From Katherine

It is a blessing to have as my guest this week, Dr. Rebecca Price Janney. I’ve read the first of Rebecca’s historical fiction books set in Korea, East of the Sun, and am currently reading Land of the Morning Calm. Dr. Janney pulls the reader right into the setting and her powerful message lands in our hearts and mind to remain long after the last page is read.

These two excellent books are part of my giveaways this month. Read on for details!

From Rebecca

People often ask where my book ideas come from. Most of the time, the answer involves careful research, detailed outlining, and a great deal of planning. Not long ago, however, a story arrived in a way that felt unmistakably like a gift from the Lord.

In September 2023, during a quiet evening while my husband was away traveling, I watched an episode of the classic series M*A*S*H. That night, I had a vivid dream in which an Army nurse was called to care for a severely wounded North Korean officer. He couldn’t speak, but when she looked into his eyes, she felt an immediate and profound spiritual connection—one that told her he was not who his uniform claimed him to be.

I woke up unable to shake that moment.

Throughout the day, the story unfolded in my mind. Scene by scene, it grew until I began to write. Within weeks, the beginnings of a novel emerged, far more developed than anything I’d experienced before without extensive preparation. I felt as though the Lord placed the story directly into my hands, and all I needed to do was bring it to life.

As I wrote, the Lord brought back memories and relationships from my own journey—connections from seminary, a professor who served as a missionary in Korea, and Korean students I taught. These friendships had shaped my understanding of the culture. All these threads wove together in a way that felt guided and purposeful.

Two exciting novels

In East of the Sun, nurse Shelby Kichline and the mysterious Korean soldier are astonished to discover a deeper connection—one that reaches back to their grandfathers and a powerful move of God in Korea in 1907.

That discovery became the seed for Land of the Morning Calm.

This new novel invites readers into the lives of two young seminarians in Pyongyang at the turn of the twentieth century. Jacob Kichline struggles with doubt after being influenced by Modernism—a mindset that subtly questions the authority of Scripture with the whisper, “Did God really say?” Meanwhile, Soon-hee Oh’s faith remains steady, but his life is filled with trials: family struggles, fragile health, unfulfilled love, and the growing pressures of Japanese occupation.

Amidst these hardships, leaders at the mission gather to pray. For months, they seek the Lord through fasting and intercession, longing for Him to move as He was in other parts of the world.

And then, in January 1907, He does.

Spiritual Awakening

A powerful spiritual awakening ensues that transforms lives and spreads across a nation. Hearts are renewed, faith is strengthened, and the gospel moves forward with fresh power. Jacob and Soon-hee are changed forever.

As a theologically trained historian, I am drawn to stories of revival and the ways God moves in difficult times. Writing Land of the Morning Calm reminded me once again that the Lord often works most powerfully when circumstances seem darkest—when faith is tested, and hearts are searching.

That truth feels especially meaningful today.

In a time when many are burdened and searching for hope, I find great encouragement in knowing that God is still at work. Just as He moved in Korea over a century ago, He continues to stir hearts and bring renewal—even now and especially among our youth.

My prayer is that Land of the Morning Calm not only tells a compelling story, but also encourages readers to reflect on God’s faithfulness, His power to transform lives, and the hope we have in Him.

Dr. REBECCA PRICE JANNEY is the multi-award-winning author of twenty-eight books, all with happy endings. Her newest historical novel, Land of the Morning Calm, is the prequel to her Korean War novel East of the Sun, recipient of three national book awards. A theologically-trained historian, she’s also well-known for her beloved Easton Series, as well as her non-fiction classics including, Great Women in American History and Great Stories in American History.

She began writing professionally at the age of fourteen and by the following year was covering the Philadelphia Phillies. With her love of American history, she pursued degrees from Lafayette College, Princeton Seminary, and Biblical Seminary, where she earned her doctorate. Rebecca is a popular speaker and appears regularly in various forms of media. When she’s not writing or curled up reading a great book with a cup of Japanese Sencha tea, she enjoys trying new recipes on her longsuffering husband and son, watching classic movies, especially if they include Fred Astaire, Cary Grant, or Gary Cooper, and taking nature walks. Along with her family, she resides with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley where her ancestors have lived since the 1740s. Connect with her at https://rebeccapricejanney.com and on social media

Social media: Facebook, Instagram, MeWe, X, LinkedIn

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Land-Morning-Calm-Heirs-Freedom/dp/B0GY54GHG7?ie=UTF8

Katherine again–If you enjoy historical fiction, you’ll want to be in the drawing for these two excellent books. Those who comment on this blog are eligible to receive a copy of both books of this series. Winner will be selected June 15 and notified by email. Only US residents, please.

Thank you, Rebecca, for being my guest.