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Articles by Mae Clair
Return to the Shack by Wm.Paul Young
Return to the Shack by Wm. Paul Young Series: Sequel to The Shack (though not listed as a series on Amazon) Publisher: Apiary Publication Date: October 6, 2026 Review by Mae Clair It’s been almost twenty years since Wm. Paul Young released his novel, The Shack. If you’re unfamiliar with the book, it was originally self-published in 2007 and intended as a Christmas gift from the author to his six children. The novel went on to become a multi-million bestseller and was adapted to film.
Man of Shadow and Mist by Michelle Griep
Man of Shadow and Mist by Michelle Griep Series: Of Monsters and Men (Book 1 of 2) Publisher: Barbour Fiction Publication Date: June 1, 2023 Review by Mae Clair A shout-out to Kelly J. Goshorn who’s review of Of Gold and Shadows led me to discover this book. The time period and setting drew me immediately, but it’s the author’s skill that kept me glued to each page.
Playing Saint by Zachary Bartels
Playing Saint by Zachary Bartels Series: Book 1 of 2 Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 14, 2014) NOTE: Although this book isn’t listed as part of a series, a sequel All Souls Day was released in October 2017 by a different publisher, Gut Check Press Review by Mae Clair Did you ever pick up a book that was so good from the start, you wanted to devour it in one sitting? Had time been on my side, I would have done that with Playing Saint.
Breathless by Kathryn J. Bain
Breathless by Kathryn J. Bain Series: The Lincolnville Mystery Series (Book 1 of 5) Publisher: Indie Release Publication Date: March 22, 2022 Review by Mae Clair I picked up this book because the premise sounded intriguing—an ex-cop/undercover DEA agent (Matthew Winters) becomes the pastor of a church in the small town of Lincolnville. He doesn’t fit the image of what the townsfolk are expecting—long hair down his back, motorcycle, leathers, and tats.
The Next War by Amir Tsarfati and Steve Yohn
The Next War byAmir Tsarfati and Steve Young Series: Book 1 of the Nir Tavor Tribulation Series Publisher: Ten Peaks Press Publication Date: May 5, 2026 Review by Mae Clair Having read the entire Nir Tavor Mossad Thriller Series, I couldn’t wait to start this new series, featuring characters I’ve grown to love. For clarification, Mossad is Israel’s national intelligence agency, responsible for covert operations and counterterrorism.
At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon Series: Book 1 of 15 Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons (April 29, 2008) Review by Mae Clair I’m late to the ballgame in discovering the small town of Mitford and its assortment of quirky characters, but I’m so glad I have! At Home in Mitford is the first book in an established and beloved series spanning fifteen novels (at present count). The central character, Father Tim Kavanagh, is rector of the town’s Episcopalian church, a man approaching his 60th birthday.
The Cost of the Crown by Joy Crain
The Cost of the Crown by Joy Crain Series: Book 1 of 2 of The Royals of Andelar Publisher: White Crown (September 26, 2023) Review by Mae Clair Missy Hanson has been alienated from her father since he left to assume the role of American Ambassador to the small island kingdom of Andelar after her mother’s death when she was sixteen.
For This Very Purpose by E. J. Ashmore
For This Very Purpose by E. J. Ashmore Series: Wilderness Series Book 1 of 2 Publisher: Winged Publications (October 15, 2025) REVIEW BY MAE CLAIR I’ve read several fictional accounts of God’s plagues on Egypt and the Hebrew Exodus, but this may just be my favorite. The perspectives come from two fictional, rather than Biblical characters—Eliza, a Hebrew slave, and Seti, a wealthy, young Egyptian in training to be a temple priest.
Rescued Heart by Angela Hunt
Rescued Heart by Angela Hunt Series: Book 1 The Matriarchs Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (October 7, 2025) Review by Mae Clair I was originally attracted to this novel because—despite the amount of Biblical fiction I’ve read—I’d not encountered a story about Abraham, father of the Hebrew nation. Written mostly from the POV of Abraham’s wife, Sarah, the story starts before their marriage and ends shortly after Abraham takes Isaac to sacrifice to God.
The Invitation by Joyce and Alexandra Swann
The Invitation by Joyce and Alexandra Swann Series: Book 1 of 6 | The Kinsmen Series Publisher: Frontier 2000 Media Group (December 22, 2016) Review by Mae Clair This short novel (192 pages) is set over Thanksgiving and Christmas, a perfect read this time of year. Kevin Marshall has a miserable life. He’s stuck in a dead end job with a boss who belittles him, and engaged to a woman who takes him for granted.
