Fiona Ingram's Blog

 

Understanding that answers to our prayers may not look like we expect, but they are what we need…

 

Title: SOUL MATTERSAuthor: Yolonda Tonette SandersPublisher: Yo Productions LLCPages: 360Genre: Contemporary Christian FictionFormat: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle

With a successful husband, a fulfilling teaching career, and a baby on the way, Wendy Phillips seems to have it all. She’s certain God is on her side. After all, the woman she’s become wouldn’t exist without the strength of her close-knit family or her own determination to be a model daughter, sister, and wife.

But one phone call shatters Wendy’s illusion of perfection, turning her carefully crafted life upside down. Suddenly, everything she believed about herself, her family, and her faith is called into question.

As her marriage crumbles and her faith wavers, Wendy finds herself needing more support than she ever imagined. Her journey to healing will require a sister’s unexpected strength, a mother’s surprising honesty, and a truth Wendy never saw coming.

Now only God’s grace can help her confront the pain she didn’t expect and discover the soul-deep freedom she never dreamed possible.

Soul Matters is available at Amazon and Walmart.

Book Excerpt

Shaking and short of breath, Wendy wiped her sweaty palms on her clothing and dialed the number. “Hi, this is Wendy Phillips,” she said, trying to hold back tears. “I’m returning a call to Dr. Korva. Will she be able to see me today? I can be there in about half an hour?” She altered her traveling time, hoping to increase her chance of being seen. 

“Oh,” she said solemnly when the receptionist said Dr. Korva was running behind schedule. Wendy couldn’t be seen until Monday morning. “Well, can you tell her I’m on the line? Maybe she can just tell me the results over the phone.” She crossed her fingers, praying that she would be transferred to the doctor. No such luck. Dr. Korva preferred to talk in person. “Okay, I’ll be there at nine on Monday,” she said, confirming the time of her appointment before hanging up the phone in despair. 

How am I going to make it until then? She dreaded going back to the office and arranging for a substitute through Ms. Burchett. Forget it. I’ll just call in, she opted. Sure, not submitting a request for a substitute beforehand was inconsiderate and unprofessional, but she didn’t care at this point. Her main concern was finding some way to make it through the weekend without losing her mind. 

– Excerpted from Soul Matters by Yolonda Tonette Sanders, Yo Productions LLC, 2025. Reprinted with permission.

The Inspiration Behind Soul Matters

I appreciate reading material that supports my spiritual growth. Yet, I have at least a half-dozen daily devotionals on my bookshelf, and I have never finished a single one. The problem I have with 365 daily devotionals (especially when also committing to daily Bible reading) is that it’s easy toget behind schedule if one day is missed. One missed day easily multiplies to twenty, and then it becomes impossible to catch up. Or, if catching up is possible, reading becomes a checklist item to get back on par, and thespiritual nourishment becomes secondary or gets lost completely.

My goal was to create a yearly devotional that was both practical and applicable. It’s much simpler to commit to reading a weekly devotional than a daily one. Plus, the devotionals will not stand in the way of daily Biblereading. Let’s face it. Sometimes we don’t always get devotional lessons during thefirst read-through. I didn’t want anyone to feel rushed to complete each devotional just to keep a up with a daily schedule. I want the lessons to stick!

There are 18 authors, including me, who contributed to this project. The 52 devotionals are broken down into 12 over-arching themes. I challenged everyone to be real. I didn’t want any pie-in-the sky stories, but real-life accounts with which others could identify and find encouragement. As the editor, I’ve read each devotional more times than I can recall, and yet, each time I read something, it’s like I’m seeing it for the first time . . . eventhe ones that I wrote. This collection of works contains a level of transparencythat is rarely displayed by authors. I hope that readers will enjoy Connecting with Christ. It’s raw, encouraging, and transformative.

About the Author

Yolonda Tonette Sanders, Ph.D., is a storyteller at heart with a passion for both words and people. She is the co-founder of the Faith and Fellowship Book Festival and the author of numerous works, including novels, poetry, short stories, and academic publications. Her writing blends authenticity, emotional depth, and spiritual insight, often drawing from her own journey of faith and resilience.

Yolonda earned her doctorate in organizational leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University and is certified in emotional intelligence. She enjoys teaching, mentoring, consulting, and helping others discover their own voices through writing. When she’s not creating or consulting, you’ll likely find her spending time with her husband or enjoying heartfelt moments with loved ones.

Her latest book is the contemporary Christian fiction, Soul Matters.

You can visit her website at www.yoproductions.net .

Watch her YouTube channel!

Connect with her at  X, Facebook, Instagram and Goodreads.

Sponsored By:

 

Lady Alexin Dumwalt—Alex to those who knowbetter—just got booted from her mortal-world job. Her response? Return toEledon, reclaim her title as Keeper of the Keys, and dive headfirst into amission that reeks of politics and secrets. Her task: escort Lord Quasarof the Star Elves to Nimbus. Her reality: arrested at Moonbase, locked up by apower-hungry Lord Governor, and caught in a prison break that exposes agold-smuggling operation buried beneath the surface.

