LiteraryScape

Announcements

We have another incredible line up for our final Coffee and Books event this year on Saturday December 7th from 1:00-2:00pm EST. Join authors Karen Witemyer, Jodi Basye, Misty M. Beller, and Abbey Downey for an hour of book talk. Visit www.literaryscape.com/events to sign up for this free event today!

The Unwavering Faith crowdfunding campaign will end on November 1, 2024. Which means you have one week to order your limited-edition book. These special edition covers will only be printed once, so head on over to www.literaryscape.com/campaign to get your limited-edition copy of Unwavering Faith today!

Authors we have KyLee Woodley joining us on Saturday November 9th from 12:00-1:00pm EST to talk about book proposals. Getting your creative works in front of professionals in the Christian Book Market can be challenging. You need to showcase your best writing and understand what industry professionals are looking for. This class teaches you to polish a query letter, proposal, and writing sample. Additionally, we will preview resources for improving writing and where to find agents and editors. Finally, this class provides three templates to get you started. Visit www.literaryscape.com/events to sign-up for this training today.

That’s it for announcements. Let’s jump into this week’s book discussion. We had a few technical difficulties when we recorded the episodes for this series, so please excuse any audio blips. Enjoy our discussion of Tactical Force by Lynn Shannon.

Episode Notes

In this episode Tiffanie, Jessica, and Melissa discuss Tactical Force by Lynn Shannon. This is the final book in her Triumph Over Adversity series. It was the perfect ending to this edge of your seat suspenseful romance series.

Nuggets of Truth/Wisdom:

·      God brings goodness into our lives even in the darkest of times

·      Listening to God and trusting where He’s leading you

We gave the following ratings to each of the story elements listed below.

(Espresso = an expression, Mocha = Medium amount, Latte = A lot)

Mystery – Latte

Drama – Latte

Suspense - Latte

Romance – Espresso

Inspiration – Mocha

This entire series is a must read and we know you will be hooked and hog-tied which is why LiteraryScape gave Strategic Plan by Lynn Shannon 2.75 lassos! The just under 3 lassos comes from Tiffanie’s rating. She is not a fan of suspense but agreed that Lynn wrote the book so well she couldn’t put it down.

Our local library cannot keep these books on the shelf, so click the button below to get your very own Triumph Over Adversity books.

(1 lasso – throw and a miss, 2 lassos – hooked, 3 lassos – hooked and hog tied)

Link for the blog post for this episode: www.literaryscape.com/podcast/133

Series Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Y99YBCN?binding=kindle_edition&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tkin&qid=1726788121&sr=8-1

Connect with Lynn: https://www.lynnshannon.com/

Announcements

We have another incredible line up for our final Coffee and Books event this year on Saturday December 7th from 1:00-2:00pm EST. Join authors Karen Witemyer, Jodi Basye, Misty M. Beller, and Abbey Downey for an hour of book talk. Visit www.literaryscape.com/events to sign up for this free event today!

The Unwavering Faith crowdfunding campaign will end on November 1, 2024. Head on over to www.literaryscape.com/campaign to get your limited-edition copy of Unwavering Faith today!

Authors we have KyLee Woodley joining us on Saturday November 9th from 12:00-1:00pm EST to talk about book proposals. Getting your creative works in front of professionals in the Christian Book Market can be challenging. You need to showcase your best writing and understand what industry professionals are looking for. This class teaches you to polish a query letter, proposal, and writing sample. Additionally, we will preview resources for improving writing and where to find agents and editors. Finally, this class provides three templates to get you started. Visit www.literaryscape.com/events to sign-up for this training today.

That’s it for announcements. Let’s jump into this week’s book discussion. We had a few technical difficulties when we recorded the episodes for this series, so please excuse any audio blips. Enjoy our discussion of Covert Mission by Lynn Shannon.

