Monday, March 31, 2025

The Way Back To Eden by Kurt Mahler

About the Book

Book: The Way Back to Eden: Book 2 of the Jaguar Oracle Series

Author: Kurt Mähler

Genre: Magical Realism

Release date: February 28, 2025

A Mystical Journey to Restore the Natural Order as Hope Guides the Way

In the lush wilderness of the Rio Grande Valley, a centuries-old prophecy is about to be fulfilled. The jaguars, once the revered rulers of the animal kingdom, have vanished—until a brave jaguar named Oracle begins a journey to summon the scattered tribes and restore their rightful place.

A captivating quest and an unforgettable journey home.

His quest intersects with young Paco and his extraordinary animal companions—a wise horse named Plod, a storytelling toad called Bog, and a clever raccoon named Patch—as they navigate the mystical landscapes of the Texas-Mexico borderlands and Brazos River bottomlands, a quest that weaves through ancient forests, mysterious towers, and sacred sanctuaries.

Guided by ancient wisdom and the enduring loyalty of his animal friends, Oracle’s epic journey leads him through a world on the brink of upheaval. As greedy developers encroach on the land and threaten the delicate balance of nature, Oracle must navigate a tangled web of human greed, betrayal, and violence to find the missing jaguarundi tribe and unite the warring factions of the animal realm.

The fate of the Valley rests on Oracle recovering lost memories and rediscovering the original harmony between man and beast. From vast Texan ranches to ancient palm forests, from well-ordered zoos to untamed wilderness, The Way Back to Eden weaves together a rich tapestry of cultures, legends, and the immutable power of the natural world.

Blending elements of magical realism, environmental advocacy, and pulse-pounding adventure, this sweeping tale transports readers into a vibrant, unforgettable world where Oracle’s quest is to preserve the ancient balance and the interconnectedness of all living things.

The Way Back to Eden, a deeply satisfying and thought-provoking fantasy epic, is the second installment in the six-volume Jaguar Oracle series. Discover the magic that awaits where ancient wildlife sanctuaries hold secrets, where ghosts and tree house hermits guide lost souls home, and where the path back to Eden might just be hidden in plain sight.

Follow the trail. Find the tree. Change the world.

Click Here to get your copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of all author’s opinions.

Author Interview

Interview with Kurt Mähler, Author of The Way Back to Eden: Book 2 of the Jaguar Oracle Series

1. What was the most challenging part of writing your book?

Resolving the difficult situations the characters found themselves in. For example, at the beginning of The Way Back to Eden, Oracle the jaguar, the main character, finds himself in the Waco zoo, hundreds of miles from where he feels called. How will he return there?

The other highly challenging element of the book was the research required to make sure that every single reference to an animal, plant, or astronomical phenomena was completely accurate, for the tale is one of magical realism, taking place as it does in Texas in the period of 2017-2018, and therefore all references to the natural world of Texas must be true to reality.

2. Was your writing process spontaneous as it came to you or very planned and organized? Why?

I begin with the spontaneous and convert it to a well organized process.

The first phase of composition is spontaneous. It involves a pencilled “mind map” of thoughts. It involves writing without a critical eye to the quality. There is a flow to it as when one follows the ripples on a pond. (Paul Young of The Shack) wrote his book by “following the ripples” out from his original idea.

The second phase of composition is rigorously systematic. I use a Google Sheet called “Timetable of the Tale” to track the days and the nightly astronomical patterns as shown by an app called Starry Night Enthusiast 8.

I use an internally hyperlinked Google Doc called “Faithfulness to the Tale” to remind myself of what the characters intend to do later on; notes regarding style; and details about the plot. Along with this Google Doc are the documents, “Characters,” “Animal Library,” and “Plant Library,” which help me refine the accuracy, beauty, and unfolding of the tale.

The final phase is one of laboring chapter-by-chapter to revise, amend, polish, and perfect. This involves bursts of creative, spontaneous output that enrich the tale in its now-mature structure, deepening and enriching the by-now well-ordered story.

