Sunday, March 23, 2025

"Jesus Can . . .Give You Purpose" by Stephanie Reynolds/Christian Writers Collective, LLC -- Author Interview

About the Book

Book: Jesus Can . . .Give You Purpose (Jesus Can... Book Three)

Author: Stephanie Reynolds/Christian Writers Collective, LLC

Genre: Inspirational, Christian, Self-help

Release date: December 5, 2024

Can Jesus give you purpose?

He most certainly can! You’ll find plenty of proof in the pages of this book. Its 46 testimonies display Jesus’ power to give purpose to people all over the world, whether they were shot and left for dead during a political revolution in Africa or struggling with loneliness and suicidal thoughts in small town America. Jesus Christ brought a unique purpose to every writer featured in this book. And He can do the same for anyone who reads it. We dare you to put Jesus to the test today!

Whether you’re looking for God’s truth yourself or want to share the gospel with family, friends or acquaintances, books from the Jesus Can … series may be the perfect solution.

Give You Purpose is the 3rd volume in this inspirational series published by the Christian Writers Collective, LLC.

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview

Question: Why did you choose to write nonfiction?
Answer: The Lord made that choice for me when he called me to write what we’ve nicknamed, “the
Christian version of the Chicken Soup for the Soul ® series.” Testimonies of how Jesus came into a
person's life and saved them, are true stories rather than fiction.

Question: Why did you choose to write about this particular topic?
Answer: I have to go back to 2020, during the start-up phase of the Christian Writers Collective, LLC
and Jesus Can™ books to answer that question. We used to have regular zoom meetings with
writers from around the world. One of our most fun and productive meetings was when we
brainstormed titles for our first 8 books. Because everyone's first article in a Jesus Can book is their
salvation testimony, the first book was all testimonies. It is titled, Jesus Can . . . Give You a New Life!
The following year, 2022, we released Book 2, Jesus Can . . . Heal Your Hurts. We recently released
Book 3 of our series, Jesus Can . . . Give You Purpose. We are now accepting testimonies for Book 4
of our series, Jesus Can . . . Show You the Truth. You can visit the "Share Your Story" page of our
website, www.christianwriterscollective.com, for more information. Now that we've already used half
of our supply of book titles, we probably need to hold another title brainstorming session!

Question: What types of research do you do?
Answer: Because our books contain authentic Christian testimonies, our research consists primarily
of soul-searching. Personally, I spend a lot of time praying and asking the Lord to show me what He
wants me to write for my next Jesus Can article. I will also study passages from the Bible related to
the topic of the Jesus Can book I'm writing for. This gives me the opportunity to hear directly from the Lord by reading His word.

Question: How long does the researching stage usually take?
Answer: There is an old saying that goes, “A task always expands to occupy that amount of time
made available for it.” That's certainly true in my writing process. If I have a lot of time, it takes a lot of
time. If I'm short on time, I'll use whatever time is available.

Question: What is different about writing nonfiction versus fiction?
Answer: Nonfiction requires the writer to tell the truth creatively, while fiction allows a writer to create
the entire story. I think both require skill that can be increased in proportion to the amount of time
spent practicing the art of writing.

About the Author

The Christian Writers Collective, LLC

Founded in 2020 by Stephanie Reynolds of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the CWC is a growing organization with writers worldwide. Our ultimate goal is to feature 100 members/writers in each Jesus Can book and to publish 10-12 books each year, equivalent to the publication pace of the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul® series. We want to reach millions each year with the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. We pray that you’ll join this fast-growing moment as a reader, a writer, or by giving Jesus Can books to others. Thanks in advance for your participation!

More from Stephanie

Hi, my name is Stephanie Reynolds. I am the founder of the Christian Writers Collective, LLC, which publishes the Jesus Can book series. I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and I’ve lived here most of my life. Like many Baby Boomers and only sisters from a family with three children, I have had the privilege of caring for both of my parents during the last months and/or years of their lives. What an honor it was to be present when my mom received Jesus as her savior just a few months before she passed in 2014. It was the Homegoing of my spiritual mom, Mrs. Naomi Walker, on October 8, 2019, that inspired me to publish Books 1 and 2 of this series on October 8 in 2021 and 2022. That’s because God gave me the courage to share my calling to publish books “to help spread the gospel far and wide,” for the first time at Mrs. Walker’s Homegoing Service. I believe God confirmed His calling by taking Mrs. Walker home to Heaven on October 8, my 61st birthday. I’m excited by the release of Book 3 of our series, Jesus Can . . . Give You Purpose.