Episode Notes

In this episode Tiffanie, Jessica, and Melissa discuss the novel Covert Mission by Lynn Shannon. This book is part of her Triumph Over Adversity series. Lynn writes incredible contemporary Christian suspense romance novels that our local libraries cannot keep on their shelves. We hope you enjoy our discussion of this amazing story!

Nuggets of truth/wisdom:

·      Praying your way through grief

·      God is always there

·      Death can come at any moment

We gave the following ratings to each of the story elements listed below.

(Espresso = an expression, Mocha = Medium amount, Latte = A lot)

Mystery – Latte

Drama – Latte

Suspense - Latte

Romance – Espresso/Mocha

Inspiration – Mocha

This whole series is a must read and we know you will be hooked and hog-tied which is why LiteraryScape gave Strategic Plan by Lynn Shannon 2.75 lassos! The just under 3 lassos comes from Tiffanie’s rating. She is not a fan of suspense but agreed that Lynn wrote the book so well she couldn’t put it down.

(1 lasso – throw and a miss, 2 lassos – hooked, 3 lassos – hooked and hog tied)

Link for the blog post for this episode: www.literaryscape.com/podcast/132

Series Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Y99YBCN?binding=kindle_edition&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tkin&qid=1726788121&sr=8-1

Connect with Lynn: https://www.lynnshannon.com/

https://youtu.be/kH_UF-TUTSs

https://rumble.com/v5j2619-episode-132-covert-mission-by-lynn-shannon.html

In this conversation, Melissa, Kim, and Liz discuss their experiences and insights in the editing process, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between authors and editors. They share their backgrounds in education and writing, the different types of editing, and the emotional journey of authors as they navigate the publishing world. The discussion highlights the significance of professional editing in producing quality work and offers valuable advice for aspiring authors.

Takeaways

Editing is a collaborative process that enhances an author's work.

Developmental editing focuses on the big picture elements of a story.

Copy editing ensures grammatical accuracy and consistency in formatting.

Authors should be open to feedback and willing to make changes.

Professional editing is crucial for making a strong first impression.

Networking and putting oneself out there is essential for authors.

The editing process can be a learning journey for both authors and editors.

Helping new authors grow is a rewarding experience for editors.

Authors should seek professional help to improve their manuscripts.

The editing journey is a team effort, involving multiple professionals.

Episode Link: www.literaryscape.com/podcast/ww13

Announcements

Our Coffee and Books event last Saturday with authors Julie Lessman, and Lynn Shannon was wonderful. If you missed it, you can catch the replay with the link provided for this episode. Our conversation was enlightening and inspiring for both readers and writers. I hope you can catch the replay.

We have another incredible line up for our final Coffee and Books event this year on Saturday December 7th from 1:00-2:00pm EST. Join authors Karen Witemyer, Jodi Basye, Misty M. Beller, and Abbey Downey for an hour of book talk. Visit www.literaryscape.com/events to sign up for this free event today!

The Unwavering Faith crowdfunding campaign will end on November 1, 2024. Head on over to www.literaryscape.com/campaign to get your limited-edition copy of Unwavering Faith today!

Authors we have KyLee Woodley joining us on Saturday November 9th from 12:00-1:00pm EST to talk about book proposals. Getting your creative works in front of professionals in the Christian Book Market can be challenging. You need to showcase your best writing and understand what industry professionals are looking for. This class teaches you to polish a query letter, proposal, and writing sample. Additionally, we will preview resources for improving writing and where to find agents and editors. Finally, this class provides three templates to get you started. Visit www.literaryscape.com/events to sign-up for this training today.

That’s it for announcements. Let’s jump into this week’s book discussion. We had a few technical difficulties when we recorded the episodes for this series, so please excuse any audio blips. Enjoy our discussion of Strategic Plan by Lynn Shannon.

Episode Notes

In this episode Jessica, Tiffanie, and Melissa discuss the fourth book in Lynn Shannon’s Triumph Over Adversity series, Strategic plan. Due to the stalker wearing a pig mask, Tiffanie and Melissa were reminded of their visit to a haunted hog house when they were teenagers, something they would never do again!

