Let's Meet Meghann Whistler

I'm excited to have Meghan Whistler join us on Diamond Mine. She authors sweet Christian romance. 

Comment by December 14 for a chance to win a copy of The Baby’s Christmas Blessing (winner’s choice of paperback or ebook)

Let's get started with some of Meghann's favorite things:

What is your favorite?

Coffee or Tea?

Neither! Caffeine makes me jittery, and I don’t like herbal tea 😊

M&Ms or Reece’s Pieces?

Peanut butter M&Ms!

Cat or Dog Person?

Neither! I’m allergic to both!

Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter?

LOL—any season except winter! After living in California and South Texas for 15 years, I can’t take the cold!!! ❄️

Tell us a bit about you:

When you aren’t reading or writing, what do you like to do?

I love playing badminton and rollerblading, although I haven’t had the chance to do either in a while. I also enjoy taking my kids to the trampoline park, walking on the beach with my husband, and playing cards.

What has been the biggest challenge for you on your writing journey?

The biggest challenge for me was a 15-year dry spell! I always knew I wanted to be a writer, and I actually went to graduate school and got an MFA in creative writing. I completed a novel during graduate school that I tried to get published, but it didn’t happen.

After that, I worked a day job as a marketing communications professional. I did a lot of writing—case studies, white papers, ad copy—but none of it was fiction. I would start different creative writing projects, but I never got very far. I was busy working and raising my young kids, but I always had this desire in my heart to get back to doing the kind of writing that I loved: fiction.

I discovered the Christian fiction genre in 2017 and started writing my first Christian romance in 2018. That book, Falling for the Innkeeper, was published in 2020, and it has just been a dream come true to see my books make it into readers’ hands!

I feel like God made me wait to get published until I’d found the genre He wanted me to write.

What is your favorite Bible verse? Why?

I love 2 Corinthians 12:9, which reminds me that I don’t have to be perfect to live a life of meaning or value—I just have to let God work through me.

Tell us about your latest release:

Do you have a new release you'd like to tell us about?

Yes! The Baby’s Christmas Blessing just came out two months ago, and it’s perfect for a December read. 😊

Set in a charming small town on beautiful Cape Cod, this book will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride from start to finish!

Here’s what you can expect:

• · ⭐️ A feel-good second-chance romance… at Christmas!!!
• · 🚹 A strong & caring hero with a shockingly sad (and secret!) backstory
• · 👦 A snuggly newborn baby who needs a nanny
• · 💕 A big-hearted heroine with amazing friends
• · ✝️ An uplifting inspirational message about love, family & forgiveness

I’ve been touched by all the positive feedback the book has gotten so far, but I think my favorite comment has been that the romantic relationship portrayed in The Baby’s Christmas Blessing is the kind of “romance that I would want for my son or daughter.” (C.Y., Goodreads)

Is there a certain Bible passage or verse that goes along with the theme of your book?

This book was inspired by Galatians 5:1, which says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Both of the main characters in this story have some trauma in their past that’s holding them back in the present. They need to learn that God doesn’t want them to live in bondage to the past; He wants them to be free to live and love and do great work for His kingdom.

Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?

One of the scenes in The Baby’s Christmas Blessing is set on the beach on a night when there’s a blood moon, which is a lunar eclipse that makes the moon look red. I have a very vivid childhood memory of being on the beach with my family at night during a blood moon, and my mom actually did comment on that after reading the book!

Just for fun:

If you could travel anywhere without worry about cost, where would you travel?

Greece! I’ve wanted to go there ever since I studied World History in high school. I’d love to see all the ruins, and the beaches don’t look too shabby, either!

More about Meghann:

Meghann Whistler writes sweet Christian romance novels that won't make your grandmother blush.

Her debut novel, Falling for the Innkeeper, was named one of “Six Sensational 2020 Debut Series Romances” by the American Library Association’s Booklist Reader, and was also a finalist for the 2021 Book Buyers Best Award.

Her next book, The Billionaire’s Secret, was a #1 bestseller and #1 Hot New Release across multiple categories on Amazon.com, including Christian Romance, Christian Women’s Fiction, and Contemporary Religious Fiction, among others. It won the 2022 Selah Award for Contemporary Romance, placed second in the romance category of the 2022 Christian Indie Awards, and was a finalist for the 2022 HOLT Medallion.

Before settling down with her rocket scientist husband and raising three rambunctious boys, Meghann earned a B.A. in English from Amherst College and an M.F.A. in creative writing from Emerson College.

She is grateful to be living her dream of writing sweet, hopeful stories that demonstrate the power of love and grace.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TWJ9834

Everywhere else: https://books2read.com/babyschristmasblessing


MEGHANN ON THE WEB

· Website: https://www.MeghannWhistler.com

· Newsletter: https://bonus.meghannwhistler.com/blogtour

· BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/meghann-whistler

· Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20039853.Meghann_Whistler

· Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Meghann-Whistler/e/B086YBHV9J

· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMeghannWhistler

GIVEAWAY

Comment by December 14 for a chance to win a copy of The Baby’s Christmas Blessing (winner’s choice of paperback or ebook)

Celebrate with our blog hostess, Peggy Trotter, on her new release with giveaway!

By Kathleen L. Maher

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! 

Please welcome our blog proprietress, Peggy Trotter, as we celebrate her upcoming release Tattered Blossoms Rise.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful traditional holiday, and one I so-o-o look forward to. Memories of my

mother permeate the occasion with the savory aroma of sage in her stuffing recipe, the warm hint of

nutmeg in her heirloom pies, and even the vintage Pyrex nesting bowls used to prepare and serve the

feast.

Peggy, what is your favorite tradition about Thanksgiving?

