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Jennifer L. Wright, a first-time guest, joins us on the podcast this week to talk about her new book, Last Light over Galveston. We discuss what meteorology was like in 1900, how this storm took the city by complete surprise, and how Jennifer got her start in writing, plus much more. Patrons will learn what she loved about growing up in the Midwest.

Last Light over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright

Amid the 1900 Galveston hurricane, one woman’s perseverance is tested in this captivating story from the author whose work has been called “intelligent and arresting” (Foreword Reviews) and “historical fiction as it is meant to be told” (Library Journal).

“Old Galveston shines in this beautifully written tale of a woman’s quest to both lose herself and find herself.”
Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Shelterwood

Galveston, Texas. September 1900. Only months ago, Kathleen McDaniel returned from finishing school in Switzerland to her family home in New York’s Hudson Valley with a future of promise and privilege set before her. But one horrific event shattered her picturesque life. Now she has fled as far as the train line and a pocketful of money would take her, finding refuge at the St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum on Galveston Island, where she helps the nuns care for their young charges and prays her past will not find her. Despite her tenuous standing at the orphanage―and the grief and betrayal that drove her from home―Kathleen slowly begins to make friends. There is Emily, the novice nun she rooms with; Maggie, the tempestuous young girl who only bonds with Kathleen; and Matthew, a kind, handsome man recently employed by Isaac Cline at Galveston’s office of the US Weather Bureau.

Then in one fateful day, Kathleen’s fragile new life begins to crack as it becomes clear that she can’t run far enough to escape the reach of her former life. Meanwhile, as troubling news about a storm crossing the Gulf from Cuba swirls in the Weather Bureau offices, Matthew holds fast to Cline’s belief that no hurricane can touch Galveston. But as darkness falls on the island, Kathleen must gather her courage and reach for a strength beyond her own if she―and those she loves―are to survive.

• A stand-alone historical novel about the 1900 Galveston hurricane
• A gripping read inspired by true events
• Features themes of resilience, found family, and redemption
• Includes discussion questions perfect for book clubs

Get Last Light over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright.

Jennifer L. Wright has been writing since middle school, eventually earning a master’s degree in journalism from Indiana University. However, it took only a few short months of covering the local news to realize that writing fiction is much better for the soul–and definitely way more fun. A born and bred Hoosier, she was swept off her feet by an Air Force pilot and has spent the past decade traveling the world and, every few years, attempting to make old curtains fit in the windows of a new home.

She currently resides in New Mexico with her husband, two children, one grumpy dachshund, and an overly demanding guinea pig. 

She is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers Association), and can be found on Facebook,

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Jenelle Hovde is a newcomer to the show but not to writing, though she takes her first foray into Regency romance with her latest release, No Stone Unturned. In this week's episode, she shares how she combined her love of antiquity and Jane Austen into a fabulous Regency novel, how she's loving life in Florida, and what got her started writing in the first place. Patrons, you get a special bonus because she shares which are her favorite film versions of both Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre. 

No Stone Unturned by Jenelle Hovde

She wants to uncover the past. He wishes to build a future. In this Regency romance set in rolling hills of West Sussex, two opposing wills discover their fate may lie in the common ground.

Miss Bridget Littleton’s passion for history and antiquities defies most social conventions, even in her small village nestled in the beautiful English countryside. When a local farmer discovers an elaborate mosaic buried in his field, Bridget dreams of making a name and future for herself by excavating the Roman ruins. Unfortunately, her quest puts her at odds with the ambitious new lord who recently inherited the title and Hawthorn Abbey from his estranged uncle.

Recovering from wounds of both body and spirit, Captain Rafe Hawthorn is intent on restoring his long-neglected ancestral home. His plans to rebuild the abbey’s once thriving orchards require a road that will pass straight through Bridget’s potential trove of artifacts. He will not―cannot―fail again, even if he is moved by Bridget and her passion.

Yet this impasse might not be their greatest obstacle. A natural disaster and a series of suspicious accidents threaten both their plans, along with the livelihood of the nearby villagers dependent on their success. With their dreams in the balance, Bridget and Rafe must work together to fend off an unexpected enemy that may prove more dangerous than either could have imagined.

Get your copy of No Stone Unturned by Jenelle Hovde.

