Welcome back to the diamond mine. Today, I'm so excited to introduce you to a friend of mine whose debut novel came out last week. Her book was inspired by You've Got Mail. Keep reading to find out more about Journaled with Love.
About the author
In the past few years, Erma has won several writing awards. Her first published work was “A Snowflake's Adventure,” a children's picture book about God's love and exciting purpose for each child. Erma's latest publication is "Journaled with Love," a clean and wholesome light-hearted Rom-Com in the style of "You've Got Mail."
Enjoy Erma’s weekly Blog as well as her other writings at her website: https://www.MerryHeartInk.com. Look for the heading “Once Upon a Romance,” for interesting articles and interviews related to romance writing.
Connect with Erma: Once Upon a Romance Substack | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter/X
Suzie: Welcome to the Diamond Mine, Erma. I'm so excited to introduce you to our readers and share more about your debut. But first, let's learn a little more about you.
What is your favorite drink and/or snack when writing?
Erma: That depends on the weather and what I’m writing. If my characters drink coffee, that’s my drink of choice too. But when it’s hot, they can drink all the coffee they want – I’ll have raspberry lemonade with lots of ice, thank you! :)
Suzie: Oh, raspberry lemonade sounds refreshing (it's in the 90s and humid in North Carolina this week). What does your writing space look like? Erma: Oh dear! Once a week it’s just my keyboard and lots of craft books. The other six days, it’s an explosion of sticky notes, loose papers, pens and list pads, books, dictionaries, and a copy of what I’d written the day before. Suzie: I think that's a pretty normal picture of an author. What’s something readers might be surprised to learn about your writing process? Erma: I’m learning to write while on a walking pad (a small-scale treadmill). Because it’s a narrow piece of equipment, I’ve tripped but haven’t fallen off yet. I’m determined to master the process – no matter what! :) I love that it makes me hyper aware and slows me down so I can ponder every word even more than usual! Suzie: Slowing down is so good for us creatively (and in many other areas). Tell us a little about you—family, hobbies, day job, or whatever you’d like to share that’s not in your bio.
Erma: I love my family and am so grateful for my husband, four children, five g’kids, our dog Tucker, and four granddogs. Writing was my first love, but my parents said, ‘you can’t earn a living at that.’ In seventh grade science, I learned about cells and was hooked. After working in the medical field for 35 years, I’m finally back to my first love!
Suzie: It's never too late to do what you love. What are three books on your current tbr?
Erma:
The Paris Housekeeper by Renee RyanThe Christmas Inn by Pamela Kelley The Italian Holiday by Nicole Sharp Suzie: Those look like some great reads. What drew you to writing romance?
Erma: Romance wasn’t on my radar, suspense was. Then, a few years ago, I had a conversation with Lenora Worth. I’ve been writing romance ever since. :) Suzie: Oh to be a fly on the wall for that conversation. Which comes first for you: the characters or the premise?
Erma: It depends. When I’m in between stories, sometimes the characters start telling me their ideas. Other times, a premise lights up like a movie in my mind. From that point on, I let the characters dictate the plot. Suzie: Would you share with us a little about your road to publication?
Erma: Oh, my. This is going to get bumpy! I’ve won 14 writing contests and always wanted to be traditionally published. After prayerfully considering my options, I chose to sign with a small traditional publisher. The date for publication didn’t work out, so I’m going to self-publish that book - Sadie’s Gift: The Christmas Cabin, a Women’s Contemporary Romance - in November 2025. In the meantime, I’m self-publishing Journaled with Love, the first in the “With Love” series on July 16, 2025. I’ve always been a do-it-yourselfer. However, there is no shortage of things to do regarding self-publishing and promoting/marketing. I find myself praying more than ever before, asking the Lord to calm my fears and anxieties. I am more grateful than ever for encouraging, supportive family and friends. :) Suzie: Sometimes those detours lead to unexpected and memorable places. Tell us more about your debut release.
Erma: Journaled With Love is a clean, 62K-word, enemies-to-lovers Rom-Com (think You’ve Got Mail).
I had so much fun writing this book. The characters had a lot to say, and the tension between them, along with their humor, kept my fingers on the keyboard.
Macie Grammerly’s mother demands she come home and work for the family business or forfeit further financial support. Macie loathes her job but not nearly as much as her overachiever boss.
Focused on his career, Ryan Tiggs plans to climb to the top of a family-owned business. Then everything changes when he finds a journal left on the bus. Though he’s attracted to his coworker, the journal author’s raw honesty speaks to his soul, and he’s desperate to meet her.
When the truth is revealed, will Macie and Ryan fight for the love they never saw coming or walk away from the one person who has always been there for them?
Suzie: What message or feeling do you hope readers walk away with after reading your book?
Erma: All things are possible.
God has a way of working everything out for our good and His glory. We sometimes pray for Him to change our situation or circumstance. In reality, He’s using that circumstance or situation to change us! We just need to trust Him – even when we don’t see or understand what He’s doing. :)
Suzie: Amen and amen! What are you currently working on?
Erma: I’m working on the next book in the With Love series, Recipes with Love (to be published February 5, 2026, Lord willing).
I’ve got another romcom, Lifted, that I find myself distracted by. The characters are hysterical, and they draw me into their New York setting in a hot minute.
Suzie: Sounds like you've got a lot on your plate. How can we pray for you?
Erma: Pray that the work I do glorifies the Lord and blesses each reader. Every word that I perseverate over has no worth if not a one shines with Jesus’ love. Thank you for your prayers!
Suzie: Absolutely. All authors need prayer and encouragement. Thank you again for taking time to share with us today. And congratulations on your debut!
About the Book
Lost words, found love - a misplaced journal may spark a happily-ever-after in this You’ve Got Mail-style Rom-Com
Macie Grammerly’s mother delivers an ultimatum—come home and work for the family business or forfeit further financial support. Booted from her privileged jet-set life, Macie leaves sun-soaked Hawaii for Idaho. On her unglamorous bus ride to and from work, she pours her heart into her journal, writing about her dreams and the love she longs for.
Focused on his career, Ryan Tiggs’s five-year plan includes climbing to the top of a family-owned business. Then he can buy a car and move out of the garage apartment at his sister’s home. When he’s assigned the boss’s spoiled daughter as his intern, and they’re tasked with saving the floundering company, Ryan wonders if his days are numbered.
Everything changes when he finds a journal left on the bus. The anonymous writer’s vulnerability captivates him and sparks a secret email exchange that soon feels more real than anything else in his life.
As Macie and Ryan continue to work together, an undeniable attraction grows. Yet things are complicated by their individual online correspondence. When the truth is revealed, will they fight for the love they never saw coming or walk away from the one person who has always been there for them?
