*Update – I realized after I published this that I misread the calendar and this topic was supposed to be for August 11. Whoops. Enjoy this early edition of TTT!
Happy Tuesday, readers! Today’s Top Ten topic is “Books I Was Reading On This Day Over the Last Ten Years.” I had to check my Goodreads since 2016 to find out what I was reading on August 4 of each year. Let’s see how my reading tastes have changed…or didn’t.
2016 – Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling – I can’t believe that it’s been 10 years since I read a Harry Potter book.
2017 – Across Oceans by Kelsey Gietl – I also can’t believe that it’s been almost 10 years since my first novel was published on August 10, 2017.
2018 – Stealing Mr. Smith by Tanya E. Williams
2019 – The Promise of Breeze Hill by Pam Hillman
2020 – Dust by Kara Swanson – No surprise that I was reading fantasy during the pandemic.
2021 – Secrets in the Mist by Morgan L. Busse
2022 – Some Through the Fire by Jennifer Q. Hunt – This was the first book cover I designed outside of my own.
2023 – A Rebel Heart by Beth White
2024 – All These Threads of Time by Sarah Crowne
2025 – Uncharted Grace by Keely Brooke Keith
Have you read any of these books? Which books would you recommend?
Happy release day to Astonished! Today, July 24, is the feast day of little-known medieval saint, St. Christina the Astonishing, and the inspiration for Astonished‘s store. St. Christina had a wild life to say the least and is appropriately named the patron of mental health disorders and mental healthcare workers. I spent time sifting through her near-death experience story to determine what was true and what was legend, exaggeration, or flat-out fabrication. In the end, I decided to retain certain aspects of St. Christina’s life while giving Astonished a story all its own. Was she inspired or was she insane? That’s what our characters are trying to discover.
Read on for a release day giveaway, launch team graphics, and details on how to purchase.
What’s it all about?
Opposites Attract Romance * Mental Health Awareness * Dyslexic MMC * Family and Sibling Bonds * A Touch of the Supernatural * Authentic Catholic Christian Faith
How fine the line between inspired and insane…
1914 – Avila Kohlfeld has spent most of her life in the shadow of Hawthorn Asylum. As the superintendent’s daughter, she grew up outside the institution’s inner workings, yet never quite apart from them. Then one night, a reckless visit to its walls claims the life of her sister—or does it? Avila doesn’t know what to make of the altered girl who is restored to their family. Is Callie truly inspired by God from her experience or is she as insane as the patients at the asylum? As whispers and speculation circulate, the community questions the superintendent’s suitability for his position. With her entire family’s future in jeopardy, Avila works on a desperate plan to prove that Hawthorn Asylum is caring for its patients, body and soul.
Abandoned by his parents due to his inability to read or write, Matthias Ward was diagnosed as “backward” and given a job where he can’t cause any harm—asylum mortician. He resolves to treat each body with the same dignity as he would if they were living. When the superintendent’s daughter ends up in his mortuary, the resulting whirlwind tosses his basement-dwelling days upside down. Avila encourages him to consider a different path, despite her own tenuous future. Is it possible that God has more for him outside of Hawthorn’s walls?
In a place where many enter but few leave, could the halls of Hawthorn Asylum still hold room for another miracle? Inspired by the incredible near-death experience of St. Christina the Astonishing, Astonished is a story of second chances and authentically Catholic Christian faith.
Now available in eBook and paperback.
Get Your Copy
Those who pre-ordered or signed up as advance readers, your signed copies went out in the mail last week. I’m hoping they’ve already reached you. If you still need a copy, here’s how to grab one:
Have a book club? I love meeting with groups both virtually and in person (St. Louis/St. Charles, MO counties only). I don’t charge any appearance fees; your group just purchases the books. Contact me for more information.
Want to help spread the word? I’ve created pre-made graphics for anyone to use:
Did you know reviews help both readers and authors? Even one sentence is enough, and every word greatly appreciated. Consider leaving a rating on Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, and/or your favorite retailer! Thank you in advance!
Astonished Extras
In case you missed last month’s newsletter, here are a few fun extras to help immerse you into the world of Astonished:
Music: For those who enjoy book soundtracks, I’ve created a Spotify playlist of songs that either fit different scenes in the story or the book’s general mood. Songs are in no particular order. Enjoy!
Aesthetic Photos: If you’re interested to see the many photos I used as aesthetic inspiration while writing Astonished, check out my Unsplash collection. Here are a few of my favorites:
Giveaway Time!
Because you can never have too many good books, here’s your chance to win three more. All of these Christian Historical Fiction novels are excellent reads focusing on asylums and mental health. I’m honored to have Astonished stand beside them.
Giveaway runs through 11:59 p.m. CT on August 1, 2026. Open to US Residents ages 18+. Winner will be contacted directly. Not affiliated with any other company or organization or promoted by the authors listed above.Only one entry per person.
Happy Tuesday, readers! Today’s Top Ten topic is “Books with _____ in the Title.” When browsing the list of books I’ve read, I noticed that there are a lot with the word “heart” in the title. Row 1 is non-fiction, Row 2 is historical fiction, and Row 3 is contemporary fiction and dystopian.
Secrets of the Sacred Heart by Emily Jaminet
Humility of Heart by Fr. Cajetan Maria da Bergamo
A Heart Adrift by Laura Frantz
A Heart Revealed by Julie Lessman
To Steal a Heart by Jen Turano
A Rebel Heart by Beth White
Hooked on the Heart by Maddie Evans
Dereliction of the Heart by Hannah Hood Lucero
This Wandering Heart by Janine Rosche
Heart by Jacqueline Lucca
Have you read any of these books? Which “heart” books would you recommend?
