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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If you've been waiting for the sequel to Love Overboard... It's HERE! And no... you don't want to miss it. Clara and the shippers are back, and the stakes are even higher. Listen in and hear all the fun stuff about this book (and how to help us beg for another one!)

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Okay, so talking about characters? CHECK.

About research and fun? CHECK, CHECK.

Learning about book three... RECORD SCRATCH

Yeah. Guys. We need your help. I want a book three. And Four. And five. But at least a three, right? The only way we can get this is to convince Kregel that we want more.

Add to your reviews, "Can't wait for the next one." Email the publisher with your request HERE: kregelbooks@kregel.com Tag them with your request on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/kregelbooks/

Let's make this happen, folks!

Hearts Aweigh by Shannon Sue Dunlap

Cheeky septuagenarian matchmakers, the "Shippers" are on a mission to secure a dreamy Mr. Right for Abby O'Brien, a sunny, optimistic childcare worker for Monarch Cruises. She loves her job looking after the children of vacationing parents, but harbors one unfulfilled desire: to be a wife and a mother.

With his shy five-year-old daughter in tow, divorced elitist lawyer Spencer Randolph Masterson has anything but romance in mind. His goal on the MS Buckingham is to persuade his mother, Daisy, to leave her ridiculous cruise ship lifestyle and return to New Orleans. But Daisy isn't interested in life on land. Besides, she and her matchmaking posse have a marriage to arrange.

Then a secret from Daisy's past surfaces and threats of blackmail start flying, the Shippers must protect their own while attempting to convince Spencer's scarred heart to weigh anchor and boldly set sail for a future with Abby.

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

Don't miss the episode about Love Overboard HERE.

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Queen of the alliterative series titles, Jordan Millsaps has a new one for us--Marriage on My Mind! Listen in as we chat about Mallory Bradford and her non-existent breakdown (or so she claims). See why I opened it up on Kindle the moment we got out of the interview and read as I cooked dinner.

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Move over "Boyfriend in the Bargain" series, "Marriage on My Mind" is here, and we're kicking off with a woman who just wants to be a wife and mother--and she's determined to have it. Her friends... well, they are going for a modified idea and working on enjoying wedding plans... for a nonexistent wedding.

Don't know about you, but I'm eager for the next one!

Mallory Bradford Is Not Having a Breakdown by Jordan Millsaps

I know what I want, and it’s pretty simple—a husband.

Maybe I sound a tiny bit like a desperate wannabe-housewife, but I like to think of myself as goal-oriented about this situation. Because, unfortunately, I can’t do any of the other things on my five-year plan until I’ve checked that one off.

Thankfully, I have great friends who convince me that I don’t need a man to do all the things on my list. At their encouragement, I’m jumping into the fun parts of planning a wedding—tasting cake samples, trying on beautiful dresses, and taking dance lessons.

I expect it to be a fun distraction to keep me sane while I continue my hunt for a husband. What I don’t expect is for my coworker Daniel to volunteer when I need a partner for some of these activities, or for people to continuously mistake him for my fiancé.

Learn more about Jordan Millsaps on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

Don't miss Jordan's earlier episode HERE.

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Love suspense that keeps you convinced that nothing will ever go right again? Love characters you fall in love with on the first page? Love wondering how these guys are going to get out of the terrifying situations authors put them in? Well, you've not seen anything until you've read a Laura Thomas book. Listen in for a glimpse of what you'll find in her newest release, The Final Word.

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When it comes to research, Laura Thomas goes all out.

A trip to Paris? If she has to...

Off to England to find the perfect pink cottage? YEP!

How about returning to give the owner of that cottage a copy of the book inspired by that cottage? You betcha!

And we only have to wait a YEAR for the next book.

*whimpers*

The Final Word by Laura Thomas

When aspiring author Sophie Brooks chooses to trade a vibrant Paris life for the tranquility of a quaint English village, she imagines her final days in the City of Lights will be magical. Sophie doesn’t anticipate a chilling encounter with an old flame—nor does she plan to find a new love on her very last night.

Miles Morgan’s life has been defined as a successful opera singer—until now. His chance encounter with Sophie in Paris ignites renewed hope ... if he can figure out his next chapter and if she can accept what his future may hold.

In the heart of the English countryside, Sophie and Miles’ fairy tale romance turns into a noxious nightmare as the darkness of Sophie’s past—and her volatile ex—catch up with her. Both Sophie and Miles must surrender everything to the One they thought had betrayed them as they lean into love and fight for their lives.

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

To learn about Captured in Frame, listen HERE.

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Oh, wow. When I read the synopsis for House of Honor by Margaret Ann Philbrick, I knew this was going to be a fabulous book. Forget all the endorsements and starred reviews, listen in to hear just how awesome this book is!

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When Margaret described the story within House of Honor, I not only learned a lot of art history, but I got a taste of Italy (sadly, without pasta and gelato... sniff). I can't wait to see what she coes up with next.

House of Honor by Margaret Ann Philbrick

Two Italian sons, one woman, linked by a masterpiece painting, are put to a test of loyalty and honor.

At the heart of this gripping tale is Orazio Bordoni, the wayward son of a construction magnate, living a reckless life like that of his artistic hero Caravaggio. He finds himself befriended by Nicolo Giotto, the devoted son of a powerful Sicilian mafia clan, who wants to uphold the honor of his family.

As the dark underbelly of the art world and the Vatican expose their true character, Orazio finds himself in a world where his loyalty is tested, honor is at stake, and the boundaries between life, love, and art blur. He and Nicolo discover just how far they're willing to push those boundaries, even if it means sacrificing everything.

House of Honor is a pivotal story that weaves the threads of history, the ruthless allure of the mafia, the enigmatic power of the Vatican, and the timeless brilliance of Caravaggio.

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

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I don't know about you, but a book focused on Tampa's mafia? Sign me up! Listen in as I chat with Kristen Hogrefe Parnell and discover a side of Tampa I've never heard about!

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Suspense... romance... organized crime... and a COAST GUARD VETERAN? Well, come on!

Kristen gives us insight into this book and what is coming up next!

Watch Your Back by Kristen Hogrefe Parnell

You can’t watch your own back.

Private Investigator Avery Reynolds leads the charge to expose Tampa's supposedly “extinct” mob. The crime boss responsible for her foster brother’s death is within her grasp—until she hits a wall in the form of Ethan Bridger, a Coast Guard veteran who unknowingly derails her sting operation. When the elusive “Big Eddie” comes out of hiding, he targets their mutual friends about to tie the knot.

Avery sets aside her angst toward Ethan to focus on ending the crime boss’s reign of terror. But working together exposes her trust issues and his PTSD stemming from a comrade's tragedy. When Avery goes solo into a prisoner exchange operation, she discovers her vulnerability too late—and must lean on Ethan and the God she thought had abandoned her. But will that help reach her in time?

Don't miss the first episode about Take My Hand HERE.

Learn more about Kristen 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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