Welcome, Davalynn!

When award-winning author Davalynn Spencer isn’t writing bestselling Western romance with rugged cowboys, she’s teaching creative writing at the local college. At home on Colorado’s Front Range, her rodeo and journalistic background inspires many of her stories. Her novel, Romancing the Widow, won the 2015 Will Rogers Gold Medallion Award for inspirational Western fiction.

Tell us about your newest book.

Things don’t go as planned for mail order bride Mae Ann Remington. Not that she could plan much anyway, other than accepting Henry Reiker’s offer of marriage and the train ticket he sent for her trip to Colorado. But when someone else’s greed costs her everything—including her groom—she has no choice but to do the unthinkable and propose to a complete stranger.

Rancher Cade Parker goes to the bank to withdraw cash for his sister, not find himself a wife. But that’s exactly what he does when he carries a dead farmer to the undertaker and ends up accepting the desperate bride’s “business proposition.” What he didn’t figure on was falling in love.

Forced to live out her deceased mother’s mantra of “God works everything out for good,” Mae Ann ends up as a Colorado rancher’s wife facing snakes, scoundrels, and second chances.

What genre do you focus on and why?

Historical western romance has been my focus for the past five years, though I’ve written nearly as many contemporary stories. I guess it’s all part of God “working everything out for good.”

Why do you write? What drives you?

I have a compelling urge to put things into words—emotions, events, sunrises, smells, everything. I love combining all those things into a story where I can create the setting and people who live out struggles we face in our everyday lives.

Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?

Mae Ann Remington simply showed up “on scene” in my imagination one wintry morning while I sat in front of the woodstove with my laptop. I had to write down what I saw happening in her life. It was unthinkable, but I knew it was the beginning of a story.

What does a day in your writing world look like?

I’m up at 5:30 because I like to spend time alone with God before sunup and noise. I walk or exercise weekdays, fix breakfast, check email, and start writing as soon as possible. Afternoons are spent on lesson plans for the college class I teach, shopping, errands, household chores, and sometimes coffee with a friend. On days I don’t have any afternoon demands, I keep writing—living in my fictional world.

What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?

I believe the hardest part of successful authorship in today’s world is marketing. Doing all those other things one must do that are not writing.

What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?

The best part of an author’s life is hearing or reading a comment by a reader that shows how your words touched his or her life, opened eyes, healed a heart, inspired a dream.

What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?

As a Christian author who writes inspirational romance, the craziest moment for me came during a discussion with a secular author who believed “inspirational romance” was an oxymoron. Not that I expect everyone to prefer my genre, but it was a sad moment of realization that the person knew so little about real romance and our real God.

What are you most proud of?

Honestly? My children who all love God.

Career-wise? Winning the 2015 Will Rogers Gold Medallion because it is an award given for creative work in the Western world, presented by those who understand the nuances and history of the West.

What is your favorite pastime?

Reading a great book that takes me to another time and place historically, or watching a great Western movie. There’s also chocolate. And bacon.

Do you have other books? We’d love to know.

I have four other published novels with Harlequin and three novellas in Barbour collections. All are listed on my website, Amazon author page, and Goodreads.

What are you working on now?

I’ve recently finished a novel set in 1910 during the silent movie era of Western flicks filmed in Cañon City, Colorado, before Hollywood became the movie mecca. City girl meets cowboy—in a most unusual way.

Website: www.davalynnspencer.com

Link to book: LIVE ON JUNE 1, 2017

Social media links:

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorDavalynnSpencer

http://twitter.com/davalynnspencer

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5051432.Davalynn_Spencer

http://pinterest.com/davalynnspencer/boards/

http://www.amazon.com/author/davalynnspencer

Welcome, Kathy!

Here’s her bio: Kathy Collard Miller loves her family, writing, and speaking. She is wife to Larry for over 45 years, has two children, and two grandchildren. She is amazed God has given her the incredible privilege of writing over 50 books, numerous articles, and speaking in 8 foreign countries and over 30 states. Plus, she and Larry are co-authors and lay counselors.

