Meet Debut Author Erma M. Ullrey

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

Erma M. Ullrey is a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ and author. She worked in the medical field for over twenty-five years. After completing her B.S.H.S., she became a health educator and received international credentials as a childbirth educator and lactation consultant. She has served as a women’s Bible study leader and participates in local and online writers’ groups and book clubs.

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 Ryan

The 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?

Goodreads | Amazon

Dear Readers, Good morning (or whatever time of day you're reading this.:) Please help me welcome my good friend and chapter member, Laurie Larsen.   Introduce yourself—name, where you’re from, and something people notice when they meet you. Hi!  I’m so happy to join you here and I thank Christina for reaching out to me.  My name is Laurie Larsen and I am a writer in the beautiful Lowcountry of South Carolina – specifically the “Grand Strand” area of Murrells Inlet.  I grew up landlocked in the center of the USA – Illinois, specifically.  But I was always an ocean lover and vowed that as soon as I could, I would relocate to my favorite place in the world – right on a beach! 

They say, “All good things come to those who wait.”  And that’s exactly what happened to me.  I finally got my chance to move here when I had completed a 34-year career with the “big day job.”  By this time I’d been writing books for close to twenty years and I fulfilled my dream of moving to the beach to write novels.  Which brings me to your question about what people notice when they meet me – probably my big happy smile because I’m living the life I always dreamed of!   Tell us about your book—title and back cover blurb. My latest book is my foray into writing nonfiction.  It’s called The Year I Read the Bible.  Here’s the blurb:

A life-long Christian, I've read the Bible several times. But this time was different. My goal wasn't to just journey from cover to cover and consider it done. You know, cross it off my list and move on. I wanted to actually learn something that would impact my life. So for a year, I read my chronological Bible. And when something confused me or interested me or I wanted to learn more, I jotted it down. During Year 2, I went back and did just that -- I researched, asked questions, strived to reach understanding. And I shared what I learned, hoping that someone out there would want to learn it too. I started a weekly blog called The Year I Read the Bible. I started a video channel on which I read the weekly blogs. And as this book goes to print, my next project is to start a podcast -- all to share what I learned. 40 essays. Forty opportunities to learn more about that big book on your shelf. Maybe you'll be inspired to follow me into a year when you read your own Bible. If you do, I'd love to see what grabbed at your own curiosity. Share one thing that you found difficult or challenging about writing this book. The challenge came because it was so completely different than what I normally write!  I’m a writer of inspirational romance novels.  I tell heartwarming love stories that take place on the beach and end up sharing faithful messages of God’s love for the love-struck couple. But after writing over twenty novels, I was starting to run out of creative ideas.  My next book idea wasn’t another romance novel.  It was this!  I feel strongly that God reached out and tapped me on the shoulder and said, “I have a new idea for you.” This multi-year project has been so fun and rejuvenating to my muse and my enthusiasm.  But it’s also been hard!  I’m NOT a Bible scholar.  I can read a chapter and shrug and nod and move on, but a knowledgeable Bible teacher can dig so much insight and clarification out of that same passage. I admired those teachers – and I’m lucky to have several of them in my life right now!  I wanted to dig deeper into this big book that sits on all of our shelves and we pull out occasionally.  I wanted to learn and understand – and maybe God would begin to speak to me through those ancient words that are still so relevant today! It wasn’t easy but I stuck with it, and I’m not done. I’m continuing on to read additional Bible translations, to return to my list of questions of topics I want to research.  In other words, The Year I Read the Bible project is continuing despite publishing the book! Ask the blog reader a quirky question or two.? Okay I’m feeling a little quirky so here are some questions for you, dear reader: If you could travel anywhere in the world, (cost and availability of time being NO issue), where would you go, and why did you choose it? – My answer:  Bora Bora.  Why? Because my grandparents were huge travelers, going all over the world and they seemed to love beaches as much as I do.  I had a treasured weekend with my grandma about a year before she died and I asked her which beach she would recommend I not miss.  And she replied without hesitation:  Bora Bora.  If she was that sure about it, then I know it’s a “Do Not Miss!” Give me two truths and a lie about yourself and make ‘em good! – My answer: 1) I’ve lived in five states and two different countries.  2) My grandfather was the inventor of the solar battery.  and 3) I love cats and currently have three. True.  I’ve lived in Ohio, Illinois, Delaware, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.  I’ve lived in Mexico and of course, the US. True!  My grandfather was Gerald Lee Pearson who worked on a team of physicists at Bell Labs and together, they invented the solar cell in 1954.  Check him out on Wikipedia!  (And no, I did not get ANY of his scientific genius!) False.  I’m much more of a dog person than a cat person. I’ve had two cats in my life and they were both stand-offish and grumpy.   Share your social media and buy links! It’s been a pleasure visiting with you today!  If you’d like to learn more about me or follow me, you may do so here: Website/newsletter subscription:  Author Laurie Larsen | heartwarming Christian fiction Facebook: Facebook Amazon: Amazon.com: Laurie Larsen: books, biography, latest update Bookbub: Laurie Larsen Books - BookBub Goodreads:  Laurie Larsen (Author of Sanctuary) | Goodreads Purchase links for The Year I Read the Bible: https://books2read.com/u/b60650  Thank you, Laurie, for being our guest!

