​Meghan M. Gorecki is an author of inspirational fiction about what God can make beautiful from the ashes of history, and hearts. A lover and avid studier of people, times gone by, and fiction, she has been writing since childhood and now houses her books under Northern Belle Publishing. Coffee and red lipstick color her days as a redhead from a box, alongside her treasured tribe of family and friends in her beloved hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

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1. What is your favorite dessert? Vanilla custard.
2. What is your favorite beverege? Coffee!
3. What is your favorite TV show? How I Met Your Mother. And The Office.
4. Where is your favorite place to go on holiday? On Holiday as in vacation? Gettysburg! If you meant on a holiday: staying home! J
 

1. What did you want to be when you grew up? Did becoming an author ever cross your mind?
I wanted to be married and have kids. Still do. J And as I got older, I knew I wanted to write stories. And so, through many trials and errors and humble pie—I did.

2. What authors do you enjoy?  Do these authors inspire your own writing?
Oh gosh there’s so many. Lynn Austin, Pepper Basham, Kara Isaac, Laurie Tomlinson, Jocelyn Green, and Joanne Bischof just to name a few who’ve enormously inspired my writing.

​3. When you are not writing, what other "hats" do you wear?
The latest hat is that of Campus Coordinator at my church—which is part admin, marketing, communications, facilities managing, and more. It keeps me on my toes but there is no place I’d rather be.

1. What inspired the idea for Amongst the Roses?
A homeschool assignment in fourth grade! It was to keep a diary as if I was a girl from the North living through the Civil War. Between that, Little Women, and Lynn Austin’s Refiner’s Fire series, I ran with it and turned it into a story called Amongst the Roses. I kept Margaret, Connor, Adam, and Annelise’s names, and the era/setting—and those are the only resemblances to the original girlhood version.

2. What do you want readers to take away from reading Amongst the Roses?
I hope and pray they take away that God can build something beautiful in the midst of trials, and that He is ever near. With the heart of a good, good Father.
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3. What is your current WIP? What can you tell us about it?
The sequel to Amongst the Roses: A Rose Long Awaited! It picks up right where Roses leaves off, and takes us and the Bryant and Doyle families through to the end of the Civil War. And that’s all I can say about that lest I give away spoilers.

1-When you are not writing, what other hats do you wear?
For the past 21 years I have been a professor at Taylor University, serving as director of the professional writing concentration in the Department of Communication.  I teach three writing courses each semester, serve on academic committees, attend our chapel three times per week, and do student advising.  During the summers I do guest appearances at writers conferences. This summer, 2018, for example, I will be teaching at the Write to Publish Conference (Wheaton), the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference, and our own Taylor University Christian Writers Conference (Aug. 3-4).  I write a column for each issue of Christian Communicator magazine, I make webinar training presentations for the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, I teach an adult Sunday school class at Wallen Baptist Church in Fort Wayne, and I enjoy spending quality time with my four grandkids. My wife Rose and I have been married 46 years, and we love to travel. In recent years we have been to Scotland, England, Ireland, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Poland, Turkey, Greece, Canada, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Bermuda, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, and China.
 
2-Who are some of your favorite authors, and what authors inspire you?
I wrote my doctoral dissertation on American author Jack London (1876-1916) because he is my all-time most respected writer. I actually prepared a 600-page annotated version of Jack’s autobiographical novel Martin Eden, as well as a library reference book called Jack London’s Masterplots. He is a master at descriptive writings, whether talking about the Yukon, the South Seas, or even the slums of London. His plots have incredible narrative drive.  The Call of the Wild has been translated into more than 80 languages and has been a best-seller every year since 1903. His novel The Sea Wolf has been made into a movie six different times.

I liked to read the early novels about banking and business by T. Davis Bunn.  I enjoy all the cop novels by Jerry B. Jenkins.  Dave Barry’s nonfiction books crack me up.  My son is grown, but when he as in grade school years ago, he and I read Mark Twain’s novels and roared with laughter. 
 
