From beloved author Mary Connealy comes a delightful Western adventure brimming with danger, laughter, and unexpected romance—a tale of a runaway teacher, a bewildered widower, and five rambunctious boys who need a mother whether they want one or not. Perfect for fans of Tracie Peterson and Karen Witemeyer.
Grace Calhoun never imagined teaching school in Texas would lead to marriage—especially not to the infuriating Daniel Reeves.
When Grace flees her adoptive father's cruelty by hiding in a stranger's wagon, the town parson insists on an immediate wedding, leaving Grace trapped in marriage to a stubborn widower with five unruly sons—the very boys who made her teaching job impossible.
Daniel Reeves has no intention of risking his heart—or another wife—to childbirth.
Still grieving the loss of his first wife, Daniel wants nothing to do with the prim schoolmarm forced into his family. He'll build her a house and provide for her needs, but he'll keep his distance. His sons need a mother, but he refuses to fall in love again.
Snowed in together for a long Texas winter, walls begin to crumble.
As Grace discovers the courage she thought she'd lost, she transforms from a frightened woman on the run to a fierce protector of her new family. The boys who once tormented her become the children of her heart. And the husband who swore to keep his distance? He's finding it harder each day to resist his spirited wife.
But when Grace's dangerous past catches up to her, she must choose between running again or standing firm in the faith that brought her to Calico Canyon—even if it costs her everything.
A tender tale of found family, healing love, and the faithfulness of God in the midst of life's unexpected turns.

​They'll either kill each other or fall in love....

I must admit that I was predisposed to dislike both Grace and Daniel after turning the very last page of Petticoats And Cowboys book 1. So, when I picked up the second book, Calico Canyon, I wondered how in the world Mary Connealy could possibly get me to change my mind about them. But, by golly, she did it. She actually did it.

Oh sure, they still frustrated me at times, as the characters in the Petticoats And Cowboys series seem to do, but when I found out the 'why' behind everything, well, that started to change things. And then, as Grace warms up to the Reeves boys, finally earning their respect, plus Daniel's acceptance, and growing protectiveness, of his wife. Those pieces of the story convinced me.

Calico Canyon is a wild ride of a story. From a stowaway to a forced marriage, the intense winter elements to the untamed Texas landscape, toss in five boisterous little boys and add an unpleasant villain, Mary Connealy takes her readers on a real adventure. I definitely enjoyed the read, especially the showdown with the villain, and I am looking forward to more in the series....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy a 4 Bark rating.

​#5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.

​Have you ever been in the car and heard just the right song at just the right moment? Or heard just the message you needed at a specific point in your life on Sunday morning like the pastor is speaking directly to you?

Throughout crafting the poems that now make-up the contents of Metamorphosis, I realized that my testimony navigating depression and anxiety is incomplete without my faith. It is the love of God that allows transformation. As such, each poem within the collection is paired with a Bible verse. No matter what we are facing in life, we can find strength in our Lord and through His Word.
​
Visit this slideshow and see what Bible verse awaits you today. Share how the verse resonates with you and/or suggest a worship song that it reminds you of on social media and be sure to tag me (@author.kayla.e.green on Instagram) so I can reply! https://www.canva.com/design/DAHAUXF0oAI/kU3r4XgiHh-uOUWZUHQrPA/view?utm_content=DAHAUXF0oAI&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hb6054e54cf

Simple Harvest Reads, June 5 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, June 6 (Author Interview)
Life on Chickadee Lane, June 7
Fiction Book Lover, June 8 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, June 8
The Bookish Ledger, June 9 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 10
Vicky Sluiter, June 11 (Author Interview)
For the Love of Literature, June 12 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 13 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, June 14
Blossoms and Blessings, June 15 (Author Interview)
Stories By Gina, June 16 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, June 16
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 17 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 18

Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: May 26, 2026

​Gingham Mountain is the third book in this series. The first books I got published…though there were other things sprinkled in after Petticoat Ranch, the first in the series.

I think of Petticoat Ranch as my husband’s story. A mountain man who’d never been around women, finds himself married to a widow with four daughters.

Then Calico Canyon is my husband’s story growing up. He is one of seven sons. I tried to imagine how that would be.

Now comes Gingham Mountain and that’s my story. I grew up in a tiny farm house with eight brothers and sisters. We had two bedrooms until my sixth sibling was born. And two is a bit of an exaggeration because my folks slept on a couch in the living room that folded out into a bed. And the only ‘real’ bedroom was an upstairs, the kind that has sloped roofs and, well, it was just tiny.

