Hope By the Book's Spring 2019 issue by Hope Magazine LLC

ISSUE 2 • SPRING • 2019

Spring Issue LIVE

Tips for Busy Moms Who Want To Read Too

INSPIRE

An Interview with Debbie Macomber

READ

What’s With All These Amish Romances? (an author’s take)

From page to screen

Rachel Hauck & the dream-come-true experience of seeing her book made into a movie (PLUS, a bonus original short story!)

Find

HOPE

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“Bostwick is my go-to author...always powerful, inspiring, and uplifting.”

—Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author

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Available Everywhere Books Are Sold

Explore America’s 1st Amish settlement in the Pennsylvania wilderness in this new, inspirational series…

contents 10 LIVE

READ

20 Live 5 Busy Moms Want To ReadToo

By Valerie Marie Woerner

6 Bookish Fandom 101

How to love your authors

By Beth Erin

8 An Introvert’s Guide to Friendship

By Carrie Schmidt

5 Ways to Read With Meaning

By Katelyn S. Bolds

An obsessive reader’s guide to making every book count

10 How To Style a Bookshelf By SwatchPop! Co-founders

Jessica McRae and Kristen Yonson

12 More Than The Room of Requirement

by Annie Sturt

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Read 24 Road Trip To The /unknown (genre) A safe guide to visiting genres outside your comfort zone

By Annie Sturt

26 What’s With These Amish

Romances?

By Patricia Davids

over Feature C A readerly chat with Rachel Hauck How one author’s novel became a Hallmark movie By Carrie Schmidt

Spring 2019

A Fresh Start • Vol. 2 No. 1

31 INSPIRE

Inspire

In Every Issue

29 Facing Down Writer’s Block

1 Prologue

30 The Fresh Start Conversation

By Jerry B. Jenkins

By Lori Stanley Roeleveld

31 How To Settle Your Soul

By Annie Sturt

32 When Passions Collide

By Mesu Andrews

PHOTOGRAPH: ©LAST19/ISTOCKPHOTO

33 Be A Blessing

Debbie Macomber talks about her new journal

Editor's Note

Masthead

20 Reviews

Recommended reads from professional reviewers in a variety of genres

28 Turn Back the Page

5 books you missed but shouldn’t

36 Epilogue

What we’re reading & loving right now

By Carrie Schmidt

34 The Taste of Memory

By Carla Laureano

SPRING 2019 HOPE BY THE BOOK 3

hope by the book Spring Issue 2019

A Fresh Start • Vol. 2 No. 1

Art Director Senior Editor Senior Editor Associate Editors Associate Editors Copy CopyEditors Editor Additional Reviewers

Special Guest Contributors

Chief Operating Officer (COO) Business/Finance Coordinator

Angelia L. White Angelia L. White Kim Baker Kim Baker Carrie Schmidt Carrie Schmidt Beth Erin, Rachel Dixon,

Annie Sturt, Erica Dixon, Baker Annie Sturt Beth Erin, Rachel Erica Baker, Baker Melony Teague Sydney Anderson, Jessica Baker, Katelyn S. Bolds, Katie Donovan, Patsy Glans, Phyllis Helton, Michele Howe, Michele McKee, Andi Tubbs, Leslie L. Howe, McKee,Leslie KerryL.Sutherland, Kerry Sutherland, Andi Tubbs, Suzie Waltner, Alysha Worthen, Felicity Younts Suzie Waltner, Alysha Worthen, Mesu Andrews Felicity Younts Patricia Davids Mesu RachelAndrews Hauck Patricia Jerry B. Davids Jenkins Rachel Hauck Carla Laureano Jerry B. Jenkins Lori Stanley Roeleveld Carla ValerieLaureano Woerner SwatchPop! Sherrell Jenkins Lori Stanley Roeleveld sherrell@hopeforwomen.com Valerie Woerner Sherrell Jenkins sherrell@hopeforwomen.com

4 HOPE BY THE BOOK SPRING 2019

PHOTOGRAPH: ©VIMVERTIGO/ISTOCKPHOTO

Publisher Founder Art & Publisher Director

busy moms want to read too

LIVE

BY VALERIE MARIE WOERNER

PHOTOGRAPH: ©LUMINASTOCK/ISTOCKPHOTO

Making time for reading can be so hard for us as mommas. We could always be doing

something more "useful" with our time, so we end up setting that next great read aside in order to fold one more load of laundry, sweep the floor or pay bills. And those are just the physical roadblocks. What about the mental ones? One of the biggest lies the world tells us about motherhood is that we simply can’t make time for ourselves. You might feel the weight of guilt as you try to crack open a book—but I want to free you from that right now, Momma. God loves all your wonderful acts of service as you take care of your family. But can I tell you something else? He loves you more. Lately I’ve been learning the beauty that is me just being me, not me being a workhorse who is valued only for what I can offer the world. What if we broke through the mental roadblock that reading time is something we have to earn and instead gave ourselves permission to view reading as a gift from God that we can and should delight in? We might begin to notice small opportunities to read, without feeling like we have to use every moment to cross another item off the todo list. I want you to enjoy the thing you love, and I want you to know that

God lights up to see your joy too. So here are a few quick tips to help you find time to read:

1. Plan a no-TV night at least once a week. I used to

be in the habit of plopping onto the couch in front of the TV each evening, thinking my favorite shows would refresh my weary momma bones. But it rarely refreshes me like a good book does. Now I head to the bedroom to read if my husband wants to watch something on TV. The more I choose to read, the easier that choice becomes.

2. Have a set time when the kids play independently

while you read. In previous seasons, this looked like 30 minutes of sitting on the couch with a book while my first daughter played with her toys or watched a cartoon. Now it looks like waiting in the carpool lane with my youngest in the backseat. I make sure to bring a snack or a toy that will captivate her attention, and I’ll pick up a book instead of my phone.

3. Always have a book with you. I was reminded of

this tip while reading The Fringe Hours, so now I make sure to keep a book on me at all times. It seems obvious, but I didn’t realize how many pockets of free time I had available for reading during the day. Bonus tip: I even try to get places five minutes early so I can have a little extra time to read.

VALERIE WOERNER is the owner of Val Marie Paper and author of Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday, in which she tackles misconceptions about motherhood that can hold us back from the joy God’s abundant life offers.

SPRING 2019 HOPE BY THE BOOK 5

LIVE

bookish fandom 101 HOW TO LOVE YOUR AUTHORS BY BETH ERIN

We love books. We love the wonderful people who write books. To quote Giselle from Enchanted, “How do they know that you love them? How do you show them you love them?” But seriously… how DO we express our love in a meaningful way that doesn’t cross that pesky bookish internet stalker line? Beyond the obvious pursuits of reading and buying books, there are many practical things we readers can do for authors (and fellow readers) in the name of book love!

Tell the World

Expressing your book love can be as easy as leaving a simple review on retail sites. Reviews help other readers find good books and improve your favorite book’s visibility within each online store. Skip the spoilers and book reports, friends; no one wants their eyes seared by the ruination of story surprise. Get friendly with your copy and paste features as you share your review in multiple shops, on sites like Goodreads and BookBub, and across your social media accounts. This is your opportunity to shout from the internet mountaintops and tell the world how that book changed your reader-heart forever! Actual mountaintops are optional yet surprisingly less effective so come on down from there and tell folks about your favorite authors face-to-face! Your local librarian wants to know what books to purchase for her patrons. She or he can’t read them all; it is your public duty to present your community with quality reading opportunities.

Visit your Authors

Visit authors on their websites (not in their driveways or at the gym), and you’ll usually find a list of their current books (backlist bliss) and upcoming releases! While you’re there, subscribe to their email newsletter for the latest updates delivered right to your inbox. If they have a contact form or mailing address, send them a little note about how much you love their stories. Did you notice any social media links on those websites? Follow your favorite author accounts on social media (always respecting the privacy of their personal accounts). Break out the heart-eyes emojis because commenting on posts makes them more visible to other readers, yay! Now you can tag that account when you share your review and/or

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This is your opportunity to shout from the internet mountaintops and tell the world how that book changed your reader-heart forever! favorite quote. If the opportunity arises, apply to promote a new release through an author’s influencer or street team.

Reader Tribe

If you are already expressing your readerly affection in the previously mentioned ways, hooray! Authors everywhere thank you for your support! A super reader like you is an excellent candidate for a book club. Join or organize one and share your favorites with fellow readers (you’re sure to meet some new-to-you books and make bookish friends, too). Now that you’re connected with your favorite authors online, you’ll be the first to know when there’s an event in your area. That’s right, you can meet an author in real life! Bookstores, libraries, craft fairs, and other businesses or organizations invite authors to their establishments for book signings. A few authors even organize tours at locations connected to their stories.

