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  • Episode 534: A Chat with Joanna Davidson Politano
    2026/04/20

    Lovers of Joanna Davidson Politano won't want to miss this episode! Listen in while we talk about the first book in a new SERIES and eeep! It's split time!

    note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

    Cornwall? Lost memory? Hasty marriage? A portrait that shouldn't exist in a house on a cliff?

    Sign me up!

    The Life She Forgot by Joanna Davidson Politano

    He promised to help her reclaim the memories she lost—no matter what they found.

    Until she remembered another man.

    Cornwall, 1913

    For three years, Merryn has lived without a past—no family, no history, no home that's truly hers.

    When the threat of being locked away for her own "protection" looms, she takes a desperate chance on AJ Winthrop—a warmhearted, whimsical stranger who offers a hasty marriage of convenience and a promise: he will take her back to Cornwall and help her uncover the truth about who she once was.

    But along the wild Cornish coast, the memories that begin to surface are not the ones she expects.

    Another man.

    Another wedding.

    A life that may already be hers.

    When a hidden painting reveals Merryn's own face staring back from another life, the fragile life she's begun to build with AJ begins to unravel. Because the truth waiting in her past could destroy the love she's only just found.

    Cornwall, 1947

    Haunted by the war and estranged from the wife he still loves, William Crawford is determined to save their family home for her—even if it means selling the mysterious portrait of Merryn Dunn tucked away in his cottage. But the secrets hidden within the painting threaten to overturn everything he believes…or lead him toward a redemption he never expected.

    Decades apart, two lives are bound by a single portrait—and the truth it refuses to keep hidden. This sweeping dual-timeline historical mystery weaves together lost memories, buried truths, and a love story that refuses to fade.

    Perfect for fans of Mimi Matthews, Susanna Kearsley, and Kate Morton.

    Learn more on Joanna's WEBSITE and don't forget to check out her Reader Group on Facebook.

    Also... GoodReads and BookBub are good places to follow authors.

    Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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    30 分
  • Episode 533: A Chat with Chawna Schroeder
    2026/04/18

    If you read Illuminary, then you know why I've been drumming my fingers for the next book by Chawna Schroeder. EEEP! Listen in and see what's going on in this one!

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    Illuminary left me eager for more, and after talking to Chawna about the next book in the Septer & Stylus series, I'm even more excited about Perplexity!

    Perplexity by Chawna Schroeder

    Assemble the clues, dismantle the danger.

    Yosarai Patican never wanted to finish her schooling in the Indeli capital, but after several months, she is finally finding her footing . . . until her world is shattered by the unthinkable. Facing loss after loss, she struggles to adjust to a new position and new responsibilities, including the repayment of a massive debt. A debt more easily managed if she can qualify for the elite politico sphere on the upcoming placement exam. Some, however, would do anything to prevent Yosarai from earning one of the coveted positions.

    Meanwhile, in the northern realm of Egdon, Crown Prince Xander faces an increasingly hostile Parliament. Not only are they questioning the necessity of the monarchy, but they are also demanding an accounting of some mysterious expenditures by the former king. Unless Xander can unearth a reasonable explanation, his coronation may be more than postponed. It may be cancelled—permanently.

    As old rivalries escalate and hidden threats emerge, both Xander and Yosi must choose their paths wisely, before evil eliminates everyone in its way.

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

    Don't miss the original interview about the first book HERE.

    Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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    44 分
  • Episode 532: A Chat with Lynn H. Blackburn
    2026/04/13

    Seriously, the best fictional place on the planet, Gossamer Falls, has a final book for fans. Listen in as Lynn Blackburn and I chat about the future of this beautiful world she's created.

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    I was so excited to hear that there might be more to Gossamer than we first thought.

    As always, I loved chatting with Lynn about what she's got going.

    Last to Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn

    She's caught in a deadly game. He's the only one who can help her win.

    Bronwyn Pierce has poured everything into The Haven, her family's exclusive mountain resort in Gossamer Falls. But when financial discrepancies surface and the numbers suggest something far darker than simple mismanagement, she's forced to call on the one person with the skills to help her: Mo Quinn, a former Army intelligence officer, her first love, and the last person she ever wanted to trust again.

    Mo has spent years avoiding the woman he once loved and the secrets that tore them apart. But when Bronwyn calls, he can't walk away--especially when it's clear someone wants her gone for good. As they dig deeper into the treacherous motives behind a blackmail scheme, their proximity reignites long-buried feelings neither of them are ready to face. And when the evidence points to an unexpected culprit, Mo faces an impossible choice: trust the proof in front of him or trust his heart.

