From Bugged Cars to Blooming Romance
Announcements
Our next Coffee and Books event will be on Tuesday June 24th from 2:00-3:00pm EST. Join authors Lynn Shannon, Crystal Caudill, and myself for an hour of book talk! Be sure to sign-up for this free event at www.literaryscape.com/events to receive a link to join in.
The Kickstarter campaign for my novel, Uncharted Trials, only has 15 days left and I'd love your support in bringing this story to life.
Uncharted Trials is a gripping Wild West romance where murder, faith, and forbidden love collide. It follows James McPherson, a physician and Bounty Brother who never expected his latest patient would steal his heart. But Madeline Flynn, a survivor of unspeakable tragedy, awakens something in his soul. As he tends to her wounds, James vows to shield her from the murderer stalking her family.
As their attraction deepens, dark secrets threaten everything they hold dear. When their pasts violently collide and Madeline is torn from his grasp, both must trust in God's plan to find their way back to each other.
The funds raised through this Kickstarter will go directly toward professional publishing costs, ensuring Uncharted Trials receives the quality presentation it deserves. And as a special incentive for backers, I'm offering an exclusive limited-edition cover that won't be available anywhere else once the campaign ends on June 1st.
Whether you're a fan of historical fiction, faith-based stories, or just love a good romantic suspense, I think you'll find something to enjoy in Uncharted Trials.
To support the campaign and secure your copy, just visit www.literaryscape.com/campaign or follow the link in this episode's show notes. Even if you can't back the project financially, sharing it with friends who might enjoy this kind of story would mean the world to me.
And finally, I'm thrilled to officially announce the launch of the LiteraryScape Book Club is coming May 23rd!
Now, if you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you know that my journey as an author began when I couldn't find enough historical Christian romance novels that balanced faith with the kind of passion described in Song of Solomon—you know, books that are "packing the heat and riding the line," as I like to say.
That's why I started writing my own adventures set in the wild west, featuring cowboys who tame the frontier while honoring both God and the women they love.
What I didn't expect was how many of you would reach out saying you've been searching for the exact same thing—and how many of you wanted more ways to connect beyond just reading the books or listening to this podcast.
That's where the LiteraryScape Book Club comes in.
So what exactly is the LiteraryScape Book Club? It's an exclusive community where readers who appreciate passionate-but-pure Christian romance can come together in a more intimate setting.
When you join the Book Club, you'll receive:
First, exclusive online author events where we can chat directly about books, writing, and all things historical and contemporary suspense romance. I'm talking Q&A sessions, behind-the-scenes peeks at my writing process, and special guest appearances from other authors in these genres
Second, free ebooks of ALL my new releases. That's right—as a member, you'll automatically receive an ebook copy of every new novel I publish, delivered straight to your inbox.
Third, early access to signed paperbacks and merchandise before they're available to the general public. You'll be first in line for signed copies, special editions, and any bookish merchandise we create.
Fourth, regular door prize drawings exclusively for members. Throughout the year, we'll be giving away signed books, exclusive merchandise, and other special surprises.
And finally, a community of readers who appreciate the same kind of stories you do—a place where we can openly discuss the balance of faith and passion in romance without feeling like we have to apologize for wanting both.
Now, I know many of you are wondering how this relates to the podcast. Don't worry—the LiteraryScape podcast isn't going anywhere! In fact, the book club will enhance your podcast experience.
As a book club member, you'll get:
Input on which books we review next
The chance to submit questions for author interviews
The podcast and book club work together to create what I've always envisioned: a one-stop shop for both readers and writers of historical Christian romance and contemporary Christian suspense romance to connect, learn, and grow together.
Get ready to join us on May 23rd as we launch the LiteraryScape Book Club!
And now, let's dive into today's regular episode where we'll be discussing Break My Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn.
Episode Notes
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.
The Story
Break My Fall follows Dr. Meredith Quinn, who has returned to her hometown of Gossamer Falls to practice dentistry. With a heart for service, she offers free dental clinics to underserved communities in nearby Neeson County—an area known for harboring drug traffickers. Police Chief Grayson Ward suspects local law enforcement there is turning a blind eye to criminal activity.
While Meredith and Gray dance around their attraction to each other, danger lurks as her work in Neeson County puts her directly in harm's way. Gray, scarred by past losses, struggles to keep his emotional walls up while protecting Meredith from escalating threats.
Character Dynamics
Our hosts were particularly drawn to the emotional complexity of Gray's character:
"He is really sad," one host noted. "I can understand why you wouldn't want to get into a relationship, but it shouldn't stop him either."
The group agreed that Gray's inability to communicate his feelings created unnecessary tension: "If he would've just opened up from the beginning and shared that, it would explain it."
Meredith's strength shone through despite her frustrations with Gray's hot-and-cold behavior. Her work as a mandated reporter and determination to help the underserved communities showcased her as "kind of a baddie" in the best way possible.
Favorite Moments
Several scenes stood out to our hosts:
· The first kiss scene and Gray's confusing reaction afterward
· Meredith's embarrassment about her car being bugged (and her private singing sessions!)
· The klutzy moment when Meredith fell into the creek while photographing flowers
· Gray's romantic gestures of bringing Chick-fil-A from afar and surprising Meredith with the flowers she had tried to photograph
One host particularly loved the family dynamics: "I loved that family part of it," noting the protective yet loving way the Quinn family interacted with Gray.
The Romance Rating
The hosts rated the romance level as "mocha" on their coffee-themed scale, with one host commenting, "I'm really liking Gray here. I like the Chick-fil-A and making dinner."
Other ratings included:
· Drama level: Latte
· Mystery level: Mocha to Latte
· Suspense level: Latte (especially toward the end)
· Inspirational level: Espresso ("It's always there, but it's light")
Final Thoughts
Break My Fall earned a unanimous three lassos (out of three) from our hosts, with one declaring it her favorite of the series so far. The intense ending and teaser for book three has the group eagerly anticipating the next installment featuring Mo and Bronwyn's story—though they'll have to wait until March 2026!
"Something tells me Mo and Beep's story is gonna be my favorite," one host predicted. "I can't wait to figure out what went down there."
LiteraryScape is a weekly podcast where friends gather to discuss their latest reads, rating books on their coffee-themed scale from espresso (weakest) to latte (strongest). Join us next week as we discuss Crystal Caudell's latest release!
Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform or visit literaryscape.com for more book recommendations and discussions.
