Blog Archives
One Cathartic Moment
Sage of the Mountains follows a broken blacksmith who journeys into the mountains in search of a sage, hoping to get a fresh start, and discovers that the path to healing requires confronting the self he’s been trying to escape. Why did you choose to tell this story as a fable rather than a traditional self-help book?
I chose to tell this story as a fable because real change doesn’t come from information alone. It comes from lived experiences. The journey Folly takes through the mountains is a mirror of our own inner journey that we all face when we’re trying to let go of the past and find peace.
I’ve always been drawn to self-help, but I’ve noticed something: even when the advice is excellent, it often doesn’t stick. It stays in the mind, but it doesn’t change me. A story, on the other hand, goes deeper. It allows us to feel the struggle, the resistance, and the transformation.
It’s like sitting in a classroom. After a few months, most of us won’t remember the bullet points the teacher says will be on the test. But we will remember an interesting story from the teacher about the topic. That’s what I wanted to create here. Instead of telling readers what to do, I wanted them to walk the path with Folly, experience it for themselves, and hopefully carry those lessons into their own lives.
What does the mountain represent to you beyond the obvious symbolism, and do you believe everyone has a “mountain,” and if so, how do we recognize it?
The mountain isn’t just the thing we are trying to avoid. It represents who we are capable of becoming.
Everyone has a mountain to conquer, but each person’s will be different. Some are about loss, failure, or even a realization that something isn’t working anymore, while for others, it can represent striving to be the best version of themselves.
We recognize it by what we resist the most. It’s the thing we keep avoiding but know we need to face. That tension, that pull and resistance that we feel, that’s the mountain we must face.
What is the most misunderstood idea about healing that you wanted to address?
To me, it’s that we believe too much in the Hollywood ending, that one cathartic moment brings a person back to reality. It doesn’t. Healing is gradual, and relapses are ever-present.
What do you hope someone in a difficult season takes away from Folly’s story?
That what they’re going through may have some purpose, even if they can’t see it yet. Sometimes it’s just realizing how much other people truly show up when everything has fallen apart.
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A story about losing everything…and finding yourself.
After losing the life he worked so hard to build, Folly finds himself in ruins with no direction, no certainty, and no map of where to go next. Drawn by whispers of a reclusive Sage that dwells high in the mountains, he sets out on a journey that he hopes will piece him back together. What he doesn’t yet understand is that transformation demands he face the very things he has tried to outrun and question the identity he constructed to protect himself.
Sage of the Mountains is a modern inspirational fable for those standing at a crossroads. In the spirit of symbolic journeys like The Alchemist, Siddhartha and The Celestine Prophecy, it unfolds slowly—inviting reflection, stillness, and a deeper listening in a world that rarely pauses.
We all have a mountain that we must conquer in our lives, something that is holding us back from becoming who we wish to be. For readers navigating loss, doubt, or the courage to begin again, Sage of the Mountains is more than a story—it is a mirror for your own path.
Your climb begins here.
When Jesus Calls
Martha Gayle’s When Jesus Calls is a heartfelt Christian fiction novel that follows the emotional and spiritual journey of Mary, a woman seeking healing, purpose, and a deeper connection with Jesus after a string of personal heartbreaks. The story unfolds through Mary’s inner reflections, her work at a charming inn, her close friendships, and her life-changing decisions, like buying a cottage by the sea and choosing forgiveness over bitterness. Along the way, Mary grapples with past wounds, discovers the redemptive power of faith, and learns how to let Jesus guide her life.
I found myself emotionally invested in Mary’s story from the very first chapter. Gayle’s writing isn’t flashy, but it’s deeply sincere. She writes with a raw honesty that makes you feel like you’re sitting with a friend who’s laying their heart bare. Her style is intimate, plainspoken, and brimming with warmth. There’s no pretense, just a genuine voice telling a story grounded in love, loss, and the quiet call of God. I admired how Mary’s spiritual insights came through lived experiences, not sermons. It didn’t feel like I was being preached at. Instead, I was invited to reflect right alongside her, which made the story more powerful and real for me.
What stood out most was the emotional depth and vulnerability. I felt Mary’s loneliness. I understood her ache for love, her longing for peace, and her deep need for meaning. Gayle doesn’t gloss over the hard stuff—betrayal, temptation, self-doubt—but instead shows how grace meets us in the middle of the mess. I loved the supporting characters. Mr. Henry, the inn’s general manager, especially touched me. His quiet faith journey and the kindness he showed others brought tears to my eyes more than once. The book reminded me how much we all need community and how God can speak through the people around us.
When Jesus Calls is a quiet reminder that healing is possible, faith is alive, and we’re never too far gone to be called back home. I’d recommend this book to anyone who’s been through heartbreak, who’s questioning their faith, or who just needs a gentle story that breathes hope.
Pages: 174 | ASIN : B0DHSXZCP6
I Am A Dreamer
Dreams and Illusions follows a grieving boutique owner who is both guided and tormented by vivid dreams. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted a main character with the gift of prophetic dreams, but I had to give her an obstacle to create conflict. Gabrielle had been told all her life that her gift came from God, so when her dreams failed to save those closest to her, God must have turned on her. This sets up conflict with her belief system and internally as she searches for someone to blame for her circumstances. Did she fail, or has God failed her?
Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing, or did it come out organically as you were writing?
My main character, Gabrielle, set the tone with her personality and determination to find normalcy, which is why she needed a friend like Kate, to lighten the mood on occasion. I think they create a nice balance.
Is there anything from your own life included in your characters?
I am a dreamer, which is what gave me the idea for the series, and Gabrielle certainly shares my sarcasm. But beyond that I’ve given her many attributes that I would like to have myself, such as her boldness and courage. I think many authors do that with their characters to explore other realities and live vicariously through our characters.
