#4 | JUNE 2023

I visited the LDS Homeschool Educators Annual Conference in Salt Lake City for a day on May 24th. It included not only adults, but lots of youth as well. My favorite interaction was with a group of 10-12 youth who peppered me with questions for at least ten minutes. They were impressive, and such a light!

As you can tell, my display is getting busier. You may note the Jesus and Barabbas print behind Patriot Star and Kindred Star. My daughter got that for me, and I love it. I now have a 7th book to add to the mix (with #8 coming soon as well). My next appearance will be at the very popular Freedom Festival in Provo, UT July 3-4. I got a great booth location, and I'm really looking forward to it. It will be outdoors, so I'll bring a 12 x 12 canopy.

By the way, if you love the band Journey (and I do), they will be kicking off the holiday events in Provo on Saturday, July 1 at the nationally-renowned Stadium of Fire, celebrating 50 years (50 years!!!) since they began performing their music. Here is a link to more information:

Below is that 7th book I just referenced. It was a "side" project, and not very long (~160 pages), but I love how it turned out. Writing it was so personally useful and energizing. Here is the teaser:

For a prosperous businessman in the Ancient American city of Ammonihah, God is good, but not top of mind. Until God’s call becomes more insistent and memories of productive faith rise from the ashes of spiritual indolence.

When the heavens orchestrate a meeting with the Lord’s prophet, who is on a mission to steer Ammonihah from certain calamity, the man named Amulek must face the consequences of boldly proclaiming the God he knows is real. He will also learn the depths of his own commitment … and of God’s perfect, eternal love for his children.

And here's a quote from the early part of the book:

“I don’t have much time for religion right now, anyway,” he continued. “I believe God is just and merciful, and I try to be fair and courteous in all my interactions with people. That is enough for me. Tarabis gets me to synagogue on occasion, and it works for us. We are happy. Go with my blessing. Do what you feel in your own heart you need to do.” (Ch. 4, p. 15)

Progress Updates

Sophia: Daughter of Barabbas will be the aforementioned Book #8. I just sent it to an editor, Julie Frederick, an American woman who lives in England and also helped me with The Barabbas Legacy. She should have it back to me by the end of June. Then we'll polish it up and match it with another of Lance Buckley's amazing covers (coming soon!).

Crossroads of Sundering Memory (Fantasy) has been submitted to Shadow Mountain Publishing with the promise of an accelerated review. So, I'll know soon if they're interested in taking it on. If not, we'll gear up other resources and get it done. It's such a fun book, and I'm excited to get a Fantasy title out in the marketplace.

Amulek: Revenant was published on May 31 in ebook and print, and is also available to retailers through IngramSpark at standard wholesale discounts and terms. I've also reached out to actor Kirby Heyborne again, and he has agreed to narrate the audiobook, which should be available in August.

The Servant of Helaman screenplay is now in the works! I should see a first draft from the screenwriter by mid-August. Then I'll be able to pitch it to a few folks who have already shown some interest. Very exciting. In addition, I'm almost done with the planning for the sequel, though I don't have a working title for it yet. Hopefully I can come up with one by the end of June.

Very soon, I also need to start planning the 3rd volume in the Patriot Star series. It's a little daunting, because those are such large books, but I love the story too much and it has to continue.

Yes, it will be a busy summer. :)

As always, feel free to reach out to me at inspire@mdhouselive.com.

Thank you!