Between the Lines

I thoroughly enjoyed my chat with author Amanda Wen. It quickly became clear the reason for her tagline, This is My Story, This is My Song. Not only is she a talented writer, but she is also an accomplished cellist and pianist.

In her own words, "I write inspirational split-time women's fiction, which is a fancy way of saying I write books with multiple timelines featuring strong, resilient women and a God who loves endlessly, who saves unconditionally, and who creates unfathomable beauty from even our most desolate ashes."

Her newest novel, Echoes of a Silent Song, is Book 1 in her Melodies and Memories series. It will be released on October 21st and is now available for preorder. It is currently listed at Baker Book House for $14.40, or you can preorder it on Amazon for $17.99 for the paperback or $9.99 for the ebook.

Connect with Amanda via her website to learn more about her other series (Sedwick County Chronicles) and/or sign up for her newsletter and receive the gift of Slow Dancing in the Snow, a short story.

Need a little inspiration before delving into this author's most recent work? Here is the back cover blurb of Echoes of a Silent Song:

A split-time romance from an award-winning author

When a choral composer and conductor falls victim to creative block, he resorts to his fallback plan of teaching high school choir. Callum Knight's goal at Peterson High is simple: rediscover his muse, extract himself from teaching, and get back to Boston as quickly as possible.

As the long-suffering accompanist at the high school, Peterson-native Blair Emerson has watched the revolving door of choir directors and their negative impact on her choirs over the last few years. She is less than impressed when a disheveled Callum stumbles in on his first day.

But then they discover an unsigned, unfinished, and handwritten choral composition by a clear musical genius. Blair recalls rumors of Iris, a Peterson student from the 1970s who composed music but was found dead during her senior year. Blair and Callum work to determine if the piece is hers, and the truth they uncover shakes both of them to the core.

With rhythm and flair, Amanda Wen takes readers on an unexpected journey into the depths of a small town's history in this riveting first book in the Melodies and Memories duology.

Carolyn Jacobs is a passionate historical fiction author with a knack for bringing ancient worlds to life. A self-proclaimed "Bible study junkie," Carolyn's extensive research into the 650-550 BC period infuses her writing with authenticity and depth. Residing near San Antonio, Texas, her experiences living in Bolivia and on the U.S.-Mexico border enrich her storytelling. She balances her writing career with outreach to Muslims and leading Bible studies. Carolyn's unique voice and meticulous attention to historical detail set her work apart in the Christian fiction genre.

You can connect with Carolyn on her website, catch up on what's new, and sign up for her newsletter.

The Pride of Babylon:

Ana Brown's life in Texas is as confining as the corsets she longs to escape. Trapped between her overbearing parents and an unwanted engagement, she flees to an archaeological dig in Babylon. Little does she know the city will unearth more than artifacts; it will excavate the depths of her soul.

Joe, a handsome young history professor with a heart for missionary work, becomes an unexpected ally amid the sunbaked ruins. As they delve into the mysteries of Nebuchadnezzar's empire, Joe helps Ana discover a purpose beyond her imagination. But a desperate foe threatens to ruin everything.

With her reputation in tatters and her freedom at stake, Ana puts her fledgling faith to the test, trusting God will save her from the Pride of Babylon.

Set against the backdrop of 1917 Mesopotamia, The Pride of Babylon is a sweeping tale of romance, faith, and self-discovery that will leave you breathless. Unearth the secrets of the past and the promise of the future in this unforgettable journey from dust to destiny.

Faith Ijiga is a Nigerian Christian author of geopolitical thrillers. She was a guest of Between the Lines last year when her novel Jungle Justice was released. In this episode, we discussed the challenges she has faced over the last several months, not the least of which is her blindness, and her latest novel.

The Silent Protest was inspired by real-life events and is set in the Democratic Republic of Congo, China, and the United States. It releases on September 23rd and is available for the incredible preorder price of only .99 until this date. It is also available on Kindle Unlimited and in paperback.

