Janice Cole Hopkins's Blog

 

Annie's Uncle
In my new book releasing on Friday (12-5-25), Cody Taylor's brother and sister-in-law tragically pass away in Alaska, and he suddenly becomes the guardian of his young niece. He's determined to give her a safe and loving home in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, but Annie's first year in the new school is marred by relentless bullying. Cody hopes this year will be better, and he will work to make it so.

Greta Branstetter arrives in Coeur d'Alene, eager to begin her new role as the town’s schoolteacher. She’s surprised to learn she must live in homes of some of her students and navigate the school board’s strict rules for teachers. Despite the limitations and a group of unruly boys intent on bullying, Greta is committed to making the school year a success for herself and her students. As Greta and Cody’s path intertwine, their shared mission to help Annie and end the bullying blossoms into something deeper.  Annie’s Uncle  is a heartfelt journey of hope, healing, and the transformative power of love that often finds you when you least expect it. It is a heartwarming story of resilience and the unexpected bonds forged through courage and determination.

The novel also has a strong connection to Christmas. In fact, the heart of the Christmas season shines through the faith and families of these characters. Cody’s sudden role as the guardian of his niece reflects a deep commitment to family, while Greta’s courage to stand against injustice in her schoolroom embodies faith in goodness and redemption. Together, they nurture Annie through grief and bullying, showing that love and resilience can heal even the deepest wounds and affecting others in the process. Much like Christmas itself, the story reminds us that hope often arrives unexpectedly, binding people together and offering redemption through compassion and courage. It’s a celebration of the season’s true spirit—light breaking through darkness and love winning in the end. Order your copy of this special book today. Click here.

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We Gather Together

Oneof the beloved Thanksgiving hymns, We Gather Together, traces its rootsback to the late 16th century in the Netherlands. Written in 1597 by AdrianusValerius as Wilt heden nu treden, it commemorated the Dutch victory overSpanish forces at the Battle of Turnhout. At the time, Dutch Protestants wereforbidden to worship openly under King Philip II of Spain, so the hymn became apowerful expression of both faith and freedom. Its words celebrated God’sprovidence and protection during persecution, offering hope to believers wholonged for the right to gather in worship.

Thehymn was originally set to a Dutch folk tune and later translated into Englishby Theodore Baker in 1894. Over time, it found its way into American hymnals,where it became closely associated with Thanksgiving. While the text itselfnever mentions harvest or gratitude explicitly, its opening line, “We gathertogether to ask the Lord’s blessing,” resonated deeply with the spirit of theholiday. By the early 20th century, it was a staple in Protestant worshipservices, often sung at family gatherings and church celebrations during theThanksgiving season.

Today,We Gather Together remains a cherished hymn across denominations,symbolizing unity, resilience, and divine guidance. Its history reminds us thatworship is both an act of thanksgiving and also a declaration of faith in timesof trouble. The hymn’s enduring popularity lies in its timeless message: that Godis present with His people, guiding and sustaining them through everychallenge. Below are the lyrics that continue to inspire generations ofworshippers.

Wegather together to ask the Lord’s blessing; 
Hechastens and hastens His will to make known; 
Thewicked oppressing now cease from distressing. 
Singpraises to His name; He forgets not His own. 

 

Besideus to guide us, our God with us joining, 
Ordaining,maintaining His kingdom divine; 
Sofrom the beginning the fight we were winning: 
Thou,Lord, wast at our side—all glory be Thine! 

 

Weall do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant, 
Andpray that Thou still our Defender wilt be. 
LetThy congregation escape tribulation; 
Thyname be ever praised! O Lord, make us free! 
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Bridging Fact and Fiction

Over the ten years I've been publishing, I've developed several methods to improve my writing. One of the most effective is using a real town in the same general location as my fictitious town for research. That way, if I want to know how many churches might have existed, I can look up the real town. This approach gives me more creative license, reduces the heavy research required when using an actual setting, and still makes the book feel authentic. 

