Stitches Thru Time: Christian Fiction

Showing posts with label Christian Fiction. Show all posts

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Where I Was Planted

Where I Was Planted: In the spring of 1961, ten-year-old Nate Dooley, also known as Weenie, has a revelation—his father is not a good one.

Inspired by National Geographic, his favorite thing next to the Bible storybook his mother gave him before she died, Nate plans to leave his father and their home in the Smokies to set out on adventure.

When he discovers his father has left him first, it takes the help of a stray dog, some kind neighbors, a one-man-band, letters from a long-lost aunt, and a new understanding of God, to figure out he isn’t really alone.

Will he find that Copper Creek is where he's always belonged? Or will his wanderlust keep him from ever coming back?

Heidi here. Heather Norman Smith weaves a page-turning story in her second novel, Where I Was Planted. Set in 1961, this novel is a throw-back to a simpler time. No cell phones, no internet. In fact, not many people had televisions or telephones in Cooper Creek. I loved reading a book set in this time period, made me long for the simpler life myself. This book was about ten-year-old Nate, who had lost his mother and didn’t have much of a relationship with his father. When Nate’s father left him, Nate just kept on living in their little house all by himself. He got himself up for school every day, did his homework in the evenings, washed his clothes every week, kept the house picked up—all at ten years old! For me, that was equally amazing and incredibly sad.

Where I Was Planted was well written and the plot carried me through until the very last page. A captivating and introspective read. Grab your copy today!

Join me on Saturday when I interview author Heather Norman Smith!

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Character Interview with Beth Steury

Maggie from
Before I Knew You by Beth Steury

Happy Saturday to all our friends at Stitches Thru Time! Today we have a special guest, Maggie from Beth Steury's Before I Knew You. That's right folks, we are going to do something adventurous and venture into the life and mind of a teenage girl. ;)

Before we get into the interview, here's a little about the book.

After a series of bad choices rocked his world, seventeen-year-old Preston charts a new course as far from his ladies’ man ways as he can get. He distances himself from the dating scene and avoids his party-loving friends—the things that once dominated his life. Then he meets Maggie, the new girl in town, the first day of their junior year. She’s beautiful on the inside and out, knows nothing of his past, and he can’t get her out of his mind. When a disastrous first date leaves her skeptical about the guys at Madison High, Maggie slows down her pursuit of a guy to trust with her white-wedding-dress future. She wants a boyfriend, sure, but he’d have to be nothing like the jerk who forced her first kiss. Someone more like Preston, who’s been nothing but sweet and helpful, not to mention, easy on the eyes. But he is so out of her league. Can Maggie afford to let her guard down around the charming Preston? Will Preston’s past jeopardize his chances with the one girl who could anchor his future?

Sounds great, right? Now let's get on to the interview.

Welcome, Maggie! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Well, it’s a good thing we’re chatting now rather than six months ago when I first came to Madison. I’ve got a much better attitude about being transplanted here, during my sophomore year of high school, than I did in the beginning. I’m still not thrilled about the situation, but I’m trying to make the best of it. If only I could shed my new-girl-status.

What caused your recent move to Madison High?

My parents got the bright idea to open a clinic, in Pine Crossing, Indiana, of all places, and drug me and my brother along. Five hundred miles from my friends, my school, my church—from everything I’d known my whole life. Madison is huge compared to my tiny high school where I knew everyone.

What is the most important thing in your life?

I made a decision to follow Christ when I was just a little girl. It was important to me then and it still is today, to live a life that pleases Him. I made a commitment to save sex for marriage so that someday I could wear a white wedding dress, and for the right reason. I hate it sooooo much that so many people think waiting doesn’t matter. That makes me sad.

If you could go back 3 or 4 years, what advice would you give yourself?

I’m so tired of being shy, awkward, afraid of new things, . . . and alone. I wish I’d pushed myself, or met someone like Chelsea, a couple of years ago. Because now I’m afraid that shy and awkward and alone is all I know how to be. But thankfully, Chelsea’s helping me to be more like her and less like me. Which is a good thing. I think.

What makes you think Preston is out of your league?

He’s so popular and charming and so incredibly hot! He could have any girl he wanted, so why would he ever be interested in me? I’m pretty sure he flirts with all the girls. And may have dated like half the class already, according to how this girl Cindy described him on the first day of school. Anyway, I can’t imagine why he doesn’t have a girlfriend, but Chelsea insists he doesn’t. She thinks I should “go after him” which is so not me.

Tell us what your goals are for the next few years.

Doing well in school has always been very important to me. And of course, then I’ll go to college, to major in what, I’m not sure at this point. But I want a boyfriend! Ugh . . . did I say that out loud? Well, it’s true. I was sure that this year it would be my turn to be in an amazing relationship with an awesome guy. An awesome Christian guy who would respect my white-wedding-dress future. But . . . I guess not.

