Meet author Sherry Kyle
Sherry Kyle is a novelist and the award-winning author of The Christian Girl’s Guide to Style and Love, Lexi: Letters to God. Her newest title is True Heart Girls Devotional: God’s Promises for Me! Sherry lives with her husband and four almost grown children on the California coast. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys walking with friends and decorating her beach home.
Tell us about your newest book.
True Heart Girls Devotional: God’s Promises for Me! is for girls ages eight to twelve years old. Readers will enjoy stories about girls their age, as well as games, quizzes, recipes, and crafts that will help them discover God’s promises in the Bible that will make a difference in their lives and help them deal with the sometimes-overwhelming emotions that come with growing up. The suggested Bible reading will point readers to God’s word and help them dig deeper into each promise, and tween girls will identify with the five main characters as they grow through life’s experiences.
What genre do you focus on and why?
Recently I’ve been focusing on juvenile nonfiction. In the past year and a half, God has blessed me with four contracts in this genre—two work-for-hire projects from Zondervan, The Adventure Bible Book of Daring Deeds and Epic Creations: 60 ultimate try-something –new, explore-the-world activities and a 365-day devotional in the Adventure Bible line, as well as two books in the True Heart Girls Devotional series.
Why do you write? What drives you?
I love to write books for kids that point them to God and His Word through relatable stories and fun activities. I have a tender spot in my heart for the tween age group because that is the time in my life that I accepted Jesus into my heart. Besides, writing for middle graders is a blast!
What does a day in your writing world look like?
I usually check e-mail and social media in the morning, then dive into writing around 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. My goal is around 1,000 words per day, depending on what I’m working on. No matter if I meet my goal, I always leave time to take a walk (while listening to an Audiobook) before making dinner.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
The hardest part for me about being an author is that writing is a solitary endeavor, for the most part. I’m an extrovert by nature, and need people to energize me. To help with that, I plan times to meet with friends for a walk or coffee so that I don’t become lonely.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
The best part about being an author is the friendships I’ve made through my readers and the writing community. I love receiving their e-mails or positive reviews, letting me know they’ve enjoyed my books. There’s nothing like it!
What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
The craziest thing that I’ve experienced as an author happened at a writers conference. I was talking to the woman beside me at a meal and discovered that her daughter’s favorite book was The Christian Girl’s Guide to Style, my first nonfiction book for girls. Her daughter kept my book under her pillow to read at night! It was super fun to meet this mom and encourage her with her writing throughout the conference.
What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of my family. I have been married to my college sweetheart for thirty years, who I love with all my heart, and together we have four amazing kids between the ages of 18-25. Each child is a blessing and a miracle.
What is your favorite pastime?
My favorite pastime is decorating my beach house. I recently chalk painted a cedar chest a pretty blue, and reupholstered some outdoor metal chairs I purchased from Craigslist. You can usually find me strolling through an antique store or surfing Pinterest to get ideas for my next project.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Besides writing for middle graders, I also have four novels in print, two contemporary women’s fiction (Delivered with Love and The Heart Stone) and two historical romance (Watercolor Dreams and Road to Harmony) set in the early 1900’s. All my novels are located in California and have romance with a hint of mystery.
What are you working on now?
I am working on book 2 in the True Heart Girl’s Devotional series titled Thinking God’s Way. This book is full of stories, activities and crafts that focus on finding true joy by thinking about what God says is important in Philippians 4:8. This book is set to release in September 2019.
Website: www.sherrykyle.com
Link to book: https://bit.ly/2IM4t3C
Social media links:
You can visit Sherry at www.sherrykyle.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Susan’s Picture Books
As most of you know, I have two published children’s picture books for my youngest readers, parents, and grandparents—Lexie’s Adventure in Kenya and Princess Madison’s Rainbow Adventure. Both are lovely, illustrated storybooks for children ages four to eight.
Lexie’s Adventure in Kenya is a beautiful watercolor picture book that tells the story of a little girl and her family who travel to Kenya, Africa, to visit missionaries and the Maasai tribe. Lexie learns to be patient meets a mischievous boy who becomes a bully to her.
Princess Madison’s Rainbow Adventure, is a bright and colorful children’s book that teaches little ones about the colors of the rainbow and the fruits of the spirit, while enjoying a story of cooperation, friendship, and love. Princess Madison loves rainbows. She wants her colorless kingdom to be beautiful and vibrant, like rainbows. When Princess Madison follows mysterious footprints into the forest, she meets Rainbow Roy. The two work together to grow an amazing garden, fill the kingdom with wonderful fruit, and bring beauty back to the entire kingdom.