For example, the new series I just started is set in Nevada in 1882. I'm using the mining town of Austin, located in the high desert, as the counterpart to Summit Reach. I lived in Roswell, New Mexico, for two years, and it's also in a high desert, so that experience helps as well. But it is convenient to google Austin's history when I have a question about Summit Reach. I could just invent the details, but then I risk getting important facts about the region wrong. Accuracy matters to me, and I strive to be as historically precise as possible.

Ultimately, blending fact and fiction is what makes novel writing both challenging and rewarding. By grounding my stories in real places, using my background in history, doing extra research, and allowing logic to fill in the other details, I create worlds that feel believable without being bound by strict documentation. This balance keeps the research manageable, the creativity flowing, and the reader immersed in a setting that feels alive. For me, that’s the heart of storytelling—building a bridge between history and imagination that readers can walk across with confidence.

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Paul Changes Course

Philippians 3:4-8 & 13-14

Paul's background was one of prestige and promise. He was not only a Pharisee, deeply committed to the traditions of his people, but also trained under Gamaliel, one of the most respected rabbis of the time (Acts 22:3). This education placed him among the intellectual and spiritual elite of Judaism, giving him credibility and influence. His zeal for the law and his rapid advancement in Jewish circles (Galatians 1:14) suggest that he was destined for significant leadership within the religious establishment.

Yet, Paul chose to walk away from all of this when he encountered Christ on the road to Damascus. In that moment, the course of his life changed forever. What had once been a source of pride--his heritage, his education, his status--became insignificant compared to the value of knowing Jesus and serving him (Philippians 3:7-8). The very things that had defined his identity became secondary to his new calling as an apostle to the Gentiles. His surrender of worldly honor highlights the radical transformation that takes place when someone encounters the living Christ.

Paul's story reminds us that following Jesus often requires letting go of worldly ambitions and an emphasis on material possessions. He could have pursued power, recognition, and comfort among the Jewish leaders, but instead chose a life of hardship, persecution, and service for the sake of the gospel and His Savior. His example is a blueprint and inspiration to believers today. He reminds us that true greatness in the kingdom of God is not measured by prestige, power, or positions, but by faithfulness to Christ and the willingness to serve in His name.

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Stepping Up for South to Freedom 

I had never hit such an impasse when it came to writing and publishing. After exhausting all avenues and resources, I couldn't find a narrator for my new book, South to Freedom . I had spent hours upon hours searching through the talent listed on ACX, listening to sample narrations, and messaging those who sounded promising. I had some auditions, but no one worked out. I decided I'd rather not offer an Audible edition than to have one not up to my standards or listeners' expectations. 
You see, South to Freedom was going to be a difficult book to narrate. It's the story of slaves escaping from South Carolina in 1739, headed to freedom in Spanish held Florida. I needed someone who could do an African accent as well as a British or American one. Knowing how impossible it might be if I also added Spanish voices to the mix, I wrote around that by not having any direct dialogues with a Spanish character. For the most part, living at Fort Mose isolated the former slaves, so all the Spaniards were such minor characters that it wasn't hard and didn't limit the book too much. 

Then during one of my morning devotions, an idea came to me. I would email many of the narrators I had worked with, past and present, and ask them if they knew of anyone. I figured that, like in the writing community, they must also develop friendships and acquaintances. I was overwhelmed with the kind responses, but most of them didn't know of anyone.

Then I got a reply from James Cheatham, the narrator who produced Going the Extra Mile and Walnut Cake for Wylene for me. The only reason he hadn't done more is that he stopped doing royalty share and went to pay for hire. He said he didn't want to tackle the slave voices, but if I was open to dual narrators, he knew of a black narrator he could partner with. At the end of my options, I jumped at his kind offer. I had never heard of Shamaan Casey, but I trusted James, and it turned out to be a good decision. I'm very thankful to these two talented men and happy with the finished Audible. I think listeners will be, too. Click on the book title to check out the Audible that almost didn't make it. South to Freedom is available now in Audible, Kindle, KU, and print.

