The verses go through a whole list of things:

If the highest place I reach is at Your feet
Then I've done it all
If the best thing that I've seen is Your glory
Then I've seen it all

…and so on.

I’ve sung this song dozens of times, but this week, it hit different.

Just one line. One sentence. One simple truth.

It wrecked me.

If I feel your heart and never see your hand,
I still have it all

Ugh. I hate it when I sing a song and God asks me if I mean it.

I immediately began thinking about a set of painful circumstances in my life. I’ve been praying for God to move in those circumstances. I’ve been begging for answers, pleading for healing. I’ve cried out to God, Show me Your hand in these situations! Show me You care! Show me that You’re working all things together for good like You’ve said You would. This doesn’t feel good!

…
If I feel your heart and never see your hand,
I still have it all

Maybe you’re like me. Maybe you’re waiting to see God’s hand at work. Maybe you don’t feel like you “have it all.”

Maybe we need to look at the first part of that painful stanza:
If I feel your heart…

Friend, when is the last time you felt the heart of God? I’m asking myself the same question.

Is your morning quiet time becoming more of a routine than a relationship? Are the songs you sing a sacrifice of praise or simply a habit? Is your prayer life a laundry list of requests or a moment of awe when you consider that God has invited you to partner with Him in seeking His will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven?

When we keep our eyes on His…
When we praise Him when it hurts…
When we feel His heart though we never see His hand..
We still have it all.

I stood there in church with tears rolling down my face, singing the words as loud as I could. They felt like a lie, but I sang them anyway.

Yesterday, I played “It Is Well With My Soul” on the way to church and sobbed so hard I had no make-up left on my face by the time we got there. My husband just held my hand while I cried. He asked, “Why are you playing this song if it’s going to upset you this much?”

My response was this: “I have to sing it until I mean it.”

There’s a reason why Hebrews 13:15 calls it a “sacrifice of praise.” Sometimes praise is hard. Sometimes our hurting hearts don’t want to worship the God who isn’t moving the way we want Him to move. Sometimes singing and praying and lifting up the name of Jesus is a sacrifice of prasie.

But always, He is worthy.
Always, He is just.
Always, He loves us.
Always, He has a plan.
Always, He is with us.
Always, He cares.
Always, He is good.

Always, He is enough.

In 2009, my daddy died. A month later, the divorce I’d fought five years to prevent went through. I lost my daddy and my husband within 30 days. Oh, and I had four kids, ten and under, and I was working full time at my church.

I’d love to tell you I held it all together and leaned hard into God, but the truth is, I only made it look like I was. I still taught Bible study. I still coached Upward. I still led Awanas. But behind closed doors, my life was spiraling out of control, and I was making one disastrous decision after another. Why? Because I didn’t know who I was anymore. If I wasn’t a wife and I wasn’t my daddy’s daughter, who was I? It wasn’t until a good friend asked me, “Heather, is God enough for you?” that I realized I’d been placing my identity in the hands of men instead of my Heavenly Father.

I know I’ve shared part of this story before, but stay with me.

The week before my daddy passed away, my “adopted” grandpa and former pastor kidnapped me for what he called “Heather Arnold Day.” He and his granddaughter—my friend Ashlyn—took me and the kids to the circus that morning for some much-needed fun. Then Ash and I went shopping, and they bought me this green dress from H&M.

I love this dress. It’s my favorite dress. It’s green (one of my favorite colors), it’s flattering, and it’s so very forgiving—which is exactly why I can still wear it seventeen years and forty pounds later.

A few months after I received it, while my life was quietly falling apart, a professional photographer came to our church, and I wore this dress in my first family photo as a single mom. My son had a black eye from being a rough-and-tumble little boy, so they edited it out. The picture shows a confident mom with four adorable kids. It doesn’t show the pain, the bruises, or the mistakes underneath.

Seventeen years later, I’m remarried to a wonderful man. I moved a thousand miles away to Florida. I’m still healing from that terrible season of my life, but I’m finally learning how to navigate loss, betrayal, and unhealthy relationships.

A while back, I was invited to an event and it brought up a lot of emotions. A lot of hurt feelings. A lot of anxiety. Seventeen years ago, I would have gone because I would have felt obligated. I would have been worried what people would think and say if I didn’t attend. I would have plastered a smile on my face and pretended I was fine, even while I was hurting inside. I would have let the pain eat at me for days, maybe weeks, all while wearing the façade of a woman unbothered.

But that’s not how I operate anymore. I politely declined the invitation and chose to celebrate a good friend that day instead.

Seventeen years ago, I would not have even considered declining.

Today, it was a natural, healthy response.

Through Christ, I’ve gained confidence. I’ve gained clarity. I’ve learned to set boundaries. I’ve learned how to love people without entangling myself in unhealthy relationships with them.

On the day of the event, I looked through my closet and saw that old green dress tucked away in the back. I pulled it out, wondering if it still fit. It did. Don’t get me wrong—it fits different now. And I’m a lot more conscious of my knees showing in the dress than I was then. Still, I put it on, and I smiled.

Being a Christian doesn’t mean you won’t have pain. Jesus assured us we would. It doesn’t mean you’ll always get it right or make good decisions—we’re all sinners in need of grace. But sanctification means that over time, we grow in our faith. We mature in our decision-making. We improve in how we respond to pain.

Maybe you have something you’ve held onto for years. A betrayal. A toxic relationship. A heartache so deep you can’t imagine living without it.

Sweet friend, lay it down at the foot of the cross.

Laying it down doesn’t mean you’ll forget it. It doesn’t mean it won’t still affect you. It just means you won’t have to carry the burden of it alone anymore. It won’t define you. And it won’t hold you in chains.

Do I still love that dress? Absolutely. It’s a reminder of where I was then, and where Jesus has brought me now.

But friend, keeping the dress doesn’t mean keeping the pain. Jesus didn’t die for me to drag that pain around behind me. If you’re dragging that old pain with you, let it go. Let Him sanctify you. Let Him heal you. Let Him remind you just how precious you are to Him.

Ditch the pain, but keep the dress.

Author Spotlight

Do you enjoy a good cozy mystery? I’m so excited to introduce you to my good friend, Jen Dodrill, and her book, Birds Alive! I read this one and it’s a clean, humorous cozy mystery featuring a midlife, amateur sleuth, small-town secrets, and a deadly birding group.

Jen Dodrill brings inspiration and hope to life through the pages of her books, telling heartfelt stories that shine in both good and challenging times. A mother of five and a proud grandma, she writes cozy mysteries, romantic suspense, and women’s fiction—fueled by her love of reading and all things coffee.

Learn more at jendodrillwrites.com. Connect with Jen on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest @jendodrillwrites

Order Jen’s book here:

Bird's Alive

In the Shadows of Sacrifice

If you’re new around here, you might not know about my serialized fiction story. In the Shadows of Sacrifices is a WWII homefront novel based loosely on my grandparents’ real life love story… and I’m rolling it out one chapter at a time. You can read the first 3 chapters for free by clicking the button below.

Read for FREE

If you like the story, you can continue reading it as a paid subscriber for as little as the cost of a cup of black coffee each month. You’ll find details about that below.

And it’s never too late to subscribe! When you subscribe at any level, you’ll automatically be able to read all past content, as well.

Every other Monday, I send out a new chapter along with immersive extras such as playlists, coloring sheets, word searches, and pictures of videos of the real people, places, and events mentioned in the story.

