Nothing I do will ever be enough for my special needs child. No amount of physical therapy, feeding therapy, speech therapy or occupational therapy will ever bring my daughter to the level of functioning required to perform basic adult tasks.
This is my daily reality, even as we work through these therapies and utilize the accompanying equipment. I’ve accepted this, and it’s my normal. We are happy.
But every once in a while, this truth slams into me hard enough to knock my breath out.
A few days ago, my daughter had a rough day and vomited several times in the afternoon—not unusual for her—and then fell into an exhausted sleep. I put her down for nap and went to clean up the mess.
When I heard her wake up, I went into the closet where she sleeps and felt all the wind go out from my sails. I sank down next to her crib and cried over the impossibility of this situation and grief for the life I’d dreamed of for my daughter.
Then I picked myself up, because I’m the mom. And I gathered her up in my arms to find that she’d thrown up in her bed. I picked her up and she was limp and listless. A few hours later, we were in the ER. Again.
Unlike the previous week’s hospitalization, this ER visit ended up not being too serious and we had no admission. But as things go in healthcare, it was a long time waiting around for this or that. My husband eventually had to leave to pick up our older son and put him to bed. Brielle fell asleep. So it was just me and my book, Trapped in Yosemite by Dana Mentink, which is a romantic suspense story about a single mom.
I opened the book, pulled out my bookmark and read:
“The day had been endless, terrifying, heart wrenching and everything in between. She was depleted, mind and body, but there was still a baby to be tended.
And that was a fact with which she grappled on a daily basis. What if she didn’t have enough resources, physical and mental, to meet Hannah’s needs? What if she wasn’t strong enough, smart enough, brave enough?
You aren’t but God will give you enough, one day at a time, like He’s been doing.”
I promptly dissolved into tears. It was as if the author had seen me, knew my daily fight and deepest fears, and had found the right words to speak truth into my life.
Yes, there is an entertainment element. It’s a great way to unwind at the end of the day. And a good rom com is just right for escapism during a hospital stay.
But more importantly, fiction holds truths we need to challenge us, embolden us, and speak to our hearts during the darkest nights of our souls.
There are so many great books with deaf or hard of hearing characters! What better time to highlight deaf stories than September, which is deaf awareness month.
Some of you may know that my daughter is hard of hearing and we use ASL in our home. Part of our efforts to learn Deaf culture have involved reading books that reflect the Deaf community. Some of these stories have become new favorite books. My son has read one of them at least a dozen times…I’ll tell you which one below!
Picture Books with Deaf Characters
Splish, Splat is a funny story about a pair of Deaf painters who transform a little boy’s bedroom into the dreamy space he didn’t know he wanted. This made my five-year-old giggle!
Silent Days, Silent Dreams is the biography of the 20th-Century artist James Castle, who was both deaf and had autism. I cried through this tragic and touching story. The main character is shown enduring cruelty from bullies and authority figures, so I suggest holding off reading this to very young children. It’s a great lesson for kids with the maturity to handle its themes of bullying, inclusion, and tenacity. The illustrations are fantastic.
Butterfly on the Wind is the story of a Deaf girl who is nervous to perform in public, but the fluttering butterflies she creates with her hands join with butterflies created by deaf people around the world and give her courage.
Kami and the Yaks is about a Sherpa boy who saves his family’s herd of yaks. I liked how this book shared a story that shows the deaf experience in another culture.
Middle Grade and YA Books with Deaf Characters
Show Me a Sign is a must-read middle grade novel. It’s about a Deaf girl kidnapped from Martha’s Vineyard during the early American era. It explores the relationships between deaf and hearing as well as settler and native.
Charlie and Frog is a new favorite in our house! My son has read this at least a dozen times. Two pre-teen detectives, one hearing and one deaf, set off to solve a murder mystery (with no murder) that takes place near a small town’s school for the deaf.
Song for a Whale is one of those books I read, put down, and sighed with contentment. It’s a perfect story. It’s beautiful, poignant, funny, adventurous. There’s no “content” to worry about–well, other than the main character setting off with a grandparent without parental permission, but hey. She’s with Granny.
The book follows a deaf girl who takes a journey to play a special song for a lonely whale whose voice is unique among all the whale songs in the ocean.
