Book Spotlight: Oscar and the Mystery of the Glowing Orbs by Don Everts

About the Book:

What if you could see things no one else could?

Meet Oscar, a new kid navigating life in a new town, at a new school, with no friends to lean on. Just as he's decided to shuffle his way through freshman year and settle for lonely lunches on the football bleachers, something extraordinary happens―Oscar begins to see glowing orbs that no one else can see. Confused and curious, he soon discovers he's not the only one at his school with a mysterious power.

Oscar and the Mystery of the Glowing Orbs launches The Sensate Saga, a middle-grade adventure brimming with courage, curiosity, and faith—perfect for fans of The Wingfeather Saga and The Sherlock Society.

Purchase Link: IVP Press.

---

Book Excerpt:

Oscar and the Mystery of the Glowing Orbs
Excerpt ch. 1, “Oscar Climbs the Steepest Steps”

Oscar Owens stood in the morning sun staring down at his Bilbo Baggins T-shirt.

He had washed it and carefully laid it out the night before because it was, by far, his favorite shirt. But in the light of day, Oscar was suddenly having second thoughts. Is this something a high schooler would wear?

“Hijo!” Amá called from downstairs, “It’s time to go!”

Oscar checked the time and started rooting frantically through his dresser. His heart beat double time as he pulled out shirt after shirt with images of dragons or elves or wizards or enchanted forests. Do I own even a single normal shirt?

While searching, Oscar couldn’t help but relive the argument he’d had with his dad and stepmom during dinner the night before. It turned out their new house was too close to the high school for Oscar to take a bus, so Dad and Amá calmly suggested Oscar just walk.

Usually Oscar tried not to make a huge deal about his legs around his parents, knowing how guilty they still felt about the accident. But this crossed a line. Do the Oscar Shuffle all the way through downtown while kids in buses and cars stare at the new freak in town? No way! Oscar’s voice had cracked in that embarrassing new way as he tried to get them to see how unfair they were being.

Eventually Amá agreed to drop Oscar off on the first day. But after that? She was unbending, “Oscar, you’re a high schooler now. It’s time to act like it.”

Oscar couldn’t believe her words, or Dad’s firm agreement. So. Unfair.

And now his stepmom was yelling from downstairs because he was going to be late. Since the accident four years ago, Oscar had found that nothing was worse than shuffling into a classroom with everyone already seated, all eyes watching you make your way to your desk. So he quickly threw on trusty Bilbo, ran a comb through his stubborn brown hair, and took a last look at himself in the mirror.

Oscar felt average in size and looks. Nothing too special about him, he thought.

Oscar glanced down at the reflection of Bilbo in the mirror and the backward reflection of the quote that had made him smile when he first saw the shirt: “I think I’m quite ready for another adventure.”

Oscar wasn’t sure he felt the same.

“Vamos!” Amá’s voice had a ring of urgency to it.

“Ya voy!” Oscar said to the open door and then looked back into his own eyes in the mirror. Okay then, Oscar. And with that he grabbed the faded gray JanSport he’d been using since sixth grade and shuffled downstairs.

In the end, the drive only took two minutes.

The short trip made Oscar feel silly for insisting on the ride and made his stomach start to churn like an off-balance washing machine.

Amá pulled up to the curb and put the white station wagon into park. Oscar just sat there staring at the front steps while a group of loud kids streamed around their car toward the imposing redbrick building.

Eventually Amá spoke softly. “Te amo, Hijo.”

Oscar didn’t dare turn to respond. Finally he opened the door and shot a gruff “See ya tonight” over his shoulder. It came out rougher than he intended, but he couldn’t worry about Amá’s feelings right now.

He shut the door and slowly shuffled away from the car toward the unfamiliar redbrick steps. He stopped and glared up at the imposing front door he’d been dreading. “Centerville High School” it read above the door. Sounded innocent enough. But for some reason Oscar was reminded of the door he’d read about in Coraline, a seemingly ordinary door that wound up leading to a dangerous place.

Oscar shook away the thought and started up.

The steps felt annoyingly steep to Oscar, almost unnaturally steep. As he climbed up each step, slower than all the strangers around him, Oscar grumped his way, for the hundredth time, through a set of well-worn questions.

Why did Dad and Amá have to get new jobs?
Why did they drag Oscar away from everything he’d ever known?
And why in the world did they move into an old house that was possibly haunted?

Oscar paused on the top step, considering the open door in front of him, a scary threshold he wasn’t sure he was ready to cross.

Taken from Oscar and the Mystery of the Glowing Orbs by Don Everts. Copyright (c) 2026 by Donald Dean Everts II. Used by permission of InterVarsity Press. www.ivpress.com

---

Book Endorsements:

"Thanks to a compelling blend of contemporary social commentary and urban fantasy, Oscar and the Mystery of the Glowing Orbs is an engaging, ultimately uplifting read about finding your voice, accepting your flaws, and realizing that your greatest weakness can become your greatest strength—an ideal read for anyone who enjoys character-driven narratives, secret-society tropes, and stories that use the fantastical to explore real-world issues of identity, courage, and social justice." —The Children's Book Review

"This cozy story weaves Christian themes of faith and friendship into a slow-burn mystery with spots of humor and drama. Everts develops the large, racially diverse cast of characters through strong dialogue that propels the plot." ― Kirkus Reviews

---

About the Author:

Don Everts is the senior pastor at First and Calvary Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Missouri, and has been serving in ministry for over thirty years—on campus with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and in the local church with the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. He is also an award-winning author who has published over twenty books including Jesus with Dirty Feet, I Once Was Lost, and The Spiritually Vibrant Home. An avid reader, frequenter of rocking chairs, and amateur chicken farmer, Don and his wife, Wendy, have three adult children and live in a home solidly built in 1887.

