Meet author John Lefevere
Life as a corporate lawyer can be boring, but author John Lefevere’s life experiences are not. He appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show with his college marching band backing Nancy Sinatra; meeting Rodney Dangerfield there was a highlight. John has also played golf next to the Giza Pyramids in Cairo, appeared in a TV commercial, marched in the Rose Parade, climbed Mount Vesuvius and rode up Mount Aetna within the space of a week, and had many more adventures. John’s true love (aside from his wife and three sons) is writing suspense thrillers. It appears that he’s good at it. John takes time away from writing to golf, trace his family lines in genealogy, learn Italian, and travel.
Tell us about your newest book, The Solutionist: London
It’s the third thriller in a new series that began in April 2025. In the prior two books, Nick Dalton (the Solutionist) and his girlfriend Stephanie continue to pursue the crypto thief who framed Nick for a multimillion-dollar cryptocurrency heist. Facing serious prison time, Nick tracks the thief to England, where he has changed identities. Nick and Stephanie come up with a plan to trick the thief out of the crypto, but the thief turns the tables on him and puts him in danger.
What genre do you focus on?
I write action suspense thrillers, because they are ones which fascinate me when I read and because I love to come up with twists and turns that the reader will never suspect.
Why do you write?
I have been an avid reader since a very young age and ultimately wanted to see if I could write as well as the authors I was reading. I was first published as a law review member in law school and then professionally as an attorney I wrote and edited books on taxation. Nearing retirement ten years ago, I wrote and self-published a short psychological thriller which was pretty well received. Over those ten years, I have written an additional seven books – four in A 1000 Islands novel series and three in the current Nick Dalton Thriller series (The Solutionist).
What is your work schedule like when writing?
I don’t have a structured schedule for writing, but I do create an extensive outline which will include snippets of dialogue and action that will take place in different chapters. Then I move each outline chapter over into a new document and fill it out. Works so far.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
I think the part I like best is the recognition I get from friends and neighbors, as well as in reviews.
What is your favorite pastime?
I golf a lot and actually have improved a lot over the last couple of years, so it can be (almost) as rewarding as writing. A couple of years ago I was playing in a foursome consisting of myself and my three adult sons. I managed to hit an eagle (in the hole in two strokes on a par four hole) from 150 yards away and they were all screaming with delight. Best memory of golfing ever!
What are you working on now?
At the moment nothing. It took about fifteen months to write all 3 books in the Nick Dalton series and I’m spending time marketing them now. I wanted to write at least 3 books all at once to provide continuity.
Do you have other books? Yes – here’s a list:
The Nick Dalton Thriller series (Suspense Thrillers)
The Solutionist: Crypto Heist
The Solutionist: Hollywood
The 1000 Islands Novel series (Suspense Thrillers)
The Scimitar and The Snail
Jewels and Ghouls
River Rogues
Deep River Deception
Non-Series Books
Better With Age: A Boomer’s Tale (Psychological Thriller)
All book are exclusively on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited, in case you’re interested.
Meet author Megan Soja
Megan Soja is a multi-award-winning author who writes stories with strong faith, rich history, and sweet romance. She lives in western NY with her husband and two daughters and loves having adventures, both big and small, with her family. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, hiking, canoeing and kayaking, and playing French Horn.
Tell us about your newest book.
Set against the backdrop of the Siege of Boston and the Battle of Bunker Hill, Scars of the Revolution is a story of faith, duty, rebellion, and forbidden love between a Patriot young woman and the British officer quartering in her home. Betrayal and war threaten to keep their worlds forever apart, especially as Libby finds herself drawn into a dangerous game of espionage that could save the Patriot cause and destroy any chance of a future with the soldier she loves.
What genre do you focus on.
My current genre focus is historical romance. It may be surprising to hear, but I didn’t really enjoy history classes in school. It felt kind of dry, like a long list of names and dates to memorize. But even as a child, I loved reading historical fiction and visiting living history museums, because they both made history feel real and alive. That’s what I love about writing historical fiction – the opportunity to make the people, places, and events of the past come to life on the page. And I can never pass up a good love story, so romance is always a part of my books as well.
Why do you write?
