This place inspired the upcoming Book 4 of The Seekers Series

This place inspired the upcoming Book 4 of The Seekers Series

The Bridge from a scene in The Seekers Series Book Four by J A Webb

This photo is of a forest path that my buddies and I often explored, hiking along the river and seeking new and exciting camping spots.

Imagine yourself as one of us, tramping through the poison ivy, swatting mosquitoes while trees groan in an overhead breeze that never reaches the forest floor. Birds chatter in the distance, suddenly interrupted by the much closer scolding of a squirrel, balanced on a high branch, feet planted and neck extended as if about to launch himself your way.

And then you stumble to a halt when you come across this, in the middle of nowhere and with no logical reason for being there.

The Bridge from a scene in The Seekers Series Book Four by J A Webb

Then, a little further down the game trail, this.

The Bridge from a scene in The Seekers Series Book Four by J A Webb

Searching for an explanation, you climb a nearby rise to take the lay of the land. As you part the last willow fronds to peer ahead, this is the scene that is revealed, stopping your breath in your throat.

The Bridge from a scene in The Seekers Series Book Four by J A Webb

These current photos are a view of the same area I and my buddies haunted all those years ago, the only difference being that when we were kids, the approach remained intact, allowing us to cross the bridge (however unwisely) on the rotted 120-year-old timbers. Since those days, good sense prevailed, and the approach has been demolished, as you can see.

The Bridge from a scene in The Seekers Series Book Four by J A Webb

This is the same bridge that inspired the abandoned railroad featured in the wilderness escape in my book Inheritance, Book Three of The Seekers Series.

And just as I described it in that book, this is indeed a bridge from an abandoned railroad, though not for the reasons purported in Inheritance.

The real story is even stranger.

I won’t go into detail here, though I might at some later date, but the short version of the story is this:

In the middle of the 19th century, two competing railroads wanted to connect the village I grew up in with the adjacent county seat. The regulators, tired of the bickering, told the two railroads that whichever reached the destination first would be the railroad to which the regulators would give their blessing. And the race was on . . . and promptly lost by the builder of the bridge I just introduced to you.

There the ruins remain, lying in wait to surprise and intrigue new generations of intrepid explorers.

If you, like that group of kids who first discovered these forgotten ruins, love intrigue, adventure, and the thrill of an unsolved mystery— then you’ll enjoy The Seekers Series.

Check it out HERE

The Interregnum audiobook is live!

The Interregnum audiobook is live!

Interregnum audiobook, Book Three of the Seekers Series by J. A. Webb

Interregnum, Book Three of The Seekers Series,is now live in audiobook!

When I first began work on The Seekers Series, I knew the books HAD to be available in audio.

I’m an avid audio consumer myself, and have been for more years than I’m going to reveal . . . but I will give you this hint. I was so tired of books on cassette and CD that when a new company named Audible opened for business, I was one of the first 500 subscribers. Like I said. Avid.

And among all of thousands of books I have enjoyed since, there were a few precious gems narrated by truly great artists. Among those great narrators, one remained my consistent favorite year after year. His name is Stefan Rudnicki, winner of too many Nebula, Hugo, Grammy, and Audie awards to list, called by some “The Godfather of Audiobooks”.

So imagine my shock when Stefan judged The Seekers Series a project worthy of his talents.

Now- the crowning tale of The Seekers Series- Interregnum– is available everywhere, worldwide, wherever you enjoy your audiobooks . . . the story elevated to entirely new heights by Stefan’s performance.Check it out and please, let me know how you enjoy it!

The battle from Interregnum Book Three of The Seekers Series by J. A. Webb

New covers for The Seekers Series

New covers for The Seekers Series

Announcing the release of the new book covers for The Seekers Series!

New book covers for The Seekers Series by J. A. Webb

Do I feel a little silly, you ask?
Yes. Of course I do.
Launch three books, not to mention a novella, share the cover images far and wide- only to then do a complete one-eighty? Scrap the old covers? Admit they were all a mistake? Publish all new covers?
It’s the kind of thing anyone with an ounce of pride would never do, much less admit. Good thing I have so little left 🙂
But seriously- why would I do such a thing?
Because I love you, the reader, more than I love appearances. And because I learned the old covers had been driving so many of you away, and I didn’t even know it.
Until a good friend had the courage to tell me, “You have a bad cover.” Thanks Thomas!
And another told me, “Your book didn’t look like one I’d enjoy, but then I read it. And couldn’t put it down.” Thanks Darlene!
What I’ve learned is this: the old covers were beautiful. I loved them, and will always be so very grateful to the illustrator who designed them, for all of the hard work she put into them. But they communicated the wrong impression of the books.
They didn’t, for instance, make it clear at a glance that my books are decidedly Christian fiction, among so many other things.
So, after hundreds of hours work, and no small expense, I hereby announce the release of the new covers for The Seekers Series! I think with these new covers, the Christian nature of the books is immediately obvious. They evoke a sense of the mysterious, of adventure, of epic stakes, of suspense, of light overcoming darkness in a future, oppressive world. Let me know what you think of them by replying to this email or commenting on the blog!
And keep in mind Interregnum: Book Three of The Seekers Series is now available for pre-order on Amazon– don’t forget to grab your copy and please, please, leave a review! Let me know what you think.