 Join me in welcoming award-winning author, Karin Beery to the Diamond mine! I’ve had the pleasure of learning from Karin and she has so much wisdom to share in the world of writing, and it shows in her stories. If you haven’t had the chance to enjoy “Practically Married” or “Finally Forever” yet, definitely treat yourself.. The second book in the Novak series will be releasing soon and I can’t wait. Without further ado, here’s Karin!

A writer and reader of hopeful fiction with a healthy dose of romance, Karin Beery can find the hope (and humor) in most any situation, including her marriage, her career, and her menagerie of fur babies who all insist on sleeping on her side of the bed. She’s a multi-published award-winning author and editor with experience in traditional and self-publishing, freelance editing, and editing for publishers. When she’s not writing, she runs Write Now Editing, helping authors turn good manuscripts into great books.

Welcome Karin! First let’s learn a little bit about you. Can you share a few things about yourself that have nothing to do with writing?

I never had a pet until after I graduated from college. Since then, I’ve had five cats and four dogs. I also never went canoeing or kayaking until college. Now my husband and I own three kayaks (two for us and one for a guest).

Wow! That’s a lot of changes after college. At one point my husband and I had three siberian huskies. That was an adventure haha. What drew you to write?

Fiction has always been an escape for me, be it TV shows, movies, or books. I started writing as a kid to have stories I wanted to read. 20+ years later, I started writing again for the same reason—I wanted romance novels that teens, their parents, and their grandparents could all read without embarrassment. 

Those are some of my favorite kind of stories to read. What’s your writing process? 

I do best in bursts—I pick a month (usually March and/or October) and do writing sprints several times a day, five days a week. By the end, I have 50,000-60,000 words written, which I consider my first draft (even if I don’t write the final chapter). Then I go back and start the revision process.

Those sprints are so helpful! I credit them for the completion of some of my own stories. How do you come up with your story ideas?

Literally anything. Dreams. Real people and events. People I’d like to know or events I’d like to see happen. For Practically Married, I asked myself if I could make the marriage of convenience trope (one of my favorites!) work in a contemporary setting instead of in the past.

That is the trickiest trope in modern stories. And you made it work! We all loved “Practically Married” and “Finally Forever”  Tell us about your release coming up this fall. 

In October, I’m releasing the second book of the Novak sisters’ series, Curveball on the Dance Floor. In Finally Forever, we met Christine and Tony. In Curveball, we get to see what happened between them behind the scenes and where they go after the dance off.

Are there certain themes explored in the story?

Unlike my other books, this book includes a storyline in which the solution isn’t as black and white as some of the other books. I wanted to include it because it’s something that people I know have dealt with, and I wanted to make sure my main characters’ actions honored biblical principles while also creating a captivating story. And, of course, there’s a lot of hope and love.

Oh, now you have us so curious! Do you have any favorite characters in your books?

Vanessa is a secondary character who pops up in this book, and the more I tried to figure her out, the more I liked her. She’s not a Novak sister, but I think she might need her own book eventually (even if it’s a novella).

Sometimes I feel like it’s those secondary characters that are so easy to get attached to. What are you working on now?

Book three! Caroline and Chris have a third sister—Carmen. She’s been in Germany for three years, but some unexpected events and outcomes have inspired her to move home, even though she considers it a sign of failure. 

When you’re not writing, what do you enjoy doing?

Reading (shocker!). I’m a raging extrovert, but also shy, so I enjoy hanging out with people I already know. 😊 I love the water, which is fortunate, since I live in Michigan. I love to kayak, swim, or just sit on the shoreline and look at the water.

Thanks for joining us, Karin!

