WHEW! Guys, I had the BEST conversation with Avellina Balestri--nearly FOUR hours of chatting. And somehow I cut it down to less than an hour (okay, we didn't record the first hour). But... WHOA. This woman's historical knowledge is phenomenal. Listen in to see why I can't WAIT to read this book!

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Seriously, there is WAY too much for me to try to put into shown notes. Zip me a message or an email if you want the whole conversation 95% uncut (over two hours) uploaded to YouTube. I could make that happen.

Gone for a Soldier by Avellina Balestri

If you don a scarlet coat at the price of your conscience, the color will only remind you of the wound in your own soul! If you sign away the faith of your fathers, all lesser goods will be forfeited too!”
~
Young Edmund Southworth could not have foreseen the path his life would take upon befriending Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne, British military veteran and parliamentarian. As Catholic recusants from the north of England, Edmund’s once noble family has struggled to survive for centuries in the shadow of the Anglican ascendancy. But General Burgoyne offers him the chance to put past humiliations behind him by joining the Church of England and donning a scarlet coat as an officer of King George III.

Although his conscience is uneasy, Edmund embarks upon Burgoyne’s March to subdue the American revolutionaries by splitting the colonies in two. He finds unexpected love in the arms of Abby Vanderkamp, a supporter of American independence, who will do anything to free her father from a British prison hulk or, failing that, strike a blow for the hard-pressed rebel cause. As the British advance through the New York wilderness devolves into increasing brutality and instability, Edmund will have his already divided loyalties tested to the breaking point under the influence of this hostile land, which presents him with new challenges and opportunities alike.

Learn more about Avellina on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads.

Don't miss the literary magazine she edits as well!

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I fell in love with Nancy's writing with The Shell Collector. Imagine my joy when I discovered she has a SEQUEL! Eeep! Listen in and discover which characters you'll find in To Light the Way Forward and what's coming next for one of America's favorite authors!

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It's been three years since Nancy and I had a chance to talk, and in that time, she's been BUSY. So in addition to falling in love with her character, Tug, and wanting to give him his own story, she's written a small-town duet (and maybe we talked her into a third?) as well as a romcom duo! Think we can talk her into a third of that series as well? Because... SPOILER ALERT... we're getting a third Shell Collector Series book, too! EEEP!

To Light the Way Forward by Nancy Naigle

A novel of overcoming deep loss, taking risks, and learning that life—and love—often surprises you when you least expect it, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Shell Collector.

“Bringing to life characters you can’t help but fall in love with, Nancy Naigle goes straight to the heart with this story of tragedy turned to triumph. A poignant reminder to never give up hope.”—Sheila Roberts, author of The Best Life Book Club

Feeling adrift after the loss of her husband, Rosemary sets out to visit an old friend on Whelk’s Island, undeterred by the threat of a hurricane. Before the storm hits, she finds herself at Tug’s Diner where she quickly connects with the owner, Tug.

But the storm destroys the diner, compounding Tug’s grief from losing his love the previous year. The longer Rosemary stays, the more she sees Tug’s deep sadness and resolves to help him. Together with Tug and friends Amanda and Paul, they all pitch in to help the close-knit community recover and rebuild.

As Amanda and Paul reconnect after losing touch during the storm, their plans to take things slow seem increasingly impractical. While Rosemary and Tug help the young couple navigate their relationship, they also find themselves building a friendship that begins to restore them both. But can that friendship convince them that love is possible for anyone who’s willing to take a risk—even those who never hoped they’d find it again?

Learn more about Nancy on her WEBSITEand follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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Debut novelist, Rachel Chamberlayne, has an office romance (sort of) that'll keep readers smiling. Listen in and see why I got the hint of a While You Were Sleeping vibe.

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Chatting with Rachel was a blast--from story ideas to what's next, we got it all.

Don't know about you, but I'm sold!

Psst... I'm halfway through with the book and loving it.