Author Interview: How to Kill a Giant by Carol Schlorff

Welcome to the Blog Tour for How to Kill a Giant by Carol Schlorff, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: How to Kill a Giant 
Series: How to Be a Hero #1 
Author: Carol Schlorff 
Publisher: Elk Lake Publishing Inc 
Release Date: June 11, 2023 
Genre: Middle Grade Action and Adventure Fiction

He lost his courage. Will meeting a real superhero help him find it?  

An awful summer ... Thirteen-year-old Hugo is miserable. His move to a small Pennsylvania town has brought him nothing but trouble. Ignored by his new classmates and a favorite target for the school bullies, Hugo lets fear rule his life. It's going to be a long summer.  

An unexpected twist ... Hugo meets siblings Julia and Stefan, who are just as unhappy as he is. After finding a mysterious old Bible, all three are magically transported to ancient Israel, where they meet the young shepherd David, who suspects they're spies. The trio is caught up in a scary world where danger lurks on every side.  

A terrifying adventure ... As Hugo and his friends navigate the perils of this strange and frightening land, Hugo must face his greatest fear—that he's a coward. His only hope of survival is to learn the secret of David's bravery, but will he do so in time to face his biggest test? Find out in this thrilling tale of courage, friendship, and faith.  

How to Kill a Giant is a 2024 Christian Indie Awards Winner. 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

---

Excerpt from How to Kill a Giant

He was hiking along a rocky path in the wilderness, wearing those same weird sandals, when a towering hulk of a man suddenly appeared before him. His features were mostly hidden—like in a picture out of focus—except for his bulging biceps. An overwhelming terror took hold of Hugo, who sprinted in the opposite direction, but he felt powerful hands grab him from behind and lift him straight off his feet. He tried to shake loose, but the man’s grip was too firm. He screamed but instinctively knew no one could hear him.

Hugo woke up. He lay in bed, sweat pouring down his face—another nightmare. While his pulse slowly returned to normal, his distress refused to let go. Both dreams had been so vivid and with the same strange sandals! What could they mean? He was sure they contained a message he couldn’t decipher. Maybe this new nightmare was his mind’s sick way of rehashing his encounters with the bullies and the day. Or perhaps the dreams were a warning about something else altogether. He fell back into a troubled sleep.

---

About the Author

Carol Schlorff’s passion is to write exciting stories that encourage, inspire, and boost the reader’s faith, possibly because she has always felt like an outsider. She was born in North Africa to American parents and grew up in France. At age 15, her family’s abrupt move to Philadelphia resulted in a rough transition to American life.

After graduating from Penn State, Carol joined the Army in search of adventure. She was stationed in exotic—for her—locations like California, Arizona, and Texas. 

Since then, Carol has lived in Cracow, Poland, where she teaches English and organizes language camps. She also writes a blog on faith-related topics. 

Carol enjoys caring for her cat, Tabasco, watching a good murder mystery, and getting nervous while watching NFL games. Connect with her on her blog and Facebook.

---

Author Interview

Q: What inspired you to write How to Kill a Giant?

Carol: The idea for my book about time travel back to the Bible came to me during a church sermon on meditating on God’s Word. My motivation for writing is to demonstrate that the Bible is relevant to our lives, provides the answers we seek about life, and is far from boring. Of course, I also want my readers to have fun and stay on the edge of their seats. Growing up in a Christian home where my parents were missionaries, I still had many questions and doubts about the Bible and Christianity, especially starting in middle school. That’s why I target this age group. If my books can help my young (and older) readers grow in their faith and trust in God, then I will consider them a success.

Q: How long did it take to write this book?

Carol: It took me five years from the moment the idea first popped into my head until its publication. I spent a lot of that time not only writing the book but also learning everything I could about novel writing, which included attending writers’ conferences, taking online courses, and reading countless books.

Q: What surprised you while researching/writing this novel?

Carol: I was surprised by how difficult everything related to the publishing industry is, from writing to publishing to marketing. Frankly, it’s overwhelming. I was tempted to give up more than once, but each time I was about to throw in the towel, God sent me the exact encouragement I needed to keep me going, whether in the form of a kind word, a card, or an email.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote from How to Kill a Giant?

Carol: I love the last line in the book: “Certain things are best seen through the eyes of faith.” Hugo, the main character, struggles to understand what has happened to him and decides to leave it in God’s hands, choosing to trust God even if he doesn’t understand. I love this quote because it captures what God wants from us—to trust him no matter what.

Q: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

Carol: I honestly didn’t think much about becoming an author until the idea for the book popped into my head. I had always thought it would be cool to write a novel, but I never had much time to think about it. Starting at a young age, I have always loved reading, and writing has always been a part of my life, but more on a personal level, such as diaries and private devotions.

Q: Would you share something about yourself that most readers wouldn’t know?

Carol: I was a sergeant in the U.S. Army. After graduating from Penn State, I enlisted in the Army and spent four years serving Uncle Sam in California, Arizona, and Texas. I don’t regret a single minute of my time in the Army, but I admit I was glad to return to civilian life when my enlistment was up.

Q: What are you currently reading?