Reaching Into Silence is a middle-grade novel based on the author’s childhood as a Vietnam War-era Airforce kid with a deaf baby sister. It’s a beautiful and sometimes brutally honest look at the experience of deafness in the 1960s, when ASL was not yet widely accepted in the United States. There are three books in the series, and one is a 2024 Carol finalist. I got to meet the author in person at a conference and have my copy signed!
Books for Adults with Deaf Characters
A Silent Terror, A Silent Fury, and A Silent Pursuit are a trio of thrilling romantic suspense novels surrounding a deaf teacher and a school for the deaf. The author, Lynette Eason, is my literary agent–she recently told me that she actually used to work at a school for the deaf.
The Right Kind of Foolis the book I’m reading right now! It’s a historical novel about a deaf teen who discovers a murder victim in the woods and draws his estranged father into the hunt for justice. It’s a great read–thanks to Katie Powner for suggesting it!
Deaf Like Me is the nonfiction story of one family’s journey through parenting a deaf child and the life-changing power of ASL. I first read this book 20 years ago and have gone back to it again and again. I’m so glad I read this book and learned the value of sign language before having a hard of hearing child of my own.
What would you do if you had to defeat a desert fantasy monster with your wits?
Today, I’m talking to A.M. Daylin, debut fantasy author of the spectacular book Where Darkness Cannot Follow. I read the sample pages of this book and immediately backed its Kickstarter campaign. Seriously, you guys, this is one of my favorite fantasy books ever. I already ordered more copies as gifts.
I asked A.M. Daylin to answer a few questions about her story.
Your main characters are Ezro, an outcast who refuses to fall into line behind the land’s wicked queen, and Vearyn, the true heir who must free the kingdom from said queen. Who do you identify with more: Ezro or Vaeryn? And why?
I identify with both of them, but I would say I identify with Ezro the most. We’re quite different in many ways, but we also share similar insecurities and self-doubts. So, writing about him having to wrestle with these things and grow through them was therapeutic for me. We also share a similar appreciation for tea and desert storms.
Our value isn’t derived from what we do, what others say about us, our pasts, or even what we think about ourselves—our value comes from our Creator alone.
-A.M. Daylin
I loved the monster battle scenes in Where Darkness Cannot Follow. If you were in the story, which monster would you least like to encounter? And how would you try to defeat it?
Can I say all of them? I’d be scared to encounter any of my monsters! I suppose the necromancer is the most frightening because he’s able to capture people’s souls—no thanks—and harness them. I’d rather get eaten by the wyrm. Also, me trying to defeat any of the beasts is hilarious. I’d be dead within ten feet of my own story world haha!
It was evident from the spiritual and emotional depth of this book that you put your heart and soul into crafting the story. What do you hope readers will take away from Where Darkness Cannot Follow?
Where Darkness Cannot Follow was definitely a deep outpouring of my heart and soul. I’d say the biggest takeaway I’d want my readers to have is that our value isn’t derived from what we do, what others say about us, our pasts, or even what we think about ourselves—our value comes from our Creator alone. Once we humbly accept that, it enables us to operate from a place of strength and purpose rather than desperation to prove ourselves or earn our worth.
Another thing I hope readers walk away from the story with is a greater awareness about safe and unsafe people. All the relationships in the story fall into one of those two categories, and I hope that by displaying and contrasting them, people will develop a stronger radar for who is safe (invested in other’s good) and who is unsafe (invested primarily in their own gain to the detriment of others).
Both of these themes will continue to be explored in the next two books in the trilogy.
A.M. Daylin is a wife, mother of two young girls, and a follower of Jesus Christ. She has a deep passion for connecting with others’ hearts through the power of stories and hopes that her words will help others experience healing as they go on thought-provoking, imaginative adventures. When not writing (or daydreaming about writing), you can find her drawing past her bedtime, hanging out with her family and Jesus, going for long drives whilst blasting cinematic music (that’s normal, right?), obsessing over social media aesthetics (hey, it’s part of her job!), and occasionally writing a song or two. She and her family currently live in Arizona, which inspired the setting for her debut. Connect with her on Instagram (@a.m.daylin) or at amdaylin.com.