The Silent Protest is a story that aims to provoke thought, stir hearts, and inspire change:

One act of defiance. One brutal regime. One man caught in the crossfire.

When the Congolese national football team stages a silent protest during the African Cup of Nations, their gesture sparks a firestorm that shakes the Democratic Republic of Congo—and the world. But behind the headlines, a darker truth lurks.

CIA operative Ryder "Raven" Jackson is sent deep into the heart of war-torn North Kivu. His mission: uncover the shadowy network of warlords, government officials, and foreign agents fueling the violence tearing the Congo apart. But for a man who stands out, blending in is impossible—and survival is anything but guaranteed.

As M23 rebels launch a wave of terror, government forces silence journalists, and international players manipulate the crisis for their own gain, Ryder finds himself racing against time. With civilians caught in the crossfire and a conspiracy stretching from Kinshasa to Washington, every decision he makes could tip the balance between war and peace.

From the back alleys of Goma to the corridors of power in the White House and the United Nations, The Silent Protest is a heart-pounding geopolitical thriller about courage, betrayal, and the high cost of speaking truth to power.

In a land where silence is survival, one protest may ignite a revolution.

Ann Harrison is an author, poet, and freelance editor who is totally blind. Aside from editing and writing, she loves to crochet while listening to podcasts or music. You can also find her with her hands in a book, reading on her electronic Braille display.

Her debut devotional is entitled Praying Through the Seasons: Seven Aspects of Prayer and Communion with God. It is available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. The paperback edition is in the works. She also recently self-published a poetry book entitled The Spirit of Creativity: Inspirational Poems for the Creative at Heart. She is currently working on the second book in her devotional series entitled Walking With God Through The Chapters.

You can connect with Ann at her website, sign up for her newsletter, and get to know more of her story.

Elle E. Kay is an Angel Award–winning Christian author known for her gripping suspense and engaging romance. Since the 2016 release of her debut novel, Shadowing Stella (a gift to her newsletter subscribers), she has written over two dozen books spanning romantic suspense, contemporary romance, historical fiction, and children's literature.

Elle's award-winning Pennsylvania Parks series blends faith and thrills against the backdrop of the state's stunning natural landscapes. She's also the author of the Endless Mountain series and a contributor to several multi-author projects, including the Lawkeeper, Blushing Brides, Heroes of Freedom Ridge, and Christmas in Redemption Ridge collections.

Elle writes children's books under the pen name Ellie Mae Kay and connects with readers through her blog, newsletters, and social media. Whether writing fiction, singing in church, or caring for her animals, Elle lives out her faith—and crafts stories where love, hope, and perseverance prevail.

Connect with her via her website, and sign up for her newsletter to receive your free copy of Shadowing Stella.

Back Cover Copy of Project Sentinel, available on Amazon in Kindle, paperback and Kindle Unlimited:

Under the all-seeing eye of Project Sentinel, the truth is a memory away—and a love she forgot is their only hope. Her memory is gone. But Faith Flanagan is about to learn what she believed about her past was a lie, and the truth could kill her. Two years after the accident that shattered her world, Faith is haunted by unsettling dreams and the growing suspicion that she's not who she thinks she is.

When Elijah Knight, a dangerously attractive operative from a life she can't recall, crashes back into her existence, he brings a chilling warning: her husband was murdered. Faith, he claims, holds explosive files Thad entrusted to her—files that could expose a conspiracy wielding Project Sentinel, a terrifyingly advanced AI surveillance system with the power to predict their every move. Now, they're on the run, pursued by relentless enemies who will kill to keep their secrets buried and the files out of Faith's unremembering hands.

As fragments of her past resurface, so does an undeniable, complicated passion for the man sworn to protect her. But in a deadly game of cat and mouse, where betrayal lurks around every corner, can Faith unlock the secrets buried in her mind before they become her undoing? And can a love she doesn't remember be the one thing that outsmarts the machine and the rogue officials controlling it?

If you enjoy gripping romantic suspense packed with secrets, high-stakes conspiracies powered by chilling AI, and a love fighting to be remembered against all odds, you won't want to miss Project Sentinel.