I write because I’ve always had stories in my head and on my heart. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been imagining characters and plots, so much so that I used to think everyone did that! I’ve also found that God works in my own faith and life through writing, and I love to weave His truth into my stories as a way to encourage both myself in the process and others when they read.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I’m a mom, so a lot of my work time revolves around my kids’ schedule. I try do most of my writing while they are in school, but there have been plenty of late nights or weekend days spent writing, especially when I’m on a deadline. It’s not uncommon for me to sit at dance rehearsals with my laptop or to brainstorm on my phone while at a soccer tournament. I’ve come to realize that flexibility is key!
What is the hardest part of being an author?
As an author of historical fiction, the biggest challenge is piecing together the historical events with the fictional characters and storyline. I want to honor the real history, represent the time period accurately, and fit my characters into it as seamlessly as possible so it feels like an immersive experience as you read.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
There are so many things to celebrate and enjoy about being an author. It might sound cheesy, but it really is a dream come to true. One of the most special parts, though, is hearing from readers who were encouraged, challenged, and inspired by the faith aspects of my stories. I am humbled and honored that God can use my words in such a way.
What’s one thing your readers should know about you?
Faith is always at the core of my stories because it is at the core of my life. I cannot imagine a story without God being part of it. My characters may be fictional and set over 250 years ago, but their struggles, trials, and fears are often reflective of things we can relate to, and I always want the answer they seek, the peace they need, and the truth they discover to be rooted in God.
What is your favorite pastime?
I love to read, but that probably goes without saying! I also love being outdoors, especially hiking, kayaking, and canoeing. But as a mom, my favorite “pastime” has to be just spending time with my girls and enjoying the adventure of watching them grow.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Spark of the Revolution and Secrets of the Revolution are the first two books in my Harbor of Spies series. Spark highlights the Boston Tea Party, while Secrets features the battles of Lexington and Concord. Each of the books in this series can stand alone, but every story builds through the history chronologically and follows different members of the family to create a fuller experience. I’m biased of course, but I highly recommend reading the whole series together. 😉
What are you working on now? I’m currently writing book 4 which will wrap up my Harbor of Spies series. It is set to release later in 2026.
Website: https://megansoja.com/
Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FFPK8BT2
Social media links:
https://www.instagram.com/megan.soja/
https://www.facebook.com/authormegansoja/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/52937401.Megan_Soja
Meet author Wendy Klopfenstein
Wendy Klopfenstein enjoys sunshine, sweet tea, and a good book, preferably all at the same time. Having always loved creating stories as much as reading them, she now puts the ones wandering around in her head on paper for others to enjoy. When she’s not sitting on the porch reading, you can find her working on her next novel.
Tell us about your newest book.
A Secret Heart (Wind River Mail-Order Brides Book 3) is part of a series about the McGraw brothers and their mail-order bride adventures. Middle brother Ed McGraw is tasked with finding a mail-order bride for his black-sheep brother. But he finds himself intrigued by the woman who writes back. Rebekah Edwards works for the local newspaper, running matrimonial advertisements, when one day an ad appears for the rancher she’s pined for her entire life. But as she strikes up a correspondence, Rebekah finds herself drawn to Ed—the wrong McGraw brother for her. It’s perfect for fans of mistaken identity, love letters and matchmaking gone wrong.
What inspired you to write your story?
This particular book was a joint project with Lacy Williams. I auditioned with Sunrise Publishing for the chance to write with her as a mentor. The premise I auditioned with had to be set in 1890s Wyoming. As a lover of romcoms, I wanted a hint of humor in the story. Why not have a woman working at the newspaper, taking care of the mail-order bride ads, when she sees an ad for the man she’s always pined for? But…he’s not the one writing back to her. Unknown to her, it’s the brother that she’s had a long-standing feud with.
What genre do you focus on.
Historical Romance with a Western setting is my favorite genre to write. The simpler times fascinate me. I enjoy mail-order bride stories, especially with a twist. There’s something about the tenacity and willingness to set out for new lands and a new life that intrigues me. It’s fun to explore these times and the people who lived through them.
Why do you write?
