Live By The Word -- News & Blog

Join me today as author and blogger Susan G. Mathis shares about her upcoming release. Join the Row-family women, Libby, Julia, and Emma, as they navigate the isolation, danger, and hope for lasting love at three different Thousand Island lighthouses in the St. Lawrence River. [Note: These can be read in any order.] Emma’s Engagement (book three) Emma Row embarks on a journey that will test her resilience and love. She marries Michael Diepolder, the Rock Island Lightkeeper and widower, a man who seeks a companion for both himself and his eleven-year-old daughter, Ada. But as she steps into the role of lightkeeper’s wife with a heart full of hope, little does she know that the idyllic setting conceals challenges that will shake the foundation of her happiness. Isolation creeps in, compounded by Ada’s determination to keep her father all to herself. As a storm looms, Emma must grapple with the difficulties of being a stepmother and lightkeeper’s wife. Will she find her place, or will the tumultuous waves of doubt and isolation tear them apart? For Michael, Emma is not just a wife but the hope for his future. But the lighthouse life and being a stepmother proves harder for Emma than he ever imagined, and Ada’s animosity only intensifies it. When the lighthouse inspector questions Emma’s place due to her Canadian heritage and Ada become deathly ill, the very foundation of their family is shaken. Can their family find solace and unity on this tiny island? Amid the swirling tempest of challenges, Emma, Michael, and Ada must discover the strength within themselves and each other to weather the storm. Emma’s Engagement is a poignant tale of love, resilience, and the enduring bonds that can form in the most unexpected places. This fictional story is based on the actual lives of Michael and Emma Diepolder. Julia’s Joy (book two) When Julia Collins reluctantly sets foot on Sister Island, compelled by her grandmother’s will, she is intent on claiming her inheritance and moving on. But when she experiences the peaceful, faith-filled island life and connects with the handsome lightkeeper, William, Julia finds herself confronting her open wounds from her parents’ deaths. William Dodge, lightkeeper of Sister Island, harbors a heart hardened by a past betrayal. Between that and his chronic pleurisy, he wants nothing to do with love. But when Julia arrives on the island bursting with vitality and unconventional notions, William’s world is turned upside down. As she chips away at the walls William has built for himself, he finds his reluctance waning. But just as love begins to blossom between them, Julia is faced with a tempting proposal from a prominent Brockville family. Will she succumb to societal expectations or choose the richness of her island life and the love of the steadfast lightkeeper? Libby’s Lighthouse (book one) Elizabeth Montonna, daughter of the Tibbett’s Point Lighthouse keeper, thought she’d love the lighthouse life forever—until her mother, on her deathbed, reveals a long-buried secret. Now Elizabeth’s world has been turned upside down, making her question if she’ll ever truly belong and be loved. But when a dashing young sailor appears on her shore, wounded and disoriented, she finds purpose in helping him recover. Although the man knows nothing about his past or identity, his kindness and character steal a little more of her heart each day. If only she knew his full name. When Owen awakes on the shore of Lake Ontario with no knowledge of who he is, or where he was headed when his ship wrecked, he has no choice but to accept the hospitality of the lighthouse keeper and his lovely daughter. But as Owen works to repay their kindness, and his relationship with Libby turns into something more, he knows their budding romance can go no further until he uncovers his past. With each passing day, Owen inches closer to discovering the secrets of his identity, but will the revelations bring him closer to Libby or tear them apart forever? An Excerpt from Emma’s Engagement (coming Jan 21): “Well, young lady, I’ve been thinking about that. Your father and I will miss you terribly, but we know you need a good education. To celebrate your return to academic endeavors and to acknowledge you are indeed growing up fast, how about I make you a new hat, a real grownup bonnet? You see, until I took the post as librarian at Thousand Island Park, I was a skilled milliner. I worked at it for years.” With the last button closed, Ada turned to look at her, her eyes wide. “Then, why do you wear that old