Level Up

Are you ready to take your avid reader fandom to the next level? Participate in a multi-author/reader event! Yes, I said “participate” because the authors are just as excited to spend the day with readers as readers are to spend the day with authors. These events are growing in popularity and, unlike convention type experiences, low reader to author

ratios encourage genuine interaction and joint activities. Don’t take my word for it… one avid reader had this to say about her next level experiences at a popular multi-author/ reader event: “Attending the first retreat could have been a bit daunting; I knew no one (having only personally met one author who was there) except through social media contacts and like most readers, I weigh in on the introvert side of the crowd scale. It was not long before I felt completely at home; being around so many people who loved to read, write, blog, and review Christian fiction was invigorating. The retreat was so well planned, and the schedule was filled with just the kinds of things that an avid reader and reviewer could readily absorb; and the bag of book bling to take home? Amazing! “The second time I attended the [author/reader retreat], I walked down a hall filled with familiar faces. Like a ‘literary family reunion’, everyone was genuinely happy to see those that they already knew and were looking forward to making new reading friends.” – Rebecca Maney We know that, inside of you, there is a little fangirl (or guy) yearning for an expressive outlet, free them! Share your author love on social media & use the hashtags #bebookish and #bookishfandom Don’t forget to tag us @ hopebythebook

SPRING 2019 HOPE BY THE BOOK 7

LIVE

an introvert’s guide to friendship BY CARRIE SCHMIDT

Jamie Martin, author of

Introverted Mom (Zondervan, May 2019), knows all about great books. In fact, she still remembers the first book that sucked her in as a child. “I remember sitting on a bean bag in a cozy corner [of her school library], surrounded by shelves crowded with books, completely engrossed in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. It was magical! Decades later I had the joy to read that book with my own three kids and watch them get sucked in, too.” Great books, she says, have a special power to connect us with each other, as illustrated by a recent uplifting encounter she had thanks to a beloved classic. “Not long ago in a Panera Bread I saw an elderly man sitting at a table with an old paperback copy of Anne of Green Gables in his hands. As I passed him I couldn’t help saying, ‘I love that book! It’s one of my favorites.’ He paused his reading, looked up with a smile, and told me that he had heard so much about it throughout his life and had decided to finally read it for himself. I wanted to give him a hug (but I restrained myself ).”

“ Great friends can lead us to great books, and great books can lead us to great friends.” 8 HOPE BY THE BOOK SPRING 2019

She adds, “Getting to know someone’s favorite books gives you such insight into who they are, even if you don’t know them that well yet.” This is particularly significant for those of us who classify ourselves as introverts and categorically hate small talk. In fact, Martin suggests that an introvert’s shortcut to friendship involves skipping the chit-chat and going straight for the ‘book talk’ which, she says, is just as much about listening as it is about talking. “For example, if you join a new group (a church, a child’s extracurricular class, a club, etc) and you overhear someone discussing a book you also read and enjoyed, make a mental note to meet that person when you can. Or chime in then if it’s appropriate to do so.” Martin’s own life is testament to this. One of her closest friendships of nearly twenty years began when a woman she greeted at church turned out to be an English teacher. “That was all I needed to know! We immediately had books in common, which not only helped us bypass a lot of awkward small talk, but also connected us at a deeper level right away.” Adds Martin, “And that’s what good books do—connect us with each other. They turn strangers into acquaintances, acquaintances into friends, and friends into kindred spirits.” *Learn more about Jamie Martin at simplehomeschool.net and check out our own website for more of this fun interview!

AN OBSESSIVE READER’S GUIDE TO MAKING EVERY BOOK COUNT BY KATELYN S. BOLDS

ways to read

with meaning

We obsessive readers pride ourselves in devouring books with ferocity, diving into a book and losing all sense of place and time. But sometimes doing this too often can make all that reading run together and seem a bit meaningless. Here are five ways I’ve found to help make every book count.

PHOTOGRAPH: ©MOTIZOVA/ISTOCKPHOTO

Be selective about the books you read.

Don’t just read a book based on the amazing cover or the recommendation of one friend. Investigate beyond the back cover blurb for each book that catches your interest; check out the first chapter (or click ‘Look Inside’ online) before you decide to take it home. Don’t read a book just because everyone else is reading it. Have your own opinions and interests. Every reader is different and should be. Otherwise we’d all just be consuming and regurgitating the same media and the same message.

Ask yourself—Why am I reading?

Do you read to escape? To learn? For entertainment? We all have reasons

why we choose to read, maybe even a few that we flip between. Determine your reasons and stick to them. If a book your friend recommended doesn’t fit your reasons, skip it. There are, of course, times to stretch yourself and try something new, but don’t feel guilty about having your own interests and reasons to read.

Don’t read a book you don’t like.

So many of us struggle with the idea of putting down a book we don’t like. But when you’re reading, make sure you are benefitting from the book’s content. If you’re just slogging through the pages or struggling to read a chapter before bed every night, just put it down. Avid readers don’t have to read everything.

Write a review of the book

There are many reasons to leave a review for a book you’ve just read. It helps your friends and fellow readers know what to expect, supports the author (if positive), and helps you lock in a memory of what you’ve just read. Reflecting on the title and what you’ve enjoyed about it will help you cement that book into your memory.

Take a moment between books

Take time to give the book you’ve just devoured respect. Just as you might lean back after a holiday meal and bask in the sensation of being stuffed with good food and surrounded by family, take a few moments after reading a great book before you mark it on GoodReads and move on to the next. (A few moments might mean literally a minute or two before you pick up the next book in the series, or it could mean waiting a few days while you digest the meaning of a particularly good bit of fiction.) Stay intentional about your reading obsession. Keep Calm. Take a breath. And read on. SPRING 2019 HOPE BY THE BOOK 9

LIVE

how to style a bookshelf IN CASE ONE DAY YOU RUN OUT OF BOOKS

BY SWATCHPOP! CO-FOUNDERS JESSICA MCRAE AND KRISTEN YONSON

Limit yourself to one or two colors so the accessories donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t become visually overwhelming. Keep the accessories 7080% neutral; then add your pops of color. You can choose different shades or hues of those colors for variation.

2 10 HOPE BY THE BOOK SPRING 2019

Choose objects with different heights, shapes and textures for variety.

3 Start with a few larger statement pieces. A work of art to lean against your shelves, a tall vase or a sizeable sculptural object make great statement pieces.

4 Fill in with books. You can wrap your books in white or neutral paper, or turn the books with the pages facing out for a cohesive look. Place some books vertically and others in horizontal stacks. Stagger your stacks throughout the various shelves putting some off to the left, others to the right and some centered.

Leave some breathing room. Less is more. You want to leave some open “white space” so the shelves don’t look overly crowded or cluttered.

6 Add greenery. Greenery and florals add natural pops of color to the shelves. Their height and irregular shape help to mix things up.

Baskets make great space fillers for larger, bottom shelves, offering symmetry and uniformity to the overall look.

SPRING 2019 HOPE BY THE BOOK 11

LIVE

more than the room of requirement BY ANNIE STURT

1 2

What is your favorite room in your house? If I had a home library, it would be my favorite room by far, and it will be the "Room of Requirement" for any home I'll ever live in. Yet does it have to be an actual room? In the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, the Room of Requirement shows up whenever someone is in need of it, stocked with whatever said person needs at the moment. So why not bring the “Room of Requirement” to you, wherever you want it to be? For booklovers, that means having multiple libraries, be they big or small, anywhere you’d like them to be.

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Here are a few spots that make great libraries:

Designated Room – (Let’s get A this one out of the way.) If you do have space to give your library its own room, you can make it double as an office space by throwing in a desk and chair. iving Room Walls – These L make for splendid book displays when you design them properly. Showcase your pretty books using picture ledges, floating shelves or dish racks! offee Tables – Time to show C off those pretty covers for all to enjoy.

“ Fill your house with stacks of books, in all the crannies and all the nooks.” —Dr. Seuss

PHOTOGRAPH: ©STYLEMEPRETTY; ©FINN/UNSPLASH; ©EMILY HENDERSON; ©AVERY KLEIN/UNSPLASH

“ A house without books is like a room without windows.”

5 6

7 9

PHOTOGRAPH: ©PAVEL-NEKORANEC/UNSPLASH; ©RAWPIXEL; ©CASA DA LU;. ©TOA-HEFTIBA/UNSPLASH; ©FLORENCIA-VIADANA/UNSPLASH; ©MAMAPAPABUBBA; ©TRONK DESIGN

8 4. 5.

edside Tables – Stack it, shelve B it, horizontally, vertically or just laid flat. Everything works. loors – You can tuck books in F corners or run them all along the walls. Stack them any way you'd like. These stacks also make great side tables, but be sure to use a coaster or a pretty tray if you’re going to put drinks on top! esktop – Nothing wrong with D having a book or two or more within an arm’s reach for some eye candy and break-time reading access. Plus they make great risers for any desk accessories like monitors, keyboards and organizers.

11 7. 8.

10 ireplace Mantels – Use F the books decoratively or as conversation starters. allways – Highly underused! H Add shelves, use ledges, add a chair with books on top, stack them or line them up with bookends on the floor. all Closets – Turn a spare closet H into a reading nook! (Pinterest has tons of ideas for this.)

10. Bar Cart or Dining Room Side

Table – Great conversation starters, and best for young’uns when they get bored. (Better than the tablet, don't you think?)

11. Any Empty Space – Let’s face

it. We would love books to be in every nook and cranny so we can easily grab one to check out. Don’t underestimate a good window sill! You can also create stacked book furniture when all else fails.

