The Because Fiction Podcast

College in Ireland?  Sign me up! Colleen Marie has a fabulous new series with all things Irish and horses. Listen in to learn more.

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I haven't read a lot of new adult fiction, but Teagan's Treasure is  definitely going on my list. I love the idea of a mystery combined with all things horses and Ireland!  Woot!

Teagan's Treasure by Colleen Marie

 Teagan O'Reilly has one goal upon graduation to be accepted into Emerald Isle University's Science Research Internship and spend the summer in Ireland competing for a spot in the university's coveted research program. When her acceptance letter finally arrives, Teagan is more determined than ever to win a spot into the program. She's prepared for everything until she learns her partner is none other than Finn Connolly, her first love and the boy who broke her heart.

Past feelings reignite as Teagan and Finn travel to Brigid's Crossing in the small town of Cloverdale, Ireland, to begin their internship. Their research project quickly comes to life on the Kavanaghs' horse farm, bringing new life to the farm and Teagan's dreams.

Teagan soon discovers that the farm is in financial trouble, jeopardizing her meticulously planned research, and needs a miracle to be saved. The rolling hills of the Irish countryside are hiding a secret, and the answer may lie in the legendary tale of the missing Kildare Emerald. When a plot to steal the emerald from the Kavanaghs' land is uncovered, the safety of farm and the chance at the research position lies in the balance.

As time begins to run out, Teagan is torn between winning the research position and helping the Kavanaghs save the farm. Teagan is forced to decide where her heart lies, but will her choice make her lose everything she's always dreamed of, or will she gain more than she ever imagined?

Also don't forget about her YA romance, Sadie's Star.

Learn more about Colleen on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads.

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 One little boy's dream becomes a sister's determination in this beautiful historical romance.  Listen in as Amanda Cabot talks about her Sweetwater Crossing Christmas Novella, One Special Christmas.

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 Readers couldn't get enough of Sweetwater Crossing, and Amanda didn't disappoint. Drawing new characters into familiar scenes, she gives us a beautiful look at new hope and joy at Christmastime.

One Special Christmas by Amanda Cabot

 It will take a miracle to salvage her dreams, but Christmas is the season of miracles, isn't it?

Fearing this may be her young brother's last Christmas, Greta Engel is determined to make Otto's dream of spending it at the foot of Pikes Peak come true. She'll do anything, even selling a priceless family heirloom, to get them away from Houston and the man who threatened both of them. But the trip to the fabled mountain is more arduous than she'd anticipated and a crisis leaves them stranded in the Texas Hill Country.

Even though it's only a temporary stay, Greta finds much to like about Sweetwater Crossing, including the opportunity to manage the town's tearoom. And then there's Matt Nelson, the all too handsome man who's running for sheriff. She wants to trust him when he proposes they serve as chaperones to help his brother win the woman of his dreams, but what if she's making a mistake like the one she did in Houston? What if the rumors are right and there's more to Matt's request than he's admitted?

Greta's head tells her she and Matt can be nothing more than friends, but her heart has other ideas.

Learn more about Amanda on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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Christian fantasy takes a new twist in Trail to the Lonely Tree. I chatted with Kurt Mahler about his series recently--all the way from the other side of the world. Listen in and see what he did with a story about animals remembering the names that Adam gave them... and what that means!

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 I love the idea of animals remembering the names Adam gave them--and how that would affect mankind.  And taking place in Texas? Yes, please! 

A totally new fantasy idea is perfect for book lovers in your life, so don't forget about them for the upcoming holidays.

  The Trail to the Lonely Tree by Kurt Frederick Mahler

 Friendship, courage, and destiny meet in this whimsical magic realism journey.