More about Jenelle Hovde:

’m so glad to share a little of my writing journey with you. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a story swirling in the back of my mind. To this day, I have novels written when I was seven years old. The subjects changed (it was puppies back then), but the love of writing never disappeared.

I stuffed away all desire for creative pursuits, obtaining a doctorate in audiology. Though I enjoyed the world of science and medicine, my husband encouraged me to write fiction seriously.

I did just that. I wrote and wrote. My life transformed as a result, and for the better.

My favorite fiction includes faith-filled stories with plenty of adventure. In fact, one of my favorite genres to read is historical romance, especially Regency! As a teenager, I adored the classics such as Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, and anything with Georgette Heyer where the stakes are high, and the romance, sweet but fulfilling.

When I’m not scribbling on scraps of paper, you can usually find me within used bookstores perusing antique romance novels, historical journals, theology, and anything regarding ancient history.

Visit Jenelle's website.

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Dawn Wagner, a voracious reader, joins us on the podcast this week to chat about books! She shares how she manages to read so much while homeschooling three boys, how we can turn our kids and grandkids into readers, and some of her favorite places to get books. Patrons will find out her recommendation for her favorite historical novel of 2026 so far. 

Find Dawn Wagner on Instagram.

Follow Dawn on Goodreads.

Follow Liz on Goodreads.

Get The London Masterpiece by Katherine Reay.

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All the way from France, Elizabeth Musser joins us this week to chat about her latest release, a wonderful WWII novel called From the Valley We Rise. She's especially thrilled about this one, but you're going to have to tune in to find out why this book is so special to her and why the release was thrilling for her. As always, there's something special in store for patrons.

From the Valley We Rise by Elizabeth Musser

Loyalty during Peril
In the heart of war-torn France, Isabelle Seauve's resolve is tested after her father sacrifices his life to protect her involvement in the French Resistance. Heartbroken, Isabelle becomes more dedicated to hiding Jewish children in and near the village of Sisteron despite the growing danger when she discovers a traitor within the Resistance ranks.

Truth amid Deception
As the shadow of betrayal looms, Isabelle's world collides with that of US Army Chaplain Peter Christensen, who carries emotional scars from his first position in Kentucky and his service in North Africa. Together, they face the brutal reality of war as the second D-Day--the Allied invasion of Provence--unfolds.

Bravery through Trial
Fifteen-year-old René Amblard narrowly escapes a devastating German attack that claims the lives of his mother and their fellow Maquis fighters. With a Jewish orphan girl at his side, René seeks out his cousin, Isabelle, for refuge while he contemplates revenge.

When the bombs of Operation Dragoon begin to fall, this unlikely group of heroes must find freedom in their souls before they can rebuild what has been destroyed.

"Elizabeth's signature artistry as a storyteller dazzles."--SUSAN MEISSNER, bestselling author, onBy Way of the Moonlight

For readers of Kristin Hannah and Sarah Sundin, an evocative, emotionally gripping World War II historical novel set in Southern France and woven through with moving themes of courage and redemption.

Get a copy of From the Valley We Rise by Elizabeth Musser.

ELIZABETH MUSSER writes ‘entertainment with a soul’ from her writing chalet—tool shed—outside Lyon, France. Elizabeth’s award winning, best-selling novel, The Swan House, was named one of Amazon’s Top Christian Books of the Year and one of Georgia’s Top Ten Novels of the Past 100 Years. All of Elizabeth’s novels have been translated into multiple languages and have been international bestsellers. Elizabeth’s most recent novel, By Way of the Moonlight, was a Publisher’s Weekly Top Ten Pick in Religion and Spirituality for Fall Releases in 2022 and a Christy Award Finalist in General Fiction for 2023. Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, work with the non-profit One Collective. The Mussers have two sons, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren. Find more about Elizabeth and her novels at www.elizabethmusser.com and on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and her blog.

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Amy Lynn Green returns to the show this week to chat about her new release, The Codebreaker's Daughter. She tells us about how codebreaking began in the US during WWI, why she chose to include a character with mental illness, and what kind of radio drama she would write if given the chance. Patrons will hear if writing is getting easier or harder the more books she writes.