If you’d like to read the first three chapters and enjoy the bonus material as well, you can start with the prologue by clicking here:

Begin the Journey

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In Fairy Tales & Fraud is Book 2 of my Words & War series and instead of asking y’all to post a bunch of social media graphics, my launch team will be focused on one BIG thing: reviews.

I will happily provide an Advanced Reader Copy of In Fairy Tales & Fraud to my ARC team. And if you haven’t read Book 1- In Books & Battlefields, no worries! I’ll send you a copy of that book for free, as well. All I ask in return is for your help in sharing the news about this book, preferably through reviews. (Please note, per Amazon’s policies, I cannot require you to leave an Amazon review… but I can beg! lol)

I am looking for women who:

• love faith-filled, closed door historical romances

• are willing to read an advanced copy of In Fairy Tales & Fraud (and In Books & Battlefields if unread)

• consider pre-ordering the book on August 28th for $.99 to achieve verified Amazon reviews (not required, but would be soooooo appreciated)

• will consider leaving reviews on Amazon and/or Goodreads

Amazon reviews can make a huge difference for authors! They build credibility, help new readers feel confident taking a chance on a book, and can help a book gain greater visibility on Amazon. To help our ARC Team reviews show as Verified Purchases, In Fairy Tales & Fraud will be marked down to just $0.99 on Friday, August 28, and ARC Team members will be asked to purchase their copy that day. You’ll still receive your complimentary ARC in advance, but this small purchase will allow your honest review to carry that helpful “Verified Purchase” label on Amazon.

I will also have a few social media graphics that I’d love for you to share, if you have the time and are so inclined. They’ll be available but won’t be my main focus.

As always, I will have giveaways and prizes for those who help me spread the word about my next novel.

The window for this application will close at 11:59 pm on Monday, August 24, 2026.

Apply to Join my ARC Team

For more information about In Fairy Tales & Fraud, click the button below.

In Fairy Tales & Fraud

Thank you so much for your support. Word of mouth is the most important advertising an author can have and your reviews mean more than you’ll ever know.

Here’s my confession: I change my mind. A lot. I don’t have a signature hairstyle, a signature way of dressing, or even a decorating style I could call “mine.” I can’t seem to stick to writing one genre. I’ve had over twenty jobs — and no, before you ask, it’s not that I’m flighty or can’t hold one down. I just want to experience everything. Do everything. See what fits.

So, it’s no wonder I second-guess myself as much as I do. When you’re someone who’s still trying on the world, of course you doubt your decisions along the way.

But if I’m honest, my self-doubt goes a lot deeper than that.

The day before I was offered my current job, the one I now call my dream job, I had almost talked myself into turning it down before it was even offered. Not because I wanted to do something else. Hardly. I know the calling on my life is to write and to help other authors do the same, and I knew even then this would be a job I’d want to stay in for the long haul.

What I doubted wasn’t the job. It was me.

I got so deep into that spiral that I uploaded my resume and the job description into ChatGPT and asked it, flat out, if I was even qualified. And in a moment I did not see coming, it told me that one thing it had noticed about me was that I often underestimate myself and undervalue my own abilities.

Ouch.

That kind of doubt doesn’t come from wanting to experience all the things, sweet friend. It comes from somewhere older—from past hurts like verbal abuse, abandonment, and my own failures. It comes from a version of me that learned, a long time ago, not to trust her own worth.

But God.

This week I was reminded that we all carry a past. We all have hurts. We all have memories we’d erase in a heartbeat if we could. But God stepped into that past to bring healing—not to erase the memory, but to break its hold. We may never forget the pain, but He didn’t die on the cross so we’d stay trapped in the bondage of it. He died so we could live... and live abundantly.

Anyone else need this reminder today? Keep your head facing forward, not backward. Keep your eyes on Him—not on the sin, the shame, or the pain of your past.

And if you ever find yourself doubting your worth or your ability, just remember this, sweet friend—Jesus found you worth dying for.

You are loved. You are chosen. You are enough.

(Partial) Cover & Title Reveals

Speaking of changing your mind over and over… I’m pretty sure I’ve redesigned these covers at least four times now. And I can’t promise they won’t change again in the future, but hey—it is what it is.

That being said, I’m excited to reveal the titles of the other books in this series, and a PARTIAL view of the covers. I don’t want to give them ALL away right now.

Book 1: In Books & Battlefields (launched earlier this year)

Book 2: In Fairy Tales & Fraud (coming October 2026)

Book 3: In Letters & Landmines (coming Spring 2027)

Novella 1: In Christmas Carols & Courage (coming out with Book 2 in October 2026)

Novella 2: In Rhetoric & Railroads (coming Summer 2027)

…. Lord willing!

The Words & War series is best read in order. So, grab Book 1- In Books & Battlefields now before Book 2 comes out in a few months.

Order Book 1: In Books & Battlefields

Pre-Order: In Fairy Tales & Fraud

I’m so excited to announce that In Fairy Tales & Fraud is now available for pre-order! Be the first to have Book 2 of the Words & War series hit your Kindle at midnight on the morning of October 13!

A runaway widow guarding a secret she’ll die to protect. A steadfast deputy still nursing a broken heart. A society darling who knows exactly what she wants, and the confidence that she’ll get it.

Deputy Nathaniel Steele has finally made peace with losing Isabella Pearson to another man. He’s ready to settle into a quiet life on his own farm outside Montgomery, Alabama—one careful, God-fearing step at a time. Then, on Christmas morning, he finds a desperate young widow and her feverish daughter hiding in his barn, and every careful plan he’s ever made begins to unravel.

Willa Ashwood has walked through the Georgia woods for three weeks with her daughter, Marigold, fleeing dangerous men and a scandalous past. She trusts no one, especially not a lawman, but Nathaniel’s patient kindness offers something she hasn’t felt in years—safety. As their fragile arrangement stretches on, Willa must decide how much of herself she dares to risk with a man who could uncover everything she’s fought to keep hidden.

Bold and brilliant, Sophie Clark doesn’t believe in defeat. When life takes her on a different path than she planned, she aims higher than even she could have ever imagined—only to find herself drawn toward a dangerously charming stranger with an offer, and a smile, she isn’t sure she should trust.

Danger hasn’t finished with Nathaniel. More than one ghost from his past finds him in Montgomery, determined to pick up right where they left off. As fires blaze and threats mount, old secrets and new ones collide in ways that could topple everything Nathaniel has so carefully built.

When the past refuses to stay buried, will Nathaniel find the courage to trust God with a future he never saw coming?

Pre-Order Now

Every piece was handmade by me out of lightweight polymer clay. All hardware is hypoallergenic.

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-I’ve created a pop-up in a fb group and you’re invited

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-Comment SOLD beneath any items you want to purchase.
-$6 flat fee for shipping.
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-Pop-up will run through Friday evening.

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Thanks for helping me find new homes for these treasures. Happy shopping!

Chapter 9`

Tuesday, August 24, 1943

St. Louis, Missouri

“Louise, would you just be quiet for a moment and let me explain?” Evelyn snatches the apron from my good arm and stands straight before me.

I shak…

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Some weeks leave your heart feeling a little threadbare.

This was one of those weeks.

By the time Friday arrived, I felt emotionally spent. Then came a women’s event at church that evening, followed by the funeral of our dear neighbor, Mr. Charles, the next morning. If you read last week’s newsletter, you know what a special place he held in our hearts.

It wasn’t exactly the ending to the week I would have chosen.

Sometimes life simply feels heavy.

Then, in the middle of my busy Friday, I received a message from a dear friend back home in Missouri. She had once been Maddie’s preschool teacher before she became our babysitter, and eventually, one of those precious people who simply becomes family.

