Clean Books for Theater Lovers

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.

Summer in the Spotlight by Liz Johnson

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.

Read My Interview with Liz Johnson

The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater by Jaime Jo Wright

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.

Enter my giveaway for this book

Positively, Penelope by Pepper Basham

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.

Positively,

Penelope

A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano

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.

Belonging with the Best Friend by Kristin Canary

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

This is a free event! Hope to see you there.

Interview with Romance Author Liz Johnson

Author Interview, Blog, books, Uncategorized, writing

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 ; )

Visit PEI with author Liz Johnson

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.

Read my blog post on Broadway

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!

Read my interview with Jennifer Deibel

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.

6 Phantom of the Opera facts you didn’t know

Liz Johnson at the coast of Prince Edward Island

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.

Read my interview with Lori Dejong

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.

Meet debut romance author Lori Dejong

Author Interview, Blog, books, Uncategorized, writing

Today, I’d like to introduce you to the 2022 winner of the romance category of the ACFW Genesis Contest–and her upcoming debut novel! Meet Lori Dejong, author of Love’s True Calling.

It’s so exciting to see Lori’s winning manuscript go from contest entry to published book! Love’s True Calling is being released June 27, but you can preorder now and see why this story captivated the judges of the contest.

Read my interview with romance author Jennifer Deibel

1. What inspired you to write Love’s True Calling?

It was actually for a class I took from Laurie Schnebly about plotting a book based on character motivations. We had to come up with two brand new characters and determine what motivated them to achieve their goals, then plot out the book based on those motivations.

I at first thought of a woman going back to college in her late 20’s and finds her professor is the popular guy from high school who made her life miserable. But I couldn’t really get it to work. So I switched them around. She was still the woman coming back to college, but instead I made her the high school Miss Everything and her professor was the high school nerd who had a big crush on her.

It developed from there that they’d been childhood best friends who went separate ways as they entered their teens, and so on. It was really never intended to go anywhere past that class, but I fell in love with the characters and felt a strong pull to write their story. I put it into a couple of contests and won, and that led to my publishing contract with Scrivenings Press.

God always has bigger plans than ours!

2. in Love’s True Calling, your leading lady faces the tough decision between following Jesus’ calling on her life and following her heart. Can you share a time when you had to choose obedience to Jesus over something else that you wanted?

Oh goodness, well, I feel like this happens on a regular basis. In little ways and in big ways. I’ve been battling my weight for years, so I feel that every time I choose to eat when I know I shouldn’t, I’m choosing my will over His. And conversely, I know how good it feels when I have victory over that and choose His will over mine. It may sound frivolous, but on a daily basis, those can be tough decisions when you’re dealing with issues that go way beyond food.

My husband and I have had to make other life decisions where we chose God’s way over something we’d hoped for or planned on. We had really hoped to adopt when our daughter was about five or six, but we didn’t get the feeling that door was opening for us. So we left that dream of having a second child behind instead of pushing through just because it was something we wanted. When we later went through a long season of financial hardship due to job lay-off and the slow recovery afterward, we could see how having a second child through that time would have been very difficult.

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3. What do you hope readers will gain, personally or spiritually, from reading your debut novel?

I hope they see the redemptive love of Christ. Harper, my leading lady, made some awful choices in her life, but once she gave her heart over to the Lord, He changed her simply by His grace and forgiveness.

Wyatt, my leading man, is a strong Christian man who has some tragedy in his past that led him to start a student ministry targeting teenagers who yearn to belong. But he comes to understand that even though he’s in ministry, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have issues of his own he needs to give over to God so that he can further his reach.

I hope readers see that obedience to God, no matter the sacrifice, is what brings true joy and peace.

4. You signed a multi-book deal. Can you give us a hint of what’s coming next?

Sure! Book Two, Love’s True Home, (June 2024) is Ally and Zane’s story. As a child to foreign missionaries who moved frequently from one country to another, Ally Kincaid yearns to plant roots in American soil. Zane Carpenter, raised in America’s heartland in the same house until he was eighteen, craves adventure, and if that involves a foreign mission assignment, all the better! But when they fall in love, will she find a home wherever her heart is, or will he find adventure in his own back yard?

Book Three, Love’s True Measure, (June 2025) tells the story of Hunter and Shannon. Raised in a wealthy family by a father who worked too much and a mother who put her value in their position, Shannon Trent only wants to serve God as an adolescent psychologist and student ministry volunteer. Attorney Hunter Cavanaugh, born to an unwed teenage mother who later married a man who couldn’t keep a job, believes his self-made wealth and status is the measure of who he is as a man. When he’s suddenly the guardian of his fourteen-year-old sister, his 80-hour work weeks become a thing of the past, as well as his dream of being made law partner by the age of thirty. But when Hunter’s tasked by his superiors to do something less than ethical, will he measure his worth by man’s standards or God’s? And will Shannon be able to leave the ghosts of her past behind to help a young girl seeking her own value in a new world?

