Meet author Sherry Shindelar
Susan loves connecting with fellow authors, so let’s chat!
Originally from Tennessee, Sherry Shindelar loves to take her readers into the past. A romantic at heart, she is an avid student of the Civil War and the Old West. When she isn’t busy writing, she is an English professor working to pass on her love of writing to her students. Sherry is an award-winning writer: 2023 ACFW Genesis finalist, 2021 & 2023 Maggie finalist, and 2022 Crown finalist. She currently resides in Minnesota with her husband of forty years. She has three grown children and three grandchildren.
Tell us about your newest book.
Texas Divided is the second book in the Lone Star Redemption Series. Morning Fawn was taken by the Comanche at age nine and integrated into the tribe. Nine years later, her uncle paid an ex-Texas Ranger to kidnap her from the Comanche. Her uncle plans to turn her into a plantation belle.
Morning Fawn is determined to escape the confines of his plantation and return to her adoptive tribe. But with each failed attempt, her hopes dwindle, and she wonders if she’ll ever find her way back home or if that world is forever lost to her.
Devon Reynolds, disillusioned by the price of affluence and the horrors of war, leaves his privileged life to join the Texas Rangers and later the cavalry. In the military service, he finds purpose . . . until he loses his wife during childbirth while he is away. In an attempt to redeem himself, he takes one last fateful mission to rescue Morning Fawn from the Comanche. But the results force him to question the righteousness of his actions and the cause he serves. When Devon returns to Texas as a Yankee spy, his path crosses with Morning Fawn once more. Determined to save her from the prison of her uncle’s house and to recover Texas from the Confederacy, Devon is drawn to her fierce spirit and unwavering resolve. But can two wounded souls, each fighting their own battles, find solace and love amidst the chaos of war?
What inspired you to write your story?
Texas Divided is the second book in my Lone Star Redemption series. The original inspiration for the series came from the first book in the series Texas Forsaken. Almost twenty-five years ago, I read the story of Cynthia Anne Parker, the most famous captive in the Old West. I was heartbroken for her, not because of her capture by the Comanche but because of her forced removal years later from the people she’d adopted as her own. Her story haunted my heart for more than two decades. I knew I had to do something about it. In my first book in the series, Texas Forsaken, I developed a character inspired by Cynthia, started at the moment of crisis, and wrote a different trajectory. I couldn’t give Cynthia a happy resolution, but I could give my character Eyes-Like-Sky a muted happy-ever-after. Eyes-Like-Sky has a second chance at life and love. Texas Divided is the story of Eyes-Like-Sky’s sister.
What genre do you focus on?
I write Christian historical romance because I want to be able to share my faith in my writing, I am captivated by history, and I love romance.
Why do you write?
I believe this is God’s calling on my life. I’ve been making up stories in my head since I was nine years old. Five years ago, God worked in my heart to reawaken my love for writing. It’s as if He said, “Now, is the time. Go do it.” I believe that fiction can penetrate and touch hearts in ways and depths that nonfiction cannot reach.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Her name is Morning Fawn. She was captured by the Comanche when she was nine years old and became Comanche. When a Texas frontier scout kidnaps her from the only home she remembers and takes her to her uncle’s plantation, she fights to return. Her uncle attempts to turn her back into Miss Beth Logan, the girl she was before, but that girl is gone forever.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I do something with writing seven days a week. Some evenings, it might only be critiquing or researching, but writing is an everyday part of my life. Since I work full-time as a college English professor, I do most of my writing Friday through Sunday. When the semester ends, and my grading is finished for the year in May, I pour myself into my writing full-time for the summer. As resident of northern Minnesota, I thoroughly appreciate every moment of sunshine and summer I can absorb. I spend time outside everyday writing, either in my backyard or a nearby park by a lake. I’m also working on doing more with dictation so that when an idea strikes, I can get it recorded even if I don’t have access to my computer.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
Waiting for the first agent or editor/publisher to say yes to your manuscript. It can take years or decades. And you’re left wondering if it’s ever going to happen. I felt like I was moving toward my goals at turtle speed, but God had a plan. In His perfect timing, He threw open the doors for me to receive my first book contract in June 2023. And when it finally happened, the Lord answered my prayers beyond my expectations!
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
The best part is seeing readers get excited about something I’ve written, seeing it impact and capture their hearts.
What’s one thing your readers should know about you?