It was my privilege to care for my dad during the last five years of his life. He went home to Heaven in February 2024. This book is dedicated to him.

The Jesus Can . . . Give A Helping Hand Fund

For every copy that you purchase, a portion of this book’s net profits for two years will be given to an organization or individual that shares our primary mission: To spread the Gospel far and wide.

Our first honoree for this grant was an easy and obvious choice: Literacy & Evangelism International (LEI), located near Atlanta, GA, and staffed by missionaries Bob & Mary Mulloy.

The selection of LEI was easy because 29 of the 46 articles in this book are testimonies from individuals served by or affiliated with LEI. Bob and Mary’s testimonies are counted among the 29.

Atlanta is the ideal location for LEI because it is the home to the Hartsfield Jackson International Airport (ATL), the world’s busiest airport. Many of the people arriving at ATL from over 150 nations choose to make metro Atlanta their new home. As evidenced by the writers in Jesus Can Book 3, Bob & Mary have had the opportunity for 16 years to minister to many individuals, including three writers in Book 3 who are victims of violence in Africa, escapees from the killing fields of Cambodia, and a Haitian woman that was buried alive for three days.

It is our prayer that this grant will help them serve the diverse mission field in Atlanta for many more years, for it’s in Jesus’s name that we pray, Amen.

Blog Stops

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 12 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 13

Fiction Book Lover, March 14 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, March 15 (Author Interview)

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 15

Simple Harvest Reads, March 16 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 17

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 18

For the Love of Literature, March 19 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 20

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 21 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 22

Blossoms and Blessings, March 23 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 24

Artistic Nobody, March 25 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Stephanie is giving away the grand prize of a $75 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54171

Friday, March 21, 2025

"Mary the Missionary" by Yvonne M. Morgan -- Epic Book Launch

About the Book

Book Title: Mary the Missionary

Author Name: Yvonne M. Morgan

Genre: Children’s Early Reader

Release Date: February 1, 2025

A Kenya Adventure

Are you ready for an adventure in Kenya? After singing "Jesus Loves the Little Children" in

Sunday School, Mary has many questions about children in other countries. When her parents

learn about a mission trip to Kenya, they decided to experience another culture as a family. Mary

encounters many trials on her Kenyan adventure. In the end, she learns that she and her new

friends aren't different, and Jesus loves all children.

Through colorful illustrations and engaging storytelling, "Mary the Missionary" teaches

important lessons about acceptance, empathy, and love. As Mary meets children from different

cultures and backgrounds, she learns to see the world through their eyes and understand the

unique challenges they face. Along the way, she also discovers the unifying power of faith and

how it transcends all barriers.

Book Excerpt

1. Why is it important for our children to learn about other cultures?

a. Learning about diverse cultures helps children develop empathy, respect,

and understanding, building confidence to navigate our diverse world with

open minds and a strong sense of global citizenship

Missed Any Excerpts, Go Here

Come back after April 3 to get the rest of the links

About the Author

Yvonne M Morgan takes readers of all ages on a journey of faith, hope, and love with

encouraging words. Her captivating storytelling will inspire readers to trust in the Lord and give

them hope. Yvonne’s insightful reflections will resonate with anyone who wants a deeper

relationship with God. Find out more at https://yvonne-morgan.com

Sunday, March 16, 2025

"CAST: 1 Peter 5:7" by Richard Nilsen -- Author Interview

About the Book

Book: CAST: 1 Peter 5:7

Author: Richard Nilsen

Genre: Christian non-fiction

Release date: November 14, 2023

Book: CAST: 1 Peter 5:7

Author: Richard Nilsen

Genre: Christian non-fiction

Release date: November 14, 2023

Discover the profound art of casting your cares to God and surrendering your problems to the Creator of the universe. We are thrilled to introduce you to CAST – 1 Peter 5:7, a life-changing new book from author Richard Nilsen.

Based on the popular verse, “Cast all your cares on God for He cares about you,” CAST offers practical and spiritual guidance on how to overcome worry, fear, anxiety and stress in your life.

You will learn how to trust God with your problems, how to find peace in His presence, and how to experience His love and care for you. CAST is more than just a book, it’s a journey of faith, freedom, and personal transformation. Whether you are facing personal, relational, or global challenges, this book will give you an entirely new perspective on how to cast your cares on the One who can handle them all.

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview

1. Why did you choose to write about this particular topic?
However, my goal has always been to help other people by writing about my experiences
and what I learned. I want the reader to learn the skill of casting their cares, all their
cares, to the Lord. There is an art to surrendering your problems to God, and I go into
detail how to do this successfully in CAST.

