A Christian Lesson from India

Charles Spurgeon is often quoted as saying, "There is no such thing as secular; all is sacred." Whether or not those are his exact words, the sentiment reflects his teaching: every part of life belongs to God, and every moment is lived before Him. I learned something similar from my summer in India on a Fullbright-Hays scholarship. Hindus consider their religion to be a part of who they are and their everyday lives. Many families keep shrines in their homes dedicated to the god the family chooses to honor, and Hindu temples with their priests are common in almost every large neighborhood.

I knew the Ganges River is considered the "Mother of India" because it personifies the goddess, Ganga, a life-giving figure. Pilgrims travel from all over the country to bathe in its waters. So when I visited it at Varinasia early one morning, I expected to see it being treated as a sacred shrine. What I didn't expect to also encounter were people brushing their teeth, washing their hair, and doing their morning exercises by the banks of the river. Hawkers even sold their wares from rowboats.

The Indians live with an acute awareness that everything they do is done before their gods. I came home, reflecting on this and decided to make the one true God who loves me so deeply a part of my daily life, too. If there was something I couldn't do in His company, then I shouldn't be doing it at all. That simple shift drew me closer to Him and changed my life. It's a better way to live -- more rewarding, more fulfilling, and far more peaceful. My experience in India also reminded me that God can use the most unexpected places and things to teach us profound Christian truths. He wants us to live every moment in His presence, and we're much happier when we do. 

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Mountain Men: Echoes of Thunder 

I'm excited to share about my next book that releases on April 21. Malachi's Mountain is part of the multiple-author series, Mountain Men: Echos of Thunder, the second round of rugged mountain-man stories, following the hugely successful Mountain Men: Longing Hearts in the Wilderness. I would have loved to write in that first collection, but my 2025 schedule filled up before the opportunity arrived. Still, this new round promises to be every bit as good and perhaps even better.

These mountain men have chosen the solitude of the high country for reasons as varied as the peaks themselves. When heartache or loss rips through their quiet world, their sorrows roar through the valleys and bounce off the mountainsides like echoes of thunder. Even so, hope finds them again, softly at first and then with a strength that reshapes everything. Each man's journey is unique, and each story stands on its own, so don't miss a single one. All titles are on preorder now at a special reduced price until they're published, and what Western fiction fan doesn't love a rugged mountain man with a heart of gold?

There are twelve books in all. The first one releases on March 3, 2026, and the series ends with the last one publishing on May 19. As the release dates draw near, I can't wait for you to meet Malachi and step into the world we've built for this series. If you enjoy stories filled with determination, tenderness, and the healing power of love in the wilderness, this collection is for you. I hope you'll get them all and get ready to travel deep into the mountains where adventure is around every corner, and misfortune gives way to second chances.

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God's Amazing Love

God's love is so amazing, so vast and all-encompassing that we can't really fully grasp its depth. It is unconditional, given freely, because that's who God is. And because He loves us so completely, we can trust Him above all else. As we approach another Valentine's Day, it's worth pausing to reflect on God's unmatched love. Here are just a few of its defining characteristics:

God's love is forever, eternal. Jesus is "... the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8 & Jeremiah 31:3).

God's love is patient and longsuffering (2 Peter 3:9). 

God's love is a keeping love. No one shall take us out of the hand of the Father or the Son (John 10:28-30).

God's love is a protective love. (Psalm 91:1-4).

God's love is a forgiving love. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1John 1:9).

God's love is a guiding love (Psalm 23:3 & Isaiah 58:11).

God's love is a sacrificial, giving love. Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins and to restore us to fellowship with our Heavenly Father (John 10:10, 1:12, & 3:16).

God's love is a transforming love (Romans 12:2 & 1 John 4:19).

As we celebrate a season so often centered on romance, may we remember that human expression of love is only a faint reflection of the One who loved us first. God's love is steady, sacrificial, and unfailing -- far greater than anything this world can offer. When we rest in that truth, we find the courage to love others with the same grace we've received. This Valentine's Day, may our hearts be anchored, not in fleeting emotion, but in the eternal love that never fails.