I love history. I love setting my stories in real places and work to weave in real, maybe lesser-known, historical events. I enjoy researching to find the right place at the right time
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Texas Forsaken, the first book in my Lone Star Redemption series, tells the story of Eyes-Like-Sky, a Comanche captive, and Captain Garret Ramsey. Seven years ago, Maggie Logan (Eyes-Like-Sky) lost everything she knew when a raid on a wagon train tore her from her family. As the memories of her past faded to nothing more than vague shadows, Maggie adapted—marrying a Comanche warrior, having a baby, and rebuilding her life. But in one terrible battle, the U.S. Cavalry destroys that life and she is taken captive again, this time by those who call themselves her people. Forced into a world she wants nothing to do with, Eyes-Like-Sky’s only hope of protecting her child may be an engagement to the man who killed her husband. Enrolled in West Point to escape his overbearing father, Captain Garret Ramsey has graduated and finds himself assigned to the Texas frontier, witnessing the brutal Indian War in which both sides commit atrocities. Plagued by guilt for his own role, Garret seeks redemption by taking responsibility for the woman he widowed and her baby. Though he is determined to do whatever it takes to protect them, is he willing to risk everything for a woman whose heart is buried in a grave? Or is there hope she might heal to love once more?
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the third book of my Lone Star Redemption series, Texas Reclaimed. The story takes place on the Texas Frontier in 1866. After the Civil War, Ben McKenzie, a scarred Yankee soldier, travels to Texas to make good on a promise he made to his friend who died in Andersonville at his side. Cora Scott is determined to hold onto her family’s land at all costs unless it means falling for the man whose wounds might be deeper than she can heal.
Website: https://sherryshindelar.com/
Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DBM4WMRN?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_1&storeType=ebooks
Social media links: (Feel free to leave off a couple if there are too many.)
Instagram: sherryshindelarauthor https://www.instagram.com/sherryshindelarauthor/
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/sherryshindelar/
FB Author: https://www.facebook.com/historylitgirl/ Sherry Shindelar Author
Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/134972322-sherry-shindelar (reader profile)
Bookbub author page: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/527022753 (profile but not an author page)
Meet author Jennifer Hallmark
Susan loves connecting with fellow authors, so let’s chat!
Jennifer Hallmark writes Southern fiction with a twist. Her website and newsletter focus on her books, love of the South, and favorite fiction. She loves reading and streaming science fiction, fantasy, and mysteries or her favorite subject—time travel. She creates stories with unforgettable characters—her stories are a little eerie and otherworldly but with a hope-filled turn.
Tell us about your newest book.
Smoking Flax is a Southern dive into YA for me. I’ve always loved to read YA and MG. When the idea came through a writing prompt short story contest in my local writing group, I ran with it and created this 1970’s story dealing with abuse, racism, and a huge dollop of hope. Hope is a strong thread throughout all my stories.
What inspired you to write your story?
I drew on being raised in Alabama in the 1970’s. A turbulent time where we were all adjusting to the end of segregation, the space race, the Vietnam war, and the Jesus revolution.
What genre do you focus on.
First, my stories are all Southern. I’ve lived most of my life in Alabama and love the culture, people, and the natural features of the country. My focus has turned to my love of YA lately. Coming of age stories have always been a favorite and I love mixing a bit of science fiction/fantasy in also.
Why do you write?
Therapy. To release my vivid imagination onto paper. To share my feelings in a deep way I can’t seem to do in person.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Reed Anderson is a nineteen-year-old who has decided it’s time to deal with the events of his thirteenth summer. His name and the book title came from Isaiah 42:3: “A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.”
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
Chaotic. I’m a discovery writer so I start with very little in the way of an outline and write my way into the story. I mostly work in the morning but have written into the wee hours to capture an idea.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
Marketing. I do a lot of online since I live so far from any major cities. It’s hard to decide how to budget your money.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
The friends I’ve made. While I love penning my stories, the writer friends I have, both in-person and online inspire me to keep moving forward.
What’s one thing your readers should know about you?
I’ve been involved in all types of farming. My husband and I had a large chicken farm in our early marriage and have raised over a million chickens to market.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
I feel like I’m able to dig deeper into the characters now. I’m connecting more with them and therefore able to gather the emotions and desires and display them in the story in a much clearer way.
What is your favorite pastime?