Carol: I always read several books at once, usually a fiction and a non-fiction title. Currently, I’m reading "Prayer" by Philip Yancey, and I just finished "An Ode to Poison" by Lisa E. Betz, a cozy murder mystery set in ancient Rome.

Q: What is your favorite genre to read?

Carol: I love reading murder mystery books, both cozy and non-cozy. I also enjoy books about the Christian life that help me grow in my faith. Finally, I like books about history or current events, although I usually go through those types of books in phases, such as a phase when I read everything about World War II or another phase when I focused on books about women in Muslim countries.

Q: What is your favorite hobby?

Carol: I love photography, particularly capturing landscapes and flowers (as well as my cat, Tabasco). A few years ago, I switched from a Pentax to a Panasonic Lumix camera because the Lumix is smaller and lighter, which increases the chances that I’ll carry it with me. I can’t take a picture if I don’t have my camera!

Q: What is your favorite season and why?

Carol: My favorite season is summer. I love the long days of sunlight and the warm weather (not too hot). I enjoy eating breakfast outside on my balcony or sitting in the sun while reading a book. I appreciate the abundance of ice cream and being able to walk or sit outside while enjoying it without getting cold. I also look forward to summer because I’m always leading evangelistic English language camps, which are not only fun but also a wonderful opportunity to share God’s love. There isn’t much I dislike about summer (okay, maybe the mosquitoes and ticks).

---

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a $30 Amazon gift card and a copy of How to Kill a Giant (winner's choice between paperback or kindle)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 11, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 18, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

---

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

The Newton Chronicles: Soldiers, Crystals, and Temples Epic Book Launch

ABOUT THE BOOK

Book: The Newton Chronicles: Soldiers, Crystals, and Temples
Author: Terry Overton
Genre: Middle Grade Christian Fiction
Release date: November 22, 2022

Luke Alexander’s father is “missing, presumed dead.” But Luke is confident that his father has set off on an adventure and needs his help. Searching through his father’s office, Luke – along with his friends Nathan, a pastor’s kid, and Lydia, a world traveler who knows several languages – discovers some confusing notes about Isaac Newton and finds a strange watch that once belonged to his grandfather. Knowing his archeologist father was on the hunt for Solomon’s temple, Luke and his friends decide to start a search of their own. Little do they know that their search will take them on the wildest adventures of their lives and make the stories of Solomon’s temple and other biblical events seem more real than they ever thought possible. But will their adventures lead them to Luke’s father, or will they only wind up with more questions than answers? Soldiers, Crystals, and Temples is an excellent book for anyone who loves a good adventure and who wants to find the truth that is found only in God’s Word. This first book in The Newton Chronicles will make history and the Bible come alive for readers both young and old.

---

BOOK EXCERPT

If I had known the length and complexity of what I was about to begin, I might have changed my mind. I guess I could ignore the name Isaac Newton and continue playing Fortnite on my phone. But my curiosity is alive with the name

Isaac Newton ringing in my ears.

So, it begins.

***

I sit straight up in the pew to see what Nathan’s father would say next.

“Science and religion are related. Isaac Newton wrote more papers on the subject of God than he did on the subject of science. Better yet, Isaac Newton believed that God imparted all knowledge to man, including science and mathematics. So, we turn to God for guidance and knowledge . . . ” And then he rambled on about faith.

Science and God?

A quick search on my phone, and there it is. The door has been opened. For the first time since I can remember, church is over too soon. I can hardly get my phone placed inside my zippered Bible before my mother catches me. She gives me the look. I search the room to find Nathan so I can escape the next words that I know were about to emerge from my mother’s lips.

---

LINKS TO ALL EXCERPTS

Excerpt One: https://janemouttet.wordpress.com/2022/11/03/the-newton-chronicles-soldiers-crystals-and-temples-epic-book-launch-excerpt/

Excerpt Two: https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-newton-chronicles-soldiers-crystals.html

Excerpt Three: https://www.amoderndayfairytale.net/2022/10/the-newton-chronicles-soldiers-crystals.html

Excerpt Four: https://storiesbygina.wordpress.com/2022/11/03/the-newton-chronicles-soldiers-crystals-and-temples-epic-book-launch/

Excerpt Five: http://amandanicolle.blogspot.com/2022/11/the-newton-chronicles-soldiers-crystals.html?m=1

Excerpt Six: http://montanamade.weebly.com/tell-tale-book-reviews/epic-book-launch-the-newton-chronicles-soldiers-crystals-and-temples-by-terry-overton

Excerpt Seven: https://guildmaster97.wordpress.com/2022/11/03/the-newton-chronicles-soldiers-crystals-and-temples-excerpt/

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Terry Overton obtained her Ph.D. in Psychology and her Ed. D. in special education. She taught in public schools and was a school psychologist and a professor before retiring in 2016. She began her second “career” after retirement and now writes Christian fiction books and devotionals and hopes to share the Christian worldview through her writing. Her novels, middle grade readers, and picture books seek to entertain readers through the travel experiences and characters included in her books. She currently resides in Laguna Vista, Texas, near the Texas-Mexico border. She enjoys Biblical history and general Bible studies, writing, and enjoying family and friends. She has seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Author Interview & Giveaway: If You Really Knew Me by Alison Cheah

About the Book

Book: If You Really Knew Me

Author: Alison Cheah

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction

Release date: December 2021

Tommy is glad of friendships which make him forget the situation at home. His father’s illness makes his behavior so unpredictable that the whole family must tip-toe around him for fear of becoming the butt of his anger.