    With danger closing in and no one else to turn to, Bronwyn must break years of silence with Mo to uncover who's trying to destroy The Haven. They'll have to risk everything--including their hearts--to expose the truth before it's too late.

    The finale to Blackburn's Gossamer Falls series is an exhilarating romantic suspense novel packed with tension. This gripping read will hook fans of the family rivalry, bodyguard, small town, second chance romance, and forced proximity tropes.

    Learn more about Lynn and her books on her WEBSITE. Don't forget to follow her on BookBub and GoodReads.

    Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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    42 分
  • Episode 531: A Chat with Heidi Gray McGill
    2026/04/11
    The Discerning God's Best series continues with Keeper of My Heart. Listen in as Heidi Gray McGill chat about where this series is going next! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. A chat with Heidi is always fun, and this one was no exception. I love that she's taking the series through differing eras so we get to see how things change and grow. Keeper of My Heart by Heidi Gray McGill She's the wild-hearted daughter of the frontier. He's the book-smart pharmacist from the city. When illness threatens their future, only faith can bridge the gap between instinct and intellect. Cecelia Trexler Shankel has never fit the mold of a proper young lady, and she prefers it that way. Raised on a Missouri cattle farm, she's a crack shot, an expert horsewoman, and knows the land like the back of her hand. She can outwork, outride, and outwit any man, and most of them know it. As far as she's concerned, there isn't a soul alive who can match her, until a quiet pharmacist from Philadelphia shows up in her town. James "Jimmy" Reeves is brilliant, methodical, and far more comfortable with books than with people. After beginning medical school in Philadelphia, he realized his true passion lay in chemistry and precision. He left to complete a pharmacy degree at the new school in South Carolina. Rather than return to a life of privilege, he heads west to assist at a rural clinic and study the healing properties of native plants. He never expected to get his hands dirty pulling weeds with a sharp-tongued frontier girl, or to rely on her instincts when a smallpox outbreak begins sweeping through Shumard Oak Bend. Thrown together by circumstance, Cecelia and Jimmy are opposites in every way. Instinct clashes with reason. Grit pushes against gentleness. Wild challenges reserved. But when illness strikes close to home, they must learn to trust each other not just with patients, but with their hearts. Set in 1875 Missouri, Keeper of My Heart is a heart-stirring Christian Historical Romance filled with: Frontier medicine and small-town grit An unforgettable strong-willed heroine and a socially awkward but brilliant hero Natural remedies versus formal training Caretaking moments and faith under fire Slow-burn romance and opposites-attract tension Themes of trust, surrender, and discovering God's best in unexpected places Perfect for readers who enjoy faith-filled romance, emotional depth, and a touch of prairie dust. Sometimes the one who challenges you most is the one God uses to change you forever. Learn more about Heidi on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Don't miss Heidi's YOUTUBE Channel where you can listen to some of her books FREE. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!
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    37 分
  • Episode 530: A Chat with Erica Colahan
    2026/04/06

    Hey, guys. Listen in as I chat with Erica Colahan about her novel. When an author takes family history and weaves it into a compelling novel, what's not to love!

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    We had a great time learning about Erica's great grandmother, the family member she found, all their research... it's.. .amazing!

    The Oystercatcher of Southwark by Erica Colahan

    Philadelphia, 1897—On the shores of the Delaware River, Italian Catholic Mary Paragano dreams of a happily ever after. However, when she defies her family and runs away to marry Jakob, a Jewish boy, her fairy tale takes an unexpected turn. Disowned by her father, abandoned by Jakob, and pursued by a jealous gangster, Mary's life spirals into tragedy, culminating in accusations of attempting to harm her own children and a harrowing end in an asylum.

    Philadelphia, present day—Bella, Mary's great-great-granddaughter, grapples with the aftermath of her recent divorce. Amidst her pain, a mysterious stranger named Sophie enters her life, claiming to be related to Jakob, the man who left Mary to her devastating fate over a century ago. Together, Bella and Sophie unravel the layers of Mary's haunting past, question the stories they've been told, and uncover the impact of these historical secrets on their modern-day lives.

    Based on the remarkable true story of the author's great-great-grandmother, The Oystercatcher of Southwark takes readers on a poignant journey through the immigrant neighborhoods of South Philadelphia. This deftly-woven novel explores the profound love of a mother for her children and the redemptive hope that transcends time.

    Learn more Erica on her WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads.

    Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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    38 分
  • Episode 529: A Chat with Debut Author, Deena Adams
    2026/04/04

    The moment I read the synopsis for Deena Adams's Stronger Than the Storm, I knew it would be an amazing book. Listen in and see why I had to have one of my characters recommend it in one of my own books!

