LiteraryScape

In this episode Tiffanie and Melissa discuss the second book in Beth White’s Daughtry House series, The Reluctant Belle. Joelle and Schuyler’s love story has some very unexpected events.

Topics we discuss:

·      The Golden Rule

·      Grandmama is growing on us.

·      We reap what we sow.

·      A crazy court scene.

·      God’s miraculously saves Schuyler.

Announcements

Next Saturday April 20th we will have another Coffee and Books event. Join authors Sarah Sundin, Jodi Basye, and Karen Witemeyer from 1:00-2:00pm EST for a live Q&A. Enjoy a lively conversation with your favorite coffee!

Authors registration for the HCRW online mini conference opens today! We have 3 trainings over three days geared to help you build your author platform. Author Crystal Caudill will kick off the conference on May 7th with her session on how to plot a magnet reader. Learn how to leverage the power of Canva to create images for your website, social media, newsletter and more on May 9th with me. Then on May 11th join author Misty M. Beller for a session building your email list. Each of these sessions are $17 for non-members and free for current HCRW members. (You have to have been a member on or before April 3rd.)

Following each 1-hour live training session will be a small group session where you can work the presenter. Spend an hour with Crystal plotting your magnet reader. Create a plan for building your email list with Misty M. Beller. Then create your Canva images with me. Each of these small group sessions are 1-hour and are limited to 10 people, so be sure to sign-up today. The cost is $47 for non-members and free for current HCRW members. (You must have been a member on or before April 3rd.)

Learn more and register today at www.literaryscape.com/events.

Now let’s dive into this week’s book discussion!

Episode Notes:

In this episode Tiffanie and Melissa discuss A Rebel Heart by Beth White.

Topics we cover:

·      The kind of man women want.

·      Turning to God in everything.

·      Telling the devil to take a hike.

·      The perplexing character Grandmama.

·      The importance of knowing our history.

·      What we love about Levi.

·      Sweet love stories.

We gave the following elements of A Rebel Heart, these ratings.

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

·      Romance - Mocha

·      Suspense - Mocha

·      Action - Mocha

·      Mystery - Mocha

·      Drama - Mocha

·      Inspiration - Mocha

LiteraryScape gives A Rebel Heart by Beth White 2.5 lassos.

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

Lynn H. Blackburn discusses her dive team investigation series and the unique aspects of writing contemporary suspense romance in the Christian fiction genre. She emphasizes the importance of hope in Christian fiction and how it sets it apart from secular fiction. The themes of God's sovereignty and plan are prevalent in her novels, providing readers with a sense of purpose and trust in difficult times. She also highlights the significance of secondary characters and the enjoyment of writing banter and kissing scenes. The series features an ensemble cast, and each book can be read as a standalone while still providing a sense of continuity. Blackburn draws inspiration from real-life experiences, such as attending the Writers Police Academy and learning about dive team investigations. In this conversation, Lynn H. Blackburn discusses her writing process and the inspiration behind her books. She shares how unintentional foreshadowing adds depth to her stories and how she incorporates wise and godly characters like Mr. Cook. She also gives a glimpse into her next series and the challenges of changing the formula. Finally, she shares how readers can connect with her through her newsletter and social media.

Takeaways

·      Christian fiction offers hope and a sense of purpose even in the midst of dark and challenging situations.

·      Secondary characters can add depth and enjoyment to a story.

·      Writing banter and kissing scenes can be fun and engaging for both the author and readers.

·      Creating an ensemble cast allows for continuity and a sense of familiarity throughout a series.

·      Real-life experiences and research can provide inspiration and authenticity to the plot. Unintentional foreshadowing can add depth and surprise to a story.

·      Wise and godly characters can bring perspective and wisdom to a narrative.

·      Changing the formula in a series can be a risk, but it can also lead to new and exciting storytelling opportunities.

·      Newsletters are a great way for authors to connect with readers and provide exclusive content.

In this episode Jamie and Melissa discuss One Last Breath by Lynn H. Blackburn. This is the final book in her Dive Team Investigations series. We have enjoyed this contemporary Christian suspense romance and are looking forward to our interview with Lynn next week.

Topics we discuss:

·      Holding conversations with God.

·      Being a witness instead of judge and juror.

·      Embarrassing hospital gowns.

·      Projecting our fears.

·      The importance of God’s calling on our lives.

·      Not putting our big God in a small box.

LiteraryScape gives the following ratings for each story element:

·      Romance = mocha/espresso

·      Suspense = latte

·      Action = latte

·      Mystery = latte/mocha

·      Drama = latte

·      Inspiration = mocha/latte

One Last Breath by Lynn H. Blackburn earns 3 lassos from LiteraryScape. This book will have you hooked and hog-tied!