Thanks so much, Lori! I can’t wait to read Love’s True Calling when it arrives on release day!

Color Magic with Ashley Bustamante

Blog, books, writing

On a recent escape to Northern Arizona, I devoured Vivid by Ashley Bustamante, a YA fantasy book about dark secrets at a boarding school for teens with a talent for color magic. The school teaches red and blue magic, but yellow magic, which involves mind control, is banned.

But are the yellow magic people really all as evil as everyone thinks? When precocious Ava Locke runs into an escaped Yellow Magic user, she begins to question everything she’s ever known.

I was also lucky enough to get an advanced reader copy of Book 2, Radiant, which releases May 9! After enjoying these two books, I asked Ashley if she’d share a bit about the world of color magic and what comes next in the Color Theory series.

Preorder Radiant

Your books feature magic that is divided in color categories. What gave you the idea for color magic?

It was actually something I used to daydream about as a kid! I’d see colorful objects and would imagine what it would be like if I could take all that color and turn it into magic.

Read my interview with YA fantasy author Sara Ella

If you could pick just one color, which type of magic would you like to have and why?

That’s such a tough choice! I think Blue magic would be so useful, so if I’m being practical I’d probably go with that.

Woven into your stories are themes of trust and acceptance. What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I hope readers will feel inspired to become more unified and maybe seek to understand the who are different. I think so much of the contention among people that arises in today’s world is because of lack of understanding.

Read my interview with fantasy author James R. Hannibal

Can you share anything about your upcoming projects?

Right now I’m hard at work on book 3 of the Color Theory series, which is due in a few weeks! I’m really focused on that right now because I want to make sure this series finishes strong. It’s bittersweet.

All images courtesy of Ashley Bustamante

James R. Hannibal: Fighter Pilot Turned Bear Knight Author

Author Interview, Blog, books, Uncategorized, writing

A Christian fantasy series based on adventure board games? Yes, please! Today I had the priveledge of talking to James R. Hannibal, author of the Lightraiders Academy trilogy. The second book in the series, Bear Knight, released in February of 2023 from Enclave.

How has your background contributed to the action scenes in Bear Knight?

I’m always aware of the physics when writing action, whether hand to hand combat or aerial battle.

Having studied multiple martial arts and having trained US troops in hand to hand combat certainly helps with the fight scenes. Having flown fighter and bomber aircraft also helps with visualizing the aerial scenes. Of course, everything must be adjusted for the physics of the fantasy realm.

Bear Knight has some awesome maps! How do you come up with the landscapes you invent?

I had a great foundation to start with. The Lightraiders Realm was first created by Navigators author and Christian counselor Dick Wulf back in the 80s. When he handed the world to me, I had a fairly detailed world map to start with and a few towns or locations that were created for the original game. That became my palette from which to build out other locations and fill in the map.

Read my interview with fantasy author Sara Ella

From there, I develop a landscape or village in my head and then work with fantastic artists and cartographers like James R. Brown and Jog Brogzin to bring them into visual reality for a reference.

What books or series inspired your love of fantasy?

This entire series is based on the original DragonRaid game by Dick Wulf. Our team is grateful he had the opportunity to write the forward for Wolf Soldier, the first book in the series, before he went on to be with the Lord. Both Dick and I have been inspired by Tolkien and Lewis primarily.

What do you hope readers will come away with after reading Bear Knight?

The theme in Bear Knight is courage in the face of our fears. We’re talking about fear of physical danger as well as less tangible but just as frightening fears. The characters deal with fear of being left behind by peers, fear of failure, fear of becoming someone they don’t want to be, etc.

I hope that readers learn that no matter what fears they face, they can always find peace and hope in Christ and His promises, and thus the courage to face those fears head-on.

Romance and the Irish Language with Jennifer Deibel

Author Interview, Blog, books, Expats, Expats and TCKs, writing

Today I am watching for the mail truck, awaiting the delivery of an Irish romance book I’ve been eagerly anticipating: The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel.

Not only does the heroine share my name (although spelled Brianna… sigh), but the book comes out the day after birthday, February 21!

Read my last interview with Jennifer Deibel

While waiting for my copy to come in the mail (and while you’re waiting for yours!), I had the chance to interview Jennifer about her upcoming release.

