A New Year is Dawning!

Welcome back readers! 

We are on the cusp of a new year and as usual, we have some goodbyes and some hellos to bid.

The Diamond Mine will say adieu to Gay N. Lewis/G.N. Lewis. We pray she continues to flourish as an author and hope readers will continue to support her as her time comes to an end on The Diamond Mine.

But we have a new member to welcome. I'm excited to share with you as I have met this author and even had lunch with her, and she is fantastic! Please welcome in Voni Harris! Check out her bio:

Voni Harris

With a law-enforcement instructor father and a newspaper editor mother, it’s no wonder Voni Harris grew up to write suspense novels. Voni writes from the home she shares with her legal-eagle husband on the beautiful and mysterious Alaskan island of Kodiak, where her creativity abounds. She belongs to American Christian Fiction Writers and has been published in two short-story collections: Heart-Stirring Stories of Romance, and Spiritual Citizens at http://drawneartochrist.com. 

Her debut book, Surge, released in November 2024 by Sunrise Publishing.

Check out Voni's book:

Welcome Voni, and what a gorgeous book! We're looking forward to reading your interviews in the the near future!

We here at The Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction pray that all of you enjoy a beautiful blessed new year growing closer to the Lord and working to spread His love!

Thank you for visiting our site and supporting us. Tell your friends, share our links, read the books, leave the reviews, bless one another, and spread God's love and kindness wherever you go!

Jesus Christ the Lord is Born!

 Please celebrate with us the birth of God's one and only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, who was born and later died to make atonement for the worlds' sin that that we may enter into Heaven and live eternally with Him.

Glory to God!

(photo credit Jon Carlson)

Emily Conrad Brings Holiday Cheer with her Christmas Novel

 It's a doggone blessed time of the year! And Merry CHRISTmas to all! I have one last holiday book for you and it's not too late to grab a copy! I've leashed in author Emily Conrad and her new book Risking His Heart for your last minute stocking stuffer, plus her real-life story of the cutest surprise Christmas present ever.

May each of you be blessed by the Lord this Christmas Season as we take time to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

PT: Hello, Emily, and welcome during this special season. Could you tell us all how did you come to be a writer and write in contemporary Christian fiction?

EC: I’ve been writing since childhood, but after a middle school short story unit, fiction became a constant hobby for me and something I dreamed of doing as an adult. Writing contemporary Christian fiction came naturally to me, as it’s obviously the time period I live in and my faith is integral to how I look at the world. Blend those elements with emotional depth and romance, and you’ve got the building blocks of a story that captures my interest.

PT: Do you write in any other genre (or secretly want to) or do any other type of writing?

EC: I’m very happy in the contemporary Christian romance genre and don’t have any plans to switch. I’ve found my happy place, at least for the foreseeable future.

PT: So share with us what genre you mostly read.

EC: I’ve narrowed down to reading mostly contemporary Christian romance, but lately I’ve purposely dabbled in some historical romance and some no-spice general market romances too. I occasionally read other genres as well. For example, one of my critique partners writes contemporary fiction, and I enjoy her stories as well. Reading inside my genre helps me understand what readers like mine are looking for, but reading outside of it helps me look at the bigger picture of what makes a compelling story. Either way, I also just enjoy a good story as a reader myself!

PT: Regionally, are you East Coast, Midwest, West, or West Coast?

EC: I live in the Midwest. The multi-author series Christmas in Redemption Ridge was set in Colorado, so I had to learn more about an area of the country I had only visited before for that, but I have happily set the rest of my novels in the Midwest, where I’m most familiar with the setting and way of life.

PT: Favorite Christmas memory?

EC: When I was 18, I wanted a dog. I was attending college, but I lived at home, and my parents didn’t want a dog, so I knew I couldn’t get one. For Christmas, my parents gave me an ornament that was a ceramic dog bowl. They also gave me a dog treat jar, and at that point, I remember thinking it was a little cruel to remind me of what I wanted but didn’t have. Little did I know they’d rescued a nine-month-old black Lab. I wish I remembered the exact moment of realization, but I think the picture where I’m reading in the collage is when I read that they’d gotten me a dog. The guy in the photo was my then boyfriend (now husband), who was there for the big reveal. He’s the one who drove me to go pick her up. She was such a sweet, good dog. These were the days before camera phones, so I don’t have a ton of good pictures. The one in the lower right is her a few years later, dressed for a winter walk.

