.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
As a Christian, I have the privilege of writing stories not so much for God, as with him. He's the Creator and the Father; Jesus is the author and the perfector; the Holy Spirit shares the heart and mind of Jesus. What better way to create and write?

What other books do you have in the works?
Following a recent research trip to Scotland, I’m about to start the reading and planning for a sequel to my World War II novel, Secret Lives. As this will be a full-length novel, I may be quiet from other writing projects for a while!

That's all for today's interview. I've started reading this book and am intrigued by the dual timeline story. Hope you'll check it out. If you'd like to learn more about Anna's books, go to  annajensen.co.uk/start-here

To sign up for her newsletter, head to annajensen.co.uk/news. You’ll receive a free Poldark-ish novella set in 18^th century Cornwall, and a short book of devotional poetry.     

And here's a special bonus for my readers...Don't wait until her sequel to Secret Lives comes out, Read the first WWII dual-time novel, Secret Lives now! It's on sale all this week for only $0.99 but only through August 8th. Find it at: books2read.com/secretlives

    

 

Hard Work for the Love of Writing: Author Interview with Chris Behrens

You recently published your third picture book, which is about basketball. What inspired you to write that book?

This is my second picture book, but my third children's book. I have a chapter book and two picture books. This basketball book was inspired by my award-winning poem about basketball. In 2023, my basketball poem received an award from Writer's Digest. I wanted to do more with it, so I explored picture books based on poems and felt I could create a unique book of my own. 

I added fun facts to each page, and all the reviews are loving those tidbits! The poem was inspired by my lifelong love of hoops, especially the annual March Madness basketball tournament. Around 2010-11, as I was completing my bachelor's degree, I was working on several creative projects. One being the poem. For several years, I would tinker with it every March and loved doing so, but in 2023, I decided it was time to finish it!

Tell my readers about the story. 
The book is about the love of basketball. It's about the heartbeat of the game and the love of the game. It's sort of a love letter to the game from every basketball player who loves the game and has lived on the court. Many of the pages also teach the game to those who may not know it very well. Of course, the wonderful illustrations by Bryan Werts bring it all to life!

What are your writing goals for 2026?
I have two writing projects that I started years ago. One is a picture book about Joan of Arc. My research will bring to light a unique perspective on her life that has yet to be seen. The other project is a novella/short novel based on my short story: The Paladin. That story was praised by Lorian Hemingway during her 2010 short story contest. She loved the story and sent me a personal email after the contest. We corresponded for many months after that. What a treat that was, to have contact with Ernest's granddaughter!

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing? 
Too many to list just one! But, the majority of my initial support and encouragement came from my writing professors at Dominican College, now a University! Professor Stephanie Stiles, Phd, was extremely instrumental in my creative pursuits. In her creative writing class, she pushed all the students to write and encouraged us to keep going. I actually had some struggles early on in her class, but by the end, I had created the story that Lorian Hemingway praised. It was born in Stiles' class.

Stiles's instruction and encouragement were the boost I needed to keep going after graduation! Professors Jim Ryan, Ellen Dolgin, Phd, Sister Nevins, and others kept pushing me and encouraging me to keep writing! I took many classes at DC at various times and on various days, but it all began with their "Weekend College" program! It was a very unique program that doesn't exist anymore. I am so thankful for that program.

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks? 
I am still working on this side of things. I never really focused on the marketing, as I was always so busy with the creative side. I am currently trying Amazon Ads and will continue to evaluate the opportunities to gain more sales. I believe the industry is overly saturated now that publishing has become so easy. I have heard many authors complain about slow sales...it's tough!

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner? 
I think I wish I knew more about setting up Ads on Amazon or other sites, and also how to pre-order and push your books way in advance!

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give? 
The best advice is that it is work. There is no magic to it. Flat-out work. The harder you work, the better you'll get...period! And also to be consistent when you are working on something. Sit and work at it every day, even if the words don't flow sometimes, because they will if you stick with it every day. A piece of advice I can offer is to try researching when you're stuck. It has worked like a charm for me in all that I write.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add? 
Enjoy it! Even though it is work, if you don't enjoy it, then why do it? Especially, enjoy any and all successes you have. Celebrate, share, and repeat and repeat!

Here's a link to the wonderful review I received from Kirkus for another of my books. 