Elise wishes her twin sister didn’t think being champion swimmers was an adequate goal for their lives. She has her own dreams to fulfil.

Carrie hides a secret, avoiding other students so nobody will ever find it out. But Tommy and Elise both look to Carrie to save them from their situations.

Until she disappears.

Tommy’s protective instinct kicks in, and Elise reassesses her priorities so she can help keep Carrie safe.

Click here to get your copy!

---

About the Author

Alison Cheah worked at Youth for Christ for five years and volunteers with her church youth group. One of her favorite activities is preparing Bible Studies and seeking how to connect the stories of the Bible with her students’ own stories.

As a child she was always to be seen with her nose in a book, and nothing has changed. One of her favorite authors was Patricia St. John. Her characters are people you want to know, and you are rooting for them to overcome their problems, but for Alison, the added dimension was that each person discovers their answers in Jesus. She saw that the faith she had grown up with had applicability in real life.

Her prayer is that this story has the same result for you.

---

More from Alison

I spent five years working at Youth for Christ with middle school students like Tommy, Carrie, and Elise. They are not based on kids I met, but they are inspired by my experiences then.

My friend and mentor in youth ministry was Anna-Marie Valles who is also a character in Tommy, Carrie and Elise’s story helping them to make sense of some of the questions they have.

We don’t get to know her well in the book, but I had a chat with her recently about youth ministry and here is an extract from that conversation. I think you will enjoy getting to know her better.

Alison: In the story, Elise shares her problems with you. Do you find teens want to talk to an adult about their problems?

AMV: Kids are hungry to be able to unload their stories on people who are willing to listen. I remember in one club a student said that all day, adults were telling him what to do. But club was a space where people were asking him, “How are you feeling? “What are your thoughts on this?” He was shocked.

 

Alison: You were only eighteen when you started in youth ministry. After all these years, how do you stay current so kids still want to talk with you?

AMV: If you come to kids with a willingness to learn, you become relevant. Say to them, “Tell me what’s going on?” Don’t pretend you have all the answers. I find that has worked for me. “I don’t know your culture like you do. But I’m willing to see through your lens if you’re able to share that with me.”

Age is interesting. I always worried I would age out. At my application interview for seminary I said, “I always thought if I aged out of youth ministry, I’d be a chaplain.” And the professor called me out on that. You never age out because kids still need that safe place where someone is willing to listen.

 

Alison: The profits from this book will be used to send kids to camp. Why is this important to you?

AMV: Youth ministry is all relational. But trust can take a while to build. The beauty of camps is that you can create a bond in one week that could take two years without. And at camp they hear the gospel presented in different ways by different speakers. Other people’s creativity and presentation may reach my students in a way that I haven’t been able to.

What saddens me is not everyone can go because camps are costly. My desire is that every student who wants to go will have the opportunity to do so.

 

For more of this conversation, see alisonrcheah.com

(Interview transcribed by https://otter.ai )

My prayer is that the story of Tommy, Carrie and Elise will be one of those different speakers Anna-Marie talked about, helping kids to begin their own relationship with Jesus.

Thank you.

Alison

---

Author Interview with Alison

Q: What was the inspiration behind this novel?

Alison: Some years ago, when our church was holding a summer reading program for the kids, my friend asked me whether I had written a missionary story which they could include. I hadn’t, but I decided to write one with a twist. The main characters were two fictional girls whose lives were impacted by some of the missionaries supported by our church.

I liked the format so much that I decided to do another one for my friend Anna-Marie Valles in aid of her work in middle schools.

The story isn’t about her, although she does make an appearance. Instead, I concentrated on three students who are trying to find their way through the complicated problems of life in middle school.

 

Q: Do any of the novel’s characters hold a special place in your heart?

Alison: I love Tommy who is mischievous and full of fun. He’s the sort of friend you’d want because you know he’ll always have your back. But that’s a heavy responsibility for him because when things go wrong, he blames himself. It’s a pity his father can’t be a better role model for him.

Q:What do you hope readers take away from this novel?

Alison: In my family when I grew up, Jesus was a daily part of our lives, but I much preferred reading fiction to reading the Bible.

However, in the stories written by Patricia St. John, I found both. Each character became a friend whose ups and downs mattered to me. But each one gave me something more. They all discovered that Jesus was a Friend who cared about their problems and loved them in their messiest moments and through them, I began to understand the same thing.

My goal is to write stories with the same “both/and” elements that Miss St. John engaged, piquing my reader’s interest while attracting them to Jesus who loves them.

 

Q: What are you reading now?

Alison: I’m scouring the shelves of the library for middle grade fiction. I review books that I have enjoyed recently on my Facebook Author page.

I’m also reading Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens. He is one of my favorite authors because his observations of life are true, and he writes boldly about social issues. He is one of those people whose stories leave me with a better understanding of myself and human nature. Although I’ve read most of his books, I’m not sure I ever discovered Martin Chuzzlewit before. It’s always a delight to find an unknown book by a favorite author.

Q: Who is an author you would recommend to anyone and everyone?

Alison: C. S. Lewis’s Narnia books are stories I return to again and again. In his essay Sometimes Fairy Stories May Say Best What’s to be Said he explains that in stories the author can "steal past [the] watchful dragons of stained-glass and Sunday School associations" to direct the reader to a correct feeling "about God or about the sufferings of Christ." That’s what he does for me in the Narnia books.