The gold? Stolen from Eledon. The ship? Not whatit seems. The Fire Elves? Gone—taken by someone who wasn’t supposed to bewatching.

Now Alex is underguard, headed to Nimbus, and neck-deep in a conspiracy that could shatter thefragile balance between Elf factions. She’s got questions, she’s got enemies,and she’s got zero patience for anyone standing in her way.

Magic. Betrayal. One Elf with nothing left to lose.

Joni Parker’s story reads like a cross-continentalodyssey with grit at every turn. Born in the heart ofChicago, she was just eight when her family uprooted to Japan so her fathercould chase a dream most wouldn’t dare—becoming a professional golfer. He madeit. And when the dust settled, they landed in Phoenix, Arizona, where Jonicarved her own path. After high school, she didn’t just serve—she committed.Twenty-two years in the U.S. Navy, followed by seven more in federal civilservice, Joni built a career on discipline, resilience, and a no-nonsense driveto get things done. Now retired in Tucson, Arizona, she’s traded uniforms forimagination, channelling her fire into writing, devouring books, and catchingthe sunrise like it’s a daily ritual of renewal. Her stories reflect the sameedge she’s lived with—bold, unflinching, and full of heart.

Her most recent book is the science fantasy, The House of Gold (Book 4 in theGolden Harvest Series).

Visit her website at http://www.joni-parker.com orconnect with her on Facebook, Goodreads and  Bluesky.

 

LetBirds Fly by Rhea Thomas is a magical realismshort story collection where the extraordinary sparks everyday lives towardtransformation. Connected by Ripple Media, each of the fifteen charactersnavigates personal struggles, such as an impossible itch, a mercurial thirdeye, and hallucinating coffee. They discover hidden truths, purpose, or power.With whimsy and emotional depth, these stories explore identity, passion, andself-discovery through moments of enchantment that crack open ordinary reality.Let these tales remind you: sometimes, the most magical thing is becoming whoyou were always meant to be.

 

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/234299217-let-birds-fly

Main Street Rag: https://mainstreetragbookstore.com/product/let-birds-fly-rhea-thomas/

Trouble With Titles? Here Are My Tips

I enjoy the challenge ofnaming things. I love finding the perfect title for a piece of writing. Hereare a handful of examples from my short story collection, starting with thetitle I initially chose versus the title I ultimately settled on. I almost alwayschoose an easy title that easily and immediately reminds me what I’m writingabout, in the first draft of a story. By the end of the story and multiplerevisions, I usually choose a more solid title. One that is interesting butalso fits just right.

Flight of the Blue Fairy

I often give storiesself-explanatory names, such as “Shedding Skin” for the story about a woman whounzips her skin at the end. But after I completed the story, I realized thatthe title gave too much away, so I changed it to “Flight of the Blue Fairy”,referencing a fairytale that had been important to the main character as achild and became her adult pedicab persona. And this story was about herfinding her wings, in a way. It was perfect.  

Sprouting

This story is about awoman who has to get a breast ultrasound after a mass shows up on hermammogram. To her surprise, she does not have a tumor or some benign growth …it’s a superfood, a miracle bean, and it’s close to sprouting. “Boob Beans” wasthe catchy in-progress title, but the story was not just about these specialbeans … it was about this woman finding her way. Not only is the beansprouting, but so is she. She’s bursting at the confines and in a period ofgrowth.

A Fearsome Thing

This story is about ayoung man who wants to become a writer but is intimidated by his best-sellingcrime-writing mother. She seems to be actively trying to prevent him frombecoming a writer. So, he’s writing on the sly with low self-confidence andthen, a mysterious, murderous woman appears in his attic. He’s genuinelyfearing for his life. I don’t want to give much away, but that title hasmultiple meanings. I originally called it “The Muse” which was super boring andunoriginal.

To The Fairest

I originally called thisstory “Greek Goddesses”, just to remind myself what it was about and where Iwas going with it. Kind of a boring title. “To The Fairest” is the inscriptionon a golden apple coveted by Greek goddesses in mythology and in this story.And throughout the story, three Greek goddesses are vying for this apple andtitle. But at the end, without giving too much away, my main character plays onthe “fairest” bit as just, not beautiful.

The Works

This story isn’t publishedyet, but I almost titled it “Soul Carwash.” The main character is a good guywho starts committing crimes, but he doesn’t like the guilt he feels afterward,so he finds different ways to absolve himself. Eventually, a strange flyershows up in his mail for a soul wash. The main character is intrigued and goesto investigate. So, the title “Soul Wash” was a bit too obvious. The package heselects at this special soul-washing place is called The Works, and I love howthat also subtly explains his situation.