3-What inspired the idea for your novel The Man Who Could Transfuse Time?
Some years ago I was hired by a large circulation magazine to do a feature article about people who were born with superpowers they never asked for. I was to find out if they felt blessed or cursed.  It turned out, it was some of each.  The woman I talked to who had a photographic memory got all A grades in school because he remembered everything she read in her textbooks, but she was unable to forget any negative thing anyone had ever said to her or about her.  A man who was ambidextrous wanted to be a pianist, but once his dad and various coaches discovered he could do everything equally well both left and right handed, he was hounded all his life to be part of baseball, basketball, and hockey teams.  A woman with perfect pitch could not enjoy attending a recital or concert if even one instrument was slightly out of tune because she could hear only that imperfection (over and over).  I made a note in my writer’s journal, asking myself, “If given the choice, would anyone really want a superpower?”

A year later I signed a contract to write a book on aspects of time management.  While interviewing executives who were experts on setting priorities, sticking to schedules, and managing work teams, I kept hearing one refrain from each of them: “Oh, if only I could go back 30 years, knowing what I know now. Wow, would my life be radically different.”  So, I made another note in my writer’s journal: “Would it be worth becoming younger in body if the mind was totally out of synch with everyone who was actually that age?”

As my subconscious was playing with both of those questions, I happened to attend a sermon one night in which the pastor talked extensively about spiritual gifts, and how each person was blessed with a different talent and ability.  Well, click, all of those other elements suddenly fell into place, and I asked myself, “What if someone had a superpower that no one else had, such as transfusing time from one person to another?  Would the people he touched feel cursed or blessed by his intervention?  How would they then lead their lives?”  I went home that night and started making notes for the novel.

A big challenge was to somehow make the story plausible. To do that, I did a lot of research on a disease called progeria, in which children age seven times faster than normal. I contacted geneticists at universities, hospitals, and research centers to find out what they were doing to try to cure this disorder.  I also asked them the reverse—what causes the body to stay young and fit and healthy? I weaved this scientific information into the plot of my novel..

Additionally, I talked with numerous theologians who have theorized that the reason people are born with superpowers (ambidexterity, perfect pitch) is because Adam had superpowers before the fall from grace.  The Bible says he could work in the garden, but it makes no mention of blisters, sore muscles, or sweat.  It also says that all by himself, Adam came up with a name for every animal in creation.  Wow, what a creative mind.  Maybe some of his “super” genes arise every now and then in people yet today.  So, I infused that theory into my story, too. It added credibility to what was, initially, a rather wild plot idea.  Readers have bought into it.
 
4-What do you want your readers to take away from The Man Who Could Transfuse Time?
By presenting a tangible story that has real-life characters, elements of science and solid history, contemporary settings, and high drama, my hope is that I will help people get a better grasp of ethereal concepts, such as eternal life, being born again, and other seemingly abstract theological matters. In no way am I trying to shove religion down anyone’s throat.  However, I am striving to open people’s minds to the consideration that a greater power may exist and that life has value and purpose and meaning.
 
5-What are your current writing “works in progress?”
​In 2016 Diana Savage and I coauthored a contemporary novel titled Pseudonym (Whitaker Publishing House). She and I are half-way through writing a sequel to that book.  I also am in the midst of writing a three-part series of books that are nonfiction motivational books that also have a series of short stories embedded in them, showing Jesus running a business on earth in the 21st century.  The first book, Jesus in the 9 to 5, was released in 2013; its sequel, Jesus in All Four Seasons, was released in 2015; and I am now finishing book three, Jesus in the Yesterday, Today, and Forever.  Additionally, I wrote a writing textbook titled, Finding Success with Your Dream Writing Projects (Bold Vison Books, 2017), and I am now finishing a companion volume to that for release later this year.  And, my literary agent, Chip MacGregor, is shopping a one-year devotional book I have written.  So, yes, I stay very busy as a writer.  I still love it.

