Jun 1, 2026

The Design of Providence ~ Avellina Balestri

 

Photo by April Buckley Iacuzzi: "Adirondack Mists ~ 2024"




Welcome to... 

 Hope-Inspired Stories 

For those who enjoy stories that uplift and encourage... 

We welcome our next guest from 

The Design of Providence 

~ Anthology ~

These ten authors will be presented alphabetically.

Avellina Balestri 

with her most recent historical novel: 

​   "Gone for a Soldier"


Bk. 1 -Part 1 of
"All Ye That Pass By"



Young Edmund Southworth could not foresee the direction his life would take upon befriending
"Gentleman" Johnny Burgoyne, British military veteran and parliamentarian. As Catholic recusants from the north of England, Edmund’s once noble family has struggled to survive for centuries in the shadow of the Anglican ascendancy. But General Burgoyne offers him the chance to put past humiliations behind him by joining the Church of England and donning the scarlet coat as an officer of King George III. Although his conscience is uneasy, Edmund embarks upon Burgoyne’s March to subdue the American revolutionaries by splitting the colonies in two. He finds unexpected love in the arms of Abby, a sympathizer with the cause of American independence, who will do anything to free her father from a British prison hulk, or failing that, strike a blow for the hard-pressed revolutionary cause. As the British advance through the New York wilderness devolves into increasing brutality and instability, Edmund will have his already divided loyalties tested to the breaking point under the influence of this hostile land which presents him with new terrors and opportunities alike.




Leave a comment:

Tell us one thing you love most about our country and become a follower of hopeinspiredstories.blogspot.com for a chance to win some great prizes!

First: $50.00 Amazon gift card

Second: "Celebrating America" wreath by Sarah Lockerby

Third: a copy of "The Design of Providence



 
"Celebrating America" 
by Sarah Lockerby  

Sunflowers primarily symbolize loyalty, longevity, and strength.


Winners will be announced by the end of July. Open to U.S. residents only.

...and from yours truly: keep those ratings and reviews coming into Amazon. We're all very grateful!

    

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19

May 25, 2026

The Design of Providence ~ Jayna Baas




Photo by April Buckley Iacuzzi: "Tennessee Mists ~ 2024"



Welcome to... 

 Hope-Inspired Stories 

For those who enjoy stories that uplift and encourage... 

We welcome our first guest from 

The Design of Providence 

~ Anthology ~

These ten authors will be presented alphabetically.

Jayna Baas 

with her Historical Novelette

​   "Prisoner's Rest"

He thought the Revolution wasn’t his affair. He was wrong.

It’s 1776, and seventeen-year-old Rane Armistead has been studying law in London with little concern for the American rebellion. Surely Parliament and Congress will reach a peaceful solution.

But after he’s kidnapped into service in the Royal Navy, Rane discovers that aboard a warship, the captain’s word is the only law. The tidy black-and-white world of his legal studies disappears as he’s befriended by an injured prisoner of war, a man who has risked his life to defy the empire Rane has always been proud to honor.

And when injustice unfolds on the deck right in front of him, Rane makes his own choice to defend the defenseless—a choice he pays for dearly. Now he can do as he’s told and survive his remaining service…or risk the wrath of the Royal Navy for a truth he is only now coming to understand.


This novelette-- included in The Design of Providence Collection-- is a prequel to Patriot at the River by Jayna Baas and is available free to Jayna’s email subscribers.


Leave a comment:

Tell us one thing you love most about our country and become a follower of hopeinspiredstories.blogspot.com for a chance to win some great prizes!

First: $50.00 Amazon gift card

Second: "Celebrating America" wreath by Sarah Lockerby

Third: a copy of "The Design of Providence




 
"Celebrating America" 
by Sarah Lockerby  

Sunflowers primarily symbolize loyalty, longevity, and strength.


Winners will be announced by the end of July. Open to U.S. residents only.