With the exception of bathrooms, I've managed to follow my own advice and bring the "Room of Requirement" into every room of my house. This way I know I’m always only steps away from my happy place – reading a book.

SPRING 2019 HOPE BY THE BOOK 13

LIVE

from page to screena readerly chat with Rachel Hauck HOW ONE AUTHOR’S NOVEL BECAME A HALLMARK MOVIE

BY CARRIE SCHMIDT

New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Rachel Hauck can also add “Journalism degree, Christy Award, and RT Career Achievement Award” to her résumé, as well as being a double Rita Award finalist, a pastor’s wife, and a worship leader. However, until April 2018, there was still one career line-item that remained the stuff of dreams: having one of her novels turned into a movie. All of that began to change in June 2016, when Cat Zappa (who, at the time, oversaw licensing sales for HarperCollins Christian Publishing) told Rachel that her 2013 novel Once Upon a Prince had been optioned for film by Hallmark. “And then we all screamed and jumped up and down,” recalls Hauck. “I didn’t even know they had pitched it though so that was totally, totally out of the blue.” Rachel’s inspiration for the book (which Debbie Macomber calls “classic romance at its very best”) came from watching William and Kate’s wedding in 2011. “I was just so impressed by [Kate]. Like, here she is getting out of the car with such poise and confidence, and I’m thinking [23 million] people,

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roughly, are watching you. It’s just overwhelming. I know how nervous I was on my wedding day – I can’t imagine being in a church with 1600 people with millions of people around the world watching you and criticizing you.” Although Hauck heard the exciting news about the film being optioned in 2016, it would be nearly two more years before her dream became reality on the screen. Despite the long wait, though, she considers the timing – when America was once again captured by royal wedding fever - to be Divine. “So, it happens a month before Harry and Meghan got married. Thank you, Jesus. It couldn’t have had more perfect timing.” With “zero” input into the screenplay or casting, Rachel nonetheless embraced Hallmark’s treatment of Once Upon A Prince. “I’d already told myself, ‘This is their art form. Let them take the spark of the idea that my story created and let them create their own story.’” She was pleasantly surprised that, other than small changes made to fit Hallmark’s needs and advance the movie, all the major plot points remained her own. “I was really pleased with how much of the story they kept and then what they did with it to make it their own.”

" I was really pleased with how much of the story they kept and then what they did with it to make it their own."

When her agent called to tell her that Hallmark wanted to know what scene she’d like to visit and be in for the movie, Hauck recalls not even needing to see the promised list of scenes. “Oh! The ballroom scene,” she immediately responded, adding, “I didn’t even know if they had a ballroom scene.” They did and, even though Rachel was originally told only she would be able to be in the film, the director made sure Rachel’s husband, Tony, was included as well. “Here comes Tony; they got him in a tux. So that’s how we got to be in the scene together. And I’m trying to teach him how to be an extra [miming the scene, no talking] and he’s trying to make me laugh.” They were on set for thirteen hours that day, in all the ballroom shots, and Rachel even got the whole hair and makeup treatment and a trailer with her name on it! Rachel emphasizes that the cast and crew were great to work with, no egos, and adds, “You couldn’t have met a nicer group of people.” She also mentions how unprepared she was for the emotions she experienced in the process. “To see fifty, sixty people working on my idea that I sat in my office by myself – you know - pulling it out of thin air. Seeing this cast of people… the day we were in the scene there [were] 90 extras. There’s literally like 150 people in this building filming my idea. It actually made me tear up.” When asked if she would become a princess if suddenly given the chance to do so, Hauck doesn’t hesitate to answer, “Absolutely.” Then, more reflectively, she adds, “Of course, we’re all spiritual royalty and so can we - can I - behave as a daughter of the King [and work to support the Kingdom] anyway despite that nobody else in the world is going to be like, ‘All hail, Princess Rachel’? If I could literally have a title, I’d take it, but I do in the next Kingdom so… why don’t I start acting like it now?”

SPRING 2019 HOPE BY THE BOOK 15

The Crown BY RACHEL HAUCK

Sovereign of Lauchtenland November 1066 I can smell the fear. It taints the icy sea breeze blowing up the valley with a pungent, rancid odor. The scent rises from my own skin as well as the band of warriors around me. Only my warhorse seems game for the fight. Faelon shifts and paws the ground, tossing his head, snorting his warm breath into the cold morn. Before dawn, the trumpet sounded through our capital village of Aagon. Norman ships docked on our rocky northern shore while we slept. A suicide mission for the best sailors. The fighting men are gathered on the hill, at the Plain of Boer, where we will meet the foe. But I am not a man. I am Honor of Roan, daughter of Roan the Rogue. “Isn’t their victory over the Anglo-Saxon army enough.” Henry Pike reigned in next to me. “How much war can they stand?” “They drink blood for pleasure.” Michael, the tailor, pushes his large helmet from his brow. Pale as a winter moon, he lowers his spear. His arms are thin and weak beneath his shirt, his hands soft from working in a shop instead of the fields. He’s not a warrior. But every man, or woman, able to fight is on this sloping hill. “We were foolish to believe they’d stop with the Anglos. Lauchtenland is a rich prize with natural ports.” Henry glances down at me. “Your da would be proud to see you here.” With a nod, I turn away. Dead only these past six weeks, the mention of my father draws tears from an endless well. You see, he was a blacksmith, warrior, and leader of men until the sword of a Norman felled him at Hastings. A volunteer, he was, willing to stand with our brethren. He died as he lived. Selfless. Fearless. So I ride in his place, for his honor. To finish what he began. And I am terrified. Our tiny home country borders Norwich to the west and the North Sea to the east. We are a cousin to the Anglo-Saxons, the Duchy of Hessenberg and Brighton Kingdom. We are our own people. Not surfs nor slaves. Since ancient days, we’ve clung to the Lord of Christendom and He protects us.

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But lately, we feel the earth beneath our feet rumble. Change is on the horizon. Our duke, Erich the Brave, died on the battlefield with Da. And half the Lauchten men who volunteered for the Anglo army. Without a leader, we are exposed, vulnerable for takeover. Prophetic lore says the Almighty chooses our leaders with a vision of a golden crown. In 478 A.D. Gable The Great was the first chosen. His son assumed the throne upon his death. And we’ve not been without a duke for four hundred and twenty-two years. Until now. I glance about. The ragtag army among the baring autumn trees is scarred and battle weary. Should we lose the field today, there will not be a Lauchtenland tomorrow. Bishop Harp rides among the battalion with communion. Each man partakes no matter his inner conviction. Fear of death makes us all Believers. When he stops at me, he lowers the bread and the cup. “You must return to your mother, Honor.” “I will partake.” I open my mouth, waiting to taste the Lord’s body. “You are all she has.” “She has the One represented in your bread and cup, my lord. But I must do my duty in place of Da.” Since I was a girl, Da trained me with bow and arrow, with a spear. He raised me in his smithy as well. I can wield a sword as well as hammer one from glowing steel. I am slight but strong. Though I confess none of his victory stories, nor Mamá’s Lauchten songs, prepared me for this moment. To face the foe. Confront my own mortality. I’ve not yet reached my twenty-first year. Nor embraced love, tasted the lips of a man, or felt his skin against mine. “Your Da never truly intended for you to be here, girl.” “Then why did he train me? Please, may I have communion?” He hesitated with a wary glance about.

“You cannot separate me to the women,” I say. “I am the only one here.” “Precisely why you should return to Aagon and wait for word with the rest of your gender.” “Bishop, what is the delay?” Bruce the Worthy steers his giant black stallion between us. A member of Erich’s council, he has declared himself our ruler. Brutish and angry, uncouth, he is ill-suited for the job. Lauchtenland will not tolerate him once the battle is over. Yet the question remains. Who will lead us? With no heir and no vision, the privy council must use their wisdom to build a government. And they are at extreme odds. “The lasses in the rear want communion before they see their Maker.” Bruce swears without restraint. “Their gutless nerves will get us all killed.” His gaze lands on me. “Honor of Roan, you are too small to ride up front.” He kicks at Faelon. “What’s this, a pony? A large goat?” “He’s a well-trained war pony, quick and low. I can ride beneath the arrows and javelins. Just watch—” “Leave her be, Bruce.” Bishop Harp raises the communion bread to my tongue. “She shows more courage than the young men with the ballista.” “If a woman, nay a girl, a child, dies under my command—” “Do you plan to expose me to the front lines as you did my father?” I drink from the cup, of the wine, of the blood. “Hush your lies, girl. He was foolish. Overeager and stubborn. I see you are much like him.” His eyes are narrow and dark. “There’s no man here who rides with you. Go to your mother; slaughter the fatted hog for our return.” “She rides with me.” I turn to see Henry Pike coming round on his mount, his clean, angular jaw taut, his chin raised. “You cannot stop her, Bruce. Tis law for her to take her Da’s place. Also law that if a man agrees to rides with her, she is permitted.” Bruce growls and backs away. “You’ll both be dead before the ballistas fire the first fiery darts.” “Then we will see heaven, clean and pure from our communion, satisfied we fought bravely to the end.” Bruce raises his hand to strike but the bishop catches his arm on the downward stroke. “A house divided cannot win. Henry may be impertinent but he, along with Honor, is among your rank. Good fighters, and you know it. We’ve seen Honor in the contests with the bow and arrow. Her skill outmatches the best of the young lads, dare I saw the older ones as well.” “She’s a rebel,” Bruce complains, loud enough for those around to hear. “Not to be trusted.” “She is also Honor.” The old bishop motions for Bruce to get out of his way. With a smile, he bids me goodbye. “God’s speed.” Then he sobers, his grinning encouragement fading as he leans ever closer for a deeper, haunting search of my soul. “You,” he mutters. “You are the one. How did I not see it before?” “What are you whispering, man of God?” Bruce buttresses against us again. “Tend to your duties and I’ll tend to my troops. Hurry, the charge will be called the moment the Normans crest the field.”

