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Memory’s Mind Blog Tour Kickoff: Join the Meditation Challenge + Giveaway

Greetings, friends! Welcome to the Memory’s Mind Blog/Media Launch Tour! In honor of Memory’s Mind releasing on the 18th, we have a whole week of virtual tour fun planned.

Tour Map and Overview

All week:

  • A brand new book for sale (surprise ;)).
  • Sales on nearly all my other books (50%-75% off!).
  • A 5-day meditation challenge and special giveaway (details below!)
  • A fun blog/bookstagram challenge
  • Exclusive snippets
  • Book spotlights and reviews by a number of wonderful bloggers and Instagrammers
  • Guests posts on meditation
  • Monday: A cover reveal for the next book!
  • Tuesday: A free chapter
  • Wednesday: A Bible study on the word keep
  • Thursday: Special sales and a free novel
  • Friday: Launch day!
  • Saturday: Wrap-up and giveaway winners

We’ll get into more details on all of these things in upcoming posts, but today I’d like to introduce the meditation challenge and giveaway so that you’ll be prepared to jump right in with us on Monday!

Memory’s Mind Meditation Challenge & Giveaway!

YOU ARE INVITED…
In Memory’s Mind, Kelton begins to discover the extreme importance of what he puts his mind on and the power of Biblical meditation. Along with Kelton, take the challenge to meditate on the Word of God for five days and begin to build a habit of lifetime meditation. 

THE CHALLENGE:
1. Choose a length of time that you will devote specifically and only to meditation each day this week. (Minimum: 10 minutes. Suggested: anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour). Let me know (you can comment below or message me through my website) what length of time you picked.
2. Choose the Scripture verse (or part of a verse) you will be meditating on. It can be any verse. It may be the same verse every day or a different verse every day. It should primarily be one verse (or one short passage) for an entire day. I will have a few suggested verses each day if you’d like guidance.
3. Meditate on your passage of Scripture for the length of time you chose. I will post some tips and ideas here on the blog.
4. Each day once you’ve completed the meditation challenge, enter the giveaway! You can enter each day, February 14-18.

THE GIVEAWAY:
You can win a special meditation prize pack! Once you’ve meditated each day, enter here.

  • An “Abide” pocket journal to carry about with you to write down anything God speaks to you at any time, just as Kelton did. (It has a pen holder, lined pages, and a bookmark!)
  • A gold pen
  • 16 Scripture cards to help you turn your mind to a verse throughout the day (three sets: The Ten Commandments, Kelton’s Favorites, and Extra Verses!)
  • A pocket New Testament to carry with you in order to access God’s Word at any moment (choose between light blue, burgundy, or brown)

THE DETAILS:
The below Scriptures are just for guidance. Feel free to pick whatever verse you like. Two “tracks” are given; feel free to pick one and stick with it, jump between them, or use these verses some days and your own other days.

Track #1: The Law (with Liliora!)
Monday, February 14: Exodus 20:1-3
Tuesday, February 15: Exodus 20:4
Wednesday, February 16: Exodus 20:5-6
Thursday, February 17: Exodus 20:7
Friday, February 18: Exodus 20:8-11

Track #2: Kelton’s favorites
Monday, February 14: James 1:21
Tuesday, February 15: Jeremiah 15:16-17
Wednesday, February 16: John 14:15
Thursday, February 17: Matthew 6:24
Friday, February 18: Matthew 6:6

IDEAS AND TIPS
The following are only suggestions and ideas for helping you meditate. Follow God’s leading!

  • It can be helpful to select a specific time of day for your focused meditation. First thing in the morning after you get out of bed is an excellent time – before your mind gets going on the things of the day. Last thing before going to sleep is a great time. Or set aside some time in the middle of the day to take a complete break from your daily work and meditate.
  • Remove distractions, or select a specific location without them. Go outside and take a walk, or find a favorite chair inside. Perhaps you want to literally “enter into your closet and shut the door.” Put your phone out of reach and focus.
  • You may find your mind wandering to other things. Practice training your mind by putting it back on the Lord the moment you notice it wandering.

Different aspects to try:

  • Saying the verse over and over (out loud is great, even if it’s just a whisper)
  • Emphasizing different words in the verse and thinking about what they mean
  • Praying the verse to God, turning it into a conversation with Him
  • Thinking about what the verse says about who God is
  • Pondering how the verse applies to your life and your relationship with God
  • Putting it in first person
  • Dwelling on what the verse would have meant to those who originally heard/read it
  • Singing the verse
  • Simply being in God’s presence through His Word – being still and knowing He is God

MEDITATION CHALLENGE CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS SO FAR

Autumn
Chelsea
Rachel
Josh
Lili
Gabi
Message me or comment if your name isn’t on the list and should be.

Will you be joining us this week in this challenge?
Do you have any questions?
What are your ideas and tips for meditating?
Are you excited?

Let me know in the comments!

Come back on Monday for the first Meditation Challenge post and the cover reveal for Romance’s Rest!

Join the Romance’s Rest Cover Reveal

The last Truth from Taerna book is almost here!
You are invited to join the cover reveal for Romance’s Rest here.

