Another debut novelist joins me in Episode 17 of Season 2. Karen Higgin's book A Garden Grows is the first of three books scheduled in The Hills of Harvest series. Karen is traditionally published through Mountain Brook Ink but the journey to get to her recent book launch has taken years. While homeschooling her kids and teaching them about writing, a desire within her own heart opened up to become an author. So, in the midst of many years of busy mothering of five kids, Karen grabbed every moment she could to add to her growing storyline. She also attended writers conferences and joined a critique group as she continually sought to hone her craft along the way. Until, voila! In April of 2026 her book is published and two more are coming close behind it.

Nova McBee is my guest in Episode 16 of Season 2. She is an award-winning author, a screenwriter and a world traveler. The adventures packed into her Calculated book series are inspired by her own adventure-filled life. Book #4 - Liberated - is slated to be released on June 30, 2026. Nova talks about the preparations she made after God told her to write a book - she studied her craft, practiced her writing and poured over the ins and outs of the book publishing world. You'll hear inspiring stories behind her journey from agent query letter responses to book club critique partners showing up at just the right moment. Nova has also become proficient in the art of screenwriting and now leads an entire group of writers as they adapt books and craft original scripts for screens large and small. You can follow her at www.novamcbee.com as well as www.yxentertainmentgroup.com.

Episode 15 of Season 2 finds us exploring one teen aged girl's experience of living near a United States naval base in the Philippines during the Vietnam War - all through the lens of Mary Sheldahl's debut novel "Torn Between Two Worlds - The Cost of Forgiveness". The book is based on Mary's own life experiences when she and her family were sent to the Philippines so that her father could run a Lutheran Serviceman's Center near Subic Bay Naval Station. Taking her memories and processing them into a compelling story arc was healing, challenging and rewarding for Mary. Listen in as she explains how that journey unfolded for her as she looked back on things that happened many years ago and pulled them into this fresh novel that is relevant to today.