I had the honor of addressing a group of home-schoolers on what it’s like to be an author. They listened like champs, asked great questions, and helped me write a story. The experience tallied up to what I call a successful day.

There’s not much I like better than talking about writing and reading. Who’s with me?

I’m so thankful. For the fact I get to write, talk about writing, read, and talk about reading. For the fact that there are kids out there who want to write and want to read. For the fact that, despite turmoil in the publishing world (at least, that’s what I keep hearing), AI, and other writerly goblins, being a writer is still a magical profession and a noble pursuit.

Words really do matter in the scheme of things. I can’t remember what I did yesterday, but I can remember the words Aunt Camille said to me about my “tummy just like Uncle Jack’s” when I was 13. Words can make or break a life. That’s a lot of power. (You’ll be glad to know Aunt Camille’s words did not break me. Still…) The right words—carefully chosen, thoughtful words—can encourage us to be our best, transport us to other worlds, bridge relationships, and inspire life-changing ideas.

Choose your words carefully…whether you’re a writer, a reader, or a talker.

Now, then, on to some of the words I’ve been digesting…

What I’ve Been Reading

• Land by Maggie O’Farrell, pub June 2, 2026. O’Farrell is a must-read author for me. I think she’s brilliant, and I’m going to name my next baby after her. This historical novel set in Ireland is rich with original characters and the kind of luscious description you only get in literary fiction. There’s a reason adjectives like “soaring,” “breathtaking,” and “gorgeous” are used to describe it.

  As you might guess from the title, the land itself is a character. And it vibrates with life. After I have my next baby named Maggie (you know I’m kidding, right?), I’m traveling to Ireland, the home of at least two of my ancestors (not kidding about the ancestors and hopefully not kidding about traveling to Ireland; it’s on my list). Where else could I find a “…a narrow promontory of land lapped on either side by cold blue inlets: a peninsula, stretching out into the Atlantic, like an imploring hand, the westernmost scrap of Europe before it surrenders to ice cross-currents of a vast ocean”?

  The novel opens in 1865, shortly after the Great Hunger depleted the island of its vitality. Tomás, a taciturn mapmaker, and his reluctant son, Liam, work on an Ordnance Survey project to map Ireland. Determined that his maps will record the disaster rather than merely nod to the British desire to revise history, Tomás wanders into a mysterious copse. When he emerges, he’s a different man, and his 10-year-old son faces a seemingly impossible task. How is Liam supposed to get his broken father home and finish the task his family’s fate hangs on?

  But that’s only the beginning. This novel takes an intimate look at life—our longings, fears, origins, and dreams; what happens to us when we’re separated from our loves; how we negotiate disappointments; and the powerful drive of hope.

• Queen of Lombard Street by Lisa Kleypas, pub October 20, 2026. Another historical fiction. This one is inspired by the lives of Britain’s first female economist, Mary Paley Marshall, and financial titan Hetty Green. Admittedly, I’d never heard of either woman, which tells you that I’ve never been up close and personal with the world of banking or that these extraordinary women’s history isn’t highlighted enough. Maybe both.

  The main character, Reina Martin, is an economist who is determined to establish Britain’s first women’s bank. In Victorian England, no woman is allowed to open her own bank account, much less open her own bank. But Reina is no ordinary woman. An illegitimate child of a noble and his mistress, she’s not accepted in any world, so she builds her own family. With the help of a ragtag crew of former inmates, she establishes herself as a lady who owns her own estate and is respected in the world of finance.

  This is a story that spotlights seeing the best in people, thinking outside the box, and persevering against unfair societal norms. But at its heart, it’s a love story. Reina is a fierce woman who fiercely loves. I’ve never read anything else by this author, but my guess is her other books are romance. She has a deft hand at describing lovemaking. Although I rarely read books with this much intimacy (don’t worry—there’s nothing explicit), I’ve got to hand it to her: Kleypas can certainly describe kissing and brushing close to someone with originality.

  I loved the multi-colored characters. Loved the book’s overall positive attitude. Loved getting caught up in Victorian England. Thanks to Avon for an advance reader’s copy to review.

• Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen, pub October 13, 2026. In a departure from historical fiction, I picked up this thriller by another author I’ve never read. Glad I did. I do not like horror, gory murders, or a lot of true crime, but October seemed like a good month to read something spooky.

  This easy-to-read page-turner follows a young woman, Mia, who returns to a (haunted?) castle in the Austrian Alps to prove her testimony, which led to a man’s conviction, was accurate. Using a false identity to land a job with an influencer who has restored the infamous castle where her cousin was murdered, Mia quickly learns she doesn’t know who to trust—including the aunt who took her in after her mother died.

  There are some fun elements—a true-crime podcast that seems out to discredit Mia, lots of interesting people to mistrust (including Mia’s aunt, once a wildly popular true-crime author), and a fabulous, atmospheric setting. It is well-written (though at times I felt like there was some repetition) and mostly unpredictable. I guessed the ending, then changed my mind, then changed it back again. Does that count as unpredictable?

  Thanks to Atria Books for my ARC.

  

• Odette Rising by Julianne Edwards, pub Oct. 13, 2026. I ADORED this book! I don’t know what I was expecting, but it exceeded anything I could have anticipated. It’s fresh, funny, tender, and unpredictable, with a cast of fully drawn, completely original characters who manage to be both maddening and lovable.

  Set in Sèvres, France, in 1896, 21-year-old Odette Hure hasn’t left her house for 10 years, finding solace in food and books. But when her father dies, that changes. Now left with no one (her mother died when she was a baby), Odette dips her toe back into life. Her first time out isn’t what you’d call wildly successful, but it’s a start. Slowly, this heartbreaking, devastatingly vulnerable young woman emerges. Odette reluctantly takes the reins of her late father’s hosiery factory and learns how to be a friend. Themes of shame, belonging, and perseverance weave a rich story of unlikely heroes and heroines.

  Thank you to Pamela Dorman Books for my ARC.

  That’s it for this month. Except for one more THANK YOU to YOU! I’d write even if nobody read it. In fact, I do write a lot of things nobody reads. But it’s just about the best thing in the world to know somebody IS reading what I write. And if you’re not related to me and you still read this, I am doubly grateful. I mean, there’s a bunch of words out there, and you chose to read mine. Wow.

  Have a Happy, Happy Thanksgiving!

  

  
  
  
  
  

People! I’m not mentioning names (Bobby Lobby, Farget, BJ Taxx, and BoneGoods), but October is for AUTUMN. Fall, if you prefer. As much as I love Christmas—and I’m a huge Christmas fan, let it be known—I’d like to take a moment to enjoy the moment I’m actually living.

(Look closely at the picture of our front door…There’s a ghost in the window!)

I may not be sipping a pumpkin latte (pumpkin does NOT belong in coffee, let’s at least not argue about that), but I’m all about hanging my fall wreath on the door and clustering a few pumpkins and mums on my front porch. Let’s go pick apples and make our favorite soup recipes. Let’s watch football games and make sure the moths haven’t eaten our best sweaters. Let’s buy candy at Costco and pretend we’re going to give it out to trick-or-treaters.

Let’s enjoy this moment.

There. Rant over.

Now, whatcha been reading?

What I’ve Been Reading

• Maybe, Maybe Not by Elizabeth Gillman, pub Sept. 26, 2026. I love it when one of my writing friends knocks it out of the park with their debut novel! Maybe, Maybe Not brims with insight, thoughtfulness, and well-developed, believable characters. You’ll root for the protagonist, Annie, who has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and works hard to live a healthy life that’s not dominated by it. And you’ll learn so much about this disorder—for instance, there are around 300 distinct “arms” of it—that you’ll finish the book with much more compassion for someone you may know who deals with it.

  But don’t think that it’s a novel that preaches or works to teach you a lesson. It does what good fiction does best—it makes you aware that those around you, even those you think you know well, are fighting battles you can’t see and can’t always fully understand. It takes you into a messy life (and aren’t all of our lives messy?) and lets you feel emotions you may or may not have felt before and see the world from a different perspective.

  Here’s the storyline: When Annie’s best friend, Kat, dies, Annie joins Kat’s brother on a trip to fulfill her friend’s wishes. Annie’s also being offered the chance to own and run a small business. Both opportunities will stretch her beyond what she—and some of those around her—thought she could do.

  Gillman explores mental health, marriage, friendship, family, grief, and ultimately hope in this tender look at someone whose life is complicated by issues that don’t always appear to be that challenging...but absolutely are. Click on this link to buy it.

• Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult, pub Sept. 19, 2026. I don’t know how this book could be timed any better. It’s the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and the Lindsay Clancy trial has been front and center in the news. This book tackles both subjects—the grief of those who lost loved ones in 2001 and postpartum psychosis. I’m not sure there’s an author alive, other than Picoult, who could make that work.

  The protagonist, Molly, is the disaster preparedness director for Rhode Island, and she’s married to a police polygraph expert. Molly’s mother died in the World Trade Center, thus Molly’s obsession with being prepared for crises. She is a wonderful character—strong, feisty, and smart—and I loved her husband. (It’s nice to see happy marriages in novels, don’t you think?)

  The story alternates between past and present, so we learn more about Molly’s mother and get to see things from her perspective. This was the saddest part to me. Along with an abusive past, she suffers from mental illness and develops postpartum psychosis.

  Picoult explores grief, friendship, marriage, the mother-daughter bond, mental illness, child abuse, and the way we cope with trauma. No, it’s not an easy read, but it’s thoughtful and nuanced. I think it could have been shorter—it clocks in at 464 pages—but I understand the desire to give all the characters plenty of room to grow and to allow enough space for the emotional weight. It’s heavy.

  Thanks to Ballantine Books for an advance reader’s copy.

• The Thoroughbreads by Shelby Cunningham and Elin Hilderbrand, pub Sept. 15, 2026. I gotta be honest. Did not love this book. Did not finish this book. BUT! I also did not read the first book this mother-daughter team wrote. Maybe if I had, I would have liked this one better. Unfortunately, I stayed lost as to who was who and who liked who and who didn’t. There’s a list of the characters in the front, but I read on Kindle, and it’s inconvenient to go back and forth. If you absolutely adore stories set at prep schools, I’m sure you’ll want to take a run at this. Hilderbrand is a must-read author for so many. Thanks to the publisher, Little, Brown & Company, for my advance reader’s copy.

• London Station by David McCloskey, pub Sept. 29, 2026. I read this as a tribute to my dad, who never met a spy novel he didn’t like. And I’m sure he would have loved this one. The fact that the author is a former CIA analyst gives the book solid cred, too. I felt like he really knew what he was writing about. The conflict between the English and the Americans was particularly interesting.

  That said, this book wasn’t for me (sorry, Dad). I found it difficult to follow, and I didn’t fall in love with any of the characters. Perhaps that is the way of spy novels, of which I’ve only read a handful. But I think it’s good to read outside your favorite genres every once in a while, and the Amazon reviews rave about it. So, London Station, it’s me, not you. Thanks to W. W. Norton & Company for my ARC.

• The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhorn, pub Sept. 8, 2026. I might have to reread this book one day down the line. Everyone I know who has read it loved it. I was so excited to read something new by Ariel Lawhorn, a brilliant writer, that I may have had expectations that were simply too high. It is an interesting premise, for sure. The protagonist is inspired by the life of Grace O’Malley, a legendary Irish folk heroine. There’s plenty of swashbuckling and sailing and battling and outfoxing and even a dab of romance. A strong woman who commands a ship and garners the respect of a clan is always fun to read about. My main problem was the alternating timeline. I’d get all comfy reading about how Grace was as a child or young woman, and suddenly I’d be reading about middle-aged or elderly Grace. I have no doubt the author and editor are skillful—they accomplished a feat weaving all those different periods together—but I wasn’t enough of a stalwart sailor to hang in there this time. Thank you to the publisher, Doubleday, for an ARC.

So, there you have it for my month of reading.

As for my writing life, I’m on hiatus. I’ve niggled with my work in progress so much that my eyes threatened to permanently cross and I stopped sleeping. I started dreading going to bed because I’d obsess over changes instead of drifting off to neverland. We have a houseguest this month, are taking a quick trip to visit relatives, and are cramming in all the baseball games we can, so there’s plenty to keep me occupied. I’m hoping to hit it hard with renewed vigor in November. Stay tuned!

I’ll bet that perfectly describes the lives of Maggie O’Farrell, Barbara Kingsolver, and Elizabeth McCracken. But, alas, it’s not my experience.

Here’s what my revision process looks like after I’ve written my first, second, or maybe third draft:

The writing portion of my day begins post-coffee when I open my Word document (I’m not patient enough to master any of those fancy writing programs like Scrivener) and read what I wrote yesterday.

On a good day, I tinker with my sentences and paragraphs, move things around, and analyze the big picture. On a really good day, I have the courage to scrap a scene I love but recognize isn’t pulling its weight in telling the story.