I’ll send you the cover and a prewritten post for you to copy/paste on your blog or social media – or you can create your own graphics and post if you wish!⁠ ⁠

Her love seems to have passed him by.
Little does he know that true covenant love is knocking at his door. ⁠ ⁠

A family-friendly Biblically-centered romance novel for those who avoid romance novels, Romance’s Rest follows big-hearted, animal-loving Kelton through his quest to know the true meaning of love—and covenant relationship with Adon Olam.⁠

Join the Memory’s Mind Launch Tour

Bloggers, social media users, graphic designers, and prayer warriors! You are invited to join the launch tour of Memory’s Mind February 14-19! There are opportunities for interviews, a giveaway, a meditation challenge, reviews, a Biblical word study, and more.⁠

Join here! https://forms.gle/kuYxVyiMdsRPxe3z6

You’ll be posting in the place of your choice on the day of your choice. I’ll send you a tour package containing everything you need – you can simply copy and paste if you like, or create your own unique post!

All My Books are Free or 99 cents

I hope you had a very blessed Thanksgiving! I did.

Every book of mine is either 99 cents or free. Go here to buy them.

(If you’ve been wanting to start my series, Promise’s Prayer is free! And the rest of the books are as low as they’ll ever be!)

  • Resting Life (inspirational nonfiction)
  • Truth from Taerna series (Promise’s Prayer, Victory’s Voice, Surrender’s Strength, Sustainer’s Smile, Memory’s Mind – realistic clean kingdom fiction novels)
  • Overrun By Your Love (inspirational poetry collection)
  • Gather ‘Round the Fables (whimsical fables retold in the style of KJV, politically correct, and narrative poetry)
  • Happiness Below (historical fiction short story)

But that’s not all! Go browse over 300 other 99 cent and free clean books here!


If 300 books is too many to sort through, here are a few books from that sale I’ve loved (besides my own, of course):

Glad Tidings by Angie Thompson: 25 short stories for Christmas! This is my favorite Christmas collection!

Red Boots by Kate Willis: touching short Christmas story

Fanny’s Hope Chest by Sarah Holman: excellent story on contentment and ministry!

Fellowship of Light series by Chelsea Burden: I edited this one and it’s all about community and love and unity and growing and learning and it has such excellent characters and lessons!

Six Cousins series by Kelsey Bryant: such fun cousin stories with excellent spiritual lessons along the way

Ilyon Chronicles series by Jaye L. Knight: excellent clean non-magical fantasy. Adventures, deep characters, good spiritual message

As the Heavens are Higher by Courtenay Burden: I haven’t read this one yet but I can’t wait to! I’ve loved all Courtenay’s other works that I’ve read! Such a gorgeous vintage Christian writing style!

AKA Simon Lee series by P.D. Atkerson: if you like mystery and high stakes secret spy adventures, you’ll LOVE this series.

Enjoy the Poodle Skirt by Kate Willis: such a sweet, fun, clean little mystery!

Kate’s Case Files series by Sarah Holman: Biblical morals meet detective stories

The Mrs. Meade Mysteries by Elisabeth Grace Foley: I read the first one and loved it so much I want the rest now!

Enjoy reading!

Write for Life Tour Wrap-Up

Wow, what an incredible and powerful tour we’ve had this month! Thanks to more than 30 awesome bloggers, at least 63 pro-life blog posts have been posted during October – one for every one million of the precious lives lost to abortion since Roe v. Wade.

If you missed it, you can check out all the posts here. There’s a list of every post with a direct link to each one.

If you don’t have time to read 63 blog posts, though, I’ve compiled a summary with a quick sentence or two from each one.

But first, the important book links:

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

…remember how God shaped you and remember how you parents Chose you, and keep living! ~ Autumn, Why I’m Prolife

People like you, who give one dollar, who say one prayer, who give one hug, who loves one child, who repeat one verse, who take one step…one. Just one. Only one can make a difference, and many can make all the difference. ~ Grace, Thank You For Taking a Stand

What was that life going to produce? Do you know? What giggles and sparkles and rainbows were in it? What was it going to give back to life? You will never know. Because death came far too soon. ~ Katja, Why I’m Pro-life

So if you have had an abortion, supported abortion, encouraged someone to have an abortion, worked in an abortion clinic… no matter what you’ve done, the arms of Jesus Christ are open wide for you. – Joy, Because of His Death, We Live

Unborn babies hide from abortion instruments. Tumors and growths don’t. They can’t. An unborn baby can. That alone proves Baby’s humanity. ~ Madisyn, Responses to Abortion Arguments Part 1

I’m SO excited to share this new novel with you because babies are near and dear to my heart, and the value of each and every baby’s life is the heart of this book. ~ Jen Rose, Sustainer’s Smile Spotlight

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” We have the ability to affect a change if we pray for change. Yes, we need to be informed and be able to defend our position. Yes, we should volunteer where we can and vote. But we NEED to be in prayer. God’s power needs to be in this movement. ~ Akira, Five Ways to Get Involved in the Pro-Life Movement

pro-life is more than being against abortion. its being for LIFE. it’s having an open womb. its refusing to give into convivence or fear with a pill. its being pro-foster care and pro-adoption. ~ Autumn, One Life At A Time

Below are some Snippets from the novel! “Liliora shook her head. “If Adon Olam wants it, I will not listen to my fears.” Yet tears welled up even in the words, and she felt her heart failing her.” ~ Kylie, Sustainer’s Smile spotlight

Sustainer’s Smile is book 4 of Truth from Taerna, although it can easily be read as a standalone. (Me? I’mma read the others first…) It’s clean and family-friendly (I wouldn’t be spotlighting it if it weren’t…), though Erika recommended for teens and up due to dealing with the issue of abortion. ~ Grace, Coming Soon: Sustainer’s Smile

Mathews did a wonderful job with this theme, crafting a truly heartrending and impactful story. I believe stories like these can change lives, and I applaud Mathews for addressing the difficult topic of abortion with compassion and discernment. ~ Joy, Sustainer’s Smile review

