Christian Historical Fiction Talk

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. Favorite 2023 Reads This week, I asked what your favorite 2023 reads were. I loved reading your answers, and we had a good variety across plenty of different time periods. So sit back with a cup of hot cocoa and see what other listeners and readers picked as their book of the year. Do you agree? Did you have some favorite 2023 reads that didn't make the list? In no particular order: In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer Maggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night, she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives--and everyone she knows in them--forever. Get In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer Within These Walls of Sorrow by Amanda Barratt An unflinching tale that implores readers to stop and see, not a massive crowd of people, but individual hearts and souls. Get Within These Walls of Sorrow by Amanda Barratt Man of Shadow and Mist by Michelle Griep How can two solitary individuals fight ugly, local superstitions and rumors that villanize a rich, transplanted family? As evil happenings increase and coincide with either the appearance of Sir James Morgan or ill weather, gossip runs rampant and feelings get out of hand. Get Man of Shadow and Mist by Michelle Griep The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to leave Copenhagen and abandon her research--her life's dream. While printing resistance newspapers, she hears stories of the movement's legendary Havmand--the merman--and wonders if the mysterious and silent shipyard worker living in the same boardinghouse has something to hide. Get The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham Clue meets Indiana Jones with a fiction-loving twist only Grace Percy can provide. The Cairo’s Curse is a delightful sequel to The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham in the Freddie and Grace Mystery series. Get The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham A Shadow in Moscow by Katherine Reay In the thick of the Cold War, a betrayal at the highest level risks the lives of two courageous female spies: MI6's best Soviet agent and the CIA's newest Moscow recruit. Get A Shadow in Moscow by Katherine Reay A Million Little Choices by Tamera Alexander Now from Tamera Alexander comes the story of two women from different centuries living in the same house who share strikingly similar journeys. Get A Million Little Choices by Tamera Alexander

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. Angela Couch returns to the podcast this week to chat about her new release, Capturing Hope. We talk about if she planned out all the plot twists that are in this novel, what she learned about WWII in Poland while writing the book, and what martial art she practices. Patrons will get to hear which is her favorite time period to write. Capturing Hope by Angela Couch One step ahead of the Nazi’s. . .leaves Nadia little room for hope. Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII. After her father is murdered by Nazis and her mother flees to her native Germany, hope is something of which Nadia Roenne feels little—even if it is the meaning of her name. It isn’t until an American photographer sacrifices his escape from Poland to save a Jewish family, that she finds a purpose. David Reid is very familiar with failure, but when he is charged with getting Nadia safely out of Poland, he is determined to succeed—even if she works against him at every turn, putting other’s lives ahead of her own. While they race against the daily shower of bombs over Warsaw and the ever-nearing German army, Nadia grows used to risking her life. . .but dare she risk her heart? Get your copy of Capturing Hope by Angela Couch. To keep from freezing in the Great White North, Angela Couch cuddles under quilts with her laptop. Winning short story contests, being a semi-finalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest, and a finalist in the International Digital Awards also helped warm her up. As a passionate believer in Christ, her faith permeates the stories she tells. Her martial arts training, experience with horses, and appreciation for good romance sneak in there, as well. When not writing, she stays fit (and warm) by chasing after six munchkins. Visit Angela Couch's website.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. Denise Weimer is a first-time guest on the podcast, but she's a long-time author, and it was my pleasure to welcome her to the show this week. Her new book is A Courageous Bethrotal, and we talk about how early settlers kept the pathers away, the real-life woman she based her heroine on, and the challenges of writing a novella. Patrons will hear about her love of old houses and what inspired it. A Courageous Betrothal by Denise Weimer A wounded lieutenant, a woman fierce enough to protect her family, and an American Revolution with everything at stake. Red-haired, freckle-faced, and almost six feet tall, Jenny White has resigned herself to fame over love. Possessing the courage and wits to guard her younger siblings against nature, natives, and loyalists in Georgia’s “Hornet’s Nest” gives life meaning until she meets scout Caylan McIntosh. From the time Jenny nurses the young lieutenant back to health after the Battle of Kettle Creek, she can’t deny her attraction to the vexing Highlander, who seems determined to dismantle her emotional armor. But when Georgia falls to the British and Caylan returns to guide Jenny’s family on a harrowing exodus into the North Carolina mountains, will his secrets prove stronger than his devotion? Or will their love be courageous enough to carry them through the battles ahead? Get your copy of A Courageous Betrothal by Denis Weimer. You can purchase book one of the "Georgia Scouts" series, A Counterfeit Betrothal, here. You can purchase book three, A Cherished Betrothal, here. Preorder your copy of When Hope Sank, part of Barbour Publishing's series "A Day to Remember." North Georgia native Denise Weimer has authored a dozen traditionally published novels and a number of novellas—historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. Former managing editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas’ two historical imprints, she serves as Acquisitions & Editing Liaison for Wild Heart Books and as a freelance editor, helping other authors reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses. Visit Denise Weimer's website.