Interview with author Carrie Walker

 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 Carrie Walker!

Winner of the 2025 Faith Hope and Love Reader's Choice Award, Carrie Walker lives in Michigan with her husband and seven children. From her ten years serving as a high school youth minister, adventures around the globe, and raising a family, many stories have been knit within her heart.

As an avid reader she pens what she loves to read, contemporary stories that bring hope to a hurting world. Weaving romance among story lines of characters in struggle, she aims to show God working in all situations. When she’s not playing board games with her husband, shuttling kids in the Walker bus or wishing for snow, Carrie can be found at the keyboard bringing those stories to life.

Carrie’s writing has been recognized in many contests. Her debut novel, Emma’s Hero, won the silver medal in the Selah Awards, won the IAN Book of the Year for Christian Fiction, was a double finalist in the International Book Awards. 

Connect with Carrie on her website, Facebook, Instagram, BookBub, and Amazon!

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!! (Though I like all 3 haha)

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

That’s a tough question, as I enjoy many things. Today a turkey sub and a smoothie :)

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

I really enjoy sitting on my sofa, with a footrest and a lap desk and writing there. It’s relaxed and cozy.

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

Hmmm. I do have random piles of notebooks dedicated to each of my stories. If anyone were to open them up they literally make no sense. I often will just open to any page and write down whatever random thought/idea/quote/character name pops in my head. It 100% only makes sense to me.

I love that! What inspired you to write Someone to Lean On?

It was a combination of things. Firstly, the underscoring theme in this series is the impact of each human life. So I always envisioned, a story that showed in a small way how the baby from book one of the series, Emma’s Hero, was still touching lives years later. For this story, specifically, I really connected with Lucia as a foster teen in the second book and I see in her what I’ve seen in so many teens and adults. A good person, trying hard to do the right things, but being dealt a rough hand and struggling. So I really wanted to walk in her shoes, and watch her grow and find her happily ever after.

What a journey! What led you to write in this genre? 

I was led to write Romantic Women’s fiction because it’s my favorite genre to read. I love a story with depth and an inspirational message . . . but, for me, every story is better with romance :)

I wholeheartedly agree! What message do you hope to convey to your readers?

That even when things in life are hard, and not going the way you’d hope, that God can still work in the mess. Also, to follow the peace.

What a great message! Can you tell us a little about your next project(s)? 

My next story is the beginning of a new series. In this story, a cosmetologist searching for the daughter she placed in safe haven adoption years ago joins a dairy farmer on a quest to find the nameless love of his life. But she's been hiding under a false identity and this venture might risk their lives and their hearts.

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

I really love Lamentations 3:22-24. There is something so hopeful in remembering that the Lord's mercy is never spent and that we can always hope in Him. 

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

I’m currently reading “Not what we pictured” by Becca Kinzer. I love a good rom com. When life is really busy (and it is SO busy in spring), laughing helps. And Becca is so, so funny.

So fun! Thanks for answering all of my prying questions, Carrie!

Check out Someone to Lean On below!

About the Book ~

They're seeking a peace they can't seem to find...

Aged out of the foster care system and struggling to raise her young daughter, Lucia Roberts loses her only source of income. When she’s offered a position caring for a four-year-old foster child, Timothy, it feels like the answer to a prayer—except for one catch. She must work in the home of Jordan Nowak, Timothy’s overly vigilant foster father who scrutinizes her every move.

Jordan has built his life around one promise: protect a foster child until they can find a happily ever after. But while Jordan fights to keep Timmy safe, his own world spirals out of control. The music store he co-owns with his brother is on the brink of bankruptcy after months of mismanagement. Torn between protecting Timmy, saving the store, and guarding his heart, Jordan grasps for any possibility to fix it all.

Mason Hughes is in his final year of medical school, on rotation under a difficult neurologist, and doubting his call to be a doctor. As the walls between Lucia and Jordan soften, Timmy starts displaying puzzling symptoms. Soon Mason must choose whether he trusts his medical instincts enough to fight an ethical battle.

As three adults seek control in their lives, a young child with no guarantees teaches them to trust.  

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. 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, Instagram, and Amazon Author Page!

Interview with Author Gay N. Lewis!

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 Gay N. Lewis! 

