April Showers bring May….Books? Yes!
Readers, April showers bring May books! I want to help you “grow” your collection of books so I have partnered up with Celebrate Lit to do an April giveaway!
This giveaway is called April Showers Bring May…Books! It is going on now through April 19th! Celebrate Lit giving away over 30 books (including one of mine, When the Wildflowers Bloom Again) along with a $50 Amazon gift card.
Enter here: https://www.celebratelit.com/april-showers-bring-may-books/
Revealed Truth follows teenaged Maddie Ruth Bennett as she struggles with fear and anxiety after her father is called on for a secret government mission involving national danger. In the midst of uncertainty, Maddie embarks on her journey of faith, learning to trust God and find courage—with the support of those around her. A story of spiritual growth, highlighting themes of faith over fear, strong family bonds, and coming of age during crisis. Most of the book is told from Maddie’s perspective, though at times her father has a POV.
What a multi-layered and rich novel! The story touched on many topics yet still feels natural and organic.
Maddie is a seeker.
I loved how the characters at church don’t have all the answers, but are trying their best. Maddie experiences two completely different types of Christian churches and worship styles, Gram’s was old-fashioned and traditional, and another more contemporary megachurch. The author demonstrated that both of these types of worship are legitimate, and the message that God has a place for everyone touched my heart.
And the regional flavor! Wonderful.
Maddie has her Grammy to depend on, and Gram is a fun character to read, a strong woman of faith from Tennessee, full of common sense, and always pointing towards Jesus. “Finer than frog hair” may be one of my new sayings! Grammy’s faith and her simple way of conveying biblical truths to Maddie as the teen is struggling to work out things was so spot-on and full of gentle wisdom.
The common issue of anxiety is examined from both the teenage daughter’s experience and her father’s. The things I’ve mentioned already were certainly enough to keep me glued to the pages, but, additionally, the mystery related to her dad’s job had me searching for clues. All of these elements (plus a few more) work together seamlessly in this novel.
so much to love about this book! My favorite thing in this novel was how authentic and organic it felt, while at the same time not shying away from hard topics and delving into spiritual truths.
Deals with serious issues of a parent’s alcoholism and drug overdose. Attempted suicide.
Note: Written from a certain theological standpoint on end times, though this is not a main focus of the book.
Positive Family Values
Authentic
Faith Infused
Intriguing Mystery and Suspense
Serious Issues
Coming of Age
Recommended
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year!
I’ve been feeling a bit more contemplative than usual these days.
As one year closes and another begins, I’m considering the collections I’ve gathered over the last twelve months. I don’t mean my dust catchers, which I have aplenty, but the other collections. Quiet victories and unexpected lessons, laughter and a few tears. Ordinary moments that God used to teach me more than I realized at the time.
The story we live leaves its mark on us, shaping the way we see the world and, hopefully, leaves us wiser.
I pray God blesses us all with moments of connection, sparks of inspiration, courage to chase dreams, and small joys to fill all the days of the new year.
26 Books in 2026!
https://books.bookfunnel.com/26booksin26/6re0d8itxf
Have you made your reading list for 2026 yet? Looking for a romance to add to you reading list for 2026? This promo features 26 wholesome romances, including my book, Joann.
https://books.bookfunnel.com/26booksin26/6re0d8itxf
| Freebie Alert Here’s another listing I joined with a selection of free stories. I am sharing a sample chapter of my work in progress, The Fields of Mercy, for this promo. Follow the link to download. I’d love to know what you think of it. https://books.bookfunnel.com/freewithamy/wihgq5ihpb |
I hope 2026 treats you kindly.
The holidays are a joyful time, but let’s be honest, they can also be overwhelming. Between gift shopping, family obligations, and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to forget to slow down and breathe. One of my favorite ways to find a little peace during the holidays is surprisingly simple. Reading! (You knew I was going to say that, didn’t you?)
While reading may not be the cure for everything, ten or twenty minutes with a book can feel like a mini-reset during a stressful December day. Free reads are a wonderful way to unwind without adding anything else to your budget.
Check out these free reads.
Click the link here : https://books.bookfunnel.com/freewithamy/wihgq5ihpb
Grab yours. Offer ends Jan 9th.
Another stress reliever for me is making small items from my fabric scraps. I’ve seen the felt bookmarks around social media, but could not lay my hands on any so used what I found.