Today I’m talking with World War II romance author Sarah Sundin! I loved Sarah’s most recent book, Embers in the London Sky. This is the story of a refugee mother faced with impossible decisions in the face of London’s bombings.
I asked Sarah to share some of her thoughts and feelings about the intense setting of this book.
If you could travel back in time to experience a single day of the WWII era, what location would you visit and why?
That depends on what I’m writing—it would be amazing to experience each day I write about. That said, unlike Hugh Collingwood—my BBC radio correspondent hero of Embers in the London Sky—I’m not terribly courageous, so actually experiencing the London Blitz doesn’t appeal to me.
If I could watch from a safe bubble, it would be amazing to observe the “Second Great Fire of London” on Dec. 29, 1940—or the massive raid on May 10, 1941—both of which are vital events in the novel.
As the parent of a five-year-old boy, reading about the difficult decisions parents made to keep their children safe during the war absolutely gutted me.
During your research, did you allow yourself to consider what decision you would have made if faced with the choice to keep children in the city or send them to the country?
Absolutely. I’m a mother of three children, now grown, and my little grandson was born while I was writing this book, so I kept wondering what I would have done.
I probably would have sent them away with the first wave of evacuations in September 1939—but when air raids failed to materialize the next few months in the “Phoney War,” I might have been tempted to bring them home, as so many parents did. So much would have depended on how my children were doing. But yes, those decisions would have been gutting.
What do you hope readers will take away from Embers in the London Sky?
That’s always a difficult question to answer, because I’ve found readers often find personal inspiration or conviction in things I may or may not have intended to stress. And I love it!
One thing that stood out to me while writing this story was how human beings are determined to divide ourselves into categories—whether by race, class, nationality—we always find something. And I hope when reading about Aleida’s experiences as a refugee, that readers would grow in compassion to the “others” in their midst.
Sarah Sundin is an ECPA-bestselling and Christy Award-winning author of World War II fiction, including Embers in the London Sky (February 2024), The Sound of Light (2023), Until Leaves Fall in Paris (2022), and When Twilight Breaks (2021).
Say hello to debut Christian romantic suspense author Angela Carlisle! I met Angela at a conference a couple of years ago. I was so excited to receive an advance reader copy of her book, Secondary Target, which releases May 2024! I asked Angela to share a bit about her upcoming book.
Secondary Target features a storyline with former boyfriend/girlfriend who are reunited. That’s one of my favorite tropes because it makes the relationship feel well-paced and believable—but it’s not seen as often as some of the others! What’s your favorite romance trope?
Friends to more is one of my favorite romance tropes. As with reunion romances, I feel it can make the romance feel better paced and believable because the characters already know (and like) each other, and it’s a great foundation to build a deeper relationship on.
Houston the faithful dog will be a favorite of pet-lovers who read Secondary Target. Do you have pets, and if so, did any of them inspire Houston’s character?
Houston was so fun to write! I currently only have an outdoor cat that seems to think he’s a dog (it cracks me up when he takes a walk with me in the rain). Although Houston isn’t patterned after any of my previous pets, I totally borrowed the antics of a coworker’s dog to give him some extra personality.
What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I hope readers will come away from Secondary Target with a reminder of the hope available in Christ. We live in a fallen world, and things are truly dark at times, but for the believer, we don’t have to go through it alone. God is trustworthy, despite our situation and despite our feelings.
It has been a month of many books! If you’re a fan of fantastic clean fiction, then you’re in luck–here’s a February 2024 round-up of new and upcoming Christian fiction novels.
Be whisked away the Emerald Isle! The Irish Matchmaker tells the tale of a single father struggling to provide for his daughter and a traditional matchmaker whose cap is set for a rich dandy. Will the village matchmaking festival bring each the satisfactory marriage of convenience they seek? Or will heartbreak tear them both apart?
I loved this book—wish I could be friends with both the main characters! And I might have cried some happy tears at the end. I would happily recommend this book to anyone who enjoys clean/Christian fiction, thanks to the positive messages, engaging story, and compelling setting.
Join the action with a former heist-master-turned-investigator and his partner in solving crime, a disgraced FBI agent seeking to clear her name. These two must prove themselves, stop a string of gallery heists, solve a couple murders, and still find time to figure out if they’re in love.