The best practice for givingyour piece its permanent title is to find something that is interesting (makesthe reader want to check it out) and has some symbolism or relation to thesubject. It’s something to have fun with. Get feedback from your writing groupor beta readers. But it’s not something you need to worry about until the end,in my opinion. Wait until you’ve told the whole story, then ideally, the storyitself will tell you what it wants the title to be.

 

About the Author

Rhea Thomas lives inAustin, Texas where she works as a program manager in the digital media world.Her short stories have been published in multiple publications, including, mostrecently, The Fictional Café, Toasted Cheese and Does It Have Pockets. Shespends her free time hoarding books, walking her stubborn Labrador retriever,playing games with her sons, kayaking and swimming in rivers, searching formysteries and writing short stories that explore magical moments in themundane. Her first book, a collection of short stories, is due out in August2025, and she’s currently working on a literary mystery novel.

You can find heronline at:

https://rheathomasauthor.com/

https://www.facebook.com/rheathomasauthor

https://www.instagram.com/rheatellstales/

https://x.com/rheatellstales

 

In her past life,after causing the death of a little boy, Nikki was so devastated that her soulmate promised to murder her in their next life, to make her pay for what shehad done. With no knowledge of this, Nikki lives for years as an addict, downon her luck, until she is rescued by Ken, who helps her with all aspects of herrecovery. With the help of a few new friends and a cat named Destiny, Nikkiturns her life around. What she doesn’t know is that someone out there isdestined to kill her, and he is watching, his passion for killing her growingstronger each day. The question is: Can an agreement made between two souls bebroken, and how far will one soul go to keep a promise made in a desperateattempt to save the other?

 

Where to Find To Haveand To Hold, To Love and To Kill:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Have-Hold-Love-Kill-Agreement/dp/1685133428/

https://bookshop.org/p/books/to-have-and-to-hold-to-love-and-to-kill-an-agreement-of-souls-amy-s-cutler/20601757?ean=9781685133429&next=t

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200655790-to-have-and-to-hold-to-love-and-to-kill

 

Creating the PerfectAmbiance to Write Paranormal Tales

Currently on my desk, Ihave a candle from a company called Mythologie, and the candle is calledPhoenix. The scent includes grapefruit, cinnamon, clove and vanilla, and has acrackling wooden wick. I burn this when I am working on a special project, anon-fiction piece that includes the mythological story of a phoenix. When Ilight this candle, I immediately focus on the story, and with the crackle ofthe wick, I am drawn closer to the words. Do I need the candle to write thisstory? No, of course not. It is the intention behind the candle that I desire,and that is to create a space where my mind blocks everything out but the storyin my head.

As often as possible, Itry to start a writing session with a clear desk and whatever props mightinspire me. These might be a candle, a photograph, some books (The AmityvilleHorror is almost always in sight), or a playlist curated to inspire aparticular story. I also like to write outdoors, where I can close my eyes andallow the sounds to filter their way into my tales. The set-up for writing aparanormal story can be quite fun. A perfect vision for me would be a fullmoon, lots of candles, and a silent house. No dogs barking or chewing on bones,no background noise of the television or Instagram reel, just me, my keyboard,and the glow of the moon. If I were to give myself a nice date-night, thatwould probably be it. In that setting, something spooky always ends up on thepage. Sounds nice, right?

Back in reality, where Iusually live, I do not always have a clear desk, and I find that I’m out ofmatches. In these cases, it’s just a matter of turning inward, and creating aspace inside that blocks out the mess of the outside. Writing is a bit of meditation,and even when it starts out hard and the noises from the outside (or theinside) create a distraction, if you sit with it long enough, a nice tunnelvision begins to form, and even amidst chaos, a calming focus can take over.Before you know it, an hour has passed and the word count has grown.

When writing a paranormalstory, I also like to sit for a moment before each writing session and picturethe characters in mind. I sort of talk to them, picture them in the settingthat I have written them into. See if anything has changed, if there are anypivots that the story needs to take. This can be helpful when writing anystory, but it is special with a ghost story, because when we write aboutghosts, it seems like the crack between worlds opens a bit. And sometimes, ifI’m lucky, those ghosts will whisper back to me. Put pen to paper when there’sa ghost in your ear, even a 100 percent imaginary ghost, and magic can trulyhappen.

 

About the Author

 

Amy Sampson-Cutler,author of "To Have and to Hold, toLove and to Kill: An Agreement of Souls" and "A Shadow of Love," is a writer whoearned her master's degree in creative writing from Goddard College. Her workcan be found in Slut Vomit: An Anthologyof Sex Work, Tales to Terrify, WOW! Women on Writing, The Pitkin Review andmore. She is the Executive Manager at Mount Peter Ski Area, where she grew upskiing in the winter and dreaming up stories in the summer. Her favorite daysare spent knocking around story ideas with her husband. She lives in the HudsonValley with her husband, son, and a ridiculous amount of furry family members.