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. Amanda Barratt is our guest on the podcast this week - finally! Such an oversight on my part to not have her join us before this. We chatted about her new book, The Warsaw Sisters, about what drew her to writing her last two books in Poland during WWII, What the Warsaw Uprising Was, and the role women played during the war. Patrons will get to hear when she first decided she wanted to be an author. The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt On a golden August morning in 1939, sisters Antonina and Helena Dąbrowska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their beloved city and shattering the world of their youth. When Antonina's beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls along with the rest of Warsaw's Jewish population, Antonina turns her worry into action and becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland's secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation. But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear the sisters apart--and the cost of resistance proves greater than either ever imagined. Shining a light on the oft-forgotten history of Poland during WWII and inspired by true stories of ordinary individuals who fought to preserve freedom and humanity in the darkest of times, The Warsaw Sisters is a richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and the resilience of our deepest ties. Get your copy of The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt. I’m Amanda—novelist, history nerd, and daughter of the King of kings. From an early age, as I wandered through a small-town library, my life has been shaped by countless stories—offerings of art from an author’s heart to mine. I’m passionate about illuminating oft-forgotten facets of history—be it the story of a group of unsung heroes who fought for hope and humanity behind the walls of the Krakòw ghetto, the lives of the university students who stepped from the ranks of the silently complicit in Hitler’s Germany, the love story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Maria von Wedemeyer, or the heroism and tragedy of the Warsaw Uprising. It thrills me to search for the snapshot in the sweeping panorama of a historical event, to delve into the quiet valor of ordinary individuals faced with extraordinary times. Though my novels and novellas span a variety of eras, I’m ceaselessly intrigued by the Second World War. In times of some of the greatest evil and inhumanity our world has ever known, there emerged glimmers of courage, resilience, and sacrifice. The juxtaposition of those fragments of light against the darkness is extraordinarily powerful and inspires me as I write. Research is one of my favorite parts of the novel-crafting process and my idea of the perfect vacation is a trip to a museum or historical landmark. I love stories that linger in the heart long after the last page, shelves brimming with books, and cherished moments with family and friends. And I love my readers! Friends like you who take the time to gather around my virtual coffee table. Visit Amanda Barratt's website.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. Jennifer Lynn Cary visits the podcast this week and chats about her book, Runaround Sue. We talk about cover design (you have to see the covers for all the books in this series), what Kokomo, Indiana, was like in the 60s and 70s, and about Vietnam and Vietnam vets. Patrons get to hear about her passion for crochet and what her most challenging project has been. Runaround Sue by Jennifer Lynn Cary She gave away something precious… …He lost a part of himself. Can they find a way to help each other heal? Sue is hiding out until she is sure her former reputation won’t destroy what she’s trying to rebuild. Unfortunately, that means this brilliant wordsmith turned semi-hermit is working beneath her potential and dealing with stress every time her office door opens. The last thing she needs to do is greet some biker guy who sets her nerves to jumping just by being in the same room. And if his hairy face isn’t enough to put her off, the mere fact that he’s male is. So why does she keep ending up in his presence? Mac is home from Viet Nam and if he never thinks about that place again, it will be too soon. Instead he’s returned to his music that got him through his teen years, his exotic senior trip overseas (thanks to his Uncle Sam), and the deep wound that he brought home with him. Using his GI bill to further his music understanding has pushed him outside his comfort zone, but the leggy secretary at his professor’s office is tempting him with other ideas he thought he’d shelved for good. Even if she gets flustered every time he runs into her. What will it take for her to give him a chance? Or is she more wounded than he is? Return to 1972 Kokomo, Indiana for the third installment of The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series—Runaround Sue—and what happens when people discover who God has called them to be. You will love Runaround Sue, inspired by Dion and the Belmonts’ 1960s hit song, because everyone understands about facing fears with a do-over. Get your copy of Runaround Sue by Jennifer Lynn Cary. A lot. Visit Jennifer Lynn Cary's website.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. Hannah Linder is such a delightful young lady, and she joins us on the podcast again this week. We had a great time chatting about her new book, Garden of the Midnights. We also talked about how both the book title and the book cover go along with the story, how Regency romance has changed in the past several years, and what historical self-portrait photography is. Patrons get to hear what a banjolele is and why Hannah decided to play it. Garden of the Midnights by Hannah Linder The accidents are not a matter of chance. They are deliberate. As English gentleman William Kensley becomes aware of the danger at Rosenleigh Manor, he pleads for the truth of his past from the only man he can trust—until that man is murdered. As the secrets unfold into scandal, William’s world is tipped into destitution, leaving him penniless and alone. His only comfort is in the constant friendship and love of Isabella Gresham. If he does not have their nonsense at the seashore, their laughter, their reckless adventures, has he anything at all? He should have known that would be ripped from him too. When