Just one? Reading, shopping, day trips with family and friends, church.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
My first novel, Jessie’s Hope, is a story of forgiveness and redemption. Jessie is a young woman who, at the age of ten, lost her mother and her mobility in an accident. Shortly after, her father walked away also. She is now twenty years old and getting ready to marry. She wants to find her father and peace before the wedding. Her grandparents, who’ve raised her, are struggling to find the resources to provide her with a wedding and a dress that they think will make up for the past. While planning for her wedding in the middle of tornado season, Jessie discovers weather isn’t the only obstacle to living happily ever after.
What are you working on now?
I am editing the sequel to Jessie’s Hope and am halfway through writing the sequel for Smoking Flax. On my blog, I share Friday Fiction: Books From Off the Beaten Track and A Smidgen of Hope (short devo) on Tuesdays.
Website: https://www.jenniferhallmark.com
Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPXH2WKJ
Social media links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferhallmark2
Facebook author’s page: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferHallmark/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenniferHallmrk
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/JenniferHallmark1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferhallmark2/
Meet author Kimberly Burkhardt
Kimberly Burkhardt writes Christian historical romances with a mix of faith, love, and adventure. She enjoys researching American history and draws inspiration from the people and places of the Old West. Kimberly makes her home in Nebraska with her husband and two kids and can usually be found with a good book or a cup of coffee in hand. When not writing, she loves spending time with her family, being outdoors, and visiting historical sites around the Midwest.
Tell us about your newest book:
The Carpenter’s Schoolmarm, book one in the Cooperton Brides series, is set in 1878, Kansas. The heroine, Samantha Baxter, secretly runs away from her abusive fiancé and finds sanctuary in the town of Cooperton, Kansas, as the new schoolmarm. Despite her unfamiliarity with rural life, she adapts quickly and comes to enjoy the small town. She also catches the eye of the local carpenter, who has secrets of his own. Though their feelings for each other run deep, their secrets soon catch up to them. Both must learn to trust in each other and in God’s plan for their future.
What inspired you to write your story?
I guess what inspired me to write this story started with the setting in which the story takes place, the Blue River Valley, specifically, the Big Blue River. From there, a town was created and the people who would live there. And every love story needs two people to fall in love, thus Samantha and Michael were born.
What genre do you focus on?
I’ve loved reading historical romance since I was a teenager. So, it was natural to be pulled toward that genre when it came to writing. History is one of my favorite subjects, especially the period between 1860-1890. It’s remarkable how much courage and determination the pioneers showed in building new lives in uncharted territory. Add a little romance, and you’ve got a great story.
Why do you write?
As Christians, it is our duty to spread the Word of God with others. I’ve never been great at speaking in front of people or even making small talk at times. Writing has allowed me to share the gospel with others without feeling anxious in the process. And in today’s world, I feel we need more stories that glorify God instead of our worldly possessions and desires.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I don’t have a set schedule when it comes to writing a book. Not to say I don’t try to make one. But, having a job and being a mother to two young kids keeps me busy and there isn’t always time to write every day. During those times, I try to get any words down that I can.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
I find marketing my book the most difficult aspect. As an indie author, there isn’t a team set in place to help me. I have to create one on my own and it has been challenging at times. But it has also helped me to step out and meet new people who are willing to support me and my writing journey.
What is the best part of your author’s life?
One of the best parts is hearing from readers. Their encouraging words keep me writing the next book. I’m also fortunate enough to count some truly amazing writers as friends; their work inspires me, and I value their friendship.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
I’ve learned so much over the years as to what it takes to be an author. In the beginning, I was naive and thought I knew enough about how to write a good story. Boy, was I wrong. I continue to improve my writing abilities through persistent learning. I’m also pushing myself to be more social, which isn’t easy for me to do.
What is your favorite pastime?
One of my favorite pastimes besides reading is drawing. Art has always been a part of my life, and it’s a great way to help refill my creativity well when it gets low. My favorite medium to work with is oil pastels.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
I have a novella called, Apple of His Eye, that is free for newsletter subscribers. This story is about a woman who lost her husband and soon finds her own life at risk. With the help of her former beau, who’s also a Pinkerton, the two try to uncover who would want to kill her and why. And that there might be more to her husband’s death than what she thought.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I am working on edits for book two of the Cooperton Brides series. I am also in the process of plotting the third book which I will begin writing later this year.