Then it’s time to stand up and stretch my back and neck, which by this point remind me they are critical to my overall well-being and shouldn’t be further abused.

Next, I spend a little time on the internet perusing reviews of office chairs and vow to get a new one. After finding several well-reviewed options and even adding one to my online cart, I decide I’d better take my husband’s advice and go to an actual store where I can sit in it to see if it does indeed work for my body.

Time to sit back down in my uncomfortable (but decoratively pleasing) chair and get back to work. But wait, shouldn’t I throw in a load of laundry so that I’ll have clean underwear tomorrow? No.

No! I must continue revising.

Or, maybe I’ll pick up Lisa Cron’s book, Story Genius, and re-read that chapter on cause and effect. Is this chapter I’ve written doing that? Setting up a chain reaction? I’m not sure. Have I set scenes up so the protagonist must act and must act now? Hmmm. Is there any tension at all in this entire manuscript?

I’m hungry.

After chocolate consumption, washed down by a diet fruit-splashed Ginger Ale, I sit back down and find my writing to be delightful. Downright mesmerizing. I think I’ll call it a day. Quit while I’m ahead.

No, wait a minute. I’ll read one more section. It stinks. Okay, now I am ready to quit.

Later, while I’m trying to go to sleep, I think of something brilliant I read—written by O’Farrell, Kingsolver, or McCracken—and dwell on the fact that I’ll never write as richly as they do.

Looks like I’m going to have to take another half of an Ambien so that I can get enough sleep to function tomorrow. When I’m going to do it all again.

What I’ve Read Lately

• Under the Falls by Richard Russo, pub August 11, 2026. I’ve been a fan of Richard Russo since his Pulitzer-winning novel, Empire Falls. He writes multi-layered characters with astute empathy. The protagonist of this literary fiction is Tyler Sinclair, a mega star in the music world who left his impoverished upbringing at 18 and never looked back. When he (very) reluctantly returns to Stone Mountain to do a benefit concert, his life begins to unravel. Between awful memories and being reunited with people who considered his leaving a betrayal, Tyler is forced to navigate resentment and festering bitterness that’s so poisonous it may kill him. Russo explores friendship and family, how a place forms the people who inhabit it, and the sometimes thin margins between what’s right and wrong. If you enjoy character-driven novels that even elevate the setting to character status, you’ll love this book. Thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy.

• The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh, pub June 13, 2023. What I affectionately consider a light “palette-cleanser,” this story is about a lonely woman who learns what it means to have real friends. Isadora, an intelligent researcher with a quirky personality, has decided it’s safer to navigate this world solo. When she undertakes a personal experiment to see if she can become happier, she collects more than data. It’s packed with humor and romance and explores, you guessed it, the real meaning of happiness.

• The Amateur by Chris Bohjalian, pub August 4, 2026. Bohjalian is one of my favorite authors. Love his body of work. I think he’s a brilliant writer. That said, this one didn’t land for me. Set in an affluent community in 1978, it’s the story of a young golfer headed for greatness. Sadly, a freak accident derails her life. I couldn’t connect with this character. I felt intensely sorry for her, but didn’t really like her. I heard a wonderful interview with Bohjalian in which he discusses his personal connection with the protagonist and how he wrote this book faster than he’s ever written anything (90 days!). I also follow him on Instagram and am always impressed by how highly he speaks of his wife and daughter. Bottom line: I really like what I know of this man, and I wanted to like this book. But I grew tired of the foul language, which didn’t used to be so prevalent in literature. (Perhaps I shouldn’t admit this, but I’ve been known to overlook “bad” language if it serves the story.) So, I didn’t finish it. I noticed that some other reviewers who didn’t like the protagonist at first grew to like her and were taken by the way the story unfolded. Should I have finished the book to give it a fair shake? Probably. I’ll tell you what: why don’t you read it and let me know? Thanks to Knopf Doubleday for an ARC.

• The It Girl by Allison Pataki, pub March 10, 2026. The protagonist of this historical fiction, Evelyn Talbot, a glamorous Gibson Girl, an inspiring model and actress, is the hottest ticket of the early 1900s. Her real story, though, is far from glamorous. It’s fraught with being used and abused by people who claimed to love her. I enjoy reading anything set during this time period—the dawn of the twentieth century, when America is brimming with success and pop culture is being birthed. And I always appreciate a determined, persevering, strong female character. Pataki explores fame, beauty, naiveté, talent, and how easily all of that is exploited. Glamour, passion, and murder set in a rich New York City world? Yes, please. Thanks to Ballantine and NetGalley for an ARC.

• The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand, pub June 13, 2023. I’ve read very little by this prolific author, but when I saw Jennifer Garner was starring in a Peacock series based on it (and, okay, to be completely transparent, it was a Kindle Unlimited deal), I picked it up. Or, more accurately, downloaded it onto my trusty Kindle. I had trouble liking it at first because I didn’t much like any of the characters; however, because I kept picturing Jennifer Garner as the protagonist (and I just love her), I wanted to see it through. Now, I ask you, is that a good reason to finish a book—because you like the actress that plays a role in the adaptation of said book? I don’t know. I did end up enjoying the story. Hilderbrand is a skilled writer who has built a fantastic career writing about feelings we all have, set in places we’d all like to live, or at least visit. A worthy summer read. My next Hilderbrand read is one she wrote with her daughter. I’ll report on it next month.

• Sunrise by Tea Obreht, pub August 11, 2026. This is one I would have been well-advised to read the cover copy twice. I was confused. So, here’s a tip: really pay attention to the chapters’ time-stamps. Plus, note that while it is a blend of genres, magical realism is not one of them. (See? Should have read the cover twice). The book is about three people living in three different times. They are unified by the town of Sunrise, Wyoming. Nina’s story takes place in 2024 and begins with her surviving a plane crash near this old ghost town that’s mysteriously well-kept. Coll’s story occurs in 2003 and follows his love of Sunrise and his passion for keeping one of the community’s most historic figures in the spotlight. The third timeline is 1902 and focuses on the town’s founder, a gunslinger and legendary hero, Anton Vargas. Mysteries unfold as secrets are revealed—is the town’s history based on truth or is it nothing more than a myth? And does that matter? I can see a rousing book club discussion involving revisionist history, how a place can shape you, and whether memory can ever be accurate or if it’s simply what we want to believe. Sunrise is an interesting blend of literary fiction, history, and mystery, and Obreht is a skilled writer. Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for my ARC.

  

• Whistler by Ann Patchett, pub June 2, 2026. I should list Patchett up there with McCracken and company. The woman can write. Quiet beauty, empathetic characters, a fresh story—all of it comes together under Patchett’s gifted fingertips. This novel explores family dynamics, the accuracy of memory, how trauma shapes us, and how those big moments in life can become the container for our own story. The cover is beautiful, but don’t think that this is a story about horses. It focuses on the relationship between a woman and her stepfather, a man who was only briefly part of her life during childhood. But during that period, she and her stepfather shared a trauma that impacted them the rest of their lives. Patchett’s skill lets readers see complex emotions clearly and prompts us to ask ourselves questions about the choices we’ve made. I’m amazed at how her understated writing can be so moving.

  Thanks for reading and sharing my Substack. As always, let me know what you’re reading and if you agree (or disagree—which can be fun) with my reviews. Have a great September!

  Leave a comment

  Share

One positive about steamy Augusts… I can happily justify staying inside to read, write, and make fun art. What does this mean for you? Man oh man, do I ever have some good books to recommend!

But first, here’s what I’ve been doing in my studio. It’s mixed media. I used acrylic paint, paper, and ink. It was fun being back up to my elbows in colors and glue—it had been too long.

Leave a comment

And here’s a fun picture of a group of women IN AFRICA who are reading my book. The thrill of someone reading what I’ve written never gets old for me. To think that somebody thousands of miles away is reading it, well, that just floors me. And if you haven’t read Toward the Corner of Mercy and Peace yet, what’s the holdup?

Here’s What I’ve Been Reading

• Country People by Daniel Mason, published July 7, 2026. I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoyed reading this book by the amazing Pulitzer Prize-nominated author of North Woods (which I also loved). It’s wildly imaginative with a cornucopia of quirky characters. It’s tender, exploring family life and marriage. It’s smart and well-written, focusing on an academic family of four who move from California to Vermont. And it’s funny. So funny. It won’t be for everyone because it isn’t your typical literary fare. But if you liked The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared or Unlikely Animals, you’ll love this. Full disclosure: the first time I opened it up, I didn’t get far. But you know how you need to be in the right headspace for certain books? The second time I opened it, I was hooked. If you read it, please let me know what you think. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for my advance reader’s copy.

• The Simp: A Novel Without a Hero by Roshan Sethi, pub July 7, 2026. This was another book that I stopped reading and returned to. It’s about a struggling actor (of whom there are plenty—like writers—or anyone in the arts, really). This struggling actor has a bit of a problem with lying. But in Hollywood, that doesn’t seem all that uncommon either. At least not in this book’s take on Hollywood, where you only have to scratch the surface to uncover that all is not as it appears. Lots of satire, some unlikeable characters (both elite and ordinary), one true thread of friendship, and a sense of being an insider to the life of fame and fortune combine to make for a razor-sharp and convincing read—hustlers, sarcasm, rich people, and absurdity galore. Oh, and by the end of the novel, you’ll really appreciate the title. Thank you, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster, for the ARC.

• If Books Could Kill by Kate Eberle, pub July 21, 2026. Fun premise for a rom-com: Roxie Mitchell, an adventure-loving romance reader, finds herself trapped in the plot of her favorite author’s next novel. She loves the author because she writes swoony romance, but this new book is a departure from happily-ever-after. It’s about a serial killer out to hack up his next victim…which looks like it’s going to be Roxie. When the meet-cute trope turns murderous, Roxie has to figure out how to get out of this crime thriller and back to “normal.” It’s a fun summer read that blurs the line between fiction and reality in all the best ways. Thanks to Penguin Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

• The Mortons by Justine Larbalestier and Scott Westerfeld (husband-and-wife writing team!), pub July 21, 2026. If you’re after a departure from “heartfelt,” “funny,” and “light,” this novel leans more toward “diabolical,” “sinister,” and “ruthless.” It’s about a rich crime family that sends its young to a college where they learn to exercise control over wealthy peers. If you liked the Netflix series Wednesday, you’ll find hints of it in this story about assassins, loyalty, competition, and family expectations—with a dash of dark academia and the art world thrown in for good measure. Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC.

• Big and Lily by Lisa Roe, pub Aug. 11, 2026. Another humorous read. I’m always attracted to books described as “sharply funny and deeply heartfelt.” This one is about two sisters who are wildly different—one struggles to keep it all together while the other seems to glide through life succeeding at every turn. But when Lily-of-the-Perfect-Life discovers her husband’s cheating on her, she hightails it to Alaska to forget everything on a survival trek with her sister “Big.” The adventure forces the two women to own up to old regrets and simmering resentments and to face the truth about themselves and each other. Thank you to Harper Perennial and NetGalley for the ARC.

• Valley of the Moms by Hannah Selinger, pub June 2, 2026. This domestic thriller is about some mean, rich people. The characters are tough to like, but you do root for the protagonist, Anna. I found the structure of the novel interesting—it alternates between before Anna’s death and after. Anna, who has returned to this upper-class community with her husband and two children, sees a chance to make a difference by running for PTO president. Big mistake. She ends up found dead in a nearby river (not a spoiler). What I found most intriguing about the novel was how the author developed Anna’s husband and their marriage and how she portrayed the community’s power structure. I didn’t experience the book as a thriller—I wasn’t on the edge of my seat. But I was fascinated by the premise and the relationships. Good writing goes a long way toward making a book successful, and this book was well written. I agree with some of the other reviews I read about it, though: the ending was disappointing.

• When Mikan Road Was Ours by D.K. Furutani, pub July 28, 2026. This tender literary fiction is about Murano, a Japanese-American high school English teacher living in California. Murano has a conflicted relationship with his Japanese father’s side of the family and struggles with his own identity as half-white, half-Japanese. When he inherits some of his father’s possessions and his great-uncle’s memoir, he’s drawn into the family’s history, which includes incarceration in camps after the United States entered WWII. The writing is quiet but powerful. The author draws an honest, subtle picture of a man with insecurities, assumptions about his father and family, fear, and unwillingness to be vulnerable in relationships, but also with integrity, desire, and hope. Murano’s journey through his past strengthens him and gives him courage. It’s a story that redeems pain. Thanks to the publisher, Atria, for an ARC.

• When You Loved Me by Beatriz Williams, pub June 23, 2026, when Lucy Cooper, a young widow and single mother, returns to her late father’s run-down estate on Winthrop Island, she finds more than she bargained for. With mystery, romance, history, and a reckoning with a past long-buried, this book has all the goodies Beatriz Williams is known for. I was a little thrown off at the beginning because it opens with a football player, which made me think the book’s focus was different from what it turned out to be, but the scene is integral to understanding the protagonist’s love interest. If your idea of a good summer read includes a story with beaches, pirates, wealthy families, messy relationships, dual timelines (and a fair amount of curse words and sex), then go for it. Thanks to Ballantyne Books for the ARC.