She, her husband, and their two kids were vacationing in Florida and wondered if we might have time to get together.

My heart sank.

I wanted to say yes so badly, but between setting up a book and earring booth at church that evening and Mr. Charles’s funeral the next morning, I couldn’t imagine squeezing in a visit.

I asked where they were staying, wondering how we might squeeze in a quick hug.

“We’re kinda far away. We’re in Ormond Beach.”

My heart smiled.

Ormond Beach may be an hour away, but it just happens to be the city where our church is located—the very place we were already headed that evening.

Instead of missing each other entirely, she joined us for the women’s event, and afterward our two families shared dinner together. We laughed, caught up on life, hugged goodbye, and drove home with hearts just a little lighter than they had been a few hours earlier.

That night, we were up until 3 am dealing with other issues, because life still happens, even after a surprise blessing.

When we crawled out of bed a few hours later, we were beyond exhausted, and after much thought, we made a hard decision.

We didn’t attend Mr. Charles’s funeral. We gave ourselves permission to rest and regroup.

Then we spent the afternoon with our Missouri friends before they headed home.

Their two young children came along, and it was a joy to show them around our little town. We visited the baseball stadium, and we stopped by the house where Jackie Robinson once stayed—a highlight for their son, who loves baseball and the movie 42. We also took them to see several of the downtown buildings featured in the movie My Girl, which was especially meaningful because their daughter was named after the movie’s main character.

We even enjoyed ice cream with them at one of our local favorites.

Sometimes you have to dance in the rain.

Sometimes you have to eat ice cream instead of going to a funeral.

I know that’s exactly what Mr. Charles would have told us to do. I can hear him saying, “You did exactly the right thing. Go on living. Don’t take your family for granted.”

So we made the choice. To love on our chosen family. To make the memories. To embrace every moment God gives us.

That didn’t erase the difficult week we’d had. It didn’t lessen the ache of saying goodbye to a dear neighbor. Grief doesn’t disappear simply because joy walks into the room.

But we made choices that encouraged our hearts.

I’ve often noticed that God’s sweetest blessings don’t always arrive after the storm has passed.

Sometimes they arrive while the rain is still falling.

Ecclesiastes tells us there is "a time to weep and a time to laugh." We often think we must choose one or the other, but sometimes God lovingly gives us both on the very same day.

Friday night, at the women’s event, I paused for 45 precious moments to lay my burdens down and worship the God who gives and takes away. The God who is good no matter what. Every song we sang touched and ministered to my heart as if they were written just for me. As tears streamed down my face and my arms lifted in the air, the words to the song See a Victory washed over me. One of its most powerful images is that our praise becomes the very thing that defeats the enemy.

What a beautiful picture.

Our enemy would love for discouragement to become our dwelling place. He whispers that God has forgotten us, that the darkness will never lift, and that hope is gone.

But worship changes the atmosphere of our hearts. It reminds us of what grief tries to make us forget: God is still good. God is still faithful. God is still writing the story. And hope is always ours for the taking.

Find My Books On Amazon

Last week, our neighborhood lost one of its pillars.

Mr. Charles was a Vietnam Veteran who lived alone across the street from us. My husband and I affectionately dubbed him “the mayor” of our neighborhood because he always seemed to know what was going on. He was meticulous, friendly, and always quick with a wave or a conversation. He had a booming deep voice but would tear up the moment something tugged on his heart.

When several first responders pulled up outside his house last week, we knew something was wrong.

My husband had noticed the day before that Mr. Charles hadn’t taken his trash to the curb—a small detail that seemed out of character for someone so dependable. He’d tried calling him without success and had even reached out to another family member, hoping perhaps he was simply away from home.

He wasn’t.

Neighbors gathered quietly on the sidewalk, sharing stories and trying to piece together what had happened and when they’d last heard from him. That was the thing with Mr. Charles—he talked to everyone. Every neighbor on our street could pull out their phone and find a message from him within 48 hours. Every neighbor could recall the last time they’d talked to him on his front porch or seen him wave as he pulled into his drive.

As a handful of neighbors gathered at the end of our driveway, one of the police officers walked over to speak with my husband. They talked for a few minutes about Mr. Charles and the neighbors all reported the last time they’d heard from him.

The officer looked up at the large American flag flying in our front yard and the Veteran license plate on our car. He turned to my husband. “Are you a Marine?”

Bob nodded and told him he’d served in both the Marine Corps and the Army.

The officer explained that he was a Marine, too.

A little while later, the funeral home arrived.

The officer came back across the street. “Do you happen to have an extra American flag? I like to cover our Veterans in the stars and stripes whenever I can, but I didn’t bring one with me.”

Without hesitation, Bob walked to the flagpole in our front yard, lowered the American flag that had flown over our home and handed it to the officer.

A few minutes later, we watched as Mr. Charles was carried from his home beneath that flag.

I couldn’t help but think how deeply honored he would have been.

The next day, the story continued—but in a very different way.

Mr. Charles’s daughter and several family members had gathered at the house to sort through a lifetime of memories and begin the difficult work that follows the loss of someone you love.

Our neighbor Debbie and I decided to do what we could to ease that burden.

I made a lasagna. She brought pasta salad and lemonade. Together we added paper plates, napkins, cups, and disposable utensils—small things that suddenly become important when grief interrupts ordinary life.

When we walked through the door, his daughter looked at everything we were carrying and shook her head. “I was just saying that I needed to go to the store to buy all of this and figure out what everyone was going to eat.”

It wasn’t a grand gesture. It was just dinner.

But in that moment, it lifted a burden she didn’t have to carry.

This small circle of women stood in Mr. Charles’s kitchen, talking about something we had all experienced growing up in the church.

This kind of hospitality used to be normal.

When someone was grieving, people showed up. Meals appeared. Children were cared for. Lawns were mowed. Paper plates somehow found their way to the kitchen counter before anyone thought to ask for them.

No one organized a sign-up sheet.
No one waited to be asked.

It was simply Christians loving one another.

As I reflected on those two days, it struck me that love had shown up in two very different forms.

One arrived carrying a flag.
The other arrived carrying a lasagna.

One honored the man who had served his country.
The other cared for the family he left behind.

Neither gesture was expensive. Neither required extraordinary talent. Both simply required someone willing to notice a need and step toward it.

It was simply Christians showing love to their neighbor’s family.

That’s what got me thinking.

We’re quick to love on our church family, but what about our neighbors… or our neighbor’s family?

I wonder if we’ve made loving our neighbors more complicated than Jesus ever intended.

We wait until we have more time, more money, or the perfect words to say. Meanwhile, opportunities to love people quietly pass us by.

Maybe the ministry God has placed before most of us isn’t as complicated as we think.

Maybe it’s noticing when a neighbor’s trash wasn’t taken to the curb.

Maybe it’s lowering your own flag to honor someone else’s service.

Maybe it’s baking a lasagna.

Maybe it’s showing up.

Because love isn’t always loud.

Sometimes it simply arrives carrying a flag... or a casserole.

Do you have any guesses yet as to how his story might be tied to Louise’s?

It’ not too late to subscribe. Each week I send out a link to all the previous chapters, as well. (This week, it’s at the end of the email for any subscribers needing to catch up.)

Chapter 8

Tuesday, August 24, 1943

St. Louis, Missouri

The familiar scrape of steel on steel yanked Carter from his sleep. A heartbeat later, the barred door slammed against the wall with a clang loud enough to wake the dead.

The dormitory lay nearly pitch black, save for a single light buzzing in the long corridor beyond.