Tell us about your newest book. Whispers of My Heart: Daughters of the King Bible Study Series is one of the twelve books in a women’s Bible study series that came out originally in the 1990’s. Since the twelve books went out of print, I’d always wanted to update and expand the books. And Elk Lake Publishing Inc. has given me that opportunity and privilege. Whispers of My Heart has ten lessons on prayer with commentary and questions that can be used by individuals or groups. These books were very popular years ago and I still receive requests for copies. So I’m excited about having the series available again. Choices of the Heart (revised and expanded) has been available for a few months longer and now Whispers of My Heart joins it.

What genre do you focus on and why? I write only non-fiction. I find non-fiction pretty easy after so many years and I’m comfortable in that genre. Or could it be that an agent once said to me, “Stick to non-fiction”? Hmmmm, that could have something to do with it.

Why do you write? What drives you? I am driven to communicate practical and applicable biblical ideas to readers which will draw them closer to knowing God’s love for them and empower them to trust God more. I think our human cry most often is, “God, do you care and love me? And can you be trusted?” Interestingly when the disciples woke up Jesus in the storm tossed boat, fearing they would die, these strong fishermen (who had experienced many storms) cried out, “Teacher, do you not care we are perishing?” What motivates our worry, doubt, and any sinful response is a lie that God doesn’t love us; that He can’t be trusted. Knowing the truth about God and trusting His love has made a huge difference for me and I want to share the joy with others.

What does a day in your writing world look like? I have the incredible blessing of wanting to be at my desk writing more than just about anything else—except being with those I love and am close to. Lots of writers have to wait for inspiration. I may experience writers block but it seems to dissipate pretty fast. I just love working with words and as I look to God to guide me, the words flow. As a result, I’m at my desk writing unless God leads in another direction. I am also a speaker and lay counselor so any given day is different but it’s definitely an adventure to see how God will lead.

What is the hardest part of being an author? Why? Knowing what to work on at any given moment is the hardest about my writing. A writer does so many different things: creating, promoting, blogging, speaking, and marketing. Plus social media can be good but addicting. I’ve been mediating on the concept of abiding (John 15:5) for almost two years and I’m sure it’ll be a future book. But abiding through seeking God moment by moment and evaluating my motives empowers me to know God’s direction.

What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why? The best part for me is finding out God used the concepts of a particular book to enlighten a reader. Or best of all, that reader more fully knows he or she is loved by God and then is set free from lies which block her trust in God. The other day I received an email from a woman and she explained she heard me speak twenty years. My story of overcoming being an abusive mom gave her hope and instruction for dealing with her own anger. She had carried with her the notes from that meeting through several house changes and shared the ideas with others. She was writing to ask me to speak at a young mom’s group, which she was coordinating. It was such a joy to see her again.

What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author? Well, I haven’t actually experienced this but I’m hoping I will some day and it would be crazy! I’m hoping some day to be in a public place and see someone reading one of my books. I want to see the look on her face when I stand in front of her and ask, “Would you like me to autograph that book for you?” There’s still time for that to happen, right?

What are you most shocked by? I’m most thrilled and shocked that what I thought God could never use, He has used abundantly. Over 40 years ago when I was physically and verbally abusing my two-year-old daughter and convinced it was only a matter of time before I killed her in one of my rages, I had no hope and almost committed suicide. I prayed and begged for an instantaneous deliverance but thought God had given up on me, even though I was a Christian, because there was none showing up. Then God began changing me through little steps over time. He healed the relationships between me and my daughter, and me and my husband. I wrote an article about it, then a book, and then shared my story at my church. That was the beginning of a ministry that has continued for 40 years, taking me around the world. God proved his creativity and faithfulness and He receives all the glory for it. It’s still shocking and thrilling to me.

Do you have other books? We’d love to know. My currently available books are a women’s Bible study series including Choices of the Heart and Whispers of My Heart. And women’s spiritual growth books like Partly Cloudy with Scattered Worries and Never Ever Be the Same: A New You Starts Today (co-authored with my husband, Larry).

