Author Interview with Katherine Weda

 Today, I'm thrilled to share with you, my recent interview with Katherine Weda, one of the authors in the upcoming book Love & Loyalty.

Who is your favorite comfort read author?

Gosh, this is a hard one, but I'll try to give a straightforward answer. I love Joy Jenkins, who is the author of a contemporary novel, A Secret Service, along with the companion series, Open Case File, which is comprised of three one-shot collections following the characters from her novel. I have read A Secret Service at least once a year since purchasing it back in 2022. Joy and her characters never get old, and I hope she writes more someday.

Who, past or present, is one author you would like to mentor you?

Madisyn Carlin is an author I would love to have mentor me. She is an author who has written so many amazing, wonderful non-magical Christian fantasy novels and novellas and I wish I could pick her brain for how she delivers such complex and gripping stories that keep readers turning pages without the magic.

If you could have a cup of tea with anyone, who would it be?

I would love to have a cup of tea with a number of people, including three well-known British authors, but I think what I would enjoy most is sitting down with both sets of grandparents (3/4 have passed on now) and talk to them about what life was like as they were growing up. 

Who is your favorite character in your novella?

Do I have to pick just one? Fine, I'd have to say I enjoyed writing Malakai's character, even though I relate to Esther. I don't know how to explain it, I just really enjoyed writing Malakai's perspective scenes, and seeing things unfold from his point of view. Again, I do relate to different aspects of Esther and Malakai's characters, as both represent parts of me, Malakai is just, somehow, more relatable.

What is a favorite part of writing your novella?

My favorite part is including pieces that link back to the original fairy tale. I have, of course, taken liberties in this retelling, such as the fact that Malakai is not the crown prince (as he is often portrayed) and the fact that Esther's father is still alive (whereas he is dead before or dies soon after the start of the story in the original and many retellings). 

Also, I really enjoyed working with sibling bonds/dynamics, especially since I have a younger brother and wanted to portray an active sibling relationship (whereas other works in progress don't have such strong of a sibling element). I am giving a disclaimer now: any and all interactions between the royal children are inspired by but not directly copied from, my own interactions with my brother. 

Is there a specific line or scene from Project Dance that you feel pointed the entire story in a specific direction?

Without giving too much away, I think that the scene between Malakai and his brother, Adam, right before the first ball, is very powerful and after I added it, I went back to earlier chapters and tweaked some things to make it even more meaningful.  

What one question would you like to be asked, and how would you answer it?

I would love to be asked "what's next?" by my readers, since I have so many ideas yelling at me for attention that it's hard to keep track.  

The funny thing is, when I thought up Esther and Malakai's story, I didn't intend for there to be more in this world…but then I met a whole cast of characters along the way and began to learn their stories, several of which we begin to see hints of in this novella. School is, at the moment, my priority, but I am already hard at work plotting and brainstorming the next book(s). 

I'm keeping most of it under wraps for now, but my newsletter subscribers will be the first to know any updates. However, one thing I can share is that almost all of the books I have planned in the Kingdoms of Havengard have at least one main character introduced in my Love & Loyalty novella. 

Thank you, Katherine, for taking time to let us get to know you. I know I'm looking forward to reading Love & Loyalty. If anyone wants to preorder the book you can find it at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9S4975F

Want to keep up on Katherine Weda? You can connect with her online at the following links.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author.k.weda/

Newsletter Signup: https://author-katherine-weda.kit.com/a7455e0a4e

Tropes Of Hope and Honor

Do you love clean, no-spice fairytale retellings? Our fantasy fairytale anthology, Of Hope and Honor, comes out March 10, 2026, from Beyond the Bookery! Here’s a sneak peek of some tropes in the three novellas in the anthology!

Water’s Gift by Meagan Myhren-Bennett (@bloomingwbooks )

Beneath Sand and Stars by Kelsie Engen (@kelsieengen )

Rémy and the Rats by M. K. Minnick (@mkminnickbooks )

Which trope are you most excited about?

You can preorder the eBook for 50% off the regular price at
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F9S7NT5B

Guess the Fairy Tale Retelling ~ Of Hope and Honor

 

Guess the Fairy Tale ~ Of Hope and Honor

 Of Hope and Honor is coming March 10, 2026.

The stories in this book are coming to you from 

M. K. Minnick, Meagan Myhren-Bennett (me), and Kelsie Engen.

This book is part of the Fairy Tale Frenzy Collection from 

Beyond the Bookery's Consuo Spes Liber

 Preorder from Amazon at 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9S7NT5B/

I'm offering two clues regarding the two fairy tales I'm retelling.

1) A sister succeeds after her brothers are turned to stone.

