Remember Pearl Harbor

More than two years had passed since the war began in Europe when the Japanese bombers arrived in the skies above Pearl Harbor at 7:48 AM local time. However, an hour earlier the Wickes-class destroyer USS Ward attacked and sank a midget submarine near the entrance of the harbor. The sub’s periscope had been spotted above the water by the minesweeper Condor which alerted the crew on the Ward. The sub’s unconscious pilot, Kazuo Sakamaki, would later surface and be taken prisoner, spending the remainder of the war as a POW. Unfortunately, the incident would fail to put the base on full alert.

Japan depended on supplies from the United States, namely oil, to support their naval forces, but the Tokyo government began to look elsewhere and targeted Southeast Asia which is rich in minerals and oil. America’s foreign policy in the Pacific centered on support for China against the aggression of Japan, thus creating potential conflict. On July 7, 1937, tensions exploded when gunfire was exchanged between Japanese units and the United Front of Chinese Nationalists at the Marco Polo Bridge near Beijing. The Second Sino-Japanese war had begun.

In response, the U.S. extended a loan to China in 1938. The following year, America terminated the 1911 Treaty of Commerce and Navigation with Japan. Twelve months later, export of materials “useful in war” to Japan were restricted. After Japan occupied Indochina and entered into an alliance with the Axis powers of Germany and Italy, the U.S. severed all commercial and financial relations with Japan, froze Japanese assets, and declared an embargo on shipments of petroleum and other war materials. Militarists in the Japanese government resented the U.S. aid to China, but negotiations between the two countries limped along.

Meanwhile, the argument between isolationists and interventionists continued about the war in Europe.

Isolationists believed the nation’s interests were best served by avoiding conflicts overseas and dealing with problems at home, especially those related to the Great Depression that continued to grip the U.S. Congress agreed and passed several neutrality acts designed to prevent future involvement in foreign wars by banning American citizens from trading with nations at war, loaning them money, or traveling on their ships.

In January, 1940, 88% of U.S. citizens opposed the idea of getting involved in Europe. However, September of that year 52% now felt America should risk war to help the British. By April 1941, the number had risen to 68%. Both ideologies became moot on December 7, 1941.

By the end of the attack, forty-two of the one-hundred-twenty-six planes on the ground were destroyed, forty-one were damaged, and forty-three remained fit for service. More than one-hundred-eighty aircraft were destroyed. Within thirty days of the attack, 134,000 Americans enlisted in the military.

A little-known fact is that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor a second time on March 4, 1942. Operation K used two naval flying boats that could each carry one ton of bombs with a crew of ten. Nicknamed the flying porcupine each plan had five 20mm cannons and four machine guns. However, this time the invaders were seen on radar, and just after midnight fighters took to the air and patrolled the harbor. Cloudy skies reduced visibility, and one aircraft released its bombs over a remote hill and the other into the ocean.

Printed on matchbooks, war bonds, license plate toppers, signs, plates, handkerchiefs, games, playing cards, flags, posters, buttons, cardboard shields, envelopes, and more, “Remember Pearl Harbor” became a rallying cry.

**All photos courtesy of the author

______________________

War’s Unexpected Gift

Love and war don’t mix. Or do they?

Eager to do even more for the war effort, nurse Gwen Milford puts in for a transfer from a convalescent hospital outside of London to an evac hospital headed across Europe. Leap-frogging from one location to the next, nothing goes as expected from stolen supplies to overwhelming numbers of casualties. Then, there’s the handsome doctor who seems to be assigned to her every shift. As another Christmas approaches without the war’s end, can she find room in her heart for love?

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/4jG2wl

Linda Shenton Matchett writes happily-ever-after historical Christian fiction about second chances and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions of themselves.

Whether you choose her books set in the Old West or across the globe during WWII, you will be immersed in the past through rich detail. Follow the journeys of relatable characters whose faith is sorely tested, yet in the end, emerge triumphant. Be encouraged in your own faith-walk through stories of history and hope. Visit her at http://www.LindaShentonMatchett.com

Hallelujah! How Composer Handel's Coat Button Saved His Life

By Mary Dodge Allen

Can you imagine what Christmas would be like without the glorious music of Handel’s Messiah? An event that occurred 320 years ago today – December 5, 1704 - nearly cut Handel’s life short. Read how a simple metal button preserved his life, so he could live on to compose the Messiah and many other masterpieces.