Then my folks bought another tiny home and moved it to our home and stuck it on the end. Now our ‘two’ bedroom house had (drumroll!!!) three bedrooms. Mom and dad retired the living room couch. Huge family, tiny home, the thing was, everyone back then had a huge family. Hey, it was the baby boom, these things happened. No such thing as a kid having their own room. I remember being excited that I had my own DRAWER!

So, Gingham Mountain, all those kids in a house that really only had three bedrooms was completely believable to me. And it was hot inside and no room for nothin’ so we went outside to play all the time. And that’s how Grant’s kids had to function.

Grant with his little house and loneliness and the knowledge of how hard it was to be an orphan.

Hannah with her lioness heart for protecting children. And her utter poverty. Getting the job as school marm when she’d never been to school herself. With zero ‘womanly’ skills. The woman can’t cook or sew or do anything expected of a woman. But, because she had an abusive adoptive father who pressed her and a scad of sisters, into work at a carpet mill, she can thread a weaving look like lightning. Now she’d trying to save children from such a fate.

She and Grant are in perfect accord…if they just had a rational conversation. Instead, Hannah sees a man trying to make off with orphans, just like her abusive father. She sets out to save the children from Grant and chaos ensues.

Then set it in Texas and there’s trouble with oil, still a very underused natural resource and Grant doesn’t know he’s sitting on a gusher of wealth. But there are villains who know what he’s got and they want it.
​
Gingham Mountain, when I wrote it, was one of my favorite books ever. Helping those two find each other, well, I can’t even tell people about it without smiling. Grant and Hannah’s first kiss is one for the ages and, of course they are both horrified. And then they kiss again. What could be more fun?

She Lives To Read, June 2
Book Looks by Lisa, June 3
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 4
Texas Book-aholic, June 5
For Him and My Family, June 6
Devoted To Hope, June 7
Holly’s Book Corner, June 8
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 8
Books You Can Feel Good About, June 9
Vicky Sluiter, June 10
Simple Harvest Reads, June 11 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, June 11
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 12
Cover Lover Book Review, June 13
Sydney Schmied Books, June 14
Labor Not in Vain, June 15

Genre: Romantic Women’s Fiction
Release Date: May 5, 2026

#4. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
That even though sometimes life is hard, and things don’t go the way you would want, that God is always working in the mess. Also, follow the peace.

#5. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, friends.
I live in Michigan and have been married to my high school sweetheart for 25 years. We have seven children. We love to vacation, play board games, play pickleball and just hang out with the family. My husband and I also work as youth ministers for middle school and high school teens. We are blessed to have a number of friends that have been in our lives for years, and are like family. ​

​I’m asked this for every story, and this one I can definitely say the characters gave me no choice, I had to write it. When I envisioned this series, I always envisioned a three-book series where we would meet a “special” little boy in the first book and follow the lives he touched, and by the end of the series see the far-reaching effects of his life. When I finished writing “Right Before Their Eyes” we left Lucia as a pregnant foster teen. She’d found an amazing foster mom to support her, but what happened to her and her baby? In talking with social workers I learned so many foster teens age out and while there are some programs to help support them, they aren’t easy. So of course, Lucia’s story wasn’t over. And the story, as many of ours are, wasn’t all easy, but it also was filled with blessing. Many of her struggles, she gave to me (yeah… the characters talk to me lol, and many times just take over their stories), I didn’t have to dream them up. I’m sure many of us pray, read Scripture, and want to trust God. But then … life. Sometimes life sure makes those desires difficult to live out. And to watch this young woman grow through tough times, still have a heart, and eventually find the strength to step out in faith . . . I’m so glad she made me write this story  I pray you enjoy Lucia and Jordan’s story, and also step back and reflect on the far reaching effect of each human life.

Simple Harvest Reads, June 6 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, June 7 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 7
Guild Master, June 8 (Author Interview)
Inspired by Fiction, June 9
Fiction Book Lover, June 10 (Author Interview)
The Bookish Ledger, June 11 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 12 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 13
Life on Chickadee Lane, June 14
Blossoms and Blessings, June 15 (Author Interview)
Stories By Gina, June 16 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 16
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 17 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, June 18
For Him and My Family, June 19

Just One More follows Jess, a recovering addict struggling with shame, doubt, and the weight of her past, whose life unexpectedly collides with Charles, a dying man praying that God would use him “just one more” time. As their stories intertwine, Jess begins to discover forgiveness, healing, and the hope to fight for a future beyond addiction.

This is an emotional, character-driven story about redemption, perseverance, and the life-changing impact one person can have on another.
​
At its heart, Just One More is about choosing hope one more time, even when life feels impossible. This is the kind of movie that stays with audiences long after the credits roll.

