I'm a sucker for a Christmas play novel, and second chances? Listen in to see why I'm eager for Kelli Galyean's I Know the Feeling. #BecauseChristmas!

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Don't we all know someone who doesn't know when to quit? The shock that comes the one time they could keep pushing... and don't? Yeah that! OY!

I Know the Feeling by Kelli Galyean

They say timing is everything.

ER Nurse Maddie Reed is barely keeping her head above water at work. She certainly doesn't have time to take over directing the children's Christmas play at church. But when the director is put on bedrest at the last minute, Maddie can't say no. The children are counting on her!

Maddie agrees to step up, prepared for the worst. Turns out "the worst" is worse than she thought. Her new assistant director is Chris Calvert, the most obnoxious man on the planet. To say they have history is an understatement.

Maddie braces for a disastrous month of pranks and shenanigans, but something about Chris is different. Working with him wasn't supposed to be good, much less great. And when Maddie's painful past shows up, Chris' friendship proves steady again and again.

Maddie wrote Chris off a long time ago, but now she wonders. Is it possible to leave behind the old and let something new grow?

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

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All authors put a bit of themselves in their books. They can't help it. But while chatting with author Joy Crain, I saw it in a whole new way. Her books in the Royals of Andelar series are her story--and not. But they are. Listen in to see what I mean and to hear her amazing life story.

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What happens when an author lives where internet is tightly regulated? We get creative. My usual recording program? Not allowed. Zoom? Nope. Finally, I recorded us with "print screen video." Of course, I had to extract the audio separately and all but... we got there in the end.

What a great conversation!

The Cost of the Crown by Joy Crain

Missy Hanson never dreamed of falling in love and living happily ever after. In fact, she doesn't know what she wants to do after she graduates from college; nevertheless, she's content working as a journalist for her local newspaper and assisting at her aunt's California bakery. When a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity emerges for her to visit the southeast Asian country of Andelar, Missy is thrown into the world of royalty as the special guest of the king and queen—and it's clear she doesn't belong, despite her family ties to the area. But the royal family isn't without its mysteries. Rumors abound that a secret prince is hiding amid Andelar's society, and Missy is determined to find out who he is.

Aiden Waverly never wanted a crown or a title. He craves a normal life, but being a secret prince of biracial background is difficult enough and would create chaos amid the tabloids if the press learned about his parentage. After years of traveling the world to help those in the greatest of need, he's faced with a life-altering decision: take his place as crown prince or walk away as a commoner. With no clear path that will satisfy him and the royal family, the tug between following his heart and doing his duty to Andelar becomes harder every day.

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

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Author Jessica Wakefield has pulled together a Christmas romance extravaganza. Calling it "Gilmore Girls meets Romeo and Juliet" (sans unintentional death pact), Wakefield offers a Christmas party like no other. Listen in to see what I mean.

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Full of fun tropes, It Shouldn't Be You is exactly what the Christmaws doctor ordered.

It Shouldn't Be You by Jessica Wakefield

To revive his stalled career, jaded journalist Declan Collins is assigned to cover the Hamiltons' extravagant Christmas party—the same Hamiltons who are demolishing the community centre where Declan spent some of the best moments of his childhood.

Addey Bennet, the event planner behind the party, needs everything to go perfectly. Her business is on the line, and so is her chance to mend a strained relationship with her powerful parents—the ones footing the bill.

Neither of them expects the spark between them.

Addey never planned to fall for the man who resents everything her family stands for. Declan never imagined he'd be drawn to the Hamiltons' daughter. But as tensions rise and emotions deepen, their unexpected connection could cost them everything they've worked for—and maybe even a shot at love.

It's Gilmore Girls meets Romeo and Juliet in this heartfelt, kissing-only story, combining humor and faith, with sparks flying off the page.

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

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Nothing hurts more than family turning against you--unless it's God's family. Listen in as author Sarah Hanks and I talk about her Brave Authors anthologies, why she organized them, and more.

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Large publishing houses have to be careful with what they offer the public. Taking risks is a fine way to ensure they go under. But many readers want the tougher stories, the grittier, "this hurts but we can do something about it" tales that go beyond, "it was a difficult time" and works to debride the wound through story. Hanks and her anthologies dealing with difficult topics like church hurt and abuse and abortion and trafficking... they do just that.

