FEATURED BOOK:  New Star

AUTHOR:  Lana Christian

PUBLISHER:  Scrivenings Press

GENRE:  Biblical fiction

SERIES OR STAND ALONE:  series

TARGET AGE:  adult

 

 

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR LANA CHRISTIAN TO PATTI’S PORCH. LANA SHARES WHAT SHE LEARNED WHILE WRITING HER DEBUT NOVEL, NEW STAR, A STORY OF THE WISEMEN’S JOURNEY TO FIND THE BABY JESUS.

 

 

AN UNCERTAIN JOURNEY, A CERTAIN DESTINATION

 

 

by

 

 

Lana Christian

 

 

Life is more uncertain than we’d care to admit.

 

 

That truth struck me in a new way as I wrote New Star, the Wise Men’s story before and after they find Jesus. Despite all their studies, plans, and preparation, they set off to find Jesus without knowing exactly where they were going.

 

 

We may miss that because we gloss over the details of their story in Matthew 2.

 

 

They stopped for directions in Jerusalem because they didn’t know exactly where to find Jesus. They would have talked with the Jewish priests but had dinner with Herod instead. His paranoia about someone usurping his throne moved him to consult the priests and scribes, who told him of the prophecy in Micah 5:2 that pinpoints Jesus’ birthplace in Bethlehem.

 

 

We won’t know this side of heaven why the Wise Men didn’t have Micah’s prophecy available to them. We only know God used one of history’s most unlikely people to help them find Jesus.

 

 

Even with that information, they couldn’t be sure Jesus would still be in Bethlehem. By the time they arrived, Jesus was about one and a half years old. Once again God provided as only He could—by shining His glory on the exact house where the Holy Family was living (on Bethlehem’s outskirts).

 

 

Isn’t that just like God?

 

 

We plan … we supply the sweat equity … then God does what we can’t.

 

 

Life is uncertain. We assume we’ll have hot water for a shower and our car will get us to work without incident. But, in a moment, a ruptured pipe, car accident, unexpected medical diagnosis, or work layoff can upend our lives.

 

 

Life doesn’t move in a straight line. The Wise Men experienced that as well. After miraculously finding the Christ child, they had to abandon their travel plans for their route home because Herod wanted to hunt them down.

 

 

As an author, I take great comfort in the fact that God moves through my uncertainty and is always bringing order out of chaos.

 

 

When I write, I don’t always know what direction my story will go. Despite my work on character profiles, background research, and synopses, the journey is never a straight shot from A to B. I’m awed that God allows me to co-create with Him in writing books.

 

 

This past week, I finished drafting Survival Secrets, the sequel to New Star. As challenging as the first book was, Survival Secrets has more moving parts. I ditched two-thirds of my first draft of Survival Secrets. My next draft of it evolved mostly as individual scenes out of order. I wrestled for six months on how to stitch together all the pieces.

 

 

Wise Men faced the risk, cost, and uncertainty of a journey that had little chance of succeeding. They didn’t know much about the Hebrews’ God, but they knew enough to believe His Word and trust Him with their search for the Christ child. As a result of their faith and commitment, God honored them with front-row seats to the most significant event in the world’s history. With God, their destination was sure.

 

 

If you’re an author, I hope that encourages you as you write. If you’re a reader, I hope that piques your interest to read New Star.

 

 

A writing journey—and life in general—is full of twists and turns. God knows what’s ahead. He will guide us through our uncertainty if we let Him. And we should—because He knows our ultimate destination and is capable of getting us there:

 

 

• He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).
• All His intentions are good (Jeremiah 29:11).
• He will never change (Malachi 3:6).
• His purposes will stand and He will accomplish all He sets out to do (Isaiah 46:10).
• He will make out paths straight (Proverbs 3:6) and our way complete (Psalm 18:32) if we trust Him.

 

 

I only half-jokingly say most things can be solved with common sense, hiking, or chai tea. But I’m one hundred percent certain that all things can be solved with God. Whatever uncertainty you’re facing today, I pray you step into it with God. Amen!

 

 

BLURB FOR NEW STAR

AKILAH, a highly respected priest-scholar in the Lower Council of Magi society, considers all his astronomy discoveries well-deserved stepping-stones to a more fulfilling life. But the appearance of a new star challenges his priorities. As Persia totters on the brink of an undesirable king coming to power, Akilah declines an Upper Council position that could turn the tide. Instead, he studies an elusive star that doesn’t appear in any almanac or other writings. Except Jewish.

His research makes him a target of Persia’s religious and govern-mental conflicts. As dangers at home and abroad plunge Akilah into circumstances beyond his imagining, he realizes his knowledge of Jesus could destroy Magi society, its influence on Persia’s government, and Persia’s official religion. Untrusting of his Council, a thousand miles from aid, and bound to his cousin in a potentially career-ending contract, Akilah must decide how far he will go to protect what he knows of Jesus—and whether the cost is worth the risk.

 

PATTI’S REVIEW OF NEW STAR

I read New Star at the most appropriate time of year, commencing to with the first page a few days prior to Christmas Day and concluding this amazing story just before the New Year.

This book plunged me into the very depths of the true meaning of the birth of Our Savior and the impact this holy event had on the world at that time. The author vividly portrays the sacrifice and dedication the Magi showed to accomplish their mission. The story is told through well-defined characters who sought a star whose existence their peers failed to acknowledge to find a king whose prophesied presence was feared by the powerful figures of the day.

Have you ever read a book that delivers such stark truth that the intensity of the impact sends shivers down your back? That’s what New Star did for me.

If you want to be immersed in the culture religion, and customs of the day. New Star carries the message of Christmas straight to the heart within the framework of well researched Biblical fact.

There is more to come in this series! I can’t wait!