2. How do you balance writing time with other things?
My main job is managing a website, BreedAdvisor.com, that provides resources for dog
owners. I spent a lot time optimizing and improving that site, so for other tasks, such as
writing, I have to set aside time and be disciplined with my schedule.

3. How long does the researching stage usually take?
Typically, I would have an idea in my head and then start researching that subject
online. Most of the time I would spend about an hour doing research, but of course, that
can vary based on ‘how successful’ my research is!

4. Do you think reading helps you with writing?
Definitely. I was very good in math growing up and won multiple math bees at school.
However, I would be an early “out” in the spelling bees. I read a lot, though, and, over
time, that helped my tremendously with writing, grammar, and spelling.

5. What is different about writing non-fiction vs fiction?
For me, writing non-fiction is so much easier. You are providing information or stating
facts and you have to make it interesting for the readers. Fiction writers, in my opinion,
have a harder job because, in many cases, they are starting from a blank slate. I have
tremendous respect for them!

About the Author

Richard Nilsen is the author of several self-help books in the Christian market, including “The Road to Recovery,” “Sleep Great for Life,” and now “CAST – 1 Peter 5:7.” He lives in Tarpon Springs, Florida with his wife of 25 years and three beautiful daughters.

More from Richard

If you had told me I would write a 168-page book based on one verse in the Holy Bible, I would have said you were crazy. God works in mysterious ways, and I believe He inspired me to write this book, a project that took three years to complete, in order to help others who are struggling.

During the process of battling earth-crushing anxiety and depression, I learned how to cast my cares to the Lord and leave them with Him. The result: He would take care of all my cares and handle my problems for me. What I discovered is that casting your cares is a skill that one has to learn. It is not something that you just do without any practice and without the correct foundation. Learning to cast your cares on God can be a struggle at first, but it is a pathway to a God-fearing and eternal mindset. Once you learn the art of casting your cares to the Creator of the universe, your life will never the same.

I have always felt compelled to help others, and writing has always been for me the best way to convey my thoughts. When my college sweetheart and wife of 4 ½ years died in a tragic accident, I wrote the free grief guide “The Road to Recovery” specifically for the victims of the September 11th tragedy. I later converted that work into an e-book for distribution online and through Amazon. CAST – 1 Peter 5:7 is another book based a difficult time in my life and how God pulled me through.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I promise that discovering how to cast your cares to our Lord is a skill you will not regret learning! Join me on this adventure.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 6

Vicky Sluiter, March 7 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 8

Fiction Book Lover, March 9 (Author Interview)

Abba‘s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 10

She Lives To Read, March 11

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 12

For the Love of Literature, March 13 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 14 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, March 15 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Blossoms and Blessings, March 16 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 16

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 17

Artistic Nobody, March 18 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Richard is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54176

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

"Jake Rogers' Planet" by Philip Wilder -- Author Interview

About the Book

Book: Jake Rogers’ Planet

Author: Philip Wilder

Genre: Christian YA Science Fiction

Release date: February, 2025

Jake is about to embark on a perilous adventure through an alien wilderness filled with hidden wonders and hazards.

While backpacking with his father, Jake Rogers discovers a mysterious portal and accidentally plunges headfirst into an alien world. Stranded on this bizarre planet, he must evade predators, adapt to the strange elements, and navigate the ever-changing landscape to return home. However, as Jake stumbles upon technologically advanced alien ruins, a chilling question arises: Are the aliens still alive?

Even on this terrifying journey, God reminds Jake of the profound verse: “Do not fear, for I am with you.”

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview

1. Do you consider yourself a plotter or a pantser (or a hybrid)?
I love this question. Writing helps me see life from God’s perspective. I can’t tell you the number
of times I was going through a hard situation, only to then write a scene where a character goes
through a similar situation. As he/she grits their teeth or complains I think to myself, if only you
knew what this was opening the door for. Then, I recall my situation and realize these same
thoughts are likely what God is thinking in response to my complaints.

2. What is your favorite part about writing?
I love this question. Writing helps me see life from God’s perspective. I can’t tell you the number
of times I was going through a hard situation, only to then write a scene where a character goes
through a similar situation. As he/she grits their teeth or complains I think to myself, if only you
knew what this was opening the door for. Then, I recall my situation and realize these same
thoughts are likely what God is thinking in response to my complaints.

As I create these characters, worlds, and plots, I often think of God’s grand tapestry. In all that I
do with writing, I can’t help but imitate Him as He too crafts and designs worlds, people, and
history to orchestrate his beautiful story. He knows our future and often says no to our short-
sighted prayers. He allows the right trials so we can grow and become the best version of
ourselves.