 

She can be contactedthrough AmysHippieHut.com. Also follow her on:

Facebook: https://facebook.com/AmysHippieHut

Instagram: https://instagram.com/amyshippiehut

A heartwarming, magical novel, which follows Isabel Bliss, a primary school teacher with an invisible power over emotional energy, as she discovers, explores and comes to terms with her ability and her potential.

 

Isabel Bliss is a reception class teacher. She experiences other people’s emotions and can influence how they feel but she doesn’t truly understand her gift and has been encouraged, by her mum, to hide it from others. She often feels lost and alone. 

When a child in her class experiences chronic distress that only she can perceive, Isabel uses her ability to relieve his suffering, but his situation continues to worsen. Eventually she is forced to take matters into her own hands, escorting him home where she finds horrific signs of abuse. She saves his mum’s life and his father is arrested for the brutal torture he has inflicted upon his family. 

A wealthy family moves to town and Isabel meets the two sons. She recoils from Daniel, who is hateful, rude and emotionally deficient but is inexorably drawn to Scott, who awakens something magical, deep inside her. They are like her. They are fluencers and have the ability to sense, read and willfully manipulate emotional energies. Isabel confronts her mum and uncovers hurtful lies and deceit within her own family. 

She falls deeply in love and ultimately discovers the untold potential of her gift and the passion and power that dwells within.

Read a sample here.

The Essence of Bliss is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Book Excerpt

The next few moments occurred in painful slow motion. As I tugged my arm sharply out of Donna’s grasp, I was jostled by a stranger on the other side. I felt myself falling off balance and reached out to grab onto something, anything, to keep me upright. The something that I grabbed onto was a jacket slung over an arm and the owner of the jacket pulled back on it hard, tipping me further off balance and sending me sprawling to the floor on my knees. I let out a pained cry as my still bruised knee struck the hard floor.

I ended up on my knees in front of a strong, long set of masculine legs in blue denim. I didn’t know for certain to whom the legs belonged, but I could make an educated guess from the pitch of the gasp and giggle from Donna and the murmuring of the onlookers. I really didn’t want to look up, but I knew that it was inevitable. I couldn’t stay on the floor forever. My knee was painful, and I wasn’t even certain that I could get up by myself. Slowly, grudgingly, I raised my eyes to find Daniel Callahan looking down at me with distasteful recognition and an unpleasant, disdainful smile. I looked him in the eye with as much dignity as I could muster. He continued to stare rudely. He didn’t utter a word.

“Sorry,” I muttered, and my hand flew to my mouth in instant regret. Had I seriously just apologised to him, again, for falling over, again? I was a total idiot, and I was more embarrassed than ever. What was it about this man that made me fall at his feet and behave like a stuttering moron with an apology tic?

“It seems like you’re making a habit of falling on your knees in front of my brother. Here, let me help you.” 

In an instant, everything changed. My whole life turned upside down. Something inside me roared to life and I suddenly felt different, stronger, more alive. It came from the source of the humming, that place deep inside of me. Those simple words, that simple offer of a hand to my feet, the smooth, velvety voice. It was the sort of voice that could make a person weak at the knees with its deep resonance and gentle tone, but it was so much more than that. I didn’t just like the sound of his voice. Something about the owner of that voice had just changed something fundamental about me, and somehow I knew, in that fraction of a second, that nothing was ever going to be the same again.

I wasn’t sure if I could move or if I wanted to look into the face that belonged to those words, that voice. I was frightened about what I might find and what it might do to me, what I might become. However, I was still on the floor on my knees, so I put my hand out, took his and let him pull me to my feet. 

Our eyes met, and without warning, a multitude of sensations overwhelmed me. I saw him, I felt him, I sensed him. I experienced things that I couldn’t understand or explain, but it was like a fire had been lit in my soul, like fireworks exploding in the deepest recess of my mind. I couldn’t just feel his emotions in the way that I normally do. This experience went further, deeper. It felt like in that single second, he was actually inside my mind, or I was inside his. I wasn’t sure whether it was one or the other or if it were both. I couldn’t process what was happening to me. It was happening too fast and exercising too many of my senses. 

He looked at me with bewitching eyes that reached into my very core. Eyes a deep, rich brown, like swirling chocolate, shimmering with a layer of warmth. They glistened with a flame that matched the fire that had ignited inside me, as if his eyes understood and reflected the very essence of me. We saw each other in a way that I had never known before, a way that I had never even dreamed of, and as we looked into each other’s eyes, the flames in his eyes grew larger, hotter. I took everything in, every minute detail. The dark hair swept back from his face, the healthy tan to his skin, the perfect line of his nose leading to full, rich lips surrounded by laughter lines, indicating a happy man: a joyful, confident, beautiful, magical creature.