Gay N. Lewis writes under two names, Gay N. Lewis and G. N. Lewis. She writes two blogs, Gay N. Lewis and I’ll Always Remember, a blog about dementia. Visit Gay N. Lewis on YouTube and her Amazon Author Page! 

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?

Thank you for inviting me to visit with you in a coffee shop. I love coffee. I like it plain with no sugar in the winter, and in the summer, I like it sweetened and iced. I stumble from the bed every morning and don’t wake up until the caffeine hits. There’s nothing better than that first cup.

That first cup is the best! If you could order anything in the world to eat (we can dream, can't we?), what would it be?

If I could order anything in the world to eat, what would it be?  That’s a tough question because I enjoy food. My favorite dish is my mom’s chicken and dumplings, but she’s in heaven now, and no one can make them as good as she did.  I’d like to order pizza from Italy, and I would also like to experience Belgium chocolates. However, I have no plans to travel to Europe, so these two authentic treats are not in my future.

Nothing tops mom's food! Where is your favorite place to write, and why is that your favorite place?

My favorite place to write is on my desktop in my office. I’m not an organized person, and I write amidst chaos.  My workplace is at the back of my house, and I can see into the backyard. The view of three huge trees, along with the squirrels chasing each other, refreshes me. Those tiny creatures are fun to watch.

That does sound fun! What inspired you to write Kade's Worth?

What inspired me to write Kade’s Worth?  When I heard of the Safe Haven Laws, the idea came to me. I had a distant relative who threw a newborn into a dumpster some 40 years ago, and she spent thirty years in prison. She could have aborted the baby back then, abortion was legal, but she didn’t. If the Safe Haven Laws had existed at that time, she could have saved herself and the baby after the child was born.

So interesting when family history inspires a story! What led you to write in this genre?

Kade’s Worth is about a young girl who is raped, wants to keep her baby, but with no help, she can’t. She learns of the Baby Moses Laws aka Safe Haven Laws and surrenders her baby. She manages to cope with her loss, but her self-worth vanishes. She marries, but after her husband dies, fury from all the injustice hits her full force. She can’t bring back the baby or her husband, but she can kill the men who raped her. She sets out on a quest to find them.

This book is a far cry from my usual Christian novels. Kade’s Worth is edgy. I normally write Christian historical and fantasy, but this one took me to another level.

That does take an edgy turn! What message do you hope to convey to your readers?

My purpose in writing this book is to help women with unplanned pregnancies. With the Safe Haven, or Baby Moses Laws, there is hope. Parents can surrender a child anonymously. No one needs to know about the baby.

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

One of my favorite Scriptures is Philippians 4:6-7 from the NLT. “Don’t worry about anything; pray about everything, tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers.”  My children learned this at an early age, and when my daughter lay dying, we quoted it together.

How special to your family in times of hardship! Can you tell us a little about your next project(s)?

I don’t have the next project in mind, however, I may write a nonfiction book entitled Life in the Parsonage. I’ve lived in parsonages before, and I have friends who have also. We do have some funny tales to tell.

I bet you do! What are you currently reading? Inquiring minds -- mine! -- want to know. ;-)

I am currently reading Lily’s Redemption by Ann Marie Jameson. It is about a woman who dies, goes to heaven, and returns to earth. She is to make amends to all the people she wronged in her life. It is amusing and has a bit of fantasy. Those are two ingredients I love in a book.

Very interesting! Thanks for answering all of my prying questions, Gay! 

Check out Kade's Worth 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. 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, Instagram, and Amazon Author Page!

Interview with award-winning and best-selling author Sarah Hamaker!

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 before heading 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 award-winning and best-selling author Sarah Hamaker!

Award-winning and best-selling author Sarah Hamaker loves writing books “where the hero and heroine fall in love while running for their lives.” She’s written romantic suspense novels and nonfiction books, as well as stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul volumes. As a writers coach, her heart is encouraging writers. Her podcast, “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” can be found wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Connect with Sarah on her website, newsletter, Facebook, Book Bub, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

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?

Hot tea all the way! I love a good cuppa of black tea. Some of my favorite blends of black tea are Earl Grey Supreme, cranberry black, blueberry black, and Scottish Afternoon. Add a little sugar and a splash of cream—the perfect drink for writing.