Married to Christmas: Diamond Cruise by Vaughn Weatherford
Married to Christmas: Diamond Cruise by Vaughn Weatherford Series: Standalone Publisher: Indie Release (September 9, 2025) Review by Mae Clair I received an ARC of Married to Christmas: Diamond Cruise from the author for an honest review. Perry Most developed a crush on Mary Kris Muscovey in grade school. Many years later when they wed, Mary (who goes by Kris) becomes Mary Kris Most. Thus, Perry is married to “Christmas” through a tongue-in-cheek play on words.
Survival Secrets by Lana Christian
Survival Secrets by Lana Christian Series: Book 2 of 2 (Book 3 to come) Publisher: Scrivenings Press LLC (September 23, 2025) Review by Mae Clair I love Biblical fiction, especially when it is well-researched and presented. Lana Christian promises an “immersive experience” for readers and more than delivers with this sprawling tale set shortly after the birth of Christ. Although this is book two of The Magi Encounters, I had no problem picking up the plot (I hadn’t read book one).
Paul: A Novel by Walter Wangerin Jr.
Paul: A Novel by Walter Wangerin, Jr. Series: Standalone Publisher: Zondervan (November 1, 2001) Review by Mae Clair Let me start by saying any review I write of this book won’t do it justice. It’s. Just. That. Good. If you want to immerse yourself in the early church of the New Testament, the life of Saul-become-Paul, and the spread of the Gospel to Gentile nations, you can’t do any better than this literary epic.
This Present Darkness by Frank E. Peretti
This Present Darkness by Frank E. Peretti Series: Book 1 of 2 Publisher: Howard Books (February 14, 2012) Review by Mae Clair Decades ago, when I first discovered Christian fiction, one book set the bar for those that followed. I still have my first edition, trade paperback copy of Frank Peretti’s This Present Darkness. I’ve reread it numerous times over the years and recently purchased a copy for my Kindle.
Hearts Set Free by Jess Ledermen
Hearts Set Free: An Epic Tale of Love, Faith, and the Glory of God’s Grace Series: A Standalone Publisher: Indie Publication (March 12, 2019) Review by Mae Clair Hearts Set Free is a beautiful literary novel that follows three different sets of characters in three different time periods. Because the story arc of the central character spans a lifetime, all eventually end up in the same place.
The Five Times I Met Myself by James L. Rubart
The Five Times I Met Myself by James L. Rubart Series: Standalone Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 10, 2015) Review by Mae Clair Brock Matthews is a successful businessman—part owner (along with his brother, Ron) of Black Fedora, a specialty coffee company started by their father. Although life has treated Brock well—now in his fifties—he’s met with several challenges.
Weeping Boughs Don’t Break by Staci Troilo
Weeping Boughs Don’t Break by Staci Troilo Series: Standalone Publisher: Indie Release (April 8, 2025) Review by Mae Clair Claudia’s life imploded the day she found out her husband had been having an affair with a much younger woman. Though her marriage had been troubled, she’d remained faithful to, and stood by, the vows she’d taken on her wedding day. That covenant was not only with Leo, her husband, but also with God—an eternal union in the eyes of the Lord.
The Benefactor (Knights of the Octagon 1) by Colleen Snyder
The Benefactor by Colleen Snyder Series: Knights of the Octagon, Book 1 Publisher: Gordian Books, a division of Winged Publications (June 5, 2023) Review by Mae Clair The first book in The Knights of the Octagon series, this novel stands perfectly as a singular read—though I enjoyed it so much, I intend to purchase each successive book. The Knights are a group of four college-aged men who have known each other since their school days.
Dawn of Grace by Jill Eileen Smith
Dawn of Grace by Jill Eileen Smith Series: Standalone Publisher: Revel (February 18, 2024) Review by Mae Clair Thank you to NetGalley and Revell Books for my ARC. Jill Eileen Smith is one of my favorite Christian authors, so when I saw Dawn of Grace available on NetGalley, I immediately requested it. This is Smith’s first venture into writing a story set during New Testament times vs. Old Testament.