Sarah Ruth Hickner is a dreamer and a doer. She's been obsessed with horses her entire life, which has led to some epic highs and really hard falls. Those experiences have been chronicled in short stories, magazine articles, and a memoir titled Finding Gideon.

Now she's blending the lessons she's learned about life and her love of romantic comedy novels for the sweet romance market.

When Sarah isn't at the barn, you can find her at home with her husband, two kids, and coonhound mix.

Her debut novel, All the Things That Come Between Us, is a Christian romantic comedy about marriage, faith, and friendship. It is available in Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and paperback.

Visit Sarah's website, sign up for her newsletter, and receive the short story, "Three Horses and a Wedding."

To give you a taste of All the Things That Come Between Us, here is the back cover copy:

Abby's version of the American Dream is becoming a nightmare. Her baby won't stop crying, the twins bicker, sweet potato has turned to cement on the wall, and Scott? He's more MIA than ever, buried in his phone and always on "work trips."

She sacrificed her horse dreams for motherhood and a family, but now, with a post-baby body that refuses to cooperate and a marriage that's slipping through her fingers, Abby is questioning if it was all worth it.

When her suspicions about Scott's "work trips" grow, Abby decides it's time to take matters into her own hands. With her best friend by her side, she hatches a plan to save her marriage. But keeping her vows intact might be more complicated—and dangerous—than she thought.

In this hilarious, heartwarming rom-com, Abby will discover that God is in the details, and horses have a way of healing things… or do they break everything in their path?

Emily Ann is a historical fiction writer with a passion for bringing the past to life through compelling characters and immersive storytelling. Growing up in Charleston, South Carolina, she developed a deep appreciation for history and culture, which inspires her writing. Emily holds a bachelor's degree in education and homeschools her children. She is also an active member of her church community and enjoys gardening, crocheting, and photography.

We discussed the inspiration behind her debut novel, Book I in her Valiant Devotion Series, If I Go.

Connect with Emily via her website, where you can follow her on Instagram and stay informed about Book II in her Valiant Devotion Series.

If I Go back cover copy:

Beneath the sprawling limbs of southern oaks, where Spanish moss drapes like lace and the scent of salt lingers in the air, Eleanor Davis and Fred Jackson spend their childhood in the heart of 19th century Charleston, South Carolina. Their friendship is as constant as the tides, as warm as the Southern sun. But as the nation fractures, so does their world. When Fred's family moves North, Eleanor is left behind as whispers of war grow into a deafening roar.

Now a young woman seeking purpose, she answers the call of duty as a Confederate nurse. But just as she finds her footing, Fred returns—not as the carefree boy she once knew, but as a Union soldier, shaped by hardship and bound by conviction.

Their reunion is a collision of past and present, stirring memories of a bond that once felt unshakable. Yet war leaves little room for sentiment, demanding sacrifice from all who stand in its path. If I Go, Emily Ann's debut novel, is a sweeping tale of devotion, duty, and the enduring pull of home.

Tabitha Caplinger writes stories with a touch of the fantastical for both young women and women who are young at heart. She admits to getting way too emotionally invested in the lives of fictional characters, whether it's obsessing over a book or TV show, or getting lost in creating her own worlds. Tabitha is the author of The Chronicle of the Three Trilogy, The Wolf Queen, The Wayward, and most recently, The Castle Rose.

She is a lover of good stories and helping others live chosen. When she's not writing book words, she's reheating her coffee, binge-watching a new show, or teaching God's Word to young adults.

Connect with Tabitha at her website, where you can follow her social media links, sign up for her newsletter, learn more about her books, and engage with her #LiveChosen ministry.