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

This is a hard one for me because I’m not a huge foodie—I’m more like my late father in that he ate to live, not lived to eat (not that I don’t like to eat, just not super picky about what I’m eating). But if I could order anything in the world, it would be a juicy cheeseburger made with grassfed beef and cooked medium rare with crispy, lightly breaded onion rings on the side.

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

My office because I have a comfortable chair, a split keyboard and large monitor. I can also shut the door if I need a little peace and quiet. But I do my best thinking there.

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

I have a reader’s vocabulary. At least, that’s my mother’s explanation for the fact that I have trouble pronouncing (and spelling, if we’re being honest) some words. I wasn’t taught phonics as a child and always read above my grade level, so I’d pronounce things in my head and usually that was not how those words are actually pronounced. Even today, I’ll substitute a “smaller” word for the “bigger” one in my head because I’m not sure how to correctly say it.

I can definitely relate. What inspired you to write Justice Denied? 

The story. It’s always the story that needs to get out of my head and onto the page. In Justice Denied, which is book two in my Seeking Justice series, I wanted to give the hero, Seth Whitman, his own story because I liked him as a side character in Justice Delayed, book one. Seth needed to find his own happily-ever-after and was the perfect complement to my heroine, Jetta Ainsely.

A father’s tarnished legacy drives a daughter to untangle a web of deception with the help of a photojournalist. 

Jetta Ainsley’s life had been complicated enough as she navigates cleaning out the family home while her mother recovers from a car accident. When her dog is hurt, her next-door neighbor, Seth Whitman, offers his help. Seth would like to do more for Jetta but the walls she’s placed around her heart are unsurmountable.

Then she learns her late father had been accused of embezzlement, drawing Jetta into a web of secrets that could prove his innocence—or destroy her. When digging into her father’s past brings danger to their doorstep, Jetta turns to Seth for assistance in uncovering who stole millions before someone gets hurt. 

Seth tries to protect Jetta and her mother from the increasing danger, while clues lead them ever deeper into a tangled conspiracy. Unraveling the sinister plot will require all their courage, faith, and trust in each other.

But will uncovering the truth clear her father’s name—or destroy their growing love for one another?

Everyone, check out Justice Denied! What led you to write in this genre? 

I love weaving the romance around the suspense part of the story, probably because I read way too many mysteries as a kid and teenager. I started with the Happy Hollisters and Nancy Drew, then graduated to Agatha Christie and other gothic mystery writers. Frankly, I doubt I could write anything without the dash of mystery and suspense!

How fun! What message do you hope to convey to your readers? 

That our God is a God of second chances and redemption. All of my main characters are believers and it’s important to me to have them live out their lives as authentically as possible on the page so that readers can see how faith in action in sometimes hard circumstances looks like.

That's awesome! Can you tell us a little about your next project(s)? 

Right now, I’m finishing the rough draft to a short novel for a collection next summer, then I’ll move on to editing the first book in a new series featuring 911 dispatchers as the heroines. Like my husband says, I’ve always got something on my writing plate.

Exciting stories are coming! Do you have a favorite Bible verse or story that inspires you on a soul level?

One of my favorite verses is Psalms 37:4, which says “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” All too often we focus on the latter part of this verse about how God will give us the desires of our hearts rather than the vital first part about delighting ourselves in the Lord. When we focus on the former part, our desires and God’s will align, and God’s desires for us will be what our hearts desire too.

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

I’m currently reading Honor, book three in the Long Hot Summer Christian Romantic Suspense collection. I enjoy anthologies and these short novels are a great way to sample many different authors.

Anthologies are so much fun! Thanks for answering all of my prying questions, Sarah!

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!

Jennifer Chastain Talks the Best of Both Worlds Writing Romantic Suspense

 Happy February, everyone. Are you doing something special to celebrate you this month? I sure hope so.

I am delighted to introduce you to my friend Jennifer Chastain today. Even though we both wrote for the same publisher, we didn't meet in person until the Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers Conference last September. 

Jennifer (L) and Suzie (R) at the FHL Writers 

Conference

Jennifer writes contemporary romance, and her newest book in her Targeted for Elimination series released yesterday (February 4, 2025).