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/c-behrens/alexander-hamiltons-wish-for-battlefield-glory/

That's all for today's interview. To learn more about Chris's books, use the link below.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/C.-Behrens/author/B00JLXNKY0

And here's a couple of special bonuses for my readers...Books for middle-grade and YA readers:  https://books.bookfunnel.com/middlegrademarch/mfa6qpgxdr

If you like clean and sweet romances, you can get a few freebies here, but only through 3/6/26

https://books.bookfunnel.com/freereadswithabby

How Reading Improves Your Writing: Author Interview with Marianne Rice

You have now published multiple books. How do you keep the writing fresh? 
As far as keeping my writing fresh? I read a lot. Like, a lot a lot. Last year, I read close to 200 books. I love to read across genres (all romance): small town, sports, sweet, spicy, billionaire, mafia, a tiny bit of fantasy, and even some dark. I’m a mood reader and a mood writer. I haven’t had writer’s block yet. My problem is I have too many books I want/need to write.

What are your writing goals for 2026?
I write under two pen names, and my goal is to be more balanced between the two. For Marianne Rice, I’m working on a new small town sports series. The first book comes out this summer, and I’m writing the second one now. And of course, the next book in my Balsam Grove Christmas series will be out in the fall.

With my other pen name (it’s spicier so I keep it separate from this one), I have a football romance releasing in March and a new mafia series coming out this summer.

Give me a short blurb on your latest book to entice readers to get it.
My last release was A Very Merry Rescue, a sweet holiday romance.

Olivia’s magical holiday event aims to find homes for shelter pups, complete with festive sweaters and twinkling lights. But when an electrical meltdown strikes, she reluctantly calls grumpy electrician Ethan Shepherd.

Initially there just to save the day, Ethan is determined to avoid Olivia’s chaotic holiday cheer. However, as snow falls and lights twinkle, her infectious spirit begins to thaw his icy heart. This season, they discover that the best things in life are often unexpected—and sometimes need a little rescuing.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
Imposter syndrome is the worst. Whenever a reader reaches out to say something–anything–about one of my books, it lights a fire under me and it gives me the writing inspiration I need.

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?
Great question. I hate going the sales pitch route, but I have fun making videos on Tik Tok and Instagram. They’re entertaining and show my personality, and sometimes my books. I’m not sure if they actually translate into sales, but for now, I enjoy it.

How I sell the most paperback books is at craft fairs, especially during the holidays. I meet so many new readers, and many of my newsletter subscribers who are local come out to see me. It’s great fun!

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
Everything. :-)

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
My advice: write what you love. Don’t follow fads and trends if they’re not for you. Eventually, what you’re writing will BE the fad/trend. If your writing is forced, your readers will feel that.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
Oh, the dreaded synopsis/blurb. Nope. I don’t have one written for my next release. Funny story. I write the book, edit it a few times, then send it to my editor, and THEN come up with a title and blurb. It’s when I book my cover artist that really makes me commit.

So, all I can tell you about my late spring/early summer release is that it’s a small town hockey romance with all the feels. Stay tuned for more details!

That's all for today's interview. Hope you'll check out her links below to learn more about her books.
Website: www.mariannerice.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marianne-Rice/author/B00SICUIRM
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marianne-rice?list=author_books
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/list/13477232.Marianne_Rice

And here's a couple tips for getting a free eBook. Leave a short comment on this post that includes your name and how to contact you. You'll be entered to win a eBook of Easy to Love, a small town, billionaire romance. We'll choose one winner at the end of next week.

Sign up for her newsletter and get a free eBook: 

 https://dl.bookfunnel.com/4gfxdkqnyc

Write What You Love: Author Interview with Adina Senft

You have now published multiple books, but what inspired you to write that first book? 

My first published novel was my MA thesis! I was in the Writing Popular Fiction program at Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania, which was focused on genre fiction—romance, mystery, horror, fantasy, children’s. People think I’m joking when I say I was a romance major, but I really was :) One of my critique partners was a working private investigator, so he helped me with the technical details for my PI hero. 

I had been submitting to Harlequin for six years with no luck, so that winter I stood up at my local writers’ meeting and confessed, “This is the best I can do. If it isn’t accepted, I’m giving up.” Lo and behold, Harlequin accepted it, and it came out in 2003 (now titled Watch For Me. nor at the time) and I was on my way. 

 

Tell me about your latest book.