Carter ground the heels of his hands against his eyes before glancing toward the high windows.

Not a trace of dawn.

Far too early for the morning wake-up call.

Around him, men groaned and cursed beneath their breath. Some propped themselves on an elbow while others remained motionless, waiting for instructions.

A guard stood in the doorway, a clipboard tucked beneath one arm. “Michael Patrick Carter.”

Carter rubbed a hand across his face and pushed himself upright on the narrow cot. The springs creaked beneath his weight. “Sir?”

“You’re up.”

The room groaned as most of the men settled back into their beds. Several heads turned his direction. Jinx offered a slight wave. Another muttered, “Lucky dog.”

A few remained awake as Carter rolled his blanket into a tight bundle, but the orchestra of discordant snores that followed suggested most weren’t about to waste precious sleep on a departing inmate.

Across the room, Alvin Rafeli swung his legs over the side of his cot.

Carter caught his eye just as Rafeli rolled up his sleeve, exposing the black spider tattoo that represented the very reason Carter was in the St. Louis Workhouse to begin with.

With the slightest nod, Carter tugged up his own sleeve. The crude figure-eight carved into his skin had nearly healed. Soon he’d cover it with the Iron Web’s infamous spider tattoo. Rafeli had already given him the name of the tattoo parlor the syndicate used.

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Praying Through the Seasons

I’m participating in an author round-robin and I nearly forgot to share Ann Harrison’s beautiful book with you this week!

Are you a prayer warrior? Or do your prayers feel like they’re lacking? Prayer doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated. It can be as simple as talking to God like you would talk to a friend or relative. This thought-provoking mini-devotional explores several different aspects of prayer, from praying every day, to corporate prayer, and more. You will find Scriptural examples and personal experiences to illustrate the points in each individual section.

Get Your Copy

Ann Harrison is the author of Praying Through the Seasons: Seven Aspects of Prayer and Communion with God. She’s currently working on her first Young Adult series entitled Spirit Writer Society, along with a poetry book and a devotional series. She’s also a freelance editor.

Beyond Courage

Did you know that I wrote a dual timeline novella back in 2022?

Wounded warrior wife, Marissa Westin, has already served in the trenches of military life, resulting in her husband being severely injured in Iraq. Now their son is grown and planning an Army career of his own, leaving Marissa heartbroken and resentful.

Annie Coraggio was the wife of a WW2 Veteran and mother of a Vietnam soldier. Her story has been hidden for decades but a chance discovery by Marissa brings the two women together and their truths to the surface.

Can an old relic of war help Annie make peace with her past and Marissa make peace with her future?

"If you are looking for a quick read that doesn’t skimp on character depth or charm, then you really need to check out Beyond Courage by Heather Tabers. This dual timeline military mom story tugs at your heart right away and hangs onto it until the last word. And even then you’re not quite ready for it to let you go, because you’ve fallen in love with the characters and their stories, as well as the writer’s style and voice. I can’t wait to read whatever this author writes next!" -Reading is My Superpower

"Beyond Courage gives readers a glimpse into the tender hearts of two women whose husbands and sons go to war, and the challenges of coming home again. The author's hard-earned personal experience as the wife of a wounded warrior enriches this short story of courage, hope, and love." -Jocelyn Green, author of The Five Love Languages Military Edition and The Windy City Saga

Available on paperback, in e-book, and in Kindle Unlimited.

Get Your Copy

My husband Robert often tells a story that always makes our family smile.

While serving in Iraq, schoolchildren back in Missouri sent cards and letters to encourage the soldiers overseas. Most were filled with colorful drawings, heartfelt thanks, and reminders that people back home were praying for them.

But one card caught Robert’s attention. It simply read:

“Thank you for giving your life for our country.”

He laughed and thought, I sure hope it doesn’t come to that.

But then he grew quiet.

Because if it had... He would have.

That little child had unknowingly expressed a truth that most adults rarely stop to consider: true freedom often exists because someone else was willing to sacrifice for it.

This is one of my favorite photographs of my husband. It was taken on July 4, 2008. Robert is sitting inside a Black Hawk helicopter, flying over Hawijah, Iraq, with his right hand raised as he reenlists in the United States Army.

He came home from that deployment with a finger that had nearly been severed, broken ribs that will never heal, shrapnel throughout his arms, a traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and more injuries than I can recount from a number of explosions that he endured.

Every time I look at that picture, I’m reminded that the freedoms we celebrate each Independence Day have never been free. Behind every parade, every fireworks display, and every flag waving in the breeze are generations of men and women who willingly left their homes and families to defend liberties many of us enjoy every day without a second thought.

As grateful as I am for those sacrifices, they point me to an even greater one.

Jesus didn’t merely risk His life for our freedom.

He willingly gave it.

Unlike my husband—who prayed he would never be called upon to make that ultimate sacrifice—Jesus came to earth knowing exactly what lay ahead. The cross wasn’t an unexpected tragedy. It was the mission.

He bore our sin, took our punishment, and laid down His life so that we could experience a freedom no earthly nation can provide: freedom from the power and penalty of sin.

As we continue celebrate our nation’s independence this month, and her 250th birthday, may we thank God for the brave men and women who have protected our earthly freedoms. But may our deepest gratitude be reserved for Christ, who purchased our eternal freedom at the greatest cost imaginable.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” — John 8:36

Their Burden to Bear

It’s this deep appreciation for those who sacrifice so much that led me to write my debut novel, Their Burden to Bear. Much of Phillip’s story is a reflection of my husband’s—from his burdens to his inner conflict and even his words. Robert was instrumental in helping me get Phillip’s character just right. Becuase of him, I’m humbled to have written a story that honors the courage, perseverance, and sacrifice of these warriors.

You can find Phillip and Elsie’s story on Amazon using the affiliate link below. Paperbacks are listed at only $11.11 in honor of Veteran’s/Armistic Day, November 11.

Their Burden to Bear

Are you new to my newsletter? If so, let me tell you about Their Burden to Bear…

“A sweetly protective Marine hero with secrets, an endearingly loquacious heroine with a heart of gold, an unexpected match, swoonilicious kisses, a cruel villain, a heartfelt message of God’s love and provision, and an inspiring slice of history—Their Burden to Bear offers all of this and more! From the very first word, I was fully immersed in Phillip and Elsie’s story—and not just for the kisses (though I’m still delightedly fanning myself from some of those!). Heather Tabers also brings to vivid life the origin of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, touching me deeply with the honor of its history and the depth of human emotion. A beautifully crafted debut novel that I wholeheartedly recommend!”

-Carrie Schmidt, ReadingIsMySuperPower.org

Want to know more? Watch my book trailer below!

Book Trailer

Searching for Your Next Favorite Story?

You’re going to love this list of FREE, clean, historical fiction reads. The original version of my In the Shadows of Sacrifice is listed, but I’d LOVE for you to check out Morty’s Farewell, written by my sweet friend Carrie Hachadurian.

Check out all the free books by clicking the button below. Happy reading!

Clean Fiction Reads

I met Jessie Mattis at the ACFW conference in 2023. We spent time together with several other first-time attendees, all of us dreaming about the day we’d become published authors.

We’d both bought tickets to the conference gala on the final night and decided to go together… because who wants to go alone?

As we stood in the hotel lobby in our formal dresses, we had an...incident.

Let’s just say it involved a leaking water decanter, the back of one dress being completely soaked with ice-cold water, and several memorable minutes standing laughing ‘til we nearly cried under the hand dryer in the ladies’ room, trying to salvage the situation before the gala.

