Recent Releases
The Very Best, Hands-On, Kinda Dangerous Family Devotions, Volume 3
Another 52 object lessons to teach truth in ways your kids will never forget!
The Second Storm
Even in Darkness
Book 4 in Focus on the Family’s High Water series! There’s a hurricane heading for Southern Florida. Helping his friend means returning to the Everglades—and Parker Buckman has had enough of that place to fill a lifetime. But a different storm is brewing too—one that proves to be far more dangerous. The five friends are pushed to their limits, and it seems there’s no way to stop the second storm.
Book 5 in Focus on the Family’s High Water series releases September 17!
Sometimes There’s No Light at the End of the Tunnel
While diving in Rockport Harbor, Parker Buckman makes a terrifying discovery. Haunting
enough to keep him out of the water. His best friend, Harley, has his own dilemma—and needs Parker’s help. Meeting Harley halfway won’t cut it. Parker will need to be all
in—which can only mean trouble. Parker, Harley, Jelly, Ella, and Wilson . . . these friends have survived deadly situations together before. But this time escape seems more
hopeless than ever. What do you do when you’re surrounded by darkness ... and dawn will never get there in time?
What I'm Up to right now...
I had a terrific time recording a Focus on the Family broadcast episode with Jim Daly and John Fuller. The title is Surprise Your Kids with Unforgettable Faith Lessons, and you can listen to it here!
I'm Working on New Books!
72 Questions Every Young Man Must Answer
I’ve got a contract with Moody Publishing for a new book for young men. I'm co-authoring it with Mark Shoemaker . . . my middle son who has been a youth and family pastor for over twelve years. We’ll show how readers can become the young man God designed them to be. More info to follow!
What to Say and How to Say it to Your Teen
The book has been written, and comes out this Fall. This is about helping parents navigate 30 different tough conversations with their teens. I’m co-authoring this with Mark as well. His experience in youth ministry is a massive help with this. We want to help parents navigate these waters—without shipwrecking their relationship with their teens in the process.
I’m Working on a New Fiction Series!
I’ve started a new contemporary mystery, adventure, suspense trilogy. The working title for book one? Wrong Place ... Wrong Time. I'm loving it so far ... and I think you will too!
Just Finished with a Ton of Speaking ... and Now Prepping for More!
It’s been a busy Spring and Summer speaking season with conferences for parents, writers, students, and men. We’re already booking up for 2025.
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Meet me at one of the 2025 Great Homeschool Conventions!
March 13-15, Greenville, South Carolina
March 27-29, St. Charles, Missouri
April 24-26, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Tim's Fiction Writing Philosophy
Okay, so I was only messing around in this picture. I wouldn’t actually read Escape From the Everglades to kids way too young to handle the content—even though it looks like she’s awfully interested. But I definitely am a big fan of reading aloud to kids.
I love writing contemporary mystery, adventure, and suspense for youth. I believe well-written fiction is so powerful—and that it can do so much for the readers.
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It can make them brave.
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Warn them of dangers.
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Motivate them to action.
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Help them avoid traps.
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Give them hope.
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Introduce them to new friends.
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Open their eyes to those hurting around them.
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Convict them when they’re being a jerk or insensitive.
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Heal them like nothing else can.
Great writing can cause readers to think and change in ways they never would have if the same truths had been conveyed through non-fiction … like a textbook or a lecture.
I don’t write down to readers. I know the youth reading my books are smart … but they lack experience. By experiencing the story with the characters, readers can actually gain wisdom that will serve them well. Maybe that’s why so many adults like these books as well.
You can trust my fiction. I write clean books. No language. No romance. No preachy, agenda-driven stuff either. And I’m careful not to make all parents look like idiots. Some writers may think those elements are needed to hold a reader’s attention. I’ve found the keys to truly gluing readers to my books is simply to give them a great story—with characters that resonate with them. - Tim