I just finished watching this film a little while ago, and wow! Just One More was impressive on several different levels. Sure, it features decent acting, good filming techniques, and a reasonable script, but there is a lot more to it than simply those surface things. It's a movie that I don't think I will soon forget.

The story of Jess, and also Charles, is by turns emotionally moving, heartbreaking, and full of hope. And sometimes those turns repeat themselves in a steps forward and steps backward way. However, I think THAT is what impressed me the most about Just One More. This film doesn't just depict a girl's journey from addiction to Jesus, it shows how messy and raw that journey can be.

Over the years I've watched a lot of Christian and faith-inspired movies/shows and often I am frustrated by how unrealistic they are as they show the come-to-Jesus moment as being the end with things flowing smoothly immediately after. But that just isn't real life and it especially isn't how recovery from addiction goes. Just One More doesn't make those empty promises. No, it shows the struggles and many choices made every day to hang onto hope, onto faith, and to stand against temptation. As someone who has not struggled with addiction, some of the scenes that really moved me in particular included Charles's willingness to pray for anyone who stopped by his yard and one that involved a character that was hurt by Jess's choices realizing that they needed to forgive her just as they had been forgiven by Jesus. To me, that message is equally as important as the one of each person, no matter their mistakes, having value in the eyes of God.

​In the face of the opioid epidemic and other addictions running rampant, this film couldn't be more timely or relevant. So, watch the film yourself, and, if you have middle to older teens this movie is for them as well. Talk about it, this is the stuff kids are dealing with in school every day. But most importantly, be Charles. Be the one who will pray no matter what. Be the one used by God Just One More time.... ​

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 18, 2026

​#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
As a therapist who hears many stories about the world of dating, I wanted to write something incorporating therapy, storytelling, and tradition. We live in a world where anything goes, and I wanted something that acknowledges betrayal and wounds but honors the sacred.

​For all my life, I’ve been in love with the oral and written word.

And I imagine the same for you.

How many people do not enjoy reading or hearing a good tale?

And doesn’t it make sense?

Each of us has a story, our own book of life. How it unfold lays between God and us.

Although every novel involves a story, I decided to highlight a therapeutic storyteller.

Why therapeutic?

Because I’m a therapist and have listened to stories throughout my life. Also, I remember the story of Scheherazade, and with faith and modernity, I wove it into my novel. The protagonist spins tales to… Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out.
​
I hope you become mesmerized by Mesmerize.

Cover Lover Book Review, May 30
Simple Harvest Reads, May 31 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, June 1 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 1
Guild Master, June 2 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 3
Fiction Book Lover, June 4 (Author Interview)
History, Hope & Happily Ever After, June 5 (Author Interview)
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, June 6 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, June 7
For the Love of Literature, June 8 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 9 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, June 9
Blossoms and Blessings, June 10 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, June 11
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 12 (Author Interview)

​Is the boy next door her knight in shining armor?

Pride And Prejudice may be my favorite Jane Austen novel but Mr. Knightley is my favorite Jane Austen hero, thus I was pretty excited to discover that the next book in Carolyn Miller's contemporary Silver Teapot Series referred to him in the title. Not Precisely Mr. Knightley is as fun and eye-catching of a title as the first book in the series had and I love it.

One of the things that I really appreciated about Carolyn Miller's second book in her Silver Teapot Series was the authentic Australian feel. You can oftentimes tell when an author has been or lived in a place and when they've just read an article or two on the internet. Not Precisely Mr. Knightley has the flavor and feel of Australia and, as an American reader, I really enjoyed it.

I will confess that, just like the novel this book is loosely based on, I was not the biggest fan of EJ. She came across as intelligent but naive and very shallow. Jordan, however was great! His patience, forgiveness, faith, and honesty are precisely what she needs. Interestingly, despite my limited connection with the heroine, I didn't want to the book down. I was curious to see how EJ would hopefully grow and change with a little help from Jordan as well as the rest of the Bennett clan.

Carolyn Miller has a good series going and I will definitely be here for the next Silver Teapot book. There are, after all, 4 Bennett sisters.... Anyway, Not Precisely Mr. Knightley was a good read, perfect for those who love a sweet contemporary romance with some fun rom-com overtones.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Not Precisely Mr. Knightley by Carolyn Miller a 4 Bark rating.

​Do you know someone who has found love online?

I do. I have numbers of friends and even a family member who have found love and married thanks to dating apps and the like. This newer form of meeting people is something I’ve referenced in several of my books (including Only You Can Love Me), as several of my characters have used an app called Dream Match, a romance matchmaking app for Christian singles around the world. But when I first mentioned Dream Match years ago I didn’t realise at the time that I’d end up writing a story about how the inventor of Dream Match would finally meet her match.