Website: www.kimberlyburkhardt.com
Link to book:
Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/Carpenters-Schoolmarm-Kimberly-Burkhardt-ebook/dp/B0DMSG72D7
Barnes and Noble- Ebook https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-carpenters-schoolmarm-kimberly-burkhardt/1146541141?ean=2940184534725
Social Media links:
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/kimberlyburkhardt
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyburkhardt.author/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kimberlyburkhardtauthor
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/2976125727
Braving the Storm
All three of the Love at a Lighthouse stories, portray the stormy weather that is prevalent in the Thousand Islands. Emma’s engagement is no different. Here’s an excerpt for you to enjoy
Ada wrapped her arms around Emma’s middle and held on tight. “I hate storms. The thunder. The lightning. I cannot sleep alone. Papa and Grandma always let me sleep with them during thunderstorms, but they’re not here. I can’t be alone in a storm. I just can’t.”
Emma smoothed her rumpled hair and gave her a squeeze. “I don’t care for storms either, sweetheart. Let’s climb into your papa’s bed and snuggle in together. How does that sound?”
Ada pulled back and stared at her as if she spoke a different language. “In Papa’s bed?”
Emma slipped off the bed and gently tugged the child to her feet. “It was your papa’s idea.”
A huge grin rose on the girl’s face, and she ran to her father’s bed, jumped on it, and slipped under the covers as Emma slipped off her wet robe, praying the child would welcome her comfort.
For several moments, Ada held the covers tightly around her neck as if to keep Emma out of the bed. But when another huge thunder boom shook the house, she flipped the covers back.
Before the child could change her mind, Emma joined Ada in the bed that should rightly be her own. She ran her hand on the crisp sheets she’d washed and ironed that day, but when thunder rumbled and lightning flashed yet again, Ada grasped Emma’s hand and clung to her, shaking like a leaf.
Emma smoothed her hair. “There, there. I’m here. I will always be here for you. There’s no need to fear.”
Ada’s eyes narrowed, and she shook her head. “You can’t promise that. Lila’s parents were killed in a storm, and she became an orphan.” The girl whimpered, unconsciously admitting the reason for her fear.
Emma’s stomach churned, empathy growing in her. She kept her tone soft, gentle. “I’m so sorry to hear that, Ada, but such a tragedy rarely happens. Who is Lila?”
Ada wiped the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand. “She’s my friend at school. She lost her parents when lightning struck their house and burned it down, and now she lives with her nasty old-maid aunt when she’s not in boarding school with me.”
“Goodness. Well, I’m glad she has you as a friend, but don’t worry about the storm. Under your papa’s keen eye and hard work, he won’t let anything happen to us. Now, why don’t we get some sleep, and before you know it, it’ll be morning and the storm will have passed.”
About the Love at a Lighthouse series:
Emma’s Engagement (book three)
Emma Row embarks on a journey that will test her resilience and love. She marries Michael Diepolder, the Rock Island Lightkeeper and widower, a man who seeks a companion for both himself and his eleven-year-old daughter, Ada. But as she steps into the role of lightkeeper’s wife with a heart full of hope, little does she know that the idyllic setting conceals challenges that will shake the foundation of her happiness. Isolation creeps in, compounded by Ada’s determination to keep her father all to herself. As a storm looms, Emma must grapple with the difficulties of being a stepmother and lightkeeper’s wife. Will she find her place, or will the tumultuous waves of doubt and isolation tear them apart?
For Michael, Emma is not just a wife but the hope for his future. But the lighthouse life and being a stepmother proves harder for Emma than he ever imagined, and Ada’s animosity only intensifies it. When the lighthouse inspector questions Emma’s place due to her Canadian heritage and Ada become deathly ill, the very foundation of their family is shaken. Can their family find solace and unity on this tiny island? Amid the swirling tempest of challenges, Emma, Michael, and Ada must discover the strength within themselves and each other to weather the storm. Emma’s Engagement is a poignant tale of love, resilience, and the enduring bonds that can form in the most unexpected places. This fictional story is based on the actual lives of Michael and Emma Diepolder.
Julia’s Joy (book two)
When Julia Collins reluctantly sets foot on Sister Island, compelled by her grandmother’s will, she is intent on claiming her inheritance and moving on. But when she experiences the peaceful, faith-filled island life and connects with the handsome lightkeeper, William, Julia finds herself confronting her open wounds from her parents’ deaths.