  

• Dust to Dust: Aging Wisely in an Anti-Aging World by Jen Wilkin, pub July 21, 2026. I read this book the first day it came out. And I will reread it. Probably several times. Wilkin, known for her in-depth Bible teaching and the author of several Bible studies and theologically focused books, develops an interesting construct for understanding aging. Using a literary tool you’ll find repeatedly in biblical writings, chiasmus, Wilkin develops one for the span of a human life. The result is a book from which all ages can glean wisdom. And, even if you’re not into “religious” books, you should give Dust to Dust a chance. Wilkin addresses the pressures our society puts on us about aging—what’s the wisest and healthiest way to age? Fight it with all you’ve got? Embrace it with unrealistic positivity? Throw up your arms that are starting to sag and give in to it? She suggests there is a true story and a false story about aging. The false story tells us that as we age, we decline into irrelevance. The true story focuses on ways to maximize the benefits of aging, along with practical insights on body image, honoring the elderly, and the value of family. Wilkin, who took care of her mother in her mother’s last days, lays out compassionate, thoughtful ideas about what it means to honor your parents. She doesn’t claim to have written the ultimate book on aging and admits she’ll probably see things differently as she grows older. Still, though she’s younger than me, I found this book to be encouraging, insightful, honest, convicting, and practical.

As always, let me know what you’re reading and if you read any of these books, drop back by to tell me what you think. Stay cool!

Leave a comment

We’re in full-on celebration mode around here—Team USA’s recent World Cup win, my hub’s fabulous retirement trip, America’s 250th birthday, my brother’s 250th birthday (Just kidding; he’s younger than me…HBD, Jim!), a gathering of all our kids and all nine grandkids, and more!!

I believe in celebrating everything that comes down the pike: the expected and the unexpected. Heck, you can even celebrate the bad… “That’s over! Let’s celebrate!”

Sidebar: The idiom “coming down the pike” originated as a metaphor for a traveler, vehicle, or event approaching on the turnpike. In 1904, it gained massive popularity at the St. Louis World’s Fair, which featured a mile-long entertainment midway named “The Pike.” And now you know a little more than you did when you started reading. You’re welcome.

This month we get to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Our family always has a big time on July 4th. Necessary ingredients: epic water balloon fights, serious watermelon and ice cream consumption, dazzling fireworks, and red, white, and blue paraphernalia galore. This country is an amazing place—it’s worth celebrating our beauty, liberty, and spirit. Every single one of our 50 states adds unique charm and value.

Case in point: Alaska!

Have you been there? Have you seen the glaciers? The eagles soaring? The whales breaching and diving? Have you tasted the fresh salmon and Dungeness crab? Have you ridden a train through its unforgiving wilderness and thought about how those tracks were laid? How the first settlers survived?

When Kent retired last year, his company (for which he worked for almost 43 years) gave us a cruise to Alaska as a retirement gift. We got to take the trip last month and, while I won’t bore you with the details, I will share a few photos because…Wow! It’s spectacular.

Of course, I took 49,000 pictures but didn’t think you wanted to see all 49,000. And even though these photos don’t do the place justice, they give you a taste of the raw beauty of our 49th state.

And isn’t beauty worth celebrating?

Yes! Yes, it is.

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY America!

I’ll tell you something else worth celebrating…Books! You knew I was going to say that, didn’t you?

Here’s what I’ve been reading…

• Learning to Love the Psalms by W. Robert Godfrey, pub March 14, 2017. We went on the cruise as part of The Ligonier Ministry’s group, and our welcome package included this book, written by one of the cruise’s lecturers. I had been studying the Psalms for the past year, so it was perfect timing. Dr. Godfrey’s analysis of the book and his insights into its beautiful poetry help you grasp the Book of Psalms as a whole. I learned so much. What a gift to be able to explore the beauty of God’s creation alongside the beauty of God’s Word.

• The Outlaw Noble Salt by Amy Harmon, published April 9, 2024. This reimagining of the life of the outlaw Butch Cassidy is really a love story between a man who tries to leave the criminal life behind and the woman who captures his heart. Jane Toussaint, a celebrated singer, and her son, a smart boy who’s discriminated against because of a physical feature, meet Butch Cassidy without realizing it. Themes of redemption, second chances, and perception ride alongside family duty, love, and honor as the cast of characters navigate the wild West, Paris, and New York.

• Sacred Margins: On the Spiritual Life of a Writer by Steve Laube, pub May 19, 2026. I follow this literary agent’s blog and was eager to read his book. So glad I did. It’s one I’ll return to in the years to come. Laube explores many aspects of the writing life in chapters like The Yearning to Write, The Wonder of Imagination, The Transparency of Broken Places, and The Plight of Self-Doubt. He addresses the difficulties writers face, like waiting, criticism, time, success, and spiritual darkness. And he includes 21 meditations and spiritual exercises that are practical and thought-provoking.

• Little Wonder by Sophie Chen Keller, pub June 16, 2026. I LOVE THIS BOOK. I swore I was not going to read Oprah Book Club picks because they’re always sad, but I caved for this one. By the end of this hopeful and heartbreaking book, I cried real tears. It’s rare that a book moves me as this one did. It’s written simply and beautifully about characters who earn your respect and compassion, characters you root for. It’s set in urban China and follows a migrant mother and her son as they pursue a seemingly impossible dream inspired by their love of music. Their devotion to each other and their perseverance will gut you—in all the best ways.

• Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshmi and Lavanya Lakshminaravan, pub June 16, 2026. Since I have a granddaughter adopted from India, I love reading about that culture. This book is a fun, Bollyworld-type peek into a family that loves passionately. It centers on Simran, who returns to the family home she’s been avoiding for the last seven years, to attend a two-week wedding. Plenty of family drama, romance, and charm.

• The Emilys by Heather Abel, pub June 16, 2026. Did Not Finish. The writing is good, and it’s got a good premise, but it failed to capture me. As usual, I recommend trying it for yourself because sometimes you’re just not in the right headspace for a book, and I read this one on the heels of Little Wonder (review above).

  Coming in the next newsletter: Reviews of Country People, The Simp, The Mortons, If Books Could Kill, and When Mikan Road Was Ours, plus who knows what else! These books all came out in July, so give them a read and see if you agree with my opinion.
  

  Leave a comment

I happen to agree. Life, in all its seeming randomness, weaves together to make one ultimate story. Just because we don’t understand how or why it plays out the way it does doesn’t mean it’s without meaning.

But you don’t read this newsletter because I’m some deep thinker. I’ll leave “deep” to philosophers, academics, theologians, and my husband, who has some very deep thoughts that he would love to discuss with me if only I knew something. Just kidding. I know something.

But, to get back to the title of this post…I’ve enjoyed many “coincidences” in my life. I won’t share them all here. You’re welcome. But here are two that happened recently…

Our pastor invited us to a banquet that featured families who had adopted children. We, being new to the area, expected to know NO ONE. Imagine our surprise when we looked up to see someone we hadn’t seen in at least 30 (40??) years.

Kent said, “Hey, is that David Melber?” About the same time, I said, “Hey, is that Tera Melber?”

It was!

We had gone to church with them in Paducah, and now they, too, live in North Carolina. What a joy to get to hug old friends. David is now the CEO of Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina, leading Christian foster care, adoption, and family support ministries across NC.

We caught up very briefly and learned that their youngest son, Isaac, had just written a book, Twice Delivered. I couldn’t wait to read it. I devoured it over the weekend, and you can read my review below. Spoiler alert: You’ll want to buy this memoir immediately! It’s encouraging, inspiring, and moving. Isaac is a special person who has already been used by God tremendously in his young life. Much more is in his future.

The second coincidence is similar, but it involved retail therapy (so, no, not as spiritual but still fun!). I’d engaged in (a tad too much) retail therapy and decided to return some of my great finds to a cute clothing shop I’d recently discovered. (Since we’ve only lived here a year, I continue to make awesome finds when I sally forth. I had that setback with my broken wrist, but I’m back, baby! I can carry shopping bags in both hands!)

I walked into this particular store with my bag full of returns and noticed a familiar face, whom I assumed had helped me with my purchases. “I’ve got a return,” I said with a smile. The woman said, “Oh,” in a way that made me realize she did not, indeed, work there, and I hastened to say, “You don’t work here, do you? I’m sorry!”

I continued to the desk, and she continued to look at me.

“Tracey?”

“Teresa?!”

Yes, we knew each other! We hadn’t seen each other since HIGH SCHOOL. Now, since I began asking you whether you know the show Get Smart, you may have figured out that I’m a child of the ‘60s (although I’ve been told I don’t seem that old, and I choose to believe that).

So, here I was standing in a shop, not in my hometown, and well off the beaten trail in my new town, looking with astonishment at someone I hadn’t seen in almost 50 years.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing, though, is that we recognized each other! For someone who can’t remember her own grandkids’ names (on occasion), that’s saying something. I’m very impressed with us.

It was fun to catch up with someone I’d marched in the Drill Corps with (IYKYK) back when showing my thighs didn’t require strategic draping. Turns out Teresa, who lives in Lexington, Ky., has a daughter who lives near me here in North Carolina. Small world. Lesson: keep your nose clean.

Teresa told me she has my book and that she reads this newsletter, so—Hey, Teresa! Thanks for reading!

And thanks to you, too. It would mean a lot to me if you left me a little wave in the comments to let me know you’re here.

Leave a comment

As far as my writing life, if you read my last newsletter, you’ll know I’m in revision mode. If you’re anything like me (and you’re a writer), you know that revision mode requires patience. You tweak. You wait. You read it again. You tweak. You wait. Rinse and Repeat.

But, though I haven’t yet completed what I hope are the finishing touches (ha-ha-ha…the joke is that there is no FINISHING when it comes to art), I have gotten some excellent reading in.

Here’s What I’ve Been Reading

• Twice Delivered by Isaac Melber, pub May 25, 2026

  Books are always better when you know the author, and while I don’t know Isaac personally, I do know his parents, David and Tera Melber. I wanted to be on the bandwagon that launched this memoir because I knew it would be top-notch (the Melbers are top-notch kind of people!).

  Happily, my prediction was correct.

  Don’t miss this precious story. Isaac shares how he went from being a disadvantaged boy in an Ethiopian orphanage to part of a big, fun, loving Christian family in Kentucky. At its heart, it’s the story of redemption, refinement, hope, and God’s sovereignty. As if to underline my headline, it’s the story of how nothing is a coincidence; all of life is under the providence of God.

  Isaac is honest about the huge range of emotions he experienced journeying from his adoption as a five-year-old boy in 2010 to the young man he is today. His transition into a new family with white parents, three white siblings, one Asian sister, and one brother, also from Ethiopia, was steeped in challenges. He questioned his identity, struggled with dashed dreams and sin, and fought to keep believing that God is good, loving, and faithful.

  Don’t miss it—just click on the link above.

• The Calamity Club by Katherine Stockett, pub May 5, 2026

  I have mixed feelings about this book. Here’s what I loved: the characters, the time period, the setting, and the themes. The protagonists are Meg, an 11-year-old abused orphan, Birdie, a young woman trying to save her family from financial ruin, and Charlie, a desperate mother trying to get her child back. I especially loved Birdie. She’s strong but doesn’t recognize how resilient and special she is. And Meg is a scrappy, smart survivor. The inner strength that both these characters have is inspiring and tender. They’re funny, too.

  It’s set in Mississippi in 1933, during the great depression, and it’s fraught with dueling southern charm and prejudice. This South is the perfect setting for layered emotional conflicts and complicated relationships.

  So, what’s not to love? Well, I wish the women could have figured out another way to make money. If you haven’t read it, I won’t spoil it. And maybe it won’t bother you. The fact that they do what they do highlights the lack of options women had and illuminates the contrast between “good, religious” people and those who accept and love others for who they are. In other words, hypocrites vs. genuine. But I just wanted better for them.

  Stockett is a wonderful author, and she paints a vivid portrait of the desperation and determination of people trying to outwit severe difficulties. The themes of poverty, female friendship, love, hypocrisy, and resilience make a strong novel. Many thanks to publisher Spiegel & Grau and NetGalley for an advance readers’ copy.

• Babylon, South Dakota by Tom Lin, pub May 26, 2026

  This is billed as an American West saga about a Chinese American family trying to survive on their Dakota farm, but it has elements of magical realism. It’s a literary novel, with poetic writing, that explores secrets, personal and familial identity, and the consequences of our choices.
  
  The main characters are Saul Keng Hsiu, his wife, Mei Lee, and their daughter, Mara. After they move from China to a 160-acre homestead they inherited from a distant relative, they must learn to survive harsh conditions without even knowing the language.
  