3. Do you have a favorite time of day you are most productive in your writing?

Insofar as love and wisdom allow, mornings are devoted to writing. I write pre-dawn for an hour or so, then, after breakfast and morning chores, I write another two to four hours.

4. Why did you pick this genre for your book?

Telling parables in Afghanistan caused me to discover how humans, as God’s image bearers, are “wired for stories” by the hand of our Creator. This led to reading George MacDonald’s Christian fantasy in order to experience the same encouragement his writings gave Lewis and Tolkien in their journey of becoming Christian fantasy authors, and it did indeed inspire me. This included books like The Golden Key and At the Back of the North Wind. I also returned to the roots of Christian poetry with an exploration of John Milton’s Paradise Lost and Dante’s Divine Comedy.

Poetic fiction, when done well, contains prophetic insight for the individual whose heart is open to their Creator. Each one is on a journey from trusting Him as Creator to obeying Him as Savior. Fiction, when submitted to the tradition of the parables that our Lord employed, gives the reader the opportunity to decide whether his heart is hungry or hardened. What is more, the work of fiction is to render an offering of life-giving beauty to the reader, such that, in a way different from lectures and how-to-manuals, he experiences joy-giving sorrow, healing of the heart, course-correction in one’s mindset, and prophetic insight into one’s calling.

5. What is your next big goal as an author?

To develop and cultivate an audience from many nations of people who burn in their hearts to carry out their individual callings wholeheartedly, based on lives in which they intentionally cultivate small actions of daily bravery in their habits, goals, and routines.

This means employing social media as a means of equipping others with an accurate concept of calling; building a clientele whom I life coach; podcasting; and expanding my reach as a keynote speaker.

In this way, I intend to point people to my books for the same equipping, albeit with an imaginative and right-brained approach.

About the Author

Kurt writes in the prophetic and poetic tradition, inspired by the wonder of creation and the cultures of the nations. Guiding sources for his works include the Hebrew prophets, the Desert Fathers, Dante, Milton, George MacDonald, C.S. Lewis, and Tolkien.

Kurt and his wife, Karen, married since 1993, raised five children in Afghanistan and have spent more than twenty years in forty nations as encouragers in the Christian faith. Their travels led to the discovery of the beauty and wisdom of storytelling. Their roots include the Gulf Coast, Rio Grande Valley, and Heart of Texas.

Kurt writes to give readers courage for their faith journeys, as he believes that no disappointment, however profound, should prevent you from completing it.

More from Kurt

The Way Back to Eden expands the Jaguar Oracle epic into a full-fledged human drama alongside the animal one. Who among the animals do you enjoy? Who among the humans do you identify with? A clue to courage for your calling lies in that intersection.

Brazos Ben is based on a relative who built a three-story treehouse with running water and electricity. Just like we find in the story, he did so on sixty acres of bottomland beside a river, where he let most of his property go wild. It contained an old pecan orchard and an abandoned cabin.

Papá Eli, a member of the old-school “gentleman mafia” of Mexico, is based on the actor Cesar Romero.

Every plant, animal, moon phase, and constellation are the work of much research. I use an astronomy app called Starry Night Enthusiast 8, which I learned of from reading the profound scholarly work called The Great Christ Comet by Colin Nicholl, who used this app as a key aid in his attempt to determine the nature and trajectory of the Star of Bethlehem.

While the animal characters are on a journey to “remember their names”—what Adam spoke when he named them—the human characters are on a quest to get “back to Eden.” High-tech rancher Tripp is leveraging money. The hermit Brazos Ben is letting his land go wild. Papá Eli is creating a glass arboretum where he hopes to retire alongside the jaguar. Chase the zoologist is in touch with the omens of creation.