Chelsea Curran lives in the desert valley of Arizona. Though secretly a romantic, she used to spend most of her time brooding over the idea of love until her college roommates (now best friends) introduced her to the exciting and fantastic world of romance novels. When she’s not teaching, dancing, painting, laughing or baking cookies, she’s in her blanket fort giggling over the handsome hero capturing the fair lady’s heart. And no matter how old she gets, that will never change.
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Countless authors have inspired to her to write stories for those who seek the same ideas that brought her comfort, joy and hope for the future. By experience, she believes one good book can change a person’s life forever.

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1. Who or what inspired you to become an author?
I was inspired to become an author during college when I first fell in love with contemporary romance novels. After witnessing many relationships fall apart in my life, I sought the philosophies of my favorite authors to help me figure out what mine were. When I began to have my own relationship experiences, I discovered I had a lot to stay about it. And I loved the idea of reaching out to someone like myself who would feel comfort and joy in the things I wrote.

2. Who are some of your favorite authors?
My list of favorite authors is endless, but to name a few are Anita Stansfield, Diana Gabaldon, Brandon Sanderson, Marissa Meyer, and Marcia Lynn McClure.

3. If you could go to tea with one of the characters from The Burnheart Redemption, who would you pick and why?
If I could go to tea with any of my characters from The Burnheart Redemption, it would definitely be Adam Garrow. Not only is he incredibly handsome, but he has a fascinating background with dozens of stories to tell, a great sense of humor, and a natural charm that would make for the best tea time conversation.

4. What inspired the idea for The Burnheart Redemption?
What first inspired The Burnheart Redemption was me and my two college roommates spending an Saturday relaxing and laughing the day away. That afternoon I had listened to the “Tangled” soundtrack, and the song “Kingdom Dance” had came on. Immediately I imagined the three of us in a regency setting dancing at a fancy ball with three dashing heroes of that time. Just for fun, I wrote a short story version for them that progressed into a full novel. And I will forever thank them for that inspiration and encouragement on that project.

5. What do you want readers to take away from reading The Burnheart Redemption?
I would love for my readers to know that the heroes in this story are based on very real men I’ve come to know in my life, who understand the meaning of respect, humility, chivalry, and sacrifice. To those readers, I hope they will take those examples I’ve written down to heart and remember that they deserve someone who also show those qualities. And of course I would hope that these fictional heroes will make them feel just as giddy as they made me.
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6. What is your current WIP?  What can you tell us about it?
My current work in progress is a romantic comedy taking place at a Renaissance festival. The outline is still in the beginning stages, but it’s fun getting back into the contemporary genre and writing down all my ridiculous and amazing experiences I’ve gathered in the recent years. So expect some swoon-worthy knights in shining armor, and everything turning upside down when a metropolitan girl gets pulled into the world of medieval culture. This one is definitely dedicated to all my nerd friends who’ve made my life so much better after pulling me into their fandoms.

Catherine McGreevy
Author of clean, inspirational fiction

The daughter of a foreign-service officer, Catherine McGreevy attended international schools in France, Spain, and Morocco. During her time abroad she learned to appreciate other cultures as well as the ideals that make America special. A true book-worm, she dreamed seeing her own novels on a shelf next to those of her favorite writers, including Mary Stewart and Elizabeth Peters.

After majoring in Communications (Journalism) with a minor in English at Brigham Young University, she later earned her Secondary Education Teaching Credential at Cal State Fullerton, and taught high-school and middle-school English before moving to Northern California.

A history buff, Catherine lives in Northern California’s gold country, where she has been known to don a bonnet and petticoats to re-enact the past with the Sierra Nevada Mormon Pioneers, appearing in parades and at Sutter’s Fort and the Gold Discovery site in Coloma.
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Her first historical novel, Chance’s Bluff, was released by Cedar Fort Publishing in January, 2018. A Place Called New Hope follows in March.