  After the US Army Corps of Engineers buys an acre of their farmland and begins building a missile silo, strange, awe-inspiring, and tragic events start to happen. In the years that follow, the impact of these occurrences on the Hsiu family becomes more pronounced. It’s both a gentle and disturbing read. Thanks to Little, Brown & Co. for an advance readers’ copy.

  

• Alan Opts Out by Courtney Maum, pub June 2, 2026

  A witty, insightful, sharp, and (sometimes) gentle satire of modern consumerism. I got to hear this author speak at the Women’s Fiction Writers Association conference in Alexandria, VA. Loved her presentations, and I loved this book.

  It’s about a family living in an elite, wealthy Connecticut neighborhood. The mother, Vivian, is determined to be the next member of The Queen Annes, an exclusive women’s club. The father, Alan, is a successful ad executive in the business of coaxing people to buy, buy, buy. When Alan faces a crisis at work, their well-oiled climb to the apex of society takes an abrupt detour.

  Maum skewers our society’s relentless drive for more and then more, but she does it kindly. Vivian and Alan are ambitious and obsessively driven to pursue what each sees as success, but they are also decent and loving. They love each other and their daughters, and, ultimately, that serves to ground them.

  Maum skillfully spotlights what materialism can do to its unsuspecting participants with dry humor couched in compassion. I think that’s an achievement. Many thanks to the publisher, John Murray, for an advance readers’ copy.

• The Hope Keeper by Heather Webb, pub May 19, 2026

  This historical fiction novel is set in 1919 Washington, D.C., with Elisabeth Beaumont, a young jeweler, as the protagonist. Elisabeth becomes entangled with the toxic world of socialite Evalyn McLean in an effort to help her father’s flagging business and uncover what really happened to cause her twin brother’s death. The infamous Hope Diamond is another character, and the author allows the gem to speak for itself.

  Though Elisabeth is fictional, Evalyn McLean was real. I was curious about her after reading this novel, which I think is a sign that the author has done a good job of drawing an interesting character. The book explores themes of family duty, wealth and glamour, female friendships, secrets, and grief.

  Thanks to the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for an ARC.

• The Frenzy by Joyce Carol Oates, pub June 16, 2026

  It’s crazy that I get to review a book by this Powerhouse Author. Capital P, Capital A. The first JCO book I read was Bellefleur, and I remember being blown away. This woman can write. One of the all-time best American authors.

  This collection of short stories will punch you in the gut with its rawness, insight, and truth. I read the first half of the book in one sitting; I read the other half between novels. It’s probably best to take a break between stories to give yourself time to digest them.

  Themes of love, obsession, death, jealousy, free will/fate, reality, and grief weave through the characters’ relationships. I’m amazed at how Oates can paint such a full, believable character within a short story, and how she can get to the heart of the human condition with such spare prose.

  Oates gives a masterclass in writing every time she pens a page. But, fair warning, these aren’t feel-good, happy stories—not that you’d expect that from her. She wrestles with darkness, evil, disappointment, and fear so deftly that you can’t look away. Thanks to Penguin Random House for an ARC.

That’s it till next time. Oh, almost forgot to tell you—we’re heading to Alaska this week for an adventure! Stay tuned!

When I started my professional writing career, I was a journalist with deadlines. Not everything I typed up could be afforded the luxury of being rewritten. And occasionally that meant I made public mistakes. Public mistakes in print. Forever.

I’m being a little dramatic about that word “forever.” The only person who kept everything I wrote was my grandmother, and she didn’t give one lick about any mistakes I made. Grandmothers are good like that. Most of my forever mistakes are filed on microfiche somewhere—yes, I’m that old. The cloud wasn’t invented when I was a newspaper journalist. I don’t expect anyone to be motivated enough to dig up my errors and confront me with my imperfections. So, there’s solace in that.

After I left my position at the newspaper, I started writing for magazines. I still had a deadline, but it was no longer a daily beast. Rewriting and fine-tuning words and sentences became more of an option.

But since I’ve jumped into the waters of fiction writing, I can swim in vast oceans of rewriting. For now, anyway. When I get that contract that compels me to write three books in three years, any floating about will have to be converted into more deliberate strokes.

Rewriting, also known as revision, has never been something I dread. I love it, in fact. I see it as a chance to improve. Who doesn’t want to improve? But rewriting can also be an excuse to never finish. Any writer will tell you, there’s ALWAYS room for improvement, and endless rewriting will not get you to a finished product. Sometimes you just have to say, “There. It’s done.”

I’m almost to that point with the latest set of revisions I’m doing on my next book. Technically, it’s still a manuscript. But one day, after I’ve read it many, many times, and more sets of eyes have scoured it, and my team has finally agreed it’s ready, it will be a book. A real physical book with a fabulous cover, a titillating table of contents, compelling chapters, and acknowledgments galore.

And I won’t read it again. Because if I do, I’ll see something that I want to rewrite. And it will be too late. And my grandmother won’t be around to not care about mistakes.

I wonder how many revisions the books I’ve enjoyed this month underwent…

Subscribe now

What I’ve Been Reading

• Indigo Isle by T.I. Lowe, pub June 6, 2023—I really enjoyed this Christy Award Winner for contemporary romance and book of the year. It’s about a successful Hollywood location scout whose work leads her right back to the home she left behind and to a relationship with another damaged soul. Set off the coast of Charleston, S.C., it’s a love story with themes of forgiveness, second chances, healing, and redemption.

• My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout, pub Jan. 12, 2016—Strout is a master of the quiet novel that teems with life’s achingly beautiful moments. This one is about an estranged mother and daughter’s reconnection, and it deftly handles overcoming past hurts, ambition, not being understood, and irrevocable family ties.

• Evidence Not Seen: A Study of Faith and Survival in a Japanese Prison Camp by Darlene Deibler Rose, pub Jan. 1, 1990—I don’t know how I happened on this book, but I’m so glad I did. It’s powerful and inspiring. Deibler Rose gives the true account of her life as a missionary in New Guinea and her experiences as a POW in a Japanese prison camp. In no way “preachy” or “holier-than-thou,” she writes with candor of her faith journey through some desperately trying years. My conclusion: This woman was a remarkable, courageous, dedicated soldier for God’s cause.

• Living Life Backward: How Ecclesiastes Teaches Us to Live in Light of the End by David Gibson, pub July 14, 2017—My relationship with the book of Ecclesiastes has been rocky. It’s not a feel-good book, and, admittedly, I’m drawn to feel-good books. But this philosophical book in the Old Testament’s wisdom literature is powerful and potent (suffice to say EVERY book of the Bible is both powerful and potent; it is the living, breathing Word, after all!) Gibson’s take on Ecclesiastes is rich with insight and has changed my perspective. His premise: “Keeping the end in mind shapes how we live our lives in the here and now…letting (the certainty of death) inform our journey.”

• Lidie: The Further Travels and Adventures of Lidie Newton by Jane Smiley, pub April 21, 2026—Smiley will always be at the top of my favorite authors list. This novel, set in 1857, sends Lidie Newton from her hometown of Quincy, Ill., across the sea to Liverpool, England, where she and her sister find new lives—Lidie as a lady’s maid and her sister as an actress. The story is a fresh look at the effects of the Civil War, with insights into truth, beauty, love, and genuine fulfillment. Give me a headstrong woman as a protagonist any day. I just adored Lidie. I didn’t read The All-True Travels and Adventure of Lidie Newton (Book 1), and that didn’t affect my enjoyment of this book, but I definitely will go back and read it now. Thanks to Knopf for an advance readers copy of this book.

• The Kindness of Strangers by Emma Garman, pub May 12, 2026—Set in London, 1953, this cheeky dose of murder mystery features characters who are not at all what they first appear to be. An old Victorian house is host to a variety of lodgers, ranging from bohemians and writers to debutantes and refugees. This is Garman’s debut, which is impressive given how layered and nuanced the novel is. Thanks to S&S/Summit Books for an ARC

• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion #5-8 by Beth Brower, pub Aug 26, 2023-Nov. 2024—If I’ve failed to motivate you to read this series yet, then I mourn. Read it! It’s smart, funny, voicy, interesting, and fresh. I’ve read the eight books that are out (they’re short) and plan on reading ALL future ones. The ninth is due out this year, with the hopes of a total of 24 volumes. It’s about the life of a 20-year-old woman (an orphan) who lives in a colorful neighborhood near London in the late 1800s. Brower doesn’t miss a beat—every book is delightful, chock full of quotes from literature, insights about faith, pithy observations, and witty, melodic prose. I have highlighted multiple passages because the writing is irresistible. The characters become more interesting as the series unfolds, and you will find yourself cheering, crying, laughing, and meditating on their foibles and adventures. (Note: The series’ first book started slow for me…stay with it!)

As I sign off, I’d like to wish you a merry, merry month of May. If I’m lucky, my days will be filled with revisions and reading. Any recommendations for either? If you’re a writer, what tips do you have for effective revisions? If you’re a reader, what’s been the most satisfying book you’ve read recently?

Leave a comment

Sure, my patience was reinforced. Yes, I learned valuable insights. And, my goodness, did I receive grace after grace. So, okay, okay, some very good things came out of my experience with a broken wrist. But can we count it as “lessons learned” and move on?

After all, it’s spring, the season of HOPE. Dogwoods, azaleas, jonquils, wisteria, hyacinth, and forsythias are colorful exclamation marks to the blue sky and warming temperatures. Easter returns to remind us of victory and life.

And, since it’s the season of HOPE, I’ve reviewed some books that I HOPE you will love…

• Songs of the Dead Road by Carolyn Newton, pub date Jan. 12, 2026

Ah, my friend Carolyn has done it again! She delivers a haunting, mesmerizing reading experience with Songs of the Dead Road, her second brilliant historical fiction. This story follows a character only briefly seen in Carolyn’s debut novel, The Refugee’s Daughter. Ján Balik is a Polish musical protégé who survives the brutalities of Nazi-occupied Poland, including a horrific orphanage and a ghastly Soviet labor camp.

Ján, a pianist and composer, is ripped from his privileged life as a slight, sensitive boy studying music. Over the unlikely long span of his life, he composes works inspired by the people he loves in a prized leather notebook that literally saves his life. Carolyn weaves the power, beauty, and redemption of music into every scene. I wish she would put together a soundtrack for this novel. It would be emotional, tender, sad, and healing.

The story is unflinching in its raw honesty, but it is ultimately a novel of the power of genuine, sacrificial love and the grit and determination of survival. Ján and other characters are broken, aching people who imperfectly scale their mountainous traumas to claim their futures.

What a compelling book. Click on the link above to purchase it if you haven’t already. And here’s a link for tissues—you’re gonna need them.

• Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg, pub date March 17, 2026

I am on a roll with great stories that are gentle, insightful, and poignant (looking at you, Theo of Golden). Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg now tops my list. I loved it. It’s about 92-year-old Florence “Flo” Greene, who writes a letter to Ruthie, her former neighbor, whom Flo watched grow up and remained in contact with.

As she explains the objects she’s leaving behind for Ruthie, Flo’s story emerges. Items as ordinary as rubber bands and strands of ribbon are infused with tender memories. Secrets emerge, and relationships unfold with surprising details. But the book is not just about the past. Flo continues to live a vibrant life of small adventures, helping others find their way.

Themes of forgiveness, remaining connected, aging, finding beauty in the difficult, and learning what is most important in life (hint: it’s not stuff) are handled with grace and wisdom.

Berg is a master at capturing the emotional depth of “ordinary” characters, proving that each of us carries an important story, even if we’re not well-known. This book will inspire you, encourage you, and sing a song of hope to you. Don’t miss it.

• Dog Person by Camille Pagán, pub date April 7, 2026

I love everything Camille Pagán writes, but I really resonated with Dog Person. Because I am one. A sucker for dogs, that is. Readers enjoy the story through the eyes of the wise and loyal dog, Harold. Oh, how I love Harold. He’s funny, insightful, generous, thoughtful, and…old. He thinks he’s nearing death and wants to help his human before he goes.

The book celebrates life. Pagán writes with a tender touch as she explores second chances, character, grief, and love. And if a wonderful dog as the narrator isn’t enough, she throws in books and romance. Pure magic.

Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for an early review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

• Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth, pub date April 21, 2026

I’m in a season of loving books that feature quirky, older protagonists. Mad Mabel fits the bill. This contemporary women’s fiction by Sally Hepworth is set in Melbourne, Australia, and tells the story of an 81-year-old sharp-tongued, independent woman named Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick.

Turns out this “ordinary” woman who lives in the suburbs is Australia’s youngest convicted murderer. Dubbed “Mad Mabel” by the media, she was convicted of murder at age 15, and now that a neighbor turns up dead, suspicion that she’s at it again cranks up.

