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	<title>Small-Town Christian Romance Author Julie Arduini</title>
	<atom:link href="http://juliearduini.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://juliearduini.com</link>
	<description>Weaving faith, family, and chocolate in stories that feel like home</description>
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	<title>Small-Town Christian Romance Author Julie Arduini</title>
	<link>http://juliearduini.com</link>
	<width>32</width>
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	<item>
		<title>Review: Sanctuary: A Villa in Pink by Rita Garcia</title>
		<link>http://juliearduini.com/2026/11/05/review-sanctuary-a-villa-in-pink-by-rita-garcia/</link>
					<comments>http://juliearduini.com/2026/11/05/review-sanctuary-a-villa-in-pink-by-rita-garcia/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Julie]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2026 05:10:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Book Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Julie Arduini]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[book review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coastal mystery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cozy Mystery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nikki Summers Mystery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Review: Sanctuary: A Villa in Pink by Rita Garcia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rita Garcia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strong heroine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sweet cozy mystery]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://juliearduini.com/?p=18217</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<img width="150" height="150" src="http://juliearduini.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/81VuEwZ6XBL._SL1500_-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" decoding="async" />I believe in Pink—the quiet sanctuary of kindness and grace. But as an ex-cop turned private eye, I respect the Gray—the cold, shifting tide of the truth. When my best friend Willow calls in sheer panic, I don’t hesitate. Vanna Valentine—the celebrated Diva of Mystery—has vanished from a writer&#8217;s retreat at a historic Tuscan villa,&#8230; <div class="readmore-wrapper"><a href="http://juliearduini.com/2026/11/05/review-sanctuary-a-villa-in-pink-by-rita-garcia/" class="more-link">Read</a></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons" data-url=http://juliearduini.com/2026/11/05/review-sanctuary-a-villa-in-pink-by-rita-garcia/></div>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="150" height="150" src="http://juliearduini.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/81VuEwZ6XBL._SL1500_-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" /><div class="wp-block-image">
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>I believe in Pink—the quiet sanctuary of kindness and grace. But as an ex-cop turned private eye, I respect the Gray—the cold, shifting tide of the truth.</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">When my best friend Willow calls in sheer panic, I don’t hesitate. Vanna Valentine—the celebrated Diva of Mystery—has vanished from a writer&#8217;s retreat at a historic Tuscan villa, and Willow needs my help before the worst happens.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">With my Belgian Malinois, Izzy, riding shotgun and tracking the scent, we step into a labyrinth of polished smiles, bitter rivalries, and stolen legacies. From the villa&#8217;s sunlit elegance to the shadowed cliffs of the nearby lighthouse, secrets run deep—and when a devastating fire threatens to turn every clue to ash, the clock runs out fast.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Working alongside Detective Cade—a partnership that comes with plenty of its own heat—Izzy and I have to solve a deadly puzzle before the villain writes our final chapter.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Why you&#8217;ll love</strong> <strong><em>Sanctuary: A Villa in Pink</em></strong><strong>:</strong></p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>A Smart, Intuitive PI Sleuth:</strong> An ex-cop running her own firm by the sea with grit and grace.</li>



<li><strong>A Fast-Paced Missing Person Case:</strong> High stakes, coastal charm, and a race to save a mentor and protect a friend.</li>



<li><strong>A Loyal Canine Partner:</strong> Izzy, the sharp Belgian Malinois with unmatched instincts and heart.</li>



<li><strong>A Sweet, Cozy Mystery:</strong> Packed with literary intrigue, romantic tension, and zero graphic violence.</li>
</ul>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Grab your copy of</strong> <strong><em>Sanctuary: A Villa in Pink</em></strong> <strong>and escape to Sanctuary Shores with Izzy and me today!</strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Julie&#8217;s Review:</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Anytime I can revisit an author with smart characters and great action, I&#8217;m game. <em>Sanctuary: A Villa in Pink </em>means the return of PI Nikki Summers. She&#8217;s Audrey Hepburn-esque, but she is no wilting flower. Nikki&#8217;s quick on her feet, bold, and can stand toe-to-toe with anyone, even if they are famous, a criminal, or both.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sanctuary was a non-stop adventure with a writing retreat and a missing author-mentor. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, there was another layer to the story, and even more adventure.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This was a treat to read, everything you want in a sweet, cozy mystery.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I highly recommend.</p>



