PENS OF PRAISE CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2026

 PENS OF PRAISE CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP 

 

Monday, February 23, 2026

1:30 – 3:00 p.m.

 

 

4Given Coffee Shop

MPM Center (Entrance and parking on South 19^th Street)
1034 S 18th St, Manitowoc, WI 54220      info@4givencoffee.com

 So very convenient for us, we can grab a coffee or tea at 4Given Coffee shop before enjoying our August Pen’s writing lesson! We will meet in the elegant coffee shop space.

Let’s Fly Away . . . facilitated by Susan Marlene! What does your writing career look like—if you could spy it from a distance—like from an airplane? What do you want, how do you plan, and what are you willing to accomplish to achieve your goal?

We are a safe place to share your writing and your dreams. Bring a work in progress and let’s discuss—if you would like to!

PROMPT:  Hit the target. 

Inspired readers given excellent take-away = return readers!

We are a safe place to share, and Pens Meetings are free.

 

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact Susan Marlene@ susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

LADY OF THE FIRE, Bonded Realms, Book Five, by Regan Allen

Dulciya Lutelyn, recently elected Potentate of the Miners Guild, lives in a world that is elegant, structured, and not always easy to navigate. After her father’s death, she accepted this leadership position—with all the difficulties that came with such a privilege. But will she run the Miners Guild as expected? Will she choose a mate who is approved? Her red hair and passionate temperament offer the reader an impression of who this character will be. But only her mother knows that Dulci has an unacceptable secret that requires Dulci’s courage and restraint to hide.

Kadan Asnji, Kahn of the High Peak, is one of Potentate Dulciya’s protectors, as they travel during inclement weather to check on the miners and the mines in the mountains. Kadan’s strength and honor are just what her people need. Just what she needs in the face of treachery and opposition from some in her own Miners Guild. He is handsome and barbaric—quite the opposite of what her people know and accept.

What I love about LADY OF THE FIRE and the Bonded Realms series is that Regan links characters with previous main characters. Regan’s attention to detail and imagination in choosing where to send her characters to interact with the unique creatures and cultures never fail to impress me. I love these strong characters and watching them butt heads with—shall we say — a bold coward and/or difficult authority figures. I have told others by word of mouth about The Bonded Realms novels, and recently someone took me up on that suggestion! Bravo!

LADY OF THE FIRE is a beautifully written fantasy on which I’m eager to read and talk about. I was given this novel to read for an honest review, and I recommend LADY OF THE FIRE with enthusiasm. To put it in a nutshell, LADY OF THE FIRE provides an exquisite description of character and surroundings in a vibrant fantasy land. Page-turning tensions kept me reading and flipping pages.

You may find Regan Allen at: 

https://www.reganallenbooks.com/ladyofthefire.html.

Pens of Praise Jan 26, 2026 Meeting Info

 PENS OF PRAISE CHRISTIAN WRITERS  

 

Monday, January 26, 2025

1:30 – 3:00 p.m.

 

 

4Given Coffee Shop

MPM Center (Entrance and parking on South 19^th Street)
1034 S 18th St, Manitowoc, WI 54220      info@4givencoffee.com

 

So very convenient for us, we can grab a coffee or tea at 4Given Coffee shop before enjoying our August Pen’s writing lesson! We will meet in the elegant coffee shop space.

 

IDEAS * INSPIRATION * IMPLEMENTATION

Greetings everyone! Our meeting this month centers around where we–yes—you, I, and all of us capture ideas and inspiration to write what we write and plan what we wish to write! Then comes the BIG “I” for implementing what we dream and plan to write!

COME ONE, COME ALL –  LET’S WORK IT TOGETHER, and inspire one another to greatness!

PROMPT:  PLANS & PURPOSE 

Inspired readers given excellent takeaways = return readers!

We are a safe place to share, and Pens Meetings are free.

 

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact Susan Marlene@ susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

SCARS OF THE REVOLUTION, HARBOR OF SPIES, Book 3 by Multi-Award-Winning Author Megan Soja

SCARS OF THE REVOLUTION, what an exquisite story! Megan’s strong, interesting characters traverse believable difficulties faced during the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. This author skillfully kept me hoping, wondering, and believing. Megan’s ability to weave in spiritual questions and real-life struggles arising from relational and situational challenges made this a full-bodied story with depth and relatability. 

First of all, my favorite series mentions characters from book one in book two, and continues this way in book three. The HARBOR OF SPIES series offers all the best fiction can provide. Likable and unlikable characters, and one or two that keep this reader guessing, are first on my checklist. The storyline is strong and really pulled me back in time to the start of the Revolutionary War. Such upending times, the choices of a few in power became devastating and life-threatening for those pulled into the conflict. 

If you like adventure, romance, historically significant time periods—in this case, the Revolutionary War in America—powerful difficulties, and resourceful characters, then I advise you to check out this story and, in fact, this HARBOR OF SPIES series! 

I can’t sing praises high enough for SCARS OF THE REVOLUTION by Megan Soja! This is a memorable story and a book series that I will be rereading. (Just so you know, I’m a busy person, and for me to make time to reread a series says a lot about this author’s storytelling skill and her meaningful challenges for the characters! This novel was given to me for an honest review, and I'm pleased to share these thoughts on this story!

Happy New Year to all! Enjoy your next read!

You may find Megan Soja at: https://megansoja.com/

BOOK & CRAFT VENDOR FAIR!