The characters are fabulous. Mabel is wonderfully curmudgeonly, smart, and misunderstood. A precocious seven-year-old, Persephone, talks Mabel’s ear off and makes the most unlikely friend. And, there are nosy neighbors who delight in rumors and suspicion, and true crime podcasters who want to uncover the truth. Themes of resilience, determination, trauma, justice, and relationships underscore a story that’s ultimately hopeful and redeeming. I think you’ll love it.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advance readers’ copy.

• The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch, pub date April 28, 2026

When former homicide detective, Gwen McDaniel, moves to Maine to patch up her marriage and leave behind her life investigating murder, she lands in a nest of secrets and mystery. The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch is an eerie, atmospheric psychological thriller, complete with a spooky, historic house, unexplained, unsettling noises, and a sinister message carved into the floor.

Tension abounds. Gwen and her husband, Steven, a doctor, struggle with their past trauma. The small town in a beautiful setting sizzles with rumor and innuendo. The house the couple has purchased seems to be alive with ghosts. Yes, this book checks all the boxes with its twists and turns.

It’s billed as a Christian Mystery and is free of bad language, sex, and serious gore, but it does deal with subjects like child abuse that could be triggering for some. Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for an advance readers’ copy.

More Recent Reads

• Theo of Golden by Allen Levi, pub Oct 3, 2025—Loved it! If you haven’t read it yet, what are you waiting for? It’s 400 pages of encouragement. (Honestly, it started a little slow for me, but well worth hanging in there for.)

• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion #2-4 by Beth Brower, pub Aug 26, 2023—I’m using these FUN reads as “palette cleansers” and, oh, are they ever delightful, tasty treats!

• Memory Lane by Becky Wade, pub Feb 14, 2023—A sweet “opposites attract” romance that’s billed as Christian Mystery & Suspense Romance.

• The Names by Florence Knapp, pub ‎May 6, 2025—This is a Jenna pick, but it’s not my pick. Clever premise, well-written, and thought-provoking, but ultimately too sad for me to enjoy.

• Nero & Paul by Kathie Lee Gifford and Dr. Bryan Litfin, pub March 10, 2026—DNF

So, there you go—a delightful mix of outstanding work by authors who are my heroes. What are you reading?

You may need the tips now, or you might bookmark this for later, because eventually (not to be a Debbie Downer, but…) no matter who you are, you’ll find yourself uncomfortably stuck in a dark, perhaps quite foul, pit at some point. That’s life.

I’ve had time to think of strategies as I recover from wrist surgery. Let’s face it, when you’re a writer and an artist whose right hand is out of commission, it’s tempting to waller in the dingy, slimy hole of negativity. But, having succumbed to said temptation at various “pit stops” along my journey through life, I’ve found it’s terribly unproductive and often leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth—sort of a mix of rancid meat and curdled milk.

So, let’s begin: Tracey’s Top Anti-Pit Tips

1. This first one may surprise you, but it’s actually crucial to success. Whether you follow the rest of my advice or not, at least give this a go. Are you ready? It’s this: Acknowledge the pit. Examine it. Crawl around in it. Don’t be afraid of getting a little gunky. Living in denial can only work for so long. Call a spade a spade, cry a little (or a lot), blow your nose, look in the mirror, and cry a little more because you’re ugly when you cry, and you’re not fit for anything. When you’ve exhausted yourself and have felt all the feelings, you’re probably ready to attempt the climb out. Warning: Tears may reappear. Not to worry. You’ve made progress.

2. Comb the Scripture for emotional and spiritual fortification. When I’m pit-dwelling, I love the Psalms. David and the other psalmists are so brutally honest and direct. No shying away from tough emotions. No pretending they’ve got it all together. Complete recognition that they need the kind of help only God can supply. Like this: Psalm 143

3. Find funny. I have friends who are skilled at combing social media for hysterical videos and memes. Cultivate such friendships with determination. They are a fast-pass out of pithood. Read a funny book, watch a sitcom, watch a funny movie, watch YouTube videos of people falling down. (I know it’s a little mean to laugh at people falling down, but—hey—if I can laugh at that, you can too.)

4. Get lost in the arts. Whether it’s a great book (I recommend several below), beautiful visual arts, encouraging music, or a great series to stream, good art can transport you right out of your pit.

5. Make a gratitude list. Put everything on it. I mean everything. “I’m thankful I am (in this particular pit) ________ because it has led me to understand ________.” I’m not talking about being all Sally Sunshine here. This isn’t “name it and claim it” theology. I’m talking about doing the hard work of mining the grit and gravel that lines your pit to find a nugget of gold.

And, As Promised…

I’ve been reading like crazy since it’s tedious to write one-handed. I haven’t written reviews for all of them, but I have written a few full reviews with brief notes about the others. We stayed with our grandsons for a week this month, and they were incredulous that I’d never read Harry Potter. So, I corrected that. I also dipped into the romance pool, a genre I rarely read. But a guaranteed happy ending seemed like good medicine right about now, so I dove in. I also found three lovely, gentle reads that were like a balm. Plus, an exciting bonus read…

• Snake Wife by Samantha Burgess-Smith, release date 12/6/2025—I may be a little prejudiced here because this was written by my amazing niece! She’s a talented writer and has built a powerful world in her debut fantasy novel. Themes of motherhood, feminism, sacrifice, power, love, and strength. She even got a Kirkus starred review! I’m a very proud (and evidently cool) aunt. Click on the title to read more about it.

• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling, release date 12/8/2015—gosh, what a world of imagination!

• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling, release date 12/8/2015—even better than the first.

• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling, release date 12/8/2015—now J.K. is really rocking it (and I’ve been told by Grandson #2 that each book in the series gets better!)

• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower, release date 11/2/2019—loved it & can’t wait to finish the series. Downton Abbey vibes, great voice, no foul language or smut.

• Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout, release date Sept. 10, 2024—No one is better at exposing truth through spare, precise language than Elizabeth Strout. I fell in love with Olive Kitteridge in 2008 and continue to adore the world of Crosby, Maine. This book focuses on the character of Bob Burgess, a kind, gentle man who doesn’t really know himself.

Some More Reviews

• Whispers of Painswick Court by Julie Klassen, release date 12/2/2025

  Billed as a Regency romance and mystery, Whispers at Painswick Court features protagonist Ann Loveday, an independent, intelligent daughter of a doctor. Ann loves the world of medicine so much that she has decided to never marry, quite an unusual choice for women of this period.

  Longing to escape the pressure of a stepmother who wants to see her marry, Ann returns to Painswick, the place where she and her sister spent many happy summers. She accepts a position caring for the sick Lady Celia of Painswick Court and works to redeem herself from the fact that her mother died while in Ann’s care. Soon, mysterious happenings, not to mention a handsome young physician, disrupt her life.

  Romance, murder, an English mansion, and a twisty plot that will cause you to question every character infuse this book with charm. If you like historical fiction, romance, and mysteries written from a Christian perspective, give it a read.

  Thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

• Watching Over Her by Jean Baptiste Andrea, release date 1/6/2026

  As the story opens, the reader meets the mysterious Mimo, a gifted sculptor, who is on his deathbed in an Italian monastery in the 1980s. The monks have long accepted this unusual resident, who is not a monk but is a dwarf, and the unanswered questions about him.

  Mimo’s story begins when his mother sent him away to apprentice as a stone cutter/sculptor after his father died in World War I. His life journey quickly intersects with a brilliant, progressive, independent-thinking woman named Viola. And through Mimo’s memories, we live through the ups and downs, injustices and victories, heartbreak and hope that make this man’s life exceptional.

  It’s a sweeping saga that explores themes of freedom, love, art, and how we’re shaped by the zeitgeist of our time as well as by the people we love and depend on. The characters are multi-dimensional, complex, and fresh. They pull at your heartstrings even while frustrating you with their flaws—just as real people do.

  Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

• The Belle of Chatham by Laura Franz, release date 1/20/2026

  A 1777 New Jersey village caught in the crosshairs of the American Revolution is the setting for The Belle of Chatham by Laura Franz, winner of two Christy Awards.

  And, as you might expect, the central conflict between the protagonist, Maebel Bohannon, and her sister, Coralie, is rooted in the war. When the Bohannons house American officers, tensions mount between the once-close sisters. Coralie, devoted to a childhood sweetheart who is a Loyalist, is vehemently opposed to the Patriots’ cause. Maebel, however, becomes increasingly involved with the American general Rhys Harlow.

  As the Revolution rages near the Bohannons, Mae’s heart threatens to tear from its own battle. Themes of familial loyalty, sisterhood, bravery, desire, sacrifice, and duty are the framework for this historical fiction and romance.

  Thanks to Revell Publishing and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

• The Bird of Bedford Manor by Michelle Griep, release date 2/1/2026

  This historical fiction, set in Bedfordshire, England, in 1820, stars Juliet Finch, a self-reliant, scrappy survivor. The novel is loaded with all the bells and whistles—romance, adventure. British charm, and enough tension to keep you turning the pages.

  Through twists and turns, Griep weaves a story that explores romantic relationships, faith, victimhood, and bravery. You root for Juliet, a strong but vulnerable woman who has turned to poaching, a crime that can mean the death penalty, to survive. And, you cheer for Henry, who has imposed high expectations and stress on himself with his fierce determination to care for his sister.

  Even if you figure out the mystery’s who-done-it question, you’ll enjoy the journey. It’s a faith-filled exploration of relationships, forgiveness, courage, and integrity that sweeps you into another time and place.

  Thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

• In Her Defense by Philippa Malicka, release date 2/3/2026

  Sometimes it’s to a book’s detriment to get a lot of early hype. I opened In Her Defense—which has a gorgeous cover!—with unrealistic expectations. Maybe it was what I read just before it. Or, maybe it was miscast by marketing. Whatever the primary reason, I think my biggest problem with this Reese’s Book Club pick was the fact that I didn’t really like any of the characters. I don’t mind an unlikable character, but I really need a reason to root for someone.

  The premise of the book is intriguing. A self-help celebrity, a cult-tinged therapist, an art student, and an unreliable narrator populate the crazy world of a high-profile libel trial. Malicka explores themes of motherhood, friendship, obsession, sexual identity issues, and manipulation with solid writing. Goodness knows I couldn’t write a thriller (I’ll admit I was expecting more suspense than I got, too. Not a “can’t-put-it-down” drama for me.) And, maybe if I didn’t have such high hopes for it, I would have loved it.

  Thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

• You & Me and You & Me and You & Me by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees, release date 2/10/2026

  Time-travel is a hit-and-miss genre for me, but I keep picking them up. I can’t seem to resist. Happily, this book is a definite hit. It’s a nuanced, subtle, and thought-provoking look at that question many—if not all—of us have asked ourselves: What if I’d chosen this instead of that?

  In addition to being intrigued by the premise, I was curious to see what kind of novel these co-authors, the married couple of Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees, put out. Both have quite the writing chops and have written together before. My verdict? Having a male and female perspective serves up the most satisfyingly believable story of time travel there could be. Granted, you have to let go of reality and buy in, but this novel is worth it.

  The authors explore the choices of a middle-aged couple who’ve been married for twenty-five years and have settled into a comfortable, if not exciting and sparkly, life. They have a major case of the “meh’s.” As Adam and Jules get to see what even the slightest different choice would have made, the reader is treated to a deliciously layered view of who these people are.

  It’s real, tender, poignant, funny, and hopeful. Oh, and if they make it into a movie, the soundtrack would be sensational! Four and a half stars.

  Many thanks to Putnam and NetGalley for my advance review copy. My opinions are entirely my own.

• The Determined by Rachel Rueckert, release date 2/24/2026

  Female pirates? Yes, please. Based on real historic figures? Gimme, gimme.

  Mary Read and Anne Bonny achieved fame as two of the 1700’s legendary pirates. It was the “golden age” of pirates, and these women found themselves in lives they didn’t altogether choose but were determined to live as best they could.

  While I was expecting more “pirating” action, I was captivated by these two brave and honorable (if a pirate can be honorable) women. The story focused on their determination (hence the title), their grit (Ann is pregnant for most of the novel), and their friendship (again…it’s debatable that a true pirate would be a true friend, but it works here). Okay, enough with the parenthetical thoughts.

  Themes of honor, gender roles, survival, friendship, adventure, and freedom sail The Determined into the best kind of choppy (aka interesting) reading waters.

  Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for giving me an advance review copy for my unbiased opinion.

• More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen, release date 2/24/2026

  Anna Quindlen has a way of seeing—and distilling—beauty from the ordinary. More Than Enough tells the story of Polly Goodman, a married high school teacher who longs for a baby but, despite IVF, has not been able to have one. She is extremely close with the members of her book club, who give her a gag gift, a DNA kit, which brings unexpected results. She also learns that her closest friend is dying. These three strands braid together, delivering a quiet novel that’s insightful, tender, and ultimately hopeful.