This story has one action scene after another—no “sagging middle” to slow you down! As a bonus, One Wrong Move has not one…not two…but two and a half romances.
Embers in the London Sky drew me into the terror of living in London as a refugee during the Blitz. I liked that this book, although historical fiction, was also a suspense/mystery book.
The story explored issues that are as relevant now as they were 80 years ago, although manifested in quite different circumstances today—immigration, censorship, and the tension between political worldviews.
As a mother of a preschool boy, this story made me cry. I was left heartbroken at the decisions the main character made in order to choose what she felt was best for her son. It made me realize what a terrible position refugees and London-dwelling parents were in at this time in history—particularly single women. WWII history is certainly gritty and uncomfortable—terrifying actually—and this novel did an excellent job highlighting that.
This beautifully written story of Martha of Bethany was brought scripture alive for me. I never realized how much Jesus’ interactions with Martha’s family figured in the progression of his ministry. Up from Dust ties the scriptural accounts of Jesus’ ministry and sacrifice together with a fictional romance and family drama, all the while showing the culture and struggle of the Jewish people under Roman rule. A wonderful book for anyone who enjoys The Chosen or likes to imagine what life may have been like for those mentioned the gospels.
What would you do if pieces of your forgotten past suddenly appeared? Fatal Witness is a fast-paced story of danger and betrayal. Unpredictable characters draw the reader through a heart-pounding plot with ever-increasing stakes. I enjoyed piecing together the “whodunnit” with clues sprinkled throughout the story. This book is hard to put down! Now I need to read book 1.
This is the perfect book to read alone in the dark if you like to get creeped out. So deliciously scary! I loved this book. The storylines were excellent and the respectful, thoughtful handling of the dead and cold cases uncommon to the genre. I never knew what was coming next and the ending was unpredictable. The spiritual thread spoke to my soul. I could not wait for every chance to open up this book—even though it made me jump out of my skin!
This book releases in April and I’m kind of jealous that you guys still get to look forward to it.
Double Take pulls the reader into hair-raising plot twists from page one! I’m pretty good at figuring out where story lines are going, but this one was a string of surprises. The plot had a scary true-crime flavor with an appealing friends-to-more romance. My husband works at a hospital, so I loved that the protagonist was a PA and gave us a glimpse of behind-the-scenes workplace drama and a realistic medical setting. I also liked that the book didn’t shy away from intense and gritty scenarios. Definitely one of my favorite suspense books ever.
July 15-21, 2024 Prince Edward Island Tour with Liz Johnson Join Christian romance author Liz Johnson on a 7-day/6-night adventure across Prince Edward Island. You’ll explore the places that inspired her books, the beauty of the island, and some of her favorite parts of PEI. You’ll climb some lighthouses, tour the famed Green Gables House, and have a foot-stompin’ good time listening to local music.
Thanks to NetGalley and/or the publishers for copies of these books! I was not required to leave a review.
I am a huge fan of survival anything–shows, books, true stories. So of course I’m looking forward to romantic suspense author Dana Mentink’s upcoming release, Trapped in Yosemite!
Dana’s joining us today to share about her love of national parks and the inspiration behind Trapped in Yosemite.
Trapped in Yosemite takes place in one of the West Coast’s most beautiful national parks. I’ve only been once, but I’d love to go back. What is your favorite national park?
Well, Yosemite is definitely at the top of my list. We’ve enjoyed so many amazing trips there and it really is breathtaking no matter what season you arrive.
My favorite park is going to sound like an odd choice, but it’s Death Valley National Park. Definitely NOT a park you can visit all year long, but it’s the most intriguing place I’ve ever experienced. Salt flats, sand dunes, twisted rock formations and canyons, and there’s a surprising amount of wildlife in that hostile place. There’s actually a teeny tiny fish that has only been found in a secluded pool in Death Valley. So incredible!
Your story involves wilderness survival. According to recent polls, most Americans believe they could survive the wilderness for 16 days. Do you think you could?
I would survive for approximately five minutes. Seriously. I live in Northern, California so I’m not weather sturdy. Plus, I am perpetually lost. I can’t even find my car in the mall parking lot. I’d be completely useless in the wilderness, but I would have a snack in my purse so that’s a positive.