George Frideric Handel (Getty Images)

In 1703, at the age of 18, George Frideric Handel moved to Hamburg, Germany. He soon met Johann Mattheson, aged 23, who had already established a reputation as an accomplished composer and musician in Hamburg, his home town. 

The two talented musicians established an immediate friendship. They began attending operas and concerts together, and they both enjoyed boating. Mattheson described Handel as “rich in abilities and good intentions.” 

Johann Mattheson (Public Domain)

But a rivalry began only months into their friendship, when Mattheson was hired by Sir John Wich (a British Knight, and Hamburg’s Royal Ambassador from Great Britain) to tutor and mentor his son, Cyril. This surprised and angered Handel, who had expected to be hired as young Cyril's tutor. 

The resulting air of superiority Mattheson demonstrated toward Handel only added insult to injury. Mattheson was well aware of Handel’s feelings, and he wrote that it “gave occasion for jealous looks.” 

Handel went on to secure a position with Hamburg’s Opera House, joining the ranks of the orchestra’s second violins, while his jealousy continued simmering below the surface. 

On December 5, 1704, an opera composed by Mattheson entitled, The Misfortune of Cleopatra, opened at the opera house. Mattheson, himself, played the singing role of Mark Antony, and he arranged for composer Reinhard Keiser to conduct the first part of his opera from the harpsichord. Mattheson had planned to take over as conductor after Antony’s death scene. Unfortunately, Keiser had a drinking problem, and he left the performance early.

Handel took this opportunity to fill in as the opera’s conductor at the harpsichord. After Mattheson finished Antony’s death scene on stage, he expected to take over as conductor for his opera. But Handel refused to return to the second violins and relinquish the conductor’s role. Handel stayed put at the harpsichord, conducting the opera until it was over. 

After curtain-down, an argument broke out between the two musicians that became so heated, it attracted a crowd of onlookers. Then Mattheson physically slapped Handel. In this era, a public humiliation like this could only be settled by a duel. The two angry men left through the stage door and headed toward the market square, followed by a quickly-growing crowd. 

Art print of the duel between Handel and Mattheson (Getty Images)

Both men drew their swords. Mattheson lunged forward and aimed his sword at Handel's heart. The narrow blade struck a large metal button on Handel’s coat with such force, the sword's sharp tip was completely sheared off. This shocked both of them. Their anger evaporated, and they reconciled as friends on the spot. 

However, the city of Hamburg was not big enough to hold both of these ambitious composers and their oversized egos. Handel decided to move to London, but he later cast Mattheson in the lead role of two of his operas. The two men maintained a life-long friendship. 

Mattheson wrote an eloquent account of the duel, stating that it could have ended in tragedy... 

“had God’s guidance not graciously ordained that my blade, thrusting against my opponent’s broad metal coat-button, should be shattered.”

This Christmas, as we listen to the glorious music of the Messiah, we can be grateful that God spared Handel’s life during that anger-fueled duel 320 years ago.

The final bars of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's manuscript (Public Domain)

_____________

Mary Dodge Allen is currently finishing her sequel to Hunt for a Hometown Killer. She's won a Christian Indie Award, an Angel Book Award, and two Royal Palm Literary Awards (Florida Writer's Association). She and her husband live in Central Florida. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Faith Hope and Love Christian Writers. 

Website: www.marydodgeallen.com

Recent release, anthology devotional: El Jireh, The God Who Provides

Mary's story, entitled: A Mother's Desperate Prayer, describes her struggle with guilt and despair after her young son is badly burned in a kitchen accident. When we are at the end of all we have, El Jireh provides what we need. 

Click the link below to purchase on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/El-Jireh-God-Who-Provides/dp/1963611608

Mary's novel: Hunt for a Hometown Killer won the 2022 Christian Indie Award, First Place - Mystery/Suspense; and the 2022 Angel Book Award - Mystery/Suspense.

Click the link below to buy Hunt for a Hometown Killer at Amazon.com:

Hunt For A Hometown Killer: A Novel: Allen, Mary Dodge: 9781952369704: Amazon.com: Books

Link to Mary's Spotlight Interview:   Mary Dodge Allen Author Spotlight EA Books

How A Bygone Era Came to Life in a Colorado Mountain Town

By Donna Wichelman

Have you ever visited a place where you experienced that sense of having stepped into a picture postcard of a bygone era? Did you sigh, your body relaxing, as if you’d been transported into a time long ago when life seemed much simpler and the stresses and strains of daily routine melted away? Christmas in Georgetown, Colorado in December 2019 was that encounter for me.

