The Because Fiction Podcast

 Author of one of my top reads of the year, June Bug, Chris Fabry is also the novelist for the Kendrick Brothers' beloved movies including the most recent, The Forge. Listen in as we discuss the story and the process of writing from a screenplay!

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 Chis Fabry, author of so many beloved novels and the podcaster behind Moody's Chris Fabry Live, has teamed up with the Kendrick Brothers again to bring the book version of the story to readers. 

I loved chatting about the themes within the book, the process of writing it, and what we might see in the future. 

The Forge by Chris Fabry

 As Cynthia Wright’s marriage implodes, she is forced to raise her teenage son, Isaiah, alone. The pressure of providing for them through her salon is a full-time job in itself. When Cynthia sees Isaiah pulling away and escaping into video games, tensions rise and prayers feel unanswered. Angry and hurt, Isaiah starts acting like the father who abandoned him, and Cynthia gives him an ultimatum while turning to her twin sister, Elizabeth Jordan, for support. Elizabeth enlists a seasoned prayer warrior who challenges Cynthia to pray boldly and believe God for the impossible. Caught in the middle, Isaiah longs for respect, but sees no clear path to becoming a good man. Desperate for a job, he wanders into Moore Fitness, Inc. and encounters the owner, Joshua Moore, who introduces him to the concept of working for a coach rather than a boss. Needing the work, Isaiah reluctantly begins his mentoring process with Joshua. While Cynthia clings to hope, no one sees the coming storms brewing at the company and in Isaiah’s heart. The Forge is about the power of prayer, the transformation only God can achieve, and the lasting influence one person can have on others.

You can learn more about Chris Fabry on his WEBSITE. Also follow him on GoodReads or BookBub.

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 No one does romantic comedy like Angela Ruth Strong--part hilarity, part depth, the stories always have that extra level of richness that we so love in her work. Listen in and see why I'm sure Fiance Finale will be no different.

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Author of Husband Auditions, Hero Debut, and now, Fiance Finale (see what she did there?) Angela Ruth Strong has created a brilliant trilogy of romcoms that combine the kind of realistic, awkward moments best found in a romcom with the sort of spiritual and personal depth usually reserved for women's fiction. Not on Angela's part. She dives in and balances them well so that you get a truly enriching read and a whole lot of zany laughs.

Fiance Finale by Angela Ruth Strong

It might be the worst plan in the world--but it's the only one he's got.

Charlie Newberg is sure about one thing: he knows the woman God wants him to marry. There's a slight problem, though--he's already left her once. The day before their wedding. To make a documentary.

But he's got a plan. The marketing firm she works for is the ideal choice to promote his new film. So he conspires with her boss to make sure she runs the campaign. Working together will give him the perfect chance to propose again.

Due to her own plot twist, Nicole Lemaire is forced to promote the very documentaries Charlie left her to film.

Despite Nicole's resistance, the two work well together. But it's going to take more than teamwork to convince the jilted bride to give Charlie a second chance. In fact, it might require falling in love in a way Charlie’s never really understood.

Angela Ruth Strong closes out her hilarious, heartfelt series with a couple who will give readers a lot of laughs and the hope that God sees and redeems even the most broken stories.

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

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 I always love a chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher. She writes a lovely variety of genres, and her Amish is some of the best out there, so chatting about her new book, A Healing Touch was the highlight of this summer!  Listen in to learn about "Dok" Soltzfus, Annie, and the baby!

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 Next up in the Stony Ridge community, Fisher tackles several serious topics--an ex-Amish doctor (if I recall correctly), her Amish assistant, a found baby, and one woman's breast cancer journey.

In this book, Fisher and her "Dok" show how healing isn't just about medicine and diagnoses--sometimes it's deeper and comes from within--from the heart.