Back cover blurb of The Castle Rose:

Bastian Roux lived and died a hundred years ago. Kind of. He certainly feels like nothing more than a ghost as he haunts the abandoned Castle Rose Theatre, his only solace found in the notes of his piano. That is until Odette arrives. Odette Durand moved to New Orleans for a fresh start. The coffee-addicted local bookshop manager never expected to be pulled into something supernatural, and she certainly doesn't believe in ghosts. But seeing a man no one else can see and hearing music that shouldn't exist makes a girl question her beliefs–and her sanity. With a mysterious and somewhat charming Southern gentleman thrown in the mix, Odette finds herself entangled in a century-old rivalry bound by a curse. If she's the only one who can see Bastian, is she also the only one who can break whatever is keeping him stuck in the realm between the living and the dead? As Odette and Bastian navigate the shadows of Bastian's past, they must grapple with the ultimate question: Will breaking the curse give Bastian his life back or take it away forever?

Malissa Chapin has a heart for writing stories filled with humor, faith, and truth. She's always been an avid reader and turned that passion into writing.

Her Piper Haydn Piano Mystery Series includes Murder Goes Caroling, Murder Goes Solo, and Murder Goes Clamping. When you purchase any of these novels from her website at ShopMalissaChapin.com, you receive as a gift two printable paper dolls designed for the specific story. But her books are also available on Amazon.

Be sure to sign up for her newsletter to receive the printable "Reading Challenge Journal for Book Lovers."

Malissa is not only gifted with the written word, but she also has other fun and creative crafts for sale geared toward book lovers. T-shirts, mugs, artwork, etc. You will want to take a peek for yourself.

During our interview, we highlighted Malissa's novel, The Road Home. It is a dual timeline Women's fiction/redemption novel. Here is the back cover blurb:

Hiding from her tainted past. Will unraveling a long-buried deception let the truth set her free?

Wisconsin, present day. Audra March's adult life is haunted by a teenage misstep. Taking an assumed name and enjoying simple things, the thirty-something comes upon a vintage recipe box while thrift shopping and hunts down the owner's daughter. So when a longtime adversary threatens her with blackmail, she jumps at the invitation to escape to the dead lady's estate and avoid an old enemy.

Kentucky, 1940's. Ida Bealle Horne aches for a baby. Deeply in love with her preacher husband, she despairs that God will never grace her Appalachian home with the laughter of a child. So when a knock at the door comes one stormy night, she thanks the Almighty when a granny shoves a newborn into her arms.

Stumbling across a collection of letters, Audra unearths a secret its owner took to the grave and embarks on a path of surprising consequences. And though Ida Bealle can't bear to admit to her now-grown daughter they don't share blood, she feels the burden of the lie crushing her soul.

Can Audra's journey bring fulfillment to another and gift her a second chance?

The Road Home is the emotional first book in a Christian women's fiction series. If you like conflicted heroines, tales of redemption, and dual-timeline stories, then you'll adore Malissa Chapin's generation-spanning saga.

Prolific author Carolyn Miller writes both regency and contemporary romance with hope, heart, and humor. Although Australian born and bred, her Muskoka Romance series and Northwest Ice Christian Hockey Series are set in Canada.

We chatted about life across the pond, new opportunities that await, and where she draws inspiration, as well as her latest novel, Muskoka Miracle. It was released in April and is available on Amazon in ebook and paperback.

You can learn more about Carolyn, sign up for her newsletter (for which you'll receive her gift of a book), and follow her newest writing adventure at her website, CarolynMillerAuthor.com.

Back Cover Copy of Muskoka Miracle:

Sarah Walton might now be living out her dreams with her gorgeous husband and writing and recording music and touring with a globally famous Christian music group, but time spent in Muskoka is a slice of paradise, the perfect escape from that crazy busy world. She has so much to be thankful for... except there's just one thing.

Dan Walton knows he is blessed, but can't stop a niggling desire for something to change. Is it wrong to want more? Or should he just let go of his secret wish--one he can't share with his wife?

When tragedy strikes, the lessons learned in Muskoka several years ago are put to the test again, as the struggle to trust God proves only too real, putting strain on a relationship already tested by busyness and health challenges. Then, when family circumstances lead to a separation on the opposite side of the world, the depth of their love for God and each other forces them to face the fire once more.

God can do miracles anywhere, but there's always been something special about Muskoka...