hat?” As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she clamped both hands over her lips as if to keep any more words from coming out. She just as quickly released her hands and took a deep breath. “Sorry. That was mean.” Instead of being upset, Emma chuckled. “Thank you for the apology. That old hat is a treasured heirloom from my mother. She wore it for her wedding to my father. I know it’s old and unfashionable, but somehow it gives me comfort.” Ada frowned. “It’s not so bad, really. I was just in a bad mood that day I made fun of it.” Emma waved off her concern. “It’s okay, but remember to always use your words to be kind, Ada. I see you’ve been working hard on that, and I commend you for it. Keep up the good work, darling.” Ada nodded. “I will, Emma.” Emma took Ada’s hand and tugged her to her room. “And now, let me show you my secret treasure trove of fabrics and trimmings that I have hidden in one of my steamer trunks. You can pick the fabric, lace, ribbons, and I’ll make you a bonnet or a fascinator you can wear on your first day back to school.” Ada scrunched up her nose. “What’s the difference?” Emma smiled. “Well, fascinators are smaller, more decorative hats that don’t have a brim or a crown, and you know what bonnets are.” “Then I definitely would like a decorative bonnet, please. Those fancy fascinators are for older girls.” Emma chuckled. One minute she wanted to be a lady and the next stay a little girl. “Sounds good to me, sweetheart.” Gently lifting the lid of her largest truck, Emma revealed a stunning assortment of fabrics in a rainbow of colors and textures. She showed Ada her soft silks in delicate pastels, shimmering organzas, and luxurious satins. And of course, she kept wools, cottons, linens, duck, and seersuckers for everyday wear that lay at the bottom of the trunk. Ada’s eyes widened with wonder as she ran her fingers over the materials. “Such an array, Emma. How shall I ever choose?” About Susan: Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands, her childhood stomping ground in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than thirty times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has thirteen in her Thousand Islands fiction line including, The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, Christmas Charity, Katelyn’s Choice, Devyn’s Dilemma, Sara’s Surprise, Reagan’s Reward, Colleen’s Confession, Peyton’s Promise, Rachel’s Reunion, Mary’s Moment, A Summer at Thousand Island House, Libby’s Lighthouse , and Julia’s Joy , and Emma’s Engagement . Find out more at www.SusanGMathis.com/fiction . Where can people find her online? Susan’s website: https://www.susangmathis.com/fiction-books Buy links: Amazon Barnes&Noble | Wild Heart Books Social media links: Website | Author Central | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Instagram | Goodreads l Book Bub | Pinterest |

Help me welcome author Lauralee Bliss as she shares her latest release and generously offers a choice of of free ebook to one lucky winner. About Lauralee: Lauralee is an avid adventurer as well as an author of over thirty novels with When the Avalanche Roared being her 31st. When not writing she can be found on her favorite hiking trail, having logged over 12,000 hiking miles. Find out about all her adventures in books and hiking at https://lauraleebliss.com A Peek Inside the Book: Chapter 1 SEPTEMBER 1909 EVERETT, WASHINGTON The hand shook in a voiceless plea for help. She strained, trying in vain to grasp the hand, reaching ever closer, nearly there. A cry rose up in her throat for heavenly grace and strength. Please, oh please. Help me reach. Just a little bit more. Oh God, I must help. Help me! Again came a rumble in her throat, the effort causing every part of her to cry out. “Help!” “Lillian!” Lillian Hartwick awoke with a start, the vision quickly disappearing into the realm of reality with the worried eyes of Mother standing over her. She drew herself to a sitting position. Only a moment ago she had lain back on the settee to think. “I must have fallen asleep.” She wiped her damp forehead with her hand. “What a terrible dream.” “I heard you cry for help from the other room. Do you want to talk about it?” Lillian shook her head, inhaled a deep breath…. Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/When-Avalanche-Roared-Day-Remember/dp/B0CYDDKV98 Connecting Online: Website: https://lauraleebliss.