A Little Bit About Jennifer Chastain

Jennifer Chastain is a member of ACFW, ACFW-NC, Blue Ridge Reader Connections, and My Book Therapy/Novel Academy. Several of her other stories were finalists in the Blue Ridge Mountains Foundations contest and she was a finalist in the Touched by Love contest, sponsored by the Faith, Hope, and Love Romance Writers. Her contemporary romance stories contain themes of redemption, grace, and forgiveness. Book 3 in her romantic suspense series, Targeted for Elimination: Lethal Connections, will be released in February 2025.

Connect with Jennifer: Website | Facebook | Instagram | X/Twitter

Suzie: Welcome to the Diamond Mine, Jennifer, and congratulations on your new release! I always like

to start with some easy warm up questions, so here we go... What is your favorite wintertime drink?

Jennifer: Sometimes I’ll have a warm apple cider or hot chocolate. I’m not a coffee drinker either so I usually have a big water bottle with me at all times.

Suzie: Oh, have you had the Caramel Apple Spice that Starbucks serves? It's like apple pie in a cup! I'm not a coffee drinker either, so the Caramel Apple Spice or Chai Tea are my go-to drinks (because I often seem to have Starbucks gift cards from people).

Moving on... What are three books on your tbr right now?

Jennifer: WitSec: Inside the Federal Witness Protection Program by Pete Early and Gerald Shur (for research)

Point of Impact by Lisa Phillips

Safe in His Arms by Melanie Snitker

Suzie: That first one sounds interesting (and I'm sure you'll get some great story ideas from it). Where is your favorite place to write? Why?

Jennifer: I like my office we set up - it’s quiet, and I can close the door. Also everything is set up for me as a dedicated writing space. 

  

Suzie: I long for the day when I can set up a dedicated office, complete with walls of bookshelves. I'm glad you've got a space where you can close the door. 

Who makes up your writing tribe? 

Jennifer: I met three fellow authors from My Book Therapy: Mandy Boerma, Sara Turnquist and Tammy Karasek

Suzie: I've known Sara for years. She lives near me, but we met for the first time at an ACFW conference in Dallas! I know the other two ladies by name only, but writing friends make some of the best friends, don't they?

What inspired you to write Lethal Connections?

Jennifer: Thats a very good question. To be honest, I needed another book to complete my then current contract. I had another book I wanted to write for the series, but I just couldn’t seem to figure out the plot or the characters at the time. My characters were not speaking to me! So I sat there in front of my computer and mulled it over and prayed. It was like someone whispered in my ear, “What about Travis? He has a story to tell.” Okay and as I dug into his character the story just flowed. It was as if this character raised his hand and said, “Me! Tell my story!” When I started writing, the story just started to flow. I love Kaitlyn and Travis and their journey to a happily ever after and pray my readers will be encouraged that no matter what happens to you, God is present.

Suzie: Don't you love it when God and your characters take over the story for you? 

What led you to write romantic suspense?

Jennifer: That’s the funny thing - I never intended to write romantic suspense. I firmly believed that I was supposed to write contemporary romance. But after I submitted the first book, Lethal Intentions, the acquisitions editor mentioned that romantic suspense was my genre and was a better fit for my writing style. So I said, okay, let’s do this. But you know what? I really like writing romantic suspense because I get the best of both writing worlds - the romance side combined with action, suspense, and/or adventure!

Jennifer's Targeted for Elimination full series

 

Suzie: It really is the best of both. I enjoy reading romantic suspense for sur.

What message do you hope to convey to your readers?

Jennifer: The main message I’d like to convey to my readers, is that God is the God of second, third, fourth, etc. chances. He will never leave you, all you have to do is call on Him. 

Suzie: Amen and amen! Can you tell us a little about your next project(s)?

Jennifer: I have two projects that I’m working on right now. Both are romantic suspense. The first 

one is a new romantic suspense series for Sunrise Publishing. It’s super secret but all the stories are fantastic! We’ve brainstormed some story elements and that’s about all I can share at this point! I know, it’s vague, but Sunrise still hasn’t announced the series yet, and they’ve asked us to wait to announce the series until they give us the green light. All the stories are going to be high octane romantic suspense.

The second project I’m working on is another romantic suspense novel. I pitched my story idea to the acquisitions editor from Bethany House while attending the Faith, Hope, and Love Conference in Phoenix, AZ this past September. She was very interested and asked for my first three chapters and a book proposal. 

I have other ideas, but those are on the back burner right now. I have a few other stories “marinating” in the back of my head that take place in my fictional town of Providence, NC. I’d like to develop those, when I have the time.