Getting to see the whole family around the table is my absolute favorite. The wonderful smells of turkey and homemade rolls wreathe our heads and everyone is hungry and thankful for another year together.

Beautiful imagery! Yes. With the busy holiday season officially on now, how does your writing schedule change, or does it?

Well, my writing takes a back seat during family times. Christmas sometimes puts a damper on getting a lot done writing-wise for most of December. But I still sneak in some time to write and edit.

We know writers have to wear many hats—brainstormer, plotter, editor, formatter, cover designer,

marketer…Each is its own beast, aside from the creative exercise and mastering of the writing craft. Do

you have a favorite aspect, or one you particularly dread, hate, despise and loathe? Do you outsource

some of these tasks?

Writing is my absolute favorite. I like to be knee deep with a story I’m so eager to put on the screen with a digital fireplace on the TV, writing dialogue, sometimes crying along with my character, LOL. But I do enjoy dabbling in book covers. My absolute nemesis is marketing. Even formatting (which can drive you bonkers) is a lamb next to that. I’m a big DIY-er so I do a lot on my own, but I absolutely could not do without my editor, Nancy Clark. She finds ALL my mistakes and timing issues. She’s a wonder.

Reaching out to others with our stories is why we do what we do. What has been your most touching

feedback from a reader?

I recently had a woman tell me she so enjoyed my books because it was like getting an enjoyable story

and a devotion at the same time. And she really hit the nail on the head because that is how I want

them to be perceived. I want my books to be enjoyable yet carry a deep gospel message.

Do you have a favorite scripture or other way to stir your writing muse?

Right now the Bible verse that is dear to my heart is Psalm 40:1-2:

I waited patiently for the Lord, I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

2  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and

established my goings.

This is the verse I based my series name Up From the Miry Clay. My new book Tattered Blossoms Rise is the first book of the series. I like to sing this verse with an old song I love of Ginny Owens called 40

(From Psalm 40): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_pQ7H7Xia4

There are so many times when we just have to…wait. And in the case of my new series, my heroines

have been brought up out of the miry clay of prostitution. They must navigate life, find love, and serve

the Lord as the new creature God created them to be in a world where they will not always be accepted

and loved. We all know that world very well.

Tell us about your new release! 

My first book’s heroine, Pansy Jo Sutcliff is one of these characters with very strong resilience and will.

Once she decides, it’s done. No fluctuating. So when she accepts Jesus, her entire life changes and her iron will plows her through every rough patch. My hero is more shy and hesitant. 

Here’s the blurb:

Pansy Jo Sutcliff’s reformed and she’s not going back. That’s right. No rendezvousing under the

name “Miss Ruby” ever again. With her rusted shotgun, she’s willing to discourage any man who comes

knocking. Until Wylen Jenks stutters out a wedding proposal. Never in her fondest dreams had she ever

imagined she might be a bride. The man may be desperate with half a dozen kids, yet it’s the best offer

she’s ever received.

Wylen Jenks knows he ain’t worthy to wed such a rare beauty. And as far as sordid backgrounds

go, well, he had his own to wrangle. But when an old customer shows up, roughhousing and itching to

relive the past with his new wife, Wylen must reach deep to defend not only what is his, but to battle off

the lifelong condemnation and shame that troubles his soul.

With a bold prayer on each of their lips, Wylen and Pansy Jo charge forth into a new life of

marriage.

But will their old lives let them go?

Tattered Blossoms Rise releases Dec. 1st . (Insert “It’s my birthday” dance” here.) 

link: https://www.amazon.com/Tattered-Blossoms-Rise-Miry-Clay-ebook/dp/B0BLM91D28. And please,

readers, sign up for my newletter @https://www.peggytrotter.com for up-to-date info on new books!

Peggy Trotter is on a continual quest to find one of her many pairs of glasses. Once those readers are parked on her nose, she‘s immersed in a story scene of some sort, always pushing toward that miracle happy ending. On a dusty shelf lies a couple of writing honors like the prestigious ACFW Genesis Award, Novella category, even though she writes full-length historical, contemporary and suspense Christian Fiction.

She has two amazing grown children, two terrific children-in-laws, and four unbelievably fantabulous grandchildren, who deserve way more than the average amount of adjectives and adverbs. Her Batman of 38 years, whose cape is much worn from rescuing his wife from one scrap or another, is the delight of her life. She’s a smoldering pot of determined discombobulation who, by the grace of God, occasionally pulls it together to appear in public as a normal confident woman while privately craving a few hermit hours to woo the printed word.

Links:

peggytrotter.com

peggytrotter.blogspot.com

diamondsinfiction.blogspot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Peggy_Trotter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeggyTrotterAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13778873.Peggy_Trotter

Amazon Author’s Profile Page: amazon.com/author/peggytrotter.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peggy_trotter_author/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/PeggyTrotterAuthor/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-trotter-44a29b95/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13778873.Peggy_Trotter

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/peggy-trotter

MeWe: mewe.com/i/peggytrotter

Parler: https://parler.com/profile/PeggyTrotterAuthor

Usa.life: https://usa.life/PeggyTrotterAuthor

Gab: https://gab.com/PeggyTrotterAuthor

Speaking of Giving Thanks…Thank you so much for spending time with all of us here. You’ve been so

gracious as our blog leader and chief orchestrator of herding cats here on the Diamond Mine of Christian

Fiction. Thank you for all you do! Wishing you and yours a very happy and blessed season.

GIVEAWAY: Peggy has graciously offered an ebook copy of her new release to one lucky blog commenter. You can enter more than once by sharing this blog post and following Peggy on her links above. Just let us know where you shared/followed for one entry each. Good luck and blessings! Winner will be drawn by (random dot org) and announced here next Tuesday. Please don't forget to  leave your _email at server dot com_ in the comment so we can notify you!