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraleeBliss Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blissfulhiking/ Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lauralee-bliss The Thief in the Night Barbour Publishing has stepped into a new series called A Day to Remember that focuses on specific disasters in history. When the Avalanche Roared delves into a little known but significant tragedy deep in the heart of the Cascade Mountains of Washington State, when trains are swept off the rail tracks in a terrific avalanche one fateful night. The loss of ninety-three souls makes it the worst avalanche in US history. What makes it more difficult to grasp is how close the trains were to being rescued before the snows hit. The force of the tragedy where young and old perished in their sleep is a difficult story to relate when one balances sudden loss with faith and hope. In these times the author must let go of preconceived notions and let God take control of the storytelling. The Bible itself is filled with tragedy and loss as well. But measured in the equation of eternal significance, the loss can be seen in a different way, and that is through the eyes of eternity. In this, everything changes. Our flesh changes, our spirits are set free from sin and death. There is no crying or sadness or despair. But the fact that we leave this earthly dwelling, measured in eternity by what we have built up here on earth (I Corinthians 3:12-14) makes it all the more urgent that we live for each day, not knowing when eternity will arrive and our lives here will come to an end. As we begin a New Year, let us then evaluate priorities. Are we doing the best we can with the gifts God has given us? Are there relationships that could use some uplifting intervention on our part? Are there goals we should try to attain in the New Year while the time is now? Are there things we should do that mean more in the sense of eternity rather than the here and now? A book such as When the Avalanche Roared obliges us to examine priorities. And makes us realize that like a thief in the night, one can be taken away. But by the grace of God, if we have another day to accomplish what God wants from our lives, then let us go forth in it and give it your all. Giveaway: Leave a comment to enter a random giveaway for winner's choice of one of Lauralee's books in digital format. Don't forget to include your cleverly disguised email address so we can reach you but the bots can't. For example, donna AT livebytheword DOT com

Today I share Susan Mathis and her final installment in our series of three blog posts about Julia's Joy. About Julia’s Joy: When Julia Collins reluctantly sets foot on Sister Island, compelled by her wealthy grandmother's will, she is intent on claiming her inheritance and moving on. But when she experiences the peaceful, faith-filled island life, and connects with the handsome lightkeeper, William, Julia finds herself confronting her open wounds from her parents' deaths. William Dodge, lightkeeper of Sister Island, harbors a heart hardened by a past betrayal. Between that and his chronic pleurisy, he wants nothing to do with love. But when Julia arrives on the island bursting with vitality and unconventional notions, William's world is turned upside down. As she chips away at the walls William has built for himself, he finds his reluctance waning. But just as love begins to blossom between them, Julia is faced with a tempting proposal from a prominent Brockville family. Will she succumb to societal expectations or choose the richness of her island life and the love of the steadfast lightkeeper? Here’s an excerpt from Julia’s Joy : As William scanned the lamp room, it smelled of dampness and kerosene, scents ingrained in the very fabric of the lighthouse. The rain continued to patter incessantly on the ten-sided glass room, a staccato call to be at attention, though he doubted many would traverse the river in such weather, save the oceangoing salties or perhaps a laker or two already en route to port. Still, after the recent crash on that foggy night, he had to remain vigilant. He approached the massive lamp, that giant sentinel in the center of the room, and lit it. The wick flickered, a dim flame yearning for attention. He sighed. Much like the lamp, there were aspects of his heart that also needed tending. He carefully fine-tuned the wick, coaxing it to life with a gentle adjustment. The flame responded, dancing with renewed vigor. William polished the brass components of the lamp until they gleamed, each stroke a subtle swish of reflection. The windows of the lamp room also caught his attention. With a determined resolve, he set about cleaning them, but the view beyond the