Moments like that have a funny way of turning acquaintances into friends. Lifelong friends.

Fast-forward three years, and those two unpublished authors are now both published authors.

I couldn’t be more excited to introduce you to Jessie’s wonderful debut novel, which launches out into this world TODAY…A Mess of Dreams!

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A Mess of Dreams

If you love Michelle Shocklee, Jennifer L Wright, and Susie Finkbeiner, you’ll love Jessie Marris!

In spring of 1943, seventeen-year-old Lorene Stewart isn’t looking for complications. She’s content on her parents’ Illinois farm, longing for the day she might travel beyond the cornfields of Potomac. But when Amos Alexander chooses her angel food cake at the town cakewalk, everything changes. For the first time since tragedy struck her family long ago, Lorene’s heart stirs with hope. Yet as quickly as their romance sparks, a world torn apart by war threatens to extinguish it.

When Lorene befriends Dietrich, a German POW whose kindness and mysterious past captivate her, she begins to question everything. How can someone deemed “the enemy” side with all that’s right and good? And what if Amos has inherited his father’s deep prejudice, which he swore to resist? Amos seems to know what he wants, but when his father forbids him to court Lorene, it’s unclear if he will honor his parents’ wishes or pursue true love no matter the cost. Lorene must discern who she can trust if her dreams are to become reality. Her hope of a future spent changing the world with the right man at her side depends on it.

As another year comes and goes, Lorene seeks freedom from a burden of guilt she’s carried since childhood while navigating the treacherous waters of first love and family loyalty. With a community divided by fear and suspicion, a forbidden friendship that challenges everything she thought she knew, and her own stubborn heart standing in the way, she has to determine if love is worth the risk-or if some messes are too hopeless to become dreams.

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An Interview with Jessie Mattis

When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?

I never intended to be an author. I sort of fell into it in 2017 when I was searching for certain book for my kids and couldn’t find it. So I wrote it! And then I caught the writing bug and haven’t looked back.

What first inspired the idea for this book?

When my grandmother passed away in 2018, I began to reflect on her life and thought what a shame it was that so many of her experiences would die with her. I wanted to bring back to life some of her stories so that parts of her could live on. I originally wrote a single novel that contained three parts, but eventually turned it into three separate books (which now includes a fourth). While A Mess of Dreams is the most fictionalized, I did picture my grandparents in their youth as I wrote, constantly asking “what if?” My characters aren’t duplicates of my grandparents by any means; they are their own personalities now, but they were originally inspired by my grandparents, and the story is set in my/their hometown of Potomac, IL (also fictionalized in the books).

The inspiration to write about German POWs came from learning that there was an actual POW camp in Hoopeston, IL, which is not far from Potomac, where the story is set. My great-grandma is said to have once taken chocolate cake and cold lemonade out to the fields where German POWs were working hard in the heat picking tomatoes for the local canning factory. Learning this really made me curious to dive in and learn more, so I did. I can only imagine what the townspeople thought about my great-grandma taking treats to the prisoners!

Which character in this book was the most fun—or the most challenging—to write?

My main characters were fun to write because they felt so relatable, but I really enjoyed writing the secondary characters, Frank and Ruby. They each bring a spark of life to the story with their energy, humor, and bold outlooks on life, and they made me smile a lot as I was writing. Their own stories unfold more throughout the series, so it was even more fun to write the second and third books. I think every introvert needs a friend like Ruby or Frank!

Are any of your characters like you in some way?

I definitely see bits of myself come through in Lorene, the main character. I tried to keep her separate from any one person I know, even though she was inspired by my grandma, but since writing requires diving deep into a person’s mind and experiences, I think it would have been impossible for parts of me not to have shown up.

What era is your book set in and what is it that compelled you to write a story set in this time period?

A Mess of Dreams is set in 1943 on the Illinois home front as effects of World War Two showed up in every community in everyday life. I love twentieth century history. It’s fascinating, yet not so long ago that it feels separate from life today. The WW2 era still feels relatable to me.

Did any part of the research for this book surprise you?

Yes! When I began diving into research about German POWs on the home front, I admit I had some preconceived notions. Learning about how many of the German soldiers were not, in fact, Nazis, and that they were only serving in the German military because it was required of them was a point I had never considered. As I learned about how the POWs worked in our communities alongside our farmers and other laborers, it began to make sense how they could assimilate the way some of them did. Many of them didn’t know what freedom and democracy could look like until they arrived on American soil, and many were grateful and good workers. Before I learned about this chapter in our country’s history, it was much easier to lump all German soldiers together as “the enemy.” Of course, they still were, but it became much more nuanced in my mind as I began to think of them as individuals with beliefs and opinions of their own.

Is there a particular scene in the book that holds special meaning for you?

There is a scene in the second half of the book where Lorene experiences deep inner healing from a prior tragedy. Writing this scene is memorable to me; I was in tears as my fingers flew over the keyboard, and I remember feeling like I had little control over the words that were coming...they just came. I pray this scene can speak to readers who may be struggling with some deeply buried hurt of their own, and shows them what healing can look like.

How has your book changed from your first draft?

Originally, I wrote one long story with three parts, but some helpful advice from an agent years ago led me to break it up and expand it into three separate novels. I’m so glad I did! This story wouldn’t exist otherwise. A Mess of Dreams is the part of the original story that expanded and changed the most, and it was so much fun to write.

What are you working on next?

Since A Mess of Dreams is the first in a contracted series of four, I will be working on the next books for a while. They are all completely written, but all in desperate need of some intense editing, haha. Once I’m through with that in a couple years, I intend to dive into some deep research on the Korean War, and I’m hoping to craft a new story with new characters inspired by my other set of grandparents. They have some pretty neat stories of their own that I want to attempt to capture on the page. There are some fascinating elements to the Korean War that are yet untapped as so many writers focus on WW2.

What theme or message do you hope readers walk away with after finishing this story?

I pray that readers walk away from reading A Mess of Dreams with a new understanding of God’s goodness, even in the midst of tragedy. Everyone goes through painful seasons, and I really desire for readers to experience the reality of God’s presence in the thick of our pain. I want this book to be a fun, entertaining journey, and I really hope it’s not perceived as preachy, but having the characters live out and wrestle through their faith as they go through life felt only natural to me. There are also themes of relentless hope, forgiveness, healing, and the importance of community that I pray will resonate with readers.

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Miss a chapter? You can read the Prologue through Chapter 6, below.

Read Prologue - Chapter 6

Here’s a quick refresher on where things stand:

Louise’s story (St. Louis, August 1943)

• Louise Coulter, 23, arrives from a Colorado ho…

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• Am I Free or Just Coping?

• True Freedom is Found in Christ

• Last Call for Joining the America 250 Book Club

• New Book Covers

Am I Free or Just Coping?

Parenting adult kids is HARD, y’all.

I have one that is married. One who is getting married later this year. One who flies planes and rides motorcycles. One that is a prodigal. And one that just graduated high school.

They all keep me on my knees in prayer for different reasons.

This morning, as I was thinking about our freedom in Christ, I realized that there are unsurrendered areas in my life that are keeping me in chains. Mainly, my role as a mother of adult children.

There are few things as difficult in the life of a mother than watching her adult children make mistakes, walk away from the Lord, or shut her out. I’ve been there. I am there.

And while I lift my children to the Lord in prayer, there are certain circumstances and situations that I hadn’t surrendered. I told God I was giving it over to Him, but then I had to get up and take anti-anxiety meds just to fall asleep.

I wasn’t free. I was coping.