“She is the one.” “The one? The one what?” Bruce inspects me with a dower expression. Then with understanding. “Surely not. She’s a child, daughter of a smithy and no taller than three rods.” “Five and a half mind you.” I sit up to my full height. “I say, she is the one.” Bruce bursts into laughter. “Bishop, have you imbibing in the wine? No one has had the royal vision in four hundred years. Honor, have you had the vision?” “Indeed not.” “Precisely. Nor will you. Tis the story of fables concocted by Gable to keep the throne. The position is mine and I will fight anyone who tries to take it from me.” He motions the Bishop around him. “Press on to your duties. And quickly.” The bishop grips my arm before urging his pale gelding forward. “You are the one. Have courage. No harm shall befall you.” His words touch me as if he breathed fire from the smithy’s forge. “You are the one.” “Surely I am not.” He presses his finger to my lips. “Hush. Do not let your words be hasty before the King.” The bishop serves the warrior behind me. “Go in peace. Ad Deo.” “What did he whisper to you?” Henry Pike says. I peered into his august face and, in an instant, my heart moves from fear to flutters. Faelon rears in anticipation and I gather his reigns, grateful to look away from Henry’s blue eyes. He is the one I long to love, to kiss, to lay with under a summer sky. “Honor—” “Nothing. Holy foolishness.” “Nay, canna be. I’ve seen holy foolishness and the bishop looked sober, even frightened, as if seeing a ghost. What did he say?” When Henry angles toward me, I nearly fall into him. Unlike the unwashed maggots next to me, he smells of the sun and wind, of the wild clean of a spring meadow. I dare say I could not breathe. My eyes search his. What would he do if I just rose up and kissed— Swein moves through us. “Prepare yourselves. They are on the horizon. Fight nobly. Fight well. Your wife will cheer you when you return, welcome you to her bed. If you’ve no wife, the lasses will kiss you and sing of your victory. Your mothers will prepare a feast. If you’ve no meat, she’ll serve you hot oatmeal and warm buttered bread.” When he is gone, Henry pesters me again. “Tell me or you canna ride with me.” I tuck my maul into the leather loop inside my shield. “That I am the one! He said I am the one.” Henry rears away. “The one?” “See, holy foolishness.” Henry’s mount spooks as the battalion presses forward. Desperation mingles with the fear. The first light breaks through the scattered clouds and I see the Norman ballistas from my position. They outpower us. They outnumber us.

SPRING 2019 HOPE BY THE BOOK 17

“Our next ruler?” Henry whispers. “The chosen? Have you seen the vision? I thought it merely Lauchten lore. A fairy story.” “As did I. So give it no mind. I’ve had no such vision.” I urge Faelon forward. “Honor, upon your word, you’ve seen no vision?” His gaze penetrates mine. I respond the only way my heart will allow. I pull him in for a kiss. His lips are stiff and cold, then with a breath, they become warm and soft, and I feel as if I’m floating. When I break away, heat burns my cheeks, so I face away, “I canna die without at least one man’s kiss.” “One man’s? Any man’s?” He makes me smile. “Yours. Only yours. There, now you’ve drawn my deepest confession from my heart. Tis good I will die today.” Henry grips my sleeve, so we are nose to nose. He kisses me with tenderness and purpose. “I canna die without at least one woman’s kiss.” “One woman’s? Any woman’s?” He smiles. “Yours, only yours.” “Henry, if this is our last—” My confession is interrupted by the sound of the horn and Faelon is off, bouncing me around so I nearly fall. I grip Faelon’s mane and we become one. His heart beats with mine. Henry’s spotted charger strides to keep pace as a hail of fiery darts arch over us from the beardless lads manning the ballista. They may be the only ones left to tell our story. The line splits and we flank our foe on the right and left. I ride on the outside, drawing my bow on the Norman aiming at me. Just as I’m about to launch, a light brighter than any sun blinds me. I launch my arrow, praying the yelp of the wounded is not a Lauchten brother. Still with the fire in my eyes, I thread another arrow. But Faelon stops with such force I am nearly catapulted. “Get up. Ride on.” Shaking, I kick his sides as the cries of dying men fills my ears. “Faelon, yah!” The voice of Bruce calls from behind and flows through me. “Ride on men. Take courage. Face your foe, destroy your fears.” While I canna see a thing, his broken voice tells me we are losing before we truly began. “Faelon! Yaw!” But he refuses to move. He canna move. The light in my eyes fades and I see a man standing beside a brilliant glass case. I’ve never seen such a clean and clear thing, nor such a beautiful human being. He is both fire and ice, strength and humility. There is no flaw, no blemish. I canna think nor move. I drop to my knees. “What have I done to earn your appearing, my Lord?” “Take it.” He doesn’t speak yet I hear his voice. “Take what, my Lord?” I raise my gaze to the glass case to find a diamond and gold crown inside, perched on lush, red velvet. “The crown. You are Honor of Roan, Princess of Lauchtenland. I hold your heart and thus choose you to rule.” “No, my Lord. I am not worthy. A daughter of a smithy and dead warrior. I’ve no means, no stature.”

18 HOPE BY THE BOOK SPRING 2019

The screams of the pierced and dying surround me. Yet I canna move or leave this encounter. “You have Me.” “My Lord, then I am your servant.” The swoosh of retreat blows by. “Fall back. Fall back!” Bruce roars with such a force my bones rattle. “Take up your cross,” The Lord points to the crown. “Follow me.” He moves away from the battle as if wind and light are His chariot. Without urging, Faelon leaves me to race after Him. One step, then two, and I am at the case. The glass is cool and smooth to the touch but I canna find a way to open it. “Open up,” I say to myself and, upon my word, the top peels away. I retrieve the crown but canna bring myself to set such beauty on my head. Suddenly the light vanishes and I’m exposed, alone in the center of the field, the brown pitch littered with my countrymen. With the defeat. With a flash of courage, I raise the crown. “Fight on,” I cry. “We have the field. Fight on!” Finding my bow on the ground, I fire from my quiver. When my arrows are depleted, I move to my sword and clash through the Norman troops. My arm grows weary. I’ve no strength to my voice. I canna tell if I fight as one or as many. The crown dangles from my elbow, the diamonds and gems catching the morning light. Then the battle is over and a hush falls over us. All we see is the backs of the cowardly Normans escaping toward the cliff. Our men pursue them with a thunderous roar. Spotting Faelon, I catch his mane and swing on his back as Henry comes my way. “Victory! We have the victory.” He drops from his horse to one knee. “Hail, Princess Honor. She has seen the vision and retrieved the crown. Long live Princess Honor.” The army of Lauchtenland men joins his pledge with a bass, throaty chorus and they fall to their knees. “Long live Princess Honor.” Henry crosses his sword across his chest. “To you, I pledge my life and body, my honor and strength.” Each man, leader, captain, and knight echo the same. Except one. Bruce the Worthy, who for reason beyond my understanding was not found worthy. He stands shadowed among the trees on the crest of the hill. The sunlight shifts and I follow a golden ray toward the cliff where the Lord stands between heaven and earth. He has chosen me. Made me worthy. He will see I fulfill my call. Raising the crown, I cry, “To the one true God, honor and glory.” “To the one true God, honor and glory!” As I ride toward Aagon, exhilaration and trepidation in my limbs, I know I have a Friend. And now I have an enemy who will fight me every step of the way. I can smell the love. It perfumes the icy sea breeze blowing up the valley with a floral sweet fragrance. The scent rises from my own skin as well as the band of warriors around me. I am Honor of Roan, Princess of Lauchtenland.