As with all of my books, I pray my readers will enjoy a suspenseful thrill ride, encounter characters that resonate with them, and have a gentle reminder of the vast love of our Lord.
Today’s interview guest is fantasy author R.A. Douthitt! I spent this afternoon with my crayons and one of her beautiful coloring books.
You’re the creator of dragon coloring books, dragon picture books, and middle-grade dragon novels. When did dragons first capture your imagination?
When I saw Disney’s The Sleeping Beauty and watched Maleficent transform into that black and purple dragon…wow, I was hooked on dragons forever. I was six years old. I’m 56 now and I still love to draw and write about dragons.
R.A. Douthitt’s latest release–a fantasy coloring book
What inspires the physical and personality characteristics you give your dragons?
I see them as a paradox: They can be hideously ugly or gracefully beautiful. Incredibly fierce yet vulnerable. So, in my stories, that idea inspires how I write their physical and personality characteristics. In my worlds, they are wise, intelligent creatures that desire to live with all creatures in harmony. Yet some are treated cruelly or even trained to be evil. That’s what complicates things!
In my Elves of Vulgaard series, I wanted to show how the Elves can communicate with the dragons and they work with the dragons. In Dragon Games, the main character is a boy who discovers that dragons are being abducted and taken to a mountain prison to fight each other. Kieron works to free them. In Dragon Riders, Everleigh, the main character, earns a spot on the queen’s elite squadron of dragon riders to protect the kingdom. Dragon Sword will be more about the dark wizards who want to enslave dragons again.
In this series, the dragons work with the elves. It’s a clean alternative to some of the dragon book series out there that have sex and violence.
What do you hope people will take away from your books and art?
Inspiration! I hope kids will be inspired to draw and be creative. For those who may not like fantasy, I hope they are inspired to reconsider how they feel about dragons, fairies, and fantasy art in general.
Greeting thespians! And greetings to those who enjoy a good show. Lately, the bookstore shelves have received some new theater-themed additions…ones you’re sure to love. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or for Christmas gifts, here are some of current top clean books for theater lovers.
Kelsey Ahern has performed at the Victoria Playhouse on Prince Edward Island every summer since she was seven. But when a hurricane destroys the building, it’s not just her memories that are in jeopardy. Her future as a teacher and drama coach are too. She teams up with Levi Ross, the facilities director at the high school, to produce a benefit show to raise money to rebuild the theater. He has a reputation for being able to fix anything, and Kelsey is sure there’s more to the quiet man than meets the eye.
For his part, Levi has admired Kelsey for years, but he can’t seem to find the words to tell her. When a popular weatherman arrives in town to cover the aftermath of the hurricane and takes an interest in Kelsey and her show, Levi realizes that the time has come to speak up–or lose the heart of the woman he longs for.
Join New York Times bestselling author Liz Johnson for a season of rebuilding, restoration, and romance with this final book in the Prince Edward Island Shores series.
Barlowe Theater stole the life of Greta Mercy’s eldest brother during its construction. Now in 1915, the completed theater appears every bit as deadly. When Greta’s younger brother goes missing after breaking into the building, Greta engages the assistance of a local police officer to help her unveil the already ghostly secrets of the theater. But when help comes from an unlikely source, Greta decides that to save her family she must uncover the evil that haunts the theater and put its threat to rest.
Decades later, Kit Boyd’s best friend vanishes during a ghost walk at the Barlowe Theater, and old stories of mysterious disappearances and ghoulish happenings are revived. Then television ghost-hunting host and skeptic Evan Fisher joins Kit in the quest to identify the truth behind the theater’s history. Kit reluctantly agrees to work with him in hopes of finding her missing friend. As the theater’s curse unravels Kit’s life, she is determined to put an end to the evil that has marked the theater and their hometown for the last century.
The world could do with a little more kindness and positivity and random acts of singing, don’t you think?
Dear Reader, My name is Penelope, and while I may not be a real-life princess, I’ve been told I possess a certain fairy-tale heroine quality. I wield optimism as my weapon of choice, don amazing shoes and vintage hats whenever possible, and speak in musical references. All of which perfectly qualifies me to succeed in my new role as a marketing intern at the historic Darling House theater on the island of Skymar.