And it seemed perfect to me that Jane Austen’s Emma Woodhouse, known for her matchmaking skills, should be reflected in a modern day context as being the ultimate matchmaker, EJ Bennett, who is responsible for helping hundreds of people find love online. Even if she doesn’t think she needs or wants love for herself.

Playing with Jane Austen’s characters and putting them in a modern setting is a lot of fun. So not only does Emma Woodhouse become EJ Bennett, but George Knightley becomes EJ’s best friend and app co-designer Jordan Knight, the straight shooter she needs. And Frank Churchill, the man Emma starts to fall for, becomes Eric Churchill, son of a TV mogul squillionaire.

The first book in The Silver Teapot series, Not Exactly Mr. Darcy, also played around with some of Austen’s settings, placing the story in a small town in Australia called Wattle Vale. I had fun further developing the Australian connections by setting other key scenes in iconic places like the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach, which naturally meant I had to visit for “research.”
​
So I hope readers enjoy this little taste of Australia, and all the fun references to Jane Austen’s Emma. Be sure to check out my website and follow me on social media for more Jane Austen inspiration and fun, and get ready to enjoy Not Precisely Mr. Knightley, a sweet and swoony best friends-to-more romance that shows the path to true love is never smooth – even for the professional matchmaker.
​
Happy reading!

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 28
Book Looks by Lisa, May 28
The Sacred Line, May 29
All-of-a-kind Mom, May 29
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 30
Pause for Tales, May 30
Life on Chickadee Lane, May 31
Stories By Gina, June 1 (Author Interview)
To Everything There Is A Season , June 1
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 2
Texas Book-aholic, June 3
For Him and My Family, June 4
Lyssa Loves Books, June 5
Wishful Endings, June 5
Fruitfully Planted, June 6
Happily Managing a Household of Boys , June 6
Cover Lover Book Review, June 7
Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, June 7
Melissa’s Bookshelf , June 8
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 8
Blossoms and Blessings, June 9
Holly’s Book Corner, June 10

​Still curious? Read this book and find out how God will meet your curiosity with a stronger faith in Him and a deeper admiration for the service of military members and their families.

Genre: Christian Devotional
Release Date: October, 2025

​1. What was the inspiration behind this book?
First, thank you for allowing me to share my insights on your blog.
The inspiration behind Operations was the sailors and families with whom I had the privilege of serving as an active duty U.S. Navy Chaplain. My career in the Navy lasted over twenty-one years. During that time, I have been the “shepherd” of thousands of military members and their families, many whose devoted service went unrecognized. Operations was my way of telling them, “I SEE YOU!” Even though this book is the fourth volume in a series (“Psalms From the Sea”), it is the only one specifically dedicated to sailors and their families. ​

2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
Operations took about one year to write, from start to finish. However, I have had the book's title and outline since the summer of 2023.
The best way to describe my writing process is that of an accordion. It’s a bit asymmetric. Being a schoolteacher, my writing time is restricted to early mornings before classes start and weekends during the school year. Summer is my “sweet spot”, when I have the unobligated opportunity to write freely. ​

​3. What new or interesting things did you learn while researching for this book?
So, most of the research for this book was front-loaded through my deployment experience right after the terrorist attacks on 9/11. The book chronicles my ministry aboard ship to fifteen hundred sailors and Marines from September 19, 2001, until April 20, 2002. In short, I lived the experiences (research) that went into writing this book. The one interesting thing I added to the book is that each chapter doesn’t have a number, but a name: I used the phonetic alphabet seafarers use to communicate at sea. For example, the first three chapters of the book are “ALPHA”, “BRAVO”, and “CHARLIE”. 
​​

5. What do you hope your readers will remember after finishing this book?
I hope that readers will have a stronger relationship with God after reading this book and come away with a greater understanding of and appreciation for the devotion and tremendous sacrifice that military members and their families make to guard our freedoms and way of life. ​

​Did you know? The art on the front cover of my book, OPERATIONS, was designed and created by one of my Ninth Grade Art Students. Yes, it’s true. I recognized that this young artist had the technical skill and artistic flair to create the unique cover art required for this book when he was just in the sixth grade!
​
FOR OVER TWENTY-ONE YEARS, I have had the distinct privilege of serving thousands of sailors, Marines, and their families across the nation, upon every major ocean, as well as overseas. I am most proud to have shared a common bond of service, sacrifice, and devotion. OPERATIONS is my patriotic tribute to them.

