Thank you, Valerie, for letting me share today! When you last heard from me, I was stepping down from IR to grieve my mom’s sudden passing and tie up her business affairs. That took most of 2021, and writing was not a priority.
In fact, there were days I wondered if I would ever finish the manuscript I’d started years before, Anchored Hearts. Every time I tried to capture the story about two colleagues with control issues, something else came along. I wrote a Christmas novella. I finished a YA series with my teen daughter. My mom needed care, and I left home and moved in for two months to watch her go from near death to celebrating Christmas. Even after I returned home, I drove 600 miles round trip to take mom to specialists. My family missed me, and I of course missed them.
It was a lot.
Once I finished up most of the business side of things and worked through a lot of the stress and grief, it was time to write. This new series, Surrendering Hearts, is about a family with a unique birth story who stays in the national spotlight because of tragedy. The first book, Anchored Hearts, shares sextuplet #1, Jordyn Hart’s journey as she is forced to confront her need to control everything and everyone around her. This time, Jordyn’s transformation poured out of me.
God’s timing is amazing because if it had been up to me, I would have released this book years ago. It would not have been ready, and people would not have had the opportunity to surrender their own issues as they related to Jordyn and her handsome colleague with his own set of problems, Spencer Collins. This time, I KNEW Jordyn. I could feel her fear and frustration as she watched everything change around her. I grieved as Jordyn kept Spencer at arm’s length because the thought of further heartbreak was too much for her to even consider.
Now I have a new release that I am so proud of. I love the Hart family with their squabbles and pain, and I love Spencer and all he brings to Anchored Hearts. I’m rooting for the characters as much as readers. There is such a healing in my own life I’m anxious to start Repairing Hearts, Book #2 and Ryan’s story.
If you’ve ever hit delay after delay and questioned God’s timing, I pray you surrender to His ways. The other side is a beautiful experience full of His presence and revelation.
Here’s a snippet of Anchored Hearts, available now on Amazon.
Spencer sipped on his drink, stealing a glance at Jordyn. They’d crossed paths a couple times when he gave a live report from Binghamton, but this was their first time in the same room. Something about those big brown eyes and the lingering trail of rose and vanilla created an energy around her. He took a deep breath and intentionally shifted his seat so he’d instead focus on Vince and the big announcement.
The boss cupped his hands together and placed them on the table. “WFRN is the Southern Tier’s leader in news. Rise and Shine is the most watched morning program in America. We’re going to marry the two by creating a local morning show that will usher in Julia’s national program.” He walked over to the conference room laptop and touched a few buttons. An image appeared on the huge screen in front of them. “I present Early Rise and Shine, premiering sweeps week in November.”
Spencer stretched his legs under the table as he took in the bright blue, orange, and yellow logo. Impressive. The move made sense. Why though, was he invited to attend?
Vince returned to his seat; his smile as electric as the logo. “The co-hosts will be Jordyn Hart and Spencer Collins.”
I hope you’re as excited about Jordyn and Spencer’s story as I am. I’d love to give one copy of Anchored Hearts to a US winner, either Kindle version or softcover. Leave a comment regarding anything I shared today and I’ll choose a random winner on June 16. Thank you again for letting me post today!
Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to find freedom in Christ by surrendering the good, the bad, and —maybe one day—the chocolate. She’s the author of the new contemporary romance series SURRENDERING HEARTS (Anchored Hearts, Repairing Hearts, and 4 more.) Her other romance series is SURRENDERING TIME (Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged.) She also co-wrote a YA series with her daughter, SURRENDERING STINKIN’ THINKIN’ (You’re Beautiful, You’re Amazing, You’re Brilliant.) Her stand-alone romances include MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN and RESTORING CHRISTMAS. Julie maintains a blog at juliearduini.com and participates in the team blog Christians Read. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Learn more by visiting her at http://linktr.ee/JulieArduini.
Valerie Comer is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner who writes where food meets faith and fiction. She injects experience laced with humor into her green clean romances. Her life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local foods movement as well as their church. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.
So happy to hear from you Julie :)
You are such an inspirational writer for me and so looking forward to reading Spencer and Jordyn’s story. Thank you.
2021 was a difficult year for me, too. I had a sister pass away in May and my mother pass away in June. I also had knee replacement surgery. The Lord was with me and brought me through it!!
That sounds like a wonderful story, and I love how you are living out 2 Corinthians 1:4, letting God use your own trials to comfort and encourage others.