---

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 14

Texas Book-aholic, May 15

Beauty in the Binding, May 16 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, May 16

For Him and My Family, May 17

Inklings and notions, May 18

Blossoms and Blessings, May 19 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, May 20

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 21

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 22

Simple Harvest Reads, May 23 (Author Interview)

Vicarious Living , May 23

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 25

Guild Master, May 26 (Author Interview)

---

Giveaway

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

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

Enter Giveaway: https://promosimple.com/ps/1db4d/if-you-really-knew-me-celebration-tour-giveaway.

Author Interview & Giveaway: Fear No Evil by Allen Brokken

About the Book

Book: Fear No Evil

Author: Allen Brokken

Genre: Christian Middle Grade Fantasy

Release Date: December 5, 2020

Across the land of Zoura, people and creatures alike continue to fall prey to the persuasion of darkness. The seeds of evil pollute not only those outside the Light, but those within it. Pitting neighbor against neighbor. Brother against brother. The Dark One gains ground in his pursuit to shroud the heathlands in eternal darkness. Zoura’s only hope lies with three children.

Twelve-year-old Lauren and her younger brothers, Aiden and Ethan, are determined to reignite the Tower of Light in Blooming Glen. But an attack by dark forces separates them, driving them into a valley of darkness. Without each other or their Knight Protector, the three siblings must navigate the wilderness while fending off creatures tainted by evil. They fight not just for Zoura, but for their own survival.

Will the darkness overtake Lauren, Aiden, and Ethan? Or will they prove their faith is stronger and that they fear no evil?

Click here to get your copy!

---

About the Author

Allen Brokken is a teacher at heart, a husband and father most of all. He’s a joyful writer by the abundant grace of God. He began writing the Towers of Light series for his own children to help him illustrate the deep truths of the Bible in an engaging and age appropriate way. He’s dedicated 15 years of his life to volunteer roles in children’s ministry and youth development. Now that his own children are off to college he’s sharing his life experiences on social media @towersoflight, @twodadsandajoke, and through his blog https://www.lightofmine.net.

---

Author Interview

How long did it take you to write this novel?

Allen: That’s a tricky one, the first two chapters were actually written as a part of Still Small Voice book 2 in the series in a notebook like 3 years ago. But then I lost the notebook. So the ideas just bounced around in my head until NaNoWriMo November 2019. At that time I sat down and wrote about 25,000 of the ~40,000 words in Fear No Evil then. I was finalizing and launching Still Small Voice at the time, so I didn’t finish Fear No Evil’s first draft until June of 2020, and I finalized the book in October. So really it’s just under a year start to finish.


Do any of the novel’s characters hold a special place in your heart?

Allen: The family in the story is based on my family. So there’s a lot of each of my kids real personality in the story. Which really chokes me up from time to time as I’m writing because I can hear my own kids saying some of the lines.


Do you have a favorite quote from this novel?

Allen: I don’t want this to be a spoiler, so I’m not going to put in the context. But this is definitely my favorite line in Fear No Evil: Aiden had to suppress a giggle at that. They were definitely going to cause some trouble with the butter knife.


What do you hope readers take away from this novel?

Allen: I really hope that kids take away the idea that when they become isolated, and have reason to fear that they can reach out to God for his comfort, reassurance, and courage.


Would you share something about yourself that most readers wouldn’t know?

Allen: When my kids were about the age of the kids in the story we all did Karate together as a family, and I attained the Red Belt.

---

More from Allen

The stakes have been raised in the 3^rd book of the Towers of Light Series, Fear No Evil.  The children have been separated from one another in the darkness shrouded, Muddy River valley.  Evil prowls around them at every turn.  Do they have the faith to fear no evil?

My favorite part about writing this book was a conversation I had with the real Ethan.  I had a tight editorial deadline to meet and I decided to go on a writing retreat to finish the book.  While I was trying to leave home, my youngest the real life Ethan kept asking me questions and delaying my departure.  Finally, I said, “You know the last time I wrote there was a ferocious bear about to eat Ethan.  If I don’t sit down and start writing soon, he’s going to be a bear food.” Ethan’s reply was, “Yah you better go write now!”  You’ll have to pick up Fear No Evil to see if I got back to the story in time.

---

Blog Stops

Inklings and notions, December 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 6

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 7

Texas Book-aholic, December 8

Beauty in the Binding, December 9 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, December 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 10

For Him and My Family, December 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 12

Spoken from the Heart, December 13 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Bookshelf, December 13

For the Love of Literature, December 14

Artistic Nobody, December 15 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Sara Jane Jacobs, December 16

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 17

Vicky Sluiter, December 18

---

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Allen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/1045b/fear-no-evil-celebration-tour-giveaway

Author Interview & Giveaway: The Secret Sisters Club by Monique Bucheger

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour and Giveaway for The Secret Sisters Club by Monique Bucheger, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Secret Sisters Club
Series: Ginnie West Adventure #1
Author: Monique Bucheger
Publisher: True West Publishing 
Release Date: March 18, 2020
Genre: Middle-Grade Contemporary Fiction

Twelve-year-old BFF's Ginnie and Tillie, want to be sisters. Tillie's divorced mom plus Ginnie's widowed dad could equal a lifetime of round-the-clock girl talk and slumber parties. Too bad Dad vowed to never marry again. Ginnie and Tillie form a secret club. They come up with the perfect mission to change his mind: 'Operation Secret Sisters'.

Before long, Tillie seems happier about gaining a dad than a sister. Ginnie suspects that Tillie has turned 'Operation Secret Sisters' into a scam called 'Operation Steal My Dad.' Things get more complicated when Ginnie stumbles across her real mom's hidden journals. Ginnie can finally get to know the mother she doesn't remember and Dad doesn't talk about.