The latest one came out in August: The Amish Cowboy’s Wedding Quilt. It weaves in a family tradition that says that if a woman begins a wedding quilt, she’ll meet the man she’s meant to marry by the time she finishes it. But Patricia King can’t imagine that—she’s on Rumspringe and having too much fun with Englisch boys. And that nosy Gideon Miller is always getting up in her business. They were a fun pair to write, and I got a chance to exercise my suspense chops, which I haven’t done in a while.

 

What are your writing goals for 2026?

I have a giant wall calendar that tells me these things.

January: Revise Death on the Graf Zeppelin, book one of the Lady Hay Investigates cozy mystery series set in the 1920s with a real person as sleuth, for my publisher

February: Finish Rose’s July Surprise, book 7 in the Amish Romance Birthdays series with 11 other authors

March: Write The Aeronaut’s Heir, the next Lady Georgia Brunel steampunk mystery

June: Write Death at the Beach House, Lady Hay Investigates book two

(ME: Wow! that is an intriguing mix of book genres!)

 

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing? 

My author friends are the most generous people in the world. Without their encouragement right from the beginning (to say nothing of plotting parties and marketing retreats) I don’t think I’d be as far along the path as I am today. As for advice, the most freeing for me was “Don’t write what you know. Write what you love.” And I still do. I can always research to solve the first. But without that spark of love for what I’m doing, the second would be really hard.

 

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?

Marketing frustrates me because it’s so unpredictable. But the smartest thing I did was to hire someone to do my Amazon ads who loves data and strategy and the thrill of the chase. The second smartest thing was listening to Erin Wright, western romance author, talk about how to succeed on the various retailers—and then doing what she said.

 

What do you know now about writing you wish you had known sooner?

That with traditional publishing, I should treat publication like a business, not like an undeserved honor bestowed upon me. Speaking up for oneself doesn’t come naturally to many of us, but the older I get, the more I do it :)

 

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?

An aspiring writer cornered me at a party once and demanded to know how to get published. “My art! My art! It deserves to be out into the world.”

I said, “Art is all very well, but what are you offering your readers?”

“My art!”

“Your art will never be published unless you realize that an editor or agent is your first reader. What are you offering that person?”

He took his drink and walked away.

 

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?

This business isn’t for the faint of heart, or for those who aren’t willing to work. But when you love it and gain the skills, it’s the best job in the world.

 

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?

 The Amish Cowboy’s Journey comes out February 25, 2026. When I was researching the Amish in Lancaster County, I met a young Amish woman in the fabric shop who told me she’d just returned from a van trip to visit twelve of the national parks. I filed that interesting experience away in my brain, and this book is the result—an “enemies to true loves” crossed with a “road trip”!

 

Here are some of the details... Unlike his siblings, who have put down roots in the Amish community in the Siksika Valley, Seth Miller is the restless one—always looking to the horizon and wondering what lies beyond it. When a group of Amish Youngie plan a van trip to visit several national parks, Seth decides to join them. It’s only for a couple of weeks, and it might satisfy that urge and help him settle down.

 

Shy Beth Stolzfus, who seems to be invisible most of the time, surprises everyone by announcing she wants to go, too. She’s tired of being overlooked and underappreciated—maybe this trip will give her a chance to stretch her wings and be someone different. Someone who might catch the eye of one of the other Amish adventurers. Not Seth Miller, that’s for sure. He’s already made it clear in a hundred ways that he’s not interested.

 

Except that travel can bring out the best in someone as well as the worst. Beth proves to have a level head when one of the other travelers needs help. And her eyes seem to speak a language all their own. Surrounded by the beauty of God’s handiwork in nature, Seth slowly comes to realize that what his heart has been longing for may not be over the horizon after all. It may be much closer to home.

 

Sounds like an intriguing story. If you'd like to learn more about Adina's writing, click on the links below. 

Website: https://www.shelleyadina.com

Shopify store: https://www.moonshellbooks.com

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shelleyadina/amish-cowboys-of-montana/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adinasenft

And here's a bonus for my readers, leave a comment on this post and we'll pick one reader who'll receive an eBook copy of one of  Adina's eBooks. Here are the options she is offering.

If you like steampunk (written as Shelley Adina), the winner can choose the two-book set that launches her Magnificent Devices series. 

If you prefer Amish romance (written as Adina Senft), the winner can choose The Amish Cowboy, the first of the 12 books in the Amish Cowboys of Montana series.