Check out the first book in the Novak Series, "Finally Forever" as you wait for the October Release.

Winning the dance competition could land Caroline her dream job but at the cost of her heart.

Former competitive dancer Caroline Novak dreams of leaving the corporate world to work with special needs women at the Pathways non-profit, but the organization can’t afford a full-time director. All-American defensive end Ben Allen was on his way to the NFL when a knee injury sent him home and into the same office as Caroline, his best friend’s older sister. When Pathways participates in a Dancing with the Stars-inspired fundraiser, Caroline quickly volunteers, and Ben joins her as the local “star.”
 
It doesn’t take long for Ben to realize it’s more than a dance competition, and Caroline is more than his best friend’s sister, but after two failed engagements, she’s hesitant to trust her heart with another man. When the NFL calls Ben, it looks like his dream might finally come true—but it could cost them the championship and Caroline her heart.

AMAZON LINK: https://a.co/d/iJZXAwQ

Want to Connect with Karin?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkarinbeery/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karinbeery/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/karinbeery

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2666258-karin
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/karin-beery

Interview with Carly L. Carlson, Author of These Wild Dreams of Ours!

Hi, guys! V. Joy Palmer here! Since we are all friends here, you guys can call me Joy. ;-) And one of my favorite things to do is talk with my friends at coffee shops, then head to the bookstores. Yes, plural. After all, books and yummy drinks are the perfect combination! So consider this our virtual coffee shop. I'll wait a second for you to get your warm drink and a fuzzy blanket before we chat with today's guest. <3

Today we are going to pry into the private life of CHAT with Carly L. Carlson, author of These Wild Dreams of Ours!

Interview ~

This may be the most important question I ask -- no pressure or anything, LOL! 

*drum roll*

What are you drinking in our virtual coffee house? Coffee? Tea? Hot chocolate? Something else altogether?

Coffee. Every time :)

I like your style! :) If you could order anything in the world to eat (we can dream, can't we?), what would it be?

I’ve always wanted to try one of those super expensive Wagyu steaks :)

Yum! Where is your favorite place to write, and why is that your favorite place?

Currently: outside in my yard. I can watch the kids play and get a tan while still getting some writing in.

Genius thinking! Do you have an odd habit that is only explained by your bookish, writer tendencies? Safe space. ;-)

I have been known to mispronounce many words because I’ve only ever read them.

You are not alone! What inspired you to write These Wild Dreams of Ours? 

Check out These Wild Dreams of Ours HERE!

They say if you can’t find the book you want to read on the shelves, you need to write it. I’ve often had a hard time connecting with the female main characters in Christian Historical Fiction, and I really wanted to write a character who was both strong and soft, tomboyish but still inherently feminine, a little wild but still kind and tender. That’s where Kate McGrath came into being, and the story grew from there.

Love a multifaceted character! What led you to write in this genre?

Christian Historical Fiction has always been my favourite genre, and this time period and setting in particular (1800s American frontier) has had my heart since I read Little House on the Prairie as a kid. I have often said I was born in the wrong century :)

I know that feeling! What message do you hope to convey to your readers?

A main theme in my book is the question: where is God when we encounter suffering? My characters struggle and face many trials, and I wanted to express the unwavering goodness of God despite the valleys that we walk through. I pray that readers will walk away encouraged in their faith knowing that the Lord is with them through whatever they may be facing in their lives.

Love that! Can you tell us a little about your next project(s)?

I am part of a multi-author series of twelve novellas coming out this winter inspired by Christmas Carols, and my novella will feature a side character from These Wild Dreams of Ours! We’ll get to see them have a happily ever after, and I can’t wait for everyone to read it on December 1st! After that I have plans for four more books in the series and have two other standalone novels, all in various stages of development. I am so excited to bring more stories out into the world!

Yay! That's awesome! Do you have a favorite Bible verse or story that inspires you on a soul level? 

Psalm 46 has stuck with me through the many ups and down in my life, and I think it really applies to this story:

“God is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea…the Lord almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

So good! What are you currently reading? Inquiring minds -- mine! -- want to know. ;-)

That’s a complicated question :) On audiobook I am currently listening to The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz. My current physical book is Earthbound by Katee Stein, and on Kindle I’m switching between Sins of the Past by Bethany Klassen and Seashells and Other Souveniers by Rachel Lawrence.

I love complicated book answers! Thanks for answering all of my prying questions, Carly!

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and create aesthetic content for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable daughters. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Amazon Author Page!