I know surrendering our kids, our troubles, our hurts is an ongoing process. It’s something we have to choose to do every day. Every hour. Every minute. Every second. We won’t get it right every time. We’ll pick up what we put down. But if we want true freedom, we must surrender it completely, once and for all.

True Freedom Is Found in Christ

As Americans, we often think of freedom in terms of rights, independence, and the ability to make our own choices. And while I am deeply grateful for the freedoms we enjoy in this country, Scripture reminds us that there is an even greater freedom—one that no government can grant and no earthly power can take away.

True freedom is found in Christ.

Before we knew Him, we weren’t truly free at all. We were bound by sin, controlled by our own desires, and separated from the God who created us. But through Christ’s death and resurrection, we have been set free—not to live however we please, but to live as God intended.

Galatians 5:1 declares, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” What beautiful words! Jesus didn’t free us merely from the penalty of sin; He freed us from sin’s power over our lives.

That kind of freedom looks different from what the world celebrates.

The world says freedom is doing whatever makes you happy. Christ says freedom is no longer being enslaved by every desire or temptation.

The world says freedom is living without limits. Christ says freedom is living within the good boundaries of God’s design.

The world says freedom means no one can tell you how to live. Christ reminds us that the One who created us knows exactly where abundant life is found.

Real freedom isn’t the absence of authority. It’s living under the loving authority of a Savior who desires our good.

As we celebrate our nation’s independence this month, may we also remember the greater freedom we have in Christ. Political freedom is a tremendous blessing. Spiritual freedom is an eternal one.

May we steward both wisely, always remembering that our highest citizenship is not in an earthly nation, but in the Kingdom of God.

May we surrender our hopes, our hurts, and our hardships to Him.

May we walk in the freedom He has called us to.

Tomorrow is the first day of my America 250 Book Club and we will be stepping into life in Montgomery, Alabama during 1918 as we read In Books & Battlefields.

It will all be done right here on Substack, so there’s no need to join a FB group.

Would you like to join Isabella in the library at Camp Sheridan? Would you like to get to know a brooding Army doctor and a lovesick deputy? Would you like to learn about what German spy rings did in America during WWI and how volunteer librarians impacted the war?

Join us!

Join My Book Club

Have you purchased In Books & Battlefields yet? It’s available on KU for free, or you can buy it on Amazon using the affiliate link below.

In Books & Battlefields

Hopefully, by this point, if you’ve learned one thing from me it’s that I’m always trying new things and that I change my mind a lot. haha

As I grow as an author and creative entrepreneur, I often find myself wanting to improve aspects of my work.

My book covers are no exception.

Before Book 2 is released later this summer, the Words & War series is getting a makeover.

Here’s the new cover I’m working on for In Books & Battlefields. It’s still a work in progress, but I’d love to know what you think. Do you like it better than the original?

The New…

Th Origina

Somebody pinch me.

Is this for real?

What even is my life right now?

These are the words I’ve been uttering all week.

A few weeks ago, USA Today best-selling author Naomi Rawlings posted online that she was looking for an operations coordinator.

My heart skipped.

I read her requirements a dozen times, then worked up the courage to ask her for the job description.

My heart skipped again.

At first glance, I seemed qualified. But was I?

I uploaded my resume to Chat GPT along with the job description, and the AI bot actually gave me a pep talk and shared the same truth with me that my husband has been sharing for nearly 17 years: You’re underestimating your value. You’re qualified. You can do this. Stop selling yourself short.

So, I took a deep breath, reorganized my resume, and submitted it.

I was feeling hopeful after my second interview, but then a wave of doubt washed over me and nearly pulled me under. I was no longer worried that I wouldn’t get the job—I was worried that I would. I was worried that she’d offer me the position and it would be a phenomenal mistake. An uneasiness that I can’t even describe hung over me like a storm cloud and I didn’t know what to do.

So, I prayed.

And I asked my friends to pray for discernment. Was this God’s voice? Or was this the enemy trying to stop me from receiving a gift from God?

As I prayed, I asked God to make it clear. I asked Him for a Scripture, a word from a friend, a FB post. Anything that would resonate with my soul so I knew it was from Him.

A few hours later, a dear friend and former ministry partner posted a Scripture and encouraging word on Facebook.

I felt God tugging on my heart. Seize the opportunity.

The next day, Naomi extended the offer to me.

I am humbled and honored and “incandescently happy” to announce that I am now serving Naomi Rawlings—and her readers—as her operations coordinator.

This position is more than a dream job; it’s an answer to prayer. It’s provision for my family. It’s an opportunity to learn and grow and learn some more.

It’s a blessing I am profoundly grateful for.

Book Club

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, I’ve been thinking about all the chapters of our nation’s story that deserve to be remembered.

We often hear about the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and World War II. But World War I—despite changing the course of our country and the world—is too often overlooked.

That’s why I’m inviting you to join me this July for the America 250 Virtual Book Club.

Together, we’ll read In Books & Battlefields, travel back to 1917, and experience the courage, sacrifice, hope, and resilience of a generation that helped shape the America we know today.

Throughout the book club, I’ll be sharing:

• Live online discussions

• Behind-the-scenes stories from my research

• Historical photographs and fascinating WWI facts

• Exclusive book club extras

• Opportunities to connect with fellow readers from across the country

Whether you’ve already read the novel or this will be your first visit to Camp Sheridan, I’d be honored to have you join us.

If you’d like to participate, simply fill out the form below. I’ll send you all the details, including our reading schedule, discussion dates, and everything you’ll need to be part of the adventure.

Join My book Club

Let’s celebrate America’s 250th birthday by remembering one of the remarkable generations who helped write her story.

I hope you’ll join me!

Thank you to everyone who responded to my last email about whether you’d prefer to read the chapters or watch them.

Based on your feedback, the overwhelming preference was to read, so I’ve decided to stop recording the chapter videos. Instead, I’ll continue including plenty of historical photos, illustrations, and other immersive extras to help bring the story to life.

New Subscription Bonus

I recently heard another author who writes serialized fiction talking about how he offers a free paperback to everyone who subscribes if they subscribe at least six months and I LOVE this idea!

So, if you’d like to read a new chapter of In the Shadows of Sacrifice every other week with alllllll the immersive extras AND you’d like a free paperback when the book is finished and all put together, make sure you subscribe below. It’s $5/month… the cost of a black coffee.

I hope you enjoy this next chapter. Happy reading!

Chapter 6

Sunday
August 22, 1943
St. Louis, Missouri

Harry’s insistence that the restaurant close on Sundays has been a source of contention between us, but today I see his wisdom in seeking a day off, even though I’m convinced he’s just looking for an opportunity to go paint the town red with his new bride.

As I take a seat at the counter, the squeak of the stool echoes throughout the empty restaurant. What a treat to enjoy my cold-meatloaf-on-a-sweet-roll sandwich, sliced cucumber, and a glass of tea in peace. Quiet moments are few in the city.

The bell over the door jingles, and I jump off the stool, grabbing my butter knife for protection.

“Easy,” Dude says, raising both hands. A key ring dangles from his right index finger.

I clutch my chest. “Dude! You scared me half to death.” I set my knife on my plate and plop back onto the stool, resting my elbows behind me on the counter.

“Sorry.” Dude looks around the empty restaurant. “Are Harry and Evelyn upstairs? There’s a USO dance on the Admiral riverboat tonight, and I thought maybe we could all go.”

“They’ve already left.”

“What do you say? You want to go?”

“Dude, I told I’m not—”

“It’s just a dance.”