So add that comment now. It can be as simple as I want to be in the giveaway. We'll chose a winner next weekend!

 

Motivated to Write: Author Interview with Robin Winters

You have now published multiple books, but what inspired you to write that first book?
I have always been a writer. I wrote my first stories in elementary school, and I never stopped. For years, I pursued traditional publication, but I only wrote for children and teens. I got a couple of short stories in well-known children’s magazines like Ladybug and Turtle. I ghostwrote a middle grade novel from a defunct series for girls.  While this was going on, I earned a bachelor’s degree in English as well as master’s degrees in Elementary Education and Library Science. 

I ended up getting a couple of literary agents, but my middle grade novels never sold. I parted ways with my agents and just kept writing. I never thought I could write for adults because I have always surrounded myself with literature for kids. I even became a school librarian and public librarian, specializing in children’s literature. With that being said, I always read books for adults, too. I read romcoms, paranormal romance, and historical romance. My sister and my husband kept pestering me to try self-publishing, and I finally decided to give it a try.

What book did you publish?
The first book I put on Amazon was a story I had on my hard drive for years. I was just anxious to get the ball rolling, even though it wasn’t a romance. It was just a true confessions type of story. I decided to try my hand at writing a sweet and clean paranormal romance. It ended up in the Amazon short read category, and it’s called The Night Librarian. The story evolved from my love of libraries and paranormal romance, but I wanted to make sure it was clean. When I put the book up for sale on Amazon, it gave me the greatest feeling seeing people read the story and leave positive reviews. 

After that, I was hooked. I started writing sweet and clean romcom novellas as well as clean paranormals. I’m having a lot of fun and learning so much from other romance authors who graciously and generously share their knowledge on Facebook groups and podcasts. I focus on short reads that are enrolled in KU. I have one YA fantasy novel that is not enrolled in KU, and it’s a full-length novel.

What are your writing goals for 2026?
My writing goals for 2026 include writing more high-quality sweet romances–both romcoms and paranormal. I also want to write faster. I’m a slow writer, and I want to improve in this area. Like most self-publishing writers, I also want to earn more money! LOL! My goal is to one day earn $5000 a month. I know it’s possible because other writers are doing it too. I’m getting close to retirement age, and I want to bring more income into my household so I can provide for my family. My mom is in her 70s, and my dream is to take her to Disney World one day. I would also love to help other members of my family pay off their student loans! That would be a dream come true! 

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
 I have received so much encouragement from other writers through the various romance writer Facebook groups I belong to. Everyone I’ve encountered that self publishes romance is so welcoming and helpful. No one is a gatekeeper. There’s room for everyone, and people freely provide advice and guidance to newbie self-published authors like me. 

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?
 Right now, I’m doing newsletter swaps, which has helped so much in gaining new readers. I also have been using TikTok. If you had told me five years ago that I would be posting on TikTok, I would have said you were crazy. And, yet, here I am! I use an author app called Authorscale that helps generate slides to post to TikTok so I can gain the attention of people who love sweet and clean romance. In the past, I’ve tried Facebook ads. The first time I tried it, I noticed a small uptick in sales, but it wasn’t as successful as I hoped. Now that Facebook ads have changed, I’m looking for an inexpensive class to help me navigate it. I find it extremely intimidating. I’ve tried paid promotions like Bargain Booksy, but I haven’t experienced any increase in sales. So I would have to say that TikTok and newsletter swaps have provided me with the most sales. 

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
Years ago, I never entertained the thought of self-publishing. I only wanted to be traditionally published by a Big 5 publisher. If I could travel back in time, I would have started self-publishing sooner. I wish I had known how personally satisfying the process can be. It’s exciting and scary and exhausting, but so much fun. Years ago, I had no idea there were so many self-published authors out there making enough money to support their families.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
One piece of advice I read in a writer’s craft book is that successful authors know how to sit in a room and write–whether that “room” is your car, your bedroom, or somewhere outside while your kid is at soccer practice. You can be the most talented writer in the world, but if you are unable to put the hours of work into your writing, it is more difficult to become successful. Writing is something you do alone in a room. It’s a solitary vocation. And it can be extremely lonely. Ask yourself: how long can you stay in that room? Writers who succeed consistently work on their craft. They sit in that chair, and they write. Butt in chair. That’s what I’m trying to do: devote more time to working on my craft. 