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1. How did you get started as an author?  Who or what inspired you?
When I was a child, my parents took my siblings and me to the local library every Saturday, which was my favorite place in the world. I loaded up my arms with as many books as I was allowed to check out, had them all read by Wednesday, and then waited impatiently for next Saturday. In sixth grade, my schoolteacher had us write an alternative ending for a story we were reading in class. From then on, all I could dream of was being a writer and seeing my books on the library shelves next to those of my favorite authors. I could think of nothing better than bringing as  much enjoyment to other readers as those writers did to me.

2. What is some advice you would give to another writer who is just starting their writing career?
Finish your story! Plow through the entire rough draft, terrible as it might seem, before you go back and fixing anything.  Many people start writing books, but most give up after 50 or 100 pages. if you go back to polish every sentence and rewrite every chapter, you’ll likely never get to the end. Realize that it is a major accomplishment just to finish a story. Once you’ve hammered out the complete rough draft, imperfect as it is, THEN go back, tear it apart, and start fixing those things that bother you.

3. If you could go to tea with one of the characters from A Place Called New Hope, who would you go with and why?
The hero, Patrick, definitely! He is a good listener, respects what women have to say, even if he doesn’t agree, and has many fascinating adventures to tell about. Although he is blunt to powerful people he dislikes, and can be annoyingly stubborn, he has a kind, compassionate heart.

4. What inspired the idea for A Place Called New Hope?
Like my heroine, Letty, I am an idealist, always trying to come up with ways to solve the world’s problems. I also love historicals set in Victorian England. When a little research showed me how many people from that era, including Charles Dickens and many others, grappled with society’s problems, I thought, “Why not write a story that combines my favorite genre, historical romance, with a protagonist who wants to change the world?”  I’d just read a fascinating biography of Sir. Richard Burton, so I already had a model for my explorer hero. However I had to be careful not to let his story overshadow hers. Maybe I’ll write a sequel where the couple go to Africa together.

5. What do you want readers to take away from reading A Place Called New Hope?
When I grew up, the term “Victorian” was used as an epithet for “old-fashioned” and “stuffy.” I have since learned that the era was very progressive in the best sense of the word, in that many people, religious and otherwise, fought to improve conditions that, thanks to their efforts, we no longer consider acceptable. It was an era of incredible vitality and energy, which led the way for the best of the world we now live in, including quality of life, universal education, and the chance for upward mobility for the lower classes. I would hope that a reader would take away the same zeal and optimism that inspired Letty and Patrick to work toward making the world a better place.
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6. What is your current WIP?  What can you tell us about it?
My current WIP is a sweeping adventure set during the European revolutions of 1848. There are a lot of exciting plot elements, but basically it is about an impulsive and romantic young girl who will stop at nothing to prevent her father from separating her from the ruined young man she loves–even throwing aside her family and good reputation. But in a world of upheaval, violence, and changing loyalties, can she succeed?

1. If you could go to tea with one of the characters in The Forgotten Girl, who would you pick and why?
Definitely Stella. I would love to hear her actual story, feel of her strength, and ask her all the questions I wished I could ask her while I was writing this story.

2. In the story, who was the easiest character to write?  Who was the hardest?
I didn’t feel like any character was particularly easy to write. They all came with their own challenges, but I enjoyed creating Bronia’s character the most, perhaps making her the easiest emotionally to write. Stella was the most complex character I’ve ever attempted to create. She was strong and courageous, but she didn’t realize it. She was beautiful and influential, but she never saw that. It was difficult to show her good qualities to the reader while also hiding them from the MC.

3. If you were to travel back in time and visit your favorite time period, where would you go and why?
Probably regency England or ancient Egypt.

4. What top 5 books do you currently have on your TBR pile?
1)Turtles all the way down by John Green; 2)Why not me by Mindy Kaling; 3)Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy; 4)Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy; and 5)What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
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5. What is something unique about you that most of your readers don’t already know?
My first job was working as a map folder for the government. Seriously. I took maps the size of ping pong tables and folded them to fit into binder sheet protectors.