 A perfect time of the year to see you! We will 

 

         See you in De pere

AUTHORS AMONG US, A LOCAL AUTHORS’ BOOK FAIR

CEDAR CREEK EVENT CENTER

1018 CEDAR ST., DE PERE

TODAY

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24^TH

Time

2:00 – 6:00 P.M.

For the book and novel-thirsty reader

OR for those you know

Who can’t live without a great read! 

PENS OF PRAISE CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP MEETING -- MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2025

 

 

Monday, October 20, 2025

1:30 – 3:00 p.m.

 

 

4Given Coffee Shop

MPM Center (Entrance and parking on South 19^th Street)
1034 S 18th St, Manitowoc, WI 54220      info@4givencoffee.com

 

So very convenient for us, we can grab a coffee or tea at 4Given Coffee shop before enjoying our August Pen’s writing lesson! We will meet in the elegant coffee shop space.

 

CHARACTERS – SETTING AND ANTAGONISTS facilitated by Susan Marlene! Can the setting of your story emulate strength and influence in your story? Like a character? Absolutely! Let’s talk about it. Bring your own examples and I’ll bring mine. How about you share some qualities you adore in an antagonistic character. I’ll bring mine!

Also, future plans for book signings and marketing will be discussed. Until then, write with joy!

Come and visit us, and make the most of your writing time.

 

PROMPT: Your FAVORITE ANTAGONIST and why? 

Inspired readers given excellent take-away = return readers!

We are a safe place to share, and Pens Meetings are free.

 

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact Susan Marlene@ susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

A FIERCE DEVOTION by Bestselling & Award-winning Author, Laura Frantz

 

Bleu Galant, an exile from Acadie, travels to Virginia’s Rivanna River settlement. But along the way, an unexpected twist, danger, and a woman he can’t forget, intrude upon his life. 

Beautiful in appearance and spirit, Brielle Farrow, confined to servitude, survives a tragic attack at the Rose and Crown. Confronted by devastating loss and danger, there is one who may risk all to rescue her.

The crossroads in Bleu and Brielle’s paths take them on a journey neither of them had considered or dreamed of before. What will Brielle’s future bring, and what of Bleu’s heart? 

This novella is an exciting continuation of Laura’s novel THE SEAMSTRESS OF ACADIE. Bleu is Sylvie Galant’s handsome, adventuresome, and courageous brother. If you love thrilling and inspiring fiction gleaned from actual historical events, I encourage you to read THE SEAMSTRESS OF ACADIE. It is especially pleasurable to read the novel and then the novella—in that order! 

Oh, if I could be a fly on the wall and watch your excited turning of these pages! 

You may find Laura Frantz and information about her books on her website.

https://laurafrantz.net/

THE SEAMSTRESS OF ACADIE by Best Selling and Award-Winning Author, Laura Frantz

 

How to begin to share such a rich story inspired by actual historical events . . .

Who could do the Acadian's justice but Laura? When you take a thriving and hardworking people whose nature is to seek peace and be left out of conflict, but toss in power-hungry people with harsh methods for obeying their commands, THE SEAMSTRESS OF ACADIE is birthed in the mind of an accomplished, award-winning author. 

I absolutely love the short historical notation (one paragraph long) before the story. A reader may skip past it, but my natural curiosity will not allow me to ignore such a nugget applicable for a richer reading experience. That, dear reader, is totally your choice. Read or pass. Also, there is an excellent prologue that I refuse to pass by and that kick-starts the story with a gripping scene! I'm ever so glad that I devour anything offered for the story set-up! Even the glossary is fun to skim over, though my excitement to delve into THE SEAMSTRESS OF ACADIE tugs at my attention. Laura does have some French references, but she is expert at not overloading or weighing down the dialogue. She sprinkles French words like seasoning, which makes the offering perfect and alluring. Now, onto the story . . .

1754 Tensions increase between the French and English in present-day Nova Scotia, Canada

1755 The Great Upheaval

Seamstress Sylvie Galant lives with her family located between two rival forts. Neutral Arcadians are not trusted by the English. No matter their actions and obviously peaceful, diligent lives. William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger, has been extremely useful to the English in causing chaos with the French, Arcadians, and the Indian tribe, Mi'kmaq, among others. But Blackburn's heart isn't in this greedy power-grab by the English. Before he leaves, he warns Silvie. What happens next tosses the reader into a heartbreaking tale, and yes, I'll use the cliché, gripping. There is much to overcome for both Silvie and William Blackburn, and so many linked to their lives. I will not give spoilers, but this is a tale that you will not wish to pass up.

The characters' inner struggles are realistic and compelling, and I yearned for their ability to overcome despite their huge losses and difficulties. Even my beloved Colonial Williamsburg is included in this polished story of struggle, cultural differences, and the discovery of what is truly important in the face of tragic events that would utterly destroy persons without the willingness to fight and believe.

Laura, I'm thankful you discovered this facet of history that may have gotten lost in the sands of time. Your novel gives the reader much to contemplate, historically, culturally, and personally. Thank you, dear one, for continuing to write and for sharing your heart on the pages so that others can benefit from it and expand their horizons. 

I preordered not one, but three THE SEAMSTRESS OF ACADIE novels. Every year I look for the next Laura Frantz novel! To learn more about Laura and sign up for her newsletter, visit her at . . .

https://laurafrantz.net/