Finding Me: The Defiant Sisters Duet- Book 2 by Jacquie Biggar @jacqbiggar #newrelease #YA #siblingrivalry #romance #familydrama
Hello, and welcome to April! I hope the weather is treating you well in whichever corner of the world you may be camped out. Today, I’m delighted to welcome Jacquie Biggar to my blog. I can’t begin to tell you how many novels and novellas I have read by this talented author. Today, Jacquie is sharing her newest release, Finding Me: The Defiant Sisters Duet (book 2). Look for my 5-star review toward the end of the post, but in the meantime . . .
Choosing Your Character’s Occupation
Hi, SEers! It’s time for another Mae Day on Story Empire. Thanks for joining me for an up-close look at character occupations. This is one of the most important elements you’re likely to choose when developing your character. Often, it’s crucial to the plot—think a doctor, nurse, or lab technician in a medial thriller, a cop or PI in a crime novel, an attorney in a legal thriller. You get the idea. Other times, the character’s occupation may be less prominent, tucked into the background.
Elements of a Dual Timeline Novel: Connecting Past to Present
Hi, SEers! It’s another Mae Day on Story Empire, and the closing post for my series on dual timelines. If you’ve missed any of the previous posts and would like to visit, I’ve linked them below: Part One: An Introduction Part Two: Character Development Part Three: Timeframes and Settings Today is all about connections. In a dual timeline novel, you’re usually working with one timeline in the present and one in the past.
Elements of a Dual Timeline Novel: Character Development
Hi, SEers! Welcome to the another Mae Day on Story Empire! In my last post, I gave a brief introduction to dual timeline novels. Now I’d like to tackle the elements involved in each. Today is all about characters. I’ll start this post by saying I’m a plantser. That’s part plotter with a lot of pantsing tossed in. When I started writing dual timelines, I learned it’s near impossible to pants a novel one hundred percent. There are simply too many connections to work out between characters.
Creating Character Voice
Hi, SEers. Welcome to another Mae Day on Story Empire. Thanks for joining me for a discussion on character voice. As authors, we know the importance of giving our characters a distinctive voice. This shouldn’t only apply to dialogue, but also inner thought and narrative prose. When you’re in character POV, the reader should hear the character’s voice even when they’re not speaking.
Social Media: Is it Time to Cut Yourself Some Slack?
Hi, SEers! Welcome to the first Mae Day post of 2023. I hope your holidays were spent with loved ones and filled with good cheer! Yes, it’s a New Year, and you know what that means—resolutions, right? Let’s not go there—because seriously—how many resolutions are actually kept? Cut yourself some slack with a kinder ideology like intended changes, accomplishments you’d like to pursue, and random goals.
A Christmas Carol and Holiday Reading
Hi, SEers! You’re with Mae today, as we enter the countdown for Christmas. Just under two weeks away—can you believe it? I hope you’re enjoying the hustle-bustle leading up to the big day. I get swept up in the festive atmosphere every year. Even though I’ve gotten older, and some of my family traditions have changed, the same Spirit of Christmas that resided in me as a child, is still alive and thriving within me today.
Tracking Unfollowers in Twitter
Hi SEers! You’re with Mae today. This is going to be a short post, but one I hope you find as valuable as I did when I first discovered the trick I’m going to share. I must give a shout out to Hugh Roberts of Hugh’s Views and News who who turned me onto this little gem. Ever since he pointed me in the direction, I have used this tool faithfully to manage Twitter followers and unfollowers. Followers are easy to spot.
Goodies in Your Kindle App #kindlereading
Hi, SEers! Thanks for joining me for another Mae Day on Story Empire. I think most of us have a Kindle, so I’d like to take a closer look in the Kindle App. I was surprised how many goodies are available when you start poking around. To get started, open the app on your phone. Go on now… I’ll wait. 🙂 Got it? Good. One of the first things you’ll notice—smack in the middle of your screen—is your reading streak. This shows weeks in a row and days in a row.
Write What You’re Passionate About
Hi, SEers. You’re with Mae today. I hope you’ll forgive me while I ramble. As writers we’re lucky we get to do something we enjoy—creating stories. No one makes us sit down at a keyboard and pour our heart into a world we populate with twists and turns for characters who live in our heads. Okay, so maybe your muse spurs you on, but your muse is your creativity.
When a Plotter and a Panster Co-Author a Novel
Hi, SEers! Welcome to a Mae Day on SE. It’s also a Staci Troilo day because she and I wrote The Haunting of Chatham Hollow together, and that’s what I’d like to discuss today—writing with a co-author. It’s definitely a rewarding experience. But what happens when one of you is a plotter and the other is a pantser? If you’re thinking Felix and Oscar from The Odd Couple, it’s not that extreme, but there are adjustments to be made on both ends.