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1. What is your favorite dessert?
Pie. Just about any kind. Pie. Pie. Pie.
 
2. What is your beverage of choice?
Ice water with lemon and lime slices. Boring, I know. But I LOVE it.
 
3. What is your favorite movie and/or TV show?
I don’t know if I have a favorite. I do love old, classic TV. I recently discovered the 1950s & ‘60s game show “What’s My Line,” and I’m loving it. Such a fun concept and such an interesting glimpse into and era.
 
4. Where is your favorite place to go on holiday?
Ireland. Hands down. I love Ireland in a way that is difficult to describe. When I’m there, I know my heart has come home.

1. What inspired the idea for Ashes on the Moor?
While reading Parliamentary reports from the Victorian era in my free time (I have issues), I came across an act that required towns in Great Britain to provide education to all their children regardless of demographics. It was a revolutionary idea at the time. That got my mind spinning about all the ways this shift would have triggered other significant changes in towns and villages and cities throughout Britain. I dove in, reading up on what came next, how it impacted lives, and that formed the basis of this story.
2. What do you want readers to take away from reading Ashes on the Moor?
Perhaps a desire to be more compassionate, to appreciate differences instead of fearing them, to work hard and have hope.

3. What is your current WIP?  What can you tell us about this project?
My current WIP is a super, duper, big secret. I’m keeping this one tightly under wraps. I can tell you it has a main character, who goes through some stuff, and then big things happen, and then everything’s different. I know, I know. I’m giving a lot away. This project has required TON of research and I still have more to do. It’s a challenge, but I’m enjoying it.

Tosca Lee is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of The House of Bathory Duology (The Progeny and Firstborn, currently in development for television), Iscariot, The Legend of Sheba, Demon: A Memoir, Havah: The Story of Eve, and the Books of Mortals series with New York Times bestseller Ted Dekker (Forbidden, Mortal, Sovereign). A notorious night-owl, she loves watching TV, eating bacon, playing video games and football with her kids, and sending cheesy texts to her husband.

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1. Who or what inspired you to become an author?
All the books I enjoyed reading, growing up—everything from Bunnicula to The Mists of Avalon. 

2. What did you want to be when you grew up? Did becoming an author ever cross your mind?
Growing up, I wanted to be a ballerina. Despite publishing my first article at a young age (10) and winning contests through school, I never thought of writing as a *thing*—it was just something I did to escape. Not until my first year in college while talking about how great books are like an awesome roller coaster and wondering aloud what it’d be like to build a roller coaster like that for someone else did I ever utter the words: “I think I want to write a book."  

3. What top 5 books are currently sitting on your TBR pile?
Ready Player One (Earnest Cline), Little Broken Things (Nicole Baart), The Forgotten Ones (Steena Holmes), Scythe (Neal Shusterman) and Cleopatra’s Moon (Vicky Shecter)

5. What inspired the idea for The Progeny?
It was inspired by a fan! One of my readers asked me to consider writing a book about Elizabeth Bathory (AKA “The Blood Countess”), whom I’d heard of before. By the time I rediscovered the request in my idea folder, I had already done several historical novels and was ready for something contemporary, so chose to focus on the fictional descendants of Elizabeth Bathory living in the shadow of her legacy.

5. What do you want readers to take away from reading The Progeny?
I’m always wary about this question if only because what a reader takes away from a book depends so much on what drew them to the story. But I would like it if they left feeling that whatever challenge they face on a regular basis—whether it’s anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD (like me), autism, or whatever it may be—is part of their unique lens on a world that needs them. That they are beautiful, brilliant, and not alone. 

6. What is your current WIP? What can you tell us about it? 
Absolutely! It’s a new thriller called The Line Between about a young woman who is kicked out of an apocalyptic cult… just in time for it to seem like that world truly may be ending. Coming to you January 2019. Please be sure to add it to your Goodreads bookshelf!

​Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness.
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She spends her days hanging out with her husband and their two boys. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and president of the Virginia Chapter.

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1. How did you decide that you wanted to write Christian romance?  What inspired this?
When I rededicated my life to Christ, I wanted to be used by Him. It wasn’t until I went back to school to get my Bachelor’s degree in English that the writing bug really called to me. Not that it hadn’t before, but that it could actually be a way to reach people. I went to my local library to see if they had any books like this. I had never heard of Christian fiction so once I found the section, I began devouring the books and the lessons found between the pages.

2. How often do you hear from your reader fans? Do you have any funny and/or awkward stories?
I hear from readers maybe once a month. Usually it’s because they’re sharing a review with me or they just want to share how the story touched their hearts.

3. What inspired the idea for Grace Restored?
When I wrote book one, I knew the characters for each series. It wasn’t until I was midway through book one, Returning Home, that I realized how much of a story Guy and Michelle had. As soon as I finished the first draft of RH, I dove into Grace Restored with anticipation. They did not disappointment me.

4. What do you want readers to take away from reading Grace Restored?
That no matter what skeletons you shoved in your closet, God’s grace is enough to restore You to the kingdom, to peace of mind, to faith.
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5. What is your current WIP? What can you tell us about it?
Currently I’m working on finishing the fourth and final book in the Maple Run series. This book features Shorty and Nikki with characters from the first three books making an appearance. These two have really struggled to share their thoughts with me from the moment I tried to make them book 2, lol. Thankfully, they’re opening up but it’s still a struggle.

ECPA bestselling author Amanda Barratt fell in love with writing in grade school when she wrote her first story – a spinoff of Jane Eyre. Now, Amanda writes inspirational historical romance, penning stories that transport readers to a variety of locales – from the sweeping coastline of Newport, Rhode Island, to the rugged landscape of Central Texas. Her novella, The Truest Heart, was a finalist in the 2017 FHL Reader’s Choice Awards.

A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, she lives in the woods of Michigan with her fabulous family, who kindly put up with the invisible people she calls characters.
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These days, Amanda can be found reading way too many books, watching an eclectic mix of BBC dramas and romantic chick flicks, and trying to figure out a way to get on the first possible flight to England.

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1. What is your favorite dessert?
​Anything with chocolate! LOL Peanut butter pie is amazing, as is cheesecake with chocolate sauce.

2. What is your favorite beverage?
I drink green tea several times a week, which is always lovely, especially if I use a favorite mug or teacup. For a treat, I love going to a coffee shop and getting a chai latte. They are amazing!

3. What is your favorite movie and/or TV show?
My current favorite TV shows are Victoria, Poldark, and the first three seasons of Call the Midwife. As you can see, I have very British taste. :-)

4. Where is your favorite place to go on holiday?
My favorite place is one I’ve not yet visited. It’s a lifelong dream of mine to go to England, and I seriously hope to make this happen within the next few years. Until then, part of my heart is already there. :-) I’d also love to fit in a trip to France, Austria, and Germany.

1. What did you want to be when you grew up?  Did becoming an author ever cross your mind?
When I was very young, I wanted to be everything but an author. Medical doctor, ballerina, and Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz were all considered. :-) I started writing seriously in my midteens, and have pretty much continued to do so since. It took me many years before I actually signed my first contract. I love being able to explore a variety of characters and eras—in a way, I’m continuing my childhood fantasy of wanting to be many different people! :-)

2. What authors do you enjoy?  Do these authors inspire your own writing?
My go-to authors are: (in no particular order) Laura Frantz, Cathy Gohlke, Becky Wade, Kate Breslin, Roseanna White, Joanne Bischof, Jocelyn Green, plus many, many more. I also love classic novelists like Charlotte Brontë, Charles Dickens, and Edith Wharton. In a way, all of these authors have inspired my own writing. I love falling into a book so well-told and compellingly plotted that it makes me understand anew the beauty of story.