When Dad discovers she has the journals, he takes them away. Ginnie needs to figure out what the big mystery is before her relationship with her father and her best friend are ruined forever.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

When Monique Bucheger isn’t writing, you can find her playing taxi driver to one or more of her 12 children, plotting her next novel, scrapbooking, or being the “Mamarazzi” at any number of child-oriented events. Even though she realizes there will never be enough hours in any given day, Monique tries very hard to enjoy the journey that is her life. She shares it with a terrific husband, her dozen children, an adorable granddaughter, a son-in-law, three cats, and many real and imaginary friends. She is the author of several books and plans to write many more. You can find more about Monique and her works on her website.

CONNECT WITH MONIQUE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

---

AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH MONIQUE BUCHEGER

What was the inspiration behind The Secret Sisters Club? 

Monique: I wanted to tell the story of two BFF’s and the power of making deliberate decisions of asking for what you want. They want to be sisters--and realize that since Tillie’s mom is divorced and Ginnie’s mom passed away--that their dream  to become sisters could actually happen--IF Ginnie’s dad could be open to loving again. 

On a deeper level, Tillie wants a whole family--as a child who was abandoned by her birth dad, she wants to belong. Ginnie wants to get to know her birth mom. When she finds her mom’s journals--she gets to know the mom she doesn’t remember and realizes that her mom really understood her. She doesn’t doubt her dad’s love for her--but she knows he doesn’t understand her the way her mom did.

Ginnie loves Miss Amanda—Tillie’s mom. She struggles to love both her mom and future stepmom—a real struggle for kids in similar situations. It may or may not work out--but if they don’t try to get their folks together--then it definitely won’t. 

I think it is a powerful lesson to know what you want and try to achieve it. But if you let fear get in your way--you definitely won’t get what you want--and if you get out of your own way--quite often, you can make your dreams come true. Even if the end result doesn’t look like you thought it would--when you try, you may be pleasantly surprised by something better than what you dreamed of. 

How long did it take you to write this book? 

Monique: This book took 2 months start to finish--the fastest time I have ever spent writing one book. 

Do you have a favorite quote from The Secret Sisters Club? 

Monique:I don’t. I do have a favorite quote from my second book “Trouble Blows West”: Wests’ don’t do friendship halfway.

What do you hope readers take away from this book? 

Monique: That if you ask for what you want and make deliberate decisions to make it happen, you can achieve most anything. 

If the book was made into a movie, who would like you to see play the main characters?

Monique:

Ginnie--if I could cast a girl as Ginnie in a movie today--it would be Gracie on the cover. Gracie has a fun personality and an impish grin.

Tillie--if I could cast a girl as Tillie--it would be Jessie on the cover. The 2 of them just did a beautiful picture shoot that embraced the essence of Ginnie and Tillie.

Uncle Ben--I always picture Bruce Boxleitner I enjoyed him a s a kid on a show called "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" and "Babylon 5"--recently he has been featured on Supergirl and he was the actor who played the main character on the original movie, Tron.

I would love to see Bruce's ex-wife, Melissa Gilbert as Aunt Sadie --I loved her as a kid as Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie

Ginnie's dad Todd--my first inspiration for Todd was John Schneider--Bo Duke from Dukes of Hazzard. John would be too old to play Ginnie's dad if it was filmed today--but he was the original dad image, when I dreamed Ginnie up years ago. 

Uncle Jake--I could see Michael Weatherly (Tony DiNozzo) from NCIS playing a contemporary Uncle Jake--minus the 3 piece suits.

Miss Amanda-- I could see her portrayed by Emma Watson (real life Belle and Little Women)

Would you share something about yourself that most readers wouldn’t know? 

Monique: I was a foster mom to over 100 kids. The Secret Sisters Club was actually written as the second book in the Ginnie West Adventure series.

What are you reading now? 

Monique: I have listened to my friend, James Owen’s “Drawing Out The Dragon” book on audiobook 4 times in the last 2 weeks--it has some powerful messages that he shares with middle grade students to adults. I hear something amazing and different each time I listen to it. 

How many bookcases are in your home? 

Monique: 5--one of which is filled with books signed by the authors. 

Is there anything else you would like to share about The Secret Sisters Club? 

Monique: I hope my readers will go on the full journey with Ginnie and Tillie—that they will laugh and cry and root for them. And I would love to hear from readers of all ages.

Please feel free to email me at: monique.bucheger@gmail.com and tell me what you loved, what you didn’t, if the story resonated with them personally and how.

I love it when my characters touch my readers. And most especially, when my readers share their stories with me. 

---

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card OR winner's choice of Google Play, Apple, or Kobo!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight August 25, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on September 1, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

 

---

 

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Book Tour Finale & Giveaway: Land of Twilight Trilogy by Charmayne Hafen

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you'll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Author Interview

What inspired you to write the Land of Twilight Trilogy?

I am a child of divorce and know how difficult it can be to navigate the issues that accompany divorce. I also know that my faith in Jesus is what brought me through severely difficult times in my childhood. It is for these two reasons that I wrote this trilogy. I want kids to know they are not alone and that they have an ever-present Help to rely on and rest in.

Locks, Hooks and Books - Excerpt from Journey to Twilight

Moving to Phoenix, Arizona felt like the worst thing that could happen to Lorna. Leaving her home and friends in California was the hardest thing she’d ever done in her life.