glass was obscured, much like the uncertainty that clouded his tomorrows. As he wiped away the residue, he appraised Julia’s inner storm and the book that held the answers to her battle. Though she hadn’t mentioned the many notes and comments his father and mother had added to their family heirloom, he knew many of them by heart. Indeed, he had added a few of his own over the years. He wouldn’t force Julia to share her revelations. No, he had to let her come to him when she was ready. In the meantime, he would pray for her. He set about puttering, as he often did when deep in thought. The clang of metal against metal resounded through the lamp room as he tinkered with the brass workings of the massive apparatus. He smiled as the beam of light from the lighthouse swept across the stormy river, cutting through the thick mist that clung to the island and beyond, just as it should. About Susan: Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands, her childhood stomping ground in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than thirty times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has thirteen in her fiction line including, The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, Christmas Charity, Katelyn’s Choice, Devyn’s Dilemma, Sara’s Surprise, Reagan’s Reward, Colleen’s Confession, Peyton’s Promise, Rachel’s Reunion, Mary’s Moment, A Summer at Thousand Island House, Libby’s Lighthouse, and Julia’s Joy, the second in her three-book lighthouse series. Her book awards include three Illumination Book Awards, four American Fiction Awards, three Indie Excellence Book Awards, five Literary Titan Book Awards, two Golden Scroll Awards, and a Selah Award. Susan is also a published author of two premarital books, two children’s picture books, stories in a dozen compilations, and hundreds of published articles. Susan makes her home in Northern Virginia and enjoys traveling around the world but returns each summer to enjoy the Thousand Islands. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com/fiction for more. Where can people find you online? Susan’s website: https://www.susangmathis.com/fiction-books Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Wild Heart Books Social media links: Website | Author Central | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Instagram | Goodreads l Book Bub | Pinterest | Julia’s Joy book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq7XLUohjrA

Help me welcome author Lisa Pelissier as she shares about a subject near and dear to her heart -- literacy and comprehension. After all, what is the benefit in knowing how to read if we don't understand what the author is trying to convey? The neighbor boy was over at our house, playing with my daughters. They were working puzzles on the living room floor—wooden puzzles that my grandmother used when she was a kindergarten teacher from 1950 to 1970. Suddenly this ten-year-old boy cried, “Miss Lisa! I think something terrible’s happening in this puzzle! I think it’s slavery!” I didn’t remember having a slavery puzzle, so I looked over to see what he was talking about. It was Hansel and Gretel. You know, the scene where the witch has Hansel locked in a cage while she tries to fatten him up as a precursor to eating him. The neighbor boy had never heard the story of Hansel and Gretel. After remedying the situation, I sat back to ponder. I was raised on Grimm’s fairy tales. I had a big book of fairy tales—still have it, in fact. Classic fairy tales were everywhere—in children’s books, in chapter books, and on TV. Everyone knew the stories of Hansel and Gretel, Rumpelstiltskin, Rapunzel, and more. Those tales are being lost. My solution was to create a reading comprehension book for children containing 22 Grimm’s fairy tales told in 26 short lessons. The stories were taken right out of the fairy tales, and the comprehension questions from the stories. I was working as a long-term substitute teacher for a second-grade class at the time, and I created the stories with them in mind. The kids loved them. Reclaim: Reading Comprehension for Cultural Literacy based on Grimm’s Fairy Tales is appropriate for students with a reading level between second and third grade. It’s an easy way for homeschool parents or classroom teachers to introduce Grimm’s fairy tales to their students in a way that takes ten to fifteen minutes per lesson. I know this blog is usually about newly released fiction. It’s intended to let you all—the readers—know what is up and coming. But it’s good also to take a moment to look back on the varied stories that made us who we are as individuals, as a nation, and as a culture. From that foundation, we can press forward in our own creative journeys and in making beautiful choices about what we choose to read.  