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Waiting on God

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord (Psalm 27:14).

Waiting on God can be hard. For one thing, there's often so much uncertainty involved. And then, we just don't like waiting on anything, do we? "But God's clock doesn't tick like ours. ... God isn't slow. He's patient. Patient with the world, patient with us. Waiting isn't punishment; it's preparation."

"... biblical trust means we anchor ourselves to God's character when His actions confuse us." We know His goodness, His almightiness, and we trust that He always does what is right and good. Even though we don't always understand, we know who God is, and that's enough.

"Waiting invites anxiety like moths to a porch light. The unknown pokes at our fears. ... But here's where biblical counseling shines: it reminds us that anxiety is not solved by prediction. It's calmed by presence." God's presence in our lives. "Waiting exposes what we want more: relief or relationship. If we only want God to fix things fast, we'll miss Him. ... But if we lean in, we'll see that the wait has drawn us closer."

"Waiting doesn't mean doing nothing. It means doing the right things with a surrendered heart. Here's what waiting looks like:

Pray consistently: Not just for outcomes, but for endurance 

Stay in community: Isolation grows doubts ...

 Immerse in Scripture: Let God's promises shape your expectations

Keep serving : Be faithful where you are "

Waiting teaches us patience, dependency, and faithfulness so that we really mean it when we pray, Thy will be done.

But they that with upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31).

(Quotes in the text taken from A Biblical Guide from Overcoming Anxiety by Good Books & Faith Beacon Publishing)

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 Morrow's Mishaps Releases

Today's the day! Morrow is having her debut, and the book published early this morning. Although one troubling incident after another happens to Morrow on her way to Wyoming as a mail-order bride and continues after she gets there, her relationship with Bradford Lee grows sweet and strong. Yet, why are these things happening to her? Is something trying to tell her she shouldn't have come, or is there someone who doesn't want her here?

Morrow's Mishaps is part of the long-running Western Home and Hearts Mail-Order Brides series, in which all the books feature the same matchmaker, but otherwise are standalones. This is my third book in the collection. Willa's Woes and Daphne's Determination published earlier in the year, and there'll be one more. Gwendolyn's Groom will release on February 10. It's a great historical romance just in time for Valentine's Day and on preorder now.

Morrow's Mishaps is available on Kindle, KU, paperback, and Audible. Adam Skousen has narrated all of my books in this series and has done an outstanding job. Morrow's Mishaps is a historical novel blending romance and mystery. Don't miss it or the other entertaining, unforgettable books.

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 Resting in God

Be still, and know that I am God . . . (Psalms 46:10a).

The command in Psalms has many facets to it. "In Scripture, stillness is often when the deepest transformations take place. ... We often pray for the strength to act. Sometimes we need the grace to wait. And waiting doesn't mean nothing is happening. A seed in the soil looks motionless, but life is bursting inside. The same is true in your soul when you rest in God."

"Stillness, then, is not just a spiritual act. It's a deeply theological one. It declares, 'God rules the world, not me.' If you never stop, you'll start to believe the world rests on your shoulders. It doesn't. ... If anyone could have skipped rest, it was Jesus. But He didn’t. He often withdrew to desolate places to pray (Luke 5:16). He took time to be with the Father, away from the crowds, even when people needed Him. His rest wasn’t selfish. It was sacred. You know what? That challenges us. We treat exhaustion as a badge of honor. But Jesus showed restraint. He modeled rhythms of work and rest, engagement and retreat. He wasn’t rushed. He never panicked. He walked with peace because He walked with the Father. If the Son of God needed solitude, what makes us think we don’t?"

"God isn't after performance. He wants your presence. And stillness is how you give it. ... "One reason we struggle with stillness is because we've lost sight of the holiness of God. Proverbs 1:7 reminds us that 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.' To be still before God is to stand in awe, not boredom. ... Stillness is not about emptiness. It's about the fullness of God's presence." Let's be still and enjoy the fullness of God today.