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    Sometimes, it feels like prodigal stories are the hardest to read. I used to think it was because you hate to see the pain people put themselves and others through.

    Now I think it's because we see ourselves in them as much as we might try to deny it.

    Stronger Than the Storm by Deena Adams

    Since surviving a rocky season in her marriage nineteen years earlier, Beth Holbrook has prayed and worked toward maintaining a solid marital commitment, raising godly children, and leading a thriving parenting ministry. On the cusp of realizing her publication dream and expanding her influence nationwide, her daughter, Leesa, runs away without a word.

    Having recently turned eighteen and graduated from high school, Leesa is livid with her parents for not allowing her to attend a beach party, especially when the only guy who has ever shown interest in her will be there. When her best friend suggests they escape their parents' strict rules and move to Myrtle Beach together, she makes a spontaneous decision to leave town. A mere six weeks later, she returns home with shocking news that affects not only her future, but her family's.

    While grappling with a volatile blend of failure and anger, Beth's identity as a pastor's wife, mom, and respected parenting coach disintegrates. Amid mounting conflict in her marriage, continued criticism from her mother, and strained relationships with her children, Beth confesses a long-held secret, shattering her already splintered family.

    As a hurricane bears down on the Holbrook's house, the storm raging within the walls threatens to rip apart the fragile stitches holding their family together. When Beth's solid foundation crumbles, will her family survive intact? Or is her contrition too little, too late?

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

    Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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    46 分
  • Episode 528: A Chat with Debut Novelist, Chuck Shelton
    2026/03/30

    A scientist using Jesus' DNA to clone Him? Listen in to see what Chuck Shelton is doing with that!

    note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

    This chat with Chuck was fascinating. He has an unexpected look at how this cloning thing would work and what would happen if somehow you cloned Jesus and ended up with a 21st century woman (I think it was 21st...)

    Sudarium by Chuck Shelton

    Jennifer Barnes discovers she was cloned from the DNA of Jesus. What could go wrong?

    Elizabeth Barnes, a brilliant agnostic scientist, recovers and uses DNA from a legendary burial cloth - the Sudarium - to impregnate herself and give birth to a clone of Christ, creating chaos for her daughter and the world. When the identity of this 30-year-old woman cloned from Jesus is revealed, the media go wild, and people everywhere react. Her name is Jennifer, and she is not exactly a poster child for the Church. She has lesbian friends, uses he/she pronouns for God, and fights against domestic violence. The saying 'You're a child of God' takes on new meaning as her life is put in danger, she starts to fall for an FBI agent, and global conflict between religions escalates. Sudarium explores what it means to live with integrity and courage as a person of faith. It disrupts stale views about gender among Christians and invites its readers to pursue their spirituality with fresh eyes in the context of radically loving oneself and others.

    Learn more on Chuck's WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads.

    Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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    40 分
  • Episode 527: A Chat with Amanda Cabot
    2026/03/28

    Things are heating up in Carr Valley. Listen in as Amanda Cabot and I chat about mysteries and the way sometimes chosen family is exactly what we need.

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    This Sisters of the Heart series is a beautiful testimony to the grace of God bringing people together in order to be able to support one another at just the right time.

    I love my chats with Amanda, and this one was no exception.

    Whispers in the Valley by Amanda Cabot

    A woman whose life is in shambles. A man who's fighting for his future. A decades-old mystery. Carr Valley will never be the same.

    Victoria Holton has it all, or so it seems: beauty, a doting father, betrothal to one of Philadelphia's most eligible bachelors. But all that ends the day her father is imprisoned for embezzlement. Suddenly penniless and shunned because of her father's crime, she flees to Carr Valley, hoping to find refuge with Sophia, her sister of the heart.

    With her life upended, Victoria longs to find a new purpose, but what can she do? She wishes she could solve a decades-old mystery that's haunting a newfound friend, but the only clue leads nowhere. Her attempts at housekeeping in Sophia's hotel are laughable, and despite a number of would-be suitors, she has no intention of marrying. The only man who interests her is one she could never consider, for if there's one thing Victoria knows, it's that she is not meant to be a minister's wife.

    Pastor Peter Mulholland has never doubted his calling to the ministry … until now. Even though he can't please everyone, he refuses to let the deacons' demand that he marry determine his future. He knows the kind of wife they expect him to choose, and it's not a woman like Victoria. Besides, what does he have to offer her? Perhaps his critics are right, and it's time for him to leave Carr Valley.

    But then a stranger arrives and the whispers begin.

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

    Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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    32 分