I was excited about this novel because pro-life books are very important to me—besides the fact that the Truth From Taerna books are epicness personified. And it was just as good as I expected. ~ Katja, Sustainer’s Smile review and character spotlight on Liliora

So it’s okay to murder an unborn baby because of lifestyle, work schedule, or plans being disrupted? Really? When did we become such a selfish, self-centered society that this argument and justification is considered “acceptable” and “reasonable”? When did we begin putting ourselves and our glorified schedules above the immeasurably precious lives of unborn babies? Once more, if you don’t want to care for your baby – a baby you are fifty percent responsible for the conception of – put Baby up for adoption. ~ Madi, Responding to Abortion Arguments, Part 2

I hate abortion because it dishonours God and because of the terrible consequences for the mother and unborn child. With abortion, there’s always more than one victim. 🙁 ~ Lauren, Every Life Counts

I have the pleasure of spotlighting Carita Ellith, one of my favourite characters from the Truth from Taerna series. ~ Jen Rose, Sustainer’s Smile Character spotlight: Carita

This book is now one of my favorite books…Somehow, each of them have a way of dealing with something that either I’m dealing with or that is close to my heart. This book is a good way to deal with the atrocities of abortion without delving into too much detail. ~ Akira, Sustainer’s Smile review

Being prolife means encouraging Christian married couples to have children, and not to be selfish. It means encouraging those that had their children, no disparaging jokes about birth control not working, or about the large size of their family. ~ Rachel, Prolife October

When I pick up a book, I want to be able to gain something from it. I want that book to address real issues, to tackle tough topics, to spread truth. And that’s exactly what this book intends. Abortion is a terrible evil, and I am so thankful to see authors standing up and showing the truth through fiction. ~ Vanessa, Sustainer’s Smile review

 I SO enjoyed reading about characters who are actively seeking, and waiting on, God. What an excellent representation of our faith! ~ Stephanie, Sustainer’s Smile Book review

Being parents isn’t always easy, but it’s always good. My Pastor loves to say that when you get married, it squeezes some of the selfishness out of you. ~ Rachel, How Does God See Children?

I’m SUPER excited to share about this new novel because LIFE is near and dear to my heart and it’s the heart of this book!  ~ Autumn, Sustainer’s Smile spotlight

In telling Liliora’s story, several elements required someone else to be involved. There were things that simply wouldn’t work for Liliora to be directly involved in—and that’s where Rita came in. She proved to have a mind of her own, and her stubbornness and Liliora’s mildness melded together beautifully. ~ Kelsey, Sustainer’s Smile Character Spotlight, Rita

This summer I listened in Sunday school as my teacher told the story of how he and his wife had tried to adopt a little, unwanted baby. They had heard of a bad situation–seen the need–and told the parents that they wanted that baby. The parents went ahead with the abortion. ~ Brianna, You’re Worth It

For you can’t open your mouth for others unless your ears are open to God. When you open your document to write a story, a novel, a devotional, a blog post, a social media post, do you sit with your ears open to hear the voice of the King of Kings regarding the words He would have you write? ~ Grace, Guest Post by Erika Mathews: Writing Pro-Life Fiction in Today’s World

Wow. Just wow. This novel was incredible! Peterson is a wonderfully talented writer, and one that really makes you feel the emotions of the characters. Within the first few pages, this story actually made me cry because of how touching it was – and I’m not the type to cry very quickly or easily at stories… I strongly believe that this is our best weapon against abortion: love and compassion for all people, even those who participate in the slaughter of God’s children. ~ Joy, To Save a Life review

Erika Mathews did a fantastic job making you feel the desperation, the need, the fear, the hope, the pain, the betrayal…it is a beautiful, heart-tugging, inspiring, encouraging book with a message that must be heard. ~ Katja, Sustainer’s Smile Review

My husband and I aren’t planning our family, God is. We want to have as many children as God will give us. ~ Rachel, Old Testament Scriptures About Children

Something you can do. Knit or crochet baby hats or blankets and donate them to a pregnancy center near you. ~ Rebekah Morris, Sustainer’s Smile review

It’s so lovely to hear what your heart behind the writing of this book is. And I agree that we all need to keep these little lives in our thoughts more (and pray for them!). ~ Lauren, Interview With Erika Mathews

We have no right to take away what could be. What could have been… the emergence of a brand-new person, who will experience joys and hardships, delight and disgust, confidence and doubt, and all those things that make life on this earth what it is. I am pro-life. I am pro-babies. And I am not ashamed of it. ~ Martha, Woven Together

Sometimes, Christian fiction authors shy away from Gospel presentations and having characters get saved. I’m so glad Ryana isn’t one of them. Because those scenes were powerful. ~ Kristina, To Save a Life review

This book was sooo good and sooo hard, in a good way! Liliora is such an inspiring young woman and her struggles are so real and relatable and I love her heart for children and babies, born and unborn. ~ Jen Rose, Sustainer’s Smile review

The book was very well-written, the characters were lovable, and the message was clear and challenging. ~ Akira, To Save a Life review

Now, we have a reason why life is precious. Why every child should be loved and given a chance to live, no matter the situation. Because the Creator has ordained life as infinitely precious … and as a gift. ~ Vanessa, Why Are You Pro-Life?