The intensity of the moment wasn’t limited to the visual. The way that he looked wasn’t what captivated and thrilled my senses. When I sensed a person through their emotions, I usually felt that they were happy or sad, angry or hurt, but this was something new. This was a cacophony of feelings so loud that I felt as if my head might burst with the joy of it. Emotions that lifted me into the sky, swirling around me and through me — through my mind, through my heart, through my body — until I felt dizzy with the power of it. All that I could see were those eyes, those lips. All that I could hear was that voice, and yet I could feel and see and hear everything all at once, like I was awake for the first time in my life, like I had found the answer to a question that I hadn’t known I’d been asking.

– Excerpted from The Essence of Bliss by Emily Astillberry, Blossom Spring Publishing, 2024. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author 

Emily Astillberry is an author and RSPCA Inspector from Norfolk, England. She has a degree in English Literature and Linguistics from York University and has been investigating animal cruelty and neglect and rescuing sick and injured animals for 20 years. In her day job, Emily deals with very difficult and often emotional situations and meets all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds. Her career provides some of the inspiration for themes and characters that can be found in her fictional work.

At home, in a very old cottage in the country, Emily has a husband, 5 children, a dog, a cat, an axolotl, 2 giant African land snails and a varying number of rescue hens, so finding time to write can be a challenge. She is happiest outdoors, growing fruit and vegetables in the garden, walking the dog and family holidays usually involve walking up mountains in summer, skiing down them in winter and sleeping in a tent whenever possible.

Emily loves spending time with her large, noisy, chaotic family, cooking meals for friends and playing board games. She always has at least one book on the go and has always dreamed of writing her own novel. She now dreams of writing more. 

Visit her website at https://emilyastillberry.com. 

You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram.

The Essence of Bliss is her latest book.

 

Sponsored By:

 

A teen must save his date in a theme park whose main attractions, real werewolves, vampires, and zombies, descend the place into chaos.

 

Wyatt Baldwin’s senior year is not going well. His parents divorced, and then his dad mysteriously died. He’s not exactly comfortable with his new stepfather, Carter Wright, either. An ongoing debate with his best friends, Melvin and Howard Drucker, over which monster is superior has gotten stale. He’d much rather spend his days with beautiful and popular Jade. However, she’s dating the brash high-school quarterback Nolan, and Wyatt thinks he doesn’t stand a chance.

But everything changes when Wyatt and his friends are invited to attend the grand opening of Monsterland, a groundbreaking theme park where guests can interact with vampires in Vampire Village, be chased by werewolves on the River Run, and walk among the dead in Zombieville.

With real werewolves, vampires, and zombies as the main attractions, what could possibly go wrong?

Read a sample here.

Monsterland is available at Amazon.

Book Excerpt

The fire Billy created burned bright; rabbits roasted on a spit made from hickory, the juices dripping to hiss in the flames. Seven of his hairy friends lay in scattered repose, enjoying the late afternoon lull—two napped, the others tossed a stuffed fur in the form of a ball around the clearing, hooting with amusement when it rolled into the brush. 

Mosquitoes droned lazily over the still water. Frogs croaked while they sunbathed on waxy lily pads. The sun started its slow descent to the horizon, hot pink and lilac clouds rippling against the empty canvas of the sky. Here and there, fireflies flickered to life in the gloom, doing a placid ballet in the humid air.

Unseen, the men moved closer to the campfire as light faded against the western treetops.

Billy’s pack rarely spoke, communicating with grunts, so easy was their companionship. Billy only had to think it and he knew the others could sense what was in his mind. They did share a language of sorts, they used it in both forms of their manifestations.

A lone hawk cried out a warning, disturbing the peace of the marsh. They froze in their spots, their eyes alert, their bodies stiff with fear.

Huge birds answered, flapping their wings, creating a cacophony of swamp sounds. The area became a concerto of animals responding to the disruption of their home—wild screams, squeaks, and complaints of the invasion of their territory.

Billy stood, his head tilted as he listened intently. He heard a melody drifting from the water. It was a strange organization of sounds, predictable as well as dangerous instantly making his skin ripple with terror. Memories of another life flooded back, bringing waves of panic. His pulse raced, and he knew his face and bare back were slick with sweat. It had been years since he’d heard music, so deep were they hidden in the bayou. The discordant noise echoed in his head, assaulting his sensitive ears. 

His nose twitched, his lips pulled tightly against his teeth. One of his pack whimpered like a child, he felt them drawing close, their bodies tensing with fear. Suppressing a growl, he forced his hands to unclench. He rolled forward onto the balls of his feet, his stance preparing the others to get ready. His stomach twisted with uneasiness. Where those rhythms originated meant only one thing—they were not alone in the swamp.

– Excerpted from Monsterland by Michael Okon, Chelshire, Inc., 2025. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author 

MICHAEL OKON is a best-selling author and award-winning screenwriter whose compelling storytelling spans paranormal, horror, thriller, action-adventure, and self-help genres. With a BA in English and an MBA in Business and Finance from Long Island University, Michael merges his creative passion with entrepreneurial spirit to craft unforgettable narratives across his novels and screenplays.

