Upcoming Books

Not only do I have my publishing schedule for the rest of this year, but I also have one for 2022. The first five books published February through September will comprise the Idioms & Cliches series: A Bird in the Hand, Going the Extra Mile, A Few Bumps in the Road, Got Your Goat, and Taking Stock. I have already written the rough drafts of the first four, and I'm working on Taking Stock now.

The last two books will be collaborative efforts where a group of authors teams together with each one writing one of the books in the series. Forget-Me-Not Cookies by Fern will be a continuation of the Old-Timey Kitchen series. I have already written, had edited, and received the cover from the designer for my contribution to the first round, Walnut Cake by Wylene to be published on December 6, 2021. The plan right now is to set Forget-Me-Not Cookies by Fern at Big Lick Academy, a part of the history near where I now live. It will be published on October 25, 2022. 

Runaway Bride, Candace is part of a different team series and will publish on December 12, 2022. In the book, Candace Joyner gets to her destination as a mail-order bride to find that intended owns a saloon with working girls upstairs. Fearing that he might eventually expect the same of her, she hides under the tarp of a mountain man's wagon when he leaves town with his winter supplies. She's watched Peter Mason, and he appears to be kind and most likely a Christian. She'd rather take her chances with him than the dictatorial, unscrupulous saloon owner. As with Walnut Cake by Wylene, I already had the idea for this book before I signed up to publish it in the Runaway Brides of the West series.

It feels good to know when I will publish what through 2022. Now, if I can just figure out 2023 because I have nothing definite planned so far.

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 Peace

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

Peace is a state beyond measure, but lasting peace is never brought about by circumstances. It is only found in Jesus. We know peace when we know Him well, when He becomes an integral part of us. Then, even in troubling circumstances, we can have peace because we have Him. He is the Prince of Peace (see Isaiah 4:6).

Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:3).

Paul knew how important peace was. He began almost every letter he wrote by mentioning it and often closed the letter with it as well. And with all the upheaval and tumultuous events in his life, his circumstances didn't lend themselves to peace. But he had peace because he had Jesus

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Romans 8:6).

As long as we have our minds fixed on things of this world, we'll never be satisfied or find peace. It's only when we place God in the correct position in our lives -- top priority, far above everything else -- will we find true peace. Nothing will last or hold any meaning except those things of God, so why do we waste time on worldly pursuits? Let's find peace in our Lord.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you... (John 14:27a).

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Exciting News

I had thought about teaming with other authors to form a series of historical novels several months ago. I even wrote a blog about the subject. (See "Writing in a Team" - https://janicecolehopkins.blogspot.com/2021/01/writing-series-in-team-many-authors-are.html ).  I recently came across an opportunity to do just that, and I'm super excited about it.

Zina Abbott

Author, Zina Abbott, is heading the Old-Timey Holiday Kitchen series. Beginning in July of 2021, a book will be published every two weeks, making this a series of twelve. The books' lengths will vary, but most will be between 150 - 225 pages.  This should give readers time to read each one before the next one comes out.

My book, Walnut Cake by Wylene, will publish on December the 6th as the eleventh book in the series. Each novel will feature a food and its cook's story with the recipe at the end. The covers, designed by Virginia McKevitt, are gorgeous. Each one features a headshot of the main character, the series's logo, and a small picture of the food. They will be revealed on June 14th. I'll be discussing more about the series as the books progress, and we're allowed to share more. Isn't this exciting? Be sure to look for these novels. The stories are certain to whet your appetite for more good reads, and you'll want to get them all.

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Into the Wilderness

Before we start an important mission or work for the Lord, we may be sent to a wilderness place for a while. It will be rough, uncomfortable, and often hard, but it will train us for what lies ahead, teach us the lessons we need to know, and/or give us the right attitude to move forward.

Elijah had such an experience beside the brook at Cherith where he had to depend on God for everything and saw that God was faithful to provide. The ravens brought him food and the brook provided him with water. He also had plenty of time to reflect, meditate, and pray. When the brook finally dried up from the severe drought, it was time to move on and put the things he had learned into action (1 Kings:17).

John the Baptist came from the wilderness of Judaea to began his preaching ministry. He wore clothing made of camel's hair held together by a leather girdle and ate locust and wild honey. People flocked from Jerusalem to hear this dynamic speaker, repent, and be baptized in the Jordan River (see Matthew 3).

Then, Jesus came on the scene. Even he'd had His wilderness experience where he'd fasted for forty days and forty nights in the wilderness before being tempted by the devil. After Satan gave up and left, angels ministered to Him, and He continued in doing His Father's will (see Matthew 4).

Paul, too, said he spent three years in the wilderness of Arabia after his conversion before going to Jerusalem to meet with the leaders of the new church and begin his missionary calling (see Galatians 1:17-18). So, when God calls you into a wilderness time in your life, don't fret. Learn your lessons, such as to totally depend on Him, well, and you'll be amazed at what the future holds.