If you’ve read my most recent blogs about Georgetown, Colorado, you know my historical romance, A Song of Deliverance just released yesterday, December 3, 2024. But in 2019, I wanted to become acquainted with what it might have felt like to experience Christmas in Georgetown in the 1870s during its silver mining heyday.

When weather forecasters predicted record snowfall totals for the Colorado mountains over that weekend, I couldn’t have ordered up a better weather outlook if I’d tried. So when my husband and I stepped onto Sixth Street, formerly known as Alpine Street in the 1870s, we thought we’d entered into a Thomas Kincaid painting.

Sixth Street Georgetown, Colorado Christmas Market--December 2019: Donna's Gallery

Madrigal Singers, Georgetown, Christmas Market--December 2019: Donna's Gallery

Georgetown has worked hard to keep its Victorian era character, passing ordinances maintaining the gingerbread architecture in the original part of town and buying up open space land to ensure the community isn’t overdeveloped. A 1986 John Denver film, The Christmas Gift, depicts a New York developer trying to purchase land and build condominiums and a golf course in Georgetown. The film was loosely based on a true story and reflects the generosity and neighborly spirit that continues to thrive in Georgetown. It has just that kind of “hometown” atmosphere, which is why generations of families have remained in the same houses over the last century and a half.

Each year, Historic Georgetown, Inc. holds its annual Christmas Market on the first two weekends of December. Similar to European Christmas markets, with the sights, sounds, and smells of handcrafted gifts and specialty food vendors, Georgetown's quaint atmosphere overflows with ambiance. This year will be its 64th annual year. The organization also welcomes guests to Christmas at the Hamill House for a traditional Christmas celebration as William A. Hamill and his wife Pricilla would have celebrated in the 1870s. Both events offer that magical spirit of joy in a timeless place.

Horse-drawn Wagon, Georgetown Christmas Market--December 2019: Donna's Gallery

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Children's Santa Lucia Parade, Georgetown Christmas Market--December 2019: Donna's Gallery

A Reading of the Night Before Christmas, Christmas at the Hamill House--December 2019: Donna's Gallery

Christmas at the Hamill House with St. Nicholas--December 2019: Donna's Gallery

During the Christmas Market, Historic Georgetown also opens its museums to the public. Hotel De Paris is one of Georgetown's premier landmarks. Louis Dupuy first opened the hotel in 1875 as a tiny "hole in the wall." But by the 1880s, he had transformed it into one of the most elegant Victorian hotels in the region, welcoming guests from all over the world--businessmen in the silver ore trade as well as tourists visiting the Rocky Mountains. Today, the hotel appears much as it did in the 1890s and is one of the best-preserved hotels in the nation.

Hotel De Paris, Georgetown, Colorado--December 2019: Donna's Gallery

 

Hotel Room, Hotel De Paris, Georgetown, Colorado: Donna's Gallery

Other museums include Alpine Hose #2, the Energy Museum, and the Old School House, built in 1874. The Old School House figures prominently in Rhythms of the Heart, Book Two of the Silver Singing Mine series that releases December 2, 2025. 

The Old School House, Georgetown, Colorado--October 2018: Donna's Gallery

Georgetown doesn’t promise nightclubs and the city high life, but it does provide a peek into a time when life was a little more relaxed, and the people knew their neighbor’s names. Historic Georgetown, Inc. invites you to step back in time for just a little while and enjoy what the town has to offer. For more information about the Georgetown Christmas Market and Christmas at the Hamill House, click here.

Weaving history and faith into stories of intrigue and redemption grew out of Donna's love of travel, history, and literature as a young adult while attending the United World College of the Atlantic--an international college in Wales, U.K. She enjoys developing plots that show how God's love abounds even in the profoundly difficult circumstances of our lives. Her stories reflect the hunger in all of us for love, belonging, and forgiveness.

Donna was a communications professional before writing full-time. Her short stories and articles have appeared in inspirational publications. She has two indie-published romantic suspense novels, Light Out of Darkness and Undaunted Valor, in her Waldensian Series. Her Gilded Age historical romance, A Song of Deliverance, released on December 3, 2024.

Donna and her husband of forty years participate in ministry at their local church in Colorado. They love spending time with their grandchildren and bike, kayak, and travel whenever possible.