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• What I’m Learning About Legacy

• July Book Club

• It’s Not Too Late

• Writing News

What I’m Learning About Legacy

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about legacy.

Perhaps it's because my youngest recently graduated. Or because my children are now adults, building lives of their own. Whatever the reason, I've found myself reflecting on the small investments we make today and the impact they may have long after we're gone.

When I was younger, I thought legacy was something reserved for famous people—the leaders whose names fill history books or the heroes whose accomplishments are remembered long after they’re gone. But the older I get, the more I realize that most legacies are built quietly.

They’re built around dinner tables.

They’re built in bedtime prayers and car rides and family traditions.

They’re built in the countless ordinary moments when no one is watching.

As mothers, grandmothers, wives, friends, and mentors, we are constantly leaving pieces of ourselves behind. Our children may not remember every meal we cooked or every load of laundry we folded, but they will remember the way we loved them. They’ll remember the values we lived, the faith we modeled, and the people we were when life became difficult.

I think that’s one reason I love historical fiction so much. History reminds us that most people who changed the world never set out to do so. They simply lived faithfully in the season God gave them. They loved their families. They served their communities. They trusted God through hardships. And the ripples of those choices extended far beyond what they could see.

What a beautiful reminder for those of us living ordinary lives today.

We may never know the full impact of our prayers, our sacrifices, or our faithfulness. But God does.

And perhaps the greatest legacy we can leave isn’t success or achievement at all.

Perhaps it’s a life that points others to Him.

This July, as our nation celebrates 250 years of history, freedom, and perseverance, I’d like to invite you to join me for a special virtual book club experience.

Together, we’ll journey back to 1917 and explore one of the most fascinating—and often overlooked—chapters of American history through my World War I novel, In Books & Battlefields.

Over the course of 3 weeks, we’ll discuss the story, dive into the real history that inspired it, explore exclusive immersive extras, and gather online to connect with fellow readers who love historical fiction as much as you do.

The book club will be right here on Substack with discussion questions, games, even more immersive extras, videos from me, and more!

Whether you’ve already read In Books & Battlefields or have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to pick it up, I’d love for you to join us.

As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, let’s remember the men and women whose courage, sacrifice, and determination helped shape the nation we know today.

Interested in joining the virtual book club?

Fill out the form below to reserve your spot and receive all book club updates, discussion schedules, and exclusive book club content.

Every book club member will receive a special gift from me and the opportunity to win more!

Join My Book Club

It’s not too late!!

Do you miss Louise? Are you wondering who Carter is? For less than the price of a latte, you can receive 2-3 chapters of their story EACH MONTH. Plus, you know I’m going to include all the immersive extras like videos, pictures, recipes, and behind-the-scenes information.

Become a subscriber today!

The rough draft of Book 2, In Fairy Tales & Fraud, is complete!! 🎉

What a journey this book has been.

Some stories come easily. Others require you to wrestle for every chapter and fight for every word. Nathaniel’s story was one of those books. There were moments when I wondered if I would ever reach the finish line, but now that I’m here, I can honestly say it was worth it.

I love this story, and I cannot wait to share it with you.

Look for In Fairy Tales & Fraud to hit shelves this August!

And yes… Book 3 has already begun. Title reveal coming soon!

Do you watch the narrated videos? Do you want me to keep making them, or would you prefer the written text with a handful of images to look at? I want to make sure I’m dev…

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• Newsletter News

• FREE Christian books and novellas

• Book Club

• FREE Camp Cards + Camp advice for moms

• Chapter 5 of In the Shadows of Sacrifice (for paid subscribers)

Beginning in July, I’ll be shifting to an every-other-week newsletter schedule. On alternating weeks, I’ll be sharing new installments of In the Shadows of Sacrifice and immersive storytelling content with my paid subscribers inside The Storyteller’s Parlor.

This change will allow me to devote more time to writing, researching, recording narrated content, and creating the immersive extras that bring these stories to life. My goal has always been to provide meaningful, high-quality content rather than simply fill your inbox, and I believe this new rhythm will help me do that even better.

Searching for your next favorite story?

Look no further! These bestselling authors have teamed up to offer a delightful selection of new books. Available for a limited time.

FREE Stories

You’re Invited: America 250 Virtual Book Club

This July, as our nation celebrates 250 years of history, freedom, and perseverance, I’d like to invite you to join me for a special virtual book club experience.

Together, we’ll journey back to 1917 and explore one of the most fascinating—and often overlooked—chapters of American history through my World War I novel, In Books & Battlefields.

Over the course of 3 weeks, we’ll discuss the story, dive into the real history that inspired it, explore exclusive immersive extras, and gather online to connect with fellow readers who love historical fiction as much as you do.

The book club will be right here on Substack with discussion questions, games, even more immersive extras, videos from me, and more!

Whether you’ve already read In Books & Battlefields or have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to pick it up, I’d love for you to join us.

As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, let’s remember the men and women whose courage, sacrifice, and determination helped shape the nation we know today.

Interested in joining the virtual book club?

Fill out the form below to reserve your spot and receive all book club updates, discussion schedules, and exclusive book club content.

Every book club member will receive a special gift from me and the opportunity to win more!

Join My Book Club

Summer camp season is here! Across the country, kids are packing duffel bags, labeling water bottles, and counting down the days until they can head off for adventure. Whether it’s church camp, sports camp, scout camp, or an overnight retreat, camp offers children a chance to grow in confidence, make new friends, and create memories they’ll carry for years.

If you’re a mama sending a child to camp this summer, here are a few tips from one camp mom to another:

• Slip a handwritten note into their suitcase for them to discover after you’ve left.
• Label everything. Trust me on this one.
• Take a quick photo of everything they pack so you both remember what needs to come home.
• Resist the urge to worry. Camp is often harder on moms than it is on kids!
• Pray over your child before they leave and trust God with the adventures ahead.

One of my family’s favorite camp traditions has been sending encouraging notes throughout the week. That’s why every summer I share my FREE Camp Cards printable—a set of fun, encouraging cards you can tuck into a suitcase, sleeping bag, Bible, or backpack for your child to discover while they’re away.

These camp cards have become one of my most requested freebies year after year, and I’m excited to offer them again this summer! Simply download, print, cut them apart, and hide them among your camper’s belongings before they leave. Those little surprises from home can make a big difference when homesickness strikes.

You can download your free Camp Cards below and bless your favorite camper with a little extra love from home.

FREE Camp Cards

(Chapter 5 of In the Shadows will be released next Monday!)

• Selah Historical Romance Winners Book Giveaway

• June’s Biblical Value: Motherhood

• Special Edition Hardback Coming Soon

• In the Shadows of Sacrifice

I’m SO EXCITED to partner with the PHENOMENAL authors who won a Selah Award in the Historical Romance Fiction category.

🎉 HISTORICAL ROMANCE SELAH AWARD WINNERS GIVEAWAY! 🎉

Love inspiring historical romance? Here’s your chance to win an incredible collection from five Selah Award-winning authors!

📚 One lucky winner will receive ALL FIVE books featured in this giveaway (paperback or ebook editions, at each author’s discretion).

To enter:

✅ Follow the action steps listed below.

✅ Complete all action steps and receive 20 BONUS entries!

Important Details:

• Open to participants with U.S. mailing addresses only.

• Paperback or ebook format will be determined by each individual author.

• Winner will be selected at random and notified after the giveaway closes.

By entering this giveaway, you are agreeing to allow each of these five authors to add your email address to their newsletter list. You are free to unsubscribe at any time, but we hope you’ll stay and get to know us better! We love getting to know our readers.