William Dodge, lightkeeper of Sister Island, harbors a heart hardened by a past betrayal. Between that and his chronic pleurisy, he wants nothing to do with love. But when Julia arrives on the island bursting with vitality and unconventional notions, William’s world is turned upside down. As she chips away at the walls William has built for himself, he finds his reluctance waning. But just as love begins to blossom between them, Julia is faced with a tempting proposal from a prominent Brockville family. Will she succumb to societal expectations or choose the richness of her island life and the love of the steadfast lightkeeper?
Libby’s Lighthouse (book one)
Elizabeth Montonna, daughter of the Tibbett’s Point Lighthouse keeper, thought she’d love the lighthouse life forever—until her mother, on her deathbed, reveals a long-buried secret. Now Elizabeth’s world has been turned upside down, making her question if she’ll ever truly belong and be loved. But when a dashing young sailor appears on her shore, wounded and disoriented, she finds purpose in helping him recover. Although the man knows nothing about his past or identity, his kindness and character steal a little more of her heart each day. If only she knew his full name.
When Owen awakes on the shore of Lake Ontario with no knowledge of who he is, or where he was headed when his ship wrecked, he has no choice but to accept the hospitality of the lighthouse keeper and his lovely daughter. But as Owen works to repay their kindness, and his relationship with Libby turns into something more, he knows their budding romance can go no further until he uncovers his past. With each passing day, Owen inches closer to discovering the secrets of his identity, but will the revelations bring him closer to Libby or tear them apart forever?
Meet author Lynn Watson
A great-great-granddaughter of a baron from southwest Germany, snippets of her family’s story inspire her writing. Following in her grandmother’s footsteps, Lynn Watson sewed for the public – everything from children’s outfits to bridal and formal wear. She and artist husband, Steve, created The Lynn’n Butterfly Collection of counted-cross-stitch leaflets. In 2007, Lynn became a certified reflexologist. Her touch-therapy skills bring relaxation to clients one pair of feet at a time. Resident feline, Jasmine, keeps her on her toes. Lynn combines her passions and heritage – Stepping through Time, Stitching Stories of Faith.
Tell us about your newest book.
Her grandmother’s last warning spins like a tempest threatening to shipwreck their joy and fray every promise they’ve made. Clara and Daniel have great plans for their future. Will every one of those come undone. Without giving spoilers it’s tough to say much about the sequel to Tangled Promises. I am unashamedly pro-life. That message is one theme in Frayed Promises.
What inspired you to write your story?
The few tiny bits of my great-grandmother’s story I knew had me wondering what the whole story was. I combined the little I knew with what might have been. The story is 99.9% my imagination.
What genre do you focus on.
Historical Romance (and I love to add some mystery, too). Choosing this genre was a surprise to myself. History was one of my least favorite subjects in school. But researching and digging for the nuggets of the past that bring a story to life is one of the parts I love most.
Why do you write?
Many years ago, I read Matthew 5:11-12 from The Message version of the Bible. Its colorful message grabbed my attention and continues to motivate me to share His light with the gift of words He’s given me.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Clara is the main character in Tangled Promises and Frayed Promises. Her presence will also be very evident in Planted Promises (3rd book in the series). Her name is a semi-nod to my great-great grandfather, Karl. The name Clara means clear, bright, and famous.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
Juggling all the tasks for a book to go from book-idea to a finished book in the reader’s hands. Writers are tasked with the responsibility of not only writing, but also marketing their books. It’s a challenge to do all the things well. Please know, your reviews mean the world to authors, because they help other readers find our books.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
I often jokingly say over the last several years I’ve earned a doctorate in novel writing, when in actuality I still have much to learn. There are so many pieces to consider in crafting a story that compels the reader. I had no idea where to begin when I wrote the rough draft of the first few chapters of Tangled Promises. I’m grateful to many writer friends who have encouraged me and taught me along the way.
What is your favorite pastime?
I love to sew, knit, quilt, almost everything needlework. It’s been a challenge to make the time for it, but I’m determined in 2025 to indulge again!
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Of course, there’s Tangled Promises, the award-winning Book 1 in the Promised Destiny series. Clara’s story begins there. While the books are stand-alone reading, you’ll enjoy them more if read in order. Before fiction, I published devotional books bringing together my love of essential oils and the discovery of them in the Bible.
What are you working on now?