What is your greatest struggle in life at this point?

Thanks to Logan Wallace and the worst first date ever, that pursuit for the perfect guy is completely on hold. If all the guys at Madison are like him, this will definitely not be the year of the boyfriend. I made a huge mistake going out with a guy I knew nothing about. You can be sure, I’ll never do that again. So, no boyfriend for Maggie. Unless . . . by some miracle, Preston is interested in me. Because I’m positive he is nothing like Logan. But it’s ridiculous to even entertain the thought of us as a couple. Get on with your life sans boyfriend, Maggie!

Any parting remarks?

Wish me luck this year, will you? And pray that I survive National Honor Society. Talk about a new scenario where I feel soooo out of place! Why oh why, did I let my parents talk me into joining???

Thanks so much for sharing with us today, Maggie! Readers, be sure to leave a comment for Maggie to get your name in the drawing to win a copy of Before I Knew You!

Friday, July 20, 2018

Going in Circles by Jodie Bailey

Going in Circles: Sometimes you have to go where you've been to get where you're going.

Public relations manager Samantha Dellinger spends her days making stock car drivers shine while keeping her own imperfections well hidden. If only good PR could fix what's wrong with her soul. After a scandal threatens the Dellinger racing team, Sam can't afford to take any more chances. But that's exactly what their new driver, Nate Thomas, wants her to do… take a chance on him. As the two grow closer, the idea seems ever more appealing, but Sam has a secret she can't risk exposing. Even if Nate could accept her past, Sam isn't sure she'll ever be free of it. And when that secret shows up at her door, eager to tempt her back into his arms, will she fall back into old ways, or will she finally confront the past and risk her future for the kind of love she never dreamed existed?

Heidi here. Oh my, reading Going in Circles by Jodie Bailey was such a treat! Jodie has written a number of suspense novels with Love Inspired, but Going in Circles is all romance💓

The first book of the Dellinger Racing Series, Going in Circles gripped me from the very start. When I first met Samantha and Nate they were both so very broken, and that emotional baggage endeared me to them from page one. That brokenness and honesty from both characters kept me flipping pages wanting to know how their story ends. The author writes in first person, has an amazing sense of humor, and a marvelous storytelling voice.

The settings were amazing. I felt like I was sitting with Sam on her swing overlooking the lake. And in her basement apartment with her father living above her. And in the backseat of the car while Sam and Nate were together or when Sam and Ryan, her cousin, tooled around. The house Nate bought in the middle of the book, I want to live there! Oh, and last but not least, I want to eat at Mervin's because Shirley sounds like the funniest waitress😀

The plot involved car racing, which I am not very familiar with, but I found that world quite fascinating. Though I must say, car racing took a backseat to the romance Jodie Bailey built in this novel.

Suffice it to say, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Going in Circles and can't wait for the second in the series, Stalled Out, to release!

Monday, June 25, 2018

Weekly Windup: Comment to Win The Wedding Barter by Alice Arenz

Welcome to the Weekly Windup! We have a winner to announce!

Winner of Meet Me at the Fair by Martha Rogers is...Natalya!

If you are a winner, please Contact Us to claim your prize.

This Week's Giveaway:

The Wedding Barter (ebook) by Alice Arenz

Riley Carr has been best friends with Amy Lawton since they were toddlers. While Amy awaits her discharge from the Army, Riley's been left in charge of helping to arrange "a very small, intimate ceremony with no fanfare" for Amy and her fiancé. But, Riley has something else in mind.

With the aid of two other friends, Riley presents her “wedding barter” idea to groom, David Herron. He agrees, providing best man, Mike Todd, stays in the loop to keep things from getting out of hand.

It doesn't help that the giant of a man is threatening, overbearing, and just doesn’t seem to like her or her ideas. But, when Todd gives Riley an ultimatum of producing results in three weeks or he’ll take over, she’s determined to prove him wrong. . .in more ways than one.

Check it out on Amazon

Comment on any post now through July 1st to get your name in the drawing! Winner will be announced in the July 2nd issue of the Weekly Windup.

Paperback giveaways are for U.S. residents only.

Coming up this week:

Monday, 6/25: A devotion by Laura Poole
Tuesday, 6/26: TBA
Wednesday, 6/27: Guest Alexis Goring
Thursday, 6/28: A book Review by Jodie Wolfe
Friday, 6/29: A Cover Reveal of The Captain's Challenge by Elaine Manders
Saturday, 6/30: An Interview with Kelly Goshorn

Saturday, June 2, 2018

Interview with Biblical Fiction Author Sharron Lael

Today I am excited to welcome a good friend of mine to Stitches Thru Time. Sharron has just released her first book, and I think ya'll will find it very interesting.

