PenWorks of the Word | Featured Author | April W. Gardner

“When the Villain Said”

How One Verse in Jeremiah Sparked a Novel
April W Gardner

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Sometimes a novel starts with a single Bible verse that follows you around long after you close the cover. Mine started with the only recorded words of the villain who destroyed Jerusalem.

PenWorks of the Word | Featured Review | Across the Lake by Barbara M. Britton

 

Greetings, When I found the book for today's featured review, I didn't know what to expect. It was a devotional, after all, and one that included short stories, which is something I've written before myself. As I started reading the reviews, it became even more apparent that this one was worth the read.

So when I reached out to Ms. Britton and asked what she thought about it becoming one of the featured reviews for this year's blog tour, her yes was well worth it. She even asked if she could write an article. While that will come later on in this tour, I'm excited to share this review now.

See you in the pages,

MJE

PenWorks of the Word | Featured Author | Tracy Gimpel

 

Why I Write Biblical Fiction

By Tracy Gimpel

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Whenever we endeavor to do a new thing, I believe it’s important to know our “why.” While this concept has been paraded through various venues, such as weight loss and exercise, business and leadership, and even Christian ministry, the idea remains a solid one. 

At the onset, let me say that knowing your “why” is not the same as your goals, although your goals will definitely be affected by your “why.” Goals for writing a book might be to get published, enjoyment, profits, etc. The “why,” however, reaches down into the heart and soul of every writer, creating both tension and release as the book takes shape. 

PenWorks of the Word | Featured Author | Sean Lyon

Worn Sandals and Unfinished People

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I had spent most of my life reading the book of Acts, knowing how the story ends.

Paul is Paul. The church survives. Christianity spreads across the Roman world. Two thousand years later, I can sit comfortably with a Bible in my lap and read about Thessalonica, knowing that the frightened little community described in Acts 17 eventually became part of something that changed human history.

But the people living through it had no such luxury.

That realization eventually became Worn Sandals.

It started with a sermon I listened to that mentioned Jason.

PenWorks of the Word | Featured Author | Richard T. Hicks

My Journey into Freedom Series

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My writing journey began in 2012, although the seeds had been planted many years earlier.

I had been online since 1999, occasionally writing whenever I felt led by the Holy Spirit. I was always searching for ways and opportunities to use the creativity I already knew God had placed within me. At that time, my only online experience had been creating and managing a Yahoo group. When the opportunity to begin blogging presented itself, I eagerly stepped into this new virtual adventure.

PenWorks of the Word Giveaway 2026

Greetings,

The moment we've been waiting for is almost here…

✨ The PenWorks of the Word Blog Tour is hosting a King Sumo Giveaway — and you're invited!

🗓 Giveaway Timeline

• Launch:  Tuesday, October 13 at 9:00 AM CST
• Close: Sunday, November 1 at 9:00 AM CST
• Winner Announcement: Saturday, November 7 via email
• Total Winners: Multiple Winners (over 40 chances to win)

PenWorks of the Word | Featured Author | Tracey Thorp

The Case For Rachel

By Tracey Thorp

~~~

I think we owe Rachel a massive apology.
Because I’m not convinced she did the things we’ve spent the last 3,000 years accusing her of.

Somehow, over centuries of retelling her story, assumptions have become facts:

• The Bible tells us Rachel was beautiful, so we decided she was vain.

• The Bible tells us Rachel was infertile, forced to endure the pain of watching her own husband and sister have children together. Then one day she got angry with him, so we decided she was bitter and discontent.

• The Bible tells us Rachel took her father’s household idols, so we decided she worshipped them.

• The Bible tells us Rachel couldn’t stand up during the search for the idols because she had her period, so we decided she was lying.

But where’s the evidence?