Inheritance wins Angel Awards honorable mention

Inheritance wins Angel Awards honorable mention

J. A. Webb wins 2025 Angel awards honorable mention for Christian suspense thriller novel

Last week I was honored to be invited to appear as a panelist for the 2025 Faith and Fellowship Book Festival- and was even more honored . . . and shocked . . . to learn that Inheritance was awarded honorable mention for the 2025 Angel Awards in the Mystery/Thriller/Suspense category.

Thanks so much to FFBF for the privilege, and congratulations to all the winners of the 2025 Angel Book Awards!

Here is the FFBF official announcement for the 2025 Angel Book Awards:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 1, 2025

The Faith & Fellowship Book Festival Announces the Winners of this year’s Angel Book Awards.

Nonfiction

Honorable Mention – A Trustworthy Anchor: God’s Hope & Encouragement in the Storms of Life by Shirley Quiring Mozena

Third place – 25 Symbols of Christmas: Finding Jesus—A Devotional by Annie Yorty

Second place – Reclaimed: A Course to Guide You Through Betrayal & Infidelity Trauma by Stephanie Broersma

First place – Stitching Your Story Piece by Peace: A 13 Week Devotional Pursuing the Peace of God by Naomi Fata

Children’s ages 2-8

Honorable Mention – Little Sprout Says Yes! by Jennifer E. Terrell, Illustrated by Lissette Blanco

Third place – Phooey Kerflooey vs. The Fancy, Fancy Teacup: Phooey Tales, Spring #1 by Kristin Joy Wilks

Second place – I Don’t Like Kindness (Picking the Fruit (of the Spirit)) Book #3 by Dawn Caldwell De Wulf, Illustrated by Jen Grafton

First place – When I Talk to God, I Talk about Feelings

by Chrissy Metz & Bradley Collins, Illustrated by Lisa Fields

Children’s ages 8-12

Honorable Mention – Just a Piece of Stone by Mary Ann Hake

Third Place – Disaster! Around the Bend by P. Lynn Halliday

Second Place – Road Trip Redemption, Book 3 in Road Trip Rescue, by Becca Wierwille

First Place – Paws-itive Inspirations: 90 Devotions for Kids and Dog Lovers by Michelle Medlock Adams & Wendy Hinote Lanier

Young Adult

Third Place – The Painted Fairytale by Lara d’Entremont, Illustrated by Ellie Tran

Second Place – Ride a Summer Wind by Ann Cavera

First Place – The Revelation of Emery Audubon by Ann Roecker

Historical Fiction

Honorable Mention – Heidi’s Faith, Rugged Cross Ranch, Book 4 by Jill Dewhurst

Third place – Whatever it Takes: A Split-Time Sisters in Arms Novel by Sarah Hanks

Second place – A Song of Deliverance, The Singing Silver Mine, Book 1 by Donna Wichelman

First place – What I Left For You, Echoes of the Past, Book 3 by Liz Tolsma

Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Honorable Mention – Inheritance, The Seekers Series, Book 2 by J.A. Webb

Third place – Waterfall, The Waterfall Mysteries by Linda K. Rodante

Second place – Death Under the Ice, Trouble in Pleasant Valley, Book 4 by Deborah Sprinkle

First place – Lethal Standoff by DiAnn Mills

Contemporary

Honorable Mention – Every Life Filled with Purpose, A Weldon Novel, Book 3 by Shelia Stovall

Honorable Mention – Take My Hand by Ane Mulligan

Honorable Mention – Love’s True Home, True Calling, Book 2 by Lori DeJong

Third place – Escape to Whispering Creek by Barbara M. Britton

Second place – Love’s True Measure, True Calling, Book 3 by Lori DeJong

First place – New Creations by Sarah Hanks

Speculative

Third place – Bronze Circle by Becky A. Little

Second place – Starry Starry Night, Time Passengers Novel by D.K. Till

First place – The Root of the Matter, The American Puritans, Book 1 by Lynne Basham Tagawa

