LiteraryScape

By: Melissa LaShure
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  • Summary

  • The LiteraryScape podcast serves both readers and writers of historical Christian romance with a sprinkling of contemporary Christian suspense books. We read, discuss, review, and rate books in this unique romance sub-genre. For authors, we bring inside tips and tricks from those who have gone before us. LiteraryScape is the one stop shop for both readers and authors to connect, learn, and grow together.
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Literature & Fiction Christianity Spirituality
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Episodes
  • Critical Error by Lynn Shannon

    Critical Error by Lynn Shannon
    Sep 27 2024

    Announcements

    Our next Coffee and Books event will be next Saturday October 5th from 9:00-10:00am EST. Enjoy an hour of book talk with authors Julie Lessman, and Lynn Shannon. This is a free event, but you do need to register to save your spot. Head on over to www.literaryscape.com/events to register today. We look forward to seeing you on October 5th!

    We are also running a survey during the month of September where readers can help us schedule our 2025 Coffee and Books events. Vote for the best day and time that works for you to attend. Then tell us which authors you would like to meet. Monday is the last day to vote.

    The Unwavering Faith crowdfunding campaign continues but will end on November 1, 2024. At the time of this recording, we are just 28 books away from unlocking the first bonus item which is a 12x18 signed poster of the cover. You now can get a copy of either a paperback or hardback or both of the limited-edition cover. Head on over to www.literaryscape.com/campaign to see the updates. The link will also be in the show notes. Please consider sharing this campaign with others as we work toward the goal of publishing Unwavering Faith.

    A huge thank you to Lori LaShure and Linda Messer for purchasing a limited-edition copy of Unwavering Faith!

    That’s it for announcements. Let’s jump into this week’s book discussion. We had a few technical difficulties when we recorded the episodes for this series, so please excuse any audio blips. Enjoy our discussion of Critical Error by Lynn Shannon.

    Episode Notes

    In this episode Jamie, Jessica, Tiff, and Melissa discuss Critical Error by Lynn Shannon. This is the second book in her Triumph Over Adversity series. Her contemporary Christion suspense romance series will keep you turning the page! We discuss the book, haunted hog houses, and situational awareness. Enjoy this laughter filled conversation.

    One of the nuggets of truth we discuss is the fact the God never leaves us. For us we find we know this, but in the midst of a trial we easily forget this. Lynn weaving this truth into her story was a great reminder. If you find yourself forgetting this truth, like us, here are a few verses to remind you that God is with you.

    Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) ‘Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

    Deuteronomy 31:8 (NKJV) And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.

    Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your god is with you wherever you go.”

    Link for the blog post for this episode: www.literaryscape.com/podcast/129
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    23 mins
  • Heart Changing Devotional

    Heart Changing Devotional
    Sep 25 2024
    Welcome to the Blog Tour for What's the Story, Morning Glory? by Julie Lessman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! If you follow our podcast and have listened to Julie Lessman’s most recent interview with us, then you know all about her ‘novotional’. It is a devotional unlike any other. I have linked Julie’s interview in the show notes for this episode. Before we jump into my review of What’s the Story Morning Glory by Julie Lessman I want to make you aware that I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I want to explain the format of What’s the Story Morning Glory and then I’ll dive into the meat of it. She starts each chapter with the real story. This is a story from her life that serves as an example for the chapter’s topic. This is followed by a scene from one of her novels that highlights the chapter’s topic/lesson. Julie follows the scene with several scripture verses that address the topic. After the scripture she provides three to six steps for how to put the scripture into action. Finally, she ends with a prayer her readers can pray. Full details and the back cover blurb can be found at the bottom of the blog post for this episode. Julie is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet. Her heart is on fire for God and she will always speak the truth. Her heart for God and her desire to share him with others is so evident in the stories she shares from her life, that you will be moved to tears and closer to God. Here is an example of one of her personal stories she shares. “God’s will is for you to be holy,so stay away from all sexual sin.Then each of you will control his own bodyand live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the paganswho do not know God and his ways.” ~1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 NLT Chapter Eight From Promiscuity to Purity: Being Single in an Amoral World 1.) The Real Story:“What do you mean, ‘it’s different with me?’” I skidded to a stop in my boyfriend’s driveway on the way to his Corvette, rooted to the asphalt like the lamppost by the steps to his house. He’d just had the audacity to brag about how proud he was of his little sister because “she was still a virgin.” “Come on, Julie, she’s my sister, so of course it’s different.” Yeah, it was different all right. She was the one he admired and respected because she was moral while I was merely the girlfriend who gave him whatever he wanted free of charge. No morals.No respect.No peace. Being a product of the “Free Love” era of the 60’s and 70’s, I wasn’t a Christian back then and bore a major grudge against God, but even I could see the disparity between the two, something that literally rocked me to the core. I think that was the beginning of a seed of understanding for me that God’s precepts—His morality instead of the world’s amorality—was the way of life instead of death, like Deuteronomy 30:15-16 NIV so succinctly states:“See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.” The “understanding” ramped up to a whole new level after Joy brought me to the Lord and told me sleeping with my boyfriend was sin. “God never shows me that in the Bible,” I argued, chin thrust high as I defended my version of “Bible roulette”—a haphazard method of opening the Bible to read just anywhere, somehow never coming upon passages on sexual sin. Which obviously meant they weren’t for me, right? Head drops in hand. And, yes, I really was that stupid. But then the world’s amorality makes you stupid, blinding you to the blessings of God. The courage Julie had to share her deepest struggles could only have come from God. As I read the devotional my heart was splayed open. I had to face what she calls little foxes that were keeping a barrier between me and God. It hasn’t been pretty but so freeing as I fall on my knees before God and He gathers me in His loving arms. Hearing someone’s personal testimony always relights our fire for God and spurs us on. Julie’s ‘novotional’ is packed with her personal testimonies. I have yet to read a devotional that has moved me and drawn me closer to God like hers has. I cannot thank Julie enough for following God’s prompting as this devotional she co-authored with Him has been life changing. If you are looking for an inspirational and practical guide to deepen your relationship with God, then I highly recommend Julie Lessman’s devotional, What’s the Story Morning Glory. There are links in the show notes where you can pre-order the devotional. It will launch on October 1, 2024, which is just around the corner. If...
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    10 mins
  • The Dog Stole the Show