What a blessing to experience firsthand the miracle of unborn life while penning this book. What empathy for those little humans that no physical eye has yet seen but whose hearts beat steadily with the potential of a thousand unknown futures.  ~ Erika Mathews, special author release day post

I loved the pro-life moral! Christian fiction needs more pro-life books because it’s such an important topic! ~ Kristina Hall, Sustainer’s Smile review

My first Book Nations interview with Erika Mathews is by-far my favorite! All of her answers are so powerful and true, resonating within me, and I think y’all will find her advice and her writing to be extremely inspiring! ~ Grace, Interview With Erika Mathews

I did not expect this book to hit me as hard as it did. This book had me in tears for at least three chapters, and some more off and on. It broke my heart, but it was so . . . so meaningful. So impactful. Really. I did not expect it to be as “deep” as it was, but it kind of took my expectations and threw them out the window (in a good way). ~ Martha, Sustainer’s Smile review

Indignant is a strong word, and to know that Jesus felt it because the disciples were rebuking parents from bringing their children to Jesus, encourages me. ~ Rachel, New Testament Verses About Children

…grab yourself a copy of this meaningful book! ~ Kellyn, Sustainer’s Smile spotlight

Ryana’s plan was to release the book this month, but as many of you know, God had a different plan! I suppose he decided that a new child would be a better way to celebrate Honor Life Month than a book. 😍🤗 (Though I am soooo THRILLED and CAN”T WAIT to read this book, I’d have to agree, a baby’s better! *wink*) …the book will be coming out asap! While we wait, lets keep Ryana and baby and hubby in our prayers! 🙏 ~  Autumn, TSAL Spotlight and Author Interview with R.M. Peterson

To Save a Life is one of the most powerful, heart-wrenching, moving books I’ve ever read! I have no doubt that Natty’s story will change a lot of hearts, y’all! ~ Grace, To Save a Life Spotlight

Y’all, I can not speak enough on how valuable children are. I cannot speak enough on how wrong it is to kill a child. And I cannot tell you how scientifically inaccurate it is to say that modern-day abortions do not take the life of a precious baby. ~ Kellyn, To Save a Life Spotlight

To Save a Life is an exemplary novel. R. M. Peterson gave us the most powerful pro-life fiction story I’ve ever heard of, let alone read. ~ Grace, To Save a Life Spotlight/review

William Wilberforce has changed my perspective on the pro-life movement, because he has shown me that evil can be overcome. It has been overcome before. It can be overcome again. Two centuries ago, a Western world without slavery looked like an impossible dream. It wasn’t. ~ Courtenay, William Wilberforce and the Pro-Life Movement

The writing style isn’t epic, but it is REAL. No other characters have ever lived for me like this . The humour is excellent, the message is a must-read… this book shreds my heart and stitches it back up every time… and always leaves me passionate to stand for Life. ~ Katja, To Save a Life review

I was around 4 when she came to me smiling, saying that she was going to have a baby and I’d be a big sister. I remember being so excited and her letting me feel her tummy even though she was no where near far enough along for me to feel anything. Then the next memory I have is of her crying and me asking her why. “I lost the baby.” she said, and I tried to comfort her the best way my 4 year old self could. ~ Tara, Why I’m Prolife

Erika Mathews absolutely nails it with this story, keeping it clean and light in content yet managing to completely tear at your heart-strings. ~ Tara, Sustainer’s Smile review

This story has lovely characters, difficult characters, adorable characters, and characters I’d like to get to know better. It’s a story about life. A story about love and forgiveness, about hope and being willing to open your heart and your home to those who need it. ~ Rebekah, To Save a Life Review

This book has made me stop and think more about what it might be like to be involved in an abortion from many different angles–the mother and father, family, abortion clinic workers . . . ~ Lauren, To Save A Life post

Wow, this story was so moving! It sucks you in and could easily be an all day read! ~ Tara, To Save a Life Review

The second book that is releasing (it was supposed to release last week as well, but life happened and the author wasn’t able to finish the book in time—because she’s expecting a precious child of her own!) is To Save a Life, a pro-life novel whose cover I was honored to design! ~ Kate, Sustainer’s Smile and To Save a Life release post

Pro-life books are so incredibly important, and I’m thankful to see another author pointing to the only final solution to the horror of abortion. Only the Lord can save and renew our hearts and teach us to love one another, no matter how small and helpless our neighbor is. ~ Vanessa, To Save a Life spotlight

Thank you sooo much Erika! These answers are so full of truth! I am loving your your book so far, and I think you all need to get yourself a copy!!!!!! Thanks again Erika! Autumn ~ Interview with Erika

I’m here to spotlight another pro-life novel, To Save a Life, releasing November 6. Life is an important issue to me. ~ Kelsey, To Save a Life Spotlight

To Save a Life is an exemplary novel. R. M. Peterson gave us the most powerful pro-life fiction story I’ve ever heard of, let alone read. ~ Grace, To Save a Life review

Wow! So many wonderful blog posts! A huge thank you to all of our bloggers who took the time to share, to post, to participate – to write for life.

And thank you also to those who have bought and/or preordered our books!

Now for the

GIVEAWAY WINNER!

The giveaway is over, and it’s time to see who won the Promise’s Prayer first edition signed paperback, To Save a Life ebook, and Resting Life sticker!

The Winner IS…

GRACE A. JOHNSON!

CONGRATULATIONS! We’ll be messaging you for your information to send you your prize!

COMING SOON! Stay tuned for the Official Release of To Save a Life by R.M. Peterson on November 6!

And don’t let honoring and respecting life stop here. Keep sharing. Keep fighting. Keep speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves. Keep standing for truth. Keep clinging to Jesus Christ and His Word.

Until next time, keep writing for life.

Memory’s Mind Cover! [so much autumn!]