For this teacup book marker I used a Christmas print, a scrap of brown cotton, and medium weight fusible interfacing for the cup and zig-zagged the edges. The string is cotton crochet thread and ends with a bit of natural muslin (which is really too thin for zig-zagging even after fusing the interfacing.)
I thought I had some red fleece I could use to cut out a tiny heart and stitch on the tag, but I must have used it all up. I found a red button and an already threaded needle with red thread, but no spool of red!
I love finding bits as I go along and making things up as I go.
Looking for some inspirational fiction to add to you TBR this fall?
Check out the Faith Inspired Fiction November Reads and find my book, Promise Me Tomorrow.
https://books.bookfunnel.com/faithreadswithamy/v0wwe0awfg
YA Fiction from Carol Award Winning Author Donna Jo Stone
Sometimes the only way to hold on is by learning to let go.
For sixteen-year-old Nina, communicating her emotions is ridiculously hard. She expresses those best through art, the one thing she’s good at. When she’s chosen to design the school mural, she’s ecstatic. It’s a chance to connect with Mom and make her proud, because even though they don’t always see eye to eye, Mom always loves Nina’s art. But Nina’s joy is cut short by the news that her mother’s cancer has returned, and this time it’s terminal.
Nina can’t accept Mom’s decision to refuse further treatment. There must be a way to save her. If Mom won’t find it, Nina will.
Consumed by her obsession to find a cure, Nina risks alienating the people she needs most—her friends, her family, and the boy who only wants to help.
Is it better to let Mom make her own choices about treatment, or should Nina keep pressing for a miracle, even if it builds an emotional wall between them?
“A gripping, heartrending, and yet ultimately hopeful journey of a family struggling with grief and autism.”–SOPHIA L HANSEN, critically acclaimed author of Water’s Break
“Promise Me Tomorrow takes a deep dive into the real struggles young adults face today—from the tension with family to the emotional rollercoaster of first love, while increasing awareness and understanding of sensory processing and autism spectrum challenges.
Donna Jo Stone brings her characters to life through rich, detailed development, capturing the insecurities and angst of adolescence. Her portrayal of teens—especially Nina—feels authentic, focusing on what connects us.”–FELICIA BRIDGES,Award-winning author of the International Mission Force Series
About the Book
Are you constantly glued to your phone, checking notifications, or scrolling mindlessly, only to feel drained and unfulfilled? Do you struggle to focus, sleep, or be fully present with the people who matter most? Have you tried cutting back on screen time, only to fall back into old habits?
If so, Unplug and Recharge: Finding Balance in a Screen-Obsessed World is for you. This book isn’t about quitting technology, it’s about taking back control and using screens in a way that serves you, rather than overwhelms you.
Inside, you’ll find:
✔ A step-by-step digital detox guide to help you reset your relationship with technology.
✔ A 30-day challenge with small, manageable actions to break free from screen addiction.
✔ Science-backed insights into how screens affect your brain, focus, and well-being.
✔ Practical strategies to reduce stress, improve sleep, and reclaim your time.
✔ Real-life stories from people who have successfully unplugged and found balance.
Are you ready to take the first step toward a healthier, more intentional relationship with technology? Let’s begin.
My Thoughts
Unplug and Recharge: Finding Balance in a Screen-Obsessed World takes a look at how we use (and misuse) technology and how it affects us. As anyone who has tried to unplug knows, it’s not as easy as simply putting the phone aside, and ignoring technology isn’t a realistic option. (Though I certainly do try, at least for some of it. Those texts, emails, and messages from my doctor’s office asking me to check in? Nope. I’m signing in at the desk!)
What’s the best way to get the benefits of tech without suffering from all the negative impacts?
Unplug and Recharge: Finding Balance in a Screen-Obsessed World is a researched-based self-help book that explains how the habit starts, how it affects your brain, and how to recognize when usage has become harmful. The first time I saw a roomful of young people glued to their phones and totally disengaged with the world, I had a horrible sinking feeling in my gut. Sadly, that instinct was spot on. For years I have watched with concern as digital addictions have overtaken our society and families, producing anxious, distracted, and socially isolated people. I’ve fallen into the tech trap myself.
This book offers tips on how to manage our habits in practical, sustainable ways, providing strategies to help us reclaim our time and find a healthier balance. I like her advice on how to reclaim focus by assessing tech usage into high-value vs low-value, then take small steps to make changes rather than attempting to throw the phone out. (A seeming exercise in futility as the temptation of the tiny screen drags us back.)