3. When you are not writing, what other "hats" do you wear?
I work at our local library, which is a great job and a lot of fun. As an author, I’m also a marketer, public speaker, and mini book warehouse. :-)

1. What inspired the idea for My Heart Belongs in Niagra Falls, NY?
We’d planned a family vacation to Niagara Falls. Before the trip, I was reading up on the history of the area, because that’s just what history nerds do. :-) I’d read quite a bit about the stunts and daredevils, and as I was walking along, looking at the Falls, the idea of a daredevil falling in love with a woman who feared risk, came to me. When Barbour put the word out that they were looking for authors to submit to a destination romance line, my sister suggested I do Niagara Falls and make the hero a tightrope walker. Sisters always know best! :-)

2. What do you want readers to take away from reading My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls, NY?
The theme that came to me again and again while writing the novel is that doing things in our own strength, in our own way, only leads to stress and heartache. And that, ultimately, as we put our trust in God, He will direct our paths.

3. What is your current WIP?  What can you share with us about this project?
Very little. :-) I can only say that the project I’m currently working on has stolen my heart. It’s made me smile and cry and delve into an area of history where light shines amid darkness. I’m absolutely in love with this story, and hope to have an announcement on it soon! When I do, I’ll be posting about it on Facebook, so be sure to follow me there.  

Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd who lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. She’s held a variety of writing and editing jobs over the years, and now juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with writing novels. When she’s not writing or chasing after her children, Lindsay enjoys making a fool of herself at Zumba, curling up with anything by Jane Austen, and savoring sour candy one piece at a time.

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1. What is your favorite dessert?
​Ooo, that’s easy. Ice cream for sure (chocolate chip cookie dough, to be exact)!

2. What is your beverage of choice?
Usually water or unsweetened peach iced tea.

3. What is your favorite movie and/or TV show?
The 6-hour BBC version of Pride & Prejudice. I could watch it over and over (and have!).

4. Where is your favorite place to go on holiday?
Anywhere there’s a beach—Maui is my recent fave.

​1. Who or what inspired you to become an author?
I’ve always gravitated toward writing, ever since I was a child and learned to read. But it wasn’t until I discovered Christian fiction in college that I found my niche.

2. What did you want to be when you grew up? Did becoming an author ever cross your mind?
When I was younger, I dreamed of being a lawyer, but then I realized I’m horrible at thinking on my feet (so the courtroom wasn’t for me!). I’d always loved writing, so I studied journalism in college and worked a variety of writing and editing jobs. But I didn’t seriously consider becoming a published author until I was doing my master’s in English and took a creative writing course (not my first)—and remembered how much fun it was to write fiction.

3. Who are some of your favorite authors?  Do these authors inspire your own writing?
I really love Rachel Hauck, Katie Ganshert, Beth Vogt, and Susan Meissner. And yes, they inspire my own writing in that I strive to be as poignant as they are. But I recognize that everyone writes differently and has different strengths.

4. When you are not writing, what other "hats" do you wear?
I wear the hat of mommy to two little boys, wife, freelance editor, online English instructor, and every other kind of headwear that comes with those roles (cook, chauffeur, maid, etc.). ;)

​1. What inspired the idea for The Heart Between Us?
The initial idea came from a radio story I heard about a woman who went skydiving because her heart donor had always wanted to.

2. What do you want readers to take away from reading The Heart Between Us?
Fear, bravery, and freedom play a big role in this book. Ultimately, I want readers to come away hopeful, knowing that freedom and courage can be theirs if only they reach out and embrace it. I also want to inspire people to live their own lives to the fullest.

3. What is your current WIP?  What can you tell us about this project?
​I just turned in the first draft to my publisher on February 1! It’s since been given a title (The Secrets of Paper and Ink), and it’s about a broken woman who travels to Cornwall, England—the setting of her favorite author’s novels—to find the courage to write her own story.