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The Price of Books in 1883

The farther back in history one goes, the more expensive books become relative to the standard of living. In the past, often only the wealthy could afford to own them. I research and write a lot of books set in the latter half of the nineteenth century, and in 1883, a book generally cost more than a day's pay for the average working man. They were a luxury many people couldn't afford. That's one reason dime novels became so widely popular and why newspapers and magazines often published serialized fiction. 

In 1883, a standard hardcover book usually cost around $2.00 and up. That's $60.00 in today's prices. Special editions or multi-volume works ran much more. At the time, a typical laborer made somewhere between $1.00 and $2.00 a day, so a $10.00 multi-volume series or set of books represented a week's wages. This is why libraries were spreading rapidly across the United States in the late nineteenth century, often funded by men like Andrew Carnegie, and making books accessible to people who couldn't otherwise afford them. 

Seen in this light, the reading habits of the late nineteenth century make perfect sense: books were treasured objects, expensive enough to require real sacrifice. Whether borrowed from a new public library, devoured in serialized installments, or purchased one precious volume at a time, reading was an investment. Understanding the cost of books in 1883 not only sheds light on the era’s literary culture but also reminds us how profoundly affordable books have shaped modern life.

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Restorative Love

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs (John 15:21).

Peter’s failure in the courtyard was devastating, and Scripture doesn’t soften the moment. His bold confidence collapsed under pressure, and when the rooster crowed, he saw the truth of his own weakness. Yet the beauty of the gospel shines brightest here: Jesus did not abandon Peter to his shame. The same Lord Peter denied was the One who sought him out, restored him, and reaffirmed his calling. Grace doesn’t ignore sin, but it refuses to let sin have the final word.

On the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love Me?”—a question that pierced deeper than guilt. Each affirmation from Peter was met with a commission: "Feed My sheep." Jesus tied love for Him directly to love for others. Affection alone wasn’t enough; love had to take the shape of service, care, and responsibility. In restoring Peter, Jesus revealed that genuine devotion always moves outward, touching the lives of those He treasures.

That same truth reaches us today. If we claim to love Jesus, our lives will naturally bend toward His people—encouraging, serving, giving, and showing compassion even when it costs us something. But if we drift into self-focus, we begin measuring relationships by what they offer us rather than what Christ can offer through us. Loving others is not optional for the believer; it is the visible evidence of a heart anchored in Christ.

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Frosty Fiction

Much of the country, including where I am, has been inundated with ice and snow lately. It's the perfect time to revisit some of my stories set against a wintry backdrop. I love to curl up with a good book on a cold day when I'm kept inside, and I suspect many of you feel the same. I've written quite a few that take place in winter, but here are some of the ones I feel capture the season best.

Candace, Runaway Brides of the West

Willa's Woes

Mountain Mishap

Annie's Uncle

Walnut Cake by Wylene

Off the Streets

Mountain Storms

When Winter Is Past

Going the Extra Mile

Andrea, Christmas Quilt Brides

Many more of my books have winter in them, but these are ten of the main ones. That should be a good start, and I hope you'll check them out. They are available for Kindle, KU, Audible, and paperback. As always, any of my books can be read as standalones. Happy reading!

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Praying in Jesus' Name

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it (John 14:12-14).

Praying in the name of Jesus is far more than adding a familiar phrase to the end of our prayers. Scripture teaches that His name carries authority, access, and relationship. When we pray in His name, we come before the Father, not on the basis of our worthiness, but on the finished work of Christ. His righteousness opens the door we could never unlock on our own. That truth alone should reshape our prayers from uncertainty into a confident approach to a loving Father who welcomes us because we belong to His Son.

