Have you ever wondered why book preorders matter so much to your favorite authors? Let me share one of the sweetest perks of preordering my new Christian historical fiction novel, The Saint and the Spy!

A Special Package from Baker Book House

One of the perks of preordering is receiving a physical copy of my book from my favorite retailer, Baker Book House. I mean, just look at this sweet package!

Imagine it arriving via snail mail at your door in the dark, wintry days of January. There’s something so lovely about opening a package and holding a new story in your hands. Especially when you may have forgotten you preordered it!

Why Book Preorders Matter

Preorders are the lifeblood of an author who wants to continue publishing.

They signal interest in an upcoming book, help reach new and existing readers, and can influence how a book performs across online retail platforms and their algorithms.

And, as I understand it, strong preorder sales can also contribute to a novel’s potential placement on bestseller lists.

There’s much behind the scenes that I don’t fully understand, but I do know this: your preorder makes a difference.

 Preorder your copy of The Saint and the Spy & share this post with a friend who loves Christian historical fiction, historical romance, & stories of faith, courage, & love.

Thank you for helping these stories reach readers.

The post A little January joy: preorders appeared first on Laura Frantz.

I love this reminder of just who God is. THE author. Not just of creation but our faith. Every good & perfect gift is from above. He is love. Light. Hope. Eternity. And so much more.

Amen.

The post THE author appeared first on Laura Frantz.

Writing has always seemed more worship. Not publishing, writing. God gifts us all to do His work in unique ways & we have to trust His outcomes. Our focus must be on working from the soul for Him. That gives clarity of mind & perfect peace in a chaotic, competitive “look at me” world. My small creative efforts might not mean much to many but they mean the world to Him & in the end that’s all that truly matters .

The post When work is worship appeared first on Laura Frantz.

A beloved Bible passage is 1 Thessalonians 4

“… to aspire to live quietly, & to mind your own affairs, & to work with your hands …”

Recently I came across this devotional from one of my favorite authors, Paul David Tripp. I highly recommend his devotional books. This is from Everyday Gospel: 

“For many of us, social media dictates how we spend our time, & it dominates how we act, react, & respond to others. Social media is the place where you go not to live quietly. The power of social media is that it gives you a voice-& it rewards loud voices. It encourages you to weigh in & to make your presence & opinion known. Social media encourages you to live loudly, & it rewards you if you do.

You do not go to social media to mind your own affairs. No, social media encourages you to to mind other people’s business. It rewards you for sticking your nose into things that have nothing to do with you … It gives you the false impression that you are a part of something, when in reality your involvement is just a bunch of keyboard clicks.

Two things result when we fail to live quietly & to stay out of others’ affairs. First, if your attention is dominated by the business of others, then you are not investing time in examining your own heart & life, in confessing what has been revealed, in seeking God’s forgiveness, & in surrendering yourself once more to him. This harms your spiritual growth & worship. Second, the time you invest in social media takes you away from developing & using the gifts God has given you, & employing them in the work he has given you.

Paul David Tripp

The post Everyday Gospel appeared first on Laura Frantz.

Time is truly flying & somehow writing happens in the midst of it all. I wish I could slow time down & am often glad eternity has no clock. I can’t imagine it but I think it will mean we enjoy these fleeting joys forever! Every summer does have its own story & the blessings are many. American flags. Fresh strawberries. Book stuff. Sunshine. Long walks. Lake days. Good meals. The pool. Our garden. Trips to our unfinished little house down south near our boys. I could write a book about the blessings. There’s always a down side but it’s better not to dwell on it as Philippians 4:8 says.  And then there’s Paul’s words in James … Count it all JOY! And so I am. Hope you are, too.

The post Summertime appeared first on Laura Frantz.

The post A Writer’s Prayer on Beginning a New Project, written by Bob Hostetler appeared first on Laura Frantz.

Our Independence Day Giveaway is now open!

If you’ve read my novels, our country’s founding in the 18th-century is a major theme, thus July 4th or Independence Day is a beloved holiday for me & many. In light of this, four author friends & I have teamed up to host a giveaway with some fun perks! Just enter to win a signed copy of four historical novels highlighting faith & freedom at America’s founding.

The Shenandoah Road by Lynne Basham Tagawa, An Uncommon Woman by Laura Frantz, Many Sparrows by Lori Benton, Preacher on the Run by Jayna Baas

Earn bonus entries by joining these authors’ social media followers or sharing this opportunity with a friend! All entrants receive a list of historical novel recommendations from participating authors. ENTER HERE!

The post Independence Day Giveaway! appeared first on Laura Frantz.

One of my favorite podcasters is Alison Treat who asks wonderful questions & is a writer herself. We had quite an enjoyable time discussing books, life, & more. Have a wee listen below!

Historical Fiction Unpacked

The post Historical Fiction Unpacked! appeared first on Laura Frantz.

April is such a special month. It’s Easter, a wondrous event. While I miss creating Easter baskets for my littles and Easter egg hunts, now I get to dwell on the significance of the holiday in its truest form. As I grow older, the risen Christ means more to me than ever before.

What I most remember about Easters past is my granny’s big dinners after church overflowing with country ham & side dishes & deviled eggs & her wonderful yeast rolls (her one departure from daily cornbread). Since April is my birthday month, she always made a big German Chocolate Cake & would store it on the back porch in a closet to keep it cool. How I loved opening that door!

Times & celebrations change but I’m so thankful for wonderful memories & the fact that God & His love & faithfulness stay the same. We are having a different Easter this year, just us two. The next months will be a whirlwind of travel & books so being home for a quiet holiday is a welcome gift. So, this year, however you’re celebrating…

A blessed Easter to you!

The post A blessed Easter to you appeared first on Laura Frantz.

To enter, just visit my Instagram HERE

And this lovely giveaway is on Facebook as well as Instagram & other socials:

Just follow this link to enter via Rafflecopter

I hope you win!

The post A most romantic month! appeared first on Laura Frantz.