Novella

Third place – Heart of Honor, Hearts of the West, Book 3 by Patience O’Brien

Second place – Nazar’s Journey, Time Passengers Novel by Paul T. Mascia

First place – Jingle Bell Matchmakers, from A Match Made at Christmas by Lori DeJong

The purpose of the awards is to promote excellent books with a Christian worldview. The fees help support the Faith & Fellowship Book Festival, whose purpose is to connect readers with Christian authors. The judges are independent avid readers and not affiliated with the Faith & Fellowship Book Festival. FFBF is an activity within the Mordecai Brown Legacy Foundation, a registered 501c3 charity.

How Fragments was born

How Fragments was born

photo of the spot where Fragments:Book One of The Seekers Series by J. A. Web was born

The above photo is the view from one of our pastures, and this is the exact place where Fragments: Book One of the Seekers Series was born. It was this very spot I had in mind, that I was in fact looking at, when I wrote Lars’s first solo scene in that book.

And do you want a behind-the-scenes tidbit? This was originally the opening scene of what was going to be a much different story . . . but as I wrote this passage something happened that completely blew me away . . . and forever changed the entire trajectory of the book.

And yes, before you ask, I’m the most discovery of discovery writers. It’s such a thrill to watch a story take shape as I write it- because, like you, when you’re reading the book for the first time, I, too, am seeing it for the first time as I write it, and have no idea what’s about to happen, what God has in mind for me.

What incredible fun!

So here it is- that very scene, excerpted From Fragments: Book One of the Seekers Series

Lars looked out over the farm, sighing with the satisfaction of a productive day’s work. The green hillsides shone verdant in the late summer sun while sweet, clean air filled his lungs, his heart swelling along with his chest.

It was such a joy to come here, soaking up the peace and the wide-open spaces, spending the day with his grandparents and soaking up the love, there, too. Besides, Not much he could do at the mill, shut down for inspection as it was.

He stood over Grandpa’s garden beds, holding Grandma’s vegetable basket in one hand while with the other he was just about to pick the reddest, juiciest tomato when a convulsion, something like a shiver, but deeper and more disturbing, shook him. A shadow passed over the sun.

Shading his eyes, he tilted his face upward, but the sky spread out as bright as ever, no cloud in sight. Not even a bird.

He rubbed those goose-pimpling shivers from his bare arms. From somewhere yet distant, there came the bark of tires on pavement. Beyond the eastern fence and far down the hill, a line of three official vehicles sped bullet-like toward the farm. At their passage, the tall grasses bordering the road shuddered in a long, rippling wave which reached even past the field fences, the crops there bowing beneath the blast.

The basket forgotten and left to fall bouncing among the bordering marigolds, he sprinted toward the house and slammed through the front door . . .

Want to read more? Fragments is on sale until Monday 9/22/25, or free to read on Kindle Unlimited, at least for a short time. Don’t miss out!

Exciting news about Fragments and Interregnum

Exciting news about Fragments and Interregnum

I have some exciting news about both Fragments:Book One of the Seekers Series and Interregnum: Book Three of The Seekers Series

But first- recently, my wife took this photo overlooking one of our pastures. It so reminded me of a passage from my upcoming book, Interregnum, that I just had to share the photo with you . . . and that passage.

Grandpas farm from the book Fragments

Well, to be perfectly truthful, this is two passages, both happening simultaneously but in two locations, and in both our intrepid Seekers are in grave peril, under siege, and harried by unseen, unnatural forces.

Now- these are both from the original rough, unedited draft- so no fair critiquing the small details!

So here they are, and I hope you enjoy reading them a much as I enjoyed writing them:

Robinson tread soft and silent through the dark, still forest.

The sole source of light overhead flickered in and out of sight as the skeletal fingers of bare branches clawed their way across the thinnest sliver of a moon-face, that illusory motion keeping pace with his progress through these unnaturally silent woods.

Ahead, the open forest floor spread out, striped with silver light and moonshadow. The black tree trunks marched into the distance until they merged, became one, a solid wall of darkness that neither moonlight nor vision could penetrate.

He raised one hand in signal to his team, then stopped to listen. Phillip and Thaddeus’s training had been good, and his team moved nearly as silently as those lads could. Nearly.

But not as silently as whatever were those things ahead.

It had been just a feeling, a glimmer of something out there, just beyond sight. The barest hint of a form melding from one shadow into the next. But it had been no illusion. There was something there.