Simple Harvest Reads, May 29 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, May 30 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, May 31 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 31
Fiction Book Lover, June 1 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, June 2
The Bookish Ledger, June 3 (Author Interview)
Vicky Sluiter, June 4 (Author Interview)
For the Love of Literature, June 5 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 6 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 7
Blossoms and Blessings, June 8 (Author Interview)
Stories By Gina, June 9 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, June 9
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 10 (Author Interview)
Books, Books, & More Books, June 11 (Author Interview)

​For years, scientists have connected handwriting with improved learning. Designed for a unique, devotional experience, the NKJV New Testament, Tracing Edition provides an opportunity to read and write through the beautiful gospel and promises of the New Testament from Matthew to Revelation. This special edition has lightly printed text allowing you to trace the words of Scripture easily. Wide margins and a clean, single-column typesetting complete the intentional design. Chapter headings are printed regularly for easy navigation, or you can engage more deeply using the included tracing themes and reading plans on love, hope, grace, comfort, peace, eternal life, anxiety, spiritual gifts, community, heaven, Holy Spirit, and faith.

​You’d think the apocalypse already happened in Mojave, CA.

Toxic dust could invade your lungs and kill you. Owls burrowed in the ground for lack of trees. Bobcats mated and had their kittens on neighborhood roofs, and every so often, a jet screamed overhead with a thunderclap in its wake.

I arrived in the middle of the night, and when I woke up, I was in a world different from any I had ever known. As a military kid, I had eaten fresh Belgian waffles, stood drenched in Ohio rain, and fallen asleep to Las Vegas lights. But I had never seen a place so unearthly, or so tantalizingly mysterious, as Edwards Air Force Base. I stood at the window and goggled at the scenery for a while. And then I began to make it my own.

One of the first things Edwards AFB taught me was how to write. That was a byproduct of my decision, at a mature eight years old, to become a detective.

My friends and I climbed into a ditch and found a broken arrow, half the feathers ripped away, the point still intact. An assassination attempt, of course. Old golf balls buried in the dirt—secret messages to a dangerous enemy. The allure of jets overhead, of opaque military acronyms, of drab camouflage and deadly temperatures and rumors of drug lords and cowboys and sand sharks wandering the desert, gave wings to our imaginations.

The first story I wrote was a collection of “clues” we’d gathered, an attempt to frame them all into a narrative that explained how the base was going to be attacked and how we—well-prepared with our military IDs and iPods—would save everyone. I started writing in a notebook with a hot pink cover, and a hundred more notebooks kept up the thread. The story wasn’t yet a book. But it was my first attempt at weaving a story greater than anything I had experienced.

Fourteen years have passed. All That Glows is my fifth book. It’s based on everything that came before it—most importantly, on Mojave and Edwards AFB and all the time I spent trying to tease out the desert’s mystery. It captures what I felt when I was there: small, under the broad desert sky and the huge airplanes; large, compared to the tarantulas that scuttled past my boots in the dust; melancholy, when I thought of how far away the rest of the world was; determined and thrilled, as I dove into the adventure I was living and the ones I hadn’t lived yet.

In All That Glows, you’ll poke your finger on cacti needles and get your shoes tangled in grabby creosote. You’ll experience the blazing daytime heat, the tumbleweeds, the bland architecture, and the rest of Edwards AFB’s unusual scenery, all set in fictional towns. You’ll count the desert stars and shiver in the cold twilight wind. You’ll have a mystery of your own to solve, and if you can stick it out to the end, you’ll have befriended a dry-humored, scrappy cast of characters.
Here’s the first line from one of those old notebooks: “When can we go outside, Mom?”

And here’s the first paragraph of All That Glows: “On the night the world ended, raindrops stained our roof tiles green. I was the first to notice when I went outside to dump the dishwater.”

A lot has changed, but the sense of adventure Mojave taught me hasn’t. If anything, since then, the mystery from back then has only heightened. Maybe the golf balls weren’t a secret message, but maybe a new kind of missile was tested while I was there. Maybe the broken arrow was just a kid playing in his backyard, but maybe one of those jets flew faster than sound seven times over.
​
I won’t ever know. I only have my memories. But I can imagine the battles and the sacrifice and the bravery. And so, if you’ll join me for this expedition, I’ll show you what my mind’s eye saw when I looked out across the desert.

The Lofty Pages, May 26
Simple Harvest Reads, May 27 (Author Interview)
Blossoms and Blessings, May 28 (Spotlight)
Stories By Gina, May 29 (Spotlight)
Inspired by fiction, May 29
Artistic Nobody, May 30 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 31 (Spotlight)
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 1 (Spotlight)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 1
Guild Master, June 2 (Author Interview)
Books, Books, & More Books, June 3 (Spotlight)
Texas Book-aholic, June 4
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 5 (Spotlight)
Books Less Travelled, June 6 (Spotlight)
Fiction Book Lover, June 7 (Author Interview)
The Bookish Ledger, June 8 (Author Interview)

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Release Date: November 14, 2025

​Sometimes curiosity can get you in trouble....