Planted Promises – the third book in the Promised Destiny series. It’s a dual-timeline combining more of Clara’s story with that of Lyddi (a “granddaughter” five generations down the line. Lyddis is a fun-loving, motorcycle riding, hot-pink leather wearing young woman struggling with what she believes about her past and facing new challenges brought on by life in the early 2020s.
Website: https://LynnUWatson.com
Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSJW4N5J
Social media links:
Newsletter sign-up: https://bit.ly/LynnUWatsonJoinMyCommunity
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lynn-u-watson
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16289814.Lynn_U_Watson
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lynnuwatson
Facebook: https://facebook.com/lynnuwatsonwriter
Facebook Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1108709330081009
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/lynnuwatson
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/ Lynn-U.-Watson/author/B01N4NH1OA
Twitter/X https://x.com/lynnuwatson
Meet author Erin Kohler
Erin Kohler is an award-winning writer who aspires to draw readers closer to God and ignite a belief in the power of second chances. Erin grew up in tiny towns, on backroads, and on mountain trails. She now lives at the base of Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, CO with her incredible husband, two amazing teen daughters, and loyal canine writing companions. She enjoys reading, hiking, gardening, sports, and any time spent with family.
Tell us about your newest book.
It’s a sort of mash-up of a biography of my dad/memoir/devotional that includes stories of lessons that my dad taught me throughout my life that drew me closer to my Heavenly Father.
What inspired you to write The Mountains We Climb – Walking Through Life’s Peaks and Valleys with My Dad and My Father?
As my dad was battling stage 4 liver cancer, the Lord put this project on my heart. I can’t explain it any other way. I could not have come up with the idea and format on my own. I wanted my dad to know that I really was paying attention to his wisdom and love all those years, and ensure that he knew how much God and I loved him as he was preparing for his eternal home. I was able to gift a rough draft to him for his 75th birthday, and then the published version to him for Christmas, a month before he passed away.
How would you describe this book to someone in a 30-second blurb?
The Mountains We Climb invites readers to scale life’s peaks and navigate its valleys guided by the powerful influence of the author’s father. As you follow Erin’s family adventures, you’ll discover how her earthly father’s love became a bridge to a deeper connection with her Heavenly Father. This compelling devotional memoir will ignite your own journey of faith and self-discovery, regardless of your relationship with your earthly father. The forty devotional stories can be read any time, at any pace, or as a focused devotional during the lent or advent season.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
The main character is my dad. I initiated this project as a gift to him as he battled through his cancer journey. As it turned out, it has been a gift to readers, too. I’ve heard from a number of readers that they experienced similar relationships with their own fathers, and the devotions deeply touched them and strengthened their understanding of their childhoods and relationships. Others said that reading my book helped to heal hurt they’ve long carried over not so good relationships with parents. Isn’t God amazing?!
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
Well, I haven’t tackled a consistent, long-term writing schedule like many other authors. I manage Fibromyalgia, which means I can’t sit in front of a computer for extended periods of time. However, I have experienced the most progress when I block schedule my days, allowing for a couple hours of focused writing time with breaks for appointments, activities, volunteering, and just life, in between. I’ll never pump out multiple books a year, but that’s okay. I’ve come to realize that’s not my journey.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
The hardest part of being an author for me is consistency. I tend to make progress in spurts, then life happens and I fall out of my routine. I’m a work in progress.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
The best part of an author’s life is making my own schedule so I can attend all my daughters’ events and coach for our local high school’s track and field team. It also helped me to be available to help my parents with appointments and care during my dad’s cancer battle.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
I have been blessed to be a member of Novel Academy, ACFW national, and a board member for ACFW Colorado Springs, and have benefited from learning from great authors, editors and publishers over the years through workshops, classes, and conferences. The Christian writing community is replete with successful professionals who are generous with their time, talents, and teaching. Applying the lessons I have learned has greatly improved my writing. When I first decided to turn my dreams into stories, I thought you just sat down and wrote. Boy, was I wrong! Like any profession, it can take years of education, planning, plotting, development and editing, editing, editing.
What is your favorite pastime?
Reading of course. I also love hiking and watching sports.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on finishing a trio of military love stories tackling difficult topics like a soldier’s death and how his family recovers, a soldier’s suicide, and a homeless veteran. Heavy topics with second chances and happy endings.
Website: https://erinkohlerwrites.com
Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/blessedwriter
https://www.instagram.com/erin730kohler/