Author Growth
Hello, SEers, and welcome to another Mae Day on Story Empire. Let’s chat writer growth. Last winter, a local newspaper featured me in an article. I was extremely flattered they were interested enough to profile me. What appealed to them was that I hadn’t written one book or two, but ten (along with three novellas and several short stories in anthologies). I remember the interviewer telling me, “That’s an impressive body of work.” It relayed a message that I was in it for the long haul.
Writing, Then and Now
Hi, SEers! You’re with Mae today, and I’ve got nothing heavy on tap—just some reminiscing which hopefully you’ll find enjoyable. Depending how long you’ve been putting pen to paper (an old expression that works for this post), you may remember some of the “technology” I’ve highlighted below. I started writing early. I was six when I scribbled my first story on yellow tablet paper with a pencil.
Why Do You Write? #authors #writers
Hi, SEers! Mae here with a simple—or maybe not so simple—question. Why do you write? What compels you to spend hours, days, weeks, months or more, crafting a single story? Why does the story form in your head to begin with? Is it birthed from characters who won’t leave you alone, or does it form as a plot with grayed out faces? Once you tell a tale, why do you go back to the drawing board and start another? What spurs you to create?
Bringing Authors and Readers Together #shepherdforauthors #readinglists @storyempire @maeclair @bwb
Hi, SEers! Welcome to a Mae Day in May! Today, I’d like to share a resource I recently discovered that is beneficial for both authors and readers. I have a contact form on my website (no, that’s not the resource, LOL). I get hit with bots now and then, but I’ve connected with some cool people through that form. The latest is Ben Fox, an entrepreneur and founder of Shepherd.com, a new platform for book sharing.
Bringing Authors and Readers Together #shepherdforauthors #readinglists @storyempire @maeclair @bwb
Hi, SEers! Welcome to a Mae Day in May! Today, I’d like to share a resource I recently discovered that is beneficial for both authors and readers. I have a contact form on my website (no, that’s not the resource, LOL). I get hit with bots now and then, but I’ve connected with some cool people through that form. The latest is Ben Fox, an entrepreneur and founder of Shepherd.com, a new platform for book sharing.
Literary Agent Resources #agentqueries #queryingforrepresentation
Hi, SEers! Mae here. Last month I shared tips on how to write a query letter for agent representation. You can find that post HERE. Today, I’d like to share several resources you may find helpful. Before you start submitting, you need to find an agent. There are several places you can check. Query Tracker is a free resource that allows you to search for agents by genre or name.
Around The Fire Blog. Hosted by D.V. Stone
Thanks for stopping by my fire. We had a campfire last night and I made Paella. About fifteen people joined us to say goodbye to a few new friends as they headed home. The fire is a place of good food, good conversation, and good friends. I'm glad you're here to meet my fellow Wild Rose Press author. Say hi Jan, while I grab us a couple of beverages and tell our readers Who you are other than your bio? I am a widow.
Celebrate National Library Week, April 3-9
Hello, SEers! You’re with Mae today. I’ll be back in April with the second part of my short series on submitting your work to a literary agent, but today, I’d like to break out the pom-poms for something most of us remember fondly, and which might even be responsible for launching our love of writing and books—libraries. April 3rd through April 9th is National Library Week, something that was first celebrated in 1958.
Writing a Query Letter #agentqueries #literaryqueries
Hi, SEers. Mae here today to discuss a topic that usually makes authors cringe. There are two things I despise writing—a book synopsis, and a query letter. I’ve had to suck it up and do the former, but until the end of last year, writing a query letter for literary representation was something I’d avoided. I have, however, been sitting on a finished manuscript for almost two years. As a hybrid author, I’ve been published by a traditional small press, and have indie-pubbed my own work.
Ebooks and Libraries #libby #kindlereading
Hello, SEers! You’re with Mae as we venture a bit deeper into February. Today, I’d like to share an app that makes borrowing Kindle books from your local library remarkably easy. I have no affiliation with the makers of Libby, nor am I receiving compensation for this post. As an avid reader, I simply couldn’t resist sharing. How many times have you considered purchasing an ebook but hesitated because you weren’t certain the story would be a good fit, or the price was higher than you wanted to spend?