But the jaguar Oracle is on a deeper journey. He is trapped in a “mangarden” far from the Rio Grande Valley. He will need more than mere strength and skill to escape and return; he will need weakness and suffering. Can he drink the cup? Can he return to the Valley and restore the cats to their leadership (the ocelot, the bobcat, and the lost jaguarundi)? Can he bring the animal kingdom into a “final spring in their twilight days this side of Eden”?

Read and discover. Perhaps it will inspire you to drink the cup heaven has offered you, too. His grace is sufficient. His power rests in our weakness. His blood is enough. This is our way back to Eden.

Blog Stops

Vicky Sluiter, March 21 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, March 22 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, March 23 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 23

Fiction Book Lover, March 24 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 24

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 25 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 26

Blossoms and Blessings, March 27 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, March 28 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, March 29 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, March 30

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, March 31 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain , April 1 (Author Interview)

Blogging with Carol, April 2

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 3 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54180

To celebrate his tour, Kurt is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card, a high-resolution digital map of the entire six-book tale, a high-resolution cover, and an audiobook copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link above to enter.

Friday, March 28, 2025

Intentional Fires by Rebecca McLafferty

About the Book

Book: Intentional Fires (Book Two in the Sunrise Crik Series)

Author: Rebecca McLafferty

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release date: June 10, 2024

A widowed Christmas tree farm owner and her fiancé, a forest service special agent, deal with fires, thefts, and a 90-year family feud—stretching them to the snapping point.

After experiencing an attack, theft, and arson on the family Christmas tree farm, newly engaged Toni Stevens searches for those responsible, including disputed historic records. With two boys and a mother to support, the pressure is on her to increase profitability of the tree farm. Who is trying to ruin her? Can she put a stop to the generational feud?

Toni’s fiancé, U.S. Forest Service Special Agent Sam Duncan is hunting down a potential arsonist turned murderer. His rugged paths uncover Montana drug runners, feudal secrets—and a host of emotions that were buried alive.

Click here to get your copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of all author’s opinions.

Author Interview

Fiction: (Intentional Fires)

1. What was the most enjoyable part of writing your book?

My favorite part of writing this book is when God decides to shake things up.

I’ll be writing along, keeping more-or-less to the outline, and a character would think or say somethingout of the blue, something that would never occur to me. O a vivid scene would flash before me—thefurthest thing from my mind. God is so deliberate. Iwould jot down the idea and then tell Him how excited I am to be writing for Him.

Every day, before I begin to write, I place my hands on the keyboard and pray. That’s because I’m writing for God, for his glory. Without His blessings, nothing of any substance will develop.

2. Are any of your characters based off of yourself or those close to you?

Yes, some are based off myself and people I’ve known throughout the years. Or sometimes a news headlinewill spark my curiosity. I like to read about an underdog and dig into the behind-the-scenes of the situation. I own a tee-shirt which says, “Be careful, or you’ll end up in my novel.” I love that!

In regard to myself, I used to wonder why God provided me with such a variety of jobs. I’ve worked in personnel, legal, political, real estate, law enforcement, and education. I taught cake decorating and baking, and love animals—especially dogs and horses. Then I realized—God is preparing me to write!

For nine years, my husband and I owned an alpaca farm. We grew Christmas trees (hence the Intentional Fires’ heroine) and I operated a cozy country store with a “Christmas All Year” corner. That store was dear to me! I respect people who work their own business, or farm for a living. There are definitely some familiar personality quirks that show up in my books.

3. Why did you pick this genre for your book?

I write the type of book that I would enjoy reading. Within the Christian genre, I particularly enjoy romantic suspense, cozy mysteries, historical fiction, and biblical fiction. To me, romantic suspense novels blend romance, mystery, history, and suspense. It’s a win-win.

My characters deal with real-life issues that resound with Christian themes (i.e., forgiveness, redemption, and salvation). Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly series inspired my writing, as did the Little House saga. I also enjoy old classic or adventure movies and, yes, Hallmark mysteries, too.

