ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO • 4 MIN READ

Fran X Fi'eren Character Art Reveal + a Tiny Miracle

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Hi, I’m Laura, and I write Christian fantasy romance about married couples finding healing in Christ and restoration in their relationships. Falling in love is easy, but staying together takes repentance, grace, and a whole lot of hard work! That’s why these faith-filled fantasy stories are woven with marriage, magic, and second chances — swoony, spice-free tales of love where the romance doesn’t end with “I do.” Set in rich, imaginative worlds, each story reflects the hope we have in Jesus to mend what’s broken and redeem what feels lost. When you subscribe, you’ll receive an ebook copy of The Smith & The Spoons: A Fralsningdor Chronicles Short Story, weekly episodes from my ongoing fantasy romance serial A Hoard of Tales, and tons of fun extras like behind-the-scenes updates, devotionals, memes, and book recommendations. If you’re longing for stories that blend solid theology, real-world marriage struggles, and fantastical settings, you’re in the right place. Welcome! (Please check your spam folder. You can unsubscribe any time.)

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Hello dear friend!

This week has been a lot of prayer and trusting in the Lord when the world feels shaky. And boy oh boy, He is coming through! In things both big and small, I am watching the Lord work it together for good in ways that I could not have predicted and certainly could not have fabricated. So much of life feels out-of-control right now, but I can rest easy knowing I'm in the hands of the One who IS in control! There was a time when I walked through uncertainty without the calm assurance of God's goodness and His absolute sovereignty over all of Creation, and truly... I don't know how I didn't go mad.

If you are also facing things that make life feel tenuous right now, please know that I'm praying for you, and that Jesus always lives to intercede for His people (Hebrews 7:25). When we are inadequate and too weak to solve our own problems, remember who you are and WHOSE you are. If you are in Christ, your eternal future is secure, regardless of whatever this chaotic mortal life may throw at you.

In this week's issue of the Goblin Grace Gazette:

  • Work in Progress Updates (+ a Tiny Miracle)
  • Fran X Fi'eren LKOTP Character Art Reveal
  • Stories of Whimsy & Warriors Release Day
  • Meme of the Week
  • Out of Context Quote

WIP UPDATES:

  • Lost King of the Pattern hardcovers arrived yesterday, and I was reminded of just how much this story belongs to Jesus! I tore open the box, just as excited as could be. But when I saw the books inside, my heart dropped. Misprints. An outdated cover and outdated innards — the version from a previous proof that I did NOT end up approving. Not only were they no good for reading, but the cover was all wrong and wouldn't even have worked for a cover reveal. In the grand scheme of things, it was a minor setback, nothing more. But after a few really difficult weeks, this felt like the last straw. After making so many mistakes with the release of COTT, I really wanted the release of LKOTP to go differently. I reached out to my author group, who talked me through alternate cover reveal/preorder options, and I gave it up to Jesus. We agreed that taking a photo with another book, then overlaying the jpg of the cover on top of it in my photo editing software would be best. So I set up my flatlay background, rifled to the bottom of the box, and grabbed a book. I set it down for the picture and... it was perfect??? Right there in the bottom of the box was one perfect copy, exactly as I had uploaded to the printer. It didn't make any sense. The books were ordered and shipped together. There was no reason that there should have been one perfect copy among the mistakes. And yet, it was there. Jesus came through for me, MIDPRINT! Ultimately, it was a small thing, but it felt very big in that it reminded me how any amount of goodness and success this book will have is ALL HIM. He is God of the ideas, God of the words, and even God of the printers. Truly, if I wasn't doing this with Him, I wouldn't want to do it at all. All that to say... preorders open soon. So keep an eye on your emails!
  • Project Needle preorder goodies have been designed by me and approved by my beta readers. They are so cute and quirky, and I just know you're going to love them!
  • The Fralsningdor Chronicles, Book III is still at 1% with lots of brainstorming happening over here. There is so much to tie up in this last book of the trilogy. While I was brainstorming, I also realized there are a couple of other short stories that could really help round out the TFC world. I'll make sure to tuck those ideas in my back pocket for later!

And now, for the moment that at least three people have been waiting for. The official Lost King of the Pattern Fran X Fi'eren character art reveal, illustrated by yours truly, in...

Ta da!!!

What do you think, friend? Is this how you picture the TFC main characters?

This scene depicts Fran and Fi'eren moments before the Midwinter Ball at Ferguson Manor in Lost King of the Pattern chapter 29. And no, that's not a wedding dress. As you might recall from COTT and TS&TS — our MCs are already married and Fran's wedding dress was colorful wool! No, Fran's white ballgown actually represents something much darker and more somber.

This artwork will be in the front of every copy of Lost King of the Pattern, right after the map page, but as I do my best to keep my books affordable for my readers, it'll be printed in black and white. If you want a color print of this character art, keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming email! XOXO

Happy release day to Voices of the Future: Stories of Whimsy & Warriors and all the new authors at The Author Conservatory!

Discover the next generation of storytellers . . .

The sixth edition of Voices of the Future weaves together short stories of whimsy and warriors in a memorable and heartwarming collection. Experience the next generation’s creativity and vision through these tales from rising young creatives.

This collection features a short story by one of my writing group friends, Cristiana Moyer, called Till the Mountain Burns. It's an ancient Greek story about a girl who discovers a plot to invade her home—but the only way to light the beacon and warn her people is by facing her greatest fear: the warhorse who crippled her father.

The Author Conservatory is a college-alternative program for gifted writers focused on raising up the next C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. 100% of your purchase goes to help students attend writing conferences where they can pitch their work to agents and publishers.


“Conchessa, Midwinter is only a month away. Do we even have time?”

“Oh, we have time, my dear. Everything I know about strategy came from growing up in a world of political intrigue. Between us and Missus Perkins, this will be a ball fit for royalty!” Conchessa glanced around the room, a calculating grin splitting her lovely face, which was now flushed with excitement.

“For royalty?!” squeaked Fran. “That seems a bit excessive. It wasn’t what I… I mean… Does it really…”

“It does,” said Conrad firmly.

 

LOST KING OF THE PATTERN


Sign up for The Goblin Grace Gazette!

Hi, I’m Laura, and I write Christian fantasy romance about married couples finding healing in Christ and restoration in their relationships. Falling in love is easy, but staying together takes repentance, grace, and a whole lot of hard work! That’s why these faith-filled fantasy stories are woven with marriage, magic, and second chances — swoony, spice-free tales of love where the romance doesn’t end with “I do.” Set in rich, imaginative worlds, each story reflects the hope we have in Jesus to mend what’s broken and redeem what feels lost. When you subscribe, you’ll receive an ebook copy of The Smith & The Spoons: A Fralsningdor Chronicles Short Story, weekly episodes from my ongoing fantasy romance serial A Hoard of Tales, and tons of fun extras like behind-the-scenes updates, devotionals, memes, and book recommendations. If you’re longing for stories that blend solid theology, real-world marriage struggles, and fantastical settings, you’re in the right place. Welcome! (Please check your spam folder. You can unsubscribe any time.)