Praying in Jesus’ name also aligns our hearts with His character and purposes. It’s not a spiritual shortcut to get what we want; it’s an invitation to want what He wants. As we grow in Him, our desires begin to echo His compassion, His holiness, His mercy, and His mission. We start praying for the things He delights to give—wisdom, strength to obey, boldness to witness, grace to forgive, and love that reflects His own. In this way, praying in His name becomes a daily act of surrender, shaping us into people who carry His heart into the world.

And finally, praying in the name of Jesus anchors us in hope. His name reminds us that nothing is too broken, too dark, or too impossible for Him. When we whisper His name over our fears, our families, our churches, and our communities, we are declaring that the risen Christ is still at work. We pray with expectation because His power has not diminished and His promises have not expired. So today, lift your prayers in His name—boldly, humbly, and with the assurance that He hears, He cares, and He moves.

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Gwendolyn's Groom 

My final book in the Westward Home and Hearts Mail-Order Brides series releases on February 10th. I've loved writing for this series, and others must love it, too, because it's the longest-running series I know of. There are now 68 books, with more to come, just not more of mine. Although it wasn't intentional, I may have saved the best for last.  Gwendolyn's Groom is a heart-tugging story of the Old West with a beautiful ending. 

Gwendolyn Corbett never imagined her father would contact a matchmaker on her behalf. She was even more stunned to learn that her potential groom’s mother came from the Crow reservation. With the doctor warning that any stress could hasten her father’s demise, Gwendolyn faces an impossible choice: marry a stranger or defy her father’s wishes and risk losing him. Meanwhile, River Donahue longs for a place to belong and a family to share it with. Since his grandmother’s passing, he’s left with a bitter, unloving grandfather and a heritage that makes landowners unwilling to sell to him. When the matchmaker his grandmother trusted sends him to a dying rancher, the man makes an unusual offer. If River marries his daughter, he will inherit the ranch. Are River’s dreams finally coming true, or are his troubles just escalating? 

I'm incredibly excited about this book. It will be available for Kindle, Audible, KU, and paperback. My narrator for the Audible had wonderful things to say about the story, and I look forward to hearing what readers think. Be sure to check it out.

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He Leadeth Me

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters (Psalm 23:1-2),

The hymn “He Leadeth Me” was written in 1862 by Joseph Henry Gilmore, a young Baptist minister, during the American Civil War. Inspired by Psalm 23, Gilmore penned the words after a sermon in Philadelphia, never imagining they would later be set to music and become one of the most beloved hymns of the Christian faith. Gilmore (1834–1918) was a seminary professor, Baptist minister, and later professor of literature at the University of Rochester.

Gilmore was preaching a sermon on the Twenty-Third Psalm at the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia when  he became so captivated by the phrase “He leadeth me” that he never moved beyond it. Afterward, in conversation with friends, he wrote down the verses that became the hymn. Gilmore first considered his words as a poem and not a hymn. His wife sent it to the Watchman and Reflector magazine without his knowledge. Later, Gilmore was surprised to discover his words published as a hymn. Composer William B. Bradbury, known for "Jesus Loves Me," set the poem to music, giving it the melody we know today.

"He Leadeth Me came about, not because of some literary ambition, but from a moment of spiritual clarity as the simple truth of God's guidance gripped a young pastor as he delivered his midweek sermon. He couldn't get the words, "He leadeth me," from Psalms 23 from his mind, so he penciled the poem after the service. What began as a few penciled lines became a hymn sung across generations. It continues to offer comfort in seasons of uncertainty and anchors believers in the assurance that God's hand still leads his people, one of God's important truths.

He Leadeth Me

                He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
                O words with heav'nly comfort fraught!
                Whate'er I do, where'er I be
                Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.
                He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
                By His own hand He leadeth me;
                His faithful foll'wer I would be,
                For by His hand He leadeth me.
                Sometimes 'mid scenes of deepest gloom,
                Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
                By waters still, o'er troubled sea,
                Still 'tis His hand that leadeth me.
                Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
                Nor ever murmur nor repine;
                Content, whatever lot I see,
                Since 'tis my God that leadeth me.
                And when my task on earth is done,
                When by Thy grace the vict'ry's won,
                E'en death's cold wave I will not flee,
                Since God through Jordan leadeth me.

