Hope-Inspired Stories: August 2023

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Bog River ~ upstate New York

Hope-Inspired Stories

For the last two weeks of August 2023 Hope~Inspired Stories presents author T.M. "Mike" Brown, with his latest non-fiction novel--a tense, exciting tale of the Civil War--The Last Laird of Sapelo...

Publisher: ‎ Koehler Books (August 15, 2023)

The Last Laird of Sapelo is based on the tragic story of Randolph Spalding, the youngest son of Georgia's most well-known antebellum-era coastal planter and influential political figure, Thomas Spalding. Following his father's death in 1851, Randolph parlays his father's fame and gifted landholdings on Sapelo Island, hobnobbing from Charleston to Savannah to Milledgeville and ultimately failing to thwart Georgia's decision to follow South Carolina into secession by early 1861.

Within weeks after the assault on Fort Sumter, Lincoln's naval blockade threatens the entire southern coast. Colonel Randolph Spalding, now a reluctant commander of the militia, faces a storm of life-altering events in the months that follow, imperiling his family's legacy, livelihood, and lands. He ultimately must decide between supposed justice and saving the life of a slave who exacted revenge for the murder and rape of two children on Sapelo Island.

Author: T.M. Brown

T.M. Brown's favorite hymn...

Once more, the ever-popular-- "How Great Thou Art" (Alan Jackson)

Mr. Brown's favorite Bible verse:

Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

...and Psalm 8:

For the director of music. According to Gittith. A psalm of David.

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory in the heavens.

Through the praise of children and infants

you have established a stronghold against your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

human beings that you care for them?

You have made them a little lower than the angels

and crowned them with glory and honor.

o

y

You made them rulers over the works of your hands;

you put everything under their feet:

all flocks and herds,

and the animals of the wild,

the birds in the sky,

and the fish in the sea,

all that swim the paths of the seas.

Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

And from T.M. Brown: "God is the beginning and end of our faith."

https://tmbrownauthor.com/

Prizes from Hope-Inspired Stories!

Become a follower and leave a comment this month--win a 50.00 Amazon gift card, and a copy of Mr. Brown's recent release!

For other chances to win, visit...

http://hopeinspiredromance.blogspot.com/

http://hopeinspiredsuspense.blogspot.com/

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8

Thank you...and may you all be blessed and inspired!

Open to U.S. residents only.

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Author ~ Madisyn Carlin

"Autumn in Maine" ~ Painting by Erik Koeppel

Hope-Inspired Tales of Fantasy for Adults...

My guest for the first two weeks of August 2023 on Hope~Inspired Stories is author Madisyn Carlin, with her latest tale of redemption, faith, and action...

"Shattered Reaction"

--and the story that came before that--

War darkens the horizon...

In the wake of destruction, revenge drives Arioch en Kyrida to hunt down the man responsible for destroying half his village. His search leads him to a town where truth is hoarded and secrets lurk everywhere. Solely focused on making his target pay, Arioch cares little for the whispers of approaching evil until he is strongarmed into helping protect one of his most recent nemeses. If Anthi Klarkson doesn’t drive him insane—and if he manages to keep her alive long enough—they may be able to help stop the incoming war in its tracks. But someone wants Anthi dead, and they’ll do anything to achieve that mission.

Zinnia Klarkson wants nothing more than peace for her mourning family, but nearby attacks, kidnappings, and rumors of impending war steal all hope of a quiet life. When a mostly-dead man lands on her doorstep, hunted and without strong chance of survival, she is thrust into a covert operation that threatens her family’s safety. As secrets grow and answers remain veiled, Zinnia must choose between helping a ragtag group of reluctant allies or keeping her family out of harm’s path.

Trust must mend what was once shattered and courage must be sought as a second All Lands War threatens to decimate the six lands.

Shattered Reaction is a New Adult Christian fantasy fairy tale retelling.

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BOOK 1

Can hope be found for four shattered souls?

Princess Nordica Icerri’s crown will be purchased with blood—her blood. Now the sole heir to the throne, she is determined to be the queen the Snowlands deserve, but that comes with a price: a numbed heart and soul. Only when she meets kidnapped physician Loren Alocer does Nordica allow herself to hope she can become queen without completely losing herself. But not everyone wants what’s best for the Snowlands, and Nordica’s upcoming rule is compromised at every turn. Can the criminal physician—and his faith—thaw Nordica’s heart, or is she destined to be the heartless queen she is being forced to become?

War shattered not only Breac Finson’s heart but also his faith. Tired of fighting, Breac only wants to be left alone, but his efforts are for naught when a friend calls in favor. He soon finds himself in an unexpected alliance with Layree Alocer, a woman determined to find her wrongfully-kidnapped brother at all costs. Can a broken soldier help right a wrong—and find his faith again in the process?

Sides must be chosen and loyalties will be tested as a new war approaches. Can broken lives be mended in time to help save the Snowlands, or is evil already too deeply embedded?

Shattered Reflection is a New Adult Christian Fantasy fairy tale retelling.

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Book III

April 30, 2024

Their king hides a deadly secret.

The war for the lands continues in this Little Mermaid retelling. You met Naturo in Shattered Resistance. This is his story.

Shattered Resistance is a New Adult Christian Fantasy/Fairy Tale Retelling

Book 1: Shattered Reflection
Book 1.5: Shattered Revelation
Book 2: Shattered Reaction
Book 3: Shattered Resistance

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Madisyn Carlin is a Christian, homeschool graduate, author, and avid book dragon. When not spending time with family, trekking through the mountains, and adding to her notebook hoard, she weaves tales of redemption, faith, and action.

Want to connect? https://linktr.ee/madisyncarlin