Oracle, a jaguar from the Yucatán, arrives in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas because a lost monarch butterfly tells him the story of the last jaguar there. Oracle remembers Eden and the original word Adam spoke to the first of his kind, but others in the Valley have forgotten their names—including Man himself. Oracle begins his quest of restoring the Valley from the perils of loss while searching for the Lonely Tree, the location of the prophetic prayer of the last jaguar from seventy years before. But the path to the Lonely Tree is part of the realm of Man and riddled with “ironthorn” fences. Can Oracle help the animals remember their names given by Adam? Will he become the new Lord of the Valley in answer to the last jaguar’s prayer?

This poetic and hopeful tale about the mystical jaguar Oracle will stay in readers’ hearts even after the last page and provide clues for navigating life's complexities.

Learn more about him on his WEBSITE.

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 Feel like kids need a picture of what Spiritual warfare looks like?  R.M. Ruiz shows it in this family saga of missions from God to thwart evil beings and how He prepares them for it.  Listen in to learn what's up in Iowa!

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 The cornfields of Iowa may not seem like a place for battle, but don't tell the Chosen Kids that! Amid dealing with troublesome monsters, they also have to work through their own relationships in the process.

Ruiz has such a heart for children and what they read as well as an obvious love of the Lord and His word.

Encounter at Ambrose by R.M. Ruiz

 SOMETHING IS LURKING IN IOWA...

​​For their third mission, the Chosen Kids find themselves in the Corn State where an evil being carries out a sinister scheme. The family tracks down the creature right away. But when they can’t get close enough to identify the species or figure out its plan, they devise a risky strategy. The day goes from bad to worse when someone calls the cops. Are the kids in over their heads?

Caiden teams up with big brother Caleb to save the mission. But if things go wrong, is it wise to have a known bully by his side? After a wild ride of shenanigans and mishaps, the siblings make an important discovery. Will they follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance or take their own path?

When the Chosen Kids set their trap—in the last place Caiden wants to be at nightfall— they may have overlooked one key detail.

Encounter at Ambrose came out on September

Don't miss the story of book two and the icy slopes in Episode 234

Learn more about the series, the characters, and Rosemary at TheChosenKids.com and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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When I read about this anthology and the group that sponsored it, I couldn't contain my excitement. Jenny Gossell signed up for the dream school for aspiring young authors and this anthology shows just how brilliant the program is. Listen in to learn more about her, her book, and the school that helped produce it!

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I feel like this college alternative is a brilliant idea, and boy do I wish I could have had that opportunity.  That said, however, the anthology itself contains a bunch of stories that will appeal to a variety of people. 

Jenny says most fall in the realm of some sort of spec-fic, but... there is a contemporary as well.

 Voices of The Future: Stories of Family and Fearlessness by Multiple Authors

Discover the next generation of storytellers… This inaugural edition of Voices of the Future weaves together short stories of family and fearlessness in a memorable and heartwarming collection. Experience the next generation’s creativity and vision through tales of hope and belonging from rising young creatives.

Olivia G. Booms “A Book Dragon’s Story”

Jenny Chasteen “People of the Rain”

Rachel Elizabeth “Fairies in the Garden”

Hope Jian “Shattered Echoes”

Cara Peregrino “The Penny Dragon”

Madigan Thompson “Obsidian Wings”

Abi Lyn Voss “The Little Tire Shop”

Valari Westeren “Symbiosis”

Amie Woleslagle “Colors of Grief”

The Author Conservatory is a college-alternative program for gifted writers focused on raising up the next C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. 100% of your purchase goes to help students attend writing conferences where they can pitch their work to agents and publishers. 

You can get a copy of this anthology directly from Jenny on her WEBSITE. and follow her on Goodreads.

Learn more about the Author Conservatory on their WEBSITE.

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 I love a good dystopian novel, and New Heroes by E. H. Underhill sounds sooooo good!  I am so excited to get my hands on this book!  Listen in and see why.

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 I love this idea of a dystopian series. 

