Can I just start my first post here on Inspy Romance by saying how excited I am to be here? And also, it’s so nice to meet you all and be part of this wonderful community!
When I decided to start writing and publishing contemporary Christian romance, I searched for every resource I could find about the industry. After a decade spent writing more than 300 children’s nonfiction books, I felt pretty seasoned in that part of the publishing world. But diving into independently publishing my Christian fiction—let’s just say the learning curve was steep.
Pretty early on in my search, I came across this blog, and I immediately subscribed—and fell in love with both the content and the writers (I know you’re all agreeing with me here!). One day, I was reading a post and wondering how a person (cough *me* cough) would come to write for a blog like this. But I definitely didn’t feel bold enough to ask. After all, have you seen the amazing books these ladies put out? I’d only been publishing Christian fiction for a few months—I wasn’t about to step in and say, “Hey, maybe you should add me to your blog too.” But that very same day (I’m not even kidding), I got a message from the wonderful and ever-generous Valerie Comer, asking if I might consider blogging for Inspy Romance. I mean, wow! Before I’d even had time to utter the prayer, God had answered it.
And now here I am, blogging with all these authors whose books and whose hearts for the Gospel I so admire.
This is one thing about the publishing industry in general, but even more so the inspirational publishing industry, that stands out to me: We’re all in this to build each other up. I think of how cutthroat some industries are—to get ahead in those fields, you have to be willing to climb over others, to push them down so you can move up the ladder. But I’ve found that there’s such a sense of community in publishing―such a desire to see each other succeed. I love to recommend my favorite books and authors to my friends and readers, and I’m so honored whenever another author recommends my books as well. No author ever thinks, This book is excellent; I’d better hide it from my readers, so they don’t read it instead of my books (*okay, I can’t speak for all authors, but none I know think this, anyway). I think part of the reason writers love to support each other is that we’re all readers at heart, and we just can’t help sharing the books we love. Plus, no single one of us can write enough books to keep all readers occupied all the time, much as we might wish to. Add to that the fact that all the writers I’ve ever met are genuinely nice people, and I guess you have a perfect storm for encouragement and support.
It’s such a blessing to be able to come together here and talk with other readers and writers, to inspire and lift each other up not only in our love of books but also in our lives and in our walks of faith. One of my favorite verses is 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” I feel like that’s exactly what Inspy Romance allows us to do. And what a bonus that the books featured here are books that lift us up in Christ’s love too—I’m so excited and honored and humbled to be a part of that.
Before I sign off on this first post, I should probably tell you a little bit about the kind of books I write. My books are about realistic characters struggling with real problems of life, love, and faith. They definitely experience some heartache along the way, but they always find their happily ever after as they discover the power of love—not only romantic love but, more importantly, the love our Heavenly Father has for each of us. My Hope Springs series is set in the fictional small town of Hope Springs (based loosely on the charming towns of Door County, Wisconsin—I’ll share pictures in a future post!). The first four books in the series are available from Amazon—and book five is coming soon! Oh, and I should mention that if you happen to have an Amazon Prime subscription, book one, Not Until Forever, is free to download right now through Prime Reading (and all of my books are also available through Kindle Unlimited). In addition, my newsletter subscribers get a free Hope Springs story—you can sign up here to start reading today!
Since I’m new here, I’d love to get to know you! Say hi below—and let me know your favorite thing about the community at Inspy Romance.
Giveaway! To celebrate joining Inspy Romance, I’m giving away the winner’s choice of one of my ebooks. One commenter will be randomly chosen from the comments below. Giveaway is open until midnight Oct 22.
Valerie M. Bodden has three great loves: Jesus, her family, and books. And chocolate (okay, four great loves). She writes emotion-filled Christian fiction that weaves real-life problems, real-life people, and real-life faith. Her characters may (okay, will) experience some heartache along the way, but true to her tendencies as a hopeless romantic, she will always give them a happy ending. Valerie is living out her happily ever after in Wisconsin with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband and their four children. Visit her at www.valeriembodden.com to get a free story.
Hi Valerie and welcome to Inspy Romance! As an avid reader, traveler and retired German and English teacher, I enjoy the diversity of the Inspy Romance Community. I enjoy interacting with authors and readers around the globe and from coast to coast. I am fascinated that you wrote non-fiction children’s books. I write personalized children’s books for my granddaughters – ages 2 and 6. This week I am finalizing book four: Sammy the Squirrel’s Fall Adventure. In Michigan we are blessed with abundance of apples (16 varieties) and grape harvest for Welch’s jams. Today I am visiting the neighborhood pumpkin patch. Door County, Wisconsin is a beautiful Midwest region – especially in the fall. Best wishes and enjoy your week. Happy Writing.