PT: Awww! That was a heart-melting story! Anything with paws makes the holiday even more special. So, do you have a favorite Christmas food?

EC: My family makes a certain cutout sugar cookie recipe that, to me, says it’s Christmastime like nothing else. They’re time-consuming to make, but they’re always a hit!

PT: Pro-snow or hate snow?

EC: I am pro-snow any time of year when it’s going to be cold and dark. For example, in Wisconsin right now, the sun has been setting shortly after 4pm. The snow we have on the ground brightens up the night considerably! It’s also something I really like to have for Christmas. Years when my part of the state doesn’t have snow as Christmas is approaching find me checking online white Christmas predictor maps. Thankfully, more often than not, we have at least a dusting of snow.

PT: Oh, me too. I am so pro-snow, but I always feel sorry for those who have to travel in it. Now, tell us about your new Christmas book, Risking His Heart.

EC: Risking His Heart is a best-friends-to-love romance set in a small Colorado town. It includes a little bit of mystery, some laughs (I hope!), and a whole lot of heart.

Falling for her best friend is not on her (forced, way-too-early, medical) retirement bucket list.

Career-driven cop Neenah Casper is forced by an injury to turn in her badge at age thirty-two. The same day she’s named guardian of an orphaned fifteen-year-old girl. With all her plans in pieces, it’s no wonder she starts feeling more than friendship for her supportive best friend Cody. But life’s taught her nothing lasts forever, and surely these feelings will pass once she finds a new life’s purpose.

Though Neenah friend-zoned him years ago, Officer Cody Adams has never stopped watching her back and hoping for more. Helping with her new ward could be just the opportunity to show her how much more he could be. Meanwhile, he’s also fighting to earn a promotion and impress his unpleasable police chief father by catching a home burglar and a Christmastime prankster. Neenah’s newly minted neighborhood watch might help him save Christmas and earn the job, if only the group didn’t bring complications of its own.

As Neenah and Cody wrangle octogenarian vigilantes, Christmas bandits, and complicated families, the chemistry between them only grows. But if they act on it, they won’t be able to go back. With their friendship and careers on the line, is love worth the risk?

PT: Is this part of a series? How did the setting get started?

EC: Risking His Heart is the final book in the Christmas in Redemption Ridge series. Some readers love a long series, in which case they’ll be happy to hear there are 18 books! But readers who prefer shorter series or standalones will be happy to learn each book can be read as a standalone. The series has been written by 6 different authors, who each contributed 3 books. It’s loosely connected to an earlier series organized by Tara Grace Ericson called The Heroes of Freedom Ridge. When they ended that series and started a new one, that group of authors had a slot open up, and they invited me to join the fun. The series has been such a blessing to me.

PT: Is there more books for this series?

EC: The Christmas in Redemption Ridge series is now complete. I wrote three books for the series, however, so if readers are looking for my other contributions, they are Bidding on a Second Chance, and Matchmaking the Cowboy.

PT: What’s next on your writing agenda?

EC: I’m hoping to release three Christian romances in 2026. Two of them are shorter romances I’ve already drafted that I need to polish up for their edits. Then, I’m working on A Faithful Protector, which is book two in my main ongoing series, The Many Oaks Romances. Stories in this series are longer and delve into grittier topics, (alcoholism and recovery is one example from A Faithful Protector), but always through the lens of faith and redemption. I find one way I experience God most powerfully is through fiction that deep dives into realistic questions and conflict, and I’m so excited to see what He does with this one.

PT: It's been great having you, Emily, at the Diamond Mine of Christian to tell us more about Risking His Heart. Readers, if you would like to be part of the book giveaway for Emily's book, leave a comment or use our contact form.

May your heart and soul be blessed as we commemorate our Savior birth!

Interview and Giveaway with Kimberly Burkhardt!

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 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 family and can usually be found with a good book or a great cup of coffee in hand. When not writing, she loves spending time with her family, being outdoors, and visiting historical sites around the Midwest. 

Connect with Kimberly on her website, Goodreads, Bookbub, Instagram, and Facebook!

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 in the morning and tea at night.

Sounds perfect! If you could order anything in the world to eat (we can dream, can't we?), what would it be?

My mom’s pot roast, with mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans. It might not sound fancy but it has always been one of my favorite meals and I don’t get it very often since I don’t live close to my parents.