a hidden foe arises from their acquaintances and imperils Isabella’s life, William may be the only one willing to risk his life to rescue her. But even if he frees Isabella from her captors, will he still have to forsake her heart? Some sacrifice everything for love. Others sacrifice love for everything else. In this haunting tale of rigid social prejudices and heart-aching regrets, the greatest decision of their life will be determined in the garden of the midnights. Get your copy of Garden of the Midnights by Hannah Linder. HANNAH LINDER resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. She writes Regency romantic suspense novels filled with passion, secrets, and danger. She is a four-time Selah Award winner, a 2023 Carol Award semi-finalist, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Her latest novels, Beneath His Silence and When Tomorrow Came, released with Barbour Publishing. In way of career, Hannah is an international and multi-award-winning graphic designer who specializes in professional book cover design. With a Graphic Design Associates Degree under her belt, she designs for both traditional publishing houses and individual authors, including New York Times, USA Today, national, and international bestsellers (hannahlinderdesigns.com). She is also a self-portrait photographer of historical fashion. When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing instruments—piano, guitar, ukulele, and banjolele—songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse. Her greatest desire is to please her Savior and to write in a way that glorifies and uplifts Him. Visit Hannah Linder's website.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. Jaime Jo Wright is our guest on the podcast this week, which is always a thrill. Though she tells us about her two most recent books, we also chat how she juggled three timelines, the class system that exists even in small todays today, and why she sets most of her books in Wisconsin. Patrons get an update on how her homeschooling adventure is going. The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright In 1870, orphaned Daisy François takes a position as housemaid at a Wisconsin castle to escape the horrors of her past life. There she finds a reclusive and eccentric Gothic authoress who hides tales more harrowing than the ones in her novels. As women disappear from the area and the eerie circumstances seem to parallel a local legend, Daisy is thrust into a web that could ultimately steal her sanity, if not her life. In the present day, Cleo Clemmons is hired by the grandson of an American aristocratic family to help his grandmother face her hoarding in the dilapidated Castle Moreau. But when Cleo uncovers more than just the woman's stash of collectibles, a century-old mystery and the dust of the old castle's curse threaten to rise again . . . this time to leave no one alive to tell the sordid tale. Award-winning author Jaime Jo Wright seamlessly weaves a dual-time tale of two women who must do all they can to seek the light amid the darkness shrouding Castle Moreau. Get your copy of The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater Barlowe Theater stole the life of Greta Mercy's eldest brother during its construction. Now in 1915, the completed theater appears every bit as deadly. When Greta's younger brother goes missing after breaking into the building, Greta engages the assistance of a local police officer to help her unveil the already ghostly secrets of the theater. But when help comes from an unlikely source, Greta decides that to save her family she must uncover the evil that haunts the theater and put its threat to rest. Decades later, Kit Boyd's best friend vanishes during a ghost walk at the Barlowe Theater, and old stories of mysterious disappearances and ghoulish happenings are revived. Then television ghost-hunting host and skeptic Evan Fisher joins Kit in the quest to identify the truth behind the theater's history. Kit reluctantly agrees to work with him in hopes of finding her missing friend. As the theater's curse unravels Kit's life, she is determined to put an end to the evil that has marked the theater and their hometown for the last century. Get your copy of The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater Jaime Jo Wright, the coffee-fueled and cat-fancier extraordinaire, has entwined her life with the legendary Captain Hook, residing serenely in Wisconsin's rural woodlands. Her literary vocation involves penning chilling Gothic tales, a baffling change from that of Austenites, with a strong preference to the master of dark, Edgar Allan Poe. Two mischievous urchins adorn their family, who keep their mother on her toes - providing an exhilarating amount chaos. Visit Jaime Jo Wright's website.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. Misty M. Beller returns to the podcast this week to share with us a little about one of her latest releases, Healing the Mountain Man's Heart. We had a lovely chat, as always, and talked about the fun way she decided what to write about in this book, how she walks the line between sweet romance and electricity, and the incredible little book she wrote at a fifth grader. She shares with patrons the mountain range she's secretly always wanted to visit. Healing the Mountain Man's Heart by Misty M. Beller In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, loyalty…and a hidden fortune. Jericho Coulter, the eldest of six fiercely devoted brothers, is entrusted with safeguarding his family and the secret that binds them together: the Sapphire mine. To keep tragedy from striking again, he allows no outsiders on their land. When two women stumble upon their ranch, claiming Jericho himself sent for one of them as a mail-order bride, he aims to send them straight back where they came from. Dinah Wyatt, a talented and determined doctor, wasn’t about to let her twin sister travel to Montana alone and marry a stranger. Dinah’s skills are immediately put to the test when one of the younger Coulter brothers is gravely injured, forcing the family to trust his life to her. As Dinah and her sister become entwined in the Coulter family's life, sparks fly between the enigmatic Jericho and the captivating doctor. In a world where trust is hard to come by and secrets hold the power to change lives, Jericho and Dinah must learn that sometimes, the most precious secrets are those buried within our own hearts. Get your copy of