Only . . . it seems this internship position is going to be a LOT bigger than I thought. The Gray family, who owns the theater, has been stuck in a rut of darkness ever since the loss of their matriarchs. Now all that’s left is a dying theater, a reclusive grandfather, three siblings, and an adorable seven-year-old girl who desperately needs some pixie-dust magic.
So that’s what this story is about. My plans to save the theater! (Plans that, somehow, keep being stolen by a local competitor.) And an anonymous online theater troupe. And two single brothers who may be vying for this American girl’s heart . . . until they’re not (or maybe they just want me for my ideas too). And a dream job offer that will require me to make a truly heart-wrenching decision. I may not excel at finishing stories, but I promise to see this one through to its happily ever after.
All theater romances are tragedies. Ella Blythe knows this. Still, she cannot help but hope her own story may turn out different than most–and certainly different than the tragic story of the Ghost of Craven Street Theater. Yet as she struggles to maintain her tenuous place in the ever-shrinking ballet company, win the attentions of principal dancer Philippe, and avoid company flirt Jack, Ella cannot deny the uncanny feeling that her life is mirroring that of the dead ballerina.
Is she dancing ever closer to the edge of her own tragic end? Or will the secrets that are about to come to light offer release from the past?
Mystery and romance make the perfect dance partners in this evocative story from fan-favorite Joanna Davidson Politano.
From bestselling author Kristin Canary comes a series filled with laughs, friendship goals, and the swooniest book boyfriends imaginable …
I love three things in this world more than life itself: 1. My family and housemates (both current and former) 2. Musicals 3. My best friend, Eric Moody
The first two are no surprise to anyone who knows me.
The third is a secret I’ll carry to my grave. Because even though Eric fits in well with my crazy family and he’s the outgoing complement to my quiet self, we want different things. I want him. He wants something I can never give. And I refuse to sacrifice his happiness for my own.
Most of the time, I manage to keep my feelings for him under lock and key.
Meet the Authors!
Phoenix area people: you can get some of these clean books for theater lovers signed–and meet the author in person!
Liz Johnson, Kristin Canary, and I will be at Palmcroft Church Christmas Festival Marketplace along with Jennifer Diebel and Ruth Douthitt.
Sunday, December 3 – 3:00-7:00pm Palmcroft Church 15825 N 35th Ave Phoenix, AZ 85053
Do you love the setting of Anne of Green Gables? Then this blog post is for you! Today, PEI romance author Liz Johnson is talking about her latest book, Summer in the Spotlight with me, Breana Johnson–no relation to the author ; )
Liz Johnson at PEI’s Victoria Playhouse, a location featured in Summer in the Spotlight
I love the theater setting of Summer in the Spotlight! What’s your experience with drama, and which play did you see most recently?
I absolutely love theater! I try to see at least a few Broadway shows in Phoenix each year, and it’s been a great way to bond with my nieces, who also love to see shows. My oldest niece has been in a number of high school and community productions, so I love seeing her perform.
My personal experience is confined to audience member. Though one time I auditioned for a role in The Importance of Being Earnest (the same show they’re producing in Summer in the Spotlight). I was terrible and did NOT get a call back. But I had so much fun!
The last production I saw was a community production of Beauty and the Beast. It was wonderful! A couple weeks before that I saw Anne & Gilbert: The Musical on Prince Edward Island. It’s one of my all-time favorites.
Which character from Summer in the Spotlight do you resonate most with, and why?
Oh, man. I don’t know. I think maybe I see myself most in Violet—the older sister, giving counsel character. I’m rarely without words like Levi—though I do enjoy reading like he does. And I’m not one to faint at the sight of blood like Kelsey. But like her, I enjoy organizing events and coordinating things that matter to me.
What do you hope readers will gain from Summer in the Spotlight?
I hope readers will enjoy a fun escape to Prince Edward Island. And I hope they’ll be reminded of the power of the words we say. We can speak life, or we can speak death. I hope Summer in the Spotlight will encourage readers to encourage and uplift others every day.
Liz Johnson at the Anne of Green Gables house in PEI
Would you like to visit Prince Edward Island with author Liz Johnson? Explore the setting of Anne of Green Gables and Liz’s books when you join her PEI tour in July 2024! Find trip details here.
Breana Johnson 