Surprise! It’s the gorgeous cover for Memory’s Mind!⁠

Isn’t it so PERFECT for autumn?⁠

I can’t stop admiring it!⁠

This is the book on meditation I’ve been working on, and it’s both a very personal character journey for Kelton and it has more intrigue than the other Taerna books.⁠

  • It releases January 21!⁠
  • You can preorder it TODAY! and it’s 50% off right now!⁠
  • Today is the LAST DAY you can get all five Taerna books for just $7.96! That’s $11 off the normal price!
  • Promise’s Prayer is free today only!

ABOUT THE BOOK⁠
Kingdoms both heavenly and earthly demand his mind. No wonder he disappears for two hours each day.⁠

Nothing escapes Kelton’s notice, and nothing leaves his memory. Yet behind his big brown eyes lurk a lifetime of soul-struggles. At nineteen, Kelton receives Adon Olam’s call to leave everything behind and seek Him in solitude upon a hill belonging to a local hermit. Somehow, the more he fixes his mind upon Adon Olam, the more it wanders. During his years with the hermit, countless lessons and revelations shape his character. Over time, the answer to his biggest dilemma becomes both more clear and more impossible.⁠
Then the sudden death of co-king Daemien throws all Taerna into turmoil, and in the ensuing chaos, Kelton’s memories prove crucial and his hyper-analytical skills essential. But will his quiet, home-loving soul crumble under the pressure of public scrutiny? Will countless but seemingly harmless distractions inevitably win the battle for his thoughts? And will he ever feel like he knows Adon Olam?⁠

If you haven’t discovered the world of Taerna yet, you can start with Promise’s Prayer. It’s FREE today only! Or pick up the whole series today only for just $7.96! (regularly $18.95! That’s $11 saved!)

Thank you so much for attending this reveal party. Hop over to restinglife.com/signup for all the updates plus a free short story. And don’t forget to preorder the EBOOK and SIGNED PAPERBACK! The ebook is currently on sale for $1.99, but the price will go up to $3.99 soon, so don’t wait!

 May the blessings of the Lord be upon you today!


Sustainer’s Smile is HERE!

It’s Here, It’s Here!

My favorite book is out.
Happy launch day to Sustainer’s Smile
grab it today to celebrate

p.s. it’s currently on sale for 50% off because I forgot to change the price before the preorder locked. So it’s launching at just $1.99! It’ll go up to $3.99 on Saturday, so grab it now!

As the oldest sister of eight children and the mother of three, I have never NOT been around babies. My earliest memory is the day my next brother was born, and I date all of my subsequent memories (childhood, teen, and adult) by who the baby was at the time. 

So the wonder in writing a book that prominently features babies is only that it took me so long to do it. 😉   

I first drafted Sustainer’s Smile four years ago. It had been scheduled to be drafted that month for two years previously, so it was an extra-special blessing from God that the tiny, newly-created form of my first son was being molded within me as the words of this book – words of life, words of truth, words of heartache and hope and loss and suffering and smiles and babies and pregnancy woes and God’s sustaining hand – first formed themselves under my fingers.

What a blessing to experience firsthand the miracle of unborn life while penning this book. What empathy for those little humans that no physical eye has yet seen but whose hearts beat steadily with the potential of a thousand unknown futures.  

Today, as I write this, my son sits at my feet, joyfully putting together airplanes for a game and letting us know which of us gets which color. Today, he’s just as much of a blessing as he was when Sustainer’s Smile was first drafted.  

Today, Sustainer’s Smile is ready to launch into the world. One day, our children will be also. In the meantime, are we redeeming these precious moments with them? May we indeed consider little ones as God sees them: children as a blessing and babies as a reward.

Fun Features of Sustainer’s Smile: 

  • it has babies.
  • cute babies.
  • fictional babies. enjoy them without any work. 😉
  • there’s a baby squirrel.
  • The main character is Liliora and she’s my favorite of the Ellith siblings.
  • you might cry.
  • fun brother banter.
  • secrets and surprises.
  • deep spiritual messages. 

Don’t forget to join the giveaway. Or read the first chapter for free. Have you been participating in the Honor Life challenge for Instagram and blogs? It’s not too late! During the month of October, follow the prompts in the image above and share a post, photo, quote, book, or caption that somehow relates to one of the prompts. If you have a blog or social media account, please join!

Get Sustainer’s Smile

Learn the Basics

  • It’s Book Four of Truth from Taerna but it can easily be read as a standalone.
  • It’s a prolife novel.
  • It tells the story of Liliora Ellith, who makes peace with her past and discovers her future among the cradles of Taerna’s unwanted babies, born and unborn.
  • It’s a kingdom adventure fiction novel.
  • It’s clean and family-friendly, though it’s recommended for teens and up due to dealing with the issue of abortion.
  • You can get it here right now! or get the paperback.

View or Buy Sustainer’s Smile on Amazon

Read the Snippets

Liliora shook her head. “If Adon Olam wants it, I will not listen to my fears.” Yet tears welled up even in the words, and she felt her heart failing her. 

“And then we played Hide and Find Me in the hay. And Kethin couldn’t find me forever! I hid in the very back corner, and Kelton helped pile hay on me so I looked like a haystack. And then Kethin laid down in the hay to hide, but I saw his boots peeking out.”

“That’s not fair, because I’m so much bigger than you.” Kethin’s grin flashed. “The hay doesn’t cover me as well. And it takes a good deal more to cover me.”

“You still have hay in your hair.” Liliora motioned to Kethin, then to Tae.

Kethin ran his hand through his hair. “Are you teasing me?”

“No! There’s some by your ear.” Liliora set down her spoon, not going to risk spilling a bite while shaking with laughter. 

