Fantasy has all kinds of subgenres, but portal fantasy is definitely my favorite. I love that moment someone steps from one world to another and we discover it all along with the character. Maybe it's because my first introduction to fantasy was&nbsp;The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.&nbsp;So when I had the chance to interview a new-to-me author, Daniella Rushton, about her , and discovered it was a portal fantasy, well... DUH!&nbsp; Totally excited. Listen in to learn her inspiration for the series, what it's about, and a whole lot more. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Why Am I Eager to Get Started on This Exciting Fantasy Series? What do you do when you have a giant shelf that is empty? You go to Goodwill, buy a stuffed panther, and get inspired to write a series! Duh! One of the best things I heard on the entire podcast was when Daniella said that this panther was&nbsp;winged. I mean, come on guys, a winged panther? Series SOLD! Right there. Fork it over. Gimme all the books and get out of my way.&nbsp; Hee hee. But on a more serious note, I love the idea that the God of this fantasy world gives people a gift that they are to use and then... that there are those who seek to deny these gifts and the battles that rage.&nbsp; Whoa... The parallels with the "real world" are beautiful without being overly on the nose. I also love that bit. I also love that in one book you get a sense of Daniella spinning her  in the California deserts and in the next you're in the Midlands of England. Even better, learning that we're going to go back to the beginning of time in the third book... EEEP! Let me get my panther saddle and a parachute and let's go! Daniella says she's a big researcher which gets in the way of the fun stuff... writing! She loves the creative process, and I'm excited to get to see what happens in this third book  by Daniella Rushton The Panther Tales is a series of fantasy books set in the fictional world of ‘The Watchers and the Gifted Ones’ and follows the journey of a young woman called Hannah, as she comes to understand her immense imaginary power. Only if she truly believes in the Gift which she has been granted, can her power occur, coming in the form of light projected from her heart, the bridge to another world. The series features magical imaginary characters such as Nancy the lamp, Queen Nail and many more who are all somehow intrinsically linked in time throughout the series. They accompany Hannah on her journey as she battles the dark world of The Watchers including the terrifying Great Gifted Nickolous and his protégé Victor, the leader of the Spectacle council. The series is narrated by The Great Star of the Cosmos, granter of Gifts, who throughout, guides Hannah on her journey, often accompanied by Parky the Panther, a winged panther with wisdom unlike any other, introduced to Hannah by Magic Mini, her grandmother. A sprinkling of magic combined with the power of belief in storytelling makes The Panther Tales a modern-day classic. A brand-new fantasy world full of fascination, encompassing love, intrigue, and adventure. You can learn more about Daniella and  on her . Like to listen on the go?&nbsp;You can find&nbsp;&nbsp;at:          and more!

Episode 207: A Chat with Daniella Rushton about Portal Fantasy

For the last couple of months, I can't blink without seeing the name Juliette Duncan, so when I saw her as next on my list for interviews, I was excited! And boy was chatting with her a delight. Juliette has TWO books releasing back to back almost, but the first one,  releases... TODAY! So, listen in to learn more about her Christmas novella and a bit about the next book in her Waters Edge series. Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. What's Better Than a Great Christmas Romance Novella? So Much! How about "mature romance"?&nbsp; Oh, how I love that rather than "seasoned" as if everything else is somehow bland OR... it's on the verge of "spicy." EEEP! Juliette Duncan, however, has created a wonderful cast of Characters in her Sunburned Land series taking place in northern Australia and on a cattle station, no less. We talked about formulaic romance, the lack of it, and what makes for good, realistic fiction. I wanted to throw out here that when she talks about her books not being "squeaky clean," I believe she's talking about how the people are flawed rather than perfect and they make stupid mistakes like humans do rather than the books being full of things that would get them an R rating as a movie!&nbsp; I think it's just the Aussie/USA terminology difference--kind of like Merry Christmas vs. Happy Christmas which we ended with. But we also talked about her Water's Edge series!&nbsp; Book five is coming out in just a few weeks, and it sounds delightful. I'm a sucker for a friends-to-more romance, and well... this is one! YAY! Think small-town romance, hang gliding, and the Australia coast. What more could you want? When I asked about what she likes to read, she admitted she does read in her own genre, and likes women's fiction by Aussie author, Lilly Mirren. I've never heard of Mirren, but since Juliette says she writes a clean book, I'm eager to give it a shot! Furthermore, Juliette Duncan's books can be listened to on audiobooks wherever you like to get yours--including from her . Christmas at Goddard Downs by Juliette Duncan A Christmas celebration, an engagement in doubt… Maggie and Frank are excited to welcome the entire family home for Christmas. It’s been too long since they were all together, and since Frank’s heart attack, they cherish each moment spent with their family. Plus, there could be two engagement announcements! Janella’s bringing Wade to Christmas, and everybody’s expecting Sean to finally pop the question to Elizabeth. The whole cattle station’s buzzing with anticipation. But Sean still has niggling doubts. Since Uncle Frank appointed him as co-manager of Goddard Downs, his life has changed for the better, and at last he feels like somebody, and yet, he can’t shrug off his father’s words. Although he loves Elizabeth, how can he expect her to marry him when his dad could be right and he could fall into his old ways at any time? Elizabeth Martin’s had enough of waiting for Sean to propose, and Bree's offer to travel the world and nurse wherever the Lord leads holds appeal. But can she leave Sean? The thought distresses her. But does she love him enough to wait forever for him to propose? What if he never does? How can she join his family for Christmas when all eyes will be on them? It’d be easier not to go. She’ll pick up another shift, make her excuses. Somebody needs to care for the sick while everyone else celebrates the birth of Jesus. Can this impasse be broken? Can Sean find the courage to face his fears and commit to Elizabeth before he loses her? Will Elizabeth choose to travel the world, or will this Christmas be one that will change her life forever? Join the Goddard family for a Christmas to remember.&nbsp;Christmas at Goddard Downs&nbsp;is Book Six in the Sunburned Land Series, a contemporary Christian&nbsp;romance set in the beautiful, rugged and remote Kimberley area of northern Australia. Grab your...