What would you do if you could influence the people around you with a mere suggestion? If your circumstances could change as a result? In this first Chronicles Of The Ever-Guise novel, a ragtag group of teens finds out...the hard way.

The title, Chaos Woods, intrigued me right from the start. It is simple, short, but promised a very interesting story behind it. And an interesting story is what I got, but, first I will admit that I was a little intimidated by it. It has to be close to, if not, the longest book that I've read. Over 700 pages of story between the front and back covers.

And it is quite a story. I found it to be imaginative and, though it is more character-driven than action, it was at times quite exciting. Scott T. Barnes has populated his fantasy world with an interesting mixture of races – magical and non-magical – in addition to creatures that are as different as they are dangerous. Toss in a magical artifact with unexpected and unintended consequences, a quest for freedom and another for vengeance, and maybe a spirit or two....

Overall, I would say that Chaos Woods was a good story. It's definitely on the long side but I think it will appeal to middle and older YA readers. As an adult, I still found a fair bit of the story to be intriguing. It is the first book in the Chronicles Of The Ever-Guise series so I wonder where Scott T. Barnes will take his characters next....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Chaos Woods by Scott T. Barnes a 3.5 Bark rating.

​One of the things that makes the fantasy genre so powerful, so important even, is that it often deals with existential questions, especially life versus death and good versus evil. Many other genres shy away from such question, or pretend that evil is, in fact, “relative.”

However, sharing the same stakes also means that many fantasy tales may come to resemble one another a little too much.

For Chaos Woods, I wanted to do something a little bit different. Given that the main character winds up with a magical mask, it did not take long to realize that the primary stakes of this story would be truth versus lies. This realization made the writing of the story much easier. Conflict and confrontation came easily through the turning of these two poles. This led IndieReader in a 4.8/5-star review to remark, “Scott T. Barnes delivers a richly imagined, character-driven coming-of-age fantasy that balances cozy adventure with thoughtful themes of morality, addiction, and the consequences of one’s choices.”
​
In addition to unique stakes, there is a lot of me in this tale. I grew up in a gold-mining town, surrounded by fields and live oak stands, and the mountains, forests, and small-town vibe enrich Telyn’s adventures. I hope the reader finds the Chaos Woods a place they want to visit again and again.

Simple Harvest Reads, May 27 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, May 28 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, May 29 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 29
Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 30
Fiction Book Lover, May 31 (Author Interview)
The Bookish Ledger, June 1 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, June 1
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 2 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, June 3
Books, Books, & More Books, June 4 (Author Interview)
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 5 (Author Interview)
Books Less Travelled, June 6 (Author Interview)
The Lofty Pages, June 7
History, Hope & Happily Ever After, June 8 (Author Interview)
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, June 9 (Author Interview)

Genre: Biblical Fiction
Release Date: May 12, 2026

​​#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
​This book was inspired by the scene in Acts when Peter is delivering a sermon to the crowd after the tongues of fire appeared over the disciples’ heads. I had been reading through that section of scripture when I began wondering what it might have been like for the people in the crowd. Usually, when I read through that passage, my focus had been on the disciples, not the crowd. The more I thought about it, how the people were from different areas, the more inspired I became.
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​#2. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
I have always enjoyed Biblical Fiction for the simple fact that it brings some of the best parts of Scripture to life. In ways unique to the genre, it takes the imagination and keeps it within the boundaries of inspired text, drawing out spiritual nuances that one might not linger on when reading through the Bible. It also adds historical details that emphasize the cultural differences we might not pick up on unless studying the Bible in depth. I like thinking of the people as three-dimensional, with emotions and feelings we can relate to while also remaining within the sacred boundaries of God’s Word.

#3. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
One of the takeaways I hope readers have after journeying with Joram in Blaze of Honor is that God’s grace is so all-encompassing that He can weave our mistakes into His overall plan for our future. Honoring Him is as much about trust as it is about duty. There is a delicate balance between both religious obligations and walking in the Spirit.   

#4. How did you name your characters?
It was fun naming Joram because I did something a little different with his character. I posted a profile about him on Facebook’s Biblical Fiction Aficionados page (a great community for those who enjoy the genre). I got some interesting feedback on the name choices I originally selected. I found out one of them was a main character in Game of Thrones, so I went back to the drawing board and tried again. Joram came out the winner by a landslide.   