Because now more movement appeared, flickering, rippling in the far distance, a line of march moving this way, as wide left and right as he could see. The advancing front was so massive it had to be dozens. Hundreds, even.

But hundreds of what?

With one raised finger, he again signaled. Presaged only by a barely felt air current, stirred by unseen movement, one of his men appeared to his right.

Chief?” came the barely audible whisper.

He put his hand to the man’s ear. “Take a gander forward. Tell me if you see anything.”

Don’t have to take a gander. I saw ‘em , too.”

Yeah,” Robinson peered ahead, his eyes beginning to ache as he strained to focus on something that simply refused to reveal any definable form. “But what, exactly is it you see?”

Before his scout could answer, one of the tree shadows directly ahead, not two paces distant, began to unfold. Something massive pounced. Whatever was wrapped in that flowing shadow, it was so big and so heavy, moving so incredibly fast that it knocked him off his feet, airborne and whiplashed, then landing to skid backward a dozen feet on the leaf-strewn forest floor.

Where only a moment before he’d been standing, darkness thrashed and there came a gurgling cry.

[…] attempt to swim across would leave huge vee-shaped ripples in their wake, easily seen on such a glassy surface, so strangely still, as was the air. So still and heavy it made the hairs on the back of his neck rise, as if disturbed by the building electrical charge of some impending storm.

Far to the north, there came a kind of roaring rumble, as if that very storm was birthed in answer to that thought.

A storm wouldn’t be a bad thing, right now. Uncomfortable, certainly, and cold. But a bank of clouds to blot out the thin light of the moon, rain masking any movement in the resulting deeper darkness, would be well to their advantage. And would likely make the patrols all the less diligent.

Phillip searched for the source of that rolling thunder, echoing anew even now. But the sky above, and to the far horizon, was clear of any storm clouds, the stars sharing the deep, black expanse with only a handful of nearly motionless, scudding vapor trails, thin wisps of shadow across the face of the sharp-edged moonsliver.

Strange. From where could such thunder arise? Now with it this shuddering vibration in the air, just below the threshold of the senses?

And then began the whispers, trailing through the sky above like those vaporous clouds, swirling, searching, carving great racing circles through the heavens. And growing louder.

He shot a look at Thaddeus, whose own eyes had grown wide in alarm. “We must go now, no time.”

He waved Thaddeus to follow and began running, bent low, toward the trestle. It was the only way, the only place they had any chance of passing without being detected.

Though a thin chance that was.

No for the news. It’s midsummer and work is progressing well on Interregnum, scheduled to be available for pre-order by November of this year. It’s been such fun writing this series, and if you think the stakes ramped up in Book Two, Inheritance, then you have a real treat coming in Book Three.

But I don’t want to ignore the first book of the series, Fragments, an installment in the story near and dear to my heart, and to many of yours, judging by your emails.

So now I have two announcements about Fragments.

First, we’ve gotten a ton of market feedback, and a great deal, as well, from all of you. The current series covers, created by Jenneth Leed of Inkmarker Design, are gorgeous, and I truly love them . . . so dark and mysterious.

The seekers Series: Book 1 Fragments

But that feedback has reinforced my own initial reaction to that design- that the icon evoked a sense of the occult. As you might imagine, that’s not a good thing for a Christian book. And because of it, people looking for a Christian-made story often get the wrong impression of mine.

So we’ve decided to do something about it.

I’ve put out a call for new cover concepts, and for the next few months, I’ll be giving the most likely candidates a trial run.

The first of these is currently up on my website, and also graces the ebook on Amazon. A sneak peek can be seen below.

Fragments: Book One of the Seekers Series new cover

Let me know what you think.

The other big news is also related to feedback I’ve gotten from you.

It’s probably no surprise to you when I tell you I’m no fan of big tech in general, or of big online platforms. In my stories, I do write about a freedom-killing worldwide tyranny in my stories, after all.

Many of you who read print books or listen to audiobooks (like me), prefer to support a variety of independent platforms, like Downpour.com, as do I, and print and audio will remain available wide- anywhere you buy books.

But I’ve learned that’s not true of those of you who prefer ebooks. Well over 90% of the ebooks I’ve sold are are purchased through Amazon (you really love your Kindles, don’t you!), and many of you have reached out to me, requesting that I make the books available through Kindle Unlimited.

So . . . your wish is granted!

Fragments is now available in Kindle Unlimited, and you can read it FREE with your subscription.

Be sure to let me know if you like it, and leave a review!

And keep your eyes peeled, watching this newsletter for the announcement when the other books in the series become available on KU, as they certainly will be.