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<iframe title="Sanctuary: A Villa in Pink (Nikki Summers Cozy Mystery Book 2)" type="text/html" width="780" height="550" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen allow="clipboard-write" style="max-width:100%" src="https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?asin=B0HFJ3Z1F9"></iframe>
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		<title>The Prodigy and the Telepath by Kenneth Bliss</title>
		<link>http://juliearduini.com/2026/11/03/the-prodigy-and-the-telepath-by-kenneth-bliss/</link>
					<comments>http://juliearduini.com/2026/11/03/the-prodigy-and-the-telepath-by-kenneth-bliss/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Julie]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Guest blogger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Julie Arduini]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian fantasy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian Science Fiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Independent author]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kenneth Bliss]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Release]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Prodigy and the Telepath]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Prodigy and the Telepath by Kenneth Bliss]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://juliearduini.com/?p=18156</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<img width="150" height="150" src="http://juliearduini.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/the_prodigy_and_the_telepath_b-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />What I Learned Writing The Prodigy and the Telepath By now, my latest novelette, The Prodigy and the Telepath, has been released to the world and thousands of units have sold. The first half of that statement is true, but, unless a miracle occurs, not the second. Being an independent author of Christian science fiction&#8230; <div class="readmore-wrapper"><a href="http://juliearduini.com/2026/11/03/the-prodigy-and-the-telepath-by-kenneth-bliss/" class="more-link">Read</a></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons" data-url=http://juliearduini.com/2026/11/03/the-prodigy-and-the-telepath-by-kenneth-bliss/></div>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="150" height="150" src="http://juliearduini.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/the_prodigy_and_the_telepath_b-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" /><div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="alignleft size-medium"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="198" height="300" src="https://juliearduini.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/the_prodigy_and_the_telepath_b-198x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18158" srcset="http://juliearduini.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/the_prodigy_and_the_telepath_b-198x300.jpg 198w, http://juliearduini.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/the_prodigy_and_the_telepath_b.jpg 400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 198px) 100vw, 198px" /></figure>
</div>


<h4 class="wp-block-heading">What I Learned Writing <em>The Prodigy and the Telepath</em></h4>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">By now, my latest novelette, The Prodigy and the Telepath, has been released to the world and thousands of units have sold. The first half of that statement is true, but, unless a miracle occurs, not the second.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Being an independent author of Christian science fiction and fantasy has been a challenge to say the least. I’ve been at it for going on three years now, and I’ve learned a great deal about the business side of it. More importantly, I’ve learned a bit about myself. So, I’m going to share some of the things I learned about both.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Find trustworthy people</em> – there are a core batch of people which have been behind me 100%. Family, friends, critique partners, and author friends. Without them, I don’t think I’d still be writing.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Try everything…once</em> – Marketing has been quite the challenge. I tried a whole lot of different promos, reviews, ads, etc. If they didn’t show appreciable results, I crossed them off the list for future use.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Discernment</em> – Oh boy, did I need this. There are so many different scams out there, and some were very convincing. I had to dig deep to find the flaws. Even then, I still fell for a couple. However, I found a wonderful marketing partner through one of those unsolicited emails. I usually toss those emails into the trash. I thank God for the push to respond to the one that just felt <em>different</em>. She’s Christian to boot.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>God is in control…not me</em> – I have a control-freak streak in me. There were times I thought I knew what I needed to do, but God had other plans in mind. There have been a couple opportunities which fell into my lap. Which led to the next item…</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Patience</em> – God works on His timeline, not mine. Like control, my patience limit fluctuates greatly. I could wait for the world to end for one thing, then push, push, push for others. He has had to remind me of this from time to time.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The last, and most important, thing I learned was to <em>ask for the right things</em>. I’ll be blunt. Sales are abysmal and I’m in a deep hole. I’ve been praying for a blessing, income, something, so I can keep this writing gig going.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Earlier this year, I wrote a blog post for ACFW, and my site, called <a href="https://acfw.com/god-is-an-earworm/">“God is an Earworm?”</a> I occasionally receive messages through songs that run on repeat in the morning. One song has been running constantly for a week, <em>Breathe on It</em> by Tauren Wells. In it, he calls on the Holy Spirit to “breathe on it,” meaning my heart. Even though my writing is infused with biblical truths, God’s telling me it could be better and I need some help. So, I’ve changed what I’m asking for.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And there you have it. I hope this blesses you in some fashion.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Prodigy and the Telepath</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>“Not all the thoughts you have are your own.”</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Says the strange new girl Eric meets on the maglev.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Thirteen-year-old Eric D&#8217;Tra&#8217;val, the most powerful psionic on Earth, has just finished burying his adoptive mother. He slips away to the Arizona desert, trying desperately to outrun his grief and the forces that hound him: rage, despair, and doubt. Each one whispers the same message: <strong><em>God has abandoned you. Give in to the rage.</em></strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Then he meets Sarah Robinson, a telepath his age so sensitive, Eric&#8217;s thoughts bleed through his most powerful telepathic shields. She has heard the voices that assail Eric before and knows how to combat them with scripture.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Their chance meeting becomes an adventure neither of them prepared for: armed trespassers in a century-old mine, new psionic abilities erupting at the worst possible moments, and a spiritual battle that has been stalking Eric since <em>the accident</em> that claimed his real parents eight years prior.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To survive, they must work together. But is she a help or a liability?</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-amazon wp-block-embed-amazon"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="The Prodigy and the Telepath" type="text/html" width="780" height="550" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen allow="clipboard-write" style="max-width:100%" src="https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?asin=B0HGKNM19N"></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Website link: <a href="https://www.kebauthor.com">https://www.kebauthor.com</a></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Prodigy and the Telepath: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HGKNM19N">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HGKNM19N</a></p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="alignleft size-medium"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="254" height="300" src="https://juliearduini.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Portrait-med-002_edited-254x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18157" srcset="http://juliearduini.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Portrait-med-002_edited-254x300.jpg 254w, http://juliearduini.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Portrait-med-002_edited.jpg 400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 254px) 100vw, 254px" /></figure>
</div>