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book reviews Contemporary Romance

DRIFTWOOD BAY

OUR REVIEW PHILOSOPHY At Hope By the Book, we strive to take a step back and look at the bigger picture as part of our review process. As a professional review source, we put the book’s intended audience over our own personal preferences. Therefore, we have chosen to let our words speak for themselves instead of using a rating system, with two exceptions. Gold Star Reviews are given rarely, to books that are truly in a class by themselves. Bookmarked Reviews are the must-reads for the keeper shelf and are also given sparingly. All reviews are books we recommend for each book’s intended audience, at a minimum.

contemporary Contemporary Romance

A PROMISE REMEMBERED

Elizabeth Mowers

Contemporary Amish Romance BOOK MARKED REVIEW

BOOK MARKED REVIEW

A WELCOME AT OUR DOOR Amy Clipston

20 HOPE BY THE BOOK SPRING 2019

Cindy, the youngest of her siblings, wonders if she truly belongs in her community as she finds herself falling in love with an Englisher. Clipston closes out this heartrending series with a thoughtful consideration of how Amish rules can tear families apart, as well as a reminder that God’s path is not always what one might expect. Readers old and new will find the novel's issues intriguing and its hardwon resolution reassuring. (ZONDERVAN, May, 336 pp., $15.99) Reviewer: Kerry Sutherland

SERIES: Hope Harbor #5

When grief threatens the purpose of life itself, a beautiful story of healing ensues. Hannon’s fifth book in the popular Hope Harbor series delivers familiar and new characters alike with an emotional journey that challenges their faith and futures. As the story unfolds, readers will embrace Logan and Jeannette, who discover unexpected blessings that transform their fear to courage. The author’s expertly woven threads of hope entwine all the characters in the Hope Harbor community as they work together to let that hope envelop others, reader included. (REVELL, Apr., 368 pp, $15.99) Reviewer: Annie Sturt

Contemporary Women's Fiction

SERIES: Amish Homestead #4

Mowers’s debut brims with vivid and broken characters who have had a rough go with life and each other. Despite (or maybe because of) their brokenness, William and Annie have deep capacity for love and for healing, though it may not be apparent at first glance. The author skillfully draws out their raw emotions even as Annie’s adorable children and William’s stubbornly determined mother add a vast range of emotion. The antagonist is a bit over the top, and his comeuppance is somewhat anticlimactic. But overall, this pageturner is a satisfying, second chance romance. (HARLEQUIN HEARTWARMING, Mar., 389 pp., $6.99) Reviewer: Carrie Schmidt

Irene Hannon

BOOK MARKED REVIEW

MOMENTS WE FORGET Beth K. Vogt SERIES: Thatcher Series #2

Pertinent and compelling, the second book of the Thatcher Sisters series is rich with characters and memories. Focusing on cancer survivor Jillian’s thoughts, the narrative follows her road to recovery through challenges (both expected and unexpected) from loved ones and her pre-diagnosis life. WIth its strong and authentic portrayal of sisters, the story also explores marriage and the self-admission of faith. With themes that resonate poignantly with readers, Vogt astutely crafts a valiant story of life and its many roles. (TYNDALE HOUSE, May, 432 pp., $15.99) Reviewer: Annie Sturt

children's Middle Grade Fiction

A DROP OF HOPE Keith Calbrese Age: 8-12

Middle Grade NonFiction/Biography

EMPOWERED

BOOK MARKED REVIEW

Catherine Parks Age: 8-14 BOOK MARKED REVIEW

Debut author Calabrese shares with middle grade readers a story of kindness that changed a community. By combining a legend of a wishing well, the navie kindness of a couple of sixth graders and a small town in need of miracles, the author creates a plot with a ripple effect on course for a climactic message. Reminiscent of Catherine Hyde’s acclaimed Pay It Forward, A Drop of Hope reminds readers how powerful a single act of kindness can be. A strong message of hope, this must-read is perfect for young readers and adults alike. (SCHOLASTIC PRESS, Feb., 320 pp., $16.99) Reviewer: Annie Sturt

Children’s Picture Book

Parks tells the true stories of women who turn the modern concept of "girl power" on its head by reminding readers to live for God's glory rather than their own. With a firm focus on character rather than achievement, Empowered (italicized) illustrates qualities like gratitude, obedience, kindness and Godly ambition, demonstrating how readers can live out each of these in both ordinary and extraordinary circumstances. Thoughtprovoking questions at the end of each chapter make this an ideal resource for group study as well as an excellent tool for individual reflection. (B&H KIDS, Apr., 208 pp, $14.99) Reviewer: Katie Donovan

WE CHOSE YOU Tony & Lauren Dungy | Age: 6-9 Married couple Tony and Lauren Dungy speak to the heart in this beautiful children's book. When son Calvin has to share about his family for a class assignment, his parents see the opportunity to talk about how they prayed for him long before he became their son. A sweet book with bold, bright illustrations, We Chose You is a touching testimony to how God places each of His children right where they need to be. (HARVEST HOUSE, Apr., 32 pp., $16.99) Reviewer: Andi Tubbs

historical Historical Romance

FAR SIDE OF THE SEA Kate Breslin BOOK MARKED REVIEW

Spies, secrets and service carrier pigeons come to life in Breslin’s newest historical fiction release. The author’s fans will be thrilled to see Not By Sight’s Lieutenant Colin Mabry embark on his own adventure from France to Spain. And new readers will be delighted to meet him. Twists, turns and deception fill the chapters and keep the reader glued to the words. Breslin’s attention to research is evident on each page. And woven throughout the treacherous plot, the theme of trust will encourage readers’ hearts. (BETHANY HOUSE, Mar., 384 pp., $15.99) Reviewer: Andi Tubbs

Biblical/Historical Fiction

OF FIRE AND LIONS Mesu Andrews

Historical Fiction

ALMOST HOME Valerie Fraser Luesse

GOLD STAR Mesu Andrews brings the enormity of Yahweh’s power and might to an intimate, tangible level without diminishing the sanctity and awe of Yahweh’s miraculous signs. Told primarily from the perspective of a Hebrew slave who eventually becomes Daniel’s wife, the fictional aspects of this story enhance readers’ cultural understanding and create an empathetic connection. The joys and trials of a lifetime invite deeper reflection on the signs witnessed in Babylon, the people who experienced those wonders and the unchangeable I AM. (WATERBROOK, Mar., 400 pp., $14.99) Reviewer: Beth Erin

Luesse’s sophomore novel is a captivating story of hurt, healing, and love. The narrative brings history to life, shifting between three different couples during World War II and highlighting the theme that life doesn’t always go as expected. The author beautifully captures the idea that, even in tough times, there is always hope for the future through forgiveness and love. Luesse's skillful keeps readers at the edge of their seats at the turn of each page. This inspiring story reaches deep into the soul. (REVELL, Mar., 336pp., $15.99) Reviewer: Sydney Anderson

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non-fiction Parenting

Parenting

GRUMPY MOM TAKES A HOLIDAY

MEMORYMAKING MOM

START WITH THE HEART

Jessica Smartt

Kathy Koch, PhD

Valerie Woerner

BOOK MARKED REVIEW

Woerner writes an engaging primer to encourage moms of all ages (and stages of parenting) to let go of the grumpies and embrace a joy-filled life. Her five-part text (surrender, replenish, develop, connect and thrive) includes chapters that feature meaningful and personal mom stories as well as comical antics from Woerner’s life. As such, the author amiably draws readers into her mommy world complete with toddler tantrums, sleepless nights, and worrisome fears to which many mothers will easily relate. Furthermore, her “Action Steps” will help women live above and beyond their sometimes discouraging and exhausting realities. (TYNDALE HOUSE, Apr., 288pp., $16.99) Reviewer: Michele Howe

Smartt pours out her heart to her readers and passes on the encouragement to become a memory-making family in a tangible way. Memory-Making Mom is filled with great suggestions for bringing fun traditions into everyday life, including recipes, craft ideas, seasonal traditions and even how to view the flu as a “gift”. Smartt reaches into every corner of life to make it special and memorable. Have page markers ready because you'll want to revisit these ideas and apply them to your family's routine and build memories of your own. (W PUBLISHING GROUP, Mar, 240 pp., $17.99) Reviewer: Rachel Dixon

BOOK MARKED REVIEW

This encouraging book guides parents towards an intentional, character-building, loving relationship with their child. With the voice of a beloved mentor, Koch reveals moments when parents fall short and kindly offers gentle correction. The author not only emphasizes the importance of each child’s unique needs but aids the parent and child in identifying what those needs are. Koch’s balanced approach walks readers through simple steps, buttressed by scripture, relatable anecdotes and wisdom. Parents will be better equipped to evaluate and modify their behavior and meet their child’s core needs, effectively communicating their love and the Creator’s love to the next generation. (MOODY PUBLISHERS, Mar., 288 pp., $13.99) Reviewer: Beth Erin

suspense Contemporary Suspense/Thrille

BORDER SON Samuel Parker

Cozy Mystery

Suspense/Thriller

PROLOGUE TO MURDER

THE PERSIAN GAMBLE

Lauren Elliott

Joel Rosenber

SERIES: Bookstore Mystery #2 Border Son is the prodigal son story as you’ve never seen it before. Parker’s modern reimagining of the familiar Biblical account will leave readers breathless at the journey and hold their attention from disturbing start to riveting finish. Revolving around the center of the Mexican drug cartel, with all the violence and intimidation one might expect, the novel also focuses on the strength of a parent’s love for their child, adding a surprising dimension of warmth to offset the brutality. Compelling and vividly-drawn characters linger in the heart, as does the impossible-to-put-down plot. (REVELL, Mar., 320 pp., $14.99) Reviewer: Carrie Schmidt