Stories have always been a part of my life. I can’t remember when I wasn’t reading, which fueled my imagination to create stories of my own. The dream of holding my own book in my hands was always in the back of my mind. It’s been a great blessing to do so. Even better is reading the reviews of readers and getting emails from them about what they enjoyed in the story. Giving other readers the joy of reading is the greatest feeling in the world.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I also work in our family business, so I have to schedule around my work there. I take the number of chapters I’m writing for the book, then figure out how many chapters a week I need to complete the manuscript, while still leaving time to self-edit it before turning it in to the publisher. I prefer writing in long stretches of time, so I try to build blocks of uninterrupted time into my week.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
This is such a hard question. There are so many aspects I enjoy—connecting with readers, the friendships with other authors, brainstorming new ideas, and holding that published book in my hands.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
When I started writing I did very little pre-planning on paper. I’d have a vague outline of the characters and the story in my head. Now, I do more planning ahead of time than I used to, but that is a personal preference. I once heard someone say that neither method is better nor correct. You will do the work at one end or the other. I’ve discovered that I enjoy doing more planning upfront, although I still discover plot pieces while I’m writing.
What is your favorite pastime?
Spending time with my family is one of my favorite pastimes, especially time with my grandbaby. I also find it very relaxing to take time at some point in my day to go outside and take a walk or read a few pages of a book on the porch (weather permitting).
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
I have a novella “Her Gingerbread Refuge” in the Snowbound at Christmas collection. The hero and heroine are snowed in at a bakery with half a dozen matchmaking children at Christmastime. It’s also set in the Wind River Mail-Order Brides world and was a delight to write. You can get a copy of my other novella, A Surprise Harvest Bride, when you sign up for my newsletter at wendyklopfenstein.com.
What are you working on now?
My next novel is the beginning of a new series and is set in 1890s Texas. The heroine is desperately trying to save her family’s ranch when she unknowingly hires a runaway prince. It’s scheduled to be released in the spring of 2027. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter for all the latest updates as we get closer to the release date.
Website: wendyklopfenstein.com
Link to book: https://a.co/d/a6M4T8N
Social media links:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Wendy-Klopfenstein-Author-103469135769834
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wendyklopfensteinauthor/
Meet author Jill Dewhurst
Jill Dewhurst writes novels that seamlessly weave a page-turning story with the truth of God’s unconditional love. A Selah Award Bronze Medalist, Christian Author Award Winner, Will Rogers Medallion Award Gold Medal Winner, and bestselling author of historical Christian fiction, with her varied experience as an RN, a musician, and a homeschool mom, Jill creatively weaves a part of herself into each story. When not writing, she enjoys playing her flute and thanking God for the hubby who lassoed her heart for keeps. Publishing her Rugged Cross Ranch series has been a dream come true.
Tell us about your newest book.
Heidi’s Faith, Book 4 of the Rugged Cross Ranch series:
Will the brushstrokes that capture light on canvas help Heidi Müller find the light of God’s promises in her soul? Will she rise above the fear that threatens to overwhelm her? When her family moves to a secret location for her protection, will she learn to trust again? “Sometimes all you need to overcome something hard is a new perspective—and maybe a guide to help you find it.” And when that new perspective is grounded in God’s promises, the result is a stronger, more resilient faith in the God who loves us. The handsome stranger may have been speaking to Heidi’s brother Frederick, but the message penetrated deep within Heidi’s heart where she struggled with fear. Jacob Collins desires a family of his own, but when that seems impossible, he focuses on becoming the man God wants him to be and leaves the details to Him. Will God use Jacob’s desire to help his neighbor to place him where the impossible could become possible? When God uses Jacob to renew Heidi’s trust in God, will a traumatic accident give Heidi the opportunity to return the favor?
What inspired you to write your story?
All of us struggle with fear in one form or another. The timeless truths in Heidi’s Faith remind each reader that through meditating on the promises in God’s Word, remembering His unconditional love, and surrounding ourselves with the support of family and friends, victory over fear is possible. God does not want us to live in fear, and He promises that [His] perfect love will cast out fear (I John 4:18).
What genre do you focus on.
Historical Christian Romantic Fiction. While those living on the American frontier did not have an easy life, they tended to prioritize what was truly important—faith, family, and community. Faith is an intrinsic theme in each of my novels.
Why do you write?
“A well-written story reaches the imagination. A faith-filled story reaches the heart.” My heart’s desire is to write a story that would inspire readers by reminding them of a God who loves them unconditionally and longs to have a personal relationship with them.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Heidi Müller is the heroine of the story whose faith overcomes her struggle with a fearful event in her past. Because her family were recent German immigrants, she needed a German name. My original choice was Kirstyn, but my editor kept reading “Kristin” instead and insisted that I needed a more authentically German name. Heidi was the perfect substitute. Not only was it a popular German name in the mid 1800s, but all the Heidis I have known have been just as sweet as my protagonist.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
Finding dedicated uninterrupted writing time is consistently the hardest part of being an author. A close second place is creating characters and storylines that are unique and memorable.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
The best part of my author’s life has been meeting my readers and other authors. That’s quite a stretch for this friendly introvert, but God continues to push me out of my comfort zone.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
Attending writers’ retreats and conferences and making new author friends have improved the craft of my writing immeasurably and provided a delightful source of fellowship and encouragement.