Rockin' Book Reviews - Reviews

"This story has some fun mythical characters and Twilight is an interesting place. I like the friendship that built between Sam and Lorna. I really like the illustrations. They are awesome. . . . The characters are well-developed and it's easy to feel their emotions. . . . I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a great adventure."

Hearts & Scribbles - Excerpt from Journey to Twilight

Lorna looked down and saw that the ground was as blue as a sky on a clear day. She grabbed a clump of grass and dirt. It felt like grass and dirt, but the color was all wrong. And the sky? The sky was green like the color of summer grass. Looking at the sky was a lot like looking at the world through a green glass bottle.

Remembrancy - Excerpt from Return to Twilight

Jenny turned her attention to a pack of six chocolate doughnuts sitting on the shelf in front of them. Flicking her hair from her face, she stared back at Lorna. “I dare you to put those doughnuts in your bag and walk out.”

Lorna frowned. “What do you mean…without paying?”

Splashes of Joy - Excerpt from Return to Twilight

Lorna sighed. Warm tears slid down the sides of her face. She felt lonelier than she had ever felt in her entire life. Sam knew she’d mistreated him. He was no longer her friend, and now Jenny was ignoring her, too. Ally hadn’t written or called her in over a month. She was probably loving her new town and school. She’d probably long forgotten Lorna wasting away in Phoenix. She had no one.

Wishful Endings - Excerpt from Return to Twilight

Lorna wiped her eyes with her free hand and smiled at her grandmother. “You can’t always be with me, grandma. I haven’t seen you for so long!”

Grandma Nila smiled and shook her head. “I’m not talking about me, Lorna Loon, although I will be with you as much as I can. I’m talking about the Savior. He is always with you, not just in places like this.”

Christy's Cozy Corners - Excerpt from Trouble in Twilight

Stealing a quick, concerned glance at Sam, Lorna asked, “What are you talking about, Trix? What is the Whatever?” Lorna made quote marks with her fingers.

“The Land of Twilight is dying. The Whatever has taken over and Twilight is dying!”

Baroness' Book Trove - Reviews

"It was so good from the first moment Lorna is introduced to Sam being introduced. I loved every moment of it. Ms. Hafen did a great job of spinning this tale. I am giving this novel five stars and recommend it to any parents that think that their child would love this book."

Hallie Reads - Excerpt from Trouble in Twilight

“What did you mean when you said that the Whatever is invisible to those who have no faith? Faith for what?” Lorna hung on to this question as if it where the last one she would ever get to ask. She couldn’t get it out of her mind.

Teatime and Books - Reviews

"Each book is filled with lively characters that boys and girls will be able to relate to, they also go through many of these situations that our youth today are going through . . . Truly inspirational books for young kids today! I would highly recommend this whole series!"

Reading Is My SuperPower from Trouble in Twilight

“That’s Socrates! Oh my gosh! I can’t believe this.” Lorna was more excited than she’d been in days. Things were getting good. Would a mystery be revealed in the darkness?

Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post...

---

Journey to Twilight
(Land of Twilight Trilogy #1)
By Charmayne Hafen
Middle Grade Fantasy
Paperback and ebook, 113 Pages
November 1st 2019 by Capture Books

Sam and Lorna’s bike challenge becomes far more than a neighborhood race in this action-adventure fantasy for intermediate grades.

Riding over a cairn at sunset, Lorna surfaces in Twilight, where she is given three impossible tasks to complete before her heart's desire is granted.

Story Line: Avid sixth-grade mountain biker, Lorna Wilson, moves to Crestwood, Arizona, after her parents' divorce. Unpacking, Lorna seeks a way to fit into the new crowd when a girl named Ally knocks on her front door.

Splashing in the pool at Ally’s house, Lorna learns about the bike challenge created by a scar-faced neighborhood legend, Samuel Black. She hears herself boasting that she can take on Samuel Black in his own race and win. Lorna's words quickly come back to bite her.

Although none of the kids will root for the new girl, an ancient cairn opens to the Land of Twilight giving Lorna an opportunity to win anything her heart desires.

Illustrations are by award-winning artist, Brianna Osaseri.

Thematic: Time travel ages 9-12; action-adventure; Female protagonist survives parents' divorce; confidence and friendship; conflict opens to opportunity; Celtic; Jamaican; Multi-racial; coming of age fantasy for pre-teens with some paranormal, magical or mystical places and events. Intermediate grades. Book 1 in a series.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Target | Book Depository | Kobo

---

Return to Twilight
(Land of Twilight Trilogy #2)
By Charmayne Hafen
Middle Grade Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 142 Pages
January 21st 2020 by Capture Books

In this second book of the Land of Twilight Trilogy, seventh-grade Lorna struggles with the meaning of friend like, how to be one, how to choose one, and how to keep one.

Lorna rejects her dad, deceives her mom, and turns her back on the ethereal Land of Twilight. She even turns on her best friend, Sam, in favor of gaining the attention of a new girl in the neighborhood, Jenny. Lorna sheds her own social norms, stealing and hiding as she pretends to enjoy her second year in challenging Crestwood, Arizona.

It has to be Sam's turn to do what true friends do.

An exciting read for readers ages 9-13 who enjoy Celtic mythology, magic, and busting the dust of the Arizona desert with your best friend.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

---

Trouble to Twilight
(Land of Twilight Trilogy #3)
By Charmayne Hafen
Middle Grade Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 129 Pages
April 1st 2020 by Capture Books

How can the most colorful world in the universe turn hapless and gray?! That's what mystifies both Sam and Lorna.