Enjoy this entertaining conversation.

Nuggets of truth/wisdom in Strategic Plan:

·      Giving your worries to God

·      Listening to God and following his leading

·      How faith in God impacts your marriage

·      God walks with us through the pain

We gave the following ratings to each of the story elements listed below.

(Espresso = an expression, Mocha = Medium amount, Latte = A lot)

Mystery – Latte

Drama – Latte

Suspense - Latte

Romance – Espresso

Inspiration – Mocha

This whole series is a must read and we know you will be hooked and hog-tied which is why LiteraryScape gave Strategic Plan by Lynn Shannon 2.75 lassos! The just under 3 lassos comes from Tiffanie’s rating. She is not a fan of suspense but agreed that Lynn wrote the book so well she couldn’t put it down.

(1 lasso – throw and a miss, 2 lassos – hooked, 3 lassos – hooked and hog tied)

Link for the blog post for this episode: www.literaryscape.com/podcast/131

Series Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Y99YBCN?binding=kindle_edition&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tkin&qid=1726788121&sr=8-1

Connect with Lynn: https://www.lynnshannon.com/

Announcements

Our next Coffee and Books event is this Saturday October 5th from 9:00-10:00am EST. Enjoy an hour of book talk with authors Julie Lessman, and Lynn Shannon. This is a free event, but you do need to register to save your spot. Head on over to www.literaryscape.com/events to register today. We look forward to seeing you on October 5th!

The Unwavering Faith crowdfunding campaign will end on November 1, 2024. At the time of this recording, we are just 24 books away from unlocking the first bonus item which is a 12x18 signed poster of the cover. You now can get a copy of either a paperback or hardback or both of the limited-edition cover. Head on over to www.literaryscape.com/campaign to see the updates. The link will also be in the show notes. Please consider sharing this campaign with others as we work toward the goal of publishing Unwavering Faith.

A huge thank you to Colin LaShure and Sarah Mason for purchasing a limited-edition copy of Unwavering Faith!

That’s it for announcements. Let’s jump into this week’s book discussion. We had a few technical difficulties when we recorded the episodes for this series, so please excuse any audio blips. Enjoy our discussion of Necessary Peril by Lynn Shannon.

Episode Notes

In this episode Jessica, Jamie, Tiffanie, and Melissa discuss Necessary Peril by Lynn Shannon. This is the third book in her Triumph Over Adversity series and is a contemporary Christian suspense romance story.

A verse that is highlighted in this story is Joshua 1:9. Given the miracles and devastation surrounding hurricane Helene it is such a sweet reminder that God is with us always.

Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

We gave the following ratings to each of the story elements listed below.

(Espresso = an expression, Mocha = Medium amount, Latte = A lot)

Mystery – Mocha/Latte

Drama – Latte

Suspense - Latte

Romance – Espresso

Inspiration – Mocha/Latte

This whole series is a must read and we know you will be hooked and hog-tied which is why LiteraryScape gave Necessary Peril by Lynn Shannon 2.75 lassos! The just under 3 lassos comes from Tiffanie’s rating. She is not a fan of suspense but agreed that Lynn wrote the book so well she couldn’t put it down.

(1 lasso – throw and a miss, 2 lassos – hooked, 3 lassos – hooked and hog tied)

Link for the blog post for this episode: www.literaryscape.com/podcast/130

Series Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Y99YBCN?binding=kindle_edition&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tkin&qid=1726788121&sr=8-1

Connect with Lynn: https://www.lynnshannon.com/

Announcements

Our next Coffee and Books event will be next Saturday October 5th from 9:00-10:00am EST. Enjoy an hour of book talk with authors Julie Lessman, and Lynn Shannon. This is a free event, but you do need to register to save your spot. Head on over to www.literaryscape.com/events to register today. We look forward to seeing you on October 5th!