(Quotes taken from A Biblical Guide to Overcoming Anxiety by Good Books & Faith Beacon Publishing)

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A Collection of Christmas Books 

I begin reading Christmas books by November 1. I keep my Kindle editions in a separate file, purchase them throughout the year as they come up for free or drastically discounted, and read them for the holiday season. This year, I have 350 in the collection that covers all holidays. Obviously, I won't read them all now, but I'll choose the ones that appeal to me most and save the others for another year.

But I also have a collection of Christmas books I've written. Many of my books contain Christmas, but here are a few I feel concentrate on the special time most. Three are specifically written for Christmas: A Christmas Snow for Sadie  and Lily and Andrea , both in the Christmas Quilt Brides series. By the way, quilts are another special interest of mine. I used to be an avid quilter before my arthritis became worse, and I started writing so prolifically and passionately. I must say, these are three of my favorite holiday books. 

Another good holiday series is the Old-timey Holiday Kitchen. I have five books in it: Walnut Cake by Wylene, Sauerkraut Cake by Sophie, Forget-Me-Not Cookes by Fern, Upside -Down Cakes by Dana, and Fruitcake by Fran. Each one has a family Christmas and includes the recipe of the featured food. Most of these are family recipes handed down from my mother. 

Another book with a Christmas setting I want to mention specifically is Candace in the Runaway Brides of the West series. Although the series isn't oriented toward the holidays, my book takes place during that time of the year when Candace hides out in a mountain man's wagon to escape an unfathomable situation and spends the winter in a cabin high up in the Rockies. It has been a favorite of readers and has received some great reviews.  In Willa's Woes , Willa becomes a mail-order bride and moves to South Dakota. There she experiences the infamous winter of 1880-81, known as "The Hard Winter" or "The Long Winter," the one chronicled by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Snow piled higher than rooftops, forcing farmers to tunnel through drifts just to reach their barns. Isolated by relentless blizzards, Willa's first Christmas was anything but ordinary. And last, I'd like to mention my book that publishes on December 5. Annie's Uncle is a wonderful story of a new schoolteacher in North Dakota and the challenges she faces. However, despite an overbearing school board, unruly students, troubled parents, the Dakota weather, and confusing feelings for Annie's uncle, her Christmas turns out to be one of the best in recent memories. Annie's Uncle is available for preorder now. I hope you will take a look at all these books and consider getting a few for your holiday reading.

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 Finding Peace

Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied (Jude 1:2).

Peace is a theme in both the Old and New Testaments. The Hebrew word, shalom, is a richly textured word with far more meaning than the English word, peace. Shalom means wholeness, soundness, harmony, and more. This is the peace Adam and Eve experienced in the Garden of Eden. It's a vertical peace reaching up to God, a horizontal peace with all creation, and an internal peace with ourselves. Sin shattered this complete peace. 

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

When the prophets speak of peace, they're referring to restoration, a renewal of our relationship with God. Only the Lord can bring wholeness and lasting peace. We have a tendency to think, if we can control our circumstances, we will find peace. But true peace doesn't come from eliminating problems. It comes from surrendering to the Prince of Peace and depending on Him. As one book puts it, "The Bible never tells us to 'chase peace.' It tells us to pursue Christ. And when we do, peace comes as a byproduct . . ."

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

Genuine peace is rooted in a personal relationship with the Lord. "Security doesn't come from predictable circumstances. It comes from a trustworthy Savior." The closer we stay to God, the deeper our peace becomes. When He and things of faith are our top priority, we experience a level of peace the world can't take away. Knowing that He holds us, walks with us, and has a glorious eternity prepared for us lightens the burdens of living in a fallen world and brings a peace that passes all understanding.
(Quotes from A Biblical Guide to Overcoming Anxiety by Good Books & Faith Beacon Publishing)
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