Link to Reclaim : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CC7C36SR/ About Lisa: Lisa Pelissier lives in Oregon where she is a homeschool mother of four and self-published author of six middle-grade fiction novels, as well as two early-readers' chapter books and two YA fantasy novels. Lisa owns SneakerBlossom Books, offering Christian, classical homeschool study guides and curriculum. She also works as a freelance copy editor, copy writer, and virtual assistant. She blogs at Eleventh Willow, a site she and two friends started for Christians parenting the mentally ill. In her spare time Lisa enjoys making art, playing the piano, and singing. Connecting Online: Website: https://www.sneakerblossom.com/ Email: sneakerblossom (at) yahoo.com Blog: https://www.eleventhwillow.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisa.pelissier.author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisaedkela/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/edkela/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lisa-Pelissier/author/B08794GCR1 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SneakerBlossom TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lisapelissier1

Help me welcome Dienece Darling today as she shares about a recent release. There’s a running joke in my family which comes from the 1995 Sense and Sensibility movie starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. The youngest daughter, Margaret had a habit of always saying the wrong thing when guests came to visit. After several ‘mistakes,’ her mother and sisters inform Margaret that one should speak of the weather if they don’t know what to say. Lo and behold, there’s a very awkward scene at the end of the movie. No one has any idea what to say, and Margaret—finally remembering her etiquette lessons—pipes up, ‘We’ve been enjoying very fine weather.’ And what does Margaret get for all her troubles? Her mother and sisters shush her. Poor Margaret, she’d done what they told her to do! Talk about the weather to fill an awkward pause. And somehow it still wasn’t right. My family loved this quote back when I was a teenager. We probably wore it out, but years later, it still makes me smile. And occasionally, I dare to tell my family that the weather has been ‘very fine’ lately. But weather isn’t always a safe topic. In fact, weather can be devastating. Floods, snowstorms, drought, and dare I mention hurricanes? There are times when speaking of the weather is the last thing anyone wants. Just such an occasion happens in my book Hearts Unknown. In 1763, London suffered one of the worst winters anyone could remember. It was so bad that not only did the Thames freeze over, but the very ground itself. Gardeners were unable to work and took to the streets dressed in mourning clothes. Can you imagine what it would look like to see gardeners marching through the streets like a funeral procession because they couldn’t work? Things got so bad the East India Company gave 10 guineas to several parishes for the relief of the poor. In today’s terms, this is roughly worth around $1,400. Not exactly a drop in the bucket. According to https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/currency-converter/ 10 guineas equalled around 100 days of wages. On top of that, a poor lady got lost on her way home from buying bread, wandered into a fen, and froze to death. All these distressing scenes pile up on my heroine Edith Howard in Hearts Unknown. She wants to do something for the poor. She wants to help, but it’s not like she’s got $1,000 dollars lying around. What can one lady do in the face of such great need? Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Like there wasn’t anything you could do to fix things, to help? In Hearts Unknown Edith learns the value of two mites given to God. And of course, since this is a romance, she manages to fall in love while she’s at it! 😉 Buy link: https://www.books2read.com/heartsunknown Connecting Online: http://www.dienecedarling.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063748350005 https://www.instagram.com/dienecedarling/ https://x.com/DieneceDarling About Dienece : Inspirational historical romance author Dienece Darling was born in American but now calls Australia home. Her stories find love and faith in history, and her first name is a variant spelling of Denise.