A Healing Touch by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 Ruth "Dok" Stoltzfus is the kind of doctor who still believes in house calls, addressing not just her patients' physical needs but their emotional ones too. When newly widowed Bee faces a breast cancer diagnosis, Dok connects her with Fern Lapp for support. When her painfully shy assistant Annie finds herself drawn to a new calling, Dok goes to great lengths to help her achieve her dream. And when an abandoned newborn mysteriously appears at her office one frosty morning, Dok's world takes an unexpected turn as ripples of change touch several lives. A Healing Touch is a captivating tale of compassion, resilience, and the bonds that form in surprising places. Bestselling and award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you into a new story that's like medicine for the weary soul. Join Dok, Annie, and the tight-knit Stoney Ridge community as they navigate the twists of fate, discovering that sometimes the greatest healing comes from the heart.

Get A Healing Touch for 40% off with FREE US shipping through the end of September at BakerBookHouse.com

You can learn more about Suzanne from her WEBSITE.  Also, follow her on BookBub and GoodReads.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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 Author of brilliant Southern fiction, T.I. Lowe's latest release, Lowcountry Lost has such a super-cool premise. Listen in and learn about how Avalee totally renovates a ghost town!

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 Okay, so I love me a good home renovation show, but in a book?  And a whole TOWN not just one building?  YES, PLEASE!

T.I. Lowe combines a second-chance romance with some hard-hitting topics AND... a lot of fun, whimsical moments with quirky characters to create a book I can't wait to read!

Lowcountry Lost by T.I. Lowe

 Sometimes what haunts you most is wondering what could have been. Avalee Elvis prides herself with being able to fix just about anything. . . except her past. Unable to put the puzzle of her life together, she pours heart and soul into making neglected places whole again. As the owner of Lowcountry Lost, Avalee spends her days in hot-pink Carhartt overalls and a tool belt reclaiming Lowcountry properties. Making them beautiful again releases the deep sigh that soothes the hurt she holds. Avalee’s latest project takes her to tiny Somewhere, South Carolina, a long-abandoned town. She ignores its ghostly folklore but can’t miss the shock of hearing the familiar Irish brogue that materializes on the job site—the voice of the man she never wanted to see again. Rowan Murray is a structural engineer hired by investors to oversee the redevelopment of the quaint downtown Avalee is bringing back to life. Once upon a time, he was also the man who knew Avalee better than anyone else—or so he thought. Six years ago, neither of them was prepared for the tragedy they would face together or what would happen in its wake. But as they work together to complete the rehabbing of Somewhere, their broken pieces and the pain that nearly consumed them begin to lose its grip, and both begin to wonder if it’s not too late for a restoration of their own. From the author of the breakout Southern fiction bestseller Under the Magnolias comes a story of loss and abandonment, forgiveness, and the beauty of undying love.

Learn more about T.I. Lowe on her  WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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 I love it when authors tackle the hard things in life with hope and redemption, and Carrie Walker's Emma's Hero feels like exactly the sort of book I love most. Listen in while we learn about this book, the series, and more!

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Carrie Walker talks about bad decisions, difficult consequences, and the joy and hope God can bring within these circumstances.

I have to say I love her hook. "God won't give me more than I can handle? I'm pretty sure He just did"?? Yeah.  Love how she twisted that misquoted and applied statement. 

   Emma's Hero  by Carrie Walker

  “God won’t give me more than I can handle? I’m pretty sure He just did.” After a year of loss and bad choices distance Emma Reynolds from her lifelong beliefs, she finds herself pregnant and alone at a twenty-week ultrasound, hearing the words “incompatible with life.” When her son, Theo, survives birth, she fights to give him the best care possible. As each day passes, Emma’s love for Theo grows—along with her fear of losing him. She can’t understand why God allows her son to suffer. Seventeen-year-old blogger, Mason Hughes, feels lonely and worthless after his father left their family years ago. When he ignores his mother’s push to “contribute to society,” she volunteers him to help Emma each week. Wishing he’d applied for any other job, Mason has no choice but to grocery shop and practice his rusty social skills with a mother and son he doesn’t know. Paramedic Ben Sullivan has earned himself the title of “most eligible” bachelor among his friends as they continually set him up on blind dates. While he’d love to avoid the uncomfortable events, his heart can’t help but seek the one thing missing in his life—a marriage like his parents have. If only he could find the woman himself. As Theo’s tiny life connects them to each other, their loneliness breaks under the love of community, and they will never be the same.