 

Lana Christian is an award-winning author in business and creative writing. In business, she has won numerous APEX awards. Since 2019, she has won six faith-based writing awards, including one from Baker Publishing Group for her short story about Lot. Her author website includes her devotional blog, “Encouragement from Living History.” Connect with her on X (Twitter) at @LanaCwrites or her website: www.lanachristian.com.

For more information about Lana’s books, visit https://www.lanachristian.com/fiction/.

To sign up for her newsletter, early access to her blogs, and a free e-short, visit any of her blog pages or her Contact page.

FEATURED BOOK:  Echoes over Stormy Sea

AUTHOR:  R.F. Whong

PUBLISHER:  Vidasym Publishing

GENRE:  dual-time adventure

SERIES OR STAND ALONE:  Series: Book 1 in the dual-time Odyssey series

TARGET AGE:  18+

 

 

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME READERS TO A NEW YEAR ON THE OVER 50 WRITER WITH GUEST AUTHOR RUTH WONG. RUTH SHARES A HELPFUL MARKETING TIP.

 

 

FROM BOOK FAIR BLUES TO CRAFT SHOW SUCCESS

 

 

by

 

 

Ruth Wong

 

 

Earlier this summer, I attended what I believed would be a promising event for any emerging author: a book fair. The anticipation of engaging with book enthusiasts to discuss my work was palpable. However, as the day unfolded, my excitement deflated. The hall was scattered with more authors than readers. I only managed to sell four books over six hours.

 

 

Fast forward a few months, and I decided to try my luck again—this time at an art and craft show. The venue was pulsating with activity, perhaps fueled by the energy of the Christmas holiday season. To my pleasant surprise, in a similar six-hour timeframe, I nearly emptied a suitcase packed with books. The remarkable contrast between these two experiences left me pondering why the outcomes were so different. Here are some tips to consider.

 

 

1. Location, Location, Location

 

It’s crucial to acknowledge the power of context. Book fairs, while ideal for reaching a targeted audience, may also be limiting if there are more authors than readers. With so many books vying for attention, each title might get lost in the literary sea. The art and craft show, however, attracts a diverse crowd that comes not only in search of handcrafted goods but also for unique, personal stories like mine. This creates a broader, more curious audience eager to explore new genres and authors.

 

 

2. The Holiday Spirit

 

The timing of the craft show during the festive season cannot be underestimated. The Christmas season invigorates a unique sense of joy, nostalgia, and the urge to find the perfect gift. A book with the author’s signature holds a timeless charm as a personal gift.

 

 

3. Interactive Engagement

 

The structure of the art and craft show also favors interaction and engagement. With people milling about, ample opportunities exist for impromptu conversations. This setting allows me to connect with potential readers, piquing their interest and prompting them to support my work.

 

 

4. Ads might have helped

 

At the event, I created a banner highlighting my status as a Minnesota Anoka County Library featured author for 2025. This drew considerable attention, and many attendees decided to make a purchase after seeing it. To them, being recognized as a featured author by the library likely served as a testament to the quality of my writing.

 

 

Reflecting on these experiences, I realized the importance of selecting the right venue for book promotion. It’s not merely about targeting book lovers, but about reaching out to communities that value storytelling and personal expression in any form. While book fairs remain a valuable platform, authors should not shy away from exploring alternative venues where literature intersects with other creative fields.

 

 

Blurb for Echoes over Stormy Sea  #1 New Release in 2 categories.

A thrilling adventure set in distant lands by R.F. Whong, named a 2025 Featured Author by the Minnesota Anoka County Library.

Two remarkable women, separated by eras, united by unyielding resolve.

Two eras, one stormy sea. Two women navigate love and heritage across centuries. Book 1 in this dual-time odyssey series braids together a mesmerizing tale about loyalty, redemption, and transformation.

Debra Gong, a PhD student in biochemistry, eagerly counts down to her upcoming 2020 wedding in Chicago. The unexpected death of her father, a famous writer, brings her back to Hong Kong. Then the sudden closure of borders because of the pandemic leaves her trapped and separated from her fiancé. Her father’s will requires her to complete his last, unfinished manuscript about a pirate princess to honor his memory.

In 1800, Shih Yi-Lan, a martial arts master and the fierce daughter of a pirate captain, faces the cultural expectations of matrimony. Unwilling to be confined by traditional roles, when her father demands her to cement an alliance through marriage, she devises a test for any would-be suitor: he must beat her in two out of three contests to win her hand. A mysterious contender with a pigtail unlike the other sea marauders rises to the occasion and triumphs.

As both women explore their worlds in flux, the stakes grow higher. Can Debra continue her PhD work, honor her father’s legacy, and find love and commitment? Will Yi-Lan maintain her resilience and passion amid the challenges? Their parallel journeys unfold against the backdrop of tumultuous times, connecting their fates in unexpected ways.

Echoes Over Stormy Sea was crowned the Scrivenings Press 2024 GetPubbed contest winner in the historical fiction genre.

Free on KU.

Amazon link

 

Dr. Wuwong (PhD in biochemistry, MBA in finance) has published 120+ scientific books and papers (under her legal name) and a few Christian fiction books (Love at the Garden Tomb, The Way We Forgive, Blazing China, and Detour to Agape, under R. F. Whong). She lives in the Midwest with her husband, a retired pastor. They served together at three churches from 1987 to 2020. Her grown son works in a nearby city.

She currently runs a small biotech company (www.vidasym.com) and has raised more than twenty million US dollars during the past few years for Vidasym.

In addition to her weekly newsletter and the platform (www.ruthforchrist.com), she’s active in several writers’ groups, including ACFW, Word Weavers, Facebook, and Goodreads. Through these connections, she plans newsletter/promotion swaps with others and has writers endorse her books, write forewords, and host her on guest blogs.

 

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