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Book Review Rates

Leaving book reviews on Amazon matters far more than most readers realize. A thoughtful review—whether it’s one sentence or a few paragraphs—signals to Amazon’s algorithm that a book is alive, relevant, and worth showing to more potential readers. Reviews build trust for hesitant buyers, offering valuable affirmation. They also help authors understand what resonated, what surprised readers, and what lingered after the last page. For independent authors especially, reviews are the lifeblood that determine visibility, credibility, and long‑term discoverability. In a very real way, every review becomes part of a book’s momentum, helping it reach the readers who need it.

Yet review statistics are dismal. The estimated review rate on Amazon is 1-2%. This means for every 100 books sold, only 1-2 reviews are likely to appear. A book with 50 reviews might have sold around 2,500-5,000 copies.

Why is the review rate so low? Research shows that most Amazon shoppers read the reviews, but very few will write one. Please don't be one of those. I write a review on every book I read or listen to, and I encourage you to do the same. It takes only a minute, and it means so much to both the authors and potential readers.

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 Laying Up Treasures

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:20-21).

How do we go about laying up treasures in heaven? The question could have many answers, but here are some important ones. 

1) Put God first in your life, far above everything else. This is more than just giving lip service; it's arranging your daily choices to reflect this truth. When God holds the highest priority in your life, everything else finds its proper place. Decisions become clearer. Worries lose their grip. And obedience ceases to be a burden but becomes a joyous response to His love.

2) Open your heart fully to Jesus Christ and give him full ownership. What you do with Him makes all the difference, both now and in eternity. He's looking for more than a corner of your life on Sunday mornings. Christ desires, and deserves, your whole heart. So, surrender to the One who knows and loves you best.

3) Give of yourself, sacrificing time, money, and prayers to the church and godly causes, according to God's leading. Make a habit of witnessing to others. Love people along the pathway to heaven. Practice a Christlike character. Heavenly treasure grows wherever love is planted.

4) Read and study God's Word. It's God's journal, allowing you to get to know Him and your guidebook to living the way He wants you to. The more you immerse yourself in His Word, the more your thinking will align with His truth. It will become your life's compass.

5) Develop a strong prayer life. It's where you develop an intimate, personal relationship with God and where you tap into the power of heaven. Prayer becomes your lifeline where burdens are exchanged for peace, weakness transforms into divine strength, and God molds you into who you should be. A life rich in prayer becomes a life rich in heavenly treasure because prayer keeps your heart close to the One who rewards those who diligently seek him. Be a prayer warrior.

When we choose to invest in the things of God, we anchor our hearts and lives in treasures that last forever. Earthly wealth and possessions fade, but every act of obedience to the Lord, every moment spent with Him, every sacrifice made in love becomes part of eternity that can't be taken from us. This is a daily invitation to live with open hands, surrendered hearts, and a steady focus on Christ. May our lives always reflect Him.

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 Books Coming in 2026

As you may know, if you read my blogs, I like to plan ahead. Because I have so many book ideas and MAP (multiple-author project) opportunities, I am now booked through 2028. This doesn't mean I can't juggle some of my non-MAP books around if I need to. Still, my 2026 schedule is finalized, and I would like to share those books with you here at the beginning of the year. They are an entertaining group, and each has an important underlying message.

(MAPs have collection name in parenthesis.)