Imagine the confidence of a character who knows he’s in a book and the author is looking out
for him. Who in the story can interfere with the author’s plans? Amazingly, we as Christians can
have this exact confidence.

3. When did you become a writer?
In some ways, I feel like I was born a writer. Technically I was born a storyteller and then
became a writer when I realized the best way to share my stories was through writing. Even
around a campfire people don’t want to listen to a story that goes on longer than thirty minutes.
Because of this, writing became an essential part of my life to release the stories that sprung
from my heart. I remember thinking when I first started learning how to type at the age of ten,
that I needed to get this skill down because I was going to need it if I was going to write books.

However, if I were to nail down an exact moment. I’d say it came when I was 16 and finished my
first novel. Typing the words “the end” after that first 350-page book was euphoric, and I knew
right then that I would never be able to stop writing. This turned out to be true. In every season
of life, writing has always followed me.

4. Where do you get your ideas for your books?
I am totally dependent on God for ideas. They just hit me as I’m living life. I can’t just sit down
and think, “Okay, what should I write for my next book.” That doesn’t work for me.
I think and ponder a lot about the complexity and intricacy of God’s creation. As I do so, ideas
come. Then I let those ideas roll around in my head for a few years as I work on other books
until the concept is ready for me to plant and let it grow.

5. Do bits of yourself/friends show up in your characters?
All the time, it’s hard for me to get away from this. For main characters, sometimes their arc is a
process I had to go through. This helps me make it more authentic, but it also feels more raw
and vulnerable on my part. However, sometimes I put my friends and family in my books. I ask
them first, but then I try my best to replicate them in the story. Other times I just use their
names.

About the Author

Philip Wilder has been writing since the age of seven. He’s authored two nonfiction books, is a ACFW Genesis Contest finalist, and is currently a Realm Makers Aurora Contest double finalist. He’s spent two years as an undercover missionary in the Middle East, gone sky-diving, and traveled to 35 countries. Philip works with the Great Commission Alliance to train and equip believers around the world. He’s passionate about using fiction to inspire believers to live adventurous lives of faith.

More from Philip

Fear is a dangerous enemy.

At the age of 22, I felt God calling me to become a missionary in the Middle East—not for a week or a month, but a year (that eventually became two). Having never traveled outside the US or moved away from my home city of Denver, I was overwhelmed by fear. I’d be moving to a foreign land where I didn’t know a single person and doing work that wasn’t widely accepted there. I spent many sleepless nights wrestling with God’s gentle prompting.

Fear is inevitable in a Christian’s walk, but its power diminishes as we learn to lean into God and trust Him with the unknown. No matter where a believer is on their faith journey, God always guides us to step outside our comfort zones.

The inspiration for this novel came in 2016 while I was living in the Middle East. While watching The Martian, I realized that even if I were stranded on Mars, millions of miles from humanity, God would still call me to trust Him and not fear. That realization was life-changing: no matter what we face, God assures us nothing is worth fearing if we walk in joyful obedience.

Moving to the Middle East was terrifying and far from easy, but God was always present when I needed Him. In following God to take this step, I realized another beautiful truth: God knows what we need, love, and desire more than we do.

My firm belief is that God has wired each of us to love and enjoy different things because He wants to lead us down a unique path, where He desires to see the deepest parts of our hearts come alive. Walking this path is hard and full of fear. It requires letting go of dreams and trusting God will fulfill the right desires at the right time.

This is the journey Jake faces in Jake Rogers’ Planet. The fears he wrestles with are the same ones I had to navigate to declutter my mind and follow God.

I hope this book will help believers overcome their own fears and follow God. My prayer is that everyone reading this novel will be inspired by Jake’s story to take wild steps of faith to follow God on the wondrous adventure he has in store for them.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 7

Simple Harvest Reads, March 8 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 9

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 10 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 11

Blossoms and Blessings, March 12 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, March 13

Artistic Nobody, March 14 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 16 (Spotlight)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 16

Stories By Gina, March 17 (Author Interview)

cecereadsandsings, March 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 18

Guild Master, March 19 (Author Interview)

Little Homeschool on the Prairie , March 20

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Philip is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card, plus a signed hardcover copy of the book, a bookmark, and a vinyl sticker!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54168

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

"Tides of Healing" by Sandra Merville Hart

About the Book

Book: Tides of Healing

Author: Sandra Merville Hart

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: February 11, 2025

A Southern belle fights to reclaim her home, but will her spying destroy the Union officer she never meant to love?

