PenWorks of the Word Blog Tour 2026

✨ Join the Second Annual PenWorks of the Word Blog Tour

 

October 2026 • Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays

 

Friends and fellow storytellers, the PenWorks of the Word Blog Tour is returning for its second year. This time, we’re expanding our reach while deepening our roots.

 

Last year’s tour gathered 12 Christian creatives and upwards of 150 entries into the King Sumo giveaway from across genres — Biblical Fiction, fantasy, sci‑fi, devotionals — all united by one heartbeat:

 

“Let the Word shape the work.”

 

This October, we’re highlighting Biblical Fiction as the central theme, while still welcoming returning authors whose stories draw from Scripture, redemption, and spiritual truth.

 

If your writing springs from the Word, whether through ancient worlds, imaginative allegories, or faith‑infused futures, you have a place here. It doesn't matter how big or small your audience is either.

 

🔥 What Is PenWorks of the Word?

 

PenWorks of the Word is a collaborative blog tour hosted through Lanterns of Light PenWorks. Each participating author selects one of the available dates and publishes a post on their own blog or social media platforms. It's great to share others' posts too, but only if you want.

 

Your post can explore:

- Your Biblical Fiction writing process

- A character study or historical insight

- Faith‑infused fantasy or allegorical storytelling

- How Scripture inspires your creative worldbuilding

- Why the Word continues to shape your craft.

- A review of a book that you enjoyed in 2026.

- An interview with questions that can be answered quickly and easily

 

📅 Tour Schedule

 

Posts will go live every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday in October.

 

Each author chooses one date to publish (first come, first served)

 

All posts will be linked or shared on both my author website and my ministry website, Lanterns of Light PenWorks. Social media will get a taste of them all too, but this year we’ll need a fair number of authors to fill the calendar.

So if you think you might want to join the tour, now’s the time. (Yes, I probably should’ve started recruiting in July… but last year I started this recruitment in September, so we are getting there, and I am trusting God’s timing on this one!)

 

✍️ How to Join

Fill out this contact form, and I will get you the details and the availability.

 

Once we are all set, I’ll add you to the schedule and send reminders as your date approaches, as well as more details before September even hits.

 

🌿 Why did I launch this tour last year?

 

Because stories open hearts.

Because Scripture is alive.

Because creativity is worship.

Because your words carry light.

 

and

 

Because Unity Matters.

 

Will you help make this second year a celebration of faithful creativity with Biblical Fiction leading the way and supporting a few other genres that let the Word shine through their light?.

 

— MJE

Lanterns of Light PenWorks

PenWorks of the Word–Year Two

Book Review - Keeping Thessalonica by Jenifer Jennings

 Greetings, 

I had this one under wraps for a few weeks, but I am excited to share this review of  Jenifer Jennings' upcoming release, Keeping Thessalonica. 

This is one of those rare gems that stick with you long after you finish the final pages.  You are going to love this one. I'm pretty sure this is one of my longest reviews, if not the longest. 

See you in the pages, 

MJE

Book Review - Awakening the Light by Natasha Woodcraft

Greetings, 

I hope everyone is doing well. I've had Natasha Woodcraft's new faith-based fantasy in my "to-be-read" pile since it was released in April, and I must tell you, it did not disappoint. 

I have read some of her other work, but Awakening the Light really stood out to me. I can not wait to share my thoughts on the first book in this series. So here you go. 

See you in the pages, 

MJE

Summer Series: Through the Night

Greetings,

I know it's been a hot minute since I updated anything here, but there is a reason behind that. I've got something coming in the next several weeks I've called Through the Night!

It’s inspired by my own journey with grief and loss, and what I've been learning along the way through the lens of John's letters. In this 7-day series, I will share parts of my story and some insights into how God has brought me to the place I am in today.

This is a side project that has basically taken over my whole writing world in the last few months, and it's not what I usually write. I wrote devotionals a long time ago, but this is a return to my roots. Before it goes public, I wanted to share it with you all first. I will be posting this series both on my Substack and on my ReamStories author page, so find me there, and you will get to read it before anyone else. 

I will have more to share soon, I promise, but here is a sneak peek at the cover for the project. It will be released on multiple platforms as well.

See you in the pages, 

MJE

Book Review - A Free Man is a Healed Man by Caleb Gordon

Greetings, 

I have a surprise review for you all tonight, and I promise that reviews aren't the only thing getting posted on this blog. I really just have too many books on my TBR list to post anything else. A Free Man is a Healed Man is written by a good friend of mine, Pastor Caleb Gordon. This one is a fantastic read, but I will let the review speak to that.

See you in the pages, 

MJE

Book Review - Jake Rogers' Planet by Philip Wilder

Greetings Everyone, 

It seems like the only thing I post nowadays is these reviews. However, I've read so many more books this year, and I have loved them. Helping other authors, no matter how big or small their audience, has been a privilege.

Today, I'm posting a review for Jake Rogers ' Planet. When Philip reached out to me on this one, I didn't know what to expect, but here we are. I hope you enjoy.