Another piece of advice is that you shouldn’t compare yourself to other writers. It evokes negative emotions, often leading to toxic feelings of jealousy. I will never be able to write like some of the authors I admire, but I can always strive to be the best writer that I can personally be. I can only write like myself and strive to be a better storyteller with each book I write. It’s like the late, great Kobe Bryant and his personal philosophy called Mamba Mentality. Be a little bit better than you were the day before. 

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
If you want to write a book, just start writing. The only way you can become a better writer is to sit down and write. Read books on the craft. Take writing classes if your finances allow. Join a critique group so you can get feedback on your writing. It also makes you feel less alone because you have other writers who can encourage you, tell you what’s not working with your story, and give you a figurative or literal shoulder to cry on when you get a rejection or a bad review on Amazon. Overall, just don’t give up. Keep writing and then write some more. Allow yourself to write badly and then go back and rewrite/revise. Being a writer is one of the hardest jobs you can ever have, but it’s also one of the most rewarding. 

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
I have two new books in the works. One of them is called My Fair Librarian, a sweet and clean romcom. I was inspired by the story of My Fair Lady, a musical. It’s about a librarian who’s trying to catch the eye of a handsome doctor who visits the library every Thursday evening to check an item out from the Library of Things. She’s kind of a plain Jane type of girl so her brother’s best friend decides to help her transform into a fashionable woman who can catch the doctor’s eye. Of course, the librarian is going to end up falling for her brother’s best friend instead!

My other book I’m working on is called Letters to a Vampire, a clean paranormal inspired by the classic book/movie Daddy Long Legs. It’s about a young woman who has a secret benefactor who pays her way through college. This benefactor just happens to be a vampire who feels guilty for not being able to save the women’s parents from another vampire. To assuage his guilt, he pays her way through college, offering financial support. But then he ends up falling in love with her. 

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Robin's books, click on the links below. 
https://www.amazon.com/author/robinwinterswrites
http://www.robinwinterswrites.com/
https://www.tiktok.com/@robinwinterswrites
https://www.facebook.com/p/Robin-Winters-Writes-61569121246621/
https://www.instagram.com/robinwinterswrites/

And here's a bonus for my readers, leave a comment on this post and we'll pick one reader who'll receive an eBook of The Billionaire’s Pet Project. It’s a sweet and clean novella. So do that now. It can be as simple as I want to be in the giveaway. We'll chose a winner next Sunday!

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

It's now the start of a new year. 2025 is over and gone. Last night I binge watched New Year’s Eve Celebrations from around the world. It was awesome to see how different countries rang in the new year. My favorite was the one in Dubai which included an amazing fireworks display as well as an elaborate water show with music, jet ski tricks, and high flying water rocket boots. And I enjoyed seeing the double ball drop in New York’s Time Square which celebrated the new year and then the kick-off to the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

What are your hopes and dreams for 2026? For me it always begins with a desire to lose some weight due to indulging too much in Christmas treats. Sure wish diet food was sweet and salty treats! However, I do love soups and salads so it’s not too hard to improve my eating habits.

My goals for 2026 include writing and publishing more books. I’ve got two books of re-imagined fairy tales coming out and maybe a third for a good box set. I’m also working on on romantic time travel Christmas novel. I’m working on that right now while I’m filled with the Christmas spirit to infuse it into my writing. I’d also like to do another Christmas picture book and a beach one. We’ll see how much will actually get accomplished.

To get you inspired for the new year, here are some great quotes to motivate you.

“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.” ― Brad Paisley

“We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives...not looking for flaws, but for potential.” ― Ellen Goodman

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right." — Oprah Winfrey

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." — Albert Einstein

Happy New Year! Make the most of it and create wonderful memories!

And here's an eBook freebie from one of my favorite authors... 

https://books2read.com/b/Markedbook

It's beginning to read a lot like Christmas 2025: Author Interview with Deborah Raney

What made you decide to write a Christmas themed book? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?
I’ve always loved Christmas books, especially novellas. In fact, the first (and only historical) novella I wrote was a Christmas book. Gifts of the Season contains two novellas, Christmas then and now. "Circle of Blessings" is set in Dakota Territory in 1864 and tells the story of Stella Bradford’s unexpected romance with the English professor at her college. “Measured with Love” is a contemporary tale set in a Mississippi River town in Southeast Missouri (where I happen to live). Benji Gabriel believes the chef’s position she’s just taken at an award-winning bed and breakfast is temporary—only a stepping stone to greater things. Her boss—and God—have other ideas.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
"Circle of Blessings” from Gifts of the Season is based on a family tradition from my own family. Each Christmas, we would take our kids out to eat with the intention of blessing our server with an extra generous tip. We would pray for the server ahead of time, and one of our rules was that we would leave the restaurant without waiting to see that person’s reaction…we simply trusted that God would use that gift to bless the server in ways we will surely never know this side of heaven.