  Quindlen tells a poignant story of friendship, family, and identity. Her characters deal with issues we can all relate to in some way, whether through firsthand experience or knowing someone who has faced them. Tough topics like grief, infidelity, terminal illness, rocky relationships, teen troubles, dementia, and weighty emotions are explored with a gentle touch.

  Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

  

  This Has Gone On Long Enough

  I can’t keep you returning to my Substack if I wear you out; so, I’m saving the other THIRTEEN (so far) books I read in January and February for future newsletters. I told you that I’d been reading a lot.

But, here’s a little tease…The next issue will include the titles, Theo of Golden, Memory Lane, The Life Impossible, The Names, Nero and Paul, and Life: A Love Story, among others. And there are five-star reads amongst this group!

Before you go, would you mind giving me a little encouragement? Either drop me a tip for pit escape or give me the title of your favorite funny book, TV show, or movie. I’m still mining my pit for gold, but I’m ready to be out of it.

Thanks for reading!

If you don’t follow me online, you may not know that two weeks ago I had surgery for a compound-fractured arm. Yes, that’s correct, a compound fracture, aka open fracture, means the bone pierced the skin. I thought about posting the picture of my arm or the X-ray, but decided they were too graphic for my PG-rated Substack.

Suffice to say, with my new hardware in place, I will forevermore set off airport scanners. So, if you see me in line—I’m the tall one with unruly curly/frizzy blondish/gray rootsy hair—it would be wise to change lanes.

This setback has its perks, though. My husband and mother have joined forces to care for me, and I might be getting spoiled. I’m spending a lot of time nestled in a wad of blankets on the couch with Lottie on my lap. My primary exercise has been lifting the spoon containing absolutely any food that appears before me to meet my open mouth. My other exhausting activity, which is burning calories at a steady rate of one per minute, is the sport of sponge-bathing. Don’t expect any pictures posted of that either.

Did I mention I broke my right arm and that I’m right-handed?

Being one who enjoys praise, now would be a good time for you to shower me with kind words about managing to get my newsletter out on time. I’m pecking away with my left fingers and am vowing to become ambidextrous over the next few weeks.

I will admit, however, that until I get voice-to-text installed, this space will be much more condensed. And, yes, you sighing in relief does hurt my feelings. I’m a little sensitive right now.

If any agents whom I have queried are reading this, now would be a good time to request my full manuscript. Or, at least write me a personalized rejection. You can’t all be cold-hearted gatekeepers. And, listen, if you’ve recently rejected me, I’d have no problem overlooking your initial error and resubmitting to you. I absolutely will not hold it against you. I’m not one to hold grudges (I do, however, remember your name and when I write the next best-seller that goes to auction and immediately gets optioned for a Netflix series…which, incidentally, is my plan for my current submission… I can’t promise you anything. You’ve been warned.)

Can’t we all agree it’s time to give this girl a WANTED break?

Okay, the preceeding paragraphs have drained me. I’m going to have to rebuild my writing chops. When I do get back to speed, you are going to be awestruck by the towers of books I’ve read and by the book reviews flying off this keyboard like a deck of cards in a tornado.

Until then, please let me know what you are reading. And excuse any typos or clunky phrasing. Ibuprofen does not do the heavy lifting Hydrocodone does, and I don’t have the bandwidth to pooread…make that proofread…right now.

Will you bring me a literary agent?

Will you convince me to send my manuscript to an indie publishing company?

Will you inspire me to self-publish?

And, while I’m asking questions, what books will you deliver for me to read?

What new places will I go?

What challenges will you bring?

What laughter do you hold?

Since Father Time isn’t offering any answers yet, I’m embracing the tension—a key ingredient in fiction. That’s what keeps the reader turning the pages. Last year was a year of big changes: We moved from Kentucky to North Carolina, my husband retired from his 43-year career, and our ninth grandchild (a fifth girl!) was born. I think this year will be one of continuing to learn what’s what, deepening budding friendships, and finding a rhythm that straddles productivity and peace.

Here’s a glimpse of our December:

Because of all the action, I didn’t get as many books read as I would have liked, and I haven’t had time to review the ones I did read. So, you’ll have a feast in February!

But before I go, I have one more question, this one for you. Do you make resolutions or choose a keyword or Bible verse for the year?

I’m going with a slogan this year: Choose Joy. A new friend of mine has a shirt sporting those two simple words, and I loved it. (Where’d you get that shirt, Denise?) I like it for many reasons. One, joy is a choice. Two, we may not have control of much, but we can control what we choose. And three, even when circumstances are difficult, painful, or downright horrible, there are still moments of joy to be found. You just have to look for them a little harder. I’m not one to shy away from hard work, and I’ll bet you’re not one to either.

So, if the answers Father Time gives me this year turn out to be disappointing or challenging or downright dumb, I’m still choosing joy. What about you?

Back to celebrations—we get to dive into the month of the celebration of all celebrations as we leap into December. That’s a lot of celebrations…as a writer I’m especially sensitive to overusing words, but in this case, I’m gonna let it slide.

Here’s a peek at some of the celebratory activities we launched the week of Thanksgiving.

• The only grand who didn’t participate in the gingerbread house building was Birdie, who was sound asleep. Or playing with the dog…

  

• Listen, I’m pretty impressed we pulled this off. Everyone was covered in icing, and little candies were scattered across the floor, but it was a smashing success. Pro tip: Hot glue the gingerbread pieces together. The icing won’t cut it. You’ll have a wobbly, gooey mess.

  Now, for books

  • Buckeye by Patrick Ryan, pub date Sept. 2, 2025

    I’m currently reading Jenna’s book club pick, and while I love the writing and storytelling, I’m not enjoying a couple of the characters. Let me know what you think.

  • The Fault Between Us by Stephanie Landsem, pub date Nov. 4, 2025

    This is marketed as Christian fiction, but it’s not heavy-handed or preachy. This title could not be more perfect. It’s wonderfully descriptive of both the action and the themes. And I love historical fiction that sheds light on an event or period I was previously unaware of. I had no idea there was a devastating earthquake in Yellowstone Park in the 1950s. Did you?
    
    The story revolves around three sisters whose mother left them when they were young. Their father, both loving and controlling, made it clear they were not to speak of their mother, which kept them unable to process their feelings. When one of the sisters, who works for a summer at Yellowstone National Park, defies her father and marries a man she met there, the family dynamics are strained. The father sends the two other sisters to talk sense into Claire, and—predictably—nothing goes right.
    
    I loved the themes of belief and faith, the role secrets play in shaping us, love for family, how deceit affects us, how difficulty and disaster scar and refine, and the realistic depiction of navigating marriage and close relationships. It’s a tender, yet suspenseful, book laced with truth and hope and set in a vivid, demanding wilderness.
    
    Thank you to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for an advance reader copy.

  • Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn, pub date Nov. 25, 2025

    A riveting, heart-rending, fascinating memoir that will cause you to question what you know about your own family. How would you feel if you found out your family had been involved in perpetrating one of the most horrific acts of World War II? That’s what happened to Christine Kuehn, and this book is her attempt to come to terms with what she learned. It’s remarkable.
    
    Kuehn lays out the story of her family with integrity and vulnerability. She researched deeply, examined honestly, and offered conclusions that didn’t downplay the crimes but did provide insight and understanding. It is a fascinating look at a “normal” family that was swept into Hitler’s spell, and the aftermath of that family’s decisions. Secrets, lies, and deceit run alongside love, loyalty, and confession.
    
    Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for an advance reader copy.

  • My Fair Frauds by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne, pub date Dec. 2, 2025

    A fun historical fiction romp through the world of New York society snobs. I just love a story about greedy, entitled swindlers getting what’s coming to them. Drop those haughty hypocrites into the high society of the Gilded Age, and you have “My Fair Frauds,” a delicious, dramatic tale that’s abundantly readable.
    
    I liked the twist of having the con artists be con women. Alice, who poses as a Grand Duchess from a Germanic nation, is the ringleader of the scam. She’s out to take down five ruthless robber barons who destroyed her family. Cora, intent on earning enough money to buy back the family farm, becomes Alice’s mentee.
    
    The book is loaded with characters (I had to stop and think about who was who at times) and enough mystery and intrigue to keep you turning the pages. Wealthy people behaving badly is oddly satisfying—I’m not sure why. Maybe we want to believe that the uber-rich couldn’t possibly be honest, hard-working successes so that we have a reason to regard our “normal” level of wealth as honorable.
    
    For whatever reason, it’s fun to boo the bad guys and keep your fingers crossed that the “good” guys really are good. You’ll have your suspicions.
    A great read that I thank NetGalley and Harper Muse for gifting me in return for this review.

  • Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan, pub date Oct. 19, 2021

    I missed this one when it came out, but I’m always interested in anything about C.S. Lewis. “Once Upon a Wardrobe” is an invitation to imagine how C.S. Lewis came to write his Narnia series. It’s also a sweet portrayal of devoted sibling love and overcoming painful circumstances.
    
    If you haven’t ever read “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” or any of Lewis’s work, you’ll not be able to resist gobbling it up after you finish this book. Callahan weaves the magic of imagination with facts to create a story within a story.
    
    It’s set in the 1950s in England, where the protagonist, Megs, a 17-year-old math and physics student at Oxford University, meets C.S. Lewis after her dying 8-year-old brother begs her to learn what she can about Narnia. When Lewis answers Megs’ question with a series of autobiographical stories, the logic-driven young woman learns the importance of imagination.
    
    Tender and descriptive, Callahan creates a believable world for the reader, who vicariously enjoys a cuppa with Lewis in the comfortable, cozy home he shares with Warnie, his brother. She explores the sweet relationships between Lewis and his brother, and between Megs and her brother George, and how stories can bring comfort and hope.
    
    Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson, the publisher, for a copy of this book.

Click the title to buy any of the above books on Amazon. Oh, and shameless plug, it’s always a good time to order my book, Toward the Corner of Mercy and Peace. I promise I’m working on my next book, but the move really took the wind out of my writing sails! I’m looking forward to a dull January during which I can hole up with my next novel and FINISH STRONG.

That’s all for now. Except for this:

Please enjoy this holiday season. It’s probably not going to look like it does on Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook, but remind yourself often that picture-perfect isn’t the goal. The goal is to honor God for sending His Son, Jesus, to a lost and dying world. The celebration is about the greatest Light that’s ever shown, the most transformative Gift that’s ever been given. If you want to talk more about the point of Christmas, I’m happy to. Just message me or reply to this email.

Merry Christmas, friends.

And then comes November. Oh, yes, November ranks right up there. It’s the month that holds Thanksgiving in its arms as tenderly as a Pilgrim holds a pumpkin pie. I don’t know if that’s a thing—Pilgrims tenderly cradling pie—but it ought to be.

But Wait! Did the Pilgrims give us pumpkin pie?

From the extensive research I’ve done (I googled the history of pumpkin pie), it’s safe to say it’s been around a while. The Pilgrims may have indeed given us pumpkin pie. But here’s something you may not have known about those orange discs of sweetness: they bring a whiff of political spice with them from the past. Sarah Josepha Hale, an abolitionist who worked for decades to have Thanksgiving proclaimed a national holiday, featured the pie in her 1827 anti-slavery novel Northwood. In 1842, another abolitionist, Lydia Maria Child, wrote her famous poem about a New England Thanksgiving that began, “Over the river, and through the wood” and ended with a shout, “Hurra for the pumpkin pie!”

Okay, I’ll stop with the pumpkin pie history lesson.

But before I leave the subject of pumpkins, how about a recipe? This is my favorite pumpkin bread recipe. Note: I add another half can of pumpkin and lots of chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans). I get three loaves from it, but the recipe says it makes two. Whatever. You don’t have to cook it as long if you pour the batter into three loaf pans, and you’ll end up with one loaf to eat, one to share, and one to give away. Win-win-win.

Okee-dokie, time for books! I’ve been on quite a roll lately, reading till the wee hours of the morning (11 p.m.). Some yummy pages to fill you up while you munch on that pumpkin bread. I’m in a very thankful and generous mood, and I’m doling out lots of stars to all of these selections. They each deserve all the stars for totally different reasons. Read ‘em and see if you agree with me.

Amity by Nathan Harris, pub date Sept. 2, 2025. Loved, loved, loved this book. It was the writing—so beautiful. Plus a darn good story. Read all about it here.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, pub date April 29, 2025. What a delightful epistolary novel. I wasn’t sure it would live up to the hype I’d heard before I read it, but it did! You’ll find my review here.

The Wayfinder by Adam Johnson, pub date Oct 14 2025. Block off some serious reading time to tackle this 700+ page tome. You’ll be transported to the South Pacific islands, where myths and battles rage as fiercely as the ocean. Here’s my review.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick, pub date April 22, 2025. A breezy blast of ‘60s zeitgeist with a focus on the themes of women’s place in society, marriage, friendship, and discovering yourself. Read my full review here.