22 HOPE BY THE BOOK SPRING 2019

The death of a librarian who doesn’t make it home from a book club meeting is a bookworm’s dream case. Thanks to Addie’s unwillingness to sit back and wait for the police to solve this cozy mystery, readers are taken on an entertaining journey. Elliott portrays her characters realistically, which results in some swearing here and there. Aside from that, readers won’t want to miss the meddling reporter, pirate legends and spunkiness the heroine brings to the table. Readers will get a kick out of solving this case alongside Addie and may find themselves surprised at the end. (KENSINGTON, May, 304 pp. $7.99) Reviewer: Jessica Baker

The action starts off slowly in Rosenberg’s latest, but the pace picks up as the story goes on. The large cast of characters, as well as multiple settings, makes things a bit confusing to follow at times; however, once again, the author shines at this engaging international thriller does not disappoint. The reader is left guessing whether Marcus’s deal with the US government will prevent mass destruction and another world war. This sequel to The Kremlin Conspiracy picks up where the first book left off, and is best to read them in order. (TYNDALE HOUSE, March, 448 pp, $27.99) Reviewer: Leslie L. McKee

young adult Young Adult Fantasy Thriller

Contemporary Young Adult

Young Adult/ Historical

TO BEST THE BOYS

WE WERE BEAUTIFUL

WITHIN THESE LINES

Mary Weber

Heather Hepler

Stephanie Morrill

BOOK MARKED REVIEW

In a troubled world where only men have the opportunity of higher education, Rhen makes a desperate and dangerous bid for a scholarship by entering the labyrinth contest, determined to prove herself against the other competitors in the all-male field. Weber makes the near-impossibilities of this male-dominant society brutally clear, and readers can't help but notice parallels to real-world culture that continue to provoke insecurity and anxiety in young women. Romance, family devotion and the power of female friendship round out this provoking tale, which should appeal to fans of Suzanne Young, Beth Revis, and Kerri Maniscalco. (THOMAS NELSON, Mar., 336 pp., $17.99) Reviewer: Kerry Sutherland

Through a new living arrangement, a new job and a new group of friends, Mia Hopkins is challenged to stop hiding behind a physical reminder of her loss, guilt and grief. Author Heather Hepler takes readers on an emotional journey, revealing glimpses of the happiness and hope that await Mia if she can learn to forgive herself, while driving home the truth that everyone is dealing with some type of pain. This is a story of opening oneself up and discovering beauty in the brokenness. (BLINK, Apr., 304 pp., $12.99) Reviewer: Suzie Waltner

In 1941, interracial marriage is illegal in California, but Italian-American Evalina and Japanese-American Taichi are in love; nothing, not even the Japanese relocation movement after the attack on Pearl Harbor, will keep them apart. With a thrilling love story against all odds, readers can’t help but love the characters and hope in their ideals. With its fascinating history, this YA historical fiction novel appeals to teens and adults of all ages. (BLINK, Mar., 351pp., $17.99) Reviewer: Katelyn S. Bolds

visionary Fantasy BOOK MARKED REVIEW

Historical Fiction/ Fantasy

FLIGHT OF THE RAVEN

MIDNIGHT AT THE TUSCANY HOTEL

Morgan L. Busse SERIES: The Ravenwood Saga #2 As Selene and Damien grow closer in their impromptu marriage, Selene is inspired by Damien’s trust in the Light and seeks to learn more about the guiding entity that is so unlike the Dark Lady. Her faith journey, along with dangerous political intrigue, creates a compelling drama against a lavishly described lush landscape that echoes the emotional turmoil of the complicated characters. Damien’s insistence that gifts from the Light are for service and worship is a timeless reminder that our own talents should be used to the same ends. (BETHANY HOUSE, May, 352 pp., $15.99) Reviewer: Kerry Sutherland

BOOK MARKED REVIEW

James Markert

Soldier Vitto Gandy returns home to find his family changed and his father now in the late stages of Alzheimer's, but hope comes when they return to the family’s hotel, abandoned thirteen years ago. Midnight at the Tuscany Hotel seamlessly fuses genres from historical fiction and magical realism. The reader learns the Tuscany Hotel can heal memories. But at what cost? Rich with artistic, musical and mythological touches, and delving deep into psychological issues of PTSD and Alzheimer's, this book is for readers who enjoy meaty content in their chapters. Highly recommended for book clubs. (THOMAS NELSON, Apr., 352pp., $16.99) Reviewer: Katelyn S. Bolds SPRING 2019 HOPE BY THE BOOK 23

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road trip to the unknown (genre) A SAFE GUIDE TO VISITING GENRES OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE

WOMEN’S FICTION

BY ANNIE STURT

“ The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” —Dr. Seuss

This quote from Dr. Seuss is one of my favorites. What book lover doesn’t believe that? I’ve read many different genres in my lifetime so far, and you can probably find at least one title of most genres in my personal library. After years of reading, I do prefer some genres to others, but I still venture out to those other genres from time to time. Reading is like a balanced diet. We have our "comfort reads," (the type of books we know and love) just like we have our comfort foods. But when we step out of our genre comfort zones and try something new, we may be pleasantly surprised at how a little variety can invigorate our love of reading all over again.

Emotional

Historical

Based on a real person

Literary

BIBLICAL FICTION

SUSPENSE / MYSTERY

Thriller

Female Leads

24 HOPE BY THE BOOK SPRING 2019

Investigative Teams

Historical

Inspirational

Powerful

Romance

Literary

“ If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.” —J.K. Rowling HISTORICAL FICTION

Inspirational

Fun

War-Time

Romance

YOUNG ADULT FICTION

*Bonus

Contemporary

Fantasy

Historical

Fairy Tale Retelling

CONTEMPORARY FICTION

Inspirational

Fun

Emotional

Action

*Bonus

AMISH FICTION

DUAL-TIME FICTION

Emotional

Healing

Suspenseful

Romance

Emotional

Family

Endearing

Romance

Growth

NON-FICTION

Inspires Art Journaling

Devotional

Christian Living

Historical

Biography

We hope many adventures await you on this bookish journey!

SPRING 2019 HOPE BY THE BOOK 25

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what’s with these amish romances? BY PATRICIA DAVIDS

know this is a piece about Amish romance, but can we get REAL for a moment? The Amish guy in suspenders and a straw hat is probably the most boring of all romance hero types. FBI agents, Navy seals, sexy millionaires, doctors and those ever-alluring cowboys are all more interesting than an Amish farmer, right? Maybe on the outside, but isn’t it what’s on the inside that counts? I am an Amish romance author and I’m here to talk about Amish romances, how I got started, why I write about the Amish and why the genre is so popular. Clearly it isn’t because Amish men are hot hero material. Publishers are aware of that. Covers are usually of pretty women in Amish bonnets or the clasic horse and buggy scene. The Amish genre we know today started with Beverly Lewis’s The Shunning, published in 1997 by Bethany House. Most Americans had no idea such closed, faith-based communities existed unless they lived near one. How the Amish could thrive in modern day America without cars, phones or electricity fascinated readers. How fascinated were we? By 2015 the top three Amish authors, Beverly Lewis, Cindy Woodsmall and Wanda Brunstetter had sold over 24 million books, and Amish communities had become vacation destinations for people wanting to know more about them. 26 HOPE BY THE BOOK SPRING 2019

It didn’t take long after the initial success of Amish books for the publishing world to take notice. Most thought it would be a short-lived phenomenon. Other houses began looking for their own Amish author. This is where my Amish story starts. I had been writing for Steeple Hill’s Love Inspired line since 2004. In 2009 my editor at Love Inspired e-mailed to ask if I would be interested in developing an Amish series. To say I was stunned would be an understatement. Kansas is not close to Lancaster, PA. We have a few tiny Amish settlements like Yoder, KS, but I didn’t know anyone from there. I had seen the movie Witness with Harrison Ford and loved it right up until HE LEFT HER. What I knew about the Amish would fit on the head of a pin. I told my editor I would have to do some research and get back to her. There is something you should know about me. I love doing research. It is my time-sucking weakness. I tried to read some Amish romances—couldn’t finish them. What I found missing was the ROMANCE. I could not write one like that. But as I poured over research articles and nonfiction books about the Amish, I discovered something amazing. They are a fascinating culture. Plain people who live simple lives far different from us will face many of the

challenges we face and more. Finding the right person to marry is one such challenge. The Amish marry for love. They face all the uncertainty and tribulations that follow any two people trying to work out whether “he” or “she” is the right one. The catch is that they can’t marry outside of their faith. So if she wants the bad boy next door and he isn’t Amish, she must decide to leave her faith and family and be shunned… or leave him. Here is what I discovered about the Amish and why I love writing about them. There is no such thing as one kind of Amish. Don’t stereotype them. They are a collection of communities spanning 28 states and even Canada, with rules that differ from each other in dozens of ways even if the communities are across the road from each other. They are not all farmers. There are Amish millionaire business owners. They use horses for field work except where their community allows tractors. Some can have cell phones or solar power for appliances. For many Amish, if a son or daughter has not been baptized into the faith, they can marry whom they please—unless the family belongs to a Swartzentruber Amish congregation. In that case, if children don’t join the church, their parents can be shunned

all these years because readers love the sweet romance of two people falling in love without highlighting the physical aspect.

believe the genre ! !Iremains popular after

for not bringing up their children properly. How's that for pressure to conform? Amish teenagers are given a period of time to decide if they want to join the church. From age 16 until their early 20s, they enjoy their rumspringa or running around time when they are not bound by church rules. TV has given us the idea that sex, drugs and drinking quickly follow. It does happen, but it is rare, and parents don’t always turn a blind eye to it. A night out may consist of taking your current girlfriend home after a singing party in a top-down courting buggy with a radio in the dash. They don’t have to wear Amish clothes. Boys love blue jeans and ball caps. Girls may take off their bonnets and wear print dresses. By the way, Swartzentruber Amish don’t allow a rumspringa for their youth. They are the strictest sect. I believe the genre remains popular after all these years because readers love the sweet romance of two people falling in love without highlighting the physical aspect. The writer must delve deeply into the emotional and spiritual aspect of love while still maintaining a compelling amount of conflict. Readers also connect to the community aspect of Amish stories. Faith, close family ties, caring for neighbors during times of trouble, having fun the old-fashioned way— these strike a cord with many of us. What modern mother hasn’t asked the family to put down their phones and join the conversation at dinner? I have. One reason I admire the Amish: an Amish mother never has to ask.