Can you give us a glimpse inside the second book in the Gabrielle Dorian Mystery series? Where will it take readers?
Dreams and Deceptions, the second book in the series stays in Whitman, Washington, where Gabrielle finds she has become a local celebrity, thanks to her best friend Kate. As a result, the two are drawn into a missing person case. In the midst of that, evidence emerges suggesting that Gabrielle’s husband’s death was not an accident, but homicide, and Gabrielle quickly becomes the main suspect. She and Kate will have to decipher Gabrielle’s cryptic dreams to find a lost son and uncover her husband’s real killer.
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Gabrielle Dorian believes God has turned against her. Despite prophetic dreams, the grieving boutique owner resents that her alleged gift didn’t prevent her parents’ accidental deaths or protect her husband from a fatal worksite accident. So after receiving a panicked call from the last of her family, the distraught woman shelves her own sorrow and rushes to Seattle to rescue her estranged sister.
Discovering her sibling has been charged with murder, Gabrielle begins to fear the worst when her brother-in-law is missing and his best friend mysteriously comes up with bail money. Battling a hated former classmate in charge of the case, she fights through the murk of suspicious clues that all point to a guilty verdict.
With her last loved one’s life on the line, can she uncover the truth before it’s too late?
Dreams and Illusions is the riveting first book in the Gabrielle Dorian Mysteries Series. If you like headstrong heroines, fast-paced drama, and dark twists, you’ll love Rebecca Olmstead’s tale of doubt and redemption.
Buy Dreams and Illusions to unmask a killer today!
Dreams and Illusions: A Gabrielle Dorian Mystery
Rebecca Olmstead’s Dreams and Illusions is a gripping mystery that follows Gabrielle Dorian, a boutique owner in Washington, as she struggles with vivid, prophetic dreams that blur the line between the past and the present. When her husband, James, dies under suspicious circumstances, Gabrielle finds herself pulled into a web of secrets, grief, and danger. As she seeks answers, her dreams become both a guiding force and a torment, leading her to places she never expected. With a mix of supernatural elements, suspense, and emotional depth, the book delivers an immersive reading experience.
The writing is engaging, with Olmstead crafting a protagonist who is deeply human, flawed, emotional, and determined. Gabrielle’s grief is palpable, making her journey all the more compelling. Early in the book, when she dreams of her late father trying to tell her something, the weight of loss and desperation is so well conveyed that I felt my own chest tighten. The narrative smoothly transitions between the tangible world and the surreal nature of Gabrielle’s dreams, keeping the suspense high.
What stood out most to me was the novel’s emotional rawness. Gabrielle’s relationship with her best friend, Kate, provides warmth and comic relief amid the darkness. Their friendship feels authentic, full of teasing yet unwavering support. Kate’s lively personality and sharp wit contrast well with Gabrielle’s more reserved nature, making their interactions some of my favorite moments in the book. One particularly moving scene is when Gabrielle, overwhelmed by her grief, finds solace in Kate’s no-nonsense attitude and comforting presence. This relationship anchors the story, reminding us that even in the face of loss, we are not alone.
The mystery itself unfolds at a satisfying pace, with enough twists to keep readers engaged. The introduction of Gabrielle’s estranged sister, Tina, adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. Their fractured relationship feels realistic, filled with unresolved resentment and reluctant duty. When Gabrielle learns that Tina is in jail, charged with writing bad checks and, shockingly, first-degree murder, the story takes an even darker turn. The supernatural elements add an intriguing layer to the story, and I found myself eager to learn even more about the mechanics of Gabrielle’s gift and how it truly functioned beyond the occasional vision. While some aspects remain mysterious, this only adds to the book’s overall allure.
Dreams and Illusions is a compelling read that will appeal to fans of suspenseful mysteries with a touch of the supernatural. It’s particularly well-suited for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with emotional depth and psychological complexity. If you like books that keep you guessing while also pulling at your heartstrings, this one is worth picking up. The book’s strong character dynamics and eerie, dream-laced storytelling make it an engaging and memorable read.
Pages: 253 | ASIN : B0CJ3S3BJH
Dreams and Illusions
Tragedy strikes Gabrielle Dorian when her sister, Tina, is arrested for murder. Desperate to help, Gabby is thrust into a maelstrom of lies and corruption, unsure of who to trust. As she fights to clear her sister’s name, Gabby’s dormant, unsettling dreams resurface, offering cryptic clues but keeping her teetering on the brink of a deeper truth.
Dreams and Illusions captivates with its intricate plot and complex characters, crafted with love, frustration, and an authenticity that pulls readers into a journey of faith, family loyalty, and forgiveness. Olmstead’s story resonates deeply, particularly for those who have faced adversity, as it carries an inspiring message about holding on to faith through difficult times. Readers will find themselves reflecting on the real-life parallels within the narrative, and the reminder of spiritual endurance is ever-present. One of the standout elements for me was how Olmstead weaves faith into the story without making it preachy. The way the theme of forgiveness plays out, particularly through her relationship with Tina, adds emotional weight to the story. I found myself rooting for Gabrielle, even when she made questionable decisions because her emotional journey felt so genuine. While the initial pacing and portrayal of characters and time shifts may feel slightly disjointed, the humor and charm embedded in Olmstead’s writing style quickly draw readers in. Once attuned to the rhythm, the novel’s wit and cleverness shine through, adding a delightful edge to the storytelling.
Dreams and Illusions is perfect for readers who enjoy a blend of mystery and spiritual reflection. It’s a compelling read, especially for those who appreciate stories of personal growth wrapped in suspense. While it’s not a fast-paced thriller, it’s a thoughtful and emotional mystery that will appeal to fans of faith-based fiction and family dramas.
Pages: 253 | ASIN : B0CJ3S3BJH