Recently, I’ve loved what has become a tradition of setting up our Christmas tree on our screened porch, and leaving it up and decorating it for Valentine’s Day and again at Easter. It adds the twinkle of lights and pretty decorations throughout the long winter months and makes Christmas seem to last longer.

What’s coming up next?
I’m working on the third book in The God Who series, Who Names the Stars. The first book, Who Touches the Mountains, is a Christy Award finalist this year and I’m thrilled about that. I’m especially looking forward to teaching at the Seaside Scribes conference at Myrtle Beach in January, and at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference’s 50th anniversary in May. Teaching the craft of writing is one of my favorite parts of my writing career.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
Even though this may not apply throughout a long career, it’s still good advice for beginning writers: Write what you know. Yes, if you write more than a few books, you’ll need to research new things and write about characters who are very different from you. But when you are starting out, I think you find your truest voice when you are writing about characters much like you and settings with which you are intimately familiar. Once you’ve mastered the craft of writing, then you can stretch yourself writing what you don’t know but are willing to learn.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
That the publishing world is ever-changing, ever-challenging, and sometimes brutal. I have had a wonderful career, written many books that I’m proud of and that readers loved, but at the same time, I’ve often been disappointed by rejections, poor sales, one-star reviews. It’s all part of the business of being a writer and I wouldn’t trade it for any other job I can think of (except being a stay-at-home mom, which, if you do that job well, you quickly put yourself out of a job.) The relationships I’ve formed with other writers, readers, and professionals from the publishing world are golden and have enriched my life so wonderfully. So hang in there. For every disappointment there is a success. For every challenge, there will be a triumph.

What’s your newest release that you’d like to tell my readers about?
Who Stirs Up the Sea is the second novel in The God Who series from Raney Day Press. It has been one of the most fun-to-research books I’ve written, including a week-long research trip on beautiful Saint Simons Island, Georgia, and a DNA test my character takes, that I took too, for research’s sake. I think you’ll love the romance that grows between my Emma and Tadhg.

That's all for today's interview. To learn more about Deborah's books, start with these links.
Website: http://www.deborahraney.com
Facebook Readers Group: http://tinyurl.com/DRreadergroup
Instagram: http://instagram.com/deborahraney
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/deborahraney/
X: https://twitter.com/authordebraney
Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/DRGoodReads
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/deborah-raney

And here's a bonus for my readers, leave a comment on this post and we'll pick one reader who'll receive a copy of Deborah's book, Gifts of the Season. So do that now. It can be as simple as I want to be in the giveaway. We'll chose a winner next Saturday!

Celebrating Christmas Themed Books 2025

It's that time of year again. Get ready for a joyful journey through the world of Christmas-themed books! Starting today through Christmas, my blog posts will be filled with chats from various authors, who will share their unique writing approach for holiday books. You’ll hear about heartwarming children's tales to cozy mysteries, romantic comedies, and nostalgic historical romances. 

In these posts, each author will share their favorite Christmas traditions, the inspiration behind their festive books, and valuable writing tips. Plus, you'll get an exclusive sneak peek into their upcoming projects. And since we’re celebrating the season of giving, there will be an assortment of giveaways sprinkled generously throughout the season!

To kick it off, I’m highlighting my own Christmas themed books. This is my favorite season of the year and I love writing stories set in this time frame. I've written two this year. The first book is The Innkeeper's Son: Witness to a Miracle! It's a fictionalized account of the birth of Christ as told by a young boy who was there. Here are the details... 

Marcus's play time with his toy soldiers is interrupted when his mother asks him to deliver blankets to a poor couple staying in a stable down the road. Frustrated, Marcus grumbles—"Nothing exciting ever happens in Bethlehem."

Or so he thinks.

What begins as a simple chore turns into an unforgettable night of excited shepherds, choirs of angels singing, and a very special birth. In the quiet of the stable, he meets a newborn baby—Jesus—and feels joy stirring in his heart. There’s something different about this child… something powerful and wonderful.