The Codebreaker's Daughter by Amy Lynn Green

"Readers will thrill in peering behind the curtain of US-based intelligence during the world wars."--ERIKA ROBUCK, bestselling author

In the heart of the US capital, Dinah Kendall's role for the Office of Strategic Services isn't the thrilling espionage career she dreamed of. Instead, she spends her days crafting rumors aimed at undermining Axis morale. As Dinah navigates her duties, she uncovers a startling revelation: Her mother, Lillian, was once a codebreaker, cracking military ciphers during the Great War alongside some of the nation's most brilliant minds. The deeper Dinah dives into her mother's past, the more secrets come to light--including the heavy cost of high-stakes codebreaking.

Lillian, though resolute in her decision to avoid war work, reluctantly enters the fray when old friends in Washington, DC, seek her expertise. Both mother and daughter find themselves working behind the scenes--and working together--to support the Allied cause. But just when Dinah begins to excel in her new position, everything she's worked so hard to obtain comes crashing down around her. Caught in a web of intrigue and unsure who to trust, she must piece together the truth in time to confront the shadowy threat that could compromise the impending D-Day invasion.

A compelling World War I and World War II home front novel inspired by true stories of codebreakers and OSS agents. Courage, danger, and a mother-daughter bond interweave in this compelling historical tale that will appeal to readers of Sarah Sundin and Madeline Martin.

Get your copy of The Codebreaker's Daughter by Amy Lynn Green.

Amy Lynn Green is a lifelong lover of books, history, and library cards. She worked in publishing for six years before writing her first historical fiction novel, based on the WWII home front of Minnesota, the state where she lives, works, and survives long winters. She has taught classes on marketing at writer’s conferences and regularly encourages established and aspiring authors in their publication journeys. In her novels (and her daily life), she loves exploring the intersection of faith and fiction and searches for answers to present-day questions by looking to the past.

If she had lived in the 1940s, you would have found her writing long letters to friends and family, daydreaming about creating an original radio drama, and drinking copious amounts of non-rationed tea. (Actually, these things are fairly accurate for her modern life as well.)

Be sure to interact with her on Facebook and Instagram, and sign up for her newsletter to stay up-to-date on her latest releases.

Visit Amy Lynn Green's website.

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Christine Hill Suntz joins us all the way from Canada this week to talk about her new book, The Lawyer and the Laundress. During the interview, we chat about what got her interested in writing, what her plans are to celebrate her very first release, and why it's important to understand each other and maintain connections with people. We'll even learn a little Canadian history along the way. Patrons get to hear why she chose to be a French teacher.

The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz

Lawyer James Kinney isn’t looking for love, and laundress Sara O’Connor doesn’t want to be found. When their paths cross in a British colony on the brink of rebellion, a marriage of convenience may be their best hope of survival.

Canada, 1837. Widower James Kinney knows his precocious daughter, Evie, needs more than his lessons on law and logic, but Toronto offers few options. Classes with the neighbor children seem ideal until James discovers Evie is secretly spending her time with Sara O’Connor, a kind and mysteriously educated servant. For propriety’s sake, James forbids their friendship. But then Evie falls victim to the illness ravaging the city, and James must call upon Sara’s medical knowledge and her special bond with Evie to save his daughter’s life.

When Sara’s presence in his household threatens scandal, however, James offers an unexpected solution: become his wife, in name only, and help him raise Evie to be a proper young lady.

If Sara can ignore the sparks she feels when they’re together, his logical proposal could keep her secret secure forever. But soon, the forces of rebellion unravel their tidy arrangement. When James is accused of treason, Sara must find the courage to face a past that could save her husband’s life.

• Clean and wholesome, marriage-of-convenience historical romance
• Filled with love, faith, and adventure
• Inspirational historical fiction that’s perfect for fans of Julie Klassen, Laura Frantz, and Tamera Alexander
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Get your copy of The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz.

History has always captured Christine's imagination. When she first read about Canadian pioneers and sisters Catharine Parr Traill and Susanna Moodie, she was hooked. Their fascinating accounts of early life in colonial Canada inspired her to create stories that focus on the talents and courage of women in nineteenth-century Canada. 

Christine is represented by agent Rachel McMillan and her debut, The Lawyer and the Laundress, will be published with Tyndale House in June 2025.  

When she isn't writing, Christine teaches high school French and brings her research in 19th-century skills and recipes to life on her hobby farm. 