Living History at Fort Nisqually

Living history has a nice ring, doesn’t it? What exactly is living history? According to Dictionary.com, it is “any of various activities involving the re-enactment of historical events or the recreation of living conditions of the past.”

At Fort Nisqually on Puget Sound, these activities, events, and recreations enable visitors to experience what it was like as a resident in 1855. How neat is that? This living history museum features Heritage Skills Workshops where individuals can learn butchering/curing, leather working, cup or mug making, creating candlesticks or wall sconces, and basketry. The methods and tools used are representative of that period. Fort Nisqually also hosts camps and holiday events. In the fall, take a Candlelight Walking Tour, by candle and firelight. At Christmas there is a Regale. Imagine Christmas festivities from the end of the 19th century - parlor games, making ornaments, harvesting the Yule log, creating pomanders (oranges decorated with cloves), and a visit from Father Christmas.

Where is Fort Nisqually located? For reference, Puget Sound is a 95-mile-long estuary, the second largest in the United States. In the state of Washington and connecting to the Pacific Ocean, it flows past notable cities such as Seattle and Tacoma. It has an average depth of 450 feet! This waterway was the attraction for the location. The fort is in present day DuPont, WA.

Originally owned by the Hudson Bay Company, a British enterprise, the fort was a site for the fur trade since 1833. It was the first settlement with global access. Once the fur trade declined, another income avenue was necessary – commerce. The Puget Sound Agricultural Company (PSAC) had 160,000 acres to grow crops and raise livestock from 1839 – 1869. The time that current visitors witness, 1855, was an era where American settlements surrounded the British of this site. The year 1869 is when Britain left the territory and the remaining manager, Edward Huggins took it over as his homestead.

How does it exist today? The Works Progress Administration (WPA) recreated the fort in the 1930s on this site. There are two original buildings, the Factor’s House (1855) and the Granary (1850). Visitors can view 20 locations allowing insight into daily life during those times. The kitchen, wash house, root cellar, smoke house, necessary, kitchen garden, poultry house, laborer’s dwelling, bastion (photo above), and store are a few of the sites. A self-guided tour is possible using a free downloadable or printed guide. However, history comes to life with demonstrations, tours by docents in costume, and events.

Granary featured above. Produce and grain stored here. It is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The first of the original buildings on site.

Factor House parlor featured above left and parents' bedroom above right. This is the second original building at the fort. Examples of furniture, linens, dishes, decorations, tools, games, clothing, and more allow us to peek into many aspects of their days. 

In case you haven't visited a similar site before, you might wonder at points in the fort that have different functions than those of today. You may know that kitchens were separate from the house to prevent fires and root cellars stored food. The kitchen garden supported the settlement, with vegetables and fruit they would eat to be self-sufficient. There were field crops and orchards outside the palisade walls. The poultry house held chickens, ducks, and geese. 

The Laborer's dwelling was interesting. There was a side for bachelors with bunks and quarters for families. The parents shared their beds with children, or the young used mats on the floor. At left is a representation of a room that a laboring family would share. Notice the basics covered in one room, sleep, dress, cook, eat, and more. The Large Store held imported supplies and storage of those that would be shipped for sale. There was also a Sale Shop with imported goods for purchase. See images below.

Ever wonder at the creation of men's felt top hats? The beaver pelt at left is the raw material. After a lengthy process, the felt hat emerges. As a site for the fur trade. This was once a huge commodity.

One of the reasons I enjoy historical fiction is reading stories that show everyday life in varying times. How did they dress, eat, or gather? What objects or tools existed to enable them to function? This living history site offers visual representations that help garner appreciation and understanding. Have you visited an historical site with a window into the past?

As a child, Rebecca loved to write. She nurtured this skill as an educator and later as an editor for an online magazine. Rebecca then joined the Cru Ministry - NBS2GO/Neighbor Bible Studies 2GO, at its inception. She serves as the YouVersion Content Creator, with over 125 Plans, in 44 languages on the Bible.com app.

Rebecca lives near the mountains with her husband and a rescued dog named Ranger. She is a proud mom of a soldier. If it were up to Rebecca, she would be traveling - right now. First up, trips to see their two grown sons. As a member of ACFW and FHLCW, she tackles the craft of fiction while learning from a host of generous writers. Connect with Rebecca: Facebook Goodreads Instagram Pinterest X/Twitter

The Magic of Advent Calendars: A Timeless Christmas Tradition

Blogger: Amber Lemus

As the holiday season approaches, many of us are eagerly anticipating the joy and magic of Christmas. One beloved tradition that helps build excitement for the big day is the Advent calendar. But have you ever wondered where this charming custom came from?

