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.

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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

Do you read books in this genre? If so, who do you like to read?

Yes! I love reading Christian YA books! I really enjoy networking with my fellow authors, so I tend to read a lot of fiction by my fellow indie or small press authors. Some of my favorites are Allyson Kennedy, JPC Allen, Jill Penrod, and Leslea Wahl. I could go on and on with recommendations, but if you follow me on GoodReads, BookBub, or sign up for my newsletter and/or blog, you’ll hear more of my Christian YA recs.

What helps you to write? Do you eat snacks, listen to music?

I’m a snacker. I try to start out healthy, like fruit and granola, and then I reward a productive writing sprint with Cheez-Its or lime tortilla chips.

If you could travel back in time, what time period would you go to?

The Garden of Eden! Also, I’ve always been interested in the American pioneer days, and I think it would be very fun…er…maybe character building is more accurate, for me to visit that era.

What inspired you to write this book?

My readers did. I did not plan to add on to this series, but when my readers continued to ask for another book, I started brainstorming for them. My Wilderness First Aid training helped me decide to write a collection of search-and-rescue short stories. I asked God to help me honor Him in my writing, and I know I couldn’t do any of this without Him.

Share with me a few of your favorite things.

I like bluegrass music, sunny beaches, mountains and hiking, reading, rock climbing, and playing my saxophone. I love my family, homeschooling our kids, and volunteering at youth camps.