What are you working on now? I finished recently another Bible study in the women’s Bible study series (Daughters of the King Bible Study Series): At the Heart of Friendship. It’ll be available late summer, 2017. And now I’m working on the fourth Bible study book on the topic of the Proverbs: Heart Wisdom. I’m excited that these expanded and updated versions of my Bible study series (from the 1990’s) are available.

Website/blog: www.KathyCollardMiller.com

Link to books: https://www.amazon.com/Kathy-Collard-Miller/e/B001KMI10S/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

Social media links:

www.Facebook.com/KathyCollardMillerAuthor

@KathyCMiller

Welcome Crystal!

Here’s her bio: Crystal Bowman is an award-winning author of more than 100 books for children. She also writes stories for Clubhouse Jr. magazine and lyrics for children’s piano music. She has written for many popular series, such as Little Blessings, BOZ the Bear, I Can Read!, and Berenstain Bears. She and her daughter are co-authors of Our Daily Bread for Kids, Our Daily Bread for Preschoolers, Our Daily Bread for Little Hearts, and M is for Manger.

Tell us about your newest book.

Kids are full of questions—some silly and some serious. These two books feature kid-friendly questions and answers that are whimsical and educational, with a spiritual element gently woven into the text. Do Baby Bears Have Mommies? teaches children about God’s animal kingdom. Does God Take Naps? teaches children about the person of God.

What genre do you focus on and why?

I write for children—everything from board books and picture books, to devotional books and Bible story books. My background is early childhood education and my heart is to reach kids for Jesus.

Why do you write? What drives you?

Writing is my passion. God created me with a desire to write and share His truth with children and their families. For me, writing is like breathing—it’s something I have to do.

What does a day in your writing world look like?

It varies, depending on deadlines and how many projects I am currently working on. I make sure I get out of the house almost every day—even if it is going to the gym for an hour or going for a walk. On Wednesday mornings I have MOPS, so that day I give myself a break from the computer and spend more time out of the house.

What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?

Staying current on the market trends and needs, and also the need to network and promote through social media. Writing is only a portion of what authors do. Speaking, promoting, and blogging are time consuming, but necessary.

What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?

Teaching children about God, and telling them that Jesus loves them and cares about them. When they learn that truth at a young age, it builds a foundation for the rest of their lives.

What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?

Having several of my books end up on the best sellers list. Only God can make that happen!

What are you most proud of?

A few years ago, my daughter started co-authoring some of my books. She is so talented and creative, and working with her has made me a better writer. I love seeing her name on my book covers along with mine.

What is your favorite pastime?

That’s an easy one—spending time with my grandchildren.

Do you have other books? We’d love to know.

I have been writing for over 25 years and have written more than 100 books. I am thrilled to be writing children’s books for Our Daily Bread, and I also love my pictures books with Tyndale. M is for Manger has been a popular title as well as My Grandma and Me.

What are you working on now?

More picture books for Tyndale and more board books for Our Daily Bread.

Website: www.crystalbowman.com

Link to books: https://www.christianbook.com/does-god-take-naps/crystal-bowman/9781496417411/pd/417412?product_redirect=1&Ntt=417412&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

https://www.christianbook.com/do-baby-bears-have-mommies/crystal-bowman/9781496417404/pd/417405?product_redirect=1&Ntt=417405&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/crystaljbowman/

https://www.facebook.com/crystal.bowman.3958

http://christianchildrensauthors.com/

Welcome, Linda!

Here’s Linda’s bio: Linda lives in a forest in east Texas, with her husband, a rescue cat, and a pond full of fish and turtles. She has won the Grace and TAA Best Book awards and was a 2012 Carol Award finalist. Her short story “Slider” is published in the 2016 Saturday Evening Post’s Great American Fiction anthology. Linda is a freelance editor and a speaker, with a passion for the written word. And coffee.

Tell us about your newest book.