Sharron Martell was born and raised in the mountainous region of northern Colorado. She has a natural, creative flair for writing stories.
Some of her favorite activities include hiking, reading, drinking tea, and blogging. She has a little rat terrier called Chester, who has a sparkling personality of his own.
Not only does she wish to share her personal experiences through the books that she writes, she hopes that she also conveys Christ's love for you.

Welcome Sharron! We're so glad you could visit us today. Tell us about your book.

“Zarek ben Nadin – The Chronicles of Nineveh” shadows the Biblical story of Jonah, a prophet of God who was reluctant to deliver the message of repentance to Nineveh, Israel’s enemy. Taken from the perspective of an Assyrian guard, Zarek’s story spans the experience of a lifetime from early childhood to adulthood. Zarek experiences the pain and regret of poor choices, but also experiences the ultimate power of forgiveness.

Where did the inspiration for your story come from?

The inspiration for my story came from watching a play about Jonah at “Sight & Sound Theater” several years ago. It made wonder: what could have caused the complete repentance of a population of 120,000 (roughly the population of Fort Collins, Colorado) within 40 days? What kind of condition were the people in that made their hearts responsive to the message Jonah brought? Thus, the character of Zarek ben Nadin was born!

Sounds intriguing! How does your faith and spirituality work in with your writing?

Forgiveness is crucial to living an empowered life. The Bible says that if you don’t forgive others, God cannot forgive you. Without forgiveness, a person becomes embittered and angry. Working in different ministries, I have found that forgiveness is the key to peace and the foundation of a strong Christian walk. I believe through God’s selfless example of forgiveness and mercy, we can learn and show the same kind of love to others.

Nineveh is an interesting location. Did you have to do a lot of research? Can you share a few tidbits with us?

Nineveh is a very interesting location and I found myself having to tweak my perspective on the story. Nineveh is an ancient city, but some artifacts have survived. This made research very interesting. I knew Nineveh was large, with numerous gates and portals.

However, I didn’t know there were two large temples next to the palace, or that a river ran through the middle of the city (which probably made it difficult to cross over since bridges were few and far between, however it made a perfect natural barrier between the wealthy and poorer inhabitants of the city.

Why did you choose this genre?

I love all the stories in the Bible, and they are not just stories. It is history, a written testament of God’s love and devotion to His children. I loved “Acts of Faith” by Janette Oke & Davis Bunn, and I’m also a fan of Jill Eileen Smith’s various books and series.

What are you working on next?

I am debating between Priests, Prophets & Kings, Daughters of Israel, or perhaps an allegory. I am also interested in writing a story from a guardian angel’s perspective as he teams together with the main character to fight darkness and evil.

Very interesting. Looks like you have some great stuff going on. Thank you so much for being with us!
You can find Sharron's books on Amazon and B&N, but the best price is on her website:
https://sharronlaelcoloradoauthor.weebly.com

Monday, May 14, 2018

Weekly Windup: Enter to Win Whither Shall I Go by Gina Holder

Welcome to the Weekly Windup! We hope you each had a very happy Mother's Day.

We have a winner to announce! The winner of Missing by V.B. Tenery (ebook) is...Natalya L!

Congratulations! If you are a winner, please Contact Us to claim your prize.

This Week's Giveaway:

SIGNED PAPERBACK! Whither Shall I Go? By Gina Holder

"I miss him too, Bitty, but God knows best. Someday you'll see." If only I could believe that...

In 1911, Ellie Williams struggles to see God's hand in her life when she loses both parents and is sent to live with her wealthy, estranged aunt, who transforms her from awkward country bumpkin to socialite heiress. Six years later, she meets a young preacher and finds hope as they serve the Lord together.

Robert Hampton is deeply devoted to God and desires to take the gospel to the unreached natives of Brazil. He didn't expect to fall in love. When he is drafted, Robert is torn between his duty as a soldier and his budding affections for Ellie. Will Robert survive the trenches? Will he lose the only woman he's ever loved?

Ellie's journey takes her from her home in Cades Cove, Tennessee, to the concrete jungle of New York City, and finally to the harsh unforgiving world of the Amazon River Basin, where she meets Paul, a doctor who's lost his way, and Jack, a soldier with amnesia. Encountering anacondas, jaguars, and an antagonistic shaman, will Ellie give in to the fears that threaten to overwhelm her?

Or can she depend upon God's grace to bring about His will for her life?Check it out on Amazon

Comment on any post now through May 27th to get your name in the drawing! Winner will be announced in the May 28th issue of the Weekly Windup. Paperback giveaways are for U.S. residents only.