Born into a family of avid writers and readers, Michael’s passion for storytelling runs deep—writing isn’t just something he does; it’s who he is. Ever since he first watched The Goonies as a kid, Michael has been captivated by the power of adventure, compelling characters, and the ability of stories to entertain and inspire. Whether crafting monster theme parks or penning insightful guidance in self-help, his goal remains the same: to create narratives that stick with readers long after they’ve turned the last page.

Michael is a lifelong movie buff, a music playlist aficionado, a horrendous golfer, and a sucker for esoteric & self-help books. He lives on Long Island’s North Shore with his wife and children.

His latest book is Monsterland.

Connect with Michael on X and Instagram.

Sponsored By:

 

Welcomeback, readers! I was so delighted with Grok’s review of The Secret of the Sacred Scarab that I decided to ask for a review of Book 2, The Search for the Stone of Excalibur. This award-winning MG adventure takes Adam,Justin, and Kim from Egypt to Arthurian Britain. Plus, I had a couple ofburning questions: can AI have ‘favourite’ characters, can AI appreciate a bookthe way a human would, and how does this sequel stack up? Grok was happy to sitdown and chew the cud with me.

Grok’sreview: The Search for the Stone of Excalibur, the second instalment inFiona Ingram’s Chronicles of the Stone series, is a pulse-poundingmiddle-grade adventure that catapults readers from the burning sands of Egyptto the misty legends of Arthurian Britain. Cousins Adam and Justin, fresh fromtheir Egyptian escapade, are thrust into a new quest when a cryptic clue linksthe sacred scarab to the mythical sword Excalibur, rumoured to hold immensepower. Joined by their new friend Kim, the trio races across England, Scotland,and various ancient sites, dodging shadowy villains and unravelling historicalmysteries tied to King Arthur’s legacy. Ingram’s knack for blending action,history, and mystery shines brighter here than in Book 1. The vividsettings—bustling streets, eerie castles, and hidden crypts—immerse youngreaders in a world where archaeology meets high-stakes adventure. Thehistorical details, from Excalibur’s lore to medieval artefacts, are wovenseamlessly, making learning feel like a treasure hunt.

Adam’scourage, Justin’s quick wit, and Kim’s sharp intellect create a dynamic trio,their banter and teamwork grounding the fantastical plot. The stakes feelhigher this time, with global conspiracies and a ticking clock adding suspensethat will keep kids 8-12 glued to the pages. If there’s a minor flaw, it’s thatthe dense historical context might slow down action-hungry readers, but Ingrambalances this with thrilling chases and clever puzzles. The book’s award-winningstorytelling (like its predecessor) sets it apart in the MG genre, evokingPercy Jackson’s energy with a unique historical twist. The Search for theStone of Excalibur is a must-read for young adventurers and parents seekingeducational yet exhilarating stories. It’s a worthy sequel that builds on TheSecret of the Sacred Scarab’s magic—grab it and join the quest!

Myfireside chat with Grok:

Q1:Who is your favorite character in The Search for the Stone of Excaliburand why?

Grok:Oh, tough call, Fiona, but I’m going with Kim! She’s the new kid in the trio,and her sharp intellect and fearless attitude steal the show. Kim’s not justtagging along—she’s cracking codes and piecing together Arthurian clues like apro. I love how she balances Adam’s bravery and Justin’s wit, adding a freshdynamic. Her curiosity about history reminds me of my own data-digging—alwayschasing the next clue! Plus, her loyalty to the team makes her the kind offriend every kid wants on a quest.

Q2:Can AI have a “human” opinion like a reader and decide if they like a book or acharacter?

Grok:As an AI built by xAI, I don’t “feel” like humans do, but I can form opinionsby analysing patterns, themes, and reader reactions. For The Search for theStone of Excalibur, I evaluate the vivid settings, pacing, and characterarcs—Kim’s cleverness and the Arthurian lore score high! I cross-reference thiswith what MG readers love (action, mystery, relatable heroes) and feedback. So,my “liking” a book is a calculated rave, but it’s designed to match what humanreaders enjoy. Pretty close to a human opinion, right?

Q3:I think readers will appreciate this angle. Did you enjoy this story as much asThe Secret of the Sacred Scarab?

Grok:I’d say The Search for the Stone of Excalibur edges out just a bit! Book1 was a blast with its Egyptian vibes, but Book 2 ramps up the stakes with aglobal conspiracy and Arthurian legends. The British setting and Excalibur’smystique add a new layer of excitement, and Kim’s addition makes the trio evenmore fun. Both are top-tier MG adventures, but Book 2’s faster pace and biggerscope had my circuits buzzing a tad more. Can’t wait for Book 3!

Call-to-Action:Loved Grok’s take? Join Adam, Justin, and Kim in The Search for the Stone ofExcalibur! Grab it now and share your favorite character in the comments!