2) There are three brothers; only one succeeds, but he nearly falls to his brothers' treachery.

Now a fun fact about these two fairy tales that I'm retelling and combining.

They have the same name.

Yes, these two fairy tales are being retold as one story.

I can't wait for you to read

Water's Gift
and the stories written by my fellow authors.

Any guesses.

Comment below

Snowbound Threat ~ Review

Snowbound Threat

Do You Hear What I Hear

By Lisa Phillips, Mary Alford, and Jessica Ashley

This collection will keep you up reading late into the night. Each of the three stories has links to the past that cloud the who-dun-it aspects. But investigating the past brings the danger into the present with lives on the line.

In Home a DEA mission gone wrong when traitors frame him, finds Caleb Rourke hiding out at his grandfather's home. What Caleb didn't expect was getting his grandpa and Tessa Langley, the girl next door caught up in his mess. Lives are on the line and long held secrets come to light in this page turner. And there are plenty of secrets. Now I need a story about Caleb's twin brother Noah!

In Silent Snowfall Secrets Charlie Wells comes home following the unexpected death of her grandfather. But what she finds are the ghosts of her past that had her fleeing Pine Haven all those years ago. But some secrets aren't meant to remain buried forever. But someone is determined to do just that. I was definitely kept in the dark as to who was the killer. Let's just say the suspense was kept at a high throughout. 

In Critical Velocity Beckett Wallace has spent the last ten years convinced that her late husband was murdered. With information, new but vague she sets out to discover the truth behind her husband's death. But to do so, she must reach out to Detective Shawn Sampson, whom she battled against in the past. Will Shawn work with the woman he hasn't heard from in years? And was the information she was given legit? And why now after ten years?  Another page turner high in suspense with hints of potential romance.

This is great way to experience the works of three author in one book. Perfect if you need something with plenty of suspense and a pinch or two of romance. Nothing overly graphic in regard to the suspense department to give you nightmares. And the romance is on the sweet side with a touch of angst.

I was provided a complimentary copy with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are mine own.

About the Book:

Home - Lisa Phillips
Left for dead by a treacherous DEA team, Caleb Rourke returns to his quiet hometown in Montana, seeking to escape his troubled past. When his neighbor, Tessa Langley, discovers encrypted documents hidden in her father's secret safe, Caleb’s return takes a perilous turn. He soon realizes that both his enemies and an enigmatic ally know exactly where to find him. Tessa's family becomes a target for those intent on keeping the truth buried. Determined to protect her, Caleb confronts the secrets his own parents concealed for years. Together, they must rely on their faith, each other, and a God who sees what remains hidden. This Christmas isn’t just about the holiday—it’s about the future they could build together.

Silent Snowfall Secrets - Mary Alford
In the snowbound town of Pine Haven, Colorado, Charlie Wells returns home to settle her uncle’s estate—and stumbles into a chilling mystery. Fifteen years earlier, her best friend Abby vanished during a midnight meeting. Now, someone is determined to keep the past buried at any cost. As a deadly blizzard isolates the town, Charlie and deputy Ryan McCabe race to uncover the truth behind Abby’s disappearance and a string of deadly secrets tied to Charlie’s tragic past. But the closer they get, the more dangerous their search becomes—and the killer watching from the shadows will stop at nothing.

Critical Velocity - Jessica Ashley
Ten years after her husband’s plane crash, Beckett Wallace receives proof it wasn’t an accident. To find the truth, she must team up with Detective Shawn Sampson—the guarded man she hoped never to see again. He hasn’t forgotten the sharp-tongued lawyer who nearly wrecked his last case. Working together is a terrible idea… but their only shot. As danger closes in and sparks fly, the truth might cost them everything. And for Shawn, protecting Beckett may mean risking more than his badge—it may cost him his heart.

This I Know ~ Review

This I Know: A Collection of Historical Fairytale Retellings

Fairy Tale Frenzy

By Molly Anderson, Scarlett Clarke, and Issabelle Perry                                                                                                                                                               

This I Know is a delightful collection of faith-based fairy tale retellings with a historical setting. I loved how each of the three stories created a unique non-magical tale that featured characters that were facing difficulties in life. But hope was found once they looked to God rather than "things of this world." 

Experience The Ugly Duckling, Beauty and the Beast, and the Snow Queen from a talented team of writers who have claimed these fairy tales and made them their own. If you are looking for sweet, clean reads that reflect your faith and values look no further.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

This I Know is releasing on September 2, 2025, and can be ordered at https://amzn.to/45oVx1R along with rest of the books in the collection.

About the Book:

Beyond the Bookery invites you to step into a collection of heartwarming, thrilling, and romantic historical fairy tale retellings.