Kethin’s fingers traveled up and down and at last landed on a miniscule fragment of straw behind his right ear. “Come now, that’s hardly hay. Not like Tae, at any rate.”

“My hair is a haystack,” Tae replied, rumpling it until it stood on end.“A very dark-colored one,” Liliora agreed

See the Blurb

Suffering suffocates her soul. 

How can she ever smile again?

A helpless newborn…that’s exactly how twenty-four-year-old Liliora Ellith feels in her efforts to speak up on behalf of the youngest members of Taerna’s pleasure-driven society. Her tender heart for the defenseless and deep aversion to conflict throw Liliora’s soul into turmoil when tragedy opens her eyes to the quiet yet heartrending war on Taerna’s babies—both born and unborn. Adon Olam’s Word coupled with a secret in her own past fuel her determination. All she wants is to make peace with her past and discover her future among the cradles of unwanted babies. However, the challenges ahead of her threaten to send her spiraling into hopeless depression time and again. Saving innocent lives from the crush of the destroyer and raising a generation in the ways of Adon Olam seem more impossible than ever. At the very end of herself, will the sufferings of her and her babies prove to be anything less than the catalyst for complete disaster?

Enter the Giveaway

Win a signed paperback of Promise’s Prayer (Truth from Taerna #1) and other fun prizes! Enter here.

ALSO! Surprise! You can get the whole Taerna series for less than $5 this weekend! Promise’s Prayer is FREE! And the rest of the Taerna books are on sale! Run and grab the whole thing – FOUR Full-length novels for $4.97!
(PS – due to technical difficulties, it might not show up until tomorrow #timezones. But hurry! I’m putting Sustainer’s Smile up to its regular price of $3.99 on Saturday!)

Find the Rest

There’s a bookstagram/blog challenge, author interviews, character spotlights, and more!

View or Buy Sustainer’s Smile on Amazon

See the Rest of the Prolife Tour

Sustainer’s Smile Chapter 1

Oof! Liliora braced herself against the stone building as a solid body collided suddenly with hers. With one hand, she steadied the basket she held, and the other in­stinc­tively sought her stomach.

The brown-cloaked figure straightened, backing away, his head furtively darting back and forth. It was a boy—only a child.

Liliora rubbed her abdomen where his elbow had landed. His skidding around the corner certainly hadn’t done her middle any favors—not that her middle had been cooperating recently anyway. She’d been meaning to do something about these sharp pains.

Shifting the basket to her other arm, she stepped back from the wall as the boy edged towards it. He was whispering now. Liliora made out the murmured word.

“Help.” 

“Do you need something?” She glanced beyond to see if anyone had been following him. “Can I help?”

Startled, his brown eyes met her blue ones for the briefest instant before he vanished back around the cor­ner as quickly as he’d come.

“Strange.” Liliora readjusted the basket and stepped towards the road, pausing with a gasp as the shooting pain gripped her side once more. She needed to get this bread home quickly. Thankfully the Jaelrvens had plenty to spare this week—Mrs. Jaelrven’s small bakery was finally flourishing—so Liliora at least didn’t have to fuss with baking over the fire at home today.

Back in the log-encased living quarters, she thudded the basket down before collapsing onto a chair. “I really need to do something about this. It isn’t getting any bet­ter.”

“About what?” Father’s slate-colored head rose from the couch in the corner. 

“Just my stomach. Pains haven’t gone.” Liliora gritted her teeth. 

“You ought to tend to them, child.” Father’s sigh could be heard clear across the room.

“I know; I will. I have one more errand this morn­ing, then I’ll see what I can do. You know we have to pick up the pepper seeds now before it’s too late, and the Mercantile in town has them just in. I’ll be back before you know it.”

“You sure you can manage?” Kethin poked his head in, an axe swinging gently from his hand and sawdust clinging to his shirt. “I could do it once I finish this wood.”

“No, I’ll manage.” Liliora sucked in a breath. “This is nothing I haven’t handled before. Just see about the noon meal please, would you?”

“Of course.” Kethin disappeared, and the door thumped behind him.

Liliora leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes for a brief moment. If only she could relax…why did these pains insist on intruding at the worst times? Again she vainly scanned her memory: she hadn’t eaten any­thing unusual; she hadn’t exerted herself; she hadn’t been exposed to new smells; her bodily health and functions otherwise remained normal… What could have brought this on? Was something seriously wrong with her? 

Sighing, she rose and quietly slipped out the door. She might as well get this errand over with.

Business bustled more than usual at the Frydael Mercantile as she stepped inside. At the counter, several women chattered merrily about their gardens. Various neigh­bors from the village surveyed the Mercantile’s lat­est stock from the capital city of Syorien. Chickens squawked from cages somewhere out back, and sunlight played across the boarded floors from the A-shaped windows. Behind the counter, Mr. Raeson touched his heart as she entered.

All this she saw in a moment, then focused her gaze upon the pepper seeds at the end of the counter. After removing a small wooden bowl from her pocket, she shook some of the seeds into it, then wordlessly drew up to the counter to pay Mr. Raeson. 

“This be all for you today, Lili?” he asked, setting down the figures on his ledger.

“Yes, please,” she replied almost mechanically. “That is, no.” She pulled herself up, searching the store with her eyes. “One moment.”

Leaving the seeds on the counter, she darted to the medicinal wall. “RELIEF,” one packet proclaimed. “All manner of remedies,” another said. She scanned the rest of the labels: nothing specific, all general. Sighing, she selected three that seemed the most promising and car­ried them to the counter. “Yes, this will be all.” 

