Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child, Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

Tell us about your newest book.

A Christmas Surprise is the first book in my Love in the Cascades series. This book is not exactly new. It was originally published by Heartsong Presents back in 2013 as A Christmas Promise. I’ve received my rights back and am now re-publishing them with new titles and covers. Here is the back cover blurb:

Veterinarian Pete Harding doesn’t date single moms. After showing up to a blind date to find he left before she arrived, Keira is reminded why she doesn’t date. She had true love once but a tragic accident ripped him from her and their son, who’s now four and only wants a puppy for Christmas this year.

Although off limits since she’s a single mom, Pete determines to help Keira find the perfect puppy for her son. Keira wonders about Pete. He says he doesn’t date women with children, yet she can’t help but notice he behaves like a man who has more on mind than finding a puppy. Will love break down Pete’s walls and bring more than a puppy for Christmas?

What genre do you focus on and why?

I write contemporary Christian romance. I like to dub my books as sweet romance meets women’s fiction. When I first started to pursue publication I wrote romantic suspense, but my suspense wasn’t strong enough for publication. My agent at that time suggested I write contemporary romance without the suspense. I followed her advice and the first book I gave her sold. A Christmas Surprise is that book.

Why do you write?

I write because I really enjoy it. I continue to write because I would miss it if I stopped.

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

Keira Noble is my main character. I don’t recall why I chose her first name, but her last name reminded me of Christmas since nobles are a type Christmas tree. I enjoyed the play on words.

What does a day in your writing world look like?

My day starts early with exercise, then devotions. I find if I don’t start my day off right both physically and spiritually then things don’t go as smoothly in my writing. I generally spend about fifteen minutes each morning on marketing, then jump into writing. This summer has been odd since I’ve spent my days editing rather than writing. Unfortunately, when I sent my books to the book scanning company to have then converted into digital files they completely messed them up. It’s taken me about two months to find and fix all the errors caused in the scanning process—not my favorite thing to do, but it’s been so much fun re-visiting this series.

During the school year I work part time at a high school. My writing day begins when I get home from that job. I generally write between one and two thousand words a day five days a week. I take the weekends off.

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

I’m seriously pondering this question. When I read it, three things immediately popped into my head—marketing, not allowing reviews to stifle my creativity, and the need to be seated while writing. Honestly all of these things are difficult for me. I solve the review issue by forcing myself to not read reviews because good or bad they can mess with my head. Marketing is tough because it doesn’t come naturally to me. Sitting is difficult because it hurts my back, and I like to be moving around. So forcing myself to sit long enough to accomplish my goals is often a big challenge.

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

I love the connection with readers. I have a Facebook group for my readers and it’s a treat to visit with them. I also love the sense of accomplishment I get every time I write a new story. It’s a great feeling!

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

I hesitate to tell this story because I don’t want to give anyone ideas, but it truly is the craziest thing. Book four in this series is about a woman who wants to be a matchmaker. The problem is she’s not all that good at it, so she secretly signs up her client on a matchmaking site. This apparently inspired someone because they did it to me!

Someone actually opened an account in my name, and I was getting emails and everything. I’m not single. My husband and I celebrate our 27^th anniversary this year. I had to call the site and get them to remove the account.

What are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of my children. In regard to writing, I’m most proud of achieving my goal of being published. For a time there I wasn’t sure it would ever happen.

What is your favorite pastime?

I love to read and walk. LOL Not at the same time though.

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

Yes! I have several and one of them was a 2017 Faith Hope and Love Reader’s Choice award finalist. You can check them out on Amazon. Here’s the link http://amzn.to/2jpZj1C

What are you working on now?

I am writing the fourth book in my Melodies of Love series. My goal is to release that book in January or February.

Social media links:

Website: http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimberlyrosejoh

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/krose1990/

April McGowan loves to write stories of hope, courage, and inspiration. She, her husband, and two teens live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. April is an award-winning author and member of Oregon Christian Writers and American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not writing, reading down her book list, homeschooling her son, or playing board games, you might find her at her drum kit, imagining she’s on a world tour. Hey, it could happen.

Tell us about your newest book.

My latest release is Hold the Light. To an artist, the light is everything. So what is Amber supposed to do when facing blindness? Amber spent her life adapting to everything. Being abandoned by her mother as a toddler, and her adoptive father’s death in her teens. But how will she ever accept this impending darkness? Even after her blindness counselor, Ethan, befriends herand opens her eyes to new opportunities and the possibility of a deeper relationship, one haunting question remains: How could the God she loved all her life turn everything upside down again?

What genre do you focus on and why?

I write contemporary fiction with characters who learn they are made for much more than they realize in the face of trials we all meet. My heart always cheers the underdog and the overcomer.

Why do you write? What drives you?

I write because I’ve got a longing in my heart to share stories of trial and joy and finding purpose in the Lord. I’m driven by my own obstacles of physical illness to rely on the Lord for every aspect of my day. He’s so good to provide what I need in the minute. I want to share those stories of His great provision with others in a way that connects to them and their circumstances.

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

The main character in Hold the Light is Amber. Amber is the color of sunrise and the dawn of a new day, it’s the resin found in fossils and can be unearthed and shaped into a thing of beauty. That’s what God does for us if we’ll let Him. He can give us new hope and unearth our dreams, shaping them into things of worth and beauty.

What does a day in your writing world look like?

My writing life is sporadic because of illness. I try to write a few hours a day, but oftentimes my body disagrees with my ideal. I’ve learned to take the time I’m given and be grateful for those moments.

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

Marketing my books. Not that I don’t believe in them, I do. My stories are near and dear to my heart. But spending hours chatting myself up feels weird! I find it much easier to write than to market! However, if you don’t get out there and reach and share, you might miss making a connection. SO chat I do!

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

Because I see writing as a ministry of sorts, I think of my writing time as time spent directly with the Lord. It’s out time. The best of those moments is when an idea comes and I learn something new about my character and in doing so, about my relationship with God. That is amazing.

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

I think my youth might have been crazy…but I suspect I’m a bit dull now. Except I like overly loud music…but I don’t think that has anything to do with being a writer. Or maybe that just drowns out the story voices? Maybe not crazy, so much, but awesome? I had a woman come up to me at a book signing and tell me my novel, Jasmine, was just like her life. THAT was wild.

What are you most proud of?

I’m proud of my kids. They are two of the most compassionate and loving people I know. I feel honored to know them. They amaze me.

What is your favorite pastime?

Writing, first and foremost. Also, I love playing Rock Band on my electronic drums with my family. Nothing gets my attention faster than an excellent drum riff. I love reading. And the beach. Binge watching Netflix on hard physical days. Sharing a good cup of coffee with friends. Playing board games. Oh, and drawing. I find joy in the small things.

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

I do! Jasmine was my first novel and was nominated for a Carol Award for debut novel. Macy is my second “child.” They are both very excited for Hold the Light to release!

What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on two novels. The first is Shine the Light, the second book in the Light Series. It tells the story of Shannon, Amber’s best friend, and her learning to heal from past betrayals. The other is called Sarah’s Song. It’s about Elenore Long and her journey to discover all the beginning threads of her life—and where they unraveled.

Website: http://aprilmcgowan.com

Link to book: http://bit.ly/HoldtheLight

Social media links:

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/AprilKMcGowan

Join me on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/963wuej

Pin with me on Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/aprilmcgowan/

Meet me on Google+: https://plus.google.com/+AprilMcGowan

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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