Every Voice Heard by Sarah Hanks & Others

Praise Through the Pain by N. Y. Dunlap

She walked away from the church. He's finding his way back. One year after the tragedy, their paths cross, and God's not finished with either of them. A poignant Christian romance about rediscovering faith, and the kind of love that gently leads you home.

Rapha by D.T. Powell

After leaving her home church several months ago due to malicious rumors, Rebecca is tired of searching for a new congregation. When she settles on a church to visit through the holiday months, she discovers that her newest supervisee at work is the pastor. And not everyone is eager to have him behind the pulpit.

For the Love of Truth by Sarah Hanks

Candi loves her role as personal assistant to megachurch pastor Richard Blake. But when she meets Justice, he exposes the flaws of her "perfect" church family and she discovers her pastor isn't who he seems to be. Freedom lies on the other side of truth, if only she'll allow Justice and the Lord to lead her there.

10% of all proceeds go to beEmboldened, a non-profit that exists for the prevention of and healing from spiritual abuse.

Don't miss the Brave Author Website!

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

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In a world that says, "be silent about your faith," Michael E. Cafferky writes about one man who risks everything to be authentic and open about who he is in Christ. Listen in to learn more about Cafferky's inspiration and what's coming down the line.

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Sometimes, life-altering moments show us just what is most important and changes our trajectory. But what if doing the right thing has further life-altering consequences?

Had a blast talking with Michael about this book and some of the ideas he has for future books. He's an author I'm going to watch closely!

On the Brink by Michael E. Cafferky

To save his career, he must risk it all—including his marriage.
Gabriel Oliver has everything he's ever wanted—a successful career, a loving wife, a position of influence. But when a life-threatening illness forces him to look inward, Gabriel realizes he's been living his Christian faith in name only. He returns to work committed to be an ambassador for Christ in his workplace, but instead sparks tension, alienates his colleagues, and puts a strain on his marriage.

Should he keep quiet and protect all he holds dear, or stand up for his beliefs and risk everything?

Join Gabriel as he discovers what being a believer in an unbelieving world truly means.

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

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Marline Williams' love for Jesus and His people shine through her Jesus Revolution romances. Listen in while we learn what Marline has in store next for her characters... in LONDON!

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Had a great conversation about London in the seventies, how the Jesus People changed how the church looked to those outside, about atheism and so much more.

Love the One You're With by Marline Williams

To thine own self be true. Yeah, right.

Street-preaching in Hyde Park, singing Godspell's greatest hits at the Royal Albert Hall, performing at Jesus People music festivals—Dana Whitman has finally met her tribe! It's spring 1974 and Dana arrives in swingin' London wearing her heart on her sleeve and Roland Schowalter's ring on her finger. A ring that seems dangerously close to slipping off when she matches wits with droll, dashing Oxford atheist Cyril Hawthorne, self-appointed pirate king of the wild Shakespeare troupe she's joined.

Her long-distance romance with all-American Roland feels fuzzy and far away, their small-town future increasingly unappealing.

Rumors about Roland's loyalty—and doubts about her own—force a freaked-out Dana to do some of her most convincing acting off-stage. But her return to the States will make everything okay again. Right? How can Dana be true to herself and the man she's promised to love?

Don't miss the first episode where we chatted about her debut novel!

ALSO: Get her FREE 1939 novella HERE!
and

Her FREE 1965 novella HERE.

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

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Nothing pulls at my inner middle-grade than a good mystery, and Kay DiBianca provides that in spades! Listen in to learn what her young sleuths, Reen and Joanie, are up to next!

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After their success with the time capsule treasure, Reen and Joanie head off to "The Big Apple" for more adventures!

Knights in Manhattan by Kay DiBianca

WHO NEEDS ARMOR? TWO LITTLE KNIGHTS IN SNEAKERS TAKE ON THE BIG APPLE...

A gang of tricky thieves is on the loose in Manhattan, but no need to worry. The Reen & Joanie Detective Agency is on the case. The two pint-sized detectives track the crooks through some of the most famous landmarks in New York, but can the girls decode the strange clues and stop the criminals before they get away?

Hamsters, secret passageways, and a seven-year-old genius named Miles all contribute to this fun, action-packed romp through the streets and buildings of Manhattan.

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

Don't miss the episode about Lacy's Star (the Lady Pilot in Command series) HERE.

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