  The Solar Storm Chronicles: New Heroes by E. H. Underhill

 In the gripping dystopian thriller, "The Solar Storm Chronicles - New Heroes," author E.H. Underhill plunges readers into a world reshaped by solar storms and teetering on the edge of chaos. Protagonist Eric's struggle for survival unfolds against a backdrop of relentless danger and shifting alliances.

Attacked and pursued, Eric's journey through a dystopian world becomes a visceral experience. As he confronts the harsh realities of this transformed world, Eric forms unexpected alliances with a diverse group of friends, each harboring their own scars from the past.

"The Solar Storm Chronicles - New Heroes" is a heart-pounding exploration of humanity's resilience in the face of adversity. With its atmospheric setting, complex characters, and moral quandaries, the story delves into the depths of survival instincts and the bonds that form when the world falls apart.

Immerse yourself in a tale of courage, camaraderie, and the unbreakable human spirit as Eric navigates a dangerous landscape where every decision could mean life or death. Will he overcome the shadows of his past, or will the storm within mirror the chaos outside? Find out in this riveting saga that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the final page.

Learn more about E. H. on  INSTAGRAM and follow him on GoodReads.

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 Welcome back to the charming community of Moonberry Lake. It's time to get to know the crazy antics taking place in the florist's shop and wow... let's just say I couldn't stop laughing. Listen in to hear what you'll find in The Blooming of Delphinium.

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Moonberry Lake, Minnesota features such a unique and charming cast of characters in this fabulous series.  This second book offers even more amusing and heartwarming moments.  

Don't miss the first interview with Holly Varni HERE. 

The Blooming of Delphinium by Holly Varni

 As far as hidden talents go, Delphinium Hayes is blessed with one of the more unique ones. With the slightest passing whiff, she knows someone's most admirable or weediest characteristic. This peculiar perception never fails to give her an advantage in life--until she meets two men who turn her world upside down. Mason McCormack has agreed to help her with a group of seniors who have taken over her flower shop as their hangout. But his assistance is not without its price, and Delphinium agrees to compensate him with beautiful bouquets that seem to possess a bit of dating magic. Elliot Sturgis, director of The Gardens Assisted Living Facility, is determined to discover why a group of his residents keeps sneaking over to Delphinium's shop to play poker in the walk-in refrigerator. He soon finds himself as enchanted by Delphinium as everyone else. But his devotion to following the rules and maintaining order does not endear him to the shop's owner. Sparks fly as opposites attract and love finds a match in Delphinium's Flora Emporium--even for those who resist it the most.

Learn more about Holly Varni on her WEBSITE (where you can find her podcast) and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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The Encounter series by D.M. Griffin looks at four women who each had a brief encounter with Jesus and its profound effect on their lives. The final book, Return of the Son just released. Listen in to see what you'll find in the covers of this Biblical fiction novel. 

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Have you ever wondered who the "Widow of Naim" might have been?  Griffin takes a look at what could have led up to the heartbreaking moment that led to one of Jesus' encounters with broken people.  

 Don't miss her first episode HERE.

Return of the Son by D. M. Griffin

Her life was perfect. At least her childhood was. Eve never wanted anything except her father's presence. As a prominent advisor to the evil King Herod, Eve's father was split between his duties to the king and his duties as the only living parent for his daughter. With no heir to claim his family's land, Eve's father did what any loving father would do. He arranged for her betrothal. But this wasn't just any betrothal. Her potential husband was related to the king she despised. With a rough marital journey ahead of her, she tenuously clings to the promises of God.

Not sharing her father's enthusiasm or respect for the Herodian dynasty, Eve acted like the spoiled child she was upon first meeting her betrothed. With faulty expectations and prejudiced opinions, she did what she could to ruin the marriage before it began. It wasn't until it was almost too late that Eve's eyes were open and she saw the opportunity to experience love for the divine intervention that it was.

Fraught with political intrigue and personal challenges, would Eve be able to fully surrender to the life God wanted her to live by loving a man she thought she could never love? When that man's shadows chase the family into the future, would Eve's son pay the ultimate price? Or would God intervene there too? Could He? Only a single, unforeseen encounter could answer Eve's impossible question. Does love truly conquer death?