This book would pair well with one of my other books, The First Noel: Digging Deeper into Christ's Birth. This Advent devotional includes additional Biblical insights into that time period with links for more details.

When you buy this book, you will be supporting a prison ministry that gives hope to the incarcerated and guidance when they are released. All my royalties from this book are being donated to EE Prison Ministries. Learn more about what they do here: https://eeprisonministry.com/services/about-us.

The second book, Falling in Love Despite Christmas Miscalculations, is a sweet romance. Here are the details...

Natalie Baynton has finally landed her dream job at Rothwell’s, the glitzy fashion store in Aspen, Colorado. This coveted apprenticeship is her one shot at becoming the store’s major fashion buyer, and she’s determined to succeed. Nothing will get in Natalie’s way. Romance is the last thing on her mind—until she meets Alexander.

Alexander Davies-White, a brilliant numbers whiz from Britain, is on track to become Rothwell’s next CFO. His past romances have always been more about image calculations than chemistry, leaving him longing for something genuine. Arriving in Aspen two months early to observe the store staff incognito, he meets Natalie. Captivated by her charm and ambition, Alexander pretends to be a personal shopper to spend time with her.

As their connection deepens, Alexander's ruse grows increasingly difficult to maintain. Will a season of miracles bring them together? Or will Christmas miscalculations shatter their chance at love?

So, snuggle up with a cup of hot cocoa or cider and join me in celebrating the magic of Christmas in the most delightful way—through the joy of reading from now till the end of December. I'll be setting up eBook giveaways throughout that time.
If you'd like to learn more about these books and others I've written, here's the link to my Amazon author page. https://www.amazon.com/stores/Christine-L.-Henderson/author/B09L2Y7XNP

Time Travel Stories: Author Interview with Sarah Hanks

You have now published several books, but what inspired you to write that first book?
Great question. I consider my official debut into professional writing to be Mercy Will Follow Me, the first book of the Mercy series. However, I was writing for over a decade before that book baby saw the light of day. I wrote my first novel when I was seventeen. I didn’t know it then, but I had so much to learn.

The three novels I wrote before Mercy were my hobby novels. I snatched pockets of time during my children’s naptimes as well as late at night. Something in me had to write, but I never saw it as end-game for me. I wrote because I couldn’t not write, but I never called myself an author. I was a children’s ministry director and a homeschool mom who wrote on the side.

My mindset changed when I got sick and those other roles were stripped from me. Though still a mom of many, I had to send them to school, and I needed help caring for them. (You can learn a lot about my battle with POTS from my novel Fall Back and Find Me.) During this season, I couldn’t function much, so I read. Then I began to write. I emerged from my cocoon as a writer with stories to tell. Mercy Will Follow Me was the first, and it took me three years. I wrote only on Saturdays at the library. The next books came more quickly as I found my footing and grew healthy enough to attend writers' conferences and grow in the craft.

How did you go about doing research for your dual timeline stories?  
All of my books save Braving Strange Waters are split-time novels that have dual timelines. The Mercy Series has two (or in the case of the 3rd book, three) storylines in present day and one in a historical time period. Awakened to Life has several contemporary POV characters intertwined with a Biblical fiction storyline. A Battle Worth Fighting, Fall Back and Find Me, and Whatever It Takes have contemporary storylines and each have a historical storyline featuring a secret female Civil War soldier. New Creations has a 1960s storyline, a 1990s storyline, and a modern day storyline.

Braving Strange Waters is my first actual timeslip or time travel novel in which a character travels from the contemporary time period to the past. People confuse the terms split-time, timeslip, and dual timeline all the time and even different people in the industry define them differently. Most people don’t mind what each is called, but some do. Way to make things ultra confusing, huh?

For my part, the same amount of research went into my split-time books as did my timeslip. It did help that I’d already done a ton of research on Bloody Kansas for Fall Back and Find Me as well as on steamboats and slavery for the Mercy series. Researching for me is a love/hate relationship. I enjoy discovering new things, but I’m always itching to write already, so holding myself back is the hard part.

I search the library for as many books as I can find on the subject, utilizing inter-library loans and all of their resources. I try to get a variety, but I need at least one or two great first-person sources. A diary, a collection of letters, a journal. Something. Once I get a pile as high as my house, I go through them and figure out which ones truly include information that will be useful to my book. I buy those books used on Amazon so I can write in them and mark them up with highlighters, so the weeding process is important to avoid bankruptcy. I also utilize documentaries, YouTube videos, podcasts, etc. I also try to visit historical places whenever possible. When it’s not possible, I take virtual tours.