Connect with Lynn here: https://www.lynnhblackburn.com/

By the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Final-Breath-Dive-Team-Investigations/dp/0800729307/

Becky shares her journey from being a traditionally published author to becoming a digital marketing mentor. She recognized the need for authors to grow their readership and increase their platform, which led her to create a guide on generating revenue for Christian content creators. Becky emphasizes the importance of flipping the script on sales and marketing, viewing it as a way to serve others and share blessings. She discusses the use of sales funnels and various marketing strategies for authors. Becky also highlights the significance of investing in marketing and business training for authors to succeed in the industry.

Takeaways:

·      Authors face pressure to grow their readership and increase their platform.

·      Sales and marketing should be viewed as a way to serve others and share blessings.

·      Sales funnels and email marketing are effective strategies for authors.

·      Investing in marketing and business training is crucial for authors to succeed.

In this episode Jamie and Melissa discuss In Too Deep by Lynn H. Blackburn. This is the second book in her Dive Team Investigations series. We have thoroughly enjoyed her series and the inspiration she has packed into these amazing novels. I know it is a bit outside of our genre, but I highly recommend these books to our listeners.

Topics we discuss:

·      The need to trust God when we don’t understand our circumstances.

·      The joy of humor and banter among friends.

·      God’s relentless pursuit of us.

·      Connecting to God through prayer.

·      When a woman gives her heart to a man.

·      God never abandons us.

·      Not putting God in a box.

In this episode, Jamie and Melissa discuss our first contemporary Christian suspense romance novel. We read Lynn H. Blackburn’s book Beneath the Surface. This was a change from our normal and we loved it!

We dive in with the first book, Lynn H. Blackburn’s Dive Team Investigations series. The golden nuggets of truth woven into this story are not only inspirational but a breath of fresh air. This is one Christian romance series you do not want to miss!

Topics we discuss:

·      The perils of dating today

·      A strong Christian mentor

·      Dealing with betrayal and divorce

·      Running to God

In this episode, Tiffany, Jamie, and Melissa interview author Sarah R. Turnquist. They discuss the indie publishing journey, lessons learned in the writing industry, and go-to resources for writing.

Sara has been an amazing teacher for HCRW members. Her insights during this interview are just as valuable as her teaching.

Did you know Sara offers editing services? Connect with her more by click the link below.

https://saraturnquist.com/

We did not have an author interview to wrap up our most recent series and initially, I was just going to skip an episode for today. However, a couple of Sundays ago, I heard an incredible testimony that I just had to share.

A missionary shared how God had used him to reach a former ISIS member turned hitman. I will do my best to relay this incredible miracle.

Every day, this missionary would visit the same café. Another man was also a frequent patron of the café. He noticed how the missionary was always happy. After a while, he realized that not only was he not happy, but no one else in the café was happy except for this missionary.

One day he saw this missionary on the street and stopped to speak to him. He said, “I feel like I am supposed to talk to you.”

Now the missionary was ecstatic, realizing God had brought this man to him. He spent time sharing Jesus with him. I am unsure how many times they met and talked, but the man had shared that he was a former ISIS member and now worked as a hitman. He even went so far as to share the hit sheets that showed who he had been contracted to kill, how much he was paid, and where he disposed of the bodies.

The missionary kept sharing Jesus with him until the man said, "Okay, man, I understand.”

At that time, he was recovery from a stab wound. When he left the missionary, he sought revenge on the man who had stabbed him. He had captured that man and tortured him for three days before pulling a gun and putting it to the man’s head. However, he could not pull the trigger.

He then went back to the missionary and said, “I have been hard all my life. Violence is all I have ever known. Why couldn’t I pull the trigger?”

To which the missionary replied, “Because God has replaced your heart of stone with one of flesh, just like he said he would in Ezekiel 36.”

Ezekiel 36:26-29

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God. I will save you from all your uncleanness.

Today, that man lives on mission for Christ and shares Jesus with everyone he meets.

This is not a testimony from long ago, but from the present. Our God is a God of miracles. Only he could turn a former ISIS member and hitman’s heart of stone into a heart of flesh.

God is still here with us, using us to reach his lost children, even those we think are unreachable.

I hope that testimony bolstered your faith and encouraged you to live on mission for God every day. The impact was so strong that I couldn't help but share it with you. God bless you and we will be back next week with our next book discussion.

In this episode Tiffanie and Melissa discuss Colors of Truth by Tamera Alexander. This is the third book in her Carnton series. Our discussions have been very interesting as they center around hot topics of today.

We talk about:

·      Why our kids need discipline and love.

·      Why we are kind to our enemies.

·      How everyone is an image bearer of God.

·      How we fell in love with Wade.