​#5. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, friends.
I have been writing all my life, but publishing for a decade. I am a wife of many years and a mother of three adult kids. My two grandchildren are in the toddler stages, which is so much fun. Currently, I have no pets. Though I miss my beloved beagle, who was a big part of our lives for fourteen years. (I really need to put more dogs into my stories)

​My inspiration for writing Blaze of Honor came from a simple lyric in a song. “Be careful, little eyes, what you see.” I had the idea of writing the Spirit Ignited Series rattling around in my head for five years. During my regular Bible reading plan, inspiration sucked me into the scene in Acts 2 when Peter preaches to a crowd on the day of Pentecost. I found myself wondering about the people described as coming from all over the empire. I wondered what had brought them there, and what they had heard. How could I not be fascinated when the church grew exponentially that day? So, the idea for Spirit Ignited grew. I wanted to write four novels about four men who had been in the crowd that day.

As excited as I was to begin writing those stories, other books crept into the queue before I fully developed the characters for Spirit Ignited. I was excited when the first ideas came back to me after five long years of waiting for these men to speak up and inspire me. What was even more challenging was that the stories were begging to be written in first-person from a single perspective. That was a daunting task since I had only written dual-perspective stories up until that point. And, truth be told, first-person isn’t my favorite.

But I obliged and found myself completely captivated by these men. Surprisingly enough, I did not write Blaze of Honor first. Though it is the first to be released in the series, it was the third book I wrote in the Spirit Ignited series.

After hearing the song lyric, I started to wonder about how parents, most specifically troubled marriages, affected children. Joram, a shy character, finally found his voice in my head, and together, we explored a life of unintended scars and how they shape a boy as he becomes a man.

The story’s themes of redemption, forgiveness, and grace underscore the main takeaway: honoring God through loving others. I yearn for readers to grasp this central truth, to feel the depth in the main character’s plight. The narrative delves into the heart of devotion, exploring how easily the concept of honoring God can become contorted in the labyrinth of the mind. After completing the first draft, the realization that this story, with its raw vulnerability, could only be told in the intimate voice of the first person hit me.
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I truly hope readers will get as much out of it as I did when I wrote it. Stories that transform as well as entertain are my favorite kind of stories.

Simple Harvest Reads, May 19 (Author Interview)
Lots of Helpers, May 20
Artistic Nobody, May 21 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, May 22 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, May 23
Fiction Book Lover, May 24 (Author Interview)
The Bookish Ledger, May 25 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 25
Vicky Sluiter, May 26 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 27
For the Love of Literature, May 28 (Author Interview)
Leslie’s Library Escape, May 29
Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 30 (Author Interview)
Blossoms and Blessings, May 31 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 31
Stories By Gina, June 1 (Author Interview)

​I wrote Hadley the Hippo is What She Eats to provide a fun story to engage small learners. Through the hippo’s journey through the jungle where her color changes based on what she eats, pre-K and primary students can learn about both fruits and colors. But, what’s more, the back of the book contains a note to parents/teachers with activities to discuss the importance of consumption—what we listen to on the radio, watch on TV and online, and read impacts our minds and hearts. Approaching this lesson in an age-appropriate way is important for providing a foundational framework for discernment later in life.

As a former elementary school librarian and classroom teacher turned full-time mother, I know firsthand how play and learning go hand in hand. This principle applies to foundational skills for understanding biblical teachings, character development, math, literacy, and, well, a lot of things! Playing games with your learners can help reinforce that learning is fun–not only is there a game involved, but your learner will get to spend time with YOU!
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As a part of the book tour, I’m so excited to share 3 learning games with you! These games are designed with minimal materials but maximum fun. PLUS, they can be modified for various age groups. Find these 3 learning games to play with littles at home here in this online slideshow:

​Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 19
Simple Harvest Reads, May 20 (Author Interview)
The Bookish Ledger, May 21 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, May 21
Guild Master, May 22 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, May 23
Fiction Book Lover, May 24 (Author Interview)
History, Hope & Happily Ever After, May 25 (Author Interview)
For the Love of Literature, May 26 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, May 27
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 28 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 29 (Author Interview)
Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, May 29
Blossoms and Blessings, May 30 (Author Interview)
Vicky Sluiter, May 31
Artistic Nobody, June 1

​Perfect for fans of discovery, mystery, faith-based adventure, and clean action storytelling, Frogman Puck Origins: The Rising Tides is the beginning of an illustrated hero’s journey where imagination meets purpose—and the depths hold more than secrets.