She suppressed another sigh and set down the pay­ment. Usually she enjoyed chatting with the townsfolk when she visited, but today every little thing seemed to affect her stomach. His beard—why did he leave it so unkempt? And the floor behind the counter—had it been swept this month? A crust of bread floated in the dusty corner, accompanied by clear signs that a mouse had been at work there. 

Liliora drew her eyes upward—anywhere, every­where but there. She automatically scanned the post board on the wall: announcements of town gatherings, public notices, news clippings from Syorien, the usual. The post board changed less often than Liliora came to town. 

A bright-yellow placard stuck squarely in the corner caught her attention. “Cures for ills and ailments, pains of stomach, troubles, disagreements, intruders, para­sites, unwellness, burdens weighing on your physical being: come visit Madame Togni for complete, simple, and quick relief. Healing for strange indispositions.”

Pains of stomach. The words stood out to Liliora as though written in letters of fire. Could this be what she needed? Could this Madame Togni be a physician who could finally pinpoint the cause of her ailments? 

Liliora sighed again. Who could be trusted these days? Nothing was as it appeared; everyone sought their own pleasure. Living in Frydael for all of her twenty-four years was a blessing: she knew and trusted her neighbors, and they knew and trusted her. Outside of her small social circle, the country beyond teemed with liars, de­ceivers, and criminals who would stop at nothing to further their own pleasures. And Madame Togni wasn’t a name she’d heard before.

Adon Olam,” she whispered. “You must guide me. Heal me. Cause me to know what to do, whom to trust, what to decide…I just want to get rid of these pains. If this Madame Togni is who I need, lead me to her.”

Read more…

Welcome to Write for Life! {Sustainer’s Smile and To Save a Life Launch Tour}

It’s October! That means it’s Respect Life month, it’s autumn, it’s the month Sustainer’s Smile finally launches, AND it’s time to kick off Write For Life!

What’s Write for Life?

It’s a blog and social media tour that’s scattering pro-life posts around the internet: one for each million babies whose lives have been lost since Roe v. Wade.

You see, R. M. Peterson of Life of Heritage and I wrote pro-life books that we’re releasing this month. It’s part of our calling to write books for the cause of life. And many other bloggers and social media influencers are writing and sharing pro-life posts this month as part of their calling to write for life. “Life and death are in the power of the tongue,” Scripture tells us, and I would submit that that is also true of the power of the pen. And that’s why we are writing for life.

Write for Life will last the ENTIRE MONTH of October and will include:

  • A month-long blog/bookstagram challenge #honorlifechallenge
  • A variety of pro-life posts of all sorts by 30 enthusiastic bloggers
  • Fun and/or thought-provoking social media posts throughout the month by a number of different people passionate about life
  • A cover reveal for my friend’s pro-life book To Save a Life
  • Character spotlights of characters from Sustainer’s Smile
  • A blast of release day goodies for both books!
  • Author interviews
  • Excerpts, snippets, and free chapters
  • A giveaway
  • And more!

In this post, I’ll introduce the blog/bookstagram challenge, the giveaway, and the WHOLE SCHEDULE so you can come back and catch up on posts during the month.

Blog/Bookstagram Challenge: Honor Life Challenge

Join the Honor Life challenge by posting on your blog or Instagram! Post a photo, or a quote, or a book, or a caption that features one of the prompts, and use the #honorlifechallenge hashtag. Don’t forget to link back to restinglife.com and lifeofheritage.com on a blog or tag @erikamathewsauthor and @lifeofheritage on Instagram!

Today’s prompt is Why I’m Pro-Life. I’d love to hear why you are pro-life.

Giveaway!

Yes, there’s a giveaway, and it runs all month long! Enter here so you don’t forget!

Write for Life Schedule

Bookmark this post so you can come back and read these excellent posts as they go live this month!

October 1

Erika Mathews at Resting Life – tour intro – YOU ARE HERE

Autumn Lehman at Bursting Through the Darkness – Why I’m Prolife

October 2

Erika Mathews at Resting Life – Read the First Chapter for Free

Grace A. Johnson at Of Blades and Thorns – Thank You For Taking a Stand

Katja Labonté at Little Blossoms for Jesus – Why I’m Pro-Life

October 4

Joy C. Woodbury at Discipleship With Joy – Because of His Death, We Live

Joy C. Woodbury on Instagram, Goodreads, and Pinterest

October 5

Madisyn at Madi’s Musings – Responding To Abortion Arguments, Part 1

October 6

Jen Rose at Living Outside the Lines – Sustainer’s Smile spotlight

Akira Rodriguez at With Joyful Praise – Five Ways to Get Involved in the Pro-Life Movement

Grace A. Johnson on Goodreads, Pinterest, and email

October 7

Eva-Joy Ruth Schonhaar  – Sustainer’s Smile review

Katja Labonté on Instagram, Goodreads, Pinterest, and email

October 8 – To Save a Life Cover Reveal

Kylie Hunt at Kylie Hunt – The Film Director’s Wife – Sustainer’s Smile spotlight

Autumn Lehman at Bursting Through the Darkness – One Life At A Time

Kylie Hunt on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest

October 9

Grace A. Johnson at Of Blades and Thorns – Coming Soon: Sustainer’s Smile

Kylie Hunt at Kylie Hunt – The Film Director’s Wife – To Save a Life post

October 11

Joy C. Woodbury at Discipleship With Joy – Sustainer’s Smile review

Katja Labonté at Little Blossoms for Jesus – Sustainer’s Smile character spotlight: Liliora & Book Review

Joy C. Woodbury on Instagram, Goodreads, and Pinterest

October 12 

Madisyn at Madi’s Musings – Responding to Abortion Arguments Part 2

Lauren Compton at Novels That Encourage – Every Life Counts

Madisyn on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and MeWe

October 13

Jen Rose at Living Outside the Lines – Sustainer’s Smile character spotlight: Carita

Akira Rodriguez at With Joyful Praise – Sustainer’s Smile review

Rachel Lautermilch at The Christian Thinker – Prolife October

October 14

Vanessa Hall at Vanessa Hall – Sustainer’s Smile review

Stephanie Agnes-Crockett at Stephanie’s Ninth Suitcase – Sustainer’s Smile book review

Rachel Lautermilch at The Christian Thinker – How Does God See Children?