Photo by Markus Spiske

The origins of Advent calendars date back to 19th-century Germany, where Christians would mark the days leading up to Christmas with chalk marks on their doors or walls. This tradition was known as the "Nikolauskalender" and was used to help children countdown to Christmas and prepare their hearts for the birth of Jesus.


The first commercial Advent calendars were produced in Germany in the early 20th century. These calendars typically had 24 small doors or windows, one for each day leading up to Christmas Eve. Behind each door, children would find a Bible verse, prayer, or hymn to reflect on as they prepared for Christmas.

A 1946 Advent Calendar By Marianne Schneegans -
Photo Credit: Nachlass von Marianne Schneegans

After World War II, Advent calendars became more widely available and their popularity spread throughout Europe and beyond. Companies like Gerhard Lang and Richard Sellmer began mass-producing Advent calendars, making them more accessible to the general public.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Advent calendars began to be produced in countries outside of Germany, such as the United States, Canada, and the UK. This led to a diversification of designs, themes, and contents. Calendars began to feature popular children's characters, such as Disney and Sesame Street, and included small toys, stickers, and other treats.

Today, Advent calendars are more popular than ever, with a wide range of designs, themes, and contents available. Many companies, from small independent publishers to large multinational corporations, produce Advent calendars. The rise of e-commerce and online shopping has also made it easier for consumers to access and purchase Advent calendars from around the world. From traditional paper calendars to wooden or fabric ones, and even digital versions, there's something for everyone. Many calendars also include small treats, toys, or activities behind each door, adding an extra layer of excitement to the countdown.

Advent Calendar at the City Hall in Stollberg, Saxon
Kora27, CC BY-SA 4.0 

In recent years, there has been a trend towards more creative and interactive Advent calendars. Examples include calendars with pop-up scenes, calendars with puzzles or games to solve, and calendars with augmented reality (AR) features. There has also been a growth in the popularity of alternative Advent calendars, such as wine Advent calendars, chocolate Advent calendars, and even pet Advent calendars.

Whether you're a child or an adult, using an Advent calendar is a great way to slow down and savor the holiday season. It's a reminder to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and to cherish the time with loved ones.

Do you use an advent calendar?

*****

Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award, Amber Lemus writes enthralling non-fiction for children and adults alike. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior, so her writing is centered around faith, family and history.

She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a new mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at www.AmberLemus.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!

Unexpected Legacies: Luke, The Healer

Matthew J Elliott

Luke AI Generation

Luke is one of those characters in the scriptures that you don’t think about often unless you’re in his gospel or the Book of Acts. He is often left to his own devices and never really thought of again once you get into Paul’s writings. He has his fifteen minutes of fame, so to speak, and then someone else takes the reins. It is a bit discouraging to think about if I’m honest. 

The reality, though, is that he had a much more prominent role in the early church than most realize. If you break down the amount of literature in the New Testament, the two books that are officially attributed to him produce over 35,000 words of the New Testament. That is around 27%. If you use the charts in this article I found a while back. Paul comes in at around 23% and John comes in at around 20%. On that alone, Luke should be valued. 

There is more to his story though, and while there is some serious speculation that Luke has a hand in writing the book of Hebrews as well, so there is no doubt that Luke was just as foundational to the beginnings of the new church as the apostles. So why does Paul garner most of the attention? Why is Luke pushed aside and left behind like dust in the wind? I believe the answer to this lies in his legacy. In all honesty, I have done so much research into who Luke was, I could probably write a book on his significance. 

For the confines of this short posting, though, I will highlight a few of his more significant roles in the early church. The most obvious role he played in the early church was his close ties to Paul and John Mark. Out of everyone who traveled with Paul on his missionary journeys, I fully believe that Luke was his most trusted companion. While Timothy and Titus have their own letters, it was Luke who was there to minister alongside him in the most trying moments of Paul’s ministry. 

One of the more uncommon aspects Luke attributed to the growth of the early church was his ability to track down and research things like the life and times of Jesus when no one else would. It is a proven fact that Luke has the most complete story to tell in his gospel. The Gospel he wrote is the only one that starts his story at the birth of John the Baptist and finishes it with the ascension of Jesus. It is also the gospel that details the most teachings of Jesus, as well as his healing ministry.