My Grumpy Editor by Rachel Chamberlayne

Abi has met her ultimate bully. Will she be brave enough to rise to the challenge?

Determined to escape the ghosts of her past, Abi Benson jumps at the chance to skip town when she is offered a ghostwriting position at a prestigious digital marketing firm in the Big City.

When she discovers she’ll be writing for a dream client just two weeks into the job, the opportunity seems almost too good to be true. And when her assigned editor, Philip Baker, informs her of the unfortunate case of mistaken identity that disqualifies her from the running, it turns out that it is.

Desperate to prove herself, Abi strikes up a deal that her broody, enigmatic editor can’t resist. In exchange for keeping her secret about her true identity, she’ll accompany Phil to his brother’s wedding in order to charm his difficult father—who happens to be more distraught over Phil’s recent breakup than he is.

As the guilt over her lie catches up with her, Abi finds comfort in the most unexpected place: her grumpy editor’s surprisingly tender embrace—especially when an assault flips her world upside down and prevents her from revealing the secret she so desperately wants to confess.

Now, hundreds of miles from home and feeling even more distant from God, Abi must summon the courage to face both her fears and her past head on. But will Phil and Abi’s romance survive the storm, or will their differing beliefs extinguish their fragile flame forever?

Learn more about Rachel on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads.

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If archaeology and second chance romance in 19th-century England are your jam (and if not, shouldn't they be?), you won't want to miss Michelle Griep's Of Silver and Secrets. Listen in to learn about the new archaeological site, the new university, and a new couple working together despite themselves...

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Chatting about different sites in England, the different sorts of Roman artifacts, and even learning about the ongoing dig of Vindolanda made me suddenly want to hop a plane and see what other archaeological wonders England has to offer!

And boy do her upcoming releases sound awesome. Stay tuned for more about those closer to release dates!

Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep

Buried underneath are truths bent on keeping them apart. . . .

In 1889 Victorian England, Eva Inman is haunted by guilt over her parents' deaths while struggling to care for her blind sister and manage her family's crumbling estate. With the tax deadline looming, Eva's situation looks dire until an ancient silver ring is unearthed on the property. Despite superstitions warning against disturbing the supposedly cursed acres, Eva's need for funds ignites her curiosity about the potential of finding more buried relics.

Cambridge professor Bram Webb must prove a legendary Christian Roman settlement exists, or he'll risk exposing his uncle's deteriorating memory and they'll both lose their positions. Then Eva steps into his office with the prospect of an archaeological dig that might lead to the very evidence Bram requires--provided he and Eva can set aside painful memories of a time they would rather forget. As the dig forces the two to confront their pasts, the work becomes fraught with challenges that threaten Eva's and Bram's hopes, as well as the growing attraction between them.

"Sure to delight fans of archaeological adventure and historical romance."--JULIE KLASSEN, bestselling author

Dive into the past in this clean historical romance as Michelle Griep transports you to Victorian England with an appealing mix of mystery, Roman archaeology, and charming banter. This enthralling tale will appeal to fans of Mimi Matthews, Andrea Penrose, Anna Lee Huber, and Miss Scarlet and the Duke.

Learn more about Michelle on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

And don't miss her cool Etsy shop! You can find that HERE.

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I was excited to see that Rosey Lee brought back more of the Gardins, and that she decided to take a difficult character and make her sympathetic--even likeable. Listen in as we discuss Martha Gardin and see what else is happening in Edin.

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I love it when authors take those annoying characters and give us reasons to give them a second chance. Martha Gardin can be a bit much. Okay, a LOT bit much, but seeing her gentle a bit, too. Perfection.

Rosey Lee's grace and love for the Lord and His people shines through her conversation and in her work.

A Gardin Wedding by Rosey Lee

One of the Gardin women must navigate a season rich with unexpected challenges in the follow-up to The Gardins of Edin, a heartwarming story about love, forgiveness, new beginnings, and what it takes to get there.

