About the Book
Book: Off the Itinerary: The Search and Rescue Files
Author: M. Liz Boyle
Genre: Christian YA
Release Date: May, 2025
Marlee and Marshall are now students at the Professional Outdoor Guides School where Sawyer just graduated. Meanwhile, Lydie is busy training a search-and-rescue dog. In this special edition with seven search-and-rescue stories, the Off the Itinerary characters face new adventures (and misadventures). Adrenaline is high as Marlee faces her fears in a cave rescue, a helicopter evacuation, a swift water rescue, and more! Will Marlee trust that her misadventures are part of a greater plan? If you loved Avalanche, Chased, and Ablaze, you won’t want to miss this collection of short stories.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Liz is the author of the Off the Itinerary series, the wife of a professional tree climber, and the homeschooling mom of three energetic and laundry-producing children. Liz once spent a summer in Colorado teaching rock climbing, which she believes was a fantastic way to make money and memories. She resides with her family in Wisconsin, where they enjoy hiking and rock climbing. Liz and her husband have also backpacked in Colorado and the Grand Canyon, which have provided inspiration for her writing. She makes adventurous stories to encourage others to find adventures and expand their comfort zones (though admittedly, she still needs lots of practice expanding her own comfort zone).
More from M. Liz
When I published my third book, Ablaze, I was confident that the Off the Itinerary series was complete. Marlee had a solid character arc, she’d endured three natural disasters, and I wanted to finish the series on a good note. A number of devoted readers reached out, asking if I would please write another. I was reluctant for a while, but eventually (thanks to the excitement of my readers), I began brainstorming this special edition. Rather than another full-length novel, I chose to compile seven short stories focusing on Marlee’s involvement with search and rescue missions. I’m eager for my readers to spend bonus time with the Stanley girls and Miles boys. Some things never change, like Marlee’s high odds of finding misadventure and her need to overcome fear with the support of God, her family, and friends. Other things have changed for the better, like Lydie introducing a dog to the adventures. One thing is certain: Marlee must learn that God’s itinerary is better than hers.
Interview with the Author
- What is your favorite childhood book?
I would say it’s a toss up between Charlotte’s Web and Tuck Everlasting. And The Sign of the Beaver. Oh and No Children, No Pets. Also Dolphin Adventure. You did say favorite childhood books, plural, right? 😉
- If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better
writer as an adult, what would you do?
I think I would start learning about story structure at a younger age, and I would read [even] more.
- What comes first, the plot or characters?
Hmm, well this whole series came from the idea to have a group of teenagers survive an avalanche, so the very first seed was the plot, but the characters took over in short order. For my other writing projects, I would definitely say the characters came first.
- Who is the author you most admire in your genre?
Probably Allyson Kennedy, because she seeks to inspire YA readers to honor God while her characters face the realities of our broken world and learn to trust Him through life’s highs and lows.
- What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I love reading aloud to my kids and rock climbing with my husband and kids.
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 30
Texas Book-aholic, August 31
Simple Harvest Reads, September 1 (Author Interview)
Madi’s Musings, September 2
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 3
Artistic Nobody, September 4 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 5
Guild Master, September 6 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, September 7
Fiction Book Lover, September 8 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, September 8
Holly’s Book Corner, September 9
Stories By Gina, September 10 (Author Interview)
Lots of Helpers, September 10
Lights in a Dark World, September 11
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, September 12 (Author Interview)
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, M. Liz is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.