Genre: Christian Sci-Fi / Action & Adventure (Teen & Young Adult)
Release Date: September, 2025

​8. What one piece of advice would you like to give readers?
Dive in.
These books are designed to be more than entertainment. They are an experience, faith-based, action-packed, cinematic, and layered with Biblical truth. Explore the story, notice the details, reflect on the lessons, and enjoy the adventure.
Both well-read and reluctant readers will find something new with each reading. Like a SCUBA dive or artifact hunt, the more you look beneath the surface, the more treasures you will discover.

​When I set out to write Frogman Puck Origins, I wanted to bring something genuinely new to readers, both those who read constantly and those who sometimes struggle to stay engaged. I envisioned an all-new, fully illustrated novel featuring clean, epic superheroes, told in a way that feels fresh, immersive, and meaningful.

Most superhero stories begin with accidents, mistakes, or powers gained by touching a mysterious artifact. In the world of Frogman Puck, the heroes’ origins are different. Their abilities are forged through purpose, hard work, teamwork, faith, and ingenious design. The story begins with the roots of child-like memories and grows into something much larger, showing how character is built long before power is ever used.

At its heart, Frogman Puck Origins is designed to do two things at once. It invites older readers back to the wonder, curiosity, and imagination of their youth, while encouraging younger readers to dream big, work hard, and plant good seeds that will grow into strong character. It is a story about becoming, not just becoming powerful, but becoming grounded, courageous, and faithful.

The series taps into riddles, adventure, super abilities, and deep friendships, all presented in a format unlike anything else currently on the market. Readers can expect wall-crawling, SCUBA diving, flying, underwater tunnels, octopods, secret labs, personally designed base headquarters, and fierce battles between darkness and light. Every element is layered to reward curiosity and keep pages turning.

Frogman Puck Origins is only the beginning. As the series continues, the world expands, the stakes rise, and the heroes are tested in ways that challenge not only their strength but their values and faith. It is a story built to entertain, inspire, and stay with readers long after the final page.

The Frogman Puck Series is a cinematic, faith-based adventure that grows in depth and intensity with each installment. Origins begins as a dream-driven journey into underwater exploration, where curiosity, mentorship, and imagination awaken a young hero’s calling. Resurgent accelerates into a full-scale action narrative, introducing advanced symbiotic technology, global stakes, and a coordinated enemy operating in the shadows. Reckoning brings the story to its most complex and consequential phase, revealing hidden systems beneath the surface of the world itself and challenging the heroes to confront truth, deception, and sacrifice on a global scale. Across all three books, the series blends illustrated storytelling, clean action, and biblical themes to explore stewardship, courage, faith, and what it means to answer a call—one step, one mission, and one choice at a time.
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God Bless, Joel Chanaca

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 15 (Author Interview)
Books Less Travelled, May 16 (Author Interview)
History, Hope & Happily Ever After, May 17 (Author Interview)
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, May 18 (Author Interview)
The Lofty Pages, May 19
Simple Harvest Reads, May 20 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, May 21 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, May 22 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, May 22
Fiction Book Lover, May 23 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 24
The Bookish Ledger, May 25 (Author Interview)
Vicky Sluiter, May 26 (Author Interview)
For the Love of Literature, May 27 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, May 27
Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 28 (Author Interview)

​LESSON TWO: Become headmistress and expect to find yourself
​partnering with an attractive inventor to search for treasure.

A missing girl & a menagerie. What can go wrong?

More rollicking good fun from one of my absolute favorite authors! And what fun In Pursuit Of Civility was! Pretty much everything got put aside and I finished the second Merriweather Academy For Young Ladies novel in a single day. I just couldn't put it down! With shenanigans that include a pint-sized thief, a mermaid, a runaway, and an unfortunate incident with an invention gone awry. Well, who could put it down? Especially when those adventures have such fascinating settings as a county fair, a train, and the high seas. Jen Turano had just a little bit of everything in this story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I've read all, as far as I know, of Jen Turano's full-length novels and I have relished every single one of them. Her trademark blend of historical romance, romantic comedy, and suspense always make me laugh out loud and eagerly turn those pages. In Pursuit Of Civility did all of that and managed to surprise me a time or two as well.

Her animal characters are always favorites of mine and I look forward each time I pick up one of her books to discovering these four-legged and winged friends. In this second Merriweather Academy For Young Ladies book, I was pleased to find three furry friends make their appearance once again. Annaliese's attack ferrets are so delightfully vicious that they make me chuckle aloud pretty much every time they pop up on the page.

In Pursuit Of Civility was everything that I expected and hoped it would be. It was funny, poignant a time or two, and was just the entertaining break that I needed. Jen Turano has a real winner with her Merriweather Academy For Young Ladies series, and, I for one, can't wait for book three....​

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives In Pursuit Of Civility by Jen Turano a 4.5 Bark rating.