The section on the creativity of boredom resonated deeply with me. In today’s society we are too eager to fill every moment. Boredom is nothing to be feared! Periods of boredom are needed for the imagination to create. Without quiet moments to let our minds wander, how can we ever be creative?
This book provides sensible, step-by-step suggestions, guided journaling sections, and checklists. Books like Unplug are sorely needed today.
A worthwhile, well-organized resource to add to your home library.
Five Stars. I read this book on Kindle Unlimited.
About the Book
Publication date: July 1, 2008
An ordinary summer brings about an extraordinary change of heart in the first novel in the Blue Sky Hill series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Friends and Before We Were Yours.
Changes aren’t in Rebecca Macklin’s plans when she receives a long-distance call from the Dallas police. Her aging father has been found repeatedly wandering the city streets alone, and his wife has suffered a serious illness and landed in a nursing home. Despite the demands of the busy LA legal practice Rebecca shares with her husband, she must put aside old resentments and return to her childhood home.
When Hanna Beth Parker hears about the arrival of her stepdaughter, Rebecca, who has stayed away for decades, she knows something is terribly wrong. Suddenly, the last person she’d ever turn to for help is the only one she can count on. But forging a relationship with Rebecca will require awakening old ghosts. In this moving story of separation and forgiveness, two women will unravel the betrayals of the past, examine the yearnings of the heart, and discover the truest meaning of family.
My Thoughts
I’m not sure how I missed this beautiful novel. I felt such an affinity for both of the main characters.
More than once I had to wipe tears from my eyes. I haven’t been as moved by a story in a long time. I had my heart broken, and then put back together again.
Hannah Beth and Rebecca had more than their fair share of issues, making me feel less alone with my own complicated mixed bag of problems. I haven’t been caretaker for someone with Alzheimer’s, although I did watch my parents go through that particular battle with my dad.
This story came to me at the perfect time, reminding me of things I knew and ministering to me in ways I cannot express. It’s beautifully written with sensitivity and understanding, with several encouraging takeaways. But never preachy. This was one of those novels that I could easily picture as a movie.
Easy to read, touching, emotional, relevant, impactful, well-done, captivating story. It’s a story infused with hope, which is my favorite type of story. The ending felt a hair rushed to me, but was satisfying, and it certainly won’t stop me from rereading. Recommended for anyone who enjoys women’s fiction, Christian fiction, or contemporary fiction.
I love this book. Definitely one of my top recommendations. Reading this book made me feel like I received a huge hug from a friend. The topics are heavy, but the message is very encouraging.
I’m trying to read though all the other 2025 Carol Awards Finalists, and picked up Above All Dreams by Naomi Rawlings. It’s book 3 in the Dawn of Alaska series. I gravitate toward frontier stories set in Alaska and this book reminded me of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. I was hooked right away.
What heroes frontier doctors were. I cannot imagine how they could perform surgeries under such conditions. I got so involved in the story and I found myself worrying over the characters and the situation. The people in this small community felt real to me. The setting felt completely authentic and fleshed out with plenty of relevant details without ever slowing down the story.
Something about Kate and Nathan touched me in a deep way. I so wanted them to get together and have a happy romance.
Strong and capable, Kate is a doctor you can trust, and a complex character, both strong and vulnerable. As I got to know her, I could see her vulnerabilities along with her strengths, and found myself having tons of sympathy for her, especially during her flashes of oh-so-human awkwardness. She’s definitely one of those characters that marches to a different drum, and I love her for it.
Kate speaks her mind even when she should remain silent, and sometimes she remains silent when she should speak up! Anyone else relate?
When Nathan reveals the story about why he wanted to become a doctor, my breath literally caught in my throat, and, I’ll admit, my heart broke a little. Naomi Rawlings certainly knows how to write characters to capture the heart and keep a person reading. (Or listening, in my case, as I got the audiobook)
This book was part of the series, and I have not read the other books yet I was able to follow the story easily. I love the large family and all of the subplots that enrich the story.
I’m adding all her books to my reading list. The audio narration was very well done.
A thoroughly satisfying book.
Five stars from me.
The first book in the series is on sale today, July 11th
About the Book
Expected Aug 12, 2025
In the beautiful Pacific Northwest, a young woman’s discovery of her hidden past illuminates her present in this new novel from the award-winning author ofSugar Birds , “an engrossing tale” ( Kirkus Reviews ), andLeaning on Air , “an exquisitely nuanced love story” ( BookTrib ).