Subscribe to her newsletter to witness her adventures firsthand!

Visit Christine's website.

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Joanna Politano comes to the show this week to chat about her new release, The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House. This novel combines steampunk, romance, mystery, Gothic Victorian England. In other words, it has it all. Find out how she managed to juggle all these moving parts, how she got to collaborate with her husband on this, and when she finds time to write. Patrons hear why she thinks it's great to be married to your polar opposite. 

The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Politano

A clever young woman, a contested will, and an estate that does not easily give up its secrets.

It is 1901 when clockmaker and tinker Sydney Forrester receives a most unusual inheritance. Blakely House, the island estate of an estranged uncle she's never met, seems almost alive, revealing and hiding its secrets at will. It is filled with remarkable inventions, including an intriguing unfinished automaton Sydney is itching to get her skilled hands on.

The estate is also home to a number of peculiar people--including two men intent on removing this interloper from the island. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle's death, the late master's nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn. 

Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate's butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master's brilliance as well as his property--or someone else will.

Get The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Politano.

Meet Joanna Politano:

I’m a work-from-home mom of two fun and adventurous littles and we’ll soon be homeschooling. I married my hero Vince, who is my love and my polar opposite. I write, he tears it up with the red pen. I break cars and other mechanical things, he puts them back together. He’s nailed the “speak the truth” thing, and I bring the “in love” part. But the real spark to our marriage is that he does not like chocolate and I…  like it a normal amount. We love and live from our little house in the woods near Lake Michigan.

Visit Joanna's website.

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Jen Turano joins us this week for a lively chat about her most recent release, A Lesson in Propriety. Want to know what favorite cartoon of hers helped to inspire the book or what colors she absolutely hates? Then you're going to want to tune in and hear what she has to say about all that. She also shares with us a little bit about the big move in her life since we last had her on the show. Patrons hear about why she loves to create strong quirky characters.

A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano

LESSON ONE: Stand in the way of the Windy City's criminal world and expect a most improper proposal from an eligible gentleman in return.

With her father dead, her fortune stolen, and her fiancé casting her aside, Miss Drusilla Merriweather's privileged life has been upended. She is left with only one option: to provide for her family by opening a finishing school in the allegedly haunted castle she's inherited from her eccentric aunt. However, her plan is immediately threatened by unscrupulous developers keen on claiming the coveted estate for themselves by any means necessary.

Mr. Rhenick Wittenbecker, a dashing architect with a tendency to charm his way out of trouble, is convinced he can protect Drusilla but is challenged by her fierce independence. Yet when strange occurrences--walking suits of armor and unexpected ghostly visitors--arise within the castle's grounds, Drusilla must decide whether to risk her family's safety and her school on the gallant architect who seems to have found his way into her heart.

Laugh-out-loud witty banter, swoon-worthy romance, and delightful mischief in the Gilded Age string together this entrancing series starter. Fans of clean romance, Christian fiction, and strong female characters will enjoy this read.

Get your copy of A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano.

Named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publisher Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside of Denver, CO. Readers may find her at www.jenturano.com – www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor, www.instagram.com/jenturanoauthor

Jen is represented by Sarah Younger, senior literary agent, Nancy Yost Literary Agency, New York.

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Have a favorite romance trope? Maybe meet-cute, meet-cringe, love at first sight, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, love triangles, forced proximity, off-limits crush, fake relationship, marriage of convenience, second-chance love, etc? In this episode, I let you know what some of our listeners said were there favorite romance tropes.

Here are some historical romances you might like:

Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen

This has an amnesia trope, one we didn't even discuss.

In the midst of a fierce storm, a carriage carrying Sir John Mayfield, Lady Marianna Mayfield, and her lady's companion careens off a narrow cliff road, changing their fates forever. When the wreckage is found, Sir John is gravely injured, and a woman is discovered unconscious wearing a valuable ring. As the woman regains consciousness in a strange house, she grapples with fragmented memories of the accident, unsettling dreams of a child in peril, and a deep mystery tied to the ring on her finger. Surrounded by unfamiliar faces and haunted by a sense of foreboding, the survivor realizes she cannot trust anyone and must uncover the truth of what happened that stormy night, even as danger mounts and enemies conspire against her.

In this revised and updated 10th anniversary edition of Julie Klassen's acclaimed novel, a woman's startling secrets lead her into unexpected danger and romance in Regency England.