Here is what may be an unexpected realization to those who read this post. Luke wasn’t even in the picture of the New Testament until Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey. Everything that we know from his Gospel had to be researched. So, the beloved physician, as Paul so eloquently put it in Colossians 4:14-15, did his due diligence amid serving at Paul’s side for the better part of 12 years, in my most lenient estimation. It was through all of this research that Luke discovered everything he wrote about.

There is so much we can glean from having all of this information, and there are even those who believe that Luke and Titus were related, which would explain why Luke does not mention his name in the Book of Acts. I do not have a firm conviction on whether this is true, so I will give you the passages and you can determine that for yourself, 2nd Cor. 8:16-20 and 2nd Cor. 12:15-18. If they were brothers, the reason Titus is not mentioned in the Book of Acts is because of the kind of person Luke was. It demonstrates Luke’s great humility. If Luke did not even mention his own name in either his gospel or Acts, then why would he mention the name of his brother? It was not their culture to do so. 

Artistic Depiction

Most of what Church tradition acknowledges as Luke’s place of birth indicates that he was born in Macedonia or Antioch of Syria to a Macedonian family. Several commentators have attributed Paul’s vision of the man in Macedonia to Luke because that is where Luke first enters the picture. There’s also some significant connection with the name Theophilus, as that is who Luke is writing to in both of his books. Whether Luke knew him as a friend, or in some other way, they knew each other well. Often when we think of Luke, we feel like we have to associate him with Paul. However, there’s more to his story than being an associate with Paul.

There’s much more to say about who Luke was and what he accomplished as a fellow missionary in the early church. We can highlight his time teaching in places like Philippi or Caesarea, even the healing ministry he took part in himself. What remains in my eyes, though, is that he was a faithful servant to the ongoing mission of growth in the early church, a mission that required unwavering dedication and boundless enthusiasm. The pain Luke felt was just as profound as the suffering endured by figures like Peter and Paul. Although there’s no proof he was arrested or beaten, he saw many others endure these hardships. Despite all of this, he remained faithful to the mission and to those he was serving with. May our legacy in life be just as faithfully present as he was.

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He has served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which has given him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew is happily married to Traci, and they have three children named Leyla, Caleb, and Hannah, who bring them immense joy and inspiration. As a writer, Matthew's goal is to share love, equip others, and edify them for the greater good. He loves connecting any amount of scripture to his stories and uses his knowledge of Biblical History to do so often.

You can find Matthew's works on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

The Ephesus Pages: Part 1 (Episodes 1-10) is live and ready for Pre-Order.

One Man. His Continued Journey. Working to Build the Early Church. 

Part One

John Mark is haunted by his past, and there is one person he has never been able to reconcile with. Join John Mark on his continued missionary journey as he leaves Cyprus to search for Saul, who is now known as Paul, before the epic ending of his Missionary Journey in Cyprus. Who will he meet along the way and what lessons will he learn? Will this journey help him find the forgiveness he seeks?

November 2024 Book Day

GREAT CHRISTMAS READS

 

 

 

UNPUZZLING THE PAST

1990s Cozy Mystery

Edited By Mary Davis, Written by Mary L. Chase

When secrets and lies are uncovered, will Mar be able to put the pieces together to learn the truth? A year after her mom’s death, Margaret “Mar” Ross discovers the proverbial skeleton in the closet. Most families have a secret or two. Some are best left in the dark. Others need to be brought into the light of day to heal old wounds. With the help of her best friend, a lawyer, and a handsome doctor, Mar is determined to hunt down all the facts. When she does, will she find what she’s searching for? Or should she let this puzzle R.I.P.?

 

 

BRIDE BY BLACKMAIL

By Debbie Lynne Costello

A broken heart, controlling father, and intrusive Scot leave Charlotte reeling. Accused of stealing an heirloom pin, she must choose between an unwanted marriage and the ruin of her family name. With her and her sister’s futures at stake, Charlotte must navigate through injustice to find forgiveness and true happiness. Eager to find the traitor who caused the death of his brother, Duncan comes to America attempting to fit into Charleston society. But when the headstrong Charlotte catches his eye, Duncan acquires a second mission—winning the lass's hand. After several spurnings, he uses unconventional ways of winning her heart.

