It’s always exciting to visit the blogs of readers and writers to talk about books. It’s a great way to learn about new authors! Ten blogs hosting me and/or posting their thoughts about my latest release. You can follow the blog tour at the all stops listed below and learn more about Mistletoe Movie Star.

Nov 20th: Looking Out the Window teaser: As winter temperatures dipped to life-threatening lows, concern for those without warm and safe beds grew. Several people from different churches banded together to combine their energy and resources into serving this community that had been surviving in tents. Their passion for the least among us inspired my heroine, Charlene. Char’s drive for those less fortunate in Mistletoe Movie Star shines in her speech to the town council. Her line about the transient community being made in God’s image and deserving of dignity and stability come right from my friend’s speech to our city council.

Nov 26th: Andrea Thom Faith in Fear teaser: … Regardless of why or how fear has come, its presence will either move us to focus on the circumstances that we can see, or move us to trust in the One who controls the circumstances.  When our minds fill up with worry, let’s meditate on Jesus’ sovereignty. When our emotions fear rejection, let’s lean into His acceptance. Like Char, let’s step out in faith whenever we fear by calling on God’s power and presence to overcome the worry that we cannot. The very fear that distresses us can be the means God uses to grow our faith and testify to the One who ushers in peace … 

Nov 28th: Faith, Encouragement, and Happily-Ever-Afters teaser: Often, the things I am studying in the Bible, or life events that rock my world, make their way into my novels. At the time of writing Mistletoe Movie Star, I attended a local city council meeting regarding our growing homeless crisis. As my friend gave a speech that championed the transient community made in God’s image and deserving of dignity and stability, I found my heroine Charlene.

Dec 1st: Christian Bookaholic teaser: … The reader becomes cocooned in the friendly welcome from the town of Mistletoe. It is a town with a social conscience and a heart for the homeless … Everyone wants a place to call home. We have physical homes and spiritual homes but sometimes ‘home’ is wrapped up in the ones we love. No matter what we do or where we go, we all long for a home.

Dec 3rd: Penelope Marzec Bookish Thoughts excerpt: Char forgot all her volunteer training about keeping a safe distance and respecting the personal space of others. She wrapped her arms around Natalie, careful not to squeeze Cinnamon, and let the girl cry. She stroked Natalie’s hair as quiet sobs shook her body. When only the occasional sniffle remained, Char pulled back to look Nat square in the eyes. “Thank you for trusting me with the truth.”

Dec 5th: Where Faith and Romance Meet excerpt: Jonas held up a hand and ignored the questions until the crowd settled. It was like watching a kindergarten teacher reign in a room of four-year-olds.

Jonas spoke softly, and the crowd hushed, leaning in to hear his instructions. “If you let the children through without bothering them, I’ll give you a few minutes before going into the house. If one person says anything to the girls, snaps any photos of the girls, or reaches out to touch the girls, the interview is over, and charges will be laid.”

With surprising respect, the reporters lowered their cameras.

Jonas nodded at Char.

“OK, girls,” Char said, “go right into the house or directly to the barn. Keep your heads down and don’t talk to anybody.”

They nodded.

Char looked at Suzy. “You good?”

Suzy lifted her chin. “I’ve dealt with worse.”

I’ll bet you have.

Dec 10th: Writing to Foster Faith that Flourishes, Needs, Humanity, and Baby Skunks teaser: I love it when fiction does more than tell an entertaining narrative. I love fiction that forces me to think deeply about my faith and consider how God might be prompting me to respond. There are a lot of loveable characters in Mistletoe Movie Star who might stir this response in your soul, and my favorite is Charlene Kelley, the town veterinarian. Charlene not only sees a great need in Mistletoe Movie Star, but she strives to be part of the solution. She observes the growing homeless crisis and steps in to help, but this crisis becomes deeply personal when three young girls land in her care. As a woman of faith, she worries about not only helping them physically but also introducing them to a Father who loves them.

Dec 12th: Pam’s Wild Rose Saturday Spotlight, Excerpt: “Kittens sound like fun.” Jonas winked at her.

Beth yanked off the lid. “Look how little they are.”

Small gasps and yelps rolled through the press. They collectively leapt back.

A quick bark of laughter escaped Char as she reached in and pulled out a baby skunk. Its folds of skin layered over the petite frame, and one tiny eye slit wiggled as if it wanted to open and see who dared to disturb its rest.

Dec 14th: Fear Warrior Blog. Escaping Anxiety and Fear teaser: In many ways, we are approaching a Christmas like no other. We battle a global pandemic and an uncertain future. The ever-changing circumstances tempt us to shift our eyes from God and fix them on the brewing storm, the evolving virus, or the angry headlines. As our attention diverts, anxiety rises. Stomachs churn. Hearts pound. Palms sweat. Uncertainty and fear birth physical symptoms that cause real, physical pain. I suspect that Christmas isn’t playing out exactly as many of us had hoped or planned. One of my coping strategies, when anxiety rises, is to temporarily escape into a fictional world where I am confident that despite the obstacles in the story, the ending is happy.

Dec 16th: Giveaway series on ReadingIsMySuperPower, It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas teaser: … You see, the miracle isn’t on 34th Street; it’s found in a manger that led to a cross. The miracle is how God made it possible for every weary soul to rejoice. He accepts Christ’s death as payment for my sins and then raises Jesus to life again with a promise to raise also all who believe in Him. When we embrace that gift, this becomes the most wonderful time of the year …