Creating a Promotional Author Video
Hello, SEers! Welcome to the first Mae Day of 2022. I hope your New Year is off to a great start! Today, I’d like to talk about how to create a promotional author video. Last year, John Howell gave us Tips to Succeed on a Video Interview. You can find that post HERE. I was fortunate enough to participate in a Zoom author interview last November with a local bookstore, and highly recommend the opportunity should you get the chance to do something similar.
Big News from Story Empire!
Hello, SEers! Mae, here. We are now officially into the second week of 2022 and ecstatic with the glow of the New Year. But the calendar change isn’t the only thing that has us elated. If you’ve followed Story Empire for any length of time, you know that whenever we mention BIG NEWS it usually means a new member has joined our ranks. Well, you’re right. Partially. We have TWO new members joining the Empire. How’s that for starting off the year with a bang? D.
Merry Christmas from Story Empire
Merry Christmas from Story Empire The authors of Story Empire wish you and yours a Merry Christmas filled with many blessings! May your holidays be bright, blessed with good tidings, peace, and cheer! Like this: Like Loading... Related
Finishing Strong #NaNoWriMo
Hi, SEers! Mae here, with the welcoming message the insanity is almost over. Just today and tomorrow, and NaNoWriMo 2021 is a wrap. November 30th is right around the corner! So how did you do? At this point you’re either: Typing like mad to reach 50K before the clock runs out. Hit 50K earlier, and you’re sitting back with a smug grin. Managed word count but nowhere near what you hoped to achieve. Tossed in the towel but are glad you took a shot at participating.
Staying Power #NaNoWriMo
Hi, SEers! Mae here today. If you’re doing NaNoWriMo, consider me your cheerleader! And if you’re not participating in NaNo, I hope you’ve committed to romancing your WIP during November. It’s now ten days into the month. How are you doing? Still bursting with writing energy and pouring out word count? I usually start off with a bang—rocket blasts and fireworks—then get bogged down in molasses by the time I hit week two. So how do you keep the momentum going and stay strong?
Are You Ready? #NaNoWriMo
Hi, SEers! Mae, here! Thanks for joining me as October winds down to a close. Halloween is just around the corner, and you know what comes after that, right? NaNoWriMo! Image from BigstockPhoto.com It’s almost time to start the write-a-thon craziness that takes place every November. If you’re participating—hoping to write 50K in thirty days—plan your strategy now if you haven’t already. Last month, I shared how to prep for NaNo. You can find that post HERE if you missed it.
It’s Time to Start Planning for November #NaNoWriMo
Hi, SEers! It’s Mae with you today, and I’m here to chat about the writing hoopla fast approaching. National Novel Writing Month kicks off in November, and if you’ve followed this blog for any length of time, you know I’m a fan. I’ve participated several times, “won” twice, and racked up excellent story content in the process. If you’re new to the world of writing, NaNoWriMo occurs every November. Writers at various skill levels set out to write a novel in thirty days.
Did You know? #AmazonReadingChallenges
Happy September, SEers! If you live in the U.S., or Canada, I hope you enjoyed your long Labor Day Weekend. You’re with Mae today, and I’d like to share a summer reading challenge. It may sound odd to do a post with the word “summer” given we’ve now inched into September, but summer isn’t over yet. I want to share something you may not be aware of, and apparently is currently in a beta version. I’m referring to Amazon Reading Challenges. I was invited to participate in my first one last February.
Twitter: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Hello, SEers! It’s a Mae Day on Story Empire, and the topic is Twitter. We all have social media platforms we favor. For me (outside of blogging) it’s all about Tweeting. Strangely, when I first ventured into the realm of social media almost ten years ago, I was certain I would detest Twitter. Not so. Which brings me to this quick overview of the good, the bad, and the ugly. See if you agree. THE GOOD Twitter delivers news as it happens, enabling a user to follow a thread as it unfolds in real time.
Conquer Your Monsters #WIPs
Hi, SEers! You’re with Mae today. Remember when you were a kid, afraid of monsters? They exist in writing, too. Bet you didn’t expect that, but take it from me—your resident cryptid, monster lover—not all strange creatures are bad. Let’s remember that Mary Shelly’s creation—Frankenstein’s monster—was actually a sensitive, articulate soul. He started out as something hideous, cadaver parts stitched together and an appearance that made others react with revulsion and terror.
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