Hildy Nybo is a successful biologist, her study of the Pacific Northwest’s wild fish both a passion and a career. But behind her professional brilliance, Hildy’s reclusive private life reflects a childhood fraught with uncertainty. Despite her father’s love and her mother’s sympathy, she grew up constantly losing even her most cherished belongings, unable to recall where she misplaced them. Haunted by the confusion of those early years, she now records her life in detailed diaries and clings tightly to memory-prompting keepsakes.
Then her mother’s health fails, and Hildy accepts a job near her childhood home, joining a team of scientists who will help restore her beloved Elwha River after the demolition of two century-old dams. There Hildy settles into one of the cabins on her family’s rustic resort—a place she both loves and dreads, for reasons she can’t fully explain.
When local artist Miranda Rimmer rents an adjacent cabin for her pottery studio, Hildy shrinks from such a close neighbor. But then Miranda’s carpenter brother, Luke, shows up to help with construction and captures Hildy’s attention. Now a few years beyond a tragedy that brought him to his knees, Luke recognizes a kindred soul in Hildy, and they build a relationship that dismantles the walls Hildy’s built to keep people out. As troubling pieces of the past surface, Hildy dares to wonder if she can banish the shadows that have burdened her and follow her river’s course to freedom.
A compelling story of forgiveness, redemption, and overcoming painful secrets that explores the beauty of the natural world. A poignant and emotive contemporary novel perfect for fans of Delia Owens and William Kent Krueger. Includes discussion questions for book clubs.
My Thoughts
What the River Keeps got my attention from the first pages and kept me reading. I love complicated characters who are dealing with real life issues. Messy relationships, strong faith element, fully fleshed out characters, sweet and tender romance. I love stories that illustrate the concept of beauty from ashes. While mystery and a romantic relationship is threaded throughout the story, the main message I got was one of overcoming deep emotional wounds and dealing with the past.
The writing is lovely, and Cheryl Grey Bostrom’s attention to detail of the setting shows both her knowledge of the natural world and her writing skill.
The depictions and interactions between Hildy and her mother, in the past and the present, felt very realistically portrayed for this type of dysfunctional family dynamic. I was so into the story, I was feeling all the things about this relationship.
When I finished the book, my knee-jerk reaction was to want a different (less kinder) resolution between the mother and daughter, but on reflection, the author’s choice was probably the best one to make. I think books that make readers pause, think, and examine their own hearts are some of the best types of fiction.
I liked that the idea of people being responsible for their own healing is addressed. Kudos to the author for tackling such a sensitive and complicated subject.
A one-sitting read for me. (Unusual, as I tend to hop between books, but this one had my full attention and ticked all my boxes.)
I would’ve liked for the ending to be a bit more fleshed out in some aspects, but overall found it a very enjoyable read with a satisfactory resolution. Recommended for readers looking for interesting, character-driven, Christian women’s fiction that has romance and deals with mental health issues and overcoming past hurts.
I was blessed with an early copy of What the River Keeps. All opinions are my own.
About the Book
During her freshman year of high school, Ally Griffin is determined to find her thing, a talent that will let her gain praise and recognition. Her cousins, Billy and James, have found theirs in sports and music, but Ally has yet to discover something that will make people cheer just for her.
At her best friend’s suggestion, Ally tries ballet. When that doesn’t turn out the way she hopes, she signs up to sing in the school talent show. Thanks to support from James, Ally’s performance goes well, and she thinks she has found her thing at last.
But when James gets into an accident, Ally’s whole world is turned upside down. As she tries to be there for her cousin, Ally wrestles with why God allows bad things to happen and whether she should keep doing her thing at all.
My Thoughts
Great message. Even though I put the book down several times, it was easy to pick it back up again and be right back in the story. It stayed on my mind, which is unusual for me.
A sense of humor shone through in the interactions between Ally and her cousin Billy, who is a tad overprotective as male relatives sometimes tend to be.
After Jimmy loses his hearing he goes back to school and faces discrimination from his teacher who sends a note home because Jimmy, who remember is deaf now, isn’t paying enough attention in class and is failing. This is why we need protections for children with disability. People with disability face discrimination, even children at school who are often told that they are simply not trying enough. This type of thing is all too realistic and common.
I loved the example of how a person could experience just a tiny bit of what someone else is going through by being sensitive and thoughtful and providing practical help. Stories like Listening to the Rain are needed to inform and help readers develop empathy, all while being entertaining.
A bit of a slow start, but overall a sweet read for readers looking for Christian contemporary YA.
Four stars.
Recommended.
Donna Jo Stone 