Creating a romantic suspense series is the perfect opportunity to create location(s) where I’d like to live or visit, and characters who would become my dear friends. I want my readers to feel that way, too.

4. How many books do you personally own?

That is a very good question. I have no idea.

I love buying books. Who doesn’t? But due to my husband’s military career and job-related moves, we relocated every year or two. I became accustomed to packing boxes of books and donating them to local libraries. It would have been cumbersome to move them all. Do I regret getting rid of some of them? Absolutely! (Almost tearfully!)

Most recently, I accumulated quite a few books—and then at the prospect of making another move to a smaller home—I took boxes of books to the library, again. (After I said I wouldn’t do that anymore!)

But don’t be alarmed. We still have boxes of books in the basement as well as crowding our bookshelves. I also have some college texts and lots of research and writing books. (I received my bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing in 2023 from Liberty University.)

5. What is your next big goal as an author?

My goal is to become a best-selling author. I want people to enjoy the adventure and suspense of my books, and realize the importance of having a personal relationship with Jesus.

Today’s world is crazier than ever. People need God. They’re lost, hurting, discouraged, and bitter. I know that even in the midst of tragedies, there is peace and joy to be found in the love of Jesus.

I love to speak, to be an encourager and shed light into this dark world. Yes, I want to be a best-selling author!

I always love hearing from readers. They can email me at mclaffertyenterprises@gmail.com or visit our website at https://www.mclaffertyenterprises.com/author-rebecca.

Thank you so much for graciously offering this interview. It was a pleasure!

Rebecca McLafferty

About the Author

Wisconsin resident Rebecca McLafferty began her writing career by co-creating a writers’ group and hosting writing conferences on her alpaca farm. Married for 51 years, mother of two, grandmother to five, and an Aussiedoodle mom, Rebecca cherishes writing, reading, and fellowshipping. Author of Intentional Fires, Intentional Heirs, and Devotions for Country Living: Prayer-Enriched Fields, she loves getting to know readers

More from Rebecca

There is a saying, “Home is where the heart is.” Rebecca McLafferty totally agrees!

Rebecca is the author of the Sunrise Crik Series, which consists of action-packed romantic suspense novels set in current-day Montana. She and her husband have vacationed and explored the Livingston to Bozeman area where this series takes place. The town of Woodridge is fictious, but a number of area establishments mentioned within her stories are real.

The phrase “The Big Sky” was coined by Pulitzer Prize-winning author A.B. Guthrie in his 1947 novel of that name. In addition to the obvious vision of unobstructed sky, Big Sky Country—to Rebecca—represents big dreams and big faith. It symbolizes the backbone of Montana!

Are you wondering how Rebecca can authentically write about growing Christmas trees? It’s because she and her husband owned Country Memories Farm in Wisconsin where they raised alpacas, and planted and grew Christmas trees! She also operated Country Memories Mercantile (now downsized to an online store). Their love of educating others evolved into an operation that hosted school, family, and community events. That’s why she loves to interact personally with people from all walks of life!

And are you wondering how Rebecca knows about police department operations—even drug smugglers? She worked for a tourist-town’s police department—a fascinating place to get ideas!

Rebecca admits to having worked dozens of unusual jobs (great discussion material for another time). She wondered why she experienced such diverse occupations before God revealed to her that she needed authenticity for her novel writing. What she hasn’t experienced herself, she has visited or thoroughly researched.

The title, Intentional Fires implies forest fires. That’s obvious. But there are other types of fires that burn intentionally. Internal fires can sustain a 90-year feud and lifetimes of unforgiveness, resentment, and broken dreams. Do you suffer from an internal fire?

Whether you live in Montana or dream of visiting the west . . .
Whether you have an entrepreneurial spirit that wants you to succeed . . .
Whether you want to fall in love, rekindle your faith, or root for an underdog . . .

Come and experience the heartfelt struggles that Montanans fight with all their might to protect.