As you can imagine, it’s a lot of work, and so much of what I learn never makes it directly into the book. However, it all comes together to flavor the work and to give me confidence as I write. Nothing is wasted. It is helpful to write in the same time period or about the same subject for several books, though, to get the most bang for my research buck.

How do you decide if a book will be a standalone or a series? Will there be more in your current series?
I knew from the beginning that the story I wanted to tell in the Mercy series could not be contained in only one book. Pain that is so complex and layered must be dealt with delicately lest it appear trite. For Natassa’s story, this meant I needed to show the ebb and flow of her healing. Otherwise, I ran the risk of treating victims of sexual assault as if they just needed to forgive and get over it—not my heart. The Sister in Arms books are considered a collection, not a series, which means they have a common thread but can be read as standalones. The second Time Sailor book comes out in January, containing some of the same beloved characters. I plan to do two more in the series, but a prequel short story. With these, it will work best to read them in order, but one won’t have to to enjoy the story.

You've won four Angel Awards for your writing and have been a guest speaker at their Faith and Fellowship Book Festival. How did you first hear about them?
I’m not positive, but I probably first heard about the Faith and Fellowship Book Festival from fellow author and ray-of-sunshine Joy Mehlville. She’s an Angel Award recipient herself and a huge proponent of the festival. I’ve participated in the festival as a panelist for a few years now and have won four Angel Book Awards. This year, I’ll moderate the historical fiction panel. The festival is always an uplifting and encouraging time to connect with other authors and readers, and it was such an honor to receive the Angel Book Awards.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
That’s a hard one. I absolutely love hearing testimonies from readers. Never underestimate the power of writing a review or sending an email to an author to let them know how a book impacted you. I received a lot of feedback from readers of my novel Fall Back and Find Me saying they have started putting into practice what the main character in that book does.

In the novel, Amber asks the Lord for a word about her identity each day and writes it down. It is so exciting to me to get comments and emails stating readers have started going to Jesus for their identity and it’s changing the game for them. People who have struggled with their self-worth are being set free by the power of Jesus’ love! How thrilling that my little book could play a part in something so life-changing. It makes every hard writing session worth it.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
That’s a bit of a trick question. In a way, I kind of wish I would have attended writing conferences and attended classes/workshops sooner. I was a hobby writer for over a decade before I started taking myself seriously. But truly, I believe everything happened as it was supposed to. In the right season, the Lord showed me what I needed to know and led me to the people I needed to walk with during the journey.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
I’d say to just write and not worry about perfection. Get that first draft down. Worry about making it pretty later. I can be such a perfectionist and fear of putting something less-than-stellar on paper can paralyze me. Realizing that even the greats aren’t great on their first pass helps take the pressure off.

Everyone needs an editor. Every author needs an extra set of eyes. None of us can do this alone … so I shouldn’t try to. I can ask for help when I need it. Help brainstorming, help problem-solving, help with critiquing. That doesn’t make me a weak writer; It makes me a smart one.

Find your people. Writing can be an isolating profession, but it doesn’t have to be. Seek out community. It’s there. Be intentional to nurture it. And then … write!

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
My next release is a novella that’s part of a Brave Author Books collection. I’m the founder of Brave Authors and we’re coming out with three novella collections starting next month. Every Life Treasured features pro-life stories. Every Captive Freed features stories about human trafficking. And Every Voice Heard features stories about church hurt and abuse. My novella For the Love of Truth is part of the third collection releasing in December.

Here's the blurb: Candi loves her role as personal assistant to megachurch pastor Richard Blake. But when she meets Justice, he exposes the flaws of her "perfect" church family and she discovers her pastor isn't who he seems to be. Freedom lies on the other side of truth, if only she'll allow Justice and the Lord to lead her there.

When you purchase a copy of Every Voice Heard, 10% of all proceeds go to beEmboldened, a non-profit that exists for the prevention of and healing from spiritual abuse.

That's all for today's interview. Hope you'll use the links below to learn more about Sarah's books. If you go to her website, she has links for several freebies with one of them being a free eBook that you see on the left.

Amazon: here

Website: www.sarah-hanks.com

Follow me:  Facebook or Instagram.