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

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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One of my all time favorite authors has another book coming out in a couple of weeks, and I for one, am crazy excited to see what she's done with this new series!  Listen in to find out what the Time's Lost Treasures series has in store and more about the first book!

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Author of Dickens reimaginings, Regency stories from a different perspective, the Blackfriars Lane series, and the Monsters & Men series, Michelle Griep is a genius at pulling unexpected stories from the familiar and unfamiliar both.

We chatted about Of Gold and Shadows and how it delves into the Egyptology mania of the 19th century.  

I can't wait to see what she does with this series!

Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep

The shadows hold secrets darker than they ever imagined. . . . In 1888 Victorian England, Ami Dalton navigates a clandestine dual life. By day, she strives to establish herself as a respected Egyptologist, overcoming the gender biases that permeate academia. But with a heart for saving black-market artifacts from falling into the wrong hands, she is most often disguised as her alter ego, the Shadow Broker. After eight years in India, Oxford's most eligible bachelor, Edmund Price, has come out of the shadows to run for Parliament and is in search of an Egyptologist to value a newly acquired collection. Expecting a renowned Oxford professor, Edmund instead finds himself entangled with Ami, the professor's determined daughter. As they delve into the treasures, their connection deepens, but trouble emerges when a golden griffin--rumored to bear the curse of Amentuk--surfaces, and they're left to wonder if the curse really is at play, or if something more nefarious is hiding among the shadows. . . . "Don't miss all the romance, adventure, and danger in [this] new page-turner."--JULIE KLASSEN, bestselling author of Shadows of Swanford Abbey

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

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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 When I learned that Becca Wierwille was taking a trip to Guatemala in Road Trip Return, I knew I was going to like this book!  Listen in to see why Guatemala and what's coming in this sequel to her debut novel!

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 Daniel from Road Trip Return is back in this international story of family, friendship, and finding peace with the things that happen in our lives. 

Becca shared her own history with Guatemala, how she worked out Daniel's backstory, what is up with Kickstarter, and more!

We even got a peek at what's coming next! EEEP!  

Road Trip Return by Becca Wierwille

 A faith-filled international adventure for kids ages 8-12 about facing the past to embrace the future. Daniel likes his life the way it is. Simple. Predictable. And most importantly, just him and his older brother, Mateo. But as Mateo's wedding approaches, life is already changing. And Daniel worries Mateo’s fiancée, Skylar, will ruin everything. When Skylar disappears a week before the ceremony, Daniel’s concerns are confirmed. Skylar is trouble. The wedding must be stopped. Drawing on his twelve years of wisdom, Daniel vows to save his family from disaster. Even if that means traveling to Guatemala—the home of his father, and the last place he ever wanted to visit.

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

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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When Marline Williams told me about her book, All Men Are Liars, and explained it was about the Jesus Revolution time in the early seventies, I knew she had a winner.  There's NOTHING out there yet (although I know of another series coming!).  So listen in to see why Williams wrote this book and where the series is going!

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 As a very young kid in the seventies (born in 1970) I was pretty clueless to the Jesus Revolution until the early nineties when I met a friend whose husband was a big part of it--her pastor who looked right out of a pop album cover, and really heard about these people who went from "free love" to Jesus' love during the middle of the last long revival America had.  

Marline Williams was a part of that movement and uses her experiences and memories to readers of today to that time so we see what total surrender to the Lord can look like in the every day... plus a little romance along the way.

The book came out on Sunday and is available in paperback and on Kindle Unlimited!