 

 

 

TITANIC: LEGACY OF BETRAYAL

A Time-Slip Novel

By Kathleen E. Kovach, et al.

A secret. A key. Much was buried on the Titanic, but now it's time for resurrection. Follow two intertwining stories a century apart. 1912 - Matriarch Olive Stanford protects a secret after boarding the Titanic that must go to her grave. 2012 - Portland real estate agent Ember Keaton-Jones receives the key that will unlock the mystery of her past... and her distrusting heart. Review: “I told my wife to move this book to the top of her reading list... This titanic story is more interesting than the one told in the Titanic movie... She will absolutely love it.”

 

 

 

A CALCULATED BETROTHAL

By Denise Weimer

The death of her titled husband abandons Tabitha Gage on a South Georgia plantation with only a log cabin on unsettled timber land. Sergeant Edmond Lassiter aids the dark-haired beauty fending off cattle rustlers. The Patriot scout and Loyalist widow are surprised by their shared values. When Edmond learns the same man who ruined his family is after what little Tabitha has left, he convinces her they should work together to make her land profitable—while fighting off the British from East Florida and her greedy neighbor, who sabotages their every effort to succeed.

 

 

 

WHEN MEMORY WHISPERS

By Johnnie Alexander

Marie Wyatt longed for fame and fortune and found herself in wartime London working as an Allied courier. But when a routine mission turns deadly, a mysterious German agent becomes her unlikely savior. Yet the line between duty and loyalty blurs when the German agent is imprisoned in a Florida POW camp with Axis soldiers who consider him a traitor. Marie embarks on a desperate mission to save him before he’s fatally injured. Plummet into a heart-wrenching tale of courage, treachery, and a love that defies all odds.

 

 

 

EVEN IF WE CRY

By Terrie Todd

Now available to pre-order! Warned they “mustn’t cry,” British teenager Nina Gabriel and her two young siblings board a ship bound for Canada as part of the WWII child evacuee program. Nina’s mischievous brother and seasick sister test her limits on the long voyage—but her burden of responsibility grows still heavier in Canada. When a telegram arrives after a London bombing, will Nina find a way to fulfill her promise for the brother she’s never met? Will the Gabriel siblings learn that each of them is loved, even if they cry?

 

 

 

LOVE AND CHOCOLATE

BY Linda Shenton Matchett

She just needs a job. He wants a career. Is there room in their hearts for love? Ilsa Krause and her siblings are stunned to discover their father left massive debt behind upon his death. To help pay off their creditors and save the farm, she takes a job at Beck’s Chocolates, the company her father despised and refused to supply with milk. Then she discovers her boss is Ernst Webber, her high school love who unceremoniously dumped her via letter from college. Could life get any more difficult?

 

 

 

ALL WE THOUGHT WE KNEW

By Michelle Shocklee

Ava must put her life back together after her husband is killed at Pearl Harbor. A job at Camp Forrest provides income, but it also puts her in contact with Enemy Aliens interned on the military installation. Can she trust the German medical student whose friendship means more to her than it should? Mattie ran away from the pain when her brother was killed in Vietnam. Now she’s back in Tullahoma facing another devastating loss. Yet it is the bundle of WWII letters Mama insists she reads that makes her question everything she thought she knew about herself.

 

 

 

EL JIREH - THE GOD WHO PROVIDES

Compiled by Living Parables of Central Florida

Mary Dodge Allen, contributor

In A Mother’s Desperate Prayer, Mary Dodge Allen shares her struggle with guilt and despair after her son is badly burned in a kitchen accident. When we are at the end of all we have, El Jireh shows His hand. God doesn’t always give us what we want or when we want it, but He perfectly provides all we need at the right time. The stories, poems, devotions, and essays in this collection demonstrate the various and mysterious ways God is El Jireh—the God who provides—to His children.

 

 

 

MONTANA GOLD SERIES BOXED SET

By Janalyn Voigt

Love Wild West romance? Read the Montana Gold boxed set!

1. Hills of Nevermore – Can a young widow hide her secret shame from the Irish preacher bent on protecting her?

2. Cheyenne Sunrise – After her wagon journey goes terribly wrong, a woman disillusioned in men must rely on a half-Cheyenne trail guide.

3. Stagecoach to Liberty – A Hessian woman must decide whether to trust a handsome stranger or remain with her alarming companions.

4. The Forever Sky – A young woman with no faith in love wonders if she can trust the man who broke her heart.