USA Today best-selling author PATRICIA DAVIDS was born and raised in Kansas. After forty years as an NICU nurse, Pat switched careers to become an inspirational writer. She enjoys spending time with her daughter and grandchildren, traveling and playing with her dogs, who think fetch should be a twenty-four hour a day game. When not on the road or throwing a ball, Pat is happily dreaming up new stories. Look for her next book, The Wish, coming from HQN in May. Follow her on Facebook or learn more about her at www.patriciadavids.com

SPRING 2019 HOPE BY THE BOOK 27

READ

turn back the page 5 TITLES YOU MISSED BUT SHOULDN'T HAVE BY RACHEL DIXON

Travel to the hills of an Appalachian farm where the heartaches of the past are overcome and new love and life are discovered in Joanne Bischof ’s Sons of Blackbird Mountain (Thomas Nelson, July 2018).

Creative, unique and original, Barbara Brutt’s debut romantic comedy, Teal Paisley Tights (Vinspire Publishing, November 2018), is a breath of fresh literature.

28 HOPE BY THE BOOK SPRING 2019

The Brave Art of Motherhood (WaterBrook, October 2018) by Rachel Marie Martin is a book every mom should read. Full of encouragement and truth, Martin shares her heart with vulnerability and grace.

Embark on the thrilling adventure of an alternate history in A Dastardly Plot by Christopher Healy (Walden Pond Press, September 2018). Set in the shadow of the 1883 World's Fair, this middle grade story is the perfect blend of history and sci-fi.

The fourth book in Dani Pettrey’s Chesapeake Valor series, Dead Drift (Bethany House, July 2018), is an action-packed adventure perfect for every suspense reader, with a healthy dose of swoony romance too!

INSPIRE

facing down WRITER’S BLOCK BY JERRY B. JENKINS

t’s time to write, and you can’t produce a word. Maybe you’ve tried for weeks, months or worse—years. Meanwhile, the message you long to share with the world collects dust in the attic of your mind. Good news! I’ve discovered how to crush Writer’s Block once and for all, and my 195 books, 21 of which have been New York Times bestsellers, prove it.

My secret?

I treat Writer’s Block as the myth it is. “Wait!” you say. “How can it be a myth when I’m suffering from it right now?” I know what you’re going through. I still have days when I’d rather do anything but put words on the page. But if Writer’s Block were real, why would it affect only writers? Imagine telling your boss, “I can’t come in today. I have worker’s block.” What we call Writer’s Block is really a cover for something deeper.

Confronting the Real Cause: Fear

Do you fear you’re not good enough, don’t know enough and can’t compete? Would you believe that describes me too? Yes, even now, every time I begin a new book. Let’s be honest: Writing a book is hard. The competition is vast, and the odds are long. So how can I suffer that same

fear and yet publish all those titles? Because after failing so many times to overcome fear, it finally dawned on me—my fear is legitimate! It’s justified. I ought to be afraid. So now I embrace that fear! Rather than let it keep me from writing, I acknowledge the truth of what I’m afraid of and let that humble me. That humility motivates me to work hard. And hard work leads to success. Dean Koontz, who has sold more than 450 million books, says: “The best writing is borne of humility. The great stuff comes to life in those agonizing and exhilarating moments when writers become acutely aware of the limitations of their skills, for it is then that they strain the hardest to make use of the imperfect tools with which they must work.” That’s how to turn fear into humility, humility into motivation, motivation into hard work and hard work into success. Fear can be a great motivator. Overcome it by embracing it, and you can make Writer’s Block a myth in your own life.

JERRY JENKINS teaches writing at JerryJenkins.com.

SPRING 2019 HOPE BY THE BOOK 29

INSPIRE

the fresh start conversation BY LORI STANLEY ROELEVELD

elationship resets are possible but are generally found on the other side of a hard conversation. I recall one tearful phone discussion with my mother during my freshman year of college. “It’s impossible to understand you, Lori. Stop crying and just talk,” Mom said. I sniffled. “You and Dad are too busy to even write or call. I’m falling apart. College is hard. I’m under all this pressure. You two haven’t been there for me for years and you’re not there for me now!” A moment of silence. Then, “You need me?” “Of course, I need you! What do you think?” “I’ve always thought you were more together than we were. I never imagined you’d need anything from me. I’d love to be a support for you. Tell me what that looks like right now.” My parents divorced during my adolescence. I’d maintained top grades and an active church life. I held up by looking like I had it together. Unfortunately, I’d managed, unintentionally, to fool even my own mother. Emotions that erupt during hard conversation have usually built over time. Imagine walking down a dark street or up the basement stairs feeling that someone is following you. The more we delay turning around and facing what’s there, the greater the fear that overtakes us. And yet, the moment we stop and confront our imagined stalker, the sooner we realize there was nothing to fear after all. 30 HOPE BY THE BOOK SPRING 2019

This often happens when we’ve isolated ourselves within a stressed relationship. When we aren’t experiencing what we want, it can be because we’re expecting the other person to guess what we need. The longer we wait to communicate, the great our emotions can build and create conditions for explosive emotions. Before that happens, prepare for a relationship reset:

>>Schedule a time to chat with the other person. >> Before you meet, ask yourself what you need from

that person that’s missing now. Take responsibility for your part. Confess you haven’t communicated clearly about your need. Own your emotions. Admit that you may become emotional because you’ve let things build. Be clear about how you’d like things to be different going forward and then prepare to listen. You’ve been thinking about this already. Your listener needs time to process.

>> >> >>

Hard conversations that lead to fresh starts are often harder in the imagining than in the execution, so speak up.

LORI STANLEY ROELEVELD is an author, speaker, and disturber of hobbits. Her newest book, The Art of Hard Conversations, provides motivation, inspiration, and practical, readilyapplied skills to make tricky talks more effective. Discover her writing at www.loriroeleveld.com.

how to settle your soul

BY ANNIE STURT

Do you find it hard to slow down and just be? No matter what your role in life is, it's easy to let busyness take over. I admit that sometimes I have difficulty settling down at night and finding peace amid the worries of life. Yet it’s for this very reason that I know how important it is to take the time to settle your mind and soul. Here are some ways that work for me:

1. Talk to God. Talk out loud, whatever is on your mind. Just talk.

2. Pray. Pray in your heart. Pray with others. Pray out loud.

3. Write a letter to God. It can be as simple as "Dear God. . ." Let your hand write what's on your heart and mind.

4. Journal. This one's similar to

writing a letter. But this time, keep a notebook. It doesn’t have to be in words if you don’t feel like writing. If you prefer to express yourself through drawing, try that. Not an artist? Journal with scrap paper, ink

stamps, stickers or whatever you prefer. Find ways to express yourself.

5. Take a walk. No matter the

length of time, get outside, look around you and take notice of the art of God’s creation.

6. Be still. Relax and let the rhythm of life continue on, even for just a few minutes.

7. Make something. Create with your hands.

8. Read. Read the Bible. Read a

devotional. Read a story. Allow your heart to embrace what you read, and let the words calm your soul.