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

Outdoors. I have a glider swing in my backyard that I enjoy sitting on when the weather allows it. My view looks out to a small grove of pine trees. Beyond that, is a small farm. The animal sounds provide a nice ambiance and help spark my creativity when it comes to writing about the Old West.

That's so cool! Do you have an odd habit that is only explained by your bookish, writer tendencies? Safe space. ;-)

I am not aware of any odd habits but I’m sure my family would say otherwise. 

LOL! Those habits never feel odd to us, right? What inspired you to write The Carpenter's Schoolmarm?

I first began writing The Carpenter’s Schoolmarm in high school. At the time, I didn’t yet know where the story would lead—only that there were a few key moments I wanted to include. Like most new writers, I based my characters after people I knew at the time. But as the years went on and I kept revising, both the story and the characters grew right along with me. A lot of my inspiration came from reading Christian historical romances and watching old westerns. 

How fun! What led you to write in this genre?

I grew up watching Dr. Quinn, Bonanza, and Gunsmoke (thanks Mom and Dad) and I loved reading books by Lori Wick, Tracie Peterson, and Mary Connealy. Historical romance has been with me most of my life. It was only natural to want to write in this genre. Plus, I love learning about history in the 1800s.

We had similar childhoods! What message do you hope to convey to your readers?

The message I want to convey to readers with this story is that no matter how our lives are going or want to go, we must trust in God’s plan. I am still learning this lesion and reminding myself that even though I might not see what’s ahead, God has and I need to trust His guidance.

So, so true! Can you tell us a little about your next project(s)?

The second book in the Cooperton Brides series is with my editor and will be released March 2026. I am currently plotting the third book.

About The Blacksmith’s Songbird 

She longs for freedom. He offers hope.

Beneath the glow of the gaslight lamps and smoky haze of the Big Blue Saloon, nineteen-year-old, Laura Shining, feels like a songbird trapped in a cage. She longs for freedom, a life away from the leering eyes of the drunken cowhands and controlling saloon owners. As Laura dares to imagine a life beyond the saloon, a surprising source of strength arises from a group of faithful women in the town’s sewing circle. Through their wisdom and friendship, Laura begins to see her true worth.

Josiah Crawford took the job as blacksmith in Cooperton to help his family and to get away from the guilt of a friend’s death. He enjoys forging iron and is content spending his days shaping steel. It isn’t until a chance run-in with a spirited young singer that he begins to question his decision to stay a bachelor. A growing friendship blossoms, and Josiah soon feels himself wanting more than just a friendship.

When the saloon owner’s simmering jealousy turns violent, Laura must rely on courage, friendship, and the love of a man who has forged his way into her heart, to escape the saloon life.    

Will she be able to break free from her cage and finally sing the song that has been on her heart all along?  

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

At this time in my life, I have found John 16:33, to be a big part. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

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

Right now, I am reading Pretending to Wed by Melissa Jagears.

Fun! Thanks for answering all of my prying questions, Kimberly!

Giveaway ~

Kimberly is generously giving away an eBook copy of The Carpenter's Schoolmarm!

The Carpenter’s Schoolmarm

She’s running from her future. He’s hiding from his past.

Forced into an arranged marriage by her father, Samantha Baxter flees from the clutches of her fiancé and finds sanctuary in the small town of Cooperton, Kansas, as the new schoolmarm. Although she attracts the attention of some of the single men in town, Samantha remains cautious, knowing any romantic relationship could put that man in danger of her fiancé and his fury if he ever tracks her down.  

Michael Brooks finally has enough money to purchase the land where he will build his future home. He can put his criminal past behind him and find peace in the solitary life of crafting furniture for the people of Cooperton. That is, until he meets the new schoolmarm. She stirs a dream inside him he didn’t know he wanted. A wife and family to call his own. 

Despite her efforts, Samantha finds herself drawn to Michael, unable to deny her growing love for the handsome carpenter. But when his past and her future collide, will the two be able to trust in each other and in God’s plan? Or will their secrets keep them apart?

Giveaway Rules, Info, and Such ~

The author is giving away an eBook copy of The Carpenter's Schoolmarm that will be distributed through BookFunnel to one US resident! 

This giveaway will close on 12/18/25 at 11:59 P.M. for all the night owls. 

A winner will be drawn within four days of close of giveaway. The winner must respond to our e-mails within one week of notification, or their prize will be forfeit. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

And may the odds be ever in your favor. ;-)

Enter Giveaway HERE!!!

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!