See you in the pages, 

MJE. 

Book Reviews - Blaze of Honor by D.M. Griffin

Greetings, 

I'm so excited to share this review with you today. I have always enjoyed reading this author's books and can't wait to read the other ones as they come out. D.M. Griffin is a fantastic author, and I encourage you to read any of her stories. You can also follow her on Substack now. 

But I won't hold you up any longer. Blaze of Honor comes out later this week, May 12th. I'm sure there will be a few more of these reviews over the next few days. 

See you in the pages,

M.J.E.

Book Reviews - Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson

Greetings Everyone,

I have a surprise review for you tonight. This was a book I read for myself, not to review, but the book I'm about to review resonated with me so much that I was compelled to write this review.  

I've known about Andrew Peterson for some time now; my The Wingfeather Saga is a staple in our house. However, that is not the series I wrote this review about. I do not review these kinds of "Christian Living" books very often, but I do enjoy reading those types of books. But I'll leave it to the review from here.

See you in the pages, 

M.J.E.

A Quick Update and A Thank‑You

Greetings,

This blog has taken on a whole new identity in the last few months, hasn't it? Well, I'm kind of excited about it. If you miss the personal touch. Then this post may give you some motivation.

I wanted to share a short update, especially for those of you who are already part of my REAMStories community. Whether you’ve been following my work for a while or you’re brand‑new, I’m grateful you’re here.

Next month, I’m putting focused energy into growing my Biblical Fiction space on REAM. It’s become the home for early drafts, devotionals, behind‑the‑scenes notes, and the creative process that doesn’t always make it into the final books. If you enjoy the stories I write, it’s a great place to walk with me a little more closely.

Book Reviews: Loosed by Anna Moore Bradfield

Greetings, 

It has been a busy month, and tonight, I have my first review following my new review system. If you have ever wanted to know more about what the life and times of King David could have been like, then you are in luck. 

Loosed: Michal's Story by Anna Moore Bradfield captures that in great detail. I was glad to be given the chance to read this one and pray that this review will help anyone who reads it find another book to possibly add to their libraries. Well, I don't want to keep you any longer, so without further ado. 

See you in the pages, 

M.J.E. 

Book Reviews: Absalom - The Shadow King, by Trevor Kincaid

Greetings, 

It has been a hot minute since I have reviewed one of Trevor Kincaid's books. His upcoming release, Absalom: The Shadow King, is not one you will want to miss. I do not think I have read anything like it before, and I truly appreciate the depths of this novel, but I will leave that for the review you are about to read. 

This one comes out on March 31st, and I sincerely hope that anyone who reads this review will consider investing their time into this tragic, but haunting story. I cannot convey in this post just how much of an impact I believe this one will have on the Biblical Fiction community. 

See you in the pages, 

M.J.E. 

Book Review Policy & Guidelines

Greetings, 

As I mentioned earlier this year I have some new things instore for this blog and reviewing books has slowly been becoming a regular thing on The Gathering Room. With my current review load, I felt that is was time to lay out a few guidelines for book reviews moving forward. I want this place to be a vessel for building new authors up because that was something I have not had in my career as a writer. So here it is...

The Characters of The Hope of Inheritance

Greetings, 

It turns out that God has some interesting timing. 

When I released my Award Winning Novel, The Hope of Inheritance, over the summer it turns out I neglected to post the Character Profiles for the story on this blog. 

Well, I'm about to do a relaunch for the book and Character Profiles are the perfect way to get that all started. Its going to take place over the next few months, but you got to start somewhere, right? 

Take a look at all of the wonderful characters from this story that changed everything for me. 

See you in the pages, 

M. J. E. 

A Little February Update (and an Invitation for the 15th)

Greetings,

Since today is Valentine’s Day, I hope you’re finding a moment to breathe, to rest, and to feel connected to the people who matter most in your life. Holidays have a way of reminding us how much community shapes us — and how much we need it.

That’s part of why I wanted to share a quick update with you.

Book Reviews: And They Were Persuaded by Naomi Craig and Donna E. Lane

Greetings, 

I pray that everyone reading this is doing well. This blog has been quieter for a few weeks than I normally like, but that's all for good reason. Those of you on my email list will hear more about that when my monthly email goes out.

For this post, I have another review for you. And They Were Persuaded by Naomi Craig and Donna E. Lane, released on 1/27, and I was invited to be a part of their launch team. This review is my honest thoughts, and I was not persuaded (did you catch that) in any way to share my thoughts. I truly enjoyed reading this one and can't wait for you to read the book for yourselves. 

See you in the pages, 

M.J.E.

Stepping Into 2026

Greetings,

In 2026, you're going to see more posts like this. Shortly after I send out my monthly email, I intend to post a blog-worthy version of what they get sent to them, with a few minor, but meaningful things taken out. My hope is that my readers will want to know more. 😉 For this one, I kept pretty much everything, but moving forward, this will change.