Don’t miss your chance to discover five award-winning historical romances and add them to your reading list. Good luck!

ENTER

For many people, June is known as Pride Month. But I join the growing number of families who recognize June as Nuclear Family Month—a time to celebrate God’s beautiful design for the family and the vital role it plays in society.

Over the past month, as I’ve reflected on motherhood, I’ve become increasingly convinced that one of the greatest gifts a mother can give her children isn’t a spotless house, a perfect education, or a packed schedule of activities. It’s something far more foundational.

It’s helping preserve the family the way God designed it.

Our culture often encourages women to put themselves first. It tells us that fulfillment is found in self-discovery, self-expression, and self-promotion. But Scripture paints a different picture. A thriving family begins with a thriving relationship with God.

The most important thing a mother can do is love God with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength. When our children see us seeking Him, trusting Him, and obeying Him, they learn where true security is found.

The second most important thing a mother can do is love her husband well. Long before our children arrived, God established marriage as the foundational human relationship. When children see their parents loving, respecting, and serving one another, they gain a living example of covenant, commitment, and faithfulness.

Here’s the caveat: I’m in no way saying that children of single moms are doomed, but as a former single mom myself, I’ve seen firsthand the emotional, spiritual, and social impacts that divorce and the lack of a good father have on children. And I’m not suggesting a woman should stay in an abusive relationship, either. Children need and deserve two stable, Christian, loving parents. That is God’s design, but His grace is sufficient.

And finally, mothers have the privilege of protecting and preserving God’s design for the family itself. In a world increasingly confused about marriage, gender, parenthood, and identity, our homes can be places of clarity. By embracing God’s design—not merely in what we believe, but in how we live—we leave a legacy that extends far beyond our own lifetime.

Motherhood is about far more than raising children. It’s about shaping a family culture that honors God and reflects His goodness to the next generation.

And that work has never been more important than it is today.

Do you enjoy swoony, beautiful special edition hardbacks?

I certainly do, which is why I’m thrilled to share that Their Burden to Bear will soon be available in a premium special-edition hardcover!

This collector’s edition is being designed with readers in mind and will include a foiled dust jacket, a second cover design hidden underneath, sprayed edges, full-color endpapers, and a ribbon bookmark. My goal is to create a keepsake edition worthy of the story—just in time to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday.

Set in Washington, D.C., in the aftermath of World War I, Their Burden to Bear follows Elsie St. Clair and Phillip Pierce as they navigate secrets, sacrifice, and a love neither expected to find. Inspired by the true story of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, it’s a story of remembrance, redemption, and the burdens we were never meant to carry alone.

I’m still finalizing the details, but I can’t wait to share sneak peeks of the design process with you in the coming months. Stay tuned for more information on how to get this special edition on your bookshelf.

Are you missing Louise, Harry, Evelyn, and Dude? Are you wondering who Carter is and how he fits into their story?

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This May was one of the busiest months of my life! Mother’s Day, Graduation Party, Prom, Graduation, Senior Dance Recital, My Birthday, Winning an Award, My Anniversary, My Son’s Proposal…. What an extraordinary month!

• Giveaway Winner

• An Award

• A Proposal

• A Special Edition

• Motherhood

• An Invitation

Thank you to everyone who shared their grandparents’ names with me! I wrote down some fun ones to consider for future stories.

And the winner of a free subscription to The Storyteller’s Parlor, my immersive storytelling location for In the Shadows of Sacrifice is….

BARBARA ROBINSON! Congratulations, Barbara. I’ll get you signed up asap.

And a big thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday!

I’m SO excited to announce that Their Burden to Bear won a bronze Selah Award this week at the Blue Ridge Mountain Writers’ Conference in North Carolina.

The Selah Awards recognize excellence in Christian publishing, and I’m incredibly honored that my debut novel was recognized among so many wonderful books. What began as a story inspired by the first Unknown Soldier and the burdens we all carry has become a journey I never could have imagined.

To say I’m honored would be an understatement. As a debut novelist, there are moments when you wonder if all those early mornings, late nights, edits, rewrites, and prayers are making a difference. This award was a sweet reminder that God often uses our small acts of faithfulness in ways we never expect.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’ve read the book, shared it with a friend, left a review, or simply cheered me on, I appreciate you more than you know.

Amidst the chaos of birthdays and anniversaries and Mother’s Day this month, my oldest son decided to propose to the love of his life. And I got to hide in the bushes to capture their sweet moment. I’m gaining a daughter-in-love!

More book news! In honor of our nation’s 250th birthday, I’m releasing a special edition of Their Burden to Bear! Later this summer, this book will be available with a foiled cover, sprayed edges, and gorgeous ribbon.

I’m still working on the final touches, but here’s a sneak peek.

And no AI was used in the making of this new cover.

In the symphony of activity in May, I didn’t get to share much about May’s biblical value- motherhood-so I’ll continue on with it this month.

There have been several milestone moments in our family this past month. I watched my youngest child walk across a stage and receive her diploma, closing a homeschooling chapter that began thirteen years ago. Just days later, I watched my oldest son get down on one knee and ask the woman he loves to spend the rest of her life with him.

As a mother, those moments were filled with joy. They were also filled with reflection.

For twenty-six years, I have had the privilege of being called “Mom.” I’ve changed diapers, kissed scraped knees, homeschooled lessons, prayed through heartaches, celebrated victories, and watched five little people grow into adults. And as I stood there watching my daughter graduate and my son begin a new chapter of his own, I was reminded of what an incredible gift motherhood truly is.

Our culture often portrays motherhood as limiting, oppressive, or something that keeps women from reaching their full potential. We’re told that children get in the way of our dreams, our careers, our freedom, and our identity.

But my experience has been just the opposite.

Motherhood didn’t diminish my life—it enriched it. It didn’t prevent me from becoming who God created me to be—it shaped me into that woman. It taught me patience, sacrifice, perseverance, humility, and unconditional love in ways nothing else could have.

The world sees motherhood as a burden to be escaped. Scripture presents it as a blessing to be embraced.

No, motherhood isn’t easy. There are sleepless nights, difficult seasons, and moments when the work feels unseen. But there is also profound purpose in shaping hearts, nurturing faith, and investing in the next generation.

As I watch my children step into the lives God has prepared for them—and the one who is running from Him even now—I am more convinced than ever that motherhood is not a lesser calling. It is one of the most significant and influential callings a woman can receive.

And what an honor it has been.

Have you been enjoying the story? Are you wondering about Carter in the Workhouse? We see more of him this week in Chapter 4, and you might even get a peek into who Maureen is and what happened to her in my Immersive Extras.

The prologue and first three chapters of In the Shadows of Sacrifice have been free for all readers. Beginning with Chapter 4, the story will continue inside The Storyteller’s Parlor, my immersive storytelling space here on Substack.

For the price of a black coffee each month, you’ll receive:

✨ New story chapters twice monthly (or more!)
🎧 Narrated chapter experiences
🎞 Immersive story extras
📸 Historical photos, research, and inspiration
💌 Bonus scenes and behind-the-scenes content

If you’ve enjoyed journeying alongside Louise, Dude, Evelyn, and Harry, I’d be honored to welcome you into The Storyteller’s Parlor. Simply click the Subscribe button below to choose a monthly, annual, or Founding Member membership.

Founding Members will hold a special place in this journey as the readers who helped open the parlor doors from the very beginning and will receive additional exclusive benefits as a thank-you for their support.

Pull up a chair, settle in, and stay awhile. I’d love to share the story with you.

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