It feels like I’ve been in a season of change for the past year. I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fan of change most of the time, so I tend to resist it, until I finally accept it and then embrace it.
This past year has been a huge time of change for most of us. For me specifically, it meant adding a daughter in law to our family, a move home for my younger son after living out of state for several years, my parents sold their home a few doors away from me and moved out of state, my husband started working from home, and then my career path took a turn. It’s been a lot!I’ve made adjustments and have learned to go with the flow.
I’m reminded of my book The Reluctant Groom. Those characters adjusted to some humongous changes in their lives. A marriage of convenience along with a tragedy is sure to cause upheaval. However, it also caused, reflection and growth. Not bad things to my way of thinking.
As we enter fall I encourage you to embrace change and look for the positive things in your life. Maybe write them down in a gratitude journal.
I hinted at a change in my career path. Many of you know that I started my career writing contemporary romance, but over this past year I have shifted completely to writing romantic mystery and suspense. I had been part of this blog from the beginning, left for six months and missed it so much, I came back with the plan to write at least one contemporary romance a year. That hasn’t happened. The Lord has led me toward writing only romantic mystery and suspense, which I love, but it’s not within the scope of this blog. Therefore, this will be my last post on the inspyromance blog. I will still be on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also follow me on BookBub and Amazon. From my website you can subscribe to my newsletter to help keep up on the goings on in my life and writing.
When I left the blog the first time, I was so sad. I wasn’t ready. This time, the Lord has brought me to a place where I am at peace and excited for what He has planned for me. I’m reminded of the verse Jeremiah 29:11.
His plans are good and right and I’m excited for the future.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance, romantic mystery, and romantic suspense that warms the heart and feeds the soul. Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
I like to see change coming and be prepared for it.
I’m like you, however change is inevitable, though there are times when I argue about it, until I realise and get on board.
Interesting that until you mentioned it, I hadn’t realised InspyRomance was limited to contemporary romances, actually I thought it was inspirational romances – can it be opened up to include romantic suspense as well please? The tag line fall in love with a good book certainly covers your writing in my humble opinion!
Good luck with your writing. You will be missed around here.
I also do not like change! I’m getting better with it in some ways the older I get, though. I’m already following you everywhere, so I’ll see you around! I agree with Dianne, though, that contemporary romance could definitely include mystery and suspense, because I read a lot of that, too! Inspirational mystery and suspense would fit right in here, seems to me.
I dont like change either, but it can end up being so good. I wish you happy times and good luck in your new writing adventures!
Thank you for sharing. I’m sad to see you leave the blog, but am excited for you as you’ve started a new path.
I don’t like change either. My career path has also changed recently. My dream has always been to be a stay at home mom, but after almost a year of prayer, crying, soul searching and reluctant job hunting, I’m working full time and my husband is staying home with our three year old. God is so good. 5 weeks in to the change I’m confident that were where God wants us to be. I’m so glad I obeyed, even though I didn’t want to.
Hi Dianne! As the owner of Inspy Romance, I made a decision in the beginning that this blog would cover Christian contemporary romance (CCR) specifically. My admin team and I felt then (and still feel) that it would be best to maintain a tight and specific niche.
The word inspy is perhaps unfortunate and was partially driven by what URLs were available seven years ago when the blog was in conception. You’re right that “inspirational” isn’t the same thing as “Christian.”
We focus on CCR. A few of our members over the years have ALSO written Amish or historical or romantic suspense or sweet/clean or YA, but they’re encouraged to focus on their actual CCR stories in their blog posts here.
Sorry to disappoint, but we won’t be changing the focus of the blog in the foreseeable future. :)
Hi Trudy! Please see my reply to Dianne, above.
We will miss you, Kimberly!!!
I’m with you, Mary about seeing change coming. It helps to see it coming and have time to come to terms with them.
Thanks, Jessica B.!
Thanks for following me on social media. I’ll see you around the internet. :)
Hi Katy,
It’s funny how I resist change when the Lord sends it my way, yet it’s always better in the long run.
I’m happy for you and that this change has been positive.
Thanks, Val. I’ve subscribed to the blog since the beginning, so I’ll still be around, just in a different capacity. :) Thanks for including me here for all these years!
Thanks, Megan!
Hi Dianne,
Isn’t it funny how we resist but eventually get on board. It would save a lot of angst if we just got on board to start with lol. I’m talking to myself here. :)
Not a disappointment to me! :) I kinda thought it was something like that, and completely understandable! Christian is definitely more in line with what I like, with inspirational a close second, and sweet/clean last! Thank you, Valerie, for the explanation! :)
No problem! You know what they say, if you aim at nothing, you’ll hit exactly that! So we’ve chosen a tight focus, and (mostly) that works out well for everyone. Our readers here know what to expect :)
Hi, so sorry to see you go, but God knows what He is doing in your Life, just like you, we all need change sometimes , all we have to do is listen to when God speaks to us. Your book sounds like a good read and a Great inspiration. God Bless you and your family. Have a Great weekend and stay safe. Thank you for sharing your very Inspiring post with us.
Hi, sorry to see you go, but God knows what He is doing in your Life, just like you, we all need change sometimes , all we have to do is listen to when God speaks to us. Your book sounds like a good read and a Great inspiration. God Bless you and your family. Have a Great weekend and stay safe. Thank you for sharing your very Inspiring post with us.
That’s fine, I think it never hurts to ask though, thanks for explaining the inception Valerie :)
Thank you for your kind words, Alicia.
You have a great weekend too!
Applies to me too :D
Made sure I am following you on BookBub and amazon.
:) Thanks, Dianne.
You’re welcome, Dianne! And thanks so much for being an Inspy Romance regular :)
It’s like the difference between driving a car down a snowy mountain road at night and riding a roller coaster. Both have the adrenaline rush. Both have a sense of danger, of being on the edge. The mountain road, though, makes no promises. The roller coaster, on the other hand, is the work of a great designer who has studied all the forces and set limits on the journey. You may still be screaming and losing your lunch, in other words, being very uncomfortable. But the Great Designer has a purpose. To bring us back to home base with a knowledge that His skill is more than enough to take care of us. I’m sure the analogy is a weak one because God’s path has so much more for us than just a ride around the loop for a thrill. The core truth still remains: He takes us through the difficult process of change according to His perfect design and underneath are the everlasting arms.
I wish you many blessing on the new path.
Lincoln, your analogy is great! I am always in awe of your replies as they are so well written and profound. Thank you!
God bless and congratulations on your new direction.
Thanks, Pam.
Best wishes!
Kimberly,
I will miss you here. I love your work, so I will be sure to confirm I’m following you!
You will be missed Kimberly by everyone here. I am so excited for the new venture the Lord has for you! May He continue to bless you in your writing no matter what genre He leads you in :-)
I also follow you on Facebook, Twitter and signed up for your newsletter…so yay I can still keep up with you!
Thanks so much, Julie!
It’s my favorite genre ❤️ Blessings in your writing!
Thank you, Natalya!