Before I go…

I have to share a couple of pictures of what part of our October looked like. The grandkids are such a joy! With the boys playing baseball and basketball, we were at the ballfields and at the gym a lot. Loved every minute of it and can’t wait for flag football. Our visit with the girls coincided with a couple of their fall festivals, which was a treat. But hanging out with them is just the best. The other fun October occurrence was a visit with our dear friends, Cathy and Dale Hancock, who came all the way from Paducah. I forgot to take pictures of them (well, I have one of Dale trying to tame a butterfly), but remind me to tell you all about that long weekend—we went to two amazing museums, ate a bunch, and laughed like crazy.

For now, snapshots of two of our nine…

You still with me?

Curious?

Thought so…

A few months ago, our son and daughter-in-love were approached by a television producer to feature their Airbnb on “Staycation,” an Emmy-award winning show on the Destination Channel. They agreed to let them film at their home that overlooks Lake Wylie, and the episode will air on October 4. If you’re in the Charlotte area, you can watch it on channel 18 (CW affiliate) at 1 p.m., or you can stream it on Roku or Pluto.

We’ve gotten to sneak a peek, and—if I do say so myself—my daughter-in-love does SUCH a good job! She’s a natural on camera. You can see snatches of the four boys hanging out in and near the lake and—again, I know I’m prejudiced—they ace it!

Here’s a few shots of their cabin they call “Lake Haven A-Frame”…

If you want to hang out near Charlotte, of course, you are welcome to stay with us. But if you’re bringing a tribe that needs more space, you can stay in this now-FAMOUS A-frame. You can book it here..

It’s Connected to Writing How?

So, have you figured out what an A-frame has to do with my writing life? (Take a minute to think about it. I’ll be here when you’re through…)

YES! That’s right! I’m going to book it for a writer’s retreat!!! Any writers out there who’d like to get away and concentrate on your next project? We can sit on the deck and watch the changing leaves flutter in the breeze as we think about our next plot twist. We might build a fire in the fire pit and roast marshmallows as we read our day’s work to each other. Or, we could squirrel away inside or out with our laptops, uber-inspired by each other’s creative forces, not to mention Mother Nature’s inspirational juice.

And, if you’re not a writer but love to read, you could book it for a reading retreat! Doesn’t that sound absolutely decadent? Spend a whole weekend with friends doing nothing but popping bonbons and turning pages. I’ll throw in my book recommendations for free.

Lake Haven awaits! Message me!

Here’s What I’ve Been Reading

Just tap on the link to read my reviews. There’s a 5-star in the bunch!

• Last Light over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright, pub date Aug. 12, 2025

• World Pacific by Peter Mann, pub date Aug. 19, 2025

• The Elements by John Boyne, pub date Sept. 09, 2025

• The Literati by Susan Coll, pub date Sept. 9, 2025

• Circle of Days by Ken Follett, pub date Sept. 23, 2025

  

  Autumn—my favorite season—is perfect for weekend getaways, staycations, and reading or writing retreats! Not to mention hiking, consuming all things pumpkin, and breaking out your favorite soup recipes. What are you looking forward to reading or doing in October?

Give me all the recs.

In a sweet answer to prayer, God gave me a great neighbor. She knows stuff. Stuff I need to know. Like, who’s the best family care doctor, veterinarian, and dentist? Who can I get to walk the dog when we’re out of town? Who’s the president of our HOA, and what’s the code for the workout facility? Stuff like that.

I started thinking about my favorite blogs and influencers, and I realized they are my favorites because they recommend things — good things. So, this month I’m bringing you my latest faves. Random favorite things that you might like too.

Here goes:

1. TruFru! My daughter-in-love turned me on to these gems. You know how you want a little something sweet after lunch, but you’re trying to cut down? Well, pop one of these chocolate-covered fruit bombs into your pie hole and feel satisfied and virtuous all at once!

2. Knee Brace. I know, I know…a knee brace isn’t that exciting. But, if your knee’s swollen for some unexplainable reason (possibly because you got lost on a trail and might have twisted it as you tried to cross a little creek), I can’t emphasize enough how helpful this one is. I have one of their seat cushions for back support that I like too.

3. Television Series. The Big Door Prize is only two seasons long, and we haven’t watched all of it, but we’re liking its quirky premise and fresh characters. I love Chris O’Dowd, who was also on another show we loved called Trying. We liked Stick, too, on Apple or Prime. Why is Owen Wilson a star? His nose is odd, and he has a funny speech rhythm, but he’s got it. I don’t know, maybe you don’t like him that much…I think he’s a lot of fun to watch.

4. Owala Water Bottle. The best, hands down. Love the color combos, the straw, the little handle that allows you to dangle it from one finger. If you are stuck in the Yeti world, you may need an Owala. They ought to make me a spokesperson. I am that sold.

5. My new window washer. He has an unusual approach to washing windows. First, he sprays the window with a blast of bubbles, then he uses a grill cleaner brush to wipe it off. (My husband told me not to let him do that because it could scratch the glass, but it gives me so much joy to watch that I just can’t.) Here’s a link to his bubble gun.

   

   6. My relaxed, retired husband. I cannot emphasize enough how much I adore this man. He’s just the best. It’s not fair to everyone who is married to somebody else, but that’s the way it goes. The only related link I can give you is this.

   

   7. This podcast—A Twist of History. My daughter-in-love turned me on to this as well. Little stories you may not have known about history. I love the randomness of it—you can listen to one about bananas and then one about Cleopatra. Great variety, great voice.

   8. This luscious drink. I used to have to make my own Baptist Cocktail with ginger ale and cranberry juice. But now I can buy it! Okay, it’s ginger ale with cherry juice, not cranberry, but i,t’s still so good. A jazzy, refreshing, little pick-me-up on a hot summer afternoon.

   9. This set of beautiful Scripture journal books by Ruth Chou Simons. I’ve been slowly reading through the New Testament and journaling as I go. What a wonderful experience. Treat yourself to these and then let me see how you bring the blank pages to life with your insights or artwork.

   10. And here we are at my last recommendation. Guess what it will be…That’s right! Books!! Here are some I’ve read recently...

   • Across the Crying Sands by Jane Kirkpatrick, pub date May 20, 2025. Please read my full review here.

   • My Friends by Fredrik Backman, pub date May 6, 2025. You can read my review here.

   • World Pacific by Peter Mann, pub date Aug. 19, 2025. Read my review here.

Okee-dokie, those are my recs for September. Now, what about you? What are you loving? Don’t leave me hanging!

This story has not been embellished. You are not reading an unreliable narrator. Yes, the names have been changed to protect the innocent, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t offer trigger warnings. Should you have experienced any difficult moves, have issues with Russians, HVAC systems, or getting lost, this post may not be for you. Proceed at your own risk.

Everything was fine. Until it wasn’t.

On the day we were scheduled to move from Paducah to Charlotte, Max from “Mother Russia” arrived with his crew of non-English-speaking associates. (As an aside, I should have taken Spanish instead of French; never dreamed I’d need Russian.) We all did a lot of nodding and pantomiming to communicate. No one thought to use a phone to translate. The packing commenced. My friends provided lunch for everyone—thanks again, friends—and I supervised as well as I could.

When it became clear we were going to need another truck, things began to go south. Though we had clearly told the person who scheduled our move that they were loading two households—I’d even done a video walk-through with him—that little detail got lost.

That was the first of things lost.

Now, to save time, I’m not going into the details of the next two days of traveling, but it involved my 85-year-old mother following me in a torrential downpour, carsick dogs, a meet-up that did NOT occur at Buckee’s, and the constant nagging thought that all our earthly possessions had been hijacked by Russians.

Oh, and the tornado. Let’s not forget gathering in a Hampton lobby at 10:30 p.m. With strangers. In our pajamas. Because of tornado warnings. But on a positive note, the night clerk was congenial, and the folks gathered were friendly in that “We may die tonight together” way.

We finally got there.

Let’s just say we were adrift as we waited for our new house to be available and leave the narrative about those two weeks to your imagination.

Oh, did I mention why it was just Mom and me and Lottie Moon Buchanan and Tallulah Boom Boom Dodson? Did I forget to tell you that Kent was commuting? Yeah. He was flying from Paducah to Charlotte (specifically, Waxhaw, a suburb of Charlotte, to which I will now refer instead of Charlotte, as specificity and accuracy are important in my line of work) every weekend until August 1. Why did we think that was a good idea? Two months of commuting? On an airline with bad on-time departure stats.

Another little bit that I left out…Mom had just returned from my niece’s college graduation, where she’d taken a nasty fall. We counted our blessings that she broke nothing but her middle finger, but she looked a fright. And of all fingers to break. Splinted at attention like a soldier who is constantly cussing. Since she fell headfirst, her chin popped onto the pavement, and her teeth tore through her lower lip. Again, grateful she didn’t break any teeth or anything else on her face. Still, she looked like she’d taken on Women of Wrestling.

We are of tough stock, however, and we weren’t going to let anything get in our way. Mom, miserable because a busted lip and a broken finger are awful, even though it doesn’t sound all that serious, rallied every single day, modeling the pinnacle of good attitudes. We decided to make the best of it as we waited and explored our new home territory. Our soon-to-be neighbors could have legitimately reported us for stalking because we drove by our new house every day to see if we could see signs of them moving early.

Move-in day finally arrived. Thankfully, Kent stayed for a week instead of returning to Paducah at the end of that weekend as originally planned.

Now, listen, this wasn’t my first rodeo. We had moved plenty of times. But it’s a lot like having a baby. Just like you forget the pain of delivery once you see that little miracle of life, you forget the pain of moving. You forget it is physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. Not to mention that I’m a solid 65 with all the things—head, neck, back, stomach, feet. None of these issues is horrible, but they all made their presence known. Sort of like evil stepsisters who make cutting remarks about your weight. Not deadly, but still painful.

I can’t brag on my mom enough. We bought a house with a beautiful, light-filled second floor that she planned to convert to an upstairs apartment. It all seemed simple and even logical as we planned. She’d renovate her bathroom to a zero-clearance shower, she’d turn the playroom into a kitchen, and she’d install a chair lift. No problem.

But, as you might be muttering to yourself right about now, all that takes time. So, in the meantime, she had to climb those steep, wooden stairs and live with unpacked boxes and general discombobulation.

Next up? The toilet in the master bedroom was making sounds reminiscent of a dying bovine, implying we should avoid it and use the one down the hall. Then the downstairs air conditioning didn’t make any cow sounds, but it died nevertheless. We’re having record heat here. Of course we are.

Fortunately, Mom’s still worked. So, after a day of unpacking boxes or arranging furniture or breaking down boxes or screaming at Lottie, who had learned she could jump up on the kitchen island and eat sticks of butter, after a HOT day involving one or all of these events, I slept upstairs in blessed coolness. We spent the entire month praying that the upstairs unit would carry its load without dying.

Now, since this is getting lengthy, I will truncate:

• The unit had been inspected prior to our purchase.

• We had a home warranty.

• My husband has been working in the HVAC arena for almost 44 years and knew what the problem was.

• The home warranty agency still denied our claim. Twice.

And that’s all I’ve got to say about that.

No. Allow me one more thing…

Despite the Spectacular 2025 Move From Hell, we are incredibly blessed. Our belongings (mostly) were delivered (mostly) unbroken. We have precious relationships that span the ages of 85 to 4. We live in a beautiful home with a brand-spankin’ new air conditioning compressor. We have found great physicians, good neighbors, and a lovely new church.

But. I will never move again.

Definitely.

Probably.

Maybe.

Possibly.

Before you go, let me tell you what I’ve been reading. Yes, I found time to read. It was escapism at its fullest.

Recent Reads

• Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell, pub date June 24, 2025. Domestic, psychological thriller.

• Across the Crying Sands by Jane Kirkpatrick, pub date May 20, 2025. Christian historical fiction.

• A Most Puzzling Murder by Bianca Marais, pub date June 10, 2025. Quirky murder mystery.

  The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett, pub date April 29, 2025. Humorous, family fiction

• The Death of Us by Abigail Dean, pub date April 15, 2025. Psychological thriller.

• The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce, pub date July 8, 2025. Family drama.

• The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel, pub date June 17, 2025. Historical WWII fiction.

These were all good books. Solid. Great writing, terrific premises, and interesting stories and characters. However, I’ve been a bit stressed, and I think it affected my enjoyment. So, in fairness to these wonderful authors, I’m going to skip writing reviews for each and instead link you to their Amazon pages, allowing you to decide for yourselves. You’ll no doubt be delighted by one or all of them—unless you’re in the middle of a cross-country move.

See you next month!

P.S. If you’ve read any of the books I listed above, let me know your opinion of them. And please feel free to share your moving tales of horror in the comments. It’s true. Misery DOES love company.

I’ve let you down.

There will be no newsletter this month.

I am still trying to climb out of the gigantic, meteor-sized hole that moving blasted me into. I look back at June, when I thought I was a tad stressed getting ready for the move, and sigh. Ahhh, those were simpler times.

