I’ve read 15 inspirational fiction books so far this year and am now on my 16th. I have already gone past my total from 2006 so I guess you could say I’m on a reading roll. The book I have most anticipated reading has recently been released. So as soon as I’m finished with my current book, I will at last be reading “The Healing Season” by Ruth Axtell Morren.

To fill in the time, I’ve been reading some new (to me) authors while awaiting Ruth’s newest release. I love to read, but as a writer I am now reading to learn to write, as well. At first this was a little distracting, but I have been trying to enjoy both. You know, multi-tasking. These were some good picks and taught me some things about pacing, plotting, and “show not tell”. So, it has been time well spent. Some of these books have also been really fun – in the genre that they are now calling “edgy” inspirational fiction (including Deanne Gist andCathy Marie Hake).

I’m not sure if Ruth Axtell Morren’s new book would be classified as edgy, but I do consider her brave. She delves into topics with boldness and grace. What I love so much about her writing is that she not only writes good fiction, but she writes well! The plots are great, the characters unique, her writing skill is outstanding. Ruth’s stories leave you reminiscing about them far after they have been read.

“The Healing Season” is due in at my local Christian bookstore tomorrow. I had to special order it as they had not even heard of Ruth Axtell Morren. I was sure to encourage them to add her books to their inventory. How I shall ever sleep tonight I do not know (perhaps that is a mild exaggeration), but I do know that I can always go take another sneek peek of the first chapter on the author’s website. You can, too, or you can get your own copy and find out what happens when former army surgeon Dr. Ian Russell encounters the enchanting stage actress Eleanor Neville. Maybe I’ll just have to lay my current read down for a while so I can begin “The Healing Season” right away!