Katja Labonté on Instagram, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Email

Stephanie Agnes-Crockett on Facebook

October 15

Autumn Lehman at Bursting Through the Darkness – Sustainer’s Smile spotlight

Kelsey Bryant at Kelsey’s Notebook – Sustainer’s Smile character spotlight: Rita

Jen Rose on Instagram, Goodreads, and Email

October 16

Brianna Burden at Singing in the Rain – You’re Worth It

Grace A. Johnson at Book Nations – guest post by Erika Mathews: Writing Pro-Life Fiction in Today’s World

October 18

Joy C. Woodbury at Discipleship With Joy – To Save a Life review

Katja Labonté at Little Blossoms for Jesus – Sustainer’s Smile review

Rachel Lautermilch at The Christian Thinker – Old Testament Scriptures About Children

Joy C. Woodbury on Instagram, Goodreads, and Pinterest

Esther Filbrun on Facebook and Twitter

October 19

Rebekah Morris at Read Another Page – Sustainer’s Smile review

Lauren Compton at Novels That Encourage – Sustainer’s Smile author interview

Martha Abilene at Beyond the Literary Horizon – Woven Together

Madisyn on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and MeWe

Hope Ann on Instagram and Facebook

October 20

Kristina Hall at Kristina Hall – To Save a Life review

Jen Rose at Living Outside the Lines – Sustainer’s Smile review

Akira Rodriguez at With Joyful Praise – To Save a Life review

Vanessa Hall at Vanessa Hall – Why Are You Pro-Life?

Vanessa Hall on Goodreads

Faith Blum on Instagram and Facebook

October 21 – Sustainer’s Smile release day!

Erika Mathews at Resting Life – Sustainer’s Smile special author post

Kristina Hall at Kristina Hall  – Sustainer’s Smile review

Grace A. Johnson at Book Nations – author interview with Erika

Kellyn Roth at Lilacs & Reveries – Sustainer’s Smile spotlight

Martha Abilene at Beyond the Literary Horizon – Sustainer’s Smile review

Rachel Lautermilch at The Christian Thinker – New Testament Verses About Children

Katja Labonté on Instagram, Goodreads, Pinterest, and email

Lauren Compton on Goodreads

Jen Rose on Instagram, Goodreads, and email

Grace A. Johnson on Goodreads, Pinterest, and email

Kellyn Roth on Instagram and Facebook

Faith Blum on Instagram and Facebook

Kelsey Bryant on Facebook

Erika Mathews at Resting Life – To Save a Life release post

October 22 – To Save a Life celebration day! {releasing November 6}

Autumn Lehman at Bursting Through the Darkness – TSAL spotlight & author interview with Ryana

Grace A. Johnson at Of Blades and Thorns – To Save a Life spotlight

Kellyn Roth at Lilacs & Reveries – To Save a Life spotlight

Martha Abilene at Beyond the Literary Horizon – To Save a Life review

Katja Labonté on Instagram, Goodreads, Pinterest, and email

Lauren Compton on Goodreads

Jen Rose on Instagram, Goodreads, and email

Grace A. Johnson on Goodreads, Pinterest, and email

Kellyn Roth on Instagram and Facebook

Faith Blum on Instagram and Facebook

Kelsey Bryant on Facebook

October 23

Grace A. Johnson at Book Nations – To Save a Life spotlight

Abigail Harris at Read Review Rejoice – To Save a Life spotlight and SS character interview: Claera

Stephanie Agnes-Crockett on Facebook

Abigail Harris on Facebook and MeWe

October 25

Courtenay Burden at Sheep Among Wolves – William Wilberforce and the Pro-Life Movement

Katja Labonté at Little Blossoms for Jesus – To Save a Life review

Tara at Tower in the Plains – Why I Am Pro-Life

Tara on Instagram, Facebook, email, and Goodreads

October 26

Tara at Tower in the Plains – Sustainer’s Smile review and character spotlight: Tae

Lauren Compton at Novels That Encourage – To Save a Life review

Rebekah Morris at Read Another Page – To Save a Life review

Tara on Instagram, Facebook, email, and Goodreads

October 27

Tara at Tower in the Plains – To Save a Life review

Tara on Instagram, Facebook, email, and Goodreads

October 28

Kaitlyn Krispense at Kaitlyn Krispense, Author – Sustainer’s Smile, To Save a Life, & prolife post

Vanessa Hall at Vanessa Hall – To Save a Life spotlight

Tara on Instagram, Facebook, email, and Goodreads

October 29

Autumn Lehman at Bursting Through the Darkness – Author Interview: Erika Mathews

Kelsey Bryant at Kelsey’s Notebook – To Save a Life post

Jen Rose on Instagram, Goodreads, and email

October 30

Erika Mathews at Resting Life – tour wrapup

Grace A. Johnson at Of Blades and Thorns – To Save a Life review

November 1: Memory’s Mind (Truth from Taerna #5) cover reveal