Welcome to LiteraryScape’s Podcast!

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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An Unexpected Catch: A Story of Reputation, Romance, and Baseball
Melissa Lashure Melissa Lashure

An Unexpected Catch: A Story of Reputation, Romance, and Baseball

Welcome back to LiteraryScape! This week, we're diving into An Unexpected Catch by Abby Downie, the second book in the Adventurous Hearts series. This historical romance set in Chicago's semiprofessional baseball league offers a compelling blend of sports drama, social expectations, and hard-won love.

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Behind the Scenes of Lynn H. Blackburn's Defend and Protect Series
Melissa Lashure Melissa Lashure

Behind the Scenes of Lynn H. Blackburn's Defend and Protect Series

Romantic suspense author Lynn H. Blackburn reveals the insider secrets behind her Defend and Protect Secret Service series. Discover how real Secret Service experience shaped her research, which scenes were inspired by true events, why readers love Gil and Under Fire, and the creative challenges of writing authentic law enforcement romance. Plus, Lynn discusses disability representation, her writing process, and what's next in her Gossamer Falls series. Perfect for romantic suspense fans and aspiring authors interested in the craft of research-driven fiction.

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Lynn H. Blackburn Novellas Review: Deadly Objective & Out of Time
Melissa Lashure Melissa Lashure

Lynn H. Blackburn Novellas Review: Deadly Objective & Out of Time

Join LiteraryScape as we review Lynn H. Blackburn's exciting novellas 'Deadly Objective' and 'Out of Time.' Discover Emily and Liam's high-stakes romance when the Vice President's son becomes a target, plus Hope and Charles's second-chance love story filled with FBI intrigue. We break down character development, standout scenes, and our coffee-themed rating system for these fast-paced romantic suspense reads. Perfect for fans of romantic suspense, Secret Service romance, and Lynn H. Blackburn's beloved series. Tune in for book recommendations, romance reviews, and literary discussions.

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Behind the Badge: A Conversation with Romantic Suspense Powerhouse Lynette Eason
Melissa Lashure Melissa Lashure

Behind the Badge: A Conversation with Romantic Suspense Powerhouse Lynette Eason

Join host Melissa LaShure as she interviews bestselling romantic suspense author Lynette Eason about her newest release "Final Approach," the thrilling conclusion to the Lake City Heroes series. Discover Eason's writing process, research methods for law enforcement fiction, and her upcoming Seaside Scribes writers conference. With nearly 70 published novels, Eason shares insights on crafting authentic suspense, her favorite characters, and recommendations for new readers. Perfect for fans of romantic suspense, aspiring writers, and book lovers seeking their next page-turner.

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Fairy Tales Meet the Wild West: Our Interview with Karen Witemeyer About Her Texas Ever After Series
Melissa Lashure Melissa Lashure

Fairy Tales Meet the Wild West: Our Interview with Karen Witemeyer About Her Texas Ever After Series

Interview with bestselling author Karen Witemeyer about her Texas Ever After fairy tale series. Learn how she transformed Snow White's dwarfs into cowboys, created a "Cinderfella" story, and blended Sleeping Beauty with Little Red Riding Hood. Plus details on her new Beauty and the Beast retelling and upcoming Little Mermaid story set in Galveston, Texas.

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When Prince Charming Loses His Boot: A Gender-Flipped Cinderella That Had Us Hooked
Melissa Lashure Melissa Lashure

When Prince Charming Loses His Boot: A Gender-Flipped Cinderella That Had Us Hooked

Discover our in-depth review of "If the Boot Fits" by Karen Witemeyer - a captivating Christian romance novel that flips the classic Cinderella fairy tale. Our LiteraryScape Book Club gives this inspirational historical romance 3 lassos! Read our complete book review covering plot, characters, biblical themes, and ratings for romance, suspense, and inspiration levels. Perfect for fans of Christian fiction, fairy tale retellings, and historical romance books. Includes content warnings and reading recommendations.