I had so much fun with The Bucket List Dare, the first novella collection I participated in, that I was anxious to do another. I gave a shout to my buds, the Penwrights, and sure enough, there were seven positive responses. Ane Mulligan even had a perfect theme for us: tiny houses. Since they seem to be all the rave these days, I loved it. We named it Coming Home: A Tiny House Collection. This group of novellas aren’t exclusively romance, as my first collection was. We have a good blend of romance and women’s fiction.

My story is Kayla’s Challenge, about a young woman who decides it’s high time for her to start thinking for herself. Narrowly escaping marriage to the man her parents chose for her, Kayla drives halfway across the country to exercise her independence. Once she arrives in Texas from Georgia, she discovers that maturity is harder than she thought. Ten acres and a tiny house provide her with a good start toward responsibility, but is she mature enough to forgive her parents?

What genre do you focus on and why?

With a few exceptions, I tend to write women’s fiction, often with a strong romantic thread. Despite the fact that my first novel, a romance, won an award and was a finalist in both the Genesis and Carol contests, I’m not usually comfortable writing straight romance. On the other hand, I can’t seem to write anything that doesn’t have a touch of romance involved.

Why do you write? What drives you?

In college, I had an opportunity to read a piece I’d written before a crowd in a small theater. The story was about the persecution of Christians behind the Iron Curtain. When the lights came up, I received a standing ovation and realized many of the listeners had tears in their eyes. Seeing their response hooked me, but I didn’t have the opportunity to take writing seriously until many years later.

But that reaction is still what I hope for, the opportunity and ability to draw raw emotion from my readers. Stories are compelling. Stories combined with God’s message are powerful. And when combined with His guidance and blessing, stories can change the world. Or maybe just one reader’s world. One reader is enough.

Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?

I chose Kayla because I like the name, and Mullins is from my dad’s side of the family in Georgia. Just a nod to the folks back home.

What does a day in your writing world look like?

I get up at four for Bible study, then by five or so I’m working the emails and social networks. Usually, by seven, I spend time with the hubs, followed by writing articles or working on client edits. My primary time to work on my clients’ manuscripts is right after lunch.

By two, I’m ready to settle in to a long period of writing. Often that involves a lot of computer Solitaire and window staring, along with an early quitting time. Occasionally, it involves an amazing, inspired session and a late night. Of course, late for me is eight p.m.

What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?

Trying not to compare myself to others. That is most difficult for me. Sometimes I feel like others have skyrocketed while I’m cluelessly looking for the launching pad. But I should know better. My career may be the greatest lesson in how not to do things, but it’s going well and improves annually. God is pulling me along in His time.

What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?

That magical moment when all the pieces fall into place, and the story begins to work. The inexplicable oddity of having my characters come to life and talk to me, providing dialogue, action, and emotion. I sit in a quiet house, but I’m not alone. I’m on an adventure with friends, recording everything as quickly as I can.

What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?

All of the “firsts” come to mind—the first time a fan wanted a picture with me, the first time I was asked for my autograph, the first time I was interviewed on TV. For a plain ol’ Texas housewife, all those firsts are mind-boggling. And I’m still not used to them.

What are you most proud of?

Hard one to answer if we’re talking about writing. I guess for now, having “Slider” in the Saturday Evening Post’s Greatest American Fiction anthology is at the top.

What is your favorite pastime?

I love to play games and tend to be competitive. I also love to fish.

Do you have other books? We’d love to know.

I have the first two novels to the Circle Bar Ranch series, Give the Lady a Ride and The Final Ride, along with The Cat Lady’s Secret, The Simulacrum, and my only nonfiction title, Writing in Obedience, which I cowrote with my former agent, Terry Burns. Also currently on the market is the other collection, The Bucket List Dare.

What are you working on now?

The third in the Circle Bar Ranch series, Ride to the Altar.

Website: http://lindawyezak.com

Link to book:

Social media links:

Twitter: @LindaYezak

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GivetheLadyaRide

LinkedIn (for my freelance editor resume): https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindawyezak

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/LindaYezak

Newsletter, Coffee with Linda