Welcome today. I am sorry to hear about your mom. I know loosing mom is tough. Congratulations on your book. It is so awesome to see how God works in our lives. Many times we dont understand His timing. But it is always perfection. I am so glad that this worked out for you the way He wanted.
Your book sounds wonderful. I would love to read it.
You and I went through the same loss close to the same time. I can definitely say with you that the process difficult. I, too, can look back and see God’s hand through so much of it, and say that my relationship with Him has grown and changed, and yet stayed the same, in so many different ways. I have the ebook in my TBR stack.
Dianne,
You made my week! Thank you so much for the encouragement. God did an amazing work in me through Anchored Hearts, and I believe readers are going to love the results. Blessings to you!
Kathleen,
His presence was everything to me through those dark times. He is so faithful. I am so sorry to read of your sister and mom’s passing, and then knee surgery on top of that. I pray you see Him in the every day, proving His comfort is always there for you.
Milla,
Thank you for that encouragement. I love that He lets us write fiction to accomplish His purposes. He is so creative!
Lori,
Thank you for reading! You are right. His timing is always perfection, because He is. That’s a great word right there. I appreciate you sharing!
Linda,
I’m glad you stopped by! I’m really excited about Anchored Hearts, and I think you will be too!
Trudy,
I remember our experiences were very close together. It was such a tough time. I’m so glad you too are healing and seeing how very present God is.
I’m so glad you have the eBook. I pray you love it as much as I do.
Valerie,
Thank you for giving up your spot today to let me share Anchored Hearts. IR is part of my morning routine, and I’d be lost without you ladies!
Blessings to you all.
Good morning, Julie! I’m having a late start today after a busy weekend away, and it was such fun to see your cheery self already here chatting with our friends! It was so good to hear from you, and I wish you all the best with your sextuplet stories :)
I have faith in HIS presence. My family is going through a tough spot right now but with HIS help we will get through it. Thanks for your inspiring words.
First of all, I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. I can not even imagine the grief & sorrow you must have went through (and maybe still are). One thing I’ve learned, God uses the ashes of our lives to create something beautiful out of it. And that for you it was this story. My heart just goes out to you that you had to go through a dark valley though.
I’m sure I would find it very emotional & deep, the kind I really love! Because when I can relate to a character, then they become very real in my mind and I can make a connection. Knowing the background behind how the story came to be, it would be even more meaningful to me :-)
I agree with you, God’s timing is always amazing! And He always brings something beautiful from it.
I am so glad that you are back writing. Happy book birthday celebration. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Hi, I love the sound of your book and your book cover is Stunning! And yes I agree, God’s Timing is Always the perfect time for anything. Thank you for the chance. Have a great week and stay safe.
My deepest sympathy and prayers over losing your mom. I also lost my mom after caring for her for 9 months last May so I definitely understand. Blessings
nice snippet
I’m very sorry for the loss of your mom. Your book sounds so exciting & can’t wait to read it.
Thank you for telling about your book
Sounds like a really good book. I love how God’s timing is perfect, it’s too bad we can usually only recognize and realize it in hindsight.
Deborah,
You absolutely will. Reading today He lead me to Joshua 1: 1-5. It was so refreshing to know no matter what, He will never leave or forsake us. I have had some valley times, and He was there. And He is for you. Thank you for reading!
Trixi,
One thing I’ve learned about what I call those Hosea 2:14 moments is that those times are never wasted. He healed me and prepared me for what is next, whatever that might be. For all I went through, the Hart family feels as real as my loved ones. I loved Jordyn and Spencer’s journey. I believe you will too!
Thank you for your sweet words. Blessings to you!
Debra!
So good to “hear” from you. Thank you for reading my post, and blessings to you as well.
Alicia,
Thank you so much! I’m glad you like the cover. i really wanted it to capture Jordyn and her story, and I think readers will understand the significance as they read her journey. You have a great week too!
Lucy,
I’m so sorry. It is definitely a club no one wants to join, especially after you have served as a caregiver. I pray you feel God’s constant presence, comfort and care as you move forward. I really appreciate that you stopped by and shared.
Thank you!
Thank you, Amy! I believe you will love it.
Thank you for stopping by and sharing, Sylvain!
Megan,
Isn’t that the truth. That’s wisdom right there. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Happy Book Birthday!
Enjoyed the post today, would love to get a print copy!
Thank you, Natalya! I’m so glad you stopped by.
Thank you for stopping by, Teresa! I’m glad you liked the post!