Suzie: Congratulations on the interest from Bethany House. Those kind of conversations are always encouraging, aren't they? And I will have to keep my eyes out for more regarding the Sunrise Publishing series. 

 

I always like to end with the question: How can we pray for you?

Jennifer: I’m recovering for eye surgery, so if you can pray for complete healing for that. For my new release, that the launch will go well, and we’d be able to reach new readers who need to hear Travis’s story of redemption.

Suzie: I am praying for recovery and healing for your eye and blessings with your new book and launch and for the new stories to flow.

Thank you so much for spending some time with us this week.

About Lethal Connections

Being a Marine prepared him to fight, but not for his heart.

Travis Beckett has perfected the surfer guy persona with a devil-may-care attitude. He lives simply, but he longs for more. Forced into the Witness Protection program five years ago, he had no choice but to walk away from the only woman he’s ever loved, and he was positive he’d never see her again—but then she shows up in Hawaii, and now, they’re both in danger.

Five years is a long time to mourn for a man who left her at the altar.

When Kaitlyn Daniels flies to Hawaii to attend a medical convention, she expects a relaxing week spent furthering her career. Instead, she escapes a fire at the hotel, gets shot at, and discovers her supposed-deceased fiancé is alive and living in Hawaii. Together, they barely escape all the danger, and she’s more than ready to go home.

Trouble comes knocking on her front door.

As a new Christian, Kaitlyn’s faith is tested to its limits when the trouble from Hawaii follows her home to Providence, NC—so does Travis. Now, a more sinister danger lurks behind every shadow, and if she and Travis can’t work together to find out who is behind the violent attacks, and why, they can both say goodbye to their second chance.

Goodreads | Amazon 

Doubly Talented Author and Artist Jenelle Hovde

Hard cover copy of Winter Weather to be given away to one blessed reader! Stay tuned!

PT: Hi, Jenelle! Tell us a little background on yourself, how you started writing, and why you write in the genre you write in. And, for my curiosity and maybe for a few readers, how you pronounce your last name. 😉

 JH: Hi Peggy! Thank you so much for the chat! My last name is Norwegian, and it’s pronounced Huv-dee. I write in several genres, including Regency romance, historical biblical fiction, and World War II cozy mysteries with a time-split element. I’ve always loved reading and writing! My mother taught high school English and passed her passion for literature on to me.

 PT: What part of the country are you from, and what part of the country appeals to you the most? 

 JH: I’m a Canadian now living in Florida. My husband is a pastor of a small church, and we love the beach life! Florida truly feels like paradise.

PT: So jealous! I LOVE the beach. Okay. Fast get-to-know-you questions: country girl/city slicker? Pets/no pets? Coffee, tea, or something else? 

JH: I’m a Saskatchewan farm girl who also loves nature and shopping—I want both city and small-town living! I have two cats, Annabelle and Shadow. Shadow is a rescue kitty. I drink both coffee and tea! Mostly coffee, with a dash of heavy cream or coconut oil. My favorite authors include Mesu Andrews, Elizabeth Camden, Michelle Griep, Mimi Matthews, and Laura Frantz. I have a desk, but I’ll write anywhere I can find a good seat.

PT: I know the readers will be interested to know that you are not only are you gifted in writing, you also have a talent for art. Tell us more about that.

JH: I started painting to relax after a long day of homeschooling and writing. Several authors reached out to see if I offered commissions. Right now, I’m booked into October 2025 with clean fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction commissions. As long as I can tell a story with the art, I’m happy. I have the best clients! Readers who subscribe to my newsletter also get special prints just for them. Authors can find my portfolio at jenellehovdeauthor.com and reach out with any questions. I illustrate novels, book covers, character cards, and posters!

PT: And your paintings are amazing! I hope readers check them out. Now, several of your books are published by Guideposts. How can a reader be sure to get one of your books through Guideposts? 

JH: Two of my Guideposts novels are offered on Kindle Unlimited through Amazon: Eve’s Story: The First Daughter and Ruth and Naomi’s Story: A Harvest of Grace. Otherwise, readers can purchase my cozy mysteries at shopguideposts.org. Readers can buy individual books or sign up for the whole series! My upcoming Tyndale Regency Romance, No Stone Unturned, is available wherever books are sold. It releases July 15, 2025. 