...and from yours truly: keep those ratings and reviews coming into Amazon. We're all very grateful

    

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19


Jan 5, 2026

Photo by April Buckley Iacuzzi: "Tennessee Mists"- 2024

Welcome to... 

 Hope-Inspired Stories 

For those who enjoy stories that uplift and encourage... 

We welcome author: 

MaryLu Tyndall 

with her latest release

​   "The Sentinel"

...A Christian Historical Romance and second in her 

Legend of the King's Ring Series 




New and Exciting series from award-winning author, MaryLu Tyndall!

Two worlds. One destiny. A love that defies the tides of time.


Modern-day treasure hunter Desi Starr has spent her life searching for lost shipwrecks—and for meaning in a life scarred by tragedy. But when she discovers an ancient ring in the depths of the Caribbean, she is thrust back in time—into a world of cannon fire, treachery, and the arms of Captain Caleb Hyde, a privateer haunted by his past and hunted by his enemies.

Caleb has fought for his crew, his ship, and his soul, but nothing prepared him for the mysterious woman who appears from the sea like a living dream. Caught between two timelines and hunted by enemies in both, Desi and Caleb must protect the Ring of Solomon, a relic of unspeakable power, from falling into evil hands.

Past and present collide in a powerful battle between light and darkness as Desi, torn between two worlds, faces an impossible choice. Yet both she and Caleb must learn to trust God’s plan to protect a love that shouldn’t exist—and a Ring that could change the course of history forever.


Author ~ MaryLu Tyndall

Award winning and best-selling author, MaryLu Tyndall dreamed of pirates and sea-faring adventures during her childhood days on Florida's Coast. After obtaining a degree in Math and working as software engineer for 15 years, she decided to test the waters as a writer. With now more than thirty books published, she makes no excuses for the deeply spiritual themes embedded within her romantic adventures. As a follower of Christ, her stories often reflect her own journey and walk with God. Her hope is that readers will not only be entertained but will be brought closer to the Creator who loves them beyond measure. In a culture that accepts the occult, wizards, zombies, and vampires without batting an eye, MaryLu hopes to show the awesome present and powerful acts of God in a dying world. MaryLu makes her home with her husband, six children, four grand kids, and several cats on the California coast, where her imagination still surges with the sea.


The Summons: Book 1

in the Legend of the King's Ring Series
Prizes: First: $25.00 Amazon gift card

Second: "Pirates' Prize" wreath
Third: copy of "The Sentinel" by MaryLu Tyndall 


"Pirates' Prize" Wreath ~ by Sarah Lockerby
...and third prize: a copy of The Sentinel!

Winners will be announced by Jan 19th. Open to U.S. residents only.

And by yours truly ~ Heart of Honor... Keep those ratings and reviews coming in to Amazon. We're all very grateful!


"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19


Leave a comment and become a follower of hopeinspiredstories.blogspot.com to become a winner!
Thank you, and may you all be blessed and inspired!
































 

Dec 1, 2025

Photo by April Buckley Iacuzzi: "Great Smoky Mountains ~ Tennessee"

Welcome to... 

 Hope-Inspired Stories 

For those who enjoy stories that uplift and encourage.

🌟

It's up!

My Christmas novella DEADLY SCHOOL BREAK has just been released on Amazon! And for a chance to win a $50 gift card leave a comment here, and your ratings and reviews on Amazon to let me know how you liked it. Hope you enjoy this fun read as much as I enjoyed writing it!
It should be the beginning of a peaceful winter vacation...

But for high school art teacher, April O'Ryan, it couldn't be more terrifying.
As a witness at his trial that puts drug kingpin Ray Skellman away for life, April discovers her brother's killer has just escaped from prison--and is out for revenge. On the last day before school break, while a blizzard rages outside, April is trapped in Rush Creek High School with school security officer Tony Roman, and his K-9 partner, Reign.

When Skellman hires a member of the school community to do his dirty work, April learns she is being hunted by somebody she trusts.

Can she find a spark of forgiveness for the man who sent her brother to his death--while Skellman's henchmen hunt them down--room by room?