Happy July, readers, and a blessed Month of the Precious Blood of Jesus ❤️! It’s 110 degrees in St. Louis with the heat index and some days, we have 90% humidity, but I’m trying to be thankful for the sunshine. A few weeks ago, our church parish had our ChristPower Mission Week which was both inspiring and a lot of fun. Over 700 youth participants were there, including Vacation Bible School, our Middle School Service Retreat, and our High School Service Retreat. I helped out by driving teens to and from community service sites, and it was amazing to see how on fire for the Lord these kids are.
What’s in this Edition:
18 days to Go! – Astonished-Inspired Extras
Vampires and Near-Death Experiences – Release Day Twins
Recent Reads I Recommend – My favorite books from last month.
Upcoming Events – Where to find me in 2026
18 days to go!
Only 18 days until release day for Astonished! While the ebook doesn’t release on major retail sites until July 24, you can get the paperback online now. Those who order through my online store will receive some fun swag and an extra entry into the release day giveaway.
Release Day Giveaway (open 7/24 – 8/1): I’m super excited about this giveaway as it includes three Christian Fiction novels about asylums and mental health by authors Crystal Caudill, Erica Colahan, and Jocelyn Green. Any ideas which ones they might be? Spoiler: Find out here.
Aesthetic Photos: If you’re interested to see the many photos I used as aesthetic inspiration while writing Astonished, check out my Unsplash collection. Here are a few of my favorites:
Music: For those who enjoy book soundtracks, I’ve created a Spotify playlist of songs that either fit different scenes in the story or the book’s general mood. Songs are in no particular order. Enjoy!
I also recently discovered that Astonished shares a release day for The Dawn We Seek, the final Sr. Allison Regina Gliot’s Catholic vampire trilogy. It just feels right that a novel about near-death experiences and a novel about vampires should come out on the same day. Sr. Allison’s series is seriously amazing, and I can’t recommend it enough. Go grab the first two books now, so you’re ready for book 3 on July 24!
(No one is paying me to promote this. Pauline Media isn’t endorsing my book. As far as I know, Sr. Allison has no idea that I’m sharing this in my newsletter.)
Recent Reads I Recommend
Need another book for your TBR? Of course you do. Here are the books I’ve recently read and loved. (Note: I receive no compensation for featuring the books below.)
The Summer Scrapbook by Florence Migga reminded me of what YA books used to be and what they still should be. No sex, no profanity, just sweet romance, the challenges of growing up, and the joys and drama of teen friendship. How I remember them well from my youth! This book actually had a very nineties vibe even though it’s set in present day. That could have just been me though as a child of the 90s. 😁
Some of the things I loved: 1. Although the main characters all had to deal with similar things throughout the summer, I liked how they were each their own person, too. 2. They had parents who were generally interested in their lives and family members respected one another. 3. The “popular” girl wasn’t what I expected. 4. There were good lessons in how new friends or boyfriends don’t have to take away from the best friends you already have. In fact, new friends can enhance existing friendships if you let them.
I’d love to see a continuation of this series to find out what happens to them next summer!
Did you know reviews help both readers and authors? Even one sentence is enough, and every word greatly appreciated. Consider leaving a rating on Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, and/or your favorite retailer!
Want to know what I’m reading as I’m reading it? Follow me on GoodReads.
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars! Here’s where you can find me and my books in 2026, including the opportunity to pre-order Astonished. As additional events are scheduled, I’ll add details on my website.
Elks Lodge 2587 Craft Fair – July 18, 2026 – O’Fallon, MO (with author Susan Laspe)
Encounter School of Ministry Summer Intensive – July 27-30, 2026 – St. Charles, MO (Requires registration.)
St. Joseph Catholic School Craft Fair – October 10, 2026 – Cottleville, MO (with author Susan Laspe)
Francis Howell High Band Craft Fair – December 5, 2026 – Weldon Springs, MO (with author Susan Laspe)
Happy Tuesday, readers! Wow, I didn’t realize how long it’s been since I’ve shared a Top Ten Tuesday – over 7 months. I probably still won’t post every week, but I’ll try to be better about doing at least once per month. Today’s Top Ten topic is “Books on My Sumer 2026 To-Read List.” I don’t know if I’ll finish all of these by September 22 (the first day of fall), but it’s where I plan to start. Even though I write historical fiction, this list is a great example of how chaotic my reading choices are.
Lord of the World by Robert Hugh Benson – Dystopian written in 1907
Julia’s Gifts by Ellen Gable – WWI Historical Fiction (Book 1)
The Dawn We Seek by Sr. Allison Regina Gliot FSP – Catholic Vampire Fiction (Book 3)
Braving Fiery Waters by Sarah Hanks – Time Travel (Book 2)
Raise My Ebenezer by Jennifer Q. Hunt – 1830s Historical Fiction (Book 2)
Uncharted Blessing by Keely Brooke Keith – historical fiction/dystopian/magical realism (Book 16)
Ashes to Ashes by Hannah Hood Lucero – contemporary romantic suspense (Book 1)
Heart by Jacqueline Lucca – Zombie fiction
The Summer Scrapbook by Florence Migga – Young Adult Contemporary
The Brunswick by Callie Murray – WWII historical fiction
Have you read any of these books? Which books would you recommend from your Summer TBR?