We are also running a survey during the month of September where readers can help us schedule our 2025 Coffee and Books events. Vote for the best day and time that works for you to attend. Then tell us which authors you would like to meet. Monday is the last day to vote.

The Unwavering Faith crowdfunding campaign continues but will end on November 1, 2024. At the time of this recording, we are just 28 books away from unlocking the first bonus item which is a 12x18 signed poster of the cover. You now can get a copy of either a paperback or hardback or both of the limited-edition cover. Head on over to www.literaryscape.com/campaign to see the updates. The link will also be in the show notes. Please consider sharing this campaign with others as we work toward the goal of publishing Unwavering Faith.

A huge thank you to Lori LaShure and Linda Messer for purchasing a limited-edition copy of Unwavering Faith!

That’s it for announcements. Let’s jump into this week’s book discussion. We had a few technical difficulties when we recorded the episodes for this series, so please excuse any audio blips. Enjoy our discussion of Critical Error by Lynn Shannon.

Episode Notes

In this episode Jamie, Jessica, Tiff, and Melissa discuss Critical Error by Lynn Shannon. This is the second book in her Triumph Over Adversity series. Her contemporary Christion suspense romance series will keep you turning the page! We discuss the book, haunted hog houses, and situational awareness. Enjoy this laughter filled conversation.

One of the nuggets of truth we discuss is the fact the God never leaves us. For us we find we know this, but in the midst of a trial we easily forget this. Lynn weaving this truth into her story was a great reminder. If you find yourself forgetting this truth, like us, here are a few verses to remind you that God is with you.

Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) ‘Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NKJV) And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.

Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your god is with you wherever you go.”

Link for the blog post for this episode: www.literaryscape.com/podcast/129

Welcome to the Blog Tour for What's the Story, Morning Glory? by Julie Lessman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

If you follow our podcast and have listened to Julie Lessman’s most recent interview with us, then you know all about her ‘novotional’. It is a devotional unlike any other. I have linked Julie’s interview in the show notes for this episode.

Before we jump into my review of What’s the Story Morning Glory by Julie Lessman I want to make you aware that I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I want to explain the format of What’s the Story Morning Glory and then I’ll dive into the meat of it. She starts each chapter with the real story. This is a story from her life that serves as an example for the chapter’s topic. This is followed by a scene from one of her novels that highlights the chapter’s topic/lesson. Julie follows the scene with several scripture verses that address the topic. After the scripture she provides three to six steps for how to put the scripture into action. Finally, she ends with a prayer her readers can pray. Full details and the back cover blurb can be found at the bottom of the blog post for this episode.

Julie is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet. Her heart is on fire for God and she will always speak the truth. Her heart for God and her desire to share him with others is so evident in the stories she shares from her life, that you will be moved to tears and closer to God.

Here is an example of one of her personal stories she shares.

“God’s will is for you to be holy,

so stay away from all sexual sin.

Then each of you will control his own body

and live in holiness and honor—

not in lustful passion like the pagans

who do not know God and his ways.”

~1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 NLT

Chapter Eight

From Promiscuity to Purity: Being Single in an Amoral World

1.) The Real Story:

“What do you mean, ‘it’s different with me?’” I skidded to a stop in my boyfriend’s driveway on the way to his Corvette, rooted to the asphalt like the lamppost by the steps to his house. He’d just had the audacity to brag about how proud he was of his little sister because “she was still a virgin.” 

“Come on, Julie, she’s my sister, so of course it’s different.”

Yeah, it was different all right. She was the one he admired and respected because she was moral while I was merely the girlfriend who gave him whatever he wanted free of charge.

No morals.

No respect.

No peace.

Being a product of the “Free Love” era of the 60’s and 70’s, I wasn’t a Christian back then and bore a major grudge against God, but even I could see the disparity between the two, something that literally rocked me to the core.