Martha Gardin is a mess, and no one knows this better than the women in her family. Good-hearted but often misguided by distrust and insecurity, Martha is known for stirring up drama. That’s why Ruth, Naomi, and Mary are pleasantly surprised when Martha mellows out after she begins dating one of the most eligible bachelors in town.

Handsome, well-connected Oji Greenwald is everything Martha hoped to find in a man, and it’s only a matter of time before he pops the question. Rarely caught off guard, Martha is accustomed to getting her way. But when it appears she’s finally about to have the life she’s always wanted, a crisis in Oji’s family brings out Martha’s tendency to try to save the day her way, and the divide deepens between her and Oji’s already indifferent mother, Eve.

Confronted with these unforeseen challenges to her plans, Martha finds herself on a journey that forces her to fully acknowledge her previous mistakes and reconcile her past. But will it be enough to deliver her the future—and the love—her heart desires?

Don't forget to listen to the first interview with Rosey Lee HERE.

Learn more about Rosey on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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I love it when authors take their adventures and passions and turn them into excellent stories for children that both show those passions AND entertain. Listen in to see how Yvonne M. Morgan did that with her Mary the Missionary story.

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I loved hearing about Yvonne's mission adventures and how she used them to tell her stories.

I'm eager to read the book and to discover all the new adventures her characters might have!

Mary the Missionary by Yvonne M. Morgan

A Kenya Adventure

Are you ready for an adventure in Kenya? After singing "Jesus Loves the Little Children" in Sunday School, Mary has many questions about children in other countries. When her parents learn about a mission trip to Kenya, they decided to experience another culture as a family. Mary encounters many trials on her Kenyan adventure. In the end, she learns that she and her new friends aren't different, and Jesus loves all children.

Through colorful illustrations and engaging storytelling, "Mary the Missionary" teaches important lessons about acceptance, empathy, and love. As Mary meets children from different cultures and backgrounds, she learns to see the world through their eyes and understand the unique challenges they face. Along the way, she also discovers the unifying power of faith and how it transcends all barriers.

Learn more about Yvonne on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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What happens when an author sets another book at the location of a few of your personal favorites? Squeals? Yep. Pumped fists? Absolutely. Impatience to get your grubby paws on it? Oh, yeah. Listen in to see why this book is making a big splash.

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There's something about how some authors can make you love what you generally wouldn't choose. Liz Johnson definitely fills that role for me. All the swoony romance I usually avoid... if Liz writes it, bring it on. Probably because she writes such great characters and stories that make the story so much more than guy meets girl and hearts and flowers ensue.

I absolutely loved Sometimes You Stay. The awkward guy. The broken girl. The confidence that he knows who he is, even as he doubts himself. The determination to keep living her best life, far away from her past. The unexpected love that makes them both confront their personal demons. They have related problems--each rooted in very different situations. And the way Johnson shows that contrast in the similar--beautiful.

Oh, yeah. and the audio is brilliant. :)

Sometimes You Stay by Liz Johnson

He was never going to leave the island, and she wasn't going to stay. But if she walked away, she would always wonder . . .

For digital content creator Cretia Martin, home is wherever her carry-on suitcase lands. And it's constantly landing in new places as she travels the world. She's never been interested in settling in one spot--after all, houses are just places that collect junk and tie you down. But when she literally bumps into local dog breeder Finn Chaffey on Prince Edward Island and all the tools of her trade end up in the harbor, she can't exactly leave until she gets things sorted out.

Finn is horrified by the part he played in the accident and offers to help, arranging for Cretia to stay with a friend at the beautiful Red Door Inn. The longer Cretia is forced to remain in one place, the more she discovers what she's been missing with life on the road--and the more she wants to see Finn and his business succeed. But helping him means staying put, the one thing she always swore she wouldn't do, and risking the only thing she's never put on the line--her heart.

You can still get Sometimes You Stay for 30% off and FREE SHIPPING from BakerBookHouse.com

Find out more about Liz on her WEBSITE. And follow her on BookBub and GoodReads!

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