Healing the Mountain Man's Heart by Misty M. Beller Learn more about Misty. I write romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love. My husband and children are the loves of my life, keeping me both grounded and crazy, sane and out of my mind. I was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so my Southern roots run deep. Growing up, my family was close, and we continue to keep that priority today. My husband and 5 kiddos now add another dimension to my life, keeping me both grounded and crazy. God has placed a desire in my heart to combine my love for Christian fiction and the simpler farm life, writing historical novels that display His abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of my characters. Writing is my passion, and my family—both immediate and extended—is the foundation that holds me secure in my dream. And you, Dear Reader, bring so much joy to my life! I pray for you regularly, especially those wonderful words in Colossians: For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for YOU, and to ask that YOU may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that YOU may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy. Colossians 1:9-11 Love and blessings to you! Misty Visit Misty Beller's website.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. Valerie Fraser Luesse returns to the podcast this week to chat about her new book, Letters from My Sister. We had such a good time, and she's such a gracious lady. We talked about how her grandmother helped inspire the book, the difficulties writing about an African American character, Southern culture and how where you live affects all aspects of your life, and her story shack. Patrons will get to hear from Valerie what was so special about growing up in the South. Letters from My Sister by Valerie Fraser Luesse Two Sisters. One Single Event. A Family Changed Forever. At the turn of the twentieth century, sisters Emmy and Callie Bullock are living a privileged life as the only daughters of a wealthy Alabama cotton farmer when their well-ordered household gets turned upside down by the arrival of Lily McGee. Arrestingly beautiful, Lily quickly--and innocently--draws the wrong kind of attention. Meanwhile, Callie meets a man who offers her the freedom to abandon social constraints and discover her truest self. After Lily has a baby, Callie witnesses something she was never meant to see--or did she? Her memory is a haze, just an image in her mind of Emmy standing on a darkened riverbank and cradling Lily's missing baby girl. Only when the sisters are separated does the truth slowly come to light through their letters--including a revelation that will shape the rest of Callie's life. Bestselling author Valerie Fraser Luesse weaves a complex and suspenseful tale dripping with intrigue, romance, and Southern charm. Get your copy of Letters from My Sister by Valerie Fraser Luesse. Valerie Fraser Luesse is the author of Almost Home and the bestselling, Christy Award–winning Missing Isaac. Her third novel, The Key to Everything, was inspired by a true story. An award-winning magazine writer, Luesse is best known for her features and essays in Southern Living, where she is currently the senior travel editor. Specializing in stories about unique pockets of Southern culture, she has published major pieces on the Gulf Coast, the Mississippi Delta, Acadian Louisiana, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Her editorial section on Hurricane Katrina recovery in Mississippi and Louisiana won the 2009 Writer of the Year award from the Southeast Tourism Society. The author lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her husband, Dave—and a mischievous orange cat named Cheeto. Visit Valerie's website.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. Johanna Rojas Vann is a first-time guest to the podcast, and it was my pleasure to welcome her to the show this week. We chatted about her very first novel, An American Immigrant. This story is based on her mother's story of coming to the United States and on her life growing up as the child of an immigrant. We talk about how her mother inspired the book, why she used to hesitate speaking English, and how this book has shifted her view of what she wants to write in the future. Patrons also get to hear about how her children's lives are so very different from her own. An American Immigrant by Johanna Rojas Vann A Colombian American journalist tries to save her career by taking an assignment somewhere she never thought she’d go—Colombia—in this heartwarming debut novel about rediscovering our family stories. “A beautiful homage to a mother’s bravery and to the grace and grit that is our inheritance.”—Alicia Menendez, MSNBC anchor and creator and host of the Latina to Latina podcast Twenty-five-year-old Melanie Carvajal, a hardworking but struggling journalist for a Miami newspaper, loves her Colombian mother but regularly ignores her phone calls, frustrated that she never quite takes the time to understand Melanie’s life. When the opportunity arises for a big assignment that might save her flagging career, Melanie follows the story to the land of her mother’s birth. She soon realizes Colombia has the potential to connect her, after all these years, to something she’s long ignored: her heritage, the love of her mother, her family, and the richest parts of herself. Colombia offers more than a chance to make a name for herself as a writer. It is a place of untold stories. Inspired by real-life events, An American Immigrant is a story of culture and community, of abiding commitment to family, and of embracing our culture and the generations that have come before. Get your copy of An American Immigrant by Johanna Rojas Vann. Johanna Rojas Vann is a professional writer whose work can be found online and within numerous publications. She is a second-generation Colombian American, with dual citizenship, and lives with her husband and children in Nashville, Tennessee, where the coffee is good and the people are even better. She is a big fan of words—speaking them, reading them, and (especially) writing them. As a novelist, she's passionate about stories that highlight the complexity and beauty of diverse families. But nothing brings her more joy than my role at home as wife and stay-at-home mom. Visit Johanna's website.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. Shannon McNear joins us on the podcast this week to discuss her latest release, Rebecca. This is a fascinating look into the life of Pocahontas. She tells us about the history behind this story, why call a book about Pocahontas Rebecca, and all the detailed research she did for the novel. She also shares some of the songs that are on the playlist she put together to listen to while writing this series. If you love history with a twist, then you're sure to love this. Patrons also learn the answer to whether she'd rather live in South Carolina or North Dakota. Rebecca by Shannon McNear The Lost Colony of Roanoke: discover an alternate view of their fate alongside the life of Pocahontas. The colony at Roanoke disappeared into the shadows of history. But, what if at least one survived to leave a lasting legacy? Born the daughter of a Powhatan chieftain and a woman of unknown origins, Mato’aka enjoys a carefree life. When strange men from across the eastern waters appear near her home, she regards them at first as a mere curiosity. Soon, though, she finds herself torn between fascination for one of their leaders and the opinions and ways of her people–then becomes a pawn in their delicate and dangerous game of politics. Drawn to a young Englishman, John Rolfe, who has lost a wife and baby daughter, she shares his griefs. . .and perhaps something more. Could she have a future among the English of Jamestown, accepting their ways and even changing her name? Could her destiny be a part of the lasting legacy of the Lost Colony of Roanoke? Get your copy of Rebecca by Shannon McNear. Other books in the series: Elinor Mary After more than two decades in the South, Shannon McNear now makes her home on the windy northern plains with her husband, two of their eight children, two German Shepherds, a bunny, two cats, several chickens, and a noisy flock of guinea fowl. She serves in worship and youth ministry, and has been writing novel-length fiction since age 15. Her first novella, Defending Truth, from A Pioneer Christmas Collection, was a 2014 RITA® nominee, and her most recent novella, The Wise Guy and the Star in Love’s Pure Light is a 2021 SELAH winner. When not cooking, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, basking in the beauty of the Dakota prairie. Visit Shannon McNear's website.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. Debby Lee is a new-to-me author making her first appearance on the podcast this week. Her fascinating new book, Beneath a Peaceful Moon, is part of Barbour Publishing's Heroines of WWII series, and looks at the role of Native Americans in winning WWII, both as spies and as code talkers. We chat about Debby's visit to Arizona to do research, how much Debby, a Native American herself, knows of the Navajo and Yakima languages, and how she went above and beyond (really above and beyond!) in her research. Patrons will get to hear about some of the sad things that happened to Native Americans even after the war, including to Debby's own family, and the repercussions that are still being felt today. Beneath a Peaceful Moon by Debby Lee Mary Wishram, an orphaned Yakima tribal member, aches for her brother who suffers in a POW camp in the Philippine Islands and her Japanese friends who languish in a relocation center. Determined to end the war by any means necessary, she employs her language skills to become a spy. Leaving Camp Pendleton for the South Pacific, she faces escalating threats of peril to help bring her loved ones home. John Painted Horse, a proud Navajo, struggles with the loss of his father who died in WWI for a country that didn’t consider him a United States citizen. Though his home state doesn’t offer him the right to vote, he joins the Code Talker program at Camp Pendleton. Thrust into mounting danger in the South Pacific, he hopes to bring long overdue recognition and honor to his people, no matter the cost. Will these two wounded souls find healing from their past traumas and a deeper relationship with God, before it’s too late? Or will they lose their chance at love, and everything they hold dear? Get your copy of Beneath a Peaceful Moon by Debby Lee. Debby Lee, a member of the Yakama tribe, started writing as a child but never forgets home, the cozy town of Toledo, Washington, and her Native American roots. A former president of the Olympia chapter of Romance Writers of America, Debby enjoys participating in both RWA and the American Christian Fiction Writers. Her full length title, Beneath a Peaceful Moon, releases June 1, 2023, with Barbour Publishing. She also has six novella collections with Barbour. The Courageous Brides and Mountain Christmas Brides both made the ECPA Bestsellers list. A self-professed nature lover, Debby feels like a hippie child who wasn’t born early enough to attend Woodstock. She wishes she could run barefoot all year long and often does when weather permits. During football season, she cheers on the Seattle Seahawks with other devoted fans. She’s also filled with wanderlust and dreams of traveling the world. Visit Debby's website.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. I'm so thrilled to have Susie Finkbeiner returning to the show this week. She's so much fun to chat with. We talked about her new book, The All American, what the political climate was like in the early 1950s and how baseball played a role in Americana, and the wonderful woman she got to hear speak about her time in the women's baseball league, as well as what she loves about 1950s fashion. Patrons get to hear about her love for Shakespeare and the fun she has with that. The All American by Susie Finkbeiner Two sisters discover how much good there is in the world--even in the hardest of circumstances It is 1952, and nearly all the girls 16-year-old Bertha Harding knows dream of getting married, keeping house, and raising children in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. Bertha dreams of baseball. She reads every story in the sports section, she plays ball with the neighborhood boys--she even writes letters to the pitcher for the Workington Sweet Peas, part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. When Bertha's father is accused of being part of the Communist Party by the House Un-American Activities Committee, life comes crashing down on them. Disgraced and shunned, the Hardings move to a small town to start over where the only one who knows them is shy Uncle Matthew. But dreams are hard to kill, and when Bertha gets a chance to try out for the Workington Sweet Peas, she packs her bags for an adventure she'll never forget. Join award-winning author Susie Finkbeiner for a summer of chasing down your dreams and discovering the place you truly belong. Get your copy of The All American by Susie Finkbeiner. Susie Finkbeiner is the CBA bestselling author of The All-American, The Nature of Small Birds, All Manner of Things — which was selected as a 2020 Michigan Notable Book — and Stories That Bind Us, as well as A Cup of Dust, A Trail of Crumbs, and A Song of Home. She serves on the Fiction Readers Summit planning committee, volunteers her time at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and speaks at retreats and women’s events across the country. Susie and her husband have three children and live in West Michigan. Find her at Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. Rachel Scott McDaniel is back with us this week. We've had a little scheduling change, so these may be out of order, but thank you for bearing with me as life sometimes happens. Rachel is chatting about her new book, The Starlet Spy, another installment in Barbour Publishing's Heroines of WWII series. We talk about the inspiration behind the book, what's real and what's not real, and how she created the fascinating heroine. Patrons get to hear what she loves most about fall and what's up for her in the coming months. The Starlet Spy by Rachel Scott McDaniel In 1943, movie producer Henrik Zoltan approaches Amelie Blake under the guise of offering the Hollywood star a leading part in his upcoming film, but he has a more meaningful role in mind. Amelie’s homeland of Sweden declared neutrality in the war, but Stockholm has become the “Casablanca of the North.” When top-secret atomic research goes missing in Sweden, the Allied forces scramble to recover the files before they fall into Nazi hands. The United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS) needs someone who’s subtle enough to spy on the Swedish elite without triggering suspicion. Who better than the “all beauty, no brains” Scandinavian starlet? Fluent in three languages and possessing a brilliant memory, Amelie loathes being labeled witless but uses the misconception as her disguise. She’s tasked with searching for the crucial files, but Finn Ristaffason keeps getting in her way. Is the charming shipping magnate after the missing research? Or does he have other reasons for showing up at her every turn? With the Gestapo on her heels, Amelie must rely on her smarts in addition to her acting skills to survive a world of deadly spies and counterspies. Get your copy of The Starlet Spy. More from the Heroines of WWII series: The Cryptographer’s Dilemma by Johnnie Alexander Picture of Hope by Liz Tolsma Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson Mrs. Witherspoon Goes to War by Mary Davis A Rose for the Resistance by Angela K. Couch Season of My Enemy by Naomi Musch The Escape Game by Marilyn Turk Escape from Amsterdam by Lauralee Bliss On My Honor by Patty Hall Beneath a Peaceful Moon by Debby Lee Rachel Scott McDaniel As much as I'd love to occupy this space gushing about my fanatical penchant for all things classic movies, I probably should mention that I'm an award-winning writer. I hope to inspire the mind and refresh the soul with words infused with faith and heart. Thank you, dear reader, for your love of story. Without you, I wouldn't be here. I appreciate each and every email, DM, and note of encouragement. Your sweet support has truly meant a lot. Visit Rachel Scott McDaniel's website.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. Gabrielle Meyer returns to the podcast this week, and I'm so excited to have her with us to talk about her latest book, In This Moment. It's one of my favorite reads of 2023. We chat about how she juggled three timelines in this novel, how the Mississippi River inspires her to write, and what it was like to research and include her own family history with the Salem Witch Trials in her next book. My patrons will get to hear the fascinating story behind why they just had some French people staying at their house. In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer Maggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night, she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives--and everyone she knows in them--forever. In 1861, Maggie is the daughter of a senator at the outbreak of the Civil War, navigating a capital full of Southern spies and wounded soldiers. In 1941, she is a navy nurse, grappling with her knowledge of the future when she joins a hospital ship going to Pearl Harbor. And in 2001, she's a brilliant young medical student, fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon. While Maggie has sworn off romance until she makes her final choice, an intriguing man tugs at her heart in each era, only complicating the impossible decision she must make, which looms ever closer. With so much on the line, how can Maggie choose just one life to keep and the rest to lose? Gabrielle Meyer's writing captivates with . . . "A page-turning journey through three riveting, interwoven historical timelines."--MIMI MATTHEWS,USA Today bestselling author "Wonderful settings that brim with ethical dilemmas, fabulous twists, and an engaging heroine."--ELIZABETH CAMDEN, Christy and RITA Award-winning author "A time-traveling adventure with timeless appeal."--JOCELYN GREEN, Christy Award-winning author Get your copy of In This Moment. About Gabrielle Meyer: WIFE, MOM, WRITER, FRIEND... Gabrielle lives on the banks of the Upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing historical and contemporary novels inspired by real people, places, and events. The river is a constant source of inspiration for Gabrielle, and if you look closely, you will find a river in each of her stories. When Gabrielle is not writing, you might find her homeschooling her children, cheering them on at sporting and theatrical events, or hosting a gathering at her home with family and friends. Visit Gabrielle Meyer's website.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. Ann Gabhart returns to the podcast this week. She's always such a pleasure to have on the show, and we had a wonderful talk about her new book, In the Shadow of the River. We chatted about what life was like aboard a showboat, how you can combine faith, fun, and mystery, how much Ann loves her life on a Kentucky farm, and how publishing has changed since her first book released in 1978. Patrons get to hear about how this sweet Southern lady became a rabid fan of University of Kentucky basketball. In the Shadow of the River by Ann Gabhart If all the world's a stage, Jacci will play her part. She only hopes her story does not turn out to be a tragedy. In 1881, Jacci Reed is only five years old when a man attempts to kidnap her from the steamboat her mother, Irena, works on. Badly wounded during the confrontation, Irena takes Jacci aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, a showboat tied up beside them. There, Jacci's actor grandfather tends to her mother and Jacci gets a first taste of the life she will come to lead. Fifteen years later, Jacci is an actress aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, and largely contented with her adopted family of actors, singers, and dancers. Especially Gabe, who has always supported her, and the gruff grandfather she has come to know and love. Jacci's mother has been gone for years, but the memory of the altercation that ultimately took her life--and the cryptic things Jacci has overheard about her past--is always there, lurking in the back of her mind. When someone on the showboat tries to kill Jacci, it's clear her questions demand answers. But secrets have a way of staying in the shadows, and the answers she craves will not come easily. Gabe only hopes they come in time for him and Jacci to have a future together. Get your copy of In the Shadow of the River. Meet Ann Gabhart I’m a country girl, born and raised on a farm in the Outer Bluegrass region of Kentucky. My family grew tobacco and corn. We had a few milk cows, some hogs and sheep, but mostly beef cattle. My roots go deep in the land, and I now live on a farm just a mile away from where I was born and raised. I started writing when I was ten and have been writing ever since. My first novel, A Forbidden Yearning, a historical romance about the settling of Kentucky, was published by Warner Books in 1978. Since then I’ve published over thirty other novels for adults and young adults. My husband and I were both very young when we married, but we defied the odds and are still married all these years later. That could be because we went to church together and were committed to the Christian life. We are blessed with three wonderful children who picked some great people to marry and now we have nine amazing grandchildren I spoil every chance I get. I’ve been going to the same small country church since I was seventeen and I used my memories of how the church used to be in my Heart of Hollyhill books. My church was established in 1812 and it’s inspiring to think about all the people who have served the Lord there. And I do love to write in my office with big windows all around. Writing is what I’ve always wanted to do. The desire of my heart is to tell stories to readers like you. Thank you for reading! Visit Ann Gabhart's website.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. Michelle Griep joins us once again on the podcast, this time to talk about her latest release, Man of Shadow and Mist. This Victorian Gothic romance is absolutely fabulous from the first delicious line to the final, satisfying ending. Our topics on the episode ranged from superstitions to Dracula, who inspired the book, to her new puppy Winston. You'll get to find out why she named him that. There's a very special bonus for patrons who get to discover Michelle's talent for baking brownies. Only patrons will get the details on that recipe! Man of Shadow and Mist by Michelle Griep “The world seems full of good men—even if there are monsters in it.” –Bram Stoker, Dracula England, 1890 Vampires are alive and well in North Yorkshire, leastwise in the minds of the uneducated. Librarian Rosa Edwards intends to drive a stake through the heart of such superstitions. But gossip flies when the mysterious Sir James Morgan returns to his shadowy manor. The townsfolk say he is cursed. James hates everything about England. The weather. The rumours. The scorn. Yet he must stay. His mother is dying of a disease for which he’s desperately trying to find a cure—an illness that will eventually take his own life. When Rosa sets out to prove the dark gossip about James is wrong, she discovers more questions than answers. How can she accept what she can’t explain—especially the strong allure of the enigmatic man? James must battle a town steeped in fear as well as the unsettling attraction he feels for the no-nonsense librarian. Can love prevail in a town filled with fear and doubt? Get your copy of Man of Shadow and Mist. Michelle Griep is an author, blogger, and occasional super-hero when her cape is clean. "Dare I be so bold as to call myself an author? Being that I’m one of those freaks who attended poetry workshops instead of summer camp during my formative years, yes, I will. While other teens busied themselves throwing parties when their parents weren’t home, I was the nerd holed up in my room with pen and paper. Relatives. Can’t shoot ’em. It’s against the law, although I bet my husband and four children have been tempted now and again to put me in their crosshairs. I’m a wife of thirty-something years and mother of two sons and two daughters. And yes, it’s true…boys are way easier than girls, unless drama is something you crave. I am one of those library-card wielding, mini-van driving, let’s-take-a-jaunt-to-the-grocery-store and call it a field trip kind of homeschoolers. But allow me this disclaimer: I don’t wear denim jumpers, and I farm out anything related to science or math. Bonus disclaimer: The last of my nestlings has flown the homeschooling nest, but I continue to tutor writing and offer workshops. What’s the deal with me and Great Britain? Beats me. I’m as passionate about anything English as I am about chocolate and java. Oddly enough, I prefer Bronte over Austen, and if you’d like to debate the qualities of Typhoo versus PG Tips, feel free to e-mail me." Visit Michelle Griep's website.