I think that was the beginning of a seed of understanding for me that God’s precepts—His morality instead of the world’s amorality—was the way of life instead of death, like Deuteronomy 30:15-16 NIV so succinctly states:

“See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.”

The “understanding” ramped up to a whole new level after Joy brought me to the Lord and told me sleeping with my boyfriend was sin. 

“God never shows me that in the Bible,” I argued, chin thrust high as I defended my version of “Bible roulette”—a haphazard method of opening the Bible to read just anywhere, somehow never coming upon passages on sexual sin. Which obviously meant they weren’t for me, right? 

Head drops in hand.

And, yes, I really was that stupid. But then the world’s amorality makes you stupid, blinding you to the blessings of God. 

The courage Julie had to share her deepest struggles could only have come from God. As I read the devotional my heart was splayed open. I had to face what she calls little foxes that were keeping a barrier between me and God. It hasn’t been pretty but so freeing as I fall on my knees before God and He gathers me in His loving arms.

Hearing someone’s personal testimony always relights our fire for God and spurs us on. Julie’s ‘novotional’ is packed with her personal testimonies. I have yet to read a devotional that has moved me and drawn me closer to God like hers has.

I cannot thank Julie enough for following God’s prompting as this devotional she co-authored with Him has been life changing. If you are looking for an inspirational and practical guide to deepen your relationship with God, then I highly recommend Julie Lessman’s devotional, What’s the Story Morning Glory. There are links in the show notes where you can pre-order the devotional. It will launch on October 1, 2024, which is just around the corner.

If you are listening to the podcast for this blog post, be sure to visit the post at www.literaryscape.com/podcast/devotional. Julie has a blog tour giveaway where (1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card, a character named after them in Julie's next book & a signed paperback copy of that book, plus a signed paperback copy of What's the Story, Morning Glory! Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post so you can enter for a chance to win the blog tour giveaway.

Until next time happy and blessed reading!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 24, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 1, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for print copies. Gift card open to all locales. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Announcements

Our next Coffee and Books event will be on October 5th from 9:00-10:00am EST. Enjoy an hour of book talk with authors Julie Lessman, and Lynn Shannon. This is a free event, but you do need to register to save your spot. Head over to www.literaryscape.com/events to register today. We look forward to seeing you on October 5th!

We are also running a survey during the month of September where readers can help us schedule our 2025 Coffee and Books events. Vote for the best day and time that works for you to attend. Then tell us which authors you would like to meet. The survey goes out each Friday in our newsletter. If you are not signed up, head on over to www.literaryscape.com/newsletter and sign-up today.

The Unwavering Faith crowdfunding campaign is off to a great start. I am thankful for everyone who has purchased a book. At the time of this recording, we are just 33 books away from unlocking the first bonus item which is a leather bookmark with Unwavering Faith burnished into it. You can see what it looks like on our campaign page which is www.literaryscape.com/campaign. The link will also be in the show notes. Please consider sharing this campaign with others as we work toward the goal of publishing Unwavering Faith.

A huge thank you to Brenna Cook and Jamie Benya for purchasing a limited-edition copy of Unwavering Faith!

That’s it for announcements. Let’s jump into this week’s book discussion. I must warn you we had a discussion filled with laughter due to some technical difficulties. There are a few spots where the sound will have a slight echo. I apologize and hope you can enjoy the show despite the tech glitches. I highly recommend watching the video to see our reactions. Enjoy our discussion of Calculated Risk by Lynn Shannon.

Episode Notes

In this episode Jamie, Tiffanie, Jessica, and Melissa discuss the first book in Lynn Shannon’s Triumph Over Adversity series titled Calculated Risk. This is the second contemporary Christian suspense romance series we have featured this year. Typically, we stick with historical Christian romance, but we do enjoy this sub-genre as well.

We all fell in love with Connor our hero’s dog. He stole our hearts and the show. If you get the opportunity to read this series, we can guarantee you will fall in love with this war hero.