1. The Maid of Ballymacool is set in 1930s Ireland. What is your favorite aspect of this setting?

It might be easier for me to say what I don’t love!

Seriously, though, I love just about everything involving a historical Irish setting.

One thing I enjoy about the 1930’s is that it’s not a time many people write about when it comes to Ireland. We tend to focus on the Great Hunger and the Irish War of Independence—and rightly so.

However, exploring more unfamiliar time periods really gets my imagination going—especially because rural Ireland was so much slower to get the more modern conveniences, so 1930 in County Donegal was more like the 1910’s were everywhere else in the world.

The Maid of Ballymacool is the featured novel in my March 2023 book box!
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2. As a romance writer, you are a queen of love stories! What’s your own love story in a nutshell?

Awww, thank you! My love story began my freshman year of college, when I met my now-husband.

Though, really, it started much earlier in our lives, as both our parents had prayed for each of our future spouses. In fact, when we got engaged, my husband’s grandmother gave me a garter to wear on our wedding day that she had bought right after Seth was born. And then she’d prayed over me—even though she had no idea who I would end up being—every day.

But, once we met, it would be two more years before our romance really began to bloom. If we were a romance trope, it would be friends to lovers.

3. Each of your books shares vocabulary from the Irish tongue–your second language! What’s one of your favorite Irish terms or phrases?

Oh, there are so many! And I’ve added almost all my favorites in my books already. But there’s one that always makes me smile. When we were in our langauge class, we were talking about a specific area of County Clare called The Burren, and we were describing it.

I asked our teacher how to say “It’s unique.” He thought for a moment, and then answered: Níl a mhac a samhail in aon ait. It means, “There’s not the likes of it to be found anywhere.”

4. What do you hope readers will come away with after reading The Maid of Ballymacool?

My prayer for this book is that anyone who feels—or has ever felt—unseen, overlooked, or stuck in a seemingly impossible circumstance, would realize just how seen and loved they really are. And that they would turn to God to find it. And for those who are secure in who they are and how much they’re loved to reach out to those around them who don’t know.

Read my interview with Gabrielle Meyer

Thanks for talking with me, Jen!

If you’re putting The Maid of Ballymacool on your To Be Read list, here’s a tip– preorder before February 21 from Baker Book House and you’ll get 40% off and free shipping.

12 Days of Christmas Book Giveaway

Blog, books, Uncategorized, writing

It’s that time of year! Yes, Christmas time–but also book giveaway time! You can enter the annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway here between today and December 12. And entries roll over, so the earlier you enter, the more days you’ll be entered to win!

Enter Now!

Today is my day! I made a bookish bookshelf sign that says “No Shelf Control.” See how I made it on Instagram!

You’ll also be entered to win:

Read my interview with Sara Ella

The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel

Read my interview with Jennifer Deibel

The Port Willis Holiday Collection by Lindsay Harrel

Read my interview with Carmen Schober

…and a $150 Amazon gift card!

Can’t wait to see who wins these awesome gifts! Maybe it will be you. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas season, friends!

Enter Now!

Author Carmen Schober on HGTV and Naming Babies

Author Interview, Blog, books, Uncategorized, writing

This fall, I had the chance to meet and get to know Carmen Schober, contemporary Christian romance author of After She Falls and Pretty Little Pieces, releasing in December!

Carmen writes gritty, edgy romance with Cuban-American characters–stories you are not going to want to miss!

I asked Carmen to share a little bit about her writing process for Pretty Little Pieces.

1. The protagonist of Pretty Little Pieces was called the next Joanna Gaines. I’m curious how much HGTV-watching went into the research of this book…and which shows are your favorite?

I used to live on HGTV-style shows! I don’t watch much TV anymore (looking at you, kids) but those shows are perfect for days when you just want something in the background, but you can also get super engrossed and have cozy day-in marathon.

I had a brief Fixer Upper phase, but my absolute favorites are Rehab Addict and While You Were Out (with the OG cast, not the new one.)

Carmen Schober Breana Johnson — Hanging out with Carmen at the ACFW conference

Read my author interview with Ashley Clark

2. Naming novel characters (like naming kids) is HARD. You chose really cool names in Pretty Little Pieces. What’s your process? For novel characters and for kids, too!

They honestly just sort of come to me.

But I am a pretty avid Pinterest user and online shopper, so that gives me some good ideas (brands these days often name their products after women) but I usually start with a name that inspires me and then I use Nameberry to find names that sound like they belong in the same world.

Pretty Little Pieces Characters — Cassidy and Georgina from Pretty Little Pieces

3. Cara Putman’s review on Goodreads called Pretty Little Pieces “A story I kept coming back to because I cared about the characters.” Which character in the story do you love the most, and why?