Trix falls from the Land of Twilight, showing up at the discarded camper shell in the Arizona desert where Sam and Lorna are making their secret plans.

Trix and Melvin focus on the Land of Realtime because the lives of both Lorna and Sam have interwoven with the Land of Twilight. How can the four unravel themselves?

A tragic accident forces Sam to again realize that life can change suddenly. Now he and Lorna must rethink what in life is most important to them.

History, philosophy, and faith enter the scene through interdimensional time travel. The Land of Twilight Trilogy is filled with adventure and supernatural elements for readers ages 9-12. With its relatable characters and fast-moving plot, Sam and Lorna discover their priorities. As Sam faces unbearable consequences, he learns the bonds of true friendship and personal truth are real.

Readers are given not only an interesting story filled with allegorical elements about the meaning of faith, but are also challenged to think about their own ideas of reality and meaning.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

---

About the Author

Charmayne Hafen has been writing since she was nine years old when she kept a private journal documenting love and loss in her fourth-grade class. In 2016, she published her first book, The Land Of Twilight, which was selected as a winner in the category of Juvenile Fiction in the Winter 2017 NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Awards. Using knowledge and skills acquired from her MA in counseling, Charmayne wrote The Land Of Twilight series to help kids navigate the sometimes difficult waters of divorce. Her love of Celtic mythology also influenced the book. The first book in the series has been republished under a new title called Journey To Twilight which will be available November 1, 2019. There will be two more books in the series coming out early [2020].

Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

---

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive an ebook of Journey to Twilight and a $50 Amazon eGift Card
Open internationally
Ends April 30, 2020

ENTER HERE

Book Spotlight: The Heart Changer By Jarm Del Boccio

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour and Giveaway for The Heart Changer by Jarm Del Boccio with JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Heart Changer  
Author: Jarm Del Boccio  
Publisher: Ambassador International  
Release Date: April 26, 2019  
Genre: Middle Grade Biblical Fiction

Can an Israelite captive, wrenched from all she loves, serve the very man who destroyed her village?

Miriam is asked to do the impossible: serve the wife of Naaman, commander of the Syrian army. Clinging to treasured memories of home and faith, Miriam faces captivity with worry and bitterness.

Little does she know the Heart Changer is wooing and preparing her for a greater mission far beyond what she could imagine.

This middle-grade historical novel reflects the heartache and angst of a young refugee in a foreign land where all hope seems lost.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Christian Book

---

EXCERPT FROM THE HEART CHANGER

Now alone, Miriam climbed onto the lumpy bed padded with straw. Her eyes wandered once more to the high windowsill. She carefully stood on the edge of the bed and reached up to touch the small figure standing still and straight. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. The commandment repeated itself in her mind. But what other gods are there? Will You forsake me in this strange new land? Will I forsake You?

            Suddenly, her foot slipped, knocking herself and the idol to the floor with a crash. Miriam’s eyes squeezed shut listening to the swift footsteps heading her way. She held her breath, hoping it wasn’t —

            Rana burst into the room, but stopped short, staring down in horror at the broken image on the unforgiving stone floor.

            “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?“ HER eyes blazed with fire. “How could you? It was NOT yours to touch. Now we are both in trouble with the gods.”

            Miriam attempted to pull herself off the cold surface, and up onto her knees. “I am sorry. Truly sorry. I did not mean to break it. I was curious.”

            “Ha! Doesn’t your God forbid other gods? Isn’t He jealous? Now you are twice in trouble.”

            Miriam wondered how she knew so much about the Hebrew’s Jehovah.

            “Last year we had an Israelite slave boy to serve the master. He didn’t last long.” Rana sneered. “But we got an earful of your strange ways before he departed. And you? How long will you stay? A week? A month?” She derided. “We will see what we can do about that.”

            “I will fix it. I will try.” Miriam reached for the jagged pieces.

            “Don’t touch it. Don’t you dare.” She pointed a long, slender finger at Miriam. “I don’t want your filthy Hebrew hands touching my god.”

            No more words were needed. Miriam flung herself on her bed, with her face to the wall. She listened as Rana hurriedly picked up all the pieces, and stomped out of the room, talking under her breath in harsh tones. A tear found its way through Miriam’s eyelids, squeezed shut from grief. What she wouldn’t give for a hug from her ima, or a pat on the shoulders from abba. Is there no one to love me? Exhausted with these thoughts, she fell fast asleep.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Jarm Del Boccio (‘J’ pronounced as a ‘Y’) finds her inspiration in everyday life, but in particular, when she travels the globe, observing the quirky things that happen along the way. Focusing on lives of characters from the past, Jarm is devoted to breathing new life into the pages of history. 

Jarm has a background in elementary and high school education, and served for seven years as a school librarian. Grateful for the opportunity, she taught three missionary kids in an isolated area of Papua New Guinea. She is part of SCBWI and American Christian Fiction Writers, and has published articles in “The Old Schoolhouse” magazine. 

“The Heart Changer,” her debut MG historical/biblical fiction, released with Ambassador International April 26th 2019. Jarm is content with the journey God has placed her on, and lives with her husband and adult son and daughter (when they are not away) in a tree-lined suburb of Chicago.

CONNECT WITH JARM: Website | Facebook | Twitter

---

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive 1 print (US only)

AND (1) winner will receive 1 ebook (open internationally except where prohibited by law)  

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight May 20, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm May 27, 2019. US only. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

---

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!