    The Dog Stole the Show
    Sep 20 2024

    Announcements

    Our next Coffee and Books event will be on October 5th from 9:00-10:00am EST. Enjoy an hour of book talk with authors Julie Lessman, and Lynn Shannon. This is a free event, but you do need to register to save your spot. Head over to www.literaryscape.com/events to register today. We look forward to seeing you on October 5th!

    We are also running a survey during the month of September where readers can help us schedule our 2025 Coffee and Books events. Vote for the best day and time that works for you to attend. Then tell us which authors you would like to meet. The survey goes out each Friday in our newsletter. If you are not signed up, head on over to www.literaryscape.com/newsletter and sign-up today.

    The Unwavering Faith crowdfunding campaign is off to a great start. I am thankful for everyone who has purchased a book. At the time of this recording, we are just 33 books away from unlocking the first bonus item which is a leather bookmark with Unwavering Faith burnished into it. You can see what it looks like on our campaign page which is www.literaryscape.com/campaign. The link will also be in the show notes. Please consider sharing this campaign with others as we work toward the goal of publishing Unwavering Faith.

    A huge thank you to Brenna Cook and Jamie Benya for purchasing a limited-edition copy of Unwavering Faith!

    That’s it for announcements. Let’s jump into this week’s book discussion. I must warn you we had a discussion filled with laughter due to some technical difficulties. There are a few spots where the sound will have a slight echo. I apologize and hope you can enjoy the show despite the tech glitches. I highly recommend watching the video to see our reactions. Enjoy our discussion of Calculated Risk by Lynn Shannon.

    Episode Notes

    In this episode Jamie, Tiffanie, Jessica, and Melissa discuss the first book in Lynn Shannon’s Triumph Over Adversity series titled Calculated Risk. This is the second contemporary Christian suspense romance series we have featured this year. Typically, we stick with historical Christian romance, but we do enjoy this sub-genre as well.

    We all fell in love with Connor our hero’s dog. He stole our hearts and the show. If you get the opportunity to read this series, we can guarantee you will fall in love with this war hero.

    This series centers around a group of veterans who are good friends. This of course leads to some laughter filled discussions between the members of our group. We hope you have a group of friends you can laugh and have fun with as well because laughter truly is the best medicine.

    We gave the following ratings to each of the story elements listed below.

    (Espresso = an expression, Mocha = Medium amount, Latte = A lot)

    Mystery - Latte

    Drama – Mocha/Latte

    Suspense - Latte

    Romance – Mocha

    Inspiration – Mocha

    This whole series is a must read and we know you will be hooked and hog-tied which is why LiteraryScape gave Calculated Risk by Lynn Shannon 2.75 lassos! The just under 3 lassos comes from Tiffanie’s rating. She is not a fan of suspense but agreed that Lynn wrote the book so well she couldn’t put it down.

    (1 lasso – throw and a miss, 2 lassos – hooked, 3 lassos – hooked and hog tied)

    Series Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Y99YBCN?binding=kindle_edition&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tkin&qid=1726788121&sr=8-1

    https://youtu.be/BhwHqbJS_R4

    https://rumble.com/v5fmecs-episode-128-calculated-risk-by-lynn-shannon.html
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    21 mins

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