Coming up this week:

Monday, 5/14: A Devotion by Catherine Castle
Tuesday, 5/15: The Metis People by Pegg Thomas
Wednesday, 5/16: Villains with Angela Couch
Thursday, 5/17: A book review by Jenn Fromke
Friday, 5/18: Falling for You, a book review by Heidi Main
Saturday, 5/19: An Interview with Dawn Crandall

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Interview & Giveaway with Debbie Lynne Costello

Today I am so excited to welcome blogging buddy Debbie Lynne Costello to Stitches Thru Time! She has a new release to celebrate and I think ya'll are going to love what she's got to share.

Debbie Lynne Costello is the author of Sword of Forgiveness, Amazon's #1 seller for Historical Christian Romance. She has enjoyed writing stories since she was eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She and her husband have four children and live in upstate South Carolina with their 5 horses, 3 dogs, cat and miniature donkey.

Connect with Debbie Lynne:

www.debbielynnecostello.com
www.theswordandspirit.blogspot.com
www.HHHistory.com

https://www.facebook.com/debbielynnecostello

https://twitter.com/DebiLynCostello

https://plus.google.com/u/0/+Debbielynnecostello

https://www.pinterest.com/debbielynne1/

Welcome Debbie Lynne! We're so glad you could visit us today. Tell us about your book.

The Perfect Bride is about Avice and Philip who grew up together and are best friends. At a time when men did not have female best friends, Philip has learned to ignore the jabs. But what Philip doesn’t realize is he has fallen in love with his best friend—and he is the only one who can’t seem to see it other than Avice, his best friend. Avice has loved Philip since she was a little girl. Her biggest challenge in her life is making Philip see her as the grown woman she has become rather than the little girl who sat in awe of him as he told his tales of squiring. But when danger lurks around the corner for Avice’s father she may just have to forget love to save the man who raised her.

So, the hero must convince the heroine to fall for another lord? Sounds intriguing. Where did the inspiration for this story come from? I really hadn’t planned on that part of the story, but as I was telling Avice and Philip’s story it began to evolve. And sometimes you just can’t stop what has to be told. That was kind of what happened with this situation. There was no other way to write it. They had a story to tell more than I had a story to tell! :)

Your Heroine has an interesting name. Where did you come up with it?

I like authentic names for my characters. There are some sites in the UK where they have records of people in medieval times. I love that site! That is where I always go for my names. They tell you the name and how often that name was seen in that area and at what periods of time. I saw Avice and I knew that was my heroine.

You mentioned that your hero was a minor character in another story in this series, was it difficult to flesh out the story of a minor character? Can you tell us a little about that process?

Because I knew the theme of our novella collection, it did help a lot in the fleshing out of the character. It really is much the same as you’d do for a first time character one makes a hero. You have to determine who this person is. What makes him tick. Is he serious, fun, the life of the party? Is he a ladies’ man, etc. There are a lot of questions you have to ask the character.

You’ve mentioned to me that spiritual elements play a huge role in your writing. Can you tell us what spiritual elements you’ve woven into this story?

One of the spiritual elements in the story is trusting God for what is best for you. Avice prays for Philip to see her as a woman he could love. She feels like frustrated that God doesn’t hear her prayers. Though she doesn’t make any outward advances on Philip, she does in the fact that she goes to see him every day. It isn’t until she realizes that maybe God is saying no and she relinquishes her will to God’s will that God begins to move in her life.

Why did you choose the Medieval time period?

I love the chivalry, and the fact that men are men and women are the softer partner. Call me old fashion, but I think God knew what He was doing when He created man to be the stronger vessel and woman the weaker. I don’t mean weak minded but we are not as strong as men. Men were designed to look after and take care of the family. Woman were designed the nurturers. We are the ones who have tender hearts and can be more understanding. So a shorter answer is I love the chivalry, the knights in shining armor, and the damsels in distress. Although you’ll find I never have a weepy, weak heroine. I believe they can be kind and tender hearted and very strong!

Can you tell us what are you working on next?

I would love to! I am working on the sequel to Sword of Forgiveness. And yes it is set at Rosen Craig with Lord Bryce, the same place that The Perfect Bride is set. I’m excited to finally get to write the sequel. It really has been so much fun. Lots of turmoil in England at the time and Bryce is having to deal with it all.

Very interesting. Looks like you have some great stuff going on. Thank you so much for being with us!

Thank you for having me on here today, Amber! I’m looking forward to chatting with your peeps! I love meeting new readers and talking with some who know and have read my stories.

Check out The Perfect Bride on Amazon

In celebration of her new release, Debbie Lynne is offering us TWO giveaways! A rafflecopter that goes along with her blog tour, and one just for us at Stitches Thru Time. So leave Debbie Lynne a comment to get your name in the drawing for a signed book of your choice. (Ebook for outside US)

And here is the rafflecopter giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway