Sunday, May 4, 2025

Mara, In The Face Of Battle by Blossom Turner

About the Book

Book: Mara, In The Face of Battle (The Victory Series Book Two)

Author: Blossom Turner

Genre: Christian Suspense/Spiritual Warfare

Release date: April 22, 2025

She escaped the darkness once… but will she survive its clutches yet again?

Despite scars both seen and unseen from her unimaginable past, Mara returns to the home that once imprisoned her in secrets, lies, and abuse. This time, she’s no longer a victim—she’s a young woman transformed by faith and driven by love. Mara is determined to share with her siblings the hope she’s found in a God who saved her life and filled it with purpose.

Reminded of her past with every look in the mirror, Mara’s heart finds a home in Lucas, a man who loves her beyond appearances. With him, she steps into a new life of joy, ministry, and the promise of forever.

But an unseen battle rages. Mara discovers the enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy is closer—and far more dangerous—than she imagined. Armed with prayer and the Holy Spirit, Mara must confront the forces that seek to crush everything she holds dear. When an unimaginable failure shakes the foundation of her faith, Mara faces her greatest test yet.

Can she trust God is good when life is not? Or will the shadows of her past pull her under once more?

A gripping story of faith, love, and resilience. Turner takes us on a journey that will inspire and challenge readers to find hope in their own darkest moments.

Click here to get your copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of all author’s opinions.

Author Interview

● What was the most enjoyable part of writing your book?

I love writing the first copy the best…where creativity flows and the book takes me in surprising directions. So much fun!

● How do you weave Biblical truths into your writing?

The Victory Series is a three-book series based on Ephesians 6, and Spiritual Warfare. It brings alive the truth that we have an enemy, and we are in a battle. Weaving this Bible truth into the story is done by a peek into the other realm where guardian angels and Satan’s minions are at work and at war. Through giving both the guardian angels and the demons a POV and a character with goals and a story arc, these scenes come alive and are impactful. Because so often we think that we are alone, when we are not. We have a big God. We have a real enemy. And we have a guardian angel.

● Why did you pick this genre for your book?

The Victory Serries, Mara, The Unseen Battle… found me. My genre is historical romance. I was building a following, won awards on almost every book I wrote, and loved what I was doing. But as I finished up my last series the Holy Spirit spoke so clearly that Mara The Unseen Battle, a Christian Suspense, would be my next series. I was to write from that deep place of my own experiences of childhood abuse and reveal the unseen spirit world that preys on the unsuspecting and vulnerable. It is my hope and prayer that the reader is entertained, but even more importantly inspired to realize how powerful prayer is, and how when faith is tested, we have an amazing God and guardian angels at the ready. We are not alone but dearly loved.

● How many books do you personally own?

Too many to count

● What is your next big goal as an author?

To write and do my Utmost for his Highest. I seem to go where God leads.

About the Author

Blossom Turner is an award-winning novelist who loves to jump out of planes, garden, and sing… all for fun. She is published in a variety of anthologies, a former newspaper columnist on health and fitness, and a personal trainer. With a passion for words this gifted author brings to life this new series on spiritual warfare with thought-provoking plots and twists that will keep you guessing. Love and deep relationships sprinkled with hope permeate her novels. Check out the award-winning Shenandoah Bride Series about five sisters and their love stories. She and her husband, David, have two grown children and live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada, with their Shepherd/Bernese dog named Lacey.

More from Blossom

Have you ever felt like something, or someone is watching you? Have you ever experienced darkness in a fully lit room? Or wondered if a malevolent force was working against you?

We all love stories on angels and God’s love and protection, but we also have an enemy…a living, breathing adversary. Ephesians 6:12 says…For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (NKJV)

This story, Mara, In The Face of Battle… is the second in the Victory Series. The series found me. My genre is historical romance. I was building a following, won some awards, and loved what I was doing. But as I finished up my last series the Holy Spirit made it very clear that Mara would be my next project. From my own personal experience of spiritual warfare where Satan has come to steal, kill, and destroy, (as Jesus warned in John 10:10), I was to write a series on a character named Mara from birth to death. I think this approach is unique in and of itself. But then to weave in the unseen, how angels fight to protect, and the darkness seeks to destroy, adds a whole new and deep dimension.

If you would enjoy a read that is a cross between Frank Peretti books, and Francine Rivers’ character Angel, in Redeeming Love, then you’ll love Mara, In The Face of Battle. In this powerful trilogy, discover a world where spiritual warfare is brought to life, prayer is a weapon, and faith is tested. Expect to be impacted in a way that will change your life story.

You will be entertained, (nothing wrong with that) but you will also come away with a greater appreciation for prayer, for Christ, and His work on the cross. You may even view the trials of your life in a new encouraging way. The battle is real but the One by our side is victorious.

I’d like to end by enclosing an endorsement from bestselling suspense author, Creston Mapes…

“I’ve been watching and waiting for a powerful new voice in Christian fiction, and I’ve finally found it in Blossom Turner and her new thriller, Mara – The Unseen Battle. With spiritual warfare comparable to Frank Peretti, this book was powerfully spiritual and chillingly realistic. It had everything I love in a good novel — tension throughout, great pacing, unexpected twists and turns . . . I can’t wait to read the second book in the series.” — Bestselling Author Creston Mapes

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, April 25

Texas Book-aholic, April 26

Artistic Nobody, April 27 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, April 28 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 28

Fiction Book Lover, April 29 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 30

Stories By Gina, May 1 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 2

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 3 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 4

A Reader’s Brain, May 5 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 6

Leslie’s Library Escape, May 7

Bizwings Book Blog, May 8

Simple Harvest Reads, May 8 (Guest Review from Gail Hollingsworth)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Blossom is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and an autographed copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54205

Saturday, April 26, 2025

It’s Fight Night by Todd Woodfill

About the Book

Book: It’s Fight Night: Lessons For Men On Samson’s Fight

Author: Todd Woodfill

Genre: Men’s Bible Study

Release date: October, 2024

It’s Fight Night: Lessons For Men on Samson’s Fight uses the story of Samson to challenge men to examine their lives through the lens of strength and weakness. Designed for personal or group study, this Bible study delves into the complexities of Samson’s journey, asking men to reflect on their God-given strengths and areas of vulnerability. By exploring themes of divine purpose, failure, and redemption, this study invites men to seek guidance from God as they grow in faith and understand their true potential. Become a warrior, step into the ring and discover timeless lessons on strength, weakness, and grace.

Click here to get your copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of all author’s opinions.

Author Interview

1. What was the most challenging part of writing your book?
Since I focus on biblical truth, strengthening character, and growing in faith, the most difficult part for me is ensuring that I am biblically correct, sharing accurate and truthful insights, and aligned with the calling God has for me. There is a lot of pressure in ensuring I hold to these core values.

Writing a book that addresses spiritual matters, particularly in a way that challenges men to grow in faith, requires a level of accountability that I don't take lightly. I want my words to encourage and empower, but I also need to make sure they are firmly grounded in God's Word and reflect His heart. That responsibility weighs heavily on me, and it requires a lot of prayer, reflection, and careful study to ensure I get it right.

2. Was your writing process spontaneous as it came to you or very planned and organized?
My writing process is extremely organized, with many hours spent on research and prayer for each topic I address in the book. Before I begin writing, I develop a structured outline that ensures a clear flow of ideas and biblical truths. I spend a significant amount of time studying scripture, historical context, and relevant theological insights to ensure accuracy and depth.

Prayer is a critical part of my process. I seek God’s guidance before, during, and after writing each chapter to ensure that the message aligns with His truth and speaks directly to the hearts of those who will read it. While inspiration sometimes strikes in unexpected moments, the foundation of my writing is built on intentional planning, deep study, and a commitment to delivering biblically sound and impactful content.

3. How many books do you personally own?
I own hundreds, if not thousands, of books. Over the years, my collection has grown significantly, though I’ve slowed down on purchasing as many printed copies in favor of digital ones. That said, there are still certain books I prefer to own in print—I love the feel of a physical book in hand, and some are worth having on the shelf to easily reference again. In fact, there have been times when I’ve read a book digitally and then gone back to purchase a physical copy because it resonated with me so deeply.

4. What is your next big goal as an author?
My goal as an author is the same as when I step on a stage to speak, and it hasn’t changed over the years. My prayer is that God uses me to reach at least one person through my writing. I’m not focused on numbers, accolades, or recognition. What matters most is that even one person is drawn into a deeper relationship with Jesus or takes their faith to the next level because of something I’ve written. If my work helps even one person grow closer to Christ, then I’ve done what I was called to do, and that is the only success I need.

About the Author

Todd Woodfill is a modern-day Renaissance man whose life could be inspirational if it didn’t so closely resemble a comedy sketch. Married to his absolutely amazing, beautiful, intelligent, and talented wife Holly for a whirlwind 30 years so far, he couldn’t imagine doing life without her support. With four incredible children and one extraordinary grandchild, who refer to Todd as Dad, Papa, dork, old timer, and weirdo, Todd has been blessed far more than he deserves.

Passionate about mental health and suicide prevention, men’s ministries, Legos, boxing, and pursuing God, Todd is a man of many talents and clearly a master of none. But who else can seamlessly switch from being a Jordan sneaker connoisseur to a boxing enthusiast, all while building men’s ministries and helping those with mental health challenges. Heck, this guy can be found passionately discussing the virtues of mental wellness, only to break into a joyful song from a Disney classic, spreading cheer like a modern-day Mary Poppins with a passion for Christ. His life is a whirlwind of laughter, love, and an unshakable faith, making him the ultimate blend of humor and heart in a world that often takes itself too seriously.

More from Todd

Men, it’s time to step into the ring! Todd Woodfill’s new book, It’s Fight Night: Lessons For Men On Samson’s Fight, is officially here-and it’s not just a book; it’s a challenge to reclaim your strength, confront your weaknesses, and discover the warrior God created you to be.

Using the story of Samson as a backdrop, this study invites you to explore themes of strength, weakness, purpose, and redemption. Whether you’re diving in solo or in a small group with you brothers in Christ, this book is designed to help you reflect deeply on your journey as a man of faith. You’ll be encouraged to embrace your God-given potential, find hope in the face of failure, and live boldly for Christ.

What to Expect:

Discover the divine purpose in your strengths AND your struggles.
Learn how to fight like Samson-but live with the grace of Christ.
Build up your faith and deepen your connection to God alongside other men.

Are You Ready for the Fight?

This more than just a book launch-this is the kickoff to an incredible journey! Todd is hitting the road for the Fight Night Book Tour, bringing these lessons to life through interactive discussions, powerful testimonies, and real talk about what it means to walk boldly as a man of God today.

About the Author:

Todd Woodfill is a man blessed beyond measure and proof that God has a sense of humor. From being a husband to his incredible wife, Holly, for 30+ years, to raising for amazing kids and a grandchild who alternately call him “Papa” and “that old weirdo,” he’s been living a wild, grace-filled adventure.

Todd is passionate about men’s ministries, mental health advocacy, Legos, and boxing-yes, he is a man of layers like Shrek. You might catch Todd talking about Jordan sneakers one moment, throwing a jab at the heavy bag the next, or surprisingly belting out a Disney tune with unapologetic joy. But his heart is always centered on helping men find God’s purpose in their lives.

Join the Fight!

Follow the tour schedule, grab a copy of the book, and let’s get ready to rumble-with faith as our foundation. God has incredible things in store, and Todd can’t wait to share this journey with you.

Stay tuned for book tour dates near you!

Let’s grow together, brothers. The bell’s ringing-are you ready to step into the ring?

#ItsFightNight #ChristianMen #MensMinistry #BibleStudy #SamsonLessons #WarriorsForHisGlory #StrengthInFaith

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 14

Vicky Sluiter, April 15 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 16

For the Love of Literature, April 17 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, April 18

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 19 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 20

Blossoms and Blessings, April 21 (Author Interview)

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, April 22

Stories By Gina, April 23 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, April 23

Artistic Nobody, April 24

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, April 25 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, April 25

Guild Master, April 26

A Reader’s Brain, April 27 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Todd is giving away the grand prize of a $100 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54200

Monday, April 21, 2025

Meow Meow Milks the Cow by Allen Brokken/Illustrated by Reace Erbe

About the Book

Book: Meow Meow Milks the Cow: A Towers of Light Read to Me

Author: Allen Brokken, Illustrated by Reace Erbe

Genre: Christian Fable

Release date: March 15, 2025

When disaster strikes the family farm, Lauren gets a big job. She has to milk their cow, Clarabelle, all by herself! Her only help might come from her new feline friend Meow Meow, but how can such a little kitten help with such a big job?

This read-aloud will help you share the timeless truth from the Bible that God can use the least of us to solve big problems.

Click here to get your copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book,

And all opinions given are my own and not

An endorsement of all author’s opinions.

Author Interview

● What was the most challenging part of writing your book?

The most challenging part of writing Meow Meow Milks the Cow was time. When I first hired my virtual assistant, Heather Freeman, she suggested that I write picture books. While I thought it was a fun idea there’s a huge differencebetween writing novels and picture books. Plus, I was working on book 4 in a series of 6 and didn’t see how I would ever get around to writing a picture book. But with a lot of help from a great team 2 years later I had a book.

● What was the most enjoyable part of writing your book?

It was amazing to see how everything worked out to make this book a reality. There was a scene that I really liked in my first book, Light of Mine that my editor made me cut because it didn’t flow well from a storytelling perspective. It basically pulled all of the intensity from the story, so she insisted that I pull it. But it always bugged me. One day I was talking to a picture book author, Pam Halter, and she said she could help me adapt that scene to a picture book format all I needed was an illustrator.

Well, my soon-to-be daughter-in-law had just drawn a nice set of characters depicting the children in the Towers of Light series and I thought, WOW that style would be perfect for a picture book. So, I had my story and my illustrator!

● Are any of your characters based off of yourself or those close to you?

The main characters are based on, and named after, my three children. There are even characters that show up in the books who were friends of my children in real life. In fact, Meow Meow himself is even named after Lauren’s real favorite stuffed animal.

● Was your writing process spontaneous as it came to you or very planned and organized? Why?

The writing process for this story was very planned out since it came from a scene that I had already written. When I’m starting from scratch, I start with a high-level idea or concept I want to get across. Once I get that down, I create what I call a flight plan or a series of major events I’d like to happen. Then I stitch it all together.

● What is your next big goal as an author?

Right now I have two other books launching in the next few weeks, The DadaBase+ (my best jokes from social media) and Logan vs. the Hateful Strawberries. After that I’m working on the next picture book in this series, Daddy Duck saves Cluck!

About the Author

Allen Brokken is a teacher at heart, a husband and father most of all. He’s a joyful writer by the abundant grace of God. He began writing the Towers of Light series for his own children to help him illustrate the deep truths of the Bible in an engaging and age appropriate way. He’s dedicated 15 years of his life to volunteer roles in children’s ministry and youth development. Now that his own children are off to college he’s telling stories and sharing clean humor on social media and through his blog.

More from Allen

Sometimes, a story just HAS to be told. When I first wrote the book that became Light of Mine, book 1 of the Towers of Light series, there was a scene in which the main character, Lauren, and her newly found kitten are trying to milk the cow. It was a sweet moment in a chaotic story, and I had fun writing it as an homage to my kitten squeaker, who made trying to work around home very challenging at times. However, my editor was pretty clear that as cute as the story was, Meow Meow’s interlude with the milk cow Clarabelle just didn’t fit the story’s action. So, unfortunately, that scene found its way to the cutting room floor.

After a few years, I started having mothers of children who loved the Towers of Light Series ask the same question over and over….”But what about my littles?” Do you have a story for me to read to my younger children? After thinking about it, I realized Meow Meow’s adventure might be a perfect read-aloud. So I reached out to a fellow Realm Maker, Pam Halter, who has a really fun series of books with Willougby the Dragon, to see if she could help me turn my 2500-word novel scene into an 800-word picture book…and she did a fantastic job! So now we have Meow Meow Milks the Cow.

Another fun fact is that the character Ethan in this book is all grown up now and engaged to be married to Reace Erbe, and this is her first illustrated work in print. So we all hope you enjoy this Tower of Light read to me.

Blog Stops

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 9

For the Love of Literature, April 10 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 10

By the Book, April 11

For Him and My Family, April 12

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 13 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, April 14

Hannahbandanarama, April 15

Blossoms and Blessings, April 16 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 18

Labor Not in Vain , April 19

Texas Book-aholic, April 20

Pause for Tales, April 21

A Reader’s Brain, April 22 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, April 22

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Allen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54199

Sunday, April 13, 2025

The Rancher’s Unexpected Bride by Lauralyn Keller

About the Book

Book: The Rancher’s Unexpected Bride

Author: Lauralyn Keller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: March 25, 2025

In the rugged Montana Territory, a Boston socialite’s bid for freedom collides with a rancher’s quest for a family.

According to Boston’s elite society, Ella Mountbatten has it all: status, prestige, and a bright future. What they don’t know is that her life as a socialite has become a gilded cage of abuse and oppression under the control of her cruel fiancé and domineering parents. Desperate to escape, Ella flees Boston and seeks refuge in the small town of Harmony Springs, Montana Territory, where her former friend now resides as the sheriff. But with her family determined to drag her back to Boston, Ella’s hard-won freedom—and her very life—hang precariously in the balance.

Rancher, Cody Brooks, is ill-equipped to be the guardian of three orphaned children. But that’s the situation he’s in after the death of his best friend. Now, what he needs is a wife to help provide love and stability to his makeshift family. So when a runaway heiress arrives in need of protection, it seems a marriage of convenience may be the answer to both their prayers.

But with danger closing in from Boston and the challenges of building a new life together, Cody and Ella must confront their deepest fears and desires. Can their marriage of convenience blossom into true love, or will the shadows of Ella’s past tear apart the fragile hope they’ve found in Harmony Springs?

Click here to get your copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of all author’s opinions.

Author Interview

How do you weave Biblical truths into your writing?

I am very much a “show your faith through actions” kind of person, and that extends to the characters in my stories.While they do generally speak of their faith, the fact that they live a virtuous lifestyle shows their commitment to Christ, or if they aren’t living virtuously, their eventual change demonstrates the interior shift. I write historical fiction, so it feels easy to integrate that into my stories. My hope is that readers see these characters living out the Gospel in what they say and do—or what they don’t say or don’t do.

● Was your writing process spontaneous as it came to you or very planned and organized? Why?

It’s a spontaneous process. I cannot plan. Ever. I’ve tried multiple times, and it never ends well. The little planning I do manage to get in is inevitably scrapped because my characters decide they want something else (yes, they talk to me—something that was a shock when I first started writing).

Let me give you a story to demonstrate. When I wrote my first book, A Future Not Their Own, chapters flowed easily. I didn’t really plan, except for picking a couple tropes and creating a villain that would be revealed near the end of the book. That’s it. The rest of the story came in waves—I wrote nearly a chapter a day, finishing the 50-chapter book in about two months. When I got to the end, the villain informed me that he wasn’t a bad guy. I started arguing with his character—out loud—because he’d been created specifically to be the villain. But he was adamant about the fact that he was actually good. And he won. I had to rework the entire villain storyline, but in the end, it was better because of who the new baddie was.

That, combined with a few other experiences over the years, have taught me that planning is not for me. I’m a total pantser, and I’m fine with that.

● Do you have a favorite time of day you are most productive in your writing?

Mornings are most productive for me when it comes to writing. Unfortunately, I’m rarely able to write at that time during the week because of my teaching job. While I love teaching, it’s hard to be productive when writing in the late afternoons or early evenings. Weekends are usually best for me when it comes to getting in quality writing time, because timing is more flexible and I can have those early hours to work on my stories.

● Why did you pick this genre for your book?

History was one of my favorite subjects in school, along with language arts. I find the past fascinating, with so many stories waiting to be told. Combine that with my lifelong love of romance novels, and historical fiction felt like the perfect niche to write in. I have so many ideas for stories in different time periods. I’ve already written a post-WWII series and have an idea for a WWI story. Regency England is another period I’d like to explore, as is medieval times. I’m especially excited about a biblical “encounters with Jesus” series that’s bouncing around in my head—that one may come to fruition sooner than later.

● He ow many books do you personally own?

Quite a few! I own 390 ebooks, mainly historical and contemporary romance, and most of them were downloaded during free or reduced price giveaways. For physical books, I have about 140. Those are a mix of theology, history, and apologetics, along with fiction authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Francine Rivers, and Sarah M. Eden.

About the Author

Lauralyn Keller loves to combine history and romance in stories that touch the heart. She lives in beautiful Colorado and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and reading.

More from Lauralyn

Stories have a funny way of percolating in my mind. I’ll be driving or doing dishes or some other mundane activity, and all of a sudden, an idea pops into my head. What my mind does with it then determines the course of a story.

Here’s a peek at my thought process for The Rancher’s Unexpected Bride.

Marriage of convenience stories are fun—maybe I could write one. Oooh, and I love Montana. It should take place there. Historical, of course, since stepping back in time is also fun. Hmmm….who should the characters be? Maybe a socialite….or an heiress….where would someone like that be from? Philly? New York? Ooh, I know—Boston! Yeah, Boston. Let’s see, her name can be Ella, though that doesn’t sound terribly high society. Maybe Ariella, but she prefers being called Ella. And she wants to leave town because she feels that society life is suffocating her. Hmmm, that doesn’t quite seem like a strong enough reason. Oh! She comes from a stuffy family….with harsh parents….and an abusive fiance. That’s why she runs away. I can iron out the details later. Okay, so Ella runs from Boston to Montana. Now, who’s her love interest? A farmer might work, but why would they agree to a marriage of convenience? I suppose Ella could be a mail-order bride….hmmm, no, that might not work. She needs to leave in a hurry (the why to be determined later). Maybe the guy (let’s call him Cody—that’s a good name) is a widower raising young kids and needs a wife to help. Or….no, he took in the kids after their parents died. That’ll create an immediate need for a wife. Perfect! Actually, I think he should be a rancher instead.

And just like that, a story is born. Sometimes it comes to me in moments, other times in weeks. This story developed over a couple of years. I wrote one draft, decided it was too fluffy, and ended up giving it a complete rewrite. I’m very happy with how Ella and Cody’s story turned out. It’s a sweet, love-comes-softly romance, and I hope you enjoy it.