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 Less Activity with Audible Promo Codes

Over the last few months, there's been a noticeable decrease in activity related to Audible promo codes. Changes in the regulations or guidelines are manifesting themselves as authors and narrators realize it is no longer profitable to distribute the codes. In fact, it now likely pulls from potential sales without any rewards to do so.

In addition, authors and narrators are not as inclined to list their free promo codes on those distribution sites where they must pay a fee to list since they are no longer getting royalties for the promo codes redeemed. Sites that once listed about two books for free promo codes per week in the genre I listen to aren't even listing one every two months now.

I expect this trend to continue unless ACX changes its policy, and I doubt that happens. What this means for Audible fans is that they need to grab any free Audible codes they think they might like when they see them. It takes time to distribute and manage the codes, and authors and narrators are busy people. If giving away their books has more liabilities than benefits, you can expect to see a steady decline in the offers, and they may soon become almost nonexistent. So, grab them while you can.

A good place to still find free clean or Christian Audible promo codes is - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2797241590334924

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Abundance

 I am come that they might have life, and that  they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10b).

We would all like to have abundant lives, but how do we go about it in a world that throws problem after problem at us? Too often we find ourselves in survival mode instead of living the joyous life God designed us to live. It's when we throw off the expectations and pressures of the world (and sometimes from ourselves) and run to Jesus that things become better.

"We can wake up every day and choose abundance. We can choose to step into something new, fresh, and truly wonderful.... Sin wrecked God's glorious plan for life with Him and flipped the script on what should have been a full and abundant life, leaving us feeling shorthanded and grasping for a bit of hope.... In an instant, the perfect, beautiful bond between God and humankind was broken" (Abundance, Kara-Kae James). 

But God sent His son to restore that bond and allow us to live the life God wants us to have. An abundant life isn't about material possessions, status, or success. It's not about how well we perform or about our circumstances at any given time. It's about delighting in the Lord, cherishing His presence in our lives, and living a full, joyous life because of it. Join God for an abundant life right now.

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Link to Poor Relation

 Poor Relation

I am happy to announce that Poor Relation, the third book in the Cactus Creek, NM, series, has now been published and is available in print and for Kindle. In the book, Dan Proffit, Cactus Creek's pastor, mistakenly thinks the niece of the town's busybody will be a young girl. Instead, Hannah York turns out to be a beautiful young lady with remarkable musical abilities. However, she is also shy, overworked, and under her two aunts' thumbs. As his attraction to her grows, so do the problems.

Douglas Birk and Jennifer Groberg, the team that narrated and produced Second-Choice Bride, and Sterling Orphans for Audible, are hard at work on Poor Relations. Circumstances have prevented them from having as much time lately, but most of the snags have been alleviated, and I'll announce when it's ready. Since ACX is still taking almost two months to approve an audible book, the process stays slower than any of us would like.

In the meantime, Returning Neighbor, the fourth book in the series, is with my editor, and I expect it to be returned for my review soon. It should be out sometime around the first week of July.

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 Be Pure

Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled (Titus 1:15).

As a fallen people plagued by sin, we are not pure by nature. To be pure we must first have a new heart that comes by being made new in Christ. Then, we must work to let go of our selfishness and want what God wants more than our own desires. We must love the things that God loves, want to please Him, and seek to bring Him glory.

Pure people shun whatever is evil or corrupt. They are not perfect (no one in this world is), but they seek to make the best choices and long to do what is right, although they may fail at times. When they do, they run to God for forgiveness and vow to themselves to do better. They try to have pure thoughts, actions, and motivations and pattern their lives after Christ.

Being pure is one of the Christian's lifelong goals. It is an ongoing process. However, we don't have to work at it alone. We have the help of the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us. And then, with the right attitude, we can be pure in God's grace.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God (Matthew 4:8).

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 Cleared for Planting Audible

Audible link

Finally, the first book in my Appalachian Roots series is out on Audible. This series is managed by my traditional publisher, so I've had no say in producing the audible. However, I am thrilled it is here.

In Part One of Cleared for  Planting, in 1804, Emma Cagle and her family move from the flatlands of North Carolina to the mountains of what would become Watauga County. Emma hopes the move will give her family a new start. They've been poor tenant farmers, and her father’s drinking problem has made life even harder. When they finally make it up the mountain, a mishap causes her to meet the Moretz family. Edgar seems interested in her, and she even likes his teasing ways. But life on a mountain farm can be rough, and problems come all too often.

In Part Two, Clifton, Emma’s son, has just returned home after completing his medical training. He looks forward to spending a summer in the mountains he loves while he tries to make decisions about his future. When Connell O’Leary and his Cherokee wife come to visit, Clifton is taken with their beautiful daughter, but she is shy, and he knows he must tread carefully. What he hadn’t planned on was the prejudice many hold against the Indians.  (Audible link for Sown in Dark Soil - https://www.audible.com/pd/Sown-in-Dark-Soil-Audiobook/B08CV7LRG7 )

Sown in Dark Soil, the second book in the series, and Transplanted to Red Clay, the fourth and last book, have already been released in audible. I'm awaiting Uprooted by War, the third book, which will complete the series. These books have sold so well in print, I think the audibles will be just as popular.

Audible link

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