Episode 193: A Chat with Christian Romance Author, Juliette Duncan

Split-time novels are some of my favorites, and this year I discovered (and interviewed the authors of) two different World War II books with DNA connections. On the surface, you'd assume they'd be too alike to be interesting, but once you start reading, the similarities compound AND diverge at the same time, leaving inspiring stories that don't feel like a duplicate AT ALL. Listen in to what I loved about Terrie Todd's&nbsp;Lilly's Promise and Liz Tolsma's&nbsp;What I Would Tell You. &nbsp; Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Did You Know Opposites Attract—Even When They're Great Books? First up was Terrie Todd's&nbsp;Lily's Promise from . In this novel, we meet a young woman whose DNA test and genealogy research leave her with a name she can't place, and when her father starts telling the story... whoa.&nbsp; Much of the story focuses on the foolishness of decisions, trying to atone for one's own sins, and skewed perceptions. Rich faith elements, finding our true identities, and seeing how the Lord does work good into our lives despite the messes we try to make of it make it one of my top books of 2022... like definitely the top 22. Probably top 5. Here's my . Next up was Liz Tolsma's&nbsp;What I Would Tell You from . Again, we have a DNA test with unexpected results. Tessa and her cousin, Riley, find that though their grandmothers were supposedly twins... they don't share the right DNA for that. Tessa has Sephardic Jewish DNA, but as far as she knows, she's not Jewish. So... what gives? This sends her across the world to Thessaloniki, Greece and immerses her in a story that helps her discover her true identity, how the Lord will work this good into her life, all her own skewed perceptions and more! Both books were five-star reads for me, and I highly recommend them. The funny thing is that they are such very different books that I couldn't say which one someone should read first because it's not like, "Oh, this one has more information" or "This one has a better story" or better characters or... or...&nbsp; What is just wonderful is seeing how two people seemingly have the same idea for a split-time story and then end up writing such different books that you'd never know they started with the same premise unless you were thinking about it. You can learn more about  on her website and about  on hers. Note: Both authors have other split-time novels, so you definitely want to check out their books. I can think of&nbsp;The Silver Suitcase&nbsp;for Terrie Todd&nbsp;and&nbsp;A Promise Engraved for Liz Tolsma. Like to listen on the go?&nbsp;You can find&nbsp;&nbsp;at:          and more!

Episode 200: Comparing & Contrasting Two Split-Time Novels

&nbsp;I always love a chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher. She writes a lovely variety of genres, and her Amish is some of the best out there, so chatting about her new book,&nbsp;A Healing Touch&nbsp;was the highlight of this summer!&nbsp; Listen in to learn about "Dok" Soltzfus, Annie, and the baby!   note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.&nbsp;   &nbsp;Next up in the Stony Ridge community, Fisher tackles several serious topics--an ex-Amish doctor (if I recall correctly), her Amish assistant, a found baby, and one woman's breast cancer journey.   In this book, Fisher and her "Dok" show how healing isn't just about medicine and diagnoses--sometimes it's deeper and comes from within--from the heart.   &nbsp;    by Suzanne Woods Fisher   &nbsp;Ruth "Dok" Stoltzfus is the kind of doctor who still believes in house calls, addressing not just her patients' physical needs but their emotional ones too. When newly widowed Bee faces a breast cancer diagnosis, Dok connects her with Fern Lapp for support. When her painfully shy assistant Annie finds herself drawn to a new calling, Dok goes to great lengths to help her achieve her dream. And when an abandoned newborn mysteriously appears at her office one frosty morning, Dok's world takes an unexpected turn as ripples of change touch several lives.  A Healing Touch&nbsp;is a captivating tale of compassion, resilience, and the bonds that form in surprising places. Bestselling and award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you into a new story that's like medicine for the weary soul. Join Dok, Annie, and the tight-knit Stoney Ridge community as they navigate the twists of fate, discovering that sometimes the greatest healing comes from the heart.  Get&nbsp;A Healing Touch&nbsp;for 40% off with FREE US shipping through the end of September at       You can learn more about Suzanne from her&nbsp;.&nbsp; Also, follow her on&nbsp;&nbsp;and&nbsp;.   Like to listen on the go?&nbsp;You can find&nbsp;&nbsp;at:                  and more!

Episode 365:  A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher

&nbsp;The Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing comes to a close with Amanda Cabot's upcoming release of&nbsp;. Listen in to learn more about the series and about the mystery that has kept us all curious as we read through this series!   note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.&nbsp;  This whole series has fascinated me since the first time Amanda and I chatted about it.&nbsp; I was certain that book two,&nbsp;After the Shadows would be my favorite, but... I don't know. Now that I hear more from Amanda about this book, I'm not so sure.  Add to that learning that there will be a Christmas novella available for preorder soon (don't forget to sign up for her newsletter so you can find out when it goes live!), and well... come on!&nbsp; EEEP!   &nbsp;   by Amanda Cabot   &nbsp;After more than a year in Europe, Joanna Vaughn returns to Sweetwater Crossing, her dreams of becoming a concert pianist shattered. As if that weren't enough, her husband, whom she married after a whirlwind courtship, has died. The only thing sustaining her on the journey back to Texas was the thought of her childhood home. But to Joanna's dismay, she's changed so much that the place she once loved no longer feels like home. &nbsp; After his fiancée married his partner and both blamed him for a patient's death, Dr. Burke Finley believes it's time for a change. A quick trip with his almost-aunt Della Samuels to Sweetwater Crossing turns into an extended stay to discover what happened to his uncle and her would-be husband. But the beautiful and musical Joanna makes it more than bearable. &nbsp; As the two join forces to help Della, there is no denying the attraction felt on both sides. But ghosts from the past are coming to call--and threatening to destroy any chance at happily-ever-after. &nbsp; Get swept away by this emotional tale of family, friendship, and the kind of love that overcomes every obstacle.   Into the Starlight&nbsp;is 40% off with FREE US shipping from  through July 15th!   Learn more about Amanda on her WEBSITE&nbsp;and follow her on&nbsp;&nbsp;and&nbsp;.   Like to listen on the go?&nbsp;You can find&nbsp;&nbsp;at:                  and more!

Episode 346: A Chat with Amanda Cabot

FRAGMENTS: A Thrilling Christian Epic Fantasy Adventure
THE SEEKERS SERIES BOOK ONE
Written by J.A. Webb
Read by Stefan Rudnicki
Published by Skyboat Media

It is the year 2158, and Hegemony has fallen.

But the Order, the one-world religion, remains … securely ensconced as the unseen power behind all human government.

Should any desire for truth be rekindled in the hearts of men, the Order stands ready to stamp it out …

Father Curtis, priest of the Order of the Eternal, seeks solace in his secluded parish, sheltered from the oppressive regime.

But then, unjustly branded a heretic, he must flee for his life—all while confronting the stark realization the world he once trusted is a labyrinth of deception, orchestrated by the Order’s tyrannical forces, and that his understanding of the world is built upon a foundation of lies.

Now, his fate and the fate of humanity hang in the balance as he and his former parishioners battle to find the truth about themselves, the Order, and Creation … in a world where seeking truth is a capital offense.

Buy on Downpour

Fragments by J.A. Webb, read by Stefan Rudnicki

"Pilgrimage: My Journey to Writing Books That Honor Christ" • Lynn Austin

THE VIRTUOUS MIND is a podcast from Providence Christian College that discusses all facets of the human experience and the liberal arts from a biblical worldview. www.providencecc.edu

The mission of Providence Christian College as a Reformed Christian institution is to equip students to be firmly grounded in biblical truth, thoroughly educated in the liberal arts, and fully engaged in their church, their community, and the world for the glory of God and for service to humanity.

LEARN MORE: https://www.providencecc.edu
APPLY: https://www.providencecc.edu/apply

TVM_S3_Episode 1_"The Importance of Storytelling"_Lynn Austin_WAV

This is the description for my Christian dystopian fiction series, "The End."

When Constantine Jedidiah Goodfellow shot up through the senate, people were all-too surprised and delighted to see someone in the prime of life wanting to heal wounds, bring people together, and bring peace, so they elected him President.

His aim, however, was to bring the exact opposite.

The year is 2113, and Christianity is under siege.  A massive virus has torn across the planet and killed off half of the world’s population and its leaders.  Goodfellow, having changed his name to “Nero” in honor of the Roman emperor, has declared himself de facto leader over the remainder of mankind, and commenced the eradication of Christianity.

In a small community outside Chicago, Illinois, eighteen year old Sage Maddox is endowed with wisdom and street smarts well beyond his years.  Though his entire family has been killed off by “Guardians” – deceptively-named and ruthless killing machines dispatched by Nero – he is determined to do his part to bring much-needed justice and restore safety to Christians throughout the world.  There’s just one thing…

Nero is waiting for him.

Bestselling author of the Dissonance alien invasion saga and the sci-fi thriller Forecast, Aaron Ryan presents the first installment in a new riveting post-apocalyptic Christian fiction series.  The End will leave your heart pounding and take you on a thrill ride of epic proportions as you fight to survive along with Maddox and the rest of humanity. 

For more information, visit https://thisisnottheend.com.

#christian #fiction #christianfiction #cleanfiction #dystopian #futuristic #revelation #endtimes #apocalyptic #biblical #postapocalyptic #bookstoread #booksbooksbooks #booklover #bookworm

The End - Christian Dystopian Fiction Thriller Series by Aaron Ryan

INHERITANCE (Seekers Series, Book 2)
Written by J.A. Webb
Read by Stefan Rudnicki
Published by Skyboat Media

It is the year 2158, and Hegemony has fallen.

But the Order, the one-world religion, remains … securely ensconced as the unseen power behind all human government.

Should any desire for truth be rekindled in the hearts of men, the Order stands ready to stamp it out …

The Seekers have spent generations in their secret quest for truth, keeping alive the knowledge— that once there had been a True Light, now lost to this darkly oppressive world.

Now, from the other side of the globe, word comes—there is a surviving copy of the True Text! Professor Reuel, Father Curtis, and Philip mobilize to save this precious relic, and the team of Keepers who have guarded it.

But the Order is intent on getting there first. And they have a head start.

What can a lone group of hunted revolutionaries do in the face of a massive global power like the Order? How can they prevail against such an indomitable foe?

And if they fail, how will humanity ever learn the truth about themselves, the Order, Creation, and Eternity … ? 

Inheritance by J.A. Webb, read by Stefan Rudnicki

Award-winning and bestselling author Aaron Ryan lives in Washington with his wife and two sons, along with Macy the dog, Winston the cat, and Merry & Pippin, the finches.

He is the author of the bestselling "Dissonance" 6-book alien invasion saga, the post-apocalyptic saga "The End," the sci-fi thrillers "Forecast" and "The Slide," the children's picture books "The Ring of Truth," "The Sword of Joy" and "The Book of Power," the business reference business books "How to Successfully Self-Publish & Promote Your Self-Published Book" and "The Superhero Anomaly", several business books on voiceovers penned under his former stage name (Joshua Alexander), as well as a previous fictional novel, "The Omega Room."

When he was in second grade, he was tasked with writing a creative assignment: a fictional book.  And thus, "The Electric Boy" was born: a simple novella full of intrigue, fantasy, and 7-year-old wits that electrified Aaron's desire to write.  From that point forward, Aaron evolved into a creative soul that desired to create.

He enjoys the arts, media, music, performing, poetry, and being a daddy.  In his lifetime he has been an author, voiceover artist, wedding videographer, stage performer, musician, producer, rock/pop artist, executive assistant, service manager, paperboy, CSR, poet, tech support, worship leader, and more.  The diversity of his life experiences gives him a unique approach to business, life, ministry, faith, and entertainment.

Aaron's favorite author by far is J.R.R. Tolkien, but he also enjoys Suzanne Collins, James S.A. Corey, Michael Crichton, Marie Lu, Madeleine L'Engle, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, C.S. Lewis, Stephen King and Dave Barry.

Aaron has always had a passion for storytelling. Visit his website at https://www.authoraaronryan.com, the Dissonance saga website at https://www.dissonancetheseries.com, or The End saga website at https://thisisnottheend.com.

Grammy, Hugo and Audie winning audiobook publishers and production company since the turn of this century. Company owned by Stefan Rudnicki and Gabrielle de Cuir.

The mission of Providence Christian College as a Reformed Christian institution is to equip students to be firmly grounded in biblical truth, thoroughly educated in the liberal arts, and fully engaged in their church, their community, and the world for the glory of God and for service to humanity.

New tracks tagged #christian fiction