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Fairest of Heart - A Snow White Western Romance
Melissa Lashure Melissa Lashure

Fairest of Heart - A Snow White Western Romance

Join the Literary Scape Podcast for an in-depth review of "Fairest of Heart" by bestselling Christian romance author Karen Witemeyer. This enchanting Snow White retelling transforms the classic fairy tale into a captivating Western historical romance set in Texas.

What You'll Discover: • How Karen Witemeyer brilliantly adapted Snow White for the Wild West • Character analysis of Penelope Snow and Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley • Our fun game matching the seven "rovers" to the original seven dwarfs • Clean romance elements perfect for Christian fiction readers • Strong inspirational themes about faith and perseverance • Mystery and suspense woven into the familiar fairy tale framework

Perfect for readers who love:

  • Historical Christian romance

  • Western romance novels

  • Clean, sweet romance

  • Fairy tale retellings

  • Karen Witemeyer books

  • Faith-based fiction

  • Texas historical fiction

  • Cowboys and frontier stories

Episode Highlights: Our hosts rate "Fairest of Heart" using their signature coffee scale, discussing romance levels, suspense elements, mystery components, and inspirational themes. Learn why grumpy cowboy Jeb became a fan favorite and discover which rover matched which dwarf in this delightful adaptation.

About the Author: Karen Witemeyer, voted #1 Readers' Favorite Christian Historical Author in 2023, is known for her feisty heroines, swoon-worthy Texas heroes, and heartwarming stories that blend faith, romance, and humor.

Keywords: Karen Witemeyer, Fairest of Heart, historical Christian romance, Western romance, Snow White retelling, clean romance, Texas romance, fairy tale adaptation, Christian fiction podcast, Literary Scape, book review

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From Mount St. Helens to Fire Mountain: A Conversation with Dana Mentink
Melissa Lashure Melissa Lashure

From Mount St. Helens to Fire Mountain: A Conversation with Dana Mentink

Join host Melissa LaShure as she chats with Christian suspense author Dana Mentink about Fire Mountain - a volcanic survival story featuring a female trucker, mysterious baby, and retired SWAT hero. Discover Dana's inspiration from Mount St. Helens, her transition from teaching to full-time writing, and upcoming sequel Raging Waters.

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From Wedding Tragedy to Redemption: A Conversation with Tracie Peterson About Designed with Love
Melissa Lashure Melissa Lashure

From Wedding Tragedy to Redemption: A Conversation with Tracie Peterson About Designed with Love

In this LiteraryScape podcast episode, bestselling historical fiction author Tracie Peterson discusses her new novel "Designed with Love," the second book in the Hope of Cheyenne series. Peterson shares how the story begins with a shocking wedding tragedy that transforms her rebellious heroine Emma Johnson's life and faith. The conversation covers Peterson's beloved character Rosie, who has learning disabilities but discovers hidden talents, the central theme of forgiveness in her novels, and her extensive research into 1880s Cheyenne, Wyoming. Peterson also previews her upcoming Minneapolis-based generational series and explains how all three Hope of Cheyenne books will release in 2025, giving readers the complete story without long waits between books.

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Behind the Scenes with Tracie Peterson: Second Chances and Montana's Hidden Gems
Melissa Lashure Melissa Lashure

Behind the Scenes with Tracie Peterson: Second Chances and Montana's Hidden Gems

Join host Melissa LaShure for an intimate author interview with bestselling historical fiction writer Tracie Peterson about her latest collaboration with Kimberly Woodhouse, "An Unexpected Grace" - book three in the Jewels of Kalispell series.

In this bonus episode, discover the inspiration behind this Montana-set historical Christian romance that explores second chances in love and faith. Peterson shares behind-the-scenes stories from researching the Macintosh Opera House in Kalispell, Montana, near Glacier National Park, and discusses the deeper themes of God's changing calling in our lives.

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From Bugged Cars to Blooming Romance
Melissa Lashure Melissa Lashure

From Bugged Cars to Blooming Romance

On this week's episode of LiteraryScape, our hosts dive deep into Lynn H. Blackburn's romantic suspense novel Break My Fall, the second installment in the Gossamer Falls series. This small-town romantic suspense had our hosts captivated with its blend of dental clinics, drug trafficking, and developing romance.

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