Lady Maybe is a clean Regency romance full of mystery, adventure, and a search for identity. This novel will delight fans of the amnesia trope, Julia Quinn, Jane Austen, and Mimi Matthews.

Get your copy of Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen

Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham

Reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, a recluse and a young woman discover that the scars of life are no match against an act of love.

Iowa, 1903. All of Monticello believes Otis Taylor has been away fostering his musical genius. But the truth is that his father exiled him long ago, rejecting Otis's appearance and the scars that came with it. Now that he is the last living Taylor, Otis has covertly returned to settle his family's affairs and rid himself of his past for good. However, he soon discovers that he may not have been the only abandoned Taylor and begins a tireless search for his missing toddler niece.

At twenty-three years old, Sadie West left her family farm and found employment at the Hoag feather duster factory. It isn't a romantic job, but she's hardly had a glimmer of romance since her beau went off to college, leaving her with no promise of a future together. Desperate to save money and help her family make ends meet, she trespasses and finds shelter in an abandoned building--and is thrown in the path of the town's mysterious bachelor.

Otis's wounds are deep, but as Sadie's friendship with him grows, she begins to fall for the man beneath the mask. Locating his long-lost niece, however, is more difficult than either could have imagined, and Sadie West may be the key to Otis Taylor finally finding his way home.

Get your copy of Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham.

The Lady's Mine by Francine Rivers

A delightful new western romance and New York Times bestseller fro

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Barbara Tifft Blakey, a first-timer on the show, joins us this week to chat about her new release, The Angel of Second Street. We discuss the interesting story behind how this book came to be published, what Eureka, California, was like in the 1850s and now, and the difference seeing a place makes when writing about it. With the patrons, she shares the fascinating story of how she got into writing. 

The Angel of Second Street by Barbara Tifft Blakey

How Can Compassion be Considered Wrong?

When life is weighed down by challenges, pillars of enduring hope and love are always waiting to be discovered.
 
Ida Dempsey has grown up in a privileged life of luxury thanks to her aunt and uncle. Although Second Street—where women of ill repute ply their wares—is off limits to respectable citizens, her heart of compassion compels her to frequent the area, hoping to make a difference in their lives. Ida has also befriended Qui Shau, a Chinese woman who keeps house for her family, but friendships between the whites and Chinese are taboo in Eureka. Ida tries to keep secret her forbidden compassion, but someone is watching and will use it against her.
 
When Blaine Prescott meets Ida at a church picnic, his parents warn him away from any relationship with the young lady who has been seen on Second Street in the company of a Chinese woman. But how could such a kindhearted, lovely young woman be anything but good? But when riots break out in Chinatown and Ida disappears, Blaine will do anything to find out where and why she has gone.

Get your copy of The Angel of Second Street.

I live on five wooded acres outside of Olympia, Washington with my husband, Terry. I have four grown children and eight grandchildren, seven of whom live within sixty miles, giving great joy to my grandma heart.

Like many authors, I dreamed of writing stories very young. At eight-years-old, I rewrote Cinderella. In my version, the prince comes down with measles and the ball is postponed. 

I didn’t begin seriously writing historical fiction until after the advent of grandchildren as the Lord had other plans for me. During our homeschooling years, I developed Total Language Plus (TLP), an award-winning,  literature-inspired language arts program written for homeschoolers and private Christian schools. I am beyond blessed to have thirty years of producing study guides that make a difference in children’s lives. Nothing is more meaningful to me than influencing children with Kingdom principles!

But as we know, God’s timing is always best. I delight in doing the research historical fiction requires and bringing stories of hope and love to my readers. Time ceases to exist as the Creator of the universe and Lover of my soul draws near to me as my fingers fly over the keyboard. When I write I feel His presence in extraordinary, precious ways.

When I’m not writing, reading, or playing with my grandchildren, you can find me volunteering in the kitchen of Pleasant Valley Christian Camp near Mt. Rainier. I’m also an avid soccer fan, especially for the Seattle Sounders. During stormy weather, my husband and I head for the ocean in our RV to take in the power of crashing waves against rocks. Calm weather also beckons us to the beach to dig razor clams and fish for Dungeness crabs.

Visit Barbara Tifft Blakey's website.