  All Men Are Liars by Marline Williams

Hey, Jesus People need love, too! 1973. This is it. The year "dateless" Dana Whitman vows she’ll finally get a Christian boyfriend. At her stuffy Bible college, that means squelching her Jesus freaky ways, her wild child self. To pull this off, she’ll need all her theatrical skills—and some boring conservative threads. So long, funky bell-bottoms. Hello, Brady Bunch miniskirts. No more tambourines in church. No more sidewalk surfing. But the right guy’s worth it. After all, it’s not like she’s lying or anything! It’s just a harmless put-on. Dana fights a freak-out when her prim-and-proper camouflage works a little too well. Neither the devilishly handsome campus Romeo nor the pre-med peacenik were part of her plan. When temptation masquerades as true love, will Dana betray her newfound faith or her free-spirited heart? 

Learn more about on  WEBSITE and follow  on GoodReads.

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I don't know about you, but nothing says "Christmas is coming!" like a good cozy mystery full of all the Christmas things AND... maybe some yummy-sounding treat.  Listen in to see why Murder Goes Caroling did it for me!

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Malissa and I had a great time chatting about her writing, how this book went, and even why she made some of the choices she did.

We also got a tiny hint of future books and things. YAY!

Furthermore, she shared how you can save a bit on her preorder, get it directly from her, and even about the merch and stuff she has in her online store. 

Best of all, use  BecauseFiction with your order until September 30 for that discount!

  Murder Goes Caroling by Malissa Chapin

Ringing in the holidays just hit a sour note. With mayhem threatening to turn festive carols into dirges, can a gifted pianist unmask a nasty scrooge? Piper Haydn loves Christmas. Excited for her charming town’s upcoming celebrations, she refuses to leave anything to chance whether it be decorations or Christmas music. But she goes from rhythm to blues when she discovers the donated antique nativity set in her care has been senselessly vandalized. Fearing the wrath of the curmudgeon who donated the expensive display, the ever-meticulous woman grabs her artsy friend and dives in to investigate. And the case takes a humbug of a new twist when they arrive at the grumpy donor’s home to deliver some melodic cheer, only to find the door open and him out cold. Can Piper bring back the jingle by sleuthing out the slippery scoundrel?

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

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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Buckle up your seatbelts (and maybe grab a 3-point harness, too), because we're about to go on a wild ride with DiAnn Mills as we talk about her upcoming release, Lethal Standoff. Listen in to learn how we came up with a book idea while chatting!

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I've always enjoyed DiAnn Mills' books, but boy, recently, they feel like they've kicked up an extra notch. Learn about her research, personal lessons she learned, and a nod to where things could go next.

Lethal Standoff by DiAnn Mills

 Justice can be elusive. Family secrets can be deadly. The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking in a volatile criminal case filled with unanswered questions. And Carrington Reed is running short on time to piece together clues that will solve the puzzle. Hostage negotiator Carrington Reed is called to the scene when reports come in that fifteen hostages are being held by the Kendrix brothers in an abandoned house in south Texas. When she arrives on site, Carrington quickly learns that the brothers are armed and refuse to release their victims, a group of undocumented immigrants, until the local police identify their father’s murderer. Working closely with Levi Ehrlich, a handsome investigative reporter who has covered some of Carrington’s negotiations in the past, she finds herself being undeniably drawn to him. Carrington digs deeper into the death of the Kendrixes’ father and begins to notice that some details surrounding his death aren’t adding up. As Carrington investigates the brothers’ claims and tries to piece together their motive for taking innocent people captive, it soon becomes clear that they are trying to hide something and that revenge for their father’s death may not be what they’re really bargaining for after all. To protect the hostages and ensure the brothers don’t carry out the rest of their sinister plot, Carrington must get to the bottom of one family’s secret and the truth they’re trying so hard to hide before time runs out. Award winning author DiAnn Mills delivers pulse-pounding romantic suspense about secrets, betrayal, and finding a path to forgiveness.

Get Lethal Standoff at 20% off from BakerBookHouse.com 

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

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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