🌟
  
Cover Design: Hannah Linder Designs

🌟

...we appreciate your ratings and reviews coming into Amazon.       
                                                        
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19


Winner will be announced by December 15th. Open to U.S. residents only.  

Nov 21, 2025

 

Photo by April Buckley Iacuzzi: "Great Smoky Mountains ~ Tennessee"


Welcome to... 

 Hope-Inspired Stories 

For those who enjoy stories that uplift and encourage.
 
My guest for the first two weeks of November is

~ Annika Klanderud ~ 

...with her latest middle-grade fiction book:

I Lived Through A Wind Chill Advisory

🌟


ONE POP-TART. ONE BET. A BLIZZARD OF CONSEQUENCES!

"Funny, heartfelt, and full of unexpected turns, this is a story about friendship, forgiveness, and the kind of courage that shows up when no one’s watching." — Kendy Pearson, Author


Thirteen-year-old Ray Larkin thought having twin baby brothers would be awesome. Turns out, they mostly cry, and Mom barely has time to look at him. To make things worse, his best friend Javier ditches him for the popular crowd. Ray’s solution? A Big Plan: buy the whole class Frappuccinos and pizza to win new friends.

But when a bet with a school troublemaker wipes out his savings, Ray’s plan starts to unravel. Next, he bites into Sophia’s Pop-Tart. She's one of the popular kids, and somehow Ray ends up teaming up with her to spend a mysterious stash of coins they find in an abandoned schoolhouse.

With a windchill advisory in effect and his baby brothers sick in the hospital, Ray faces a choice that could cost him his friendships—but might just help him find what really matters. And courage doesn't wait for perfect weather.


🌟



Annika Klanderud ~ Author

🌟

And for a chance to win the latest Christmas wreath by 

Sarah Lockerby: 




"Star of Wonder"


...or a copy of Annika's book-- become a follower and leave a comment.

🌟
Winners will be announced by the end of November. Open to U.S. residents only.    

...we appreciate your ratings and reviews coming into Amazon.

🌟

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19








Nov 2, 2025

Photo by April Buckley Iacuzzi: "Great Smoky Mountains ~ Tennessee"

Welcome to... 

 Hope-Inspired Stories 

For those who enjoy stories that uplift and encourage.
 
My guest for the first two weeks of November is

~ Julie Lavender
with her latest children's book...

Children's Advent Stories for Bedtime
 
...a wonderful retelling of Bible stories for kids.

🌟


  • Publisher : ‎Z Kids
  • Publication date ‏: ‎ October 28, 2025

A beautiful, entertaining, and inspiring gift for children!

Unwrap the true meaning of Christmas with Advent bedtime stories!

Christmas is more than just presents under the tree, Santa, candy canes, and mistletoe. It’s a special time for families to discover and celebrate together what Christmas really means—the promise of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 
Children’s Advent Stories for Bedtime delivers a joyful collection of 25 stories of what this season is truly about while counting down the days until Jesus’ birthday.

Cozy up to God’s messages of joy, peace, and love with the following:

Age-appropriate biblical retelling: Read and reflect on true events surrounding the birth of Jesus and the wonders of his Word in a way that captivates young hearts and young imaginations. Perfect for kids ages 4–8.

Thoughtful Bible reflections: This storybook and devotional offer Bible insights and questions to spark curiosity and understanding.

Sweet prayer endings: Finish each story with a prayer that opens young hearts to a loving conversation with God.

Colorful illustrations: Beautiful pictures bring Scripture to life.

🌟


Authors: Julie & David Lavender

🌟

And for a chance to win the latest Christmas wreath by Sarah Lockerby: 


"Star of Wonder"



"Star of Wonder"
(lighted)

...or a copy of Children's Advent Stories for Bedtime
become a follower and leave a comment.

🌟
Winners will be announced by the end of November. Open to U.S. residents only.    

...we appreciate your ratings and reviews coming into Amazon.

🌟

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19