It doesn’t happen often, and maybe that’s a good thing. After all, if every time you picked up a book and read half a dozen pages—if every time that happened you just knew your life would never be the same—you’d have to stop reading. Our lives can’t shift that often or drastically without causing Continue Reading
Dance of Shadows Review
I’ll never forget her voice. Deep, throaty, with a strong Slavic accent. She read to us of Mr. Tumnus, Lucy, the Beavers, Jadis. From her, I learned to love the world of Narnia. From her, I learned to see the symbolism of the Lion of Judah in the mighty, fierce, loving Aslan. Mrs. Elkins. My Continue Reading
Dare to Be an Anna in a World of Hurting Kings
“Dare to be a Daniel…” I loved the song as a young girl. That idea that one could stand firm in the face of life-threatening Danger. “Dare to stand alone.” Would I be able to do it? As a girl, I didn’t know. As an adult, I can only pray for the strength. “Dare to have a purpose Continue Reading
Some Books, Like People, Need Time to Grow on You
The email loaded in my inbox—a “friendly reminder” that I had a book due to review. One problem: I thought I’d done it. And, the one I thought it was, I had done. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t that book. Oops. So, instead of sending my Lara on a trip across the country, I sat in my Denny’s Continue Reading
What If Living The Dream Became Your Worst Nightmare
“The law is the law, and they’re breaking it. If I break the law, I have to pay the consequences—whatever that is. They should have to, too.” I have to admit. I agreed. Seated opposite us, the woman spoke with passion. “And what about loving our neighbor? What about the people who are Continue Reading
Why Every Great Sleuth Needs These 3 Important Things
It happens every time. #1daughter and I sit down to watch a mystery movie and within five minutes, we’ve pegged whodunnit. We’re rarely wrong. For us, the game isn’t in figuring out who, but why—or better yet, not getting sidetracked by excellently-placed red herrings and plot twists. It Continue Reading
3 Excellent Reasons to Make Hymns a Priority in Your Life
Humming, "I love to tell the story..." began the questioning. “Are you like her? Do you sing hymns when you’re stressed or happy?” You know that old saying, “If I had a dollar for…” Yeah. I could almost pay the mortgage every month with that one. Or at least, it feels like I could. I also Continue Reading
Is True Crime My New Favorite Fictional Escape?
The picture stunned me. After a lifetime of riding Ferris wheels at county fairs, I saw an up close picture of the original—the first one shown at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Look, I knew that the ones I’d ridden were tiny compared to the “real thing,” but I was not prepared for that Continue Reading
Is Amish Fiction On The Way Out?
Mending Fences—the title could have meant anything, but I suspected it would be about the more psychological rather than the physical side of the saying. She picked up the book and eyed it with a skeptical look on her face. “They’re all the same—or at least, they start feeling like it.” Look, Continue Reading
5 Easy (& FREE) Ways You Can Help Your Favorite Author
At least once a week an email arrives. While the words are always a little bit different, they all say the same basic thing, “I love your books. What’s the best way to tell everyone else how great they are?” Translation: “How can I help promote your books?” Look, I need to say something Continue Reading
3 Ways This YA Novel Will Challenge Your Perceptions
He held out a necklace with a pendant on it. It read, 90% angel. "They didn’t have one that said 100% angel,” he said. Usually, when one of the nicest, cutest guys in school gives you a gift, it’s a compliment. This wasn’t. And, thanks to my father totally not getting that, when I told him Continue Reading
The Best Kept Secrets of the Mighty Sword
Landers, California. 1984. I can still see the grass green shag carpeting as Dad said it. “If I ever write a book, I’ll use the name A.J. Josephs.” I’m not sure why pseudonyms hadn’t really clicked with me. After all, I knew how Samuel Clemens chose his. John Wayne was really Marion Morrison, and Continue Reading