I am asked over and over again, “How do I ever come up with these stories?” My oldest granddaughter, Reagan Lexie, inspired Lexie’s Adventure in Kenya. She was born and lived in Africa until she was seven and had lots of adventures there. My second granddaughter, Madison, inspired Princess Madison’s Rainbow Adventure when I was visiting her in Cape Town, South Africa. Madison loves to dress up as a princess and everything she colors is a rainbow—even horses, houses, and more. One day I asked her why she colors everything a rainbow and she said, “God made rainbows and I love them.” Well, that got my imagination running wild and before you know it, I had another picture book in the works.
Trouble is, I have two more granddaughters, and the four year old is begging for her own book. What’s a grandma to do? Never a dull moment in an author’s life.
These storybooks would make a lovely gift for a little girl or boy in your life, so please check them out. Don’t forget, Christmas is only three months away! After you read them, please tell your friends about them on Facebook, Twitter, and, of course, in person.
And if you would be so kind as to leave a review of the books on Amazon for any of my books, I’d really appreciate it. How do you write a review? It’s really quite simple. Just go to the bottom of the book’s Amazon page and click on “Write a customer review.” Then, tell others what you liked about the book.
Reviews on Amazon are incredibly important and very much appreciated. Thanks, my friends, for your faithfulness to all of us authors.
Meet author Lori Wildenberg
Lori Wildenberg, mom of four, is passionate about helping families build connections that last a lifetime. She’s co-founder of 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting ministry, lead mentor mom with the Moms Together Facebook Community, national speaker, and parent coach. Messy Parenting isLori’s 5th parenting book. For more information go to www.loriwildenberg.com
Tell us about your newest book.
Messy Parenting: Powerful and Practical Ways to Strengthen Family Connection contains a message I care deeply about— family connection in the present and for the future. Most parents raise their children in a way that actually may sabotage future connection and relationship with their children. I hope Messy Parenting shows them another more satisfying way.
What genre do you focus on and why?
Christian Family Life
Why do you write? What drives you?
My passion is fueled by my love for the Lord and desire to encourage healthy faith-filled families. God calls Himself our helper. We are to depend upon Him and also help each other.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
It isn’t too glamorous. I sit at my desk and pluck away at the keys and forget to eat. Then when my back begins to ache I decide it’s time for a walk and a talk with God.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
To reach people’s hearts I must open mine. I’m a fairly private person so this transparency can be tough. Sometimes I feel sort of …exposed, naked. But to God be the glory in the way that He moves when I am obedient. He allows me to see how my writing has helped someone else. This is such great encouragement.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
I love being with my readers and hearing from them. Doing a speaking event, leading a workshop, or speaking at a conference where I can have personal interaction and conversation with parents brings me great joy. I love helping and supporting moms and dads to be the best parent they can be!
What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
Once I was on a live local cable TV show. The host opened it up to callers. Most people who called in asked typical parenting questions. Except for one man… he asked, “Can God grow back a missing arm?” His non-parenting question totally threw me for a loop. I frantically looked to the host for support. Shea answered his inquiry well. “If God can raise the dead, he can grow back an arm but he typically doesn’t respond this way to missing limbs.”
What are you most proud of?
One thing that comes to mind as kind of a cool accomplishment is my daughter Kendra and I, along with two other moms and daughters, hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim. It was by far the hardest physical thing I had ever done. I even got heatstroke and lost almost all of my toenails! (gross)
What is your favorite pastime?
We live in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and my favorite pastime is hiking those hills with my family and dog.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes, I have four other parenting books in addition to Messy Parenting. My fourth book was published May of 2017 titled, Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home. My three previous books I co-authored with my 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting ministry partner, Becky Danielson: Raising Little Kids with Big Love, Raising Big Kids with Supernatural Love, Empowered Parents: Putting Faith First.
What are you working on now?
I have a few book ideas brewing. We will see what my publisher (New Hope Publishers) thinks. So stay tuned!
Website: www.loriwildenberg.com
Link to book: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Messy-Parenting-Practical-Strengthen-Connections/dp/1563090414/ref
New Hope: https://www.newhopepublishers.com/shop/messy-parenting/
Social media links:
Facebook : Lori Appel Wildenberg
Facebook pages: www.facebook.com/1Corinthians13Parenting
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MomsTogetherGroup/
Twitter: @LoriWildenberg
Instagram: Lori Wildenberg
Meet Marie Sontag
Marie Sontag loves learning, writing, and kids. These passions melded into a desire to write historical fiction for middle-grade and young adult readers. After earning a BA in social science, teaching middle school for over fifteen years, and completing a PhD in education, her focus was and still is to bring the past to life for today’s youth.
Tell us about your newest book.
My latest release, The Silver Coin, completed the trilogy, Ancient Elements, a series of middle-grade historical fiction novels set in ancient Mesopotamia. My current work in progress, a YA historical fiction novel tentatively titled Yosemite Discovered, grapples with tensions between Native Americans and gold prospectors during California’s gold rush, leading to the whites “discovery” of Yosemite.