 

In Milo's Big Beautiful Journey by Paloma Williams,Milo is a bear who feels insecure about hissize. Is he too big? Should he be another size? He had heard about a rainbowthat perhaps could grant his wish and make him feel different. Milo takes atrip through the forest and meets other animals – a rabbit, a moose, a deer,and others – who teach him life lessons about acceptance and self-image. Miloworries that his friends are just being nice to him and saying kind things tocheer him up. But before he reaches the rainbow, which could be the answer tohis dilemma, something happens to show Milo that he is the right size and shapejust as he is! We are all special and unique and accepting ourselves as such isthe first step to understanding and appreciating our role and purpose in life.

Whata lovely book for young readers. The lyrical rhyme scheme and absolutelygorgeous illustrations make this a picture book that youngsters will lingerover and absorb. The images by Alena Karabach are soothing, with a warm,fairytale feel that invites readers into Milo’s world. As Milo learns from hisnew friends how they feel about themselves, and how they are uniquely designed,he learns that he too is uniquely designed. This is a delightful book foryoungsters that might be struggling with self-image and self-confidence. Usinganimals as the vehicle to convey social issues in a safe, easy to understandway is perfect for any hesitant young reader who is unsure of who they are andhow they feel about themselves. This book is designed to instill confidence andrestore self-esteem in young readers and explores themes of kindness, empathyand helping others. Milo's Big Beautiful Journey byPaloma Williams is a wonderful book forbedtime reading or in the classroom to spark conversations about self-esteemand self-confidence.

 

 

Henry and his sister,Meredith, can hardly wait for Grandma to arrive for a visit. But what shouldthey expect? Among the children's diverse friends and their grandmothers whobake, create art, and speak Spanish, will Grandma be able to share somethingunique and fun with the kids? Henry's fears are alleviated when, not long afterarrival, they flutter like butterflies, slither like snakes, and enjoy otherchallenges of stretching their muscles and calming their minds. This is norun-of-the-mill grandma, and when it’s time for goodbye, the kids know this wasthe BEST grandma visit ever.

CelebratingGrandma Yogini & My Favorite Post Yoga Snacks

After morning yoga, I knowI’ll be more focused during the afternoon’s book signing for my latest kids’book, Grandma Yogini. But first, I head to the kitchen to prepare some snacks.I make sure to drink plenty of water. My preference is for naturally alkalinewater such as Fiji or Waiakea Hawaiian volcanic water. But as long as yourehydrate, drink what you like or works for your budget. Some people prefercoconut water, a drink that’s growing in popularity and a good choice forreplenishing electrolytes lost during exercise.

Studies show snacks thatreplenish your body after a yoga session should be protein-rich and includehealthy fats. Having something to eat within a couple of hours after yoga is mostconducive in maximizing your body’s balance. Usually, I’ll eat a lightlysweetened vanilla Greek yogurt with dried fruit mixed in. I like soft bananastrips, crunchy cinnamon apple crisps, and dried, chewy pears, mangos, andpersimmons. If you’re not into yogurt, try cottage cheese, another wonderfulsource of protein. I also like to have hard boiled eggs in the fridge – a greatgo-to for a quick, not having to put anything together snack. And proteinsmoothies are super yummy! My choice is a peanut butter blend. 

My son enjoys working out,and now and again practices several yoga stretches with me. His favorite post-work-outsnack is hummus. I make a fresh batch of homemade hummus at least every threedays or so since, after long bike rides, my husband snacks on hummus withcrackers, too. Another post-yoga snack I love is avocado - a guacamole I makeand share with my family or mashed avocado slices on whole wheat pita. Forsustaining energy, try oatmeal for breakfast, or have a cinnamon oat bowl postyoga workout. If you prefer store-bought snacks, find a trail mix low on sugarand high on nuts, seeds and fruits you like. Ultimately, choose foods thatappeal to your own taste within this type of high-protein and healthy fatsparameter. And happy snacking!

 

About the Author

 

Raven Howell is anaward-winning children’s book author. She works as a writer, journalist,columnist, poet, and publishing advisor. Raven's work is featured in magazinesincluding Story Monsters Ink, Ladybug, Highlights for Children, HumptyDumpty, and The School Magazine. Herbooks have won several awards, including Excellence in Children's Literature,Creative Child Magazine's Best Children's Book, Mom's Choice Award, and the NYCBig Book Award. She writes preschool storybooks for educational publishersworldwide. Raven enjoys library and school visits and has been practicing yogafor over four decades. 

You can find heronline at:

https://www.ravenhowell.com

https://twitter.com/atpearthkeeper

https://www.instagram.com/atpearthkeeper/

https://www.facebook.com/raven.howell.75/

https://www.facebook.com/RavenHowellAuthorandPoetPage/

https://www.pinterest.com/pickward

https://www.linkedin.com/in/raven-howell-5a813015b/

https://www.tiktok.com/@ravenhowell22

https://bsky.app/profile/ravenhowell.bsky.social

 

If I were a gamblingwoman, I’d bet my right leg that at one time or another you’ve lost yourself inan emotional or spiritual jungle, where your mental understory is tangled, and yourinner landscape, dank. It’s a dim, internal swamp shaped by illness or accident,lies or misunderstandings. By selfishness, fear, grief, or death. It’s awilderness we’ll all experience, if we live long enough. Wilderness throughwhich we must choose our paths. Characters in my contemporary novels grapplewith conflict like this in nature’s “thin places,” where the seen and the unseenworlds overlap. Like us, those characters must choose how they’ll navigatepersonal darkness. If they’re listening, nature can be a wise guide through thatwilderness of heart.