What is your favorite pastime?
When I’m not writing, I’m an avid reader. Aside from books, my favorite pastime is playing my flute and piano. In my spare time (Ha!), I’m learning to play the cello.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes, the other novels in the Rugged Cross Ranch are Julie’s Joy, Emily’s Hope, and Laura’s Redemption.
What are you working on now?
I am currently writing the manuscript for Clara’s Courage (Rugged Cross Ranch Book 5).
Website: www.jilldewhurst.com
Link to book: https://www.jilldewhurst.com/heidi-s-faith or direct Amazon link: www.amzn.com/dp/B0DBTL28NN
Social media links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DewhurstPublishing/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jilldewhurst.author/
Meet author Elizabeth Renicks
Elizabeth Renicks is an author, speaker, and teacher. A truth teller infusing every message with encouragement and hope, she offers the wisdom and experience of decades as a serious student of God’s Word. With more than 30 years’ experience writing and teaching under her belt, Elizabeth is a trusted resource for insight and encouragement from God’s Word. A wife and mom to two sons, Elizabeth calls Tuscaloosa, Alabama, home.
Tell us about your newest book.
Fully Known, Fully Loved is a 30 day devotional that invites you to rest in the unshakable truth that you are redeemed, restored, and renewed in Jesus. Overcome an orphan mindset and live in the fullness of your identity as His beloved child. It is the first in the Flourishing in Faith series—topical truth resources created to help you walk more closely with God.
What inspired you to write your story?
Knowing that my own journey and needs are not unique. I spent too many years as a believer living with a deep orphan mindset, knowing about God but not living out of trust in His love and care. I meet people all the time who share the same struggles in one way or another. We all need more of Him. It’s my joy to point people to the truths of what they have in Christ and their identity as His beloved child.
What genre do you focus on.
My genre is Christian discipleship and encouragement. Again, mostly because of the phrase “your misery is your ministry.” I spent many years as a performer, people-pleaser, and self-protector before I allowed the grace of Christ to break down my walls of fear and transform my life.
I’ve been a student of God’s Word for years. I knew a lot of things. But I was striving in my own strength to obey Scripture instead of resting in Jesus’ provision for my righteousness and fullness of life. My writing springs from discovering more and more of the Lord’s grace: His kindness to woo me from places of striving and performing into an intimate relationship of rest and trust. One of the ways I describe my writing mission to others is this: “I use truth and tools from God’s Word to help people find more intimacy with God.” My heart is to equip people to come to know more of Him, to experience the love of Jesus, and to walk confidently in His grace. I am always thinking about my readers as I write–what can I share that will bless others as God has blessed me?
Why do you write?
I write because I have been so deeply impacted by God, and the power of the Word and of words. Through reading, wrestling with text in community, studying and sharing truth from Scripture, I have fallen more and more in love with Jesus. I have grown to trust the Lord and His faithfulness. I have learned to receive His gracious, abundant love and to learn to accept how freely He gives that love to me (and to all who turn to Him).
Maybe that is why I enjoy so much the privilege of writing and speaking about Him and the reality and accessibility of intimate relationship with Jesus. It is probably why I am so excited about the books God has called me to write and to share.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I’m a stay-at-home homeschool mom who is less than a year away from empty nester, so I have a good bit of freedom to write. I usually spend the early morning in time with the Lord, followed by work on whatever writing project I have going. I often write in a coffee shop once or twice a week to get a break from working at home. Often I will write in big blocks of time over a short period to finish out a book-length work.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
It gets lonely at times because writing is a solitary experience in many ways. I also find the “business side” of things to be challenging at times, mostly because much of it is new to me. I wrote for other organization or freelanced for years. I have only just recently stepped out into writing the things I feel driven to write, and that is a whole other ball game with a different set of rules.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
Getting to create with the Lord. Finding new ideas and seeing them come to life to encourage or inspire others. Thinking about things that I can leave in others’ hearts and minds through my words is very exciting to me. Books have always been my teachers. I have been shaped by all kinds of books, from my favorite fiction genres to my go-to: nonfiction. The writings of Christian men and women of faith throughout history, specifically, have deeply influenced my relationship with God and my character.
