joy

Jesus REJOICED with exceeding joy in the Holy Spirit when he saw the seventy-two disciples announcing the Kingdom of God with miracles and casting out demons.

Rosemary B. Althoff’s August 2025 Newsletter

Rosemary B. AlthoffLeave a comment

This morning I asked the question, “What makes my book stand out from others in its genre?” It took quite some thinking to come up with a reason why people should buy my Soul’s Warfare sci-fi books more than others in the YA sci-fi genre written by equally—at least!—competent authors. 

Like other YA and adult novels, my stories are fun to read. Reasonably well-written. Recently, I listened to the Audible version of The Horned Edge. I liked it. Last night I listened to the Audible version of The Cave Chamber. At some parts in the books, I shook my head at the mistakes of a novice author. At other parts I glowed at my brilliance.

Overall, I was entertained. That’s good. But what makes my books outstanding?

I finally thought of some reasons why people should buy my books in particular more than other choices.

  • The books’ science is real, and it advocates God’s creation rather than random evolution.
  • I openly show my characters wrestling with Christianity and the concept of Jesus as Savior and Lord of the universe throughout their adventures.
  • I proclaim a real hope both for right now and for our universe’s future.

So, in my marketing, I can emphasize these reasons to buy and read my books.

NEXT:

Here is the link to the entire August 2025 Newsletter. I describe my idea for a Church Thriller series, and more.

Newsletter Link

In the newsletter, besides reading my monthly report, you can also sign up to receive my free monthly newsletter.

I do not share your email address with anyone.

I respond to you when you reply to any of my newsletters or blogs.

You are loved!

About Rosemary’s Books

Rosemary B. AlthoffLeave a comment

Since I was about three years old, I wanted to write stories that both entertained and encouraged people. My first inspiration was The Little Engine That Could, with pretty pastoral illustrations and an energetic young train engine.

Later I read J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings stories. Such joy! I wanted there to be reality behind the magic. The joy of the hobbits sustained me through dark teenage times.

After Tolkien’s books, C.S. Lewis’s space trilogy came to me from a friend (thank you, Michael!). The message, especially in Perelandra, was clear: The spiritual realm of Christianity with angels and demons is real. And since I was very familiar with lies and dangers, I yearned for truth, a reality that could give me protection as well as joy in my quest.

In high school I began writing fantasy. But I was in my thirties when a writer looked at a chapter I’d written about a princess fleeing from a wicked plot to take over the kingdom. The experienced writer told me, “There’s always a layer of truth under a good fantasy.” So, I wondered, what is the layer of truth, of joyful reality behind my stories?

As I matured, I unpacked a whole Tardis of trouble and saw how Jesus has protected me from evil and replaced mental “stinking thinking” with a joyful soul. The underlying bedrock firmed under my books. At this point, I have two published. The bedrock under them is the struggle between good and evil.

In Book 1 of the Soul’s Warfare series, The Hot Marble, I pose a question: What do you do if the devil kidnaps your soul?

In Book 2, The Cave Chamber, I pose the question, How can you just be yourself and, with God’s help, rescue your universe? Note: Book 2 is rather dark. The reality behind the story is a tormented soul in deadly warfare.

Book 3 is named The Horned Edge, the deep dark organization that plans to conquer two planets—and on from there. The forces behind The Horned Edge intend to devour, not just territory, but the people’s souls. My question is, How can you be your broken self and overcome a huge evil with just what you’ve been hiding in your sock drawer?

When you read the books, you can just sit back and enjoy the adventure. There’s humor and romance, too. And, if your soul needs to escape some darkness, may the books point you to what and Who can help you and give you joy.

Book 2–The Cave Chamber The hound named Spirit
Gracie is stronger than she looks.

Retreat to the Georgia Mountains

Rosemary B. AlthoffLeave a comment

The last few weeks, I’ve spent at a cabin in the north Georgia mountains, working outside in the woods to clean and landscape with natural plants, relaxing inside, and writing and editing Book 3 in the Soul’s Warfare series: The Horned Edge.

This place is where, as a troubled atheist, I sat on the front porch with my Grandma while she gently told me about Jesus. I didn’t have a sudden conversion, but God later took me by the hand and carried me across the Abyss to His side.

My passion, my desire is for my writing to lead people to the One who can help them cross the Abysses in their lives. He is a good Lord, and He loves you.

Subscribe to my free newsletter

Rosemary’s writing purpose:

Rosemary B. AlthoffLeave a comment

Thoughtful. Encouraging. Spiritual.

With the life that God grants me, I want to use my creativity to encourage people to desire a realm beyond the merely physical, like J. R. R. Tolkien did for me. Also, I want to point people to where they can find Him, as C. S. Lewis did when I was an atheist. I am now following Jesus,, and I don’t look back.