I really do love Cassidy and Georgina individually and as a couple. Poppy was a joy to write too, and I so relate to Savannah in some ways, but Cass and Georgie stole the show…and my little hopeful romantic heart.

Pretty Little Pieces is the featured novel in my December Wings of the Morning book box. Get yours here! Use coupon BLACKFRIDAY for $5 off all weekend.

Interview with The Wonderland Trials author Sara Ella

Author Interview, Blog, books, writing

Did you know that former Disneyland cast member Sara Ella, who played Alice, just released a retelling of Alice in Wonderland? Yes, that’s right! Alice herself wrote a book about Wonderland! Author Sara Ella was kind enough to answer a few questions about The Wonderland Trials:

Read my author interview with Jen Deibel

**Other than Alice, who’s your favorite character in The Wonderland Trials?**

I feel like it’s no longer a spoiler to say Chess Shire, but to be safe I won’t say why. 😉

I’ll also say Madi Hatter because she’s the opposite of me and reminds me of one of my dear friends who always makes me feel bold and brave when she’s around.

And then I have to mention Charlotte. As a mom, I relate a lot to her character.

I guess that’s more than one, haha. I love them all!

Sara Ella as Alice at Disneyland — Sara as Alice at Disneyland

**You used to be Alice at Disneyland. How did your experience in that role shape the Alice character in The Wonderland Trials?**

I’ve always had a love for Alice’s character and curiosity. I think the biggest similarity between Disney’s Alice and mine is that they are both no-nonsense characters.

My time at Disney feels like another lifetime now. I guess part of me missed being in that world and I wanted to create one of my own. And thus The Wonderland Trials was born.

It’s obvious from reading your first four books that you write the goal of impacting readers—not just entertaining them. What do you hope your readers will gain from your book?

Wow. That means the world to me. Thank you.

With this book I hope those readers who may feel alone or have trouble making friends will feel seen. I hope they find their own version of “found family” like Alice does in the book.

Most of all, I hope this book inspires readers to believe in impossible, unseen things.

Thanks for talking, Sara! I loved reading The Wonderland Trials and can’t wait for my next trip to Wonderland.

Order The Wonderland Trials

Enter our Alice in Wonderland giveaway by August 30, 2022 for a chance to win The Wonderland Trials and this adorable backpack!

Christian Fiction Books for your Christmas Gift List

Blog, books, Uncategorized, writing

Books make the best Christmas gifts! If there’s someone on your list who already has everything, you can always get them a new book. Here are some of my favorite Christian fiction books that make great gifts.

Read my post on clean giftable books for teens!

Romance

The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson

This year, I started reading a lot more romance. The Red Door Inn is one of my favorites! Every book in this series made me cry. And want to visit Prince Edward Island.

The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers

This a story of love and redemption between two people desperately trying to repair their broken lives.

The Hearts of Oklahoma series by Tina Radcliffe

This small-town series follows a family of four siblings who each find love close to home, whether that be at the vet clinic or on their ranch.

Contemporary

The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrel

This novel healed a wounded place in my heart. This story is about two widowed sisters-in-law who decide to run an New Zealand ultramarathon in memory of their husbands. The problem? The women have nothing in common. Can they overcome their differences to support one another through their grief, and maybe find hope along the way?

The Pelican Harbor Series by Colleen Coble

This series tells the suspenseful adventures of a policewoman on the hunt for a murderer. . . and the truth about her childhood in an abusive cult.

Historical

The Curse of Misty Wayfair by Jaime Jo Wright

If you like mysteries and historical fiction, you’ll love The Curse of Misty Wayfair. It’s just dark enough to make you shiver!

Sunrise at Normandy Series by Sarah Sundin

Be swept into the past through this World War II trilogy of love and war.

Love historical fiction and romance? Don’t miss your chance to order A Dance in Donegal or The Lady of Galway Manor and receive an extra Christmas gift! You can read my interview with author Jennifer Deibel here.

Historical Romance Novels — Bought a book before December 31, 2021?
**Click here to get your free gift!**
…
Head here for 40% off and free shipping

Biblical

The Chosen by Left Behind author Jerry Jenkins

This book is based on the TV show of the same name. It gives the life of Jesus new vibrancy!

By the Waters of Babylon by Mesu Andrews

This novel shares the tale of a Jewish exile to Babylon at the time of Daniel and Jeremiah.

Ruth and Naomi by Tori Sorenson

This novel is a fresh retelling of the famous story. After reading this, I have a much better idea of the culture and history behind the book of Ruth.

What’s your favorite Christian fiction book you’ve read this year? Comment to share!

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