This series centers around a group of veterans who are good friends. This of course leads to some laughter filled discussions between the members of our group. We hope you have a group of friends you can laugh and have fun with as well because laughter truly is the best medicine.

We gave the following ratings to each of the story elements listed below.

(Espresso = an expression, Mocha = Medium amount, Latte = A lot)

Mystery - Latte

Drama – Mocha/Latte

Suspense - Latte

Romance – Mocha

Inspiration – Mocha

This whole series is a must read and we know you will be hooked and hog-tied which is why LiteraryScape gave Calculated Risk by Lynn Shannon 2.75 lassos! The just under 3 lassos comes from Tiffanie’s rating. She is not a fan of suspense but agreed that Lynn wrote the book so well she couldn’t put it down.

(1 lasso – throw and a miss, 2 lassos – hooked, 3 lassos – hooked and hog tied)

Series Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Y99YBCN?binding=kindle_edition&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tkin&qid=1726788121&sr=8-1

https://youtu.be/BhwHqbJS_R4

https://rumble.com/v5fmecs-episode-128-calculated-risk-by-lynn-shannon.html

Terry Whalin shares insights on book proposals, emphasizing the importance of a well-crafted proposal as a business plan for authors. He discusses the impact of book proposals on the publishing process and provides valuable tips for authors to stand out and succeed in the industry.

Takeaways:

·      A book proposal is essential for authors, serving as a business plan that outlines the book's target audience, marketing plan, and competitive analysis.

·      Authors should focus on practical and creative marketing ideas, such as selling books in bulk to corporations, to stand out and succeed in the publishing industry.

·      The title of a book is crucial, and authors should provide tested and alternative titles in their proposals to increase the likelihood of their preferred title being chosen by the publisher.

·      Authors should seek endorsements for their books and use a gentle follow-up approach to increase the chances of their proposal being accepted by agents and editors.

·      Terry Whalin's passion for books stems from his personal experience of how books can change lives, and he is dedicated to helping authors succeed in the publishing world.

Links for this episode:

Get 10 Publishing Myths for only $10:
https://bit.ly/marketing4books 

Follow Terry On Twitter:
http://twitter.com/terrywhalin

Terry’s blog, The Writing Life (over 1,700 entries):
http://www.thewritinglife.ws

Get a FREE copy of Book Proposals That Sell:

https://bit.ly/bpts-free 

Free book proposal checklist at: https://terrylinks.com/checklist 

Terry Whalin’s blog post he references in the show: https://izea.com/resources/top-blog-content-writers/ 

Terry Whalin’s testimony he shared at the end of the episode: Two Words That Changed My Life: https://terrylinks.com/twowords  

LiteraryScape Events: www.literaryscape.com/events

Unwavering Faith Campaign: www.literaryscape.com/campaign

LiteraryScape’s Newsletter: www.literaryscape.com/newsletter

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Thanks for tuning in today!

In this conversation, Melissa and Julie Lessman discuss the Heart of San Francisco series. They talk about their favorite characters, the family dynamics in the books, and the themes of waiting for the right man and the power of prayer. Julie shares some behind-the-scenes insights, including historical facts she included in the books. In this part of the conversation, Julie and Melissa discuss the quirky elements in Julie's books, the twists and surprises, and the impact they had on readers. They also talk about Julie's new devotional book and her initial resistance to writing nonfiction. Julie shares the process of writing the devotional and the spiritual attacks she faced. They also discuss Julie's future writing plans and how readers can stay connected with her through her newsletter and social media.

Links from the show:

LiteraryScape Events for Readers and Authors

Sign-Up for the LiteraryScape Newsletter

The Unwavering Faith Campaign

Author Links:

Julie Lessman

Sarah Sundin

Linda Sammaritan

Hannah Linder

Misty M.Beller

Carrie Hachadurian

Lynn Blackburn

The Heart of San Francisco Series by Julie Lessman