I will update you in August. It’s a lengthy story with twists and turns. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. They’re thinking of making it a Netflix series.

Despite my ordeal, I couldn’t let the month pass without wishing you a HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!! Let’s celebrate big whenever we can!!

We love our new home and can’t wait to unpack all our boxes and begin seeing it as “ours.” This month and next will be a bit wonky with Kent traveling between Paducah and Charlotte every week, but Mom and I are in Charlotte full-time.

Here’s a pic of the outside. I’ll invite you inside after I get everything organized and fluffed just right!

We’re just ten minutes from our four grandsons (and their parents!), and I’m hoping the nature trails behind us and the neighborhood swimming pool, complete with a three-story spiral slide, will entice them to come over lots. That and homemade cookies. And Pop—he’s pretty fun.

I don’t have much time to write, so this month, I’ll get right to some of the books I’ve been reading.

Good Summer Picks

• Our Beautiful Boys by Sameer Pandya, pub date March 18, 2025

  I loved this book! It’s about some football players and their families, and it is subtle (I know! A book about football is subtle??), heart-wrenching, hopeful, and tender. Read my full review here.

• Rabbit Moon by Jennifer Haigh, pub date April 1, 2025

  Family dynamics are a source of endless fascination for me, hence my draw toward Rabbit Moon, the story of a dysfunctional, broken family searching for love and acceptance. Haigh is a nuanced and intimate writer who knows how to build tension, paint psychologically believable characters, and explore subtle themes. Here’s my full review.

• Shopgirls by Jessica Anya Blau, pub date May 6, 2025

  This book takes you back to the fashion scene of the ‘70s. It’s a combo of coming-of-age and women’s fiction. Here’s my review.

• My Name is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende, pub date May 6, 2025

  Don’t you love a story about a strong, independent woman ahead of her time? Take Emilia del Valle—a young writer who, in the late 1800s in San Francisco, convinces a newspaper editor to let her cover the war brewing in Chile. This wasn’t my favorite by cherished author Isabelle Allende, but here’s my full review.

• The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly, pub date May 27, 2025

  I expected a breezy summer read from the title and cover of this book, but, although it is easy to read, I don’t think it’s a typical beach read. (Don’t get me wrong—I love a good beach read and think authors of that genre are masterful writers, too.) Set on Martha’s Vineyard in a dual timeline of 2016 and 1942, it’s the story of Mari Starwood, Elizabeth Devereaux, and the Smith girls—Cadence and Briar. Here’s my review.

• The Evolution of the Gospelettes by Tammy Oberhausen, pub date Nov. 5, 2024

  A friend loaned me this book, and I’m so glad she did. It’s the story of a rural Kentucky family deeply tied to its religion and roots. When the domineering father organizes his harmony-making family into a Gospel band, complete with bee-hive wearing, toe-the-line Mama “Big Jean” on keyboards, the cracks in their family foundation start to show. The book explores religion, prosperity gospel, family loyalty, disappointments, dreams, and aspirations. It’s witty, compelling, and insightful. I absolutely loved it. Five stars!

Okeedokee…Gotta go unpack some more. Will I ever finish??

My husband is officially retiring at the end of July, but we’re moving this month. We’re headed to Charlotte, where four of our grandkids live (Oh, our son and his lovely wife live there, too!) You know how you wait and wait for something, and then, when it finally comes, it’s FAST? Well, we sold two houses and bought one over a matter of days. I’m mildly stunned.

I’ll miss sweet Paducah. Our lives here have been rich. We didn’t make this decision lightly. My precious Mom agreed to move with us, and we recognize that wasn’t an easy decision for her either. But despite the stress, we’re all in agreement that this will be a great new adventure.

I’m not a huge fan of social media, but one place it really shines is in keeping people connected. Being separated from loved ones physically used to mean writing individual letters or placing long-distance calls. I still remember the phone bill I ran up when Kent and I were dating…back in the dark ages. (I also still have all of our letters back and forth—TREASURES, each one.) Now, I can pop on Facebook or Instagram and reach thousands at once.

I can also continue writing this monthly newsletter. And will.

And, I hope you’ll stick around. I’ve got more books to publish, more stories to tell, and more books to read and discuss. I’ll have several book reviews to share with you next month—some really juicy reads you’re going to love!

For now, Paducah peeps, God Be With Ye—the phrase that morphed into goodbye. I WILL see you later…I’m coming back to give a talk in the fall. More on that soon. See? Not that easy to get rid of me!

About Lottie…If you’ve paid attention to my writing and/or my social media, you may not know this because I only (as far as I remember) implied that I had a wild child once or twice. But if you’ve been within earshot of my rantings, you couldn’t have missed it. The calm, gentle puppy we happily brought into our empty nest last year has “challenged” my patience.

Granted, I hadn’t had a puppy for seventeen years, so my memories of our early days with Francie were a sweet haze. I kept asking my husband things like:

“Did Francie tear up this many rolls of toilet paper?”

“Did Francie bark this much?”

“I don’t remember Francie having so much trouble calming herself, did she?”

“Was Francie this stubborn?”

And so on and so forth. The bottom line: I didn’t remember Francie being so MUCH. This new little red-haired, gorgeous spitfire of ours was SO SO MUCH. I cannot emphasize the “MUCH” enough.

While I did manage to “potty train” her, I couldn’t manage anything else but an occasional “sit,” and that was only when the mood struck her and I had plenty of treats in hand. After a year, I was worn out. I’d taken her to training. I’d read books and blogs. I’d worked with her faithfully. And I learned that while I have my strengths, dog whispering isn’t one of them. I was Done with a capital D. Even the late night cuddles couldn’t make up for the horrific days of struggle. (Maybe I’m exaggerating a bit, but not MUCH.)

So, when a friend told me about her daughter’s wonderful experience with Rebecca at River Retriever, I bit the bullet and shelled out some of my Christmas money for a month-long stint of dog boarding with training.

My husband balked: “A whole month?” he whined. Then proceeded to miss her like crazy. Me? Not so much.

Wanna know what happened after her month away at Doggie Bootcamp?

Nothing short of a miracle!

Our little Lottie Moon—named for a missionary, no less—came home a true convert!!

Here is a Before and After:

After…

She hogs my heating pad (another much loved Christmas present! LOL)

Some things still challenge her (looking at you, dog next door). She’s still a little whipper-snapper, and she still tests me on occasion, but overall, she’s calmer, listens to me more quickly, and is a joy to take on walks.

And, she wouldn’t be mine if she didn’t love to read. Here she is enjoying one of the many books I’ve read recently…

Which brings me to…

A Huge List of Books

Last month, in a heated rush to publish, I forgot to include some of the books I’d read that were being published in March. Never fear, I’ve ensured my list is complete this month. So, wow, do you ever have a long list to pick from. A few 5-stars, some solid 4-stars, and a few 3-stars.

In my mind, a 3-star book isn’t necessarily a dud or even mediocre. After all, every book that’s published is truly loved by a whole batch of people—it’s their 5-star. So, why isn’t it my favorite? Usually, it’s strictly a matter of my book mood, which has been scientifically proven to be a result of hormonal fluctuations. You’ve never heard of literary hormones? Well, that’s crazy. Literary hormones are very real and can be catastrophically potent (sometimes).

So, in no particular order…Wait, that’s wrong. There is an order. It’s by publication date. Here you go—

• Before the King by Heather Kaufman, pub date Jan. 21, 2025

Like the television series The Chosen, which helps you imagine biblical times, this historical fiction shines a light on a Bible character I’ve never thought much about—Joanna. Themes of duty, honor, family secrets, love, and hope swirl around the story, propelling the reader to see how Joanna's decisions—and those made for her—shape and prepare her to meet Jesus of Nazareth. Here’s my full review.

• The Girl from Greenwich Street by Lauren Willig, pub date March 4, 2025

I can’t believe I’ve never read a Lauren Willig novel. That’s not entirely true if you count All the Ways We Said Goodbye, which she co-authored with Beatriz Williams and Karen White. If you’re all about true crime, you love history—especially American history—and you can’t get enough murder and mystery, The Girl from Greenwich Street will tick all the boxes for you. Full review.

• The Jackal’s Mistress by Chris Bohjalian, pub date March 11, 2025

You can always trust author Chris Bohjalian to deliver a compelling story. This Civil War novel “inspired by a real-life friendship across enemy lines” is a winner. Yes, there are some tough things to read—surgery during the Civil War was brutal. And, yes, the fear and grief is palpable. But, oh, the characters! Full review.

• The Californians by Brian Castleberry, pub date March 11, 2025

This book is pitched as “for fans of Trust and North Woods” so I figured I had a 50-50 chance of loving it (I loved North Woods; I DNF Trust). The odds did not work in my favor even though it had the makings of a juicy story with a braided timeline that weaved between 2024, the 1980s, and 1924. Still, you might love it. Here’s my full review.

• The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry, pub date March 18, 2025

A mystery and a family drama, few books transport you to a place as wholly as this one. Her descriptive writing transports you first to a small coastal town in South Carolina, then to the gritty streets of London, and finally to the wild beauty of the northwest Lake District of England. Read my full review.

• Saltwater by Katy Hays, pub date March 25, 2025

What a delicious psychological/crime fiction author Katy Hays has given us. You can escape to the Isle of Capri with a wealthy family and all their dirt. Secrets and betrayals and surprising relationships abound! Here’s my full review.

• Heartwood by Amity Gaige, pub date April 1, 2025

I loved every word of this book. And, oh, the words! Beautiful language! Gaige’s prose is just fantastic. But pair that with a compelling story and original characters, and you have a literary feat. This is one of my favorite recent reads. See my full review here.

• The Sirens by Emilia Hart, pub date April 1, 2025

The layered mysteries of The Sirens are what kept me reading—that, and the great writing. I will admit there was a point when I thought I would abandon it because I’m not a huge fan of fantasy. But the element of fantasy was handled beautifully and believably. This story of two sets of sisters takes place in the 1800s, 1999, and 2019. Read my full review here.

• To Catch a Spy by Mark O’Neill, pub date April 1, 2025

All the ingredients are there—intrigue, mystery, romance, the French Riviera. I wanted to love this book. After all, the movie To Catch a Thief is a classic. However, I haven’t read David Dodge's novel of the same title. Writers I greatly respect gave To Catch a Spy high praise—Harlan Coben, for one. So, maybe I should have given that original book (Thief) a cursory read before I read To Catch a Spy. Maybe then my expectations would not have been so high. What I’m trying to say is, “It’s me, not you.” Here’s my full review.

• Dear Writer by Maggie Smith, pub date April 1, 2025

This little book is a gem. Whether you’re a writer or not, you can gain insight from this bestselling author’s essays. I can’t imagine there’s anyone who couldn’t benefit from “Pep Talks & Practical Advice For The Creative Life,” which is the book’s subtitle. Full review.

• The Mademoiselle Alliance by Natasha Lester, pub date April 8, 2025

Meet Marie-Madeleine Meric. It’s 1928, and Marie-Madeleine lives in Morocco with her husband, an officer in the French military. He values her for her beauty and for the information she can secretly learn from unsuspecting officials. But he does not appreciate who she truly is—an adventurer with a high tolerance for danger. Loved this book! Read my full review here.

• The Other Sister by Jessica R. Patch, pub date April 22, 2025

This twisty psychological thriller will keep you guessing right to the end. Oh, my goodness! So many shockers and so much tension. It's billed as Christian, general fiction, mystery, and thriller and is published by Harlequin, known for romance, so there’s plenty of room for all readers. I would not read it expecting a romance or Christian fiction, though—one character wears a cross necklace, and it’s free of foul language and sex. That’s about it, but that is a nice change from most contemporary fiction. Here’s my full review.

• The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff, pub date April 22, 2025

Since I attended college in Texas, I’m often drawn to books set there. The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff is a complex, multi-generational Texas family drama that deals with alcoholism, marriage, secrets, and loss. It spans the years 1958 to 2019 and is told from three points of view—husband and wife Ryan and Lillian Bright and their daughter Jet. Here’s my full review.

• Sister, Sinner by Claire Hoffman, pub date April 22, 2025

In the 1920s, Aimee Semple McPherson was America’s most famous evangelist and a forerunner of today’s televangelists. The woman knew how to market herself. She was a Pentecostal preacher who was innovative, creative, and controversial. Read my full review of this biography here.

• This American Woman by Zarna Garg, pub date April 29, 2025

This “One-In-A-Billion Memoir” is hilarious, heart-rending, and honest. I’m always wondering how anyone has enough mat!erial to write a memoir. I mean, there are so many memoirs now…Can all these people have lives interesting enough to keep me reading for three hundred pages? Well, I don’t know about all the people, but Zarna does. Head to my full review.

That’s all I’ve got this month. But, I’m predicting May will be FULL of surprises, so stay tuned.