What genre do you focus on and why?
I love writing historical fiction for middle-grade and young adult readers. As New York Times bestselling author, Laura Elliott states, “historical fiction helps readers imagine, to contemplate what they might do in the difficult and often death-defying plotlines of past eras.” What better way to engage youth, whose primary maturation goal is self-identity?
Why do you write? What drives you?
I’ve always had a hard time falling asleep. I recall how, at the age of six, I’d make up stories about Robin Hood to entertain myself before drifting off. In college I read Erik Erikson’s book, Identity: Youth and Crisis. That’s when I decided to teach middle school and/or high school. At that point, having recently solidified my own identity as someone fully known, forgiven, and loved by her Creator because of Jesus Christ, I dedicated my life to helping youth navigate the tumultuous waters of self-identity. Writing historical fiction extends my sphere of influence from the classroom to the space between the pages of a book and a reader’s heart and mind. I can’t think of anything more fulfilling than helping youth grapple with questions such as, who am I, why am I here, and where am I going through the vehicle of historical fiction.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
In Yosemite Discovered, my main fictional character is Daniel. I chose this name because it means God is my Judge, God rules me, and Judge of God. In this gold rush story, thirteen-year-old Daniel, an orphan from Illinois who travels with his guardian to California in 1846, must, by 1850, decide if he will follow the path of his guardian, the historical figure of James Savage. In 1851, Savage led the Mariposa Battalion into Yosemite Valley to rout out renegade Indians, resulting in the whites’ discovery of Yosemite.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
My writing days are a frantic balance between spending every other afternoon with my three-year-old grandson when my daughter-in-love is at work, then writing and maintaining our household for two, which means occasionally cleaning, restocking the fridge when empty, and cooking. I typically spend four to eight hours a day honing my craft and setting words down on the page. Depending on the day’s schedule, this happens either in the morning, the afternoon, and/or evening. Occasionally you’ll find my light on at 2 a.m. if a story takes me there.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
The hardest part of being an author is not letting my zeal for writing overshadow my higher priorities of my relationship with the Lord, my husband, kids, grandkids, and my personal physical health. I have to conscientiously pursue this balance because I have a very goal-oriented, type A personality. And writing is so much fun!
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
Meeting and/or communicating with people who actually took part in events I’ve written about—such as Halina Butler, a Girl Guide, and member of the battalion in Warsaw during WWII, in which my main fictional character was a member, and Dr. Julian Kulski, a Boy Scout and participant in Warsaw’s 1944 uprising, the subject of my book, Rising Hope.
What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
The “chance” meeting I had with Halina Butler who read my book, Rising Hope. She told me she had actually been part of the Warsaw battalion, Zoshka, in which I placed my fictional character during the Poles’ uprising against the Germans in 1944. After our “chance” encounter at a Polish festival, I then had the pleasure of having tea with her in her home and hearing more of her personal story.
What is your favorite pastime?
My favorite pastime is playing trains and reenacting scenes from The Land Before Time with my three-year-old grandson (he loves to pretend he’s Red-Claw).
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
My historical middle-grade novels comprise The Ancient Element series: The Bronze Dagger, The Alabaster Jar, and The Silver Coin. My first YA novel Rising Hope, is the first in the proposed series, Warsaw Rising.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently completing a YA historical fiction novel, Yosemite Discovered.
Website: http://www.mariesontag.com/
Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Coin-Ancient-Elements/dp/1620067986/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520069021&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=The+siver+coin+marie+sontag
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMarieSontag
Twitter: https://twitter.com/profsontag
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/maries3612/boards/
Author Video Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9UXzsMHSlzO5twS5ryIaw
The Power of Yes!
This is the second time this year that I’ve had the privilege of being a contributing author to a Chicken Soup book! Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Yes! released yesterday, August 14, and Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Miracle of Love released in June. In years past, I have contributed to a half-dozen other books as well as others.
My latest contribution is called “Empty No More” and it’s just one of a hundred inspiring stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Yes! They are stories about people who have tried new things and ended up energized or blessed or changed because they’ve said “yes” to something new whether a new experience, place, or whatever.
We all have a tendency to get in a rut. We start to say “no” to new things, and that can only lead to a narrower and narrower life. When we try new things, we often end up feeling energized and pleased with ourselves. There is tremendous power in saying “yes”. It makes you feel more dynamic, younger, and more of a participant in the world.
For me, I was forced to step out of my comfort zone when my ex left and I had to supplement my income by renting out empty rooms to single, young women. It changed my life and expanded my world. Today, several of my former roommates live around the globe and are still dear friends. We’ve been a part of each others weddings, births, challenges, and more. Saying “yes” to roommates became a place of healing, hope, and friendship.
I hope you will consider checking out Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Yes! today. You’ll read stories that just might inspire you to find the hope and strength to say “yes” to your own new adventures.