Savannah Adair has endured the unimaginable, hiding in a cave while her beloved Vicksburg was under siege. With the city now occupied by Union soldiers, Savannah cannot stand by and do nothing. So when one of the gaunt, half-starved Confederate prisoners asks her to spy for the South, she can’t refuse the chance to take back her home.

First Lieutenant Travis Lawson takes pride in the Union army’s hard-fought victory, but he quickly realizes that the challenges of rebuilding and reconciliation are just beginning . . . and not everyone is appreciative of changes he’s making. Namely, the fiery and alluring Savannah Adair. Despite their differing loyalties and the societal divide between them, Travis cannot deny the growing feelings he has for her. When he is tasked with finding Southern spies in Vicksburg and he captures a female spy, Travis is forced to consider that the woman he’s beginning to love may be the enemy.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

This book was interesting to read and get a glimpse of what life was like in Vicksburg during the Civil War. It was sort of hard to read Savannah's hatred of the Union (being a Northerner myself) and wondered how she and Travis would reconcile their differences. I like the Civil War period and look forward to reading more books set in that time period.

About the Author

Sandra Merville Hart, award-winning and Amazon bestselling author of inspirational historical romances, loves to discover little-known yet fascinating facts from American history to include in her stories. Her desire is to transport her readers back in time. She is also a blogger, speaker, and conference teacher.

More from Sandra

As I typed away on this final book in my Spies of the Civil War Series, it felt as if I’d written the entire series to tell this story.

Previously, I had felt a similar importance of an as yet unpublished two-book contemporary series, but the sense that the whole series climaxed with the final book was as surprising as it was welcome.

Because it seemed as if everything that happened in all the earlier books culminated in Book 6 for me as an author. Its significance reverberated in my soul while still researching the events…and weeks before I sat to pen the first page, the first paragraph, the first sentence.

That sense of importance made this book difficult to begin. The early chapters took far longer to write than normal.

I believe that those who only read Tides of Healing will have a satisfying, complete story. Those who read the entire series in order—or at least Books 4-6 set in Vicksburg—will experience a deeper impact as the characters’ stories build on one another.

There is a song in Tides of Healing. As an author, the impact of the lyrics within the story preceded it, meaning that I knew a certain song would play a significant role while still in the research phase.

Let me explain.

When I’m researching a story, I read a variety of nonfiction resources including diaries, journals, and newspaper accounts. My research for Vicksburg during the Civil War led me to song lyrics written by the enslaved.

African American Spirituals, also called Negro Spirituals, were sung before and after the Civil War. These Christian songs served a variety of purposes beyond bolstering hope and faith during dark days. They told stories about Biblical characters like Moses. Some comforted the sorrowful and some rejoiced with the joyful. They were sung in churches, in camp meetings, and in the fields.

They often contained secret messages. “Home” in a song can refer to Heaven, but the secret meaning was a free country. Author Frederick Douglas had been a former slave. He wrote that the lyrics to “O Canaan, Sweet Canaan” signified more than a hope of Heaven. Repeated singing of the lyrics “I am bound for the land of Canaan” announced an intention to go North, their Canaan.

The Underground Railroad is a theme in Tides of Healing. In 1828, Reverend John Rankin built his home on a hill overlooking the Ohio River in Ripley, Ohio. As a station on the Underground Railroad, this home was easily seen from the opposite side of the river in the slave state of Kentucky. Runaways waited for a boat to take them across the river.

It surprised me to learn that the lyrics of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” are about this station. “I looked over Jordan and what did I see?” refers to the Ohio River. The band of angels are people who rowed them across the wide river to the free state of Ohio.

Neither of these songs is referenced in Tides of Healing. The tune that is in my story was a popular spiritual leading up to the war. I listened to it many times. The message took root in my heart long before it affected my characters.

My research trip to Vicksburg’s battlefield and museums inspired the writing of Streams of Courage, Book 4, River of Peril, Book 5, and Tides of Healing, Book 6.

Avenue of Betrayal, Book 1, is set in the Union capital of Washington City (Washington DC) in 1861, where a surprising number of Confederate sympathizers and spies lived. Boulevard of Confusion and Byway to Danger are set in Richmond, the Confederate capital in 1862. Actual historical spies touch the lives of our fictional family. The heroines in Books 1 – 3 are two sisters and their cousins. Another set of characters begin with Book 4, and three friends are the heroines in Books 4 -6.

Through both real and fictional characters, this series highlights activities spies were involved in and some of the motives behind their decisions.

I invite you to read the whole Spies of the Civil War Series!