These are just some practices, but everyone is different, so discover what works for you. No matter how different we are, one thing is certain: our safe haven is with our Lord Jesus. “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2) Let Him lead you to green pastures by quiet waters and refresh - settle - your soul (Psalm 23:2-3). Feature Book in image: Settle My Soul by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk, ZONDERVAN, March 2019, 256 pp., $18.99

SPRING 2019 HOPE BY THE BOOK 31

INSPIRE

when passions collide BY MESU ANDREWS

’ve known my husband, Roy Andrews, since third grade when he stole a piece of candy from a Valentine’s Day heart-box of chocolates that another boy bought for me. I hated him until seventh grade for that. Neither of us were Christ-followers through junior high and high school. He became a passionate follower of Jesus during his freshman year of college. I was a passionate follower of Jack Daniels black-label whiskey— until I started dating Roy our sophomore year of college. Three weeks after our first date, he introduced me to a Jesus I’d never known though I’d grown up in a Christian home. A passionate, transparent, and gracious Savior. Six months later we were married. Nine months and two weeks after the wedding, our first daughter was born. We’ve never had a problem with passion. The issue arises when our passions collide—when his passions and mine are different or when the passions within me compete. Case in point: Marriage, Family, Writing Life, Church Family. I’m passionate about all these things. But how can I do them all with excellence when God created each day a measurable twenty-four hours and mandated a WHOLE day of rest each week? Seriously, Lord. Have you seen my to-do list? 2018 was insanity in my world, and honestly—I didn’t live it well. Spread too thin with two book releases, three books to write, Mama’s health issues, and new twin grand babies, I flitted from one passion to the next, too busy to give anyone all of me. On Christmas Eve, somewhere between Indiana

and North Carolina, Roy and I realized that it had been years since I’d given ALL of me to anything. Every relationship in my life was malnourished, but the most important one— my marriage—was starving to death. My passion for writing is a good thing, but if it costs my marriage, how can it be pleasing to Jesus? My passions had collided, and my life was a wreck, but weren’t all my passions for godly purposes? I came across this Scripture in my daily reading: “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” Revelation 2:2-5 The Lord values passion! But I’d become like the church at Ephesus, more vested in righteous tasks than real relationships. Roy and I are determined to restore the passion of our first love, to rekindle tired emotions. When our ultimate purpose is the passionate tending of relationships over tasks, God pours out His power into our lives and blesses every tick of the clock. I might even get a full heart-box of candy this year from that ornery boy I met in third grade.

MESU ANDREWS is the Christy Award winning author of Isaiah’s Daughter and has received numerous accolades for her other novels including Love Amid the Ashes, The Pharaoh’s Daughter, and Miriam. Her deep understanding of and love for God’s Word brings the biblical world alive for readers. Many of her faithful readers are members of her launch team—Mesu’s Biblical Fiction Fans (BFFs)—and offer their time and service to promote God’s word through story. Andrews lives in North Carolina with her husband Roy and enjoys spending time with her growing tribe of grandchildren. For more information, visit www.mesuandrews.com.

32 HOPE BY THE BOOK SPRING 2019

be a

blessing DEBBIE MACOMBER TALKS ABOUT HER NEW JOURNAL BY CARRIE SCHMIDT

eloved author and “official storyteller of Christmas” Debbie Macomber is a lifelong reader and journaler. Says Macomber, “I have journaled for many years. Back when my children were little, I would write in spiral bound notebooks every day and to this day I still have them.” She owes her love of reading – at least partially – to another beloved author. “When I was a young girl my mother took me to my local library. It was a large Andrew Carnegie building and it reminded me of a castle, I remember feeling like a princess as I entered. The librarian handed me a book and I remember clutching it with both hands and holding it to my heart. I never went to bed without holding a book after that.” That librarian? Beverly Cleary. While the average reader may not know that Macomber’s novels have spent over 1000 weeks on the New York Times bestselling list (including thirteen novels which hit the number one spot) and have over 200 million copies in print, we do know this: She and her books are a blessing. Not only do her books, movies, and speaking engagements encourage readers, Macomber inspires struggling writers as well,

offering this advice: “Just keep reading what you love and continue to write; do not give up. Find things that feed your soul; for me this is scripture. You need positivity and encouragement through your journey.” Now, she hopes that her lifelong habit of journaling will help bring that positivity and encouragement to others. Be A Blessing (Random House, April 2) is gorgeous in every way, filled with inspiring quotes and prompts as well as

“ In a world where so many things seem dark, I want to be a light.” beautiful illustrations. For Macomber, it’s also “a way for me to share my love of journaling with my readers and the benefits it can have on your life.” The focus of cultivating kindness, joy, and inspiration through Be a Blessing is a direct result of the letters and reader mail that she has received over the years. “These are themes that are a constant in these letters.” She adds, “In a world where so many things seem dark, I want to be a light.”

SPRING 2019 HOPE BY THE BOOK 33

INSPIRE

the taste of memory BY CARLA LAUREANO

hen I think back to memories of my childhood, they invariably involve food. Christmases were always lavish Italian seafood dinners, never complete without my grandmother’s red sauce and plates of traditional cookies. While I can’t remember what was served at Easter, I do remember my dad joking about the traditional wheat pies: he would always lift the pan and look for the ink stamp because he insisted they were really made out of cardboard boxes. (Fortunately, there was always cannoli.) And in the twenty years since I married my husband, who originally hails from the Philippines, we’ve created plenty of new taste traditions for our family, like the small egg rolls called lumpia and the country’s famous chicken adobo, of which there are as many variations as there are towns.

34 HOPE BY THE BOOK SPRING 2019

In fact, I would be hard-pressed to recall a memory that doesn’t involve food. My college cafeteria will always be synonymous with Belgian waffles drenched in butter and syrup, and my summer away at dance camp with buttery croissants that we, as leotard-dwellers, knew we shouldn’t even be thinking about. There seem to be very good reasons for this. Scientists have known for decades that smell—and by extension, the related sense of taste—has a definite and lasting link to our memories. The part of the brain that’s responsible for processing data from our taste buds also processes information related to time and place. Many believe that it’s a protective instinct to help us remember foods that have made us sick in the past. We know that babies form preferences in the womb for foods that their mothers eat, perhaps for the same reasons of safety and practicality—in cultures with restricted diets, getting children to eat what is available is not a matter of convenience, but survival. Yet I think it goes deeper than that. Humans are social animals, and society has always revolved around the sharing of food. In the ancient Middle East, hospitality customs required hosts to welcome travelers into their homes and provide them protection during their stay. To betray someone after having shared a meal was a grave sin and the highest form of dishonor. Jesus himself shared many meals with both his disciples and with sinners who were scorned by the Pharisees—significant because of the meaning of a shared meal and the symbolic equality between people it holds. Even now, all our holidays— Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter—revolve around a shared meal, sometimes simple, sometimes lavish. We are hardwired to spend time together over food. And over time, certain foods or meals become synonymous in our minds with love. That concept is part of the reason I chose to write a romance series with a culinary twist—to explore the bonds that are forged and strengthened through food. In Brunch at Bittersweet Café, the idea of memory takes on a

I would be hardpressed to recall a memory that doesn’t involve food. particularly important angle with the character of Melody Johansson, since her earliest memories of baking with her grandmother are what set her on her path to becoming a pastry chef. In one scene, when she returns to her grandmother’s house after her passing, she takes the old KitchenAid mixer with which she learned to make bread and Christmas cookies. To her, the memory of those cookies and the time spent making them are forever fused with her love for her grandmother. And when she’s upset or confused, she always turns to those tastes of her home and her past as a tangible link to the love they once shared: “She had an arsenal of fancy French desserts at her disposal, ones that she made frequently as an attempt to keep up her pastry skills while she languished in a commissary bakery. . . . And yet none of those called to her today, the marks of mastery of her profession. After being in her grandmother’s house, she was craving memories.” Modern nutritional science with its obsession with “macronutrients” and balanced eating would have us believe that food is important only because of its role in keeping us alive and fueling our daily work. But I would argue that food in many ways grants us the power of time travel. No matter how our lives may change, no matter how the details of our memories fade, no matter how much distance—even eternity—might separate us from the ones we love, all it takes is returning to a familiar recipe to take us back in time. And that might be the greatest magic of all.

CARLA LAUREANO is the RITA® Award-winning author of contemporary inspirational romance and Celtic fantasy (as C.E. Laureano). A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons, where she writes during the day and cooks things at night.

SPRING 2019 HOPE BY THE BOOK 35

EPILOGUE

epilogue books on my nightstand We asked a handful of pretty cool people to share what they are reading right now. Which books are on their (literal or figurative) nightstands? Here’s what they had to say… RACHEL HAUCK / New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author

Bing Crosby: Swinging on a Star: The War Years by Gary Giddins and Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney

CATHERINE GAFFNEY /Actress & voice

over talent

Everybody Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People by Bob Goff, Just The Way You Are by Pepper Basham (reading and researching in order to narrate the audiobook version), Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art by Madeleine L’Engle (with so many brightly colored post-it flags & highlights from my multiple readings)

RACHEL MCMILLAN / Author, book gusher, and literary agent

The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay (which makes all of your bibliophile dreams come true), On a Grander Scale by Lisa Jardine (which is an accessibly readable - if somewhat long! - biography of architect Christopher Wren), and Book Girl by Sarah Clarkson (which is basically every reader’s life story)

REL MOLLET / Book blogger extraordinaire and author assistant

Operation Zulu Redemption by Ronie Kendig, Knox: Montana Marshalls (March, 2019) by Susan May Warren, & A Bound Heart by Laura Frantz. In typical book blogger style, I have a re-read, a new release, and an early reader copy on the go!

CARRIE SCHMIDT / Senior editor and all-around book girl

My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge: Laurel’s Dream by Pepper Basham (gorgeous story!), The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter by Hazel Gaynor, and The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff and… I could keep going to infinity.

36 HOPE BY THE BOOK SPRING 2019

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