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. First-time guest Cindy K. Sproles joins us today to talk about her new book, This is Where It Ends. It's a fascinating story about an old mountain woman, her long-held secret, and the young man who befriends her. It was great to get to know Cindy better and to chat with her about what it was like to write from the point of view of a 96-year-old woman, how to properly say Appalachian and what she loves most about living there, and what sparked the idea for the novel. Patrons get to hear the bonus question about her advocacy for children and adults with special needs, especially as she's navigated and advocated for her grown son. This is Where It Ends by Cindy K. Sproles Award-Winning Author Pens a Unique Southern Tale When Minerva Jane Jenkins was just 14 years old, she married a man who moved her to the mountains. He carried with him a small box, which he told her was filled with gold. And when he died 50 years later, he made her promise to keep his secret. She is to tell no one about the box or the treasure it contains. Now 94, Minerva is nearing the end of what has sometimes been a lonely life. But she's kept that secret. Even so, rumors of hidden gold have a way of spreading, and Minerva is visited by a reporter, Del Rankin, who wants to know more of her story. His friend who joins him only wants to find the location of the gold. Neither of them knows quite who they're up against when it comes to the old woman on the mountain. As an unlikely friendship develops, Minerva is tempted to reveal her secret to Del. After all, how long is one bound by a promise? But the truth of what's really buried in the box may be hidden even from her. "Blood might be thicker than water, but love trumps both in Cindy K. Sproles's touching novel."--Valerie Fraser Luesse, author of Under the Bayou Moon "This is the way Christian fiction should be written."--Cecil Murphey, author or coauthor of 140 books, including 90 Minutes in Heaven with Don Piper and Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story Get your copy of This Is Where It Ends. Cindy K. Sproles is an author and a speaker, whose dream is to do nothing more than craft words that speak from the heart. God's plan seems to be for her to write and teach the craft. With God’s guidance, Cindy is expanding her horizons. We'll see how He uses her. Cindy is a mountain gal. Proud of her heritage, she was born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains where life is simple, words have a deep southern drawl, and colloquialisms like, "well slap my knee and call me corn pone" seem to take precedence over proper speech. Apple Butter, coal mining, the river, pink sunrises, and golden sunsets help you settle into a porch swing and relax. Family, the love of God, and strong morals are embedded into her life in the mountains. Teaching writers, spinning fiction tales about life in the mountains, history, and down-home ideas find their way into all she does. “I love to write devotions, to seek after the deeper side of Christ, and to share the lessons He teaches me from life in the hills of East Tennessee. I am a writer. A speaker. A lover of God's Word and friend to all.” This is Cindy Sproles. Welcome home to the mountains. Visit Cindy K. Sprole's website.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. Kim Vogel Sawyer returns to the podcast this week to talk about her new book, The Tapestry of Grace. We've known each other for quite some time, and it's always a pleasure to catch up with each other. We did plenty of laughing on the episode but also spoke about how beautiful and touching her book is. Among our topics were how she tapped into her own family history to weave the story, how one instance of seemingly unanswered prayer in her own life turn out for the good and the beautiful, and how the title came to be and why it's so perfect for the book. Patrons will get to hear about the time she spoke in a church basement during a tornado warning, so if you haven't yet joined my Patreon, please do so! The Tapestry of Grace by Kim Vogel Sawyer When a group of Kansas women start a Frauenverein, a benevolent society devoted to aiding widows and orphans, life changes for more than just the hurting people they seek to help in this heartwarming romance inspired by historical events—from the bestselling author of Freedom’s Song. With classes paused for the planting season, Alexandertol’s schoolteacher Augusta Dyck is glad for some meaningful work to occupy her time. She even knows exactly who their town’s benevolence society should help first: quiet, reserved widower Konrad Rempel and his young twin sons. Konrad Rempel, however, is adamant that he doesn’t want help. His boys are mischievous but good-hearted. And though Konrad may be struggling, he doesn’t want anyone else sticking their nose in and telling him what his sons need. Or what he needs. For her part, the charity’s founder Martina Krahn is relieved to have a reason to spend time outside her unhappy home. It even occurs to her that she may, through her work, encounter a boy in need of a family and so find a son for her husband since they have no children of their own. Augusta, Konrad, and Martina each have deep needs and desires, and each imagines how they should be met: by reaching out or by being left alone. But God, indeed, knows best. Will the competing agendas of Alexandertol’s residents prevent them from receiving God’s help? Or will the members of this small Mennonite community find the answers to their prayers in the very last place they expect—in one another? Get your copy of The Tapestry of Grace. Meet Kim Vogel Sawyer Award-winning, bestselling author Kim Vogel Sawyer is a wife, mother, gramma, chocolate-lover, cat-petter, and--most importantly--a daughter of the King! With more than 1.5 million books in print in seven different languages, Kim enjoys a full-time writing and speaking ministry. Her "gentle stories of hope" are loved by readers and reviewers alike. Kim and her retired military husband, Don, reside on the plains of Kansas, the setting for many of her novels. Visit Kim's website.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content. We have a little fun on this week's episode, talking about some unusual writer quirks. Everyone who has been listening to this show for a while knows that some authors do some pretty different things. Many of us grew up as nerds, and that has carried into our writing lives. How about our penchant for colorful sticky notes? Did you know that many of us have acted out our scenes? If you're a patron, you'll get to hear a bonus quirk. Hope you have a little chuckle to lighten your day. Be sure to check out some of Liz's books. I mention a quirk of Sherri Wilson Johnson's for my patrons. You can find her books here. I also talk about how Sarah Sundin and I share a quirk in common. Here is where you can find her books.