<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Kenneth Bliss</strong> writes Christian science fiction and Christian LitRPG fantasy featuring spiritual warfare, battles reminiscent of TTRPG encounters, and heroes whose faith shapes the outcome of impossible conflicts. An unabashed nerd, he has watched Star Wars movies ad infinitum, read hundreds of sci-fi/fantasy books and played TTRPG and MMORPG games for over forty years. After using his imagination super-power for good in the corporate sector (and occasionally for not-so-good as a GM), he turned his sights to the written word to express his love of God, sci-fi/fantasy and psionics. He lives near a small town in Michigan, hidden amongst the trees and nature with his two cats.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
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		<title>Thankful</title>
		<link>http://juliearduini.com/2026/11/02/thankful/</link>
					<comments>http://juliearduini.com/2026/11/02/thankful/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Julie]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2026 05:44:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Julie Arduini]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://juliearduini.com/?p=18212</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<img width="150" height="150" src="http://juliearduini.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Happy-Thanksgiving_edited-150x150.png" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />It&#8217;s November! This is my favorite time of year, with the scents of fall, cooler temperatures, and, of course, turkey. It&#8217;s also a season that intentionally reminds us to give thanks. I try to practice gratitude all year long, but in November, I pile it on like gravy over mashed potatoes. This year, I wanted&#8230; <div class="readmore-wrapper"><a href="http://juliearduini.com/2026/11/02/thankful/" class="more-link">Read</a></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons" data-url=http://juliearduini.com/2026/11/02/thankful/></div>]]></description>
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<figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="819" height="1024" src="https://juliearduini.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Happy-Thanksgiving_edited-1-819x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-18214" style="aspect-ratio:0.7998138370921964;width:185px;height:auto" srcset="http://juliearduini.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Happy-Thanksgiving_edited-1-819x1024.png 819w, http://juliearduini.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Happy-Thanksgiving_edited-1-240x300.png 240w, http://juliearduini.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Happy-Thanksgiving_edited-1-768x960.png 768w, http://juliearduini.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Happy-Thanksgiving_edited-1.png 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /></figure>
</div>


<p class="has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph">It&#8217;s November! This is my favorite time of year, with the scents of fall, cooler temperatures, and, of course, turkey. It&#8217;s also a season that intentionally reminds us to give thanks.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I try to practice gratitude all year long, but in November, I pile it on like gravy over mashed potatoes.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This year, I wanted to make gratitude a little more interactive. As thankful as I am for my readers (and trust me, I truly am!), I wanted to create opportunities for <em>you</em> to share what you&#8217;re thankful for as well.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Here&#8217;s how you can join in:</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Follow along on social media.</strong> Throughout the month, I&#8217;ll be sharing thankful-themed posts with questions for you to answer. Leave a comment, share a post, and join the conversation! Not sure where to find me? <em>Visit my <a href="https://linktr.ee/JulieArduini" class="ek-link">LinkTree</a>, where you&#8217;ll find all my social media links in one place.</em></li>



<li><strong>Visit my <a href="https://facebook.com/JulieArduiniAuthor" class="ek-link">Facebook author page</a>.</strong> We have fun daily prompts that help us learn more about one another. This month, they&#8217;ll all have a gratitude theme, with opportunities to answer questions, share an emoji, tell a story, and celebrate the blessings in our lives together.</li>
</ol>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Let&#8217;s make November a month of gratitude, encouragement, and connection. I can&#8217;t wait to hear what you&#8217;re thankful for!</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
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