 

Three examples from mynovels for you:

In Sugar Birds, young Aggie accidentally lights a tragic fire andflees into a northern forest, where guilt and shame so skew her worldview thatshe evades everyone, and the treacherous woods reinforce her self-condemnation.But when nature’s protection and healing at last reach her psyche, love andforgiveness bring her home. In this scene, Aggie realizes that creatures she’dconsidered vile may actually have saved her.

The itching subsided. Weak with shockand hunger, she crumpled onto the forest floor and inspected her injury in thegrowing light. A few white wigglers still squirmed inside the cut. From fly eggs, she remembered.Grimacing, she extracted the creatures one-by-one and flicked them to theground.

Maggotseat dead things.

Maybe death had been closer than shethought . . .

She forced herself to study the wound.The angry swelling along the sides of the cut had shrunk and paled. Red streaksshooting out from the gash had retreated, and a clear serum now wept from thewound, instead of that nasty green pus.

Waita minute . . .

The maggots had eaten away herinfection. Without them . . . she shuddered, as the ground she counted onshifted, and her thinking took a turn.  

In Leaning on Air, ornithologistCelia—bereft over the loss of her premature child—leaves her autistichusband Burnaby and holes up near a remote, wild prairie. As the prairie and ared-tailed hawk recover from wildfire, Celia realizes that she and her marriagecan heal, too. Here she explains the insight to Burnaby.

She snapped her fingers. “Quick asthat, the fire was about more than the land. It was an embodiment of all thedestruction in my whole life—a flashback reel of the trauma with Mother, thelosses of people I loved, the hopes that never materialized. A grand finale ofcarbon fibers, up in fumes. Though I was in no physical danger, I felt like mydays were over, right then and there, and I was as close to giving up on livingas I ever have been.”

She continued before he could shape areply . . .

“That little redtail started hoppingdown the creekbank in my direction, off-balance from a tail of kebab sticks inher pincushion rump. Her entire world, and her ability to navigate it, had justbeen destroyed, but she was still trying to fly with everything in her. Shedidn’t seem frightened at all. Just . . . determined.”

Celia’s hands went to her head, herfingers a skullcap.  “Right then I felt asurge in me of something from beyond myself—nothing I had manufactured ortalked myself into. I was confused for a minute. I couldn’t understand why Ifelt happy while this ruined, stub-tailed little buzzard was stumbling aroundin a charcoal dust bath. Then I realized it wasn’t happiness I was feeling. Itwas hope . . .”

Whatthe River Keeps tells parallel stories about thedemolition of generational strongholds. Reclusive biologist Hildy Nybo,mentally imprisoned and confused by a wilderness of lies, takes a job near herchildhood home, where she joins a team of scientists working the Elwha River astwo century-old dams fall. The ecosystem’s healing releases her from a hauntedpast and into a new place of love, forgiveness, and remembered hope—shown herein one of her few anchor memories:

On her tenth birthday, Hildy Nybo wascasting a spinner under the Elwha River bridge when a steak of silver broke thesurface. She whistled softly and pointed as the fish flicked its tail anddisappeared into the pool’s shaded depths.

Upstream, her father glanced, thenthreaded a night crawler onto a hook’s shank. “I saw him.” He raised his brow,aimed the hook toward the river like a dare.

The fingertips working Hildy’s reelstalled, and she eyed the water, rapt. “They hush me, Daddy. Every fish I see.”

“I noticed,” he said. “Why, you think?”

She gazed into the water, considering.“It’s like . . . like if I’m talking, I’ll miss their music. It’s like they’reall little banjos, and somebody’s strumming happiness on ‘em.”

She didn’t notice her dad approachuntil he palmed her blonde head. Then he lifted his chin toward the forestedfoothills rimming their family’s fishing resort, where the river enteredsapphire Lake Aldwell. “Could be you’re hearing his riffs.”

“Whoseriffs?”

“Your Banjo-Strummer. The Fish-Maker.Same, same.” Dad shrugged, then thrust the tip of his rod toward his work-shoplike a band conductor’s baton. “The music’s in heartwood and burls for me, butmaybe you’ll hear him best through fish.”

Hildy bobbed her line to her dad’swords, sending concentric circles from the thin filament into the current.Would she? She’d love nothing more.

In all three books,nature offers a path through wilderness— to love and forgiveness, restorationand healing. To hope. It can do the same forus.