Jan 6, 2026 - Violets for Veronica (Victorian Valentines)

Feb 10, 2026 - Gwendolyn's Groom (Westward Home and Hearts Mail-Order Brides) 

Apr 21, 2026 - Malachi's Mountain (Mountain Men - Echo of Thunder)

May 5, 2026 - He Leadeth Me (Hymns to Stir the Heartstrings)

June 2, 2026 - Ava, Disabled Daughters

July 7, 2026 - Jo, Disabled Daughters

Aug 4, 2026 - Chloe, Disabled Daughters

Sep 1, 2026 - Veiled Intentions (Mail-Order Brides Undercover)

Nov 2, 2026 - In from the Cold

Dec 7, 2026 - Wesley's Winter Watch (His Winter Watch)

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 Reflecting on Prayer

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

"Have we ever spent one hour in meditating upon this, our Savior's sevenfold invitation to pray? ... He yearns to grant us according to His riches of His glory, that we may be strengthened with the might of His Spirit in the inner man. He tells us that our strength and our fruitfulness depend upon our prayers."

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made unto God (Philippians 4:6).

"And yet we allow the Devil to persuaded us to neglect prayer. He makes us believe that we can do more by our own efforts than by our prayers, by our own conversations with men than by our intercession with God. How dare we work for Christ without being much on our knees. Edward Payson is right when he says, 'If we would do much for God, we must ask much of God. ... Pray, then, my dear brother, pray, pray, pray.'"

.... The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16b).

Too many of us don't recognize the power of prayer. We give lip service to it, but we don't put it into the practice. When we pray, we pray with doubts that God will answer, but the Bible tells us otherwise over and over again, which brings into question how much we believe what the Bible says. Study what it says about prayer for yourself, and then, as Edward Payson said, "Pray and then pray, pray, and pray." It's your strongest Christian weapon. Besides formally praying, whisper little prayers all through the day. Live your life as a prayer to God.

Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

(Quotes from The Kneeling Christian - Albert Richardson)

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My Best-Selling Books in 2025 

I enjoy keeping up with my books and have all kinds of statistics on them. I even enjoy doing some of the marketing, which many authors hate. I looked back at the eleven books I wrote in 2025 and put them in the order of which ones sold the best. Of course, the ones that published first have more sales in general because they've been on the market longer. However, that's not true across the board. There is some variation. Here are the books in order of sales:

Feb 2025 – The Writer’s Rescue (the top seller)
Jan 2025 – Willa’s Woes
Jul 2025 – Daphne’s Determination
Mar 2025 – The Miner

Nov 2025 --  Morrow’s Mishaps
Sep 2025 – Building Something Beautiful
Apr 2025 – Mistaken Bride
Oct 2025 – Heather
Dec 2025 – Annie’s Uncle
Aug 2025 – South to Freedom
May 2025 – Satan’s Wiles 

Of course, this list just helps determine what was popular with readers. It doesn't indicate which books are the best to read. Some of these were in MAPs (multiple-author projects) that had a large following already, so my books in that collection also sold well. There are many variables involved, but I still find it interesting. Hopefully, you have read some of these. If not, please give one a try.

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 New Year's Reflection

Behold, I will do a new thing (Isaiah 43:19a).

As we step into a brand‑new year, there’s something special about the clean slate stretched out before us. The turning of the calendar reminds us that God is always doing a new thing, even when we can’t yet see it taking shape. New Year’s Day invites us to pause, breathe, and remember that every season—joyful or heavy—has been held in His hands. Whatever last year carried, God was present in every moment, and He goes before us into every moment still to come.

This is also a beautiful time to realign our hearts. Instead of chasing resolutions rooted in pressure or perfection, we can ask God to shape our desires and guide our steps. Scripture reminds us that His mercies are new every morning, which means we don’t have to manufacture our own strength. We can walk into this year with open hands, trusting that the One who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it (see Philippians 1:6). Growth in Christ is not about striving harder but surrendering deeper.

So today, let hope rise. Let gratitude soften the edges of the unknown. Let’s commit this year to the Lord—not as a list of goals to achieve, but as a journey to walk with Him. May this New Year be marked by peace that doesn’t make sense, courage that comes from His Spirit, and a renewed awareness of His presence in the ordinary moments. God is already in our tomorrow, and that is the best reason to step forward with confidence and joy.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Have a Happy, Blessed New Year!

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