 Learn more about Demi on her  WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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After chatting with him about his Barabbas books in the past, readers might expect a new Biblical fiction series, but next up from M. D. House... Fantasy!!! EEEP!  Listen in to see what you'll find in this exciting new series!

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The End Times Convergence series opens with Crossroads of Awakening Memory, a fantasy that deals with multiple worlds serving the same God with portals! The portals are "awakening." 

Add to that a tie-in with end-times expectations, and you've got a fantasy series I'm dying to read! 

 Crossroads of Awakening Memory by M.D. House

 To young trainee Rain Barynd, becoming a Council Guard in bucolic New Haven will secure a positive future that involves neither farming nor any real fighting. Impressing his girlfriend’s skeptical parents and overcoming a handful of bullies among the trainees—along with the inexplicable intensity of his trainer, a decorated warrior from the East—are his greatest challenges. Or so he believes. A rare and ruthless bandit attack marks the beginning of the mayhem that engulfs Rain’s childhood home and sets him on an unimaginable path that includes … his own magic? Talismans that enable travel to other worlds? Griffons and dragons, ancient nemeses thought to be long extinct? Strange metal beasts that spit bellowing fire? And even elves of fairy tale, as real as the dwarves? Amid a besom of chaos and doubt, Rain must work with members of a mysterious ancient order to piece together a growing convergence of clues long prophesied. All while trying to figure out his place in the madness. Only one thing is certain—he is not ready.

You can learn more about Mike on his WEBSITE.  Follow him on BookBub and GoodReads.

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 The world could always use more fantasy novels, and after my chat with Steven A. Guglich, I'm sure Piercing the Veil is a great addition to the genre. Listen in to learn about how he wrote this series and what's to come.

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By nature, fantasy novels are about journeys--to places, to things, to ideas... but journeys. Steven Guglich has a new twist on it (well, it's new to me!) with fantasy that explores what happened when magic left the human race and what it will take to bring it back. 

One thing that fascinated me most about his writing process is how he wrote all the backstory and history of everything. Dwarves, gnomes, gods, legends...He created it all so that he'd have it when he needed it to weave into the story but we won't get great, heaping infodumps of world-building. Because worldbuilding is such a huge part of fantasy, but authors too often build within the story instead of tell the story that came from the world they already built.

  Piercing the Veil by Steven A. Guglich

But for Jeremy Goodson and Masaru Hagen that is far from the truth. Confronted by something that neither of them can explain, two complete strangers from opposite sides of the world embark on an unforgettable journey that will forge them into living legends. It has been almost 4,000 years since magic disappeared from the Earth. Hidden from humanity by the Veil, those who possess magic live in ancient settlements across the globe. Over the centuries, these beings have pierced the Veil, leaving behind glimpses and shadows of the fantastic and arcane. Fueled by distant memories and humanity’s desire for wonder, familiar stories of myths and legends have been passed down for thousands of years in nearly every culture and nation. Jeremy Goodson, an average, overweight teacher in New York City finds his entire world turned upside down when a stranger tempts him to leave everything behind and start a journey that will test Jeremy’s mysterious gift and bring magic and hope back to humanity. Masaru Hagen, the adopted son of American tech entrepreneurs living in Tokyo, has been guided by an unseen voice all his life. On the eve of his twentieth birthday, the voice leads him across thousands of miles, on a mysterious and perilous mission he alone can undertake. But there are principalities of this world that will do whatever they can to stop Jeremy and Masaru and keep magic out of the hands of humanity forever. One of these men will bring hope to the world; the other will bring death. The world they once knew will be changed forever, not only for themselves, but for everyone on Earth… and maybe not for the best.

Learn more about Steven on his  WEBSITE and follow him on GoodReads  and BookBub.

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