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Welcome author and blogger Susan G Mathis back for her second of three posts about her upcoming release, Julia's Joy. Julia’s Joy Book two is out now! She came to claim her inheritance, but the mysterious lighthouse keeper makes her question all her plans. When Julia Collins reluctantly sets foot on Sister Island, compelled by her grandmother’s will, she is intent on claiming her inheritance and moving on. But when she experiences the peaceful, faith-filled island life and connects with the handsome lightkeeper, William, Julia finds herself confronting her open wounds from her parents’ deaths. William Dodge, lightkeeper of Sister Island, harbors a heart hardened by a past betrayal. Between that and his chronic pleurisy, he wants nothing to do with love. But when Julia arrives on the island bursting with vitality and unconventional notions, William’s world is turned upside down. As she chips away at the walls William has built for himself, he finds his reluctance waning. But just as love begins to blossom between them, Julia is faced with a tempting proposal from a prominent Brockville family. Will she succumb to societal expectations or choose the richness of her island life and the love of the steadfast lightkeeper? Libby’s Lighthouse: Book one is available now. When a lighthouse keeper’s daughter finds a mysterious sailor with amnesia, the secrets she uncovers may change her life forever. Elizabeth Montonna, daughter of the Tibbett’s Point Lighthouse keeper, thought she’d love the lighthouse life forever—until her mother, on her deathbed, reveals a long-buried secret. Now Elizabeth’s world has been turned upside down, making her question if she’ll ever truly belong and be loved. But when a dashing young sailor appears on her shore, wounded and disoriented, she finds purpose in helping him recover. Although the man knows nothing about his past or identity, his kindness and character steal a little more of her heart each day. If only she knew his full name. When Owen awakes on the shore of Lake Ontario with no knowledge of who he is, or where he was headed when his ship wrecked, he has no choice but to accept the hospitality of the lighthouse keeper and his lovely daughter. But as Owen works to repay their kindness, and his relationship with Libby turns into something more, he knows their budding romance can go no further until he uncovers his past. With each passing day, Owen inches closer to discovering the secrets of his identity, but will the revelations bring him closer to Libby or tear them apart forever? About Susan: Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands, her childhood stomping ground in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than thirty times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has thirteen in her fiction line including, The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, Christmas Charity, Katelyn’s Choice, Devyn’s Dilemma, Sara’s Surprise, Reagan’s Reward, Colleen’s Confession, Peyton’s Promise, Rachel’s Reunion, Mary’s Moment, A Summer at Thousand Island House, Libby’s Lighthouse, and Julia’s Joy, the second in her three-book lighthouse series. Her book awards include three Illumination Book Awards, four American Fiction Awards, three Indie Excellence Book Awards, five Literary Titan Book Awards, two Golden Scroll Awards, and a Selah Award. Susan is also a published author of two premarital books, two children’s picture books, stories in a dozen compilations, and hundreds of published articles. Susan makes her home in Northern Virginia and enjoys traveling around the world but returns each summer to enjoy the Thousand Islands. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com/fiction for more. Where can people find you online? Susan’s website: https://www.susangmathis.com/fiction-books Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Wild Heart Books Social media links: Website | Author Central | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Instagram | Goodreads l Book Bub | Pinterest | Julia’s Joy book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq7XLUohjrA

Help me welcome author Lori DeJong as she shares about her upcoming Christmas release. In July 2023, I was so excited when I was invited to join three other Scrivenings Press authors in a Christmas novella collection entitled A Match Made at Christmas, that was set to release in October 2024. My debut novel had just released two weeks before, and I was hard at work on the second book in the series. But the chance to work on a lighthearted Christmas romance novella was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I’d never written a novella before but came up with a loose concept of a character who had left their small town with big dreams and was coming home for Christmas for the first time in years. I didn’t know yet if it would be him or her, just that this character’s life was at a crossroads, and I wanted their mothers involved somehow in the scheme to get them back together. After some brainstorming, the story of Cody Lansdale and Aubrey Mayfield came into view. High school sweethearts from a small Texas town with big dreams of making it in Christian music. When they’re finally “discovered”, however, it doesn’t exactly go the way they’d planned, and Cody leaves Aubrey in Nashville to become all she can be. Jingle Bell Matchmakers opens with Aubrey, now billed as "Aubrey May", country music star, being lured home by some misinformation eleven years later. And when she and Cody, now a widowed father of a precocious little girl, keep finding themselves in the same place at the same time, they begin to wonder if something’s going on behind the scenes. I hope you enjoy Jingle Bell Matchmakers, a second-chance romance story with a committee of well-meaning, spunky ladies pulling the heartstrings! About the story: When country music star Aubrey Mayfield is lured home after years away, she’s bewildered when she and ex-fiancé-now-widowed-dad Cody Lansdale keep finding themselves in the same place at the same time. As they become reacquainted, however, old feelings stir. Aubrey’s at a crossroads in her career and is contemplating a change. But when a chance at headlining her own tour takes her back to Nashville, Cody realizes her dreams may once again come between them. Unless God, with a little help from the Jingle Bell Committee, has a better plan.