Mark Twain said: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than the ones you did do.”
How can you find “the power of yes” in your life? I’d love to know.
Meet author MaryAnn Diorio
Dr. MaryAnn Diorio is a widely published, award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction for both children and adults. She writes riveting fiction that deals with the deepest issues of the human heart. MaryAnn resides in New Jersey with her husband Dom. They are the blessed parents of two adult daughters and five rambunctious grandchildren.
Tell us about your newest book.
My latest release is titled Return to Bella Terra. It is Book 3 in my trilogy titled The Italian Chronicles. Return to Bella Terra completes the moving story of my heroine, Maria Landro that began in Book 1, The Madonna of Pisano, and continued in Book 2, A Sicilian Farewell. The trilogy was sparked by an incident that occurred in the life of my great-great-grandmother.
What genre do you focus on and why?
I focus on writing women’s fiction. For over 40 years, I have ministered to women from all over the world. As a woman and a life coach, I understand the feminine heart, and I can relate to the deep and conflicting emotions that women often feel. I also understand the complexities of the challenges that women face on a daily basis.
Why do you write? What drives you?
One reason: God called me to write. It is this calling—fueled by my passionate love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and my desire to obey Him—that drives me. He has ordained that I would proclaim the Gospel message of love and redemption primarily through my writing and primarily through writing fiction. I love writing fiction! There is nothing else I would rather do with my life.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
My main character in Return to Bella Terrais Maria Landro. The name simply came to me after I asked God to write the story of His heart through me.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
When writing a novel, I am quite disciplined. I write from 9:00am until 2:00pm or 3:00pm five days a week. When on deadline, I also write in the evenings and on Saturdays. I treat my writing as I would treat a day job. I have a set time to get to my office and a specific word count goal to reach every day. I usually do not stop until I have reached my word count for the day. If I have to stop, I make up my word count before the week is over.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
For me, the most difficult part of being an author is the waiting for results. If God has taught me one thing during my writing career, it is that I am in need of patience. This Scripture verse in Hebrews 10: 36 sums it up for me: “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
The best part, without a doubt, is the joy of co-laboring with God in the creative process. I see myself as His pen as He writes the story of His heart through me. I know that other writers who follow Jesus have had similar experiences. The joy of it is unspeakable!
What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
I would have to say that the craziest thing I’ve experienced as an author was my first sale. Novice that I was, I submitted a funny poem to The Saturday Evening Post, totally oblivious to the fact that this was a magazine virtually impossible for a beginning writer to crack. The poem resulted from a funny incident surrounding an argument between my two little girls. At the time, I had been praying for a sign from the Lord that He wanted me to write. When The Saturday Evening Postaccepted my poem for publication, I knew that a miracle had occurred and that God had given me my sign.
What are you most proud of?
Rather than proud, I would say I am most thankful that God has chosen me to write for Him. I am also quite thankful to have fulfilled my longstanding dream of writing The Italian Chronicles. So many stories are still gestating in my heart that I feel I will need several lifetimes to write them. My prayer is that the Lord’s will will be done in my writing and in my life.
What is your favorite pastime?
I love to create works of art in colored pencil, oils, and acrylics. I also love to make up silly poems with my grandchildren.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes. I have two published novellas: A Christmas Homecoming (Pelican Book Group) and Surrender to Love (TopNotch Press). I also have a published short story titled Magnolia Memories (TopNotch Press). As for children’s books, I’ve published four picture books and one chapter book. The picture books are Who Is Jesus?,Candle Love,Toby Too Small, and The Dandelion Patch. The chapter book is titled Do Angels Ride Ponies? This fall, Lord willing, my latest children’s picture book will be released by TopNotch Press. It is titled Poems for Wee Ones and is a collection of the poetry I have written for children over the years. My wonderful illustrator is Valeria Wicker.
What are you working on now?
I am working on a contemporary novel, also women’s fiction, with romantic elements. It is titled In Black and White and is a story about racism and reconciliation.
Website:
http://www.maryanndiorio.com
http://www.maryanndiorioministries.com
Link to book:
Social media links:
Website: www.maryanndiorio.com
Blog (Matters of the Heart): http://www.networkedblogs.com/blog/maryanndiorioblog
Amazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/author/maryanndiorio
Blog Talk Radio: http:www.blogtalkradio.com/drmaryanndiorio
BookBub.com: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maryann-diorio
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/DrMaryAnnDiorio
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/@DrMaryAnnDiorio
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/DrMaryAnn
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryann-diorio-phd-dmin-mfa-99924513/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/drmaryanndiorio/
Google+: http://plus.google.com/u/0/+DrMaryAnnDiorio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmaryanndiorio/
Library Thing: http://www.librarything.com/profile/drmaryanndiorio
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user46487508
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/drmaryanndiorio/