PT: You’ve had several books come out recently: Ruth and Naomi's Story: A Harvest of Grace came in August,  Eve's Story: The First Daughter in September, Winter Weather comes out soon, and yet another, Among the Giants: Achsah’s Story, will release in early 2025. How do you manage such a heavy writing schedule? 

JH: Honestly, I had to make significant changes because my brain felt like mush. I stopped reading the news and scrolling social media. I cut all sugar and highly processed foods, focusing instead on natural foods like meat and fruit. I also started working out to take care of my body and mind. I’ve learned to say yes or no to opportunities, no matter how amazing they seem. I’ve made some mistakes along the way, especially while homeschooling. I’m still learning to balance my life better, but cutting distractions and taking care of my health has proven helpful. I stick to a tight schedule as well. 

PT: Let’s focus on Winter Weather. Give a rundown of what this Christmas novel is about, where it’s set, its cast of characters, and where readers can get a copy. 😊

JH: Readers can purchase Winter Weather at shopguideposts.org. It’s book nineteen in the Whistle Stop Café Mysteries series.

Christmas in Dennison is a magical time, and Debbie Albright is determined to make this holiday season perfect. To kick off the festivities, Debbie and her friends will be performing in a live Nativity on the Christmas train, which will be filmed by the TV show Days of Yesteryear! When local businessman Ricky Carosi shows her a Nativity scene his great-uncle painted, Debbie is thrilled to display such a beautiful piece in the Whistle Stop Café. The painting’s history reveals the Carosi family’s involvement with the Italian resistance in the 1940s. But then the painting is stolen! With a list of suspects—including Ricky’s contentious cousin, Leo, and high-handed TV host, Maurice Devons—will Debbie and her best friend, Janet Shaw, be able to recover it? Or will Debbie’s Christmas gift to Ricky be the news that she lost his family’s priceless heirloom?

PT: What Biblical concept would you say Winter Weather focuses on?

JH: Winter Weather focuses on standing up for what’s right, even when societal pressures make it hard. Defying the Nazis took tremendous courage. The novel also touches on forgiveness and grace when family lets us down. 

PT: Tell five things fast about Jenelle Hovde that have nothing to do with writing.

JH: I’m a pastor’s wife and teach Sunday school to amazing kids! I was once a doctor of Audiology but chose to leave my career to homeschool—no regrets! I’m still Canadian. I married a Marine. And I love Jane Austen films.

PT: What direction are you going in next?

JH: I’m currently writing book two of my Bluestocking Series for Tyndale. My first book, No Stone Unturned, releases July 15, 2025, wherever books are sold.

It’s about a vicar’s daughter who discovers a Roman mosaic in a field. She wants to uncover the past. He wishes to build a future. Set in the rolling hills of West Sussex, this Regency romance follows two opposing wills as they discover that their fate may lie in the common ground. Miss Bridget Littleton’s passion for history defies social conventions, even in her small village. 

When a farmer uncovers an elaborate mosaic in his field, Bridget dreams of making a name for herself by restoring the Roman ruins. Unfortunately, her quest puts her at odds with the new lord who recently inherited the title and Hawthorn Abbey. Captain Rafe Hawthorn, recovering from wounds both physical and emotional, is determined to restore his neglected ancestral home. His plans to revive the abbey’s orchards require a road straight through Bridget’s trove of artifacts. He won’t—can’t—fail again, no matter how moved he is by Bridget’s passion. Yet this impasse might not be their greatest obstacle. 

A natural disaster and a series of suspicious accidents threaten their plans and the livelihood of the villagers who depend on them. With their dreams on the line, Bridget and Rafe must join forces to fend off an unexpected enemy more dangerous than either could have imagined.

It's a sweet Regency romance filled with hope, faith, and an enemies-to-lovers dynamic—perfect for fans of Julie Klassen, Sarah Ladd, or Abigail Wilson. I also have another biblical fiction piece, Achsah’s Story: Among the Giants, releasing next year with Guideposts Fiction.

PT: Wow, so many books for readers to enjoy! Thank you, Jenelle for stopping by and sharing your books with us.

Jenelle is giving away one hard cover copy of Winter Weather! Please comment that you are interested in being entered into our giveaway or leave your info on our contact form.

 

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