I cannot overstate the power that the writings and words of men and women of faith have had on my life. The right words are a powerful tool of redemption, reorientation, and refreshment.
What’s one thing your readers should know about you?
I have a really varied resume and pursue a lot of seemingly disconnected interests. I am a life-long learner. Curious. Admittedly nerdy. I am more comfortable in a group of teenagers than I am in a room full of adults. I have been involved in youth ministry, high school teaching and coaching or homeschooling for most of the past 30 years. I get really excited about helping people learn things and I love to encourage them to reach for more than they thought.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
I think I take the value of my words much more seriously now than I did 35 years ago as a young writer and newspaper reporter/editor. I have learned over time to be grateful for the comments of those who inevitably help shape every writers’ work—editors, designers, readers. I used to think of it as needing to have thick skin to brave the comments of others. Now I think of it more as an opportunity to grow and be better. If am not communicating clearly, then I need to listen and find out how to do that. I had more hubris as a writer when I was younger.
What is your favorite pastime?
Probably reading. But I also love a good, lingering conversation about ideas or what is going on in another’s heart. I’m also a runner recovering from Achilles surgery, so I do love the idea of getting back out on the road to run.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
In addition to this latest devotional, I am the author of Return and Rest: A Study in Isaiah 30 (a six week Bible study) as well as contributor to several anthologies. I also wrote a high school Bible textbook 20 years ago called Missio Dei: Joining God on the Adventure of a Lifetime.
What are you working on now?
Several things… the next installment of the Flourishing in Faith devotional series, plus gathering and outlining for a memoir (and possibly a book of essays and another Bible study). I have about seven years’ worth of journals I am combing through to help tell some of the stories God wants me to share. We shall see.
Website: www.elizabethrenicks.com
Link to book: https://amzn.to/4ouQwff
Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.m.renicks
https://www.instagram.com/emrenicks
The Irish Rose Orphans: A Thousand Islands Sisters series is coming this year!
The Gilded Age has always fascinated me—the shimmer of its opulence, the weight of its expectations, and the quiet courage of those who lived in its shadow. And few settings capture that mix of splendor and struggle quite like New York’s Thousand Islands, where glittering summer mansions once rose from the river like castles in a dream.
That’s where the next chapter of my heart’s work unfolds. This area and era are endlessly inspiring to me, and I’m thrilled to continue bringing it to life for readers.
My newest Thousand Islands Gilded Age novels have a new twist with seven young women you met in The Irish Rose Orphans’ Christmas [if you haven’t read it, be sure you do.]
The Irish Rose Orphans: A Thousand Islands Sisters series is coming later this year! In this new series, seven young women, bound together at Brooklyn’s Irish Rose Orphan Asylum for Girls, are reunited in the breathtaking beauty of the Thousand Islands during America’s glittering Gilded Age.
Ten years earlier, these girls—abandoned, resilient, and full of dreams—vowed to be “forever sisters.” Now, as women, they find themselves serving among the elite in grand island estates, where fortunes shine bright but hearts still long for purpose, love, and faith.
Each novel will follow one “sister” as she navigates a world of contrasts—lavish summer homes and lonely servants’ quarters, privilege and poverty, romance and heartbreak. Through trials and triumphs, each woman must confront the wounds of her past and the whisper of God’s calling for her future. Amid glittering galas, moonlit river cruises, and the quiet beauty of the islands, they discover that true worth is not found in wealth but in hope—and that the bond of sisterhood can bridge even the widest divides.
Why the Thousand Islands? There’s something timeless about this place. The islands themselves are symbols of endurance—rooted, weathered, yet surrounded by beauty. They remind me of the stories I love to tell—stories of women who stand firm in faith, who bloom where they are planted, and who find strength in the unlikeliest of places.
Just as the Irish Rose girls once found hope amid hardship, they now find that even in a world gilded by gold, the truest treasures are still love, loyalty, and faith.
If you’ve loved meeting these girls in the Irish Rose Orphans’ Christmas, you won’t want to miss what’s next. Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to see cover reveals, character sketches, and sneak peeks from the upcoming series. Together, we’ll return to the Thousand Islands—where the river runs deep, faith runs deeper, and love never let go.