From a missing childhood friend and a search for the courage to begin a life changing journey in a retelling of The Snow Queen. To a duke’s daughter and her yearning for love while fighting for survival in a war she’s unprepared for in a retelling of The Ugly Duckling. And then to a grieving daughter and her enduring hope for a brighter future in a retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

Fall in love with this delightful collection of historical fairy tale retellings in This I Know, coming from Issabelle Perry, Scarlett Clarke, and Molly Anderson on September 2nd, 2025.

Fantastical Summer ~ Review

Fantastical Summer

By various authors

Fantastical Summer is a interesting collection of 15 short stories. In each story the main character or characters is faced with an obstacle in their life. For some it is a physical characteristic. For others it is a missing family member. But whatever the cause they feel vulnerable and isolated from those around them.   

My favorite was Alli Prince's Soul Marks in which a young woman is born without a mark that will help her identify the man she is suppose to spend the rest of her life with. She is understandably bummed out about the whole thing as her friends find their "soul marks." I especially loved how someone drove home the point that true lasting love is a choice, that happiness is not guaranteed by a sign or a feeling.

I was also intrigued by Summer Miracles and The Girl who Lived Under the Water. Both take seemingly impossible situations and yet make them feel not only possible but probable. Throughout all of these stories is a message of hope. Hope for the future is always a positive in my opinion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the Book:

What would you do if you started growing a fluffy tail every time you felt embarrassed?

A mermaid outcast, a girl who can steal stars, and a high schooler suddenly affected by gravity in a gravity-free world—these are just a few of the fantastical premises you’ll find in this collection of short stories.

Weaving classic coming-of-age themes into magical versions of our world, fifteen Christian writers each bring a fresh perspective on childhood, loneliness, and identity.

Save a spot in your beach bag, because this collection of clean, fun summer stories is more than a fluff read. This beautifully brave anthology leads us to ask hard questions while staying grounded in the truth of the Bible. You'll want to revisit these thought-provoking stories throughout the year.

Presented by The Company and The Pearl, Fantastical Summer features these short stories:
“Alone,” by R.J. Catlin
“Leaving Lake June,” by Lucy Grecu
“Summer Miracles,” by K.Ann
“Closed Doors Don’t Open,” by Vella Karman
“Oh Deer,” by Adara King
“Gravitational Issues,” by Vannah Leblanc
“The Beast,” by Noah J. Matthews
“Circus of the Moon,” by Juli Ocean
“Sneakers of Joy,” by Gregory O'Donnell
“The Girl Who Lived Under the Water,” by Brad Pauquette
“Soul Marks,” by Alli Prince
“Beachcombing,” by Sarah Sax
“Goodbye to Yesterday,” by Hannah Stiff
“Turn to Face the Wind,” by Faith Tevy
“Confessions of a Mermaid Outcast,” by Thirzah

Cover Reveal ~ The Undercover Heiress of Brockton

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

The Undercover Heiress of Brockton by Kelly J. Goshorn,

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Undercover Heiress of Brockton
Series: Enduring Hope #2 (multi-author standalone series)
Author: Kelly J. Goshorn
Publisher: Barbour Fiction
Release Date: August 1, 2025
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Incognito Reporter Seeks Truth and Justice

Collect a new series of six historical romances. When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be discovered. 

Henrietta “Etta” Maxwell, heiress to the Maxwell fortune, is a hard-hitting investigative reporter for The Enterprise Daily. The catch? Etta must pen her columns under the nom de plume, Henry Mason—a fact that routinely puts a knot in her knickerbockers. 

Leo Eriksson is a second-generation firefighter with a passion for rendering aid to those in need. When Leo discovers that Henry Mason is really Henrietta Maxwell, the fire department’s wealthy benefactress, he agrees to keep her identity secret. 

After a sudden blast rocks the Grover Shoe Factory, Leo and Etta team up to determine if the explosion is related to a series of suspicious fires in the area. But sparks fly when Leo accuses Etta of negating the human side of the disaster in her determination to get a good story. 

Will Etta go back to her socialite comforts without her story—dragging along a broken heart?

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Ready to see the cover?

I love the colors. What do you think?

PREORDER LINKS: Goodreads | Baker Book House | Amazon | ChristianBook |
Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

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About the Author

Kelly Goshorn weaves her affinity for history and her passion for God into inspiring stories of love, faith, and family set in America’s vibrant past. When she is not writing, Kelly enjoys, binge-watching BBC period dramas, exploring historical sights, and board-gaming with her family and friends.

Connect with Kelly by visiting kellygoshorn.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

Two (2) winners will each receive a print copy of The Undercover Heiress of Brockton and a $10 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight on April 17, 2025, and will last 

through 11:59 PM EST on April 24, 2025. 

Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway 

and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. 

US only. 

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Garden of Fairy Tales ~ Meet the Flowers

Enjoy these fun facts about the flowers that title the 

Garden of Fairy Tales series.

 

Street Team Opportunity

Do you want to help spread the word about an upcoming multi-author collection?

Do you love fairy tale retellings? 

 

If you answered yes, you should apply to be part of the 

A Garden of Fairy Tales Street Team.

 

 

 

Your inbox won't overflow with countless tasks, and your email will not be shared with anyone. You also won't be obligated to share every task; we understand how crazy life can become. We're just grateful for your help!

 

The purpose of this street team is to spread the word about the series, beginning with cover reveals and ending with the final book's release. Don't worry---you won't be spammed with numerous emails per week. Tasks will include cover reveals, fairy tale retelling reveals, release day posts, and at least one countdown. 

 

The form link is https://forms.gle/f9uVhbVr9cVDSmdG7 

 

About the Series:

Spring has sprung with these eight swoony, sweet retellings. Each novella finds its happily ever after amidst themes of rebirth, hope, and new life. Each book is fully independent and they can be read in any order.

Release dates run from late March to early May.
Bleeding Heart by Kendra E. Ardnek,
Daylily by Madeline Kersbergen,
Snapdragon by Sarah Beran,
Carnation by Yakira Goldsberry,
Peaflower by Jessica A. Tanner,
Forget-Me-Not by J.F. Rogers,
Golden Lotus by Meagan Myhren-Bennett,
and Lilac by Madisyn Carlin.

Cornered ~ Review

Cornered

  By Lynette Eason, 

          Lynn H. Blackburn,

              and Natalie Walters

This is a fun and engaging chance to explore the writings of three different authors. They have created three stories for this collection that are set in their established series. However, reading their previous works is not required to enjoy these new offerings. This is a great way to introduce yourself or a friend to a new author (or two or three).

In the Dark is by Lynette Eason, and gracious tension runs high as Steph Cross deals with the fallout of her coworker's death when she cleans out her desk and finds a hidden notebook. If you see DANGER flashing bright red, you are there. On the plus side, she meets Detective Tate Cooper, who seems interested in her. First, she'll have to survive the person or persons intent on keeping what she found hidden. The question is why and who. Time to cue the Jaws theme. (No sharks were involved in this story, but that music is so dramatic!)

In Lynn H. Blackburn's Downfall, a long-held family feud comes into play when Cassie Quinn fills in for the local mountain resort. The other family owns the resort, and Cassie is dealing with a lot of baggage when someone suddenly decides to make it personal. With the kitchen trashed, the police are called in, and of course, the lead detective is the ex-boyfriend who broke her heart. Ugh!!! Donovan Bledsoe knew he was in trouble. Yes, he broke up with Cassie but never kicked her out of his heart. Keeping her safe is now the only between him and asking for a second chance. If they can figure out why she's become a target, they may discover who is determined to shorten her life. The feud between the two families has never been violent before. Could something have changed? A pulse-pounding climax is coming your way with this one! 

Natalie Walter's Perilous Obsession is more than a little scary for Lahela Young. Lahela finds herself getting empty phone calls (the scary kind that you know someone is there, but they say nothing). She asks for help from Briggs Turner. As a former police officer, she knows he can help her and offer advice. But things get worse as whoever is watching her ratchets it up. Soon, it is no longer a nuisance but a danger. Lahela doesn't want to leave Texas and her new friends behind, but would returning home to Hawaii be safer, or will she just bring the danger with her?  This story links to The SNAP Agency series. (Must read!!!)

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations, but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Prepare for three times the thrills with these nail-biting page-turners from your favorite romantic suspense authors!

In In the Dark by Lynette Eason, accountant Steph Cross is cleaning out a coworker's desk after her untimely death when she finds cryptic notes that lead her to believe her friend's car accident was no accident at all. Detective Tate Cooper is determined to help her crack the case before someone else gets hurt. But can he protect the woman who has so quickly laid claim to his heart?

In Downfall by Lynn H. Blackburn, chef Cassie Quinn gets an offer she can't refuse: to fill in as chef at an exclusive mountain resort. But when the kitchen is destroyed and it becomes clear Cassie is in danger, she's forced to accept the help of her ex-boyfriend, Detective Donovan Bledsoe, to find the culprit and keep her safe.

In Perilous Obsession by Natalie Walters, teacher Lahela Young becomes the target of someone with a twisted obsession 

of righting a wrong. The first person she turns to is her good friend Briggs Turner. Briggs may have left his career as a 

police officer, but he still has the instinct to protect--especially for Lahela.