Hi Valerie, welcome to inspyromance:)
Hmm, there are so many things I appreciate about this blog and the people who post and comment. Probably the most important is the sense that reading Christian fiction is valuable, important, not a waste of time. Most of those around me see no value in Christian fiction- which I think is so sad because they are missing out! Reading what is posted here makes me feel part of a wonderful group of people who see and appreciate the role of Christian fiction, the power of a well crafted story to reach people with the truth of God’s love. It is uplifting and reassuring- and I love learning more from all you lovely authors who post.
Blessings:)
Hi, Valerie,so nice to meet you! I am an avid reader and love these authors a bunch. I enjoy spreading the word to everyone about my favorite authors and stories and I look forward to reading your books!
Hi Valerie. I love the sense of community here on this blog. I feel I’ve gotten to know the writers as well as many of the readers. I’ve learned about many great books here and read many inspiring devotionals. So what’s not to love?
That’s a hard question! I love seeing behind-the-scenes in other author’s lives (to see if I’m similar!). ;) I also love seeing where they get their inspiration and especially their missions. I love how Christian fiction is celebrated, especially romance, which I’ve always loved as a hopeless romantic. I love seeing all the different settings and how the authors researched them. And I love hearing about new books and authors.
Hi Renate! So nice to meet you! How cool that you write personalized books for your granddaughters–I’m sure they treasure those! I’m so looking forward to interacting with people from around the world here at Inspy Romance. And my oldest daughter just started studying German this year–I’ve been having fun asking her to say different things to me. :) Enjoy your trip to the pumpkin patch!
Thanks so much for the warm welcome, Wemble! It’s so nice to meet you!I too am so glad of the support and encouragement this blog provides for both readers and writers. It’s so uplifting and such a blessing as an author to connect with people who find value in what we are doing–because you’re right, it’s all about reaching people with the truth of God’s love!
Hi Paula Marie! So happy to meet you (and I love your blog too)! I can tell how much you love these authors and their work–and I know they’re so grateful for all you do to spread the word about their books!
So nice to meet you, Sherri! And you’re so right–what’s not to love about this blog! I’m so looking forward to connecting with everyone here (and adding even more great books to my TBR pile!).
Hi Lila! So happy to meet you! You sound like me–I can never pick one favorite thing, lol! But when there are so many things to love, how can you? I too love to get a peek into other authors’ minds and to celebrate Christian romance–I can’t get enough of it!
Welcome, Valerie! I know exactly what you mean starting as an Inspy Romance reader who wishes to participate. I still pinch myself. I look forward to reading your posts—and books!
Welcome to the blog. I have discovered many new authors here that I didn’t know about before, and now read their books all the time.
Hi Julie! Thanks so much for the welcome! I feel so blessed to join this community. And I have to tell you that I enjoyed your post last month about the quick proposal. My husband and I were only 20 when we got married, but now that we have a teenage daughter, my husband constantly tells her that she’s not allowed to date until she’s 35, lol!
Thanks for the welcome, Tammy! I’m so glad to hear you’ve discovered many new authors whose books you love here–I have too!
It’s great to have you on this blog. I enjoyed reading the story of how that came about. :)
Welcome!!! Thanks for writing ! Christian authors revolutionized my reading at a time when I was ready to give up on ever finding clean fiction. I love having authors I feel safe in starting a book and knowing I won’t have to deal with questionable content. I love the way faith is incorporated into the writing. Each author approaches that a little differently which keeps it interesting.
Welcome! I found this blog community not long after I got my first tablet, and through it found a whole bunch of new favorite authors! Many of them do feel like friends. And as someone else commented, I like hearing the “behind the scenes” stories. I look forward to trying out your books.
Thanks so much, Kimberly! I’m happy to be here!
Hi Diana! I completely agree with you about finding books you know you can dive into without worrying about coming across questionable content. Philippians 4:8 is one of the verses that motivates my writing: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
I love that both reading and writing Christian fiction allows me to do that!
Hi Margaret! I love how technology has allowed authors and readers to communicate in ways they never could before. I definitely consider many of my readers friends, and I love keeping in touch with them through email, social media, and now this blog! :) And I also love how reading on a tablet allows me to keep way more books than I could ever fit on physical bookshelves. :)
Welcome to Inspy Romance, Valerie! I’m going to do a double take every time I see your name. :)
I’ve definitely enjoyed your stories, so thank you for writing them! And it’s a privilege to have you here. I’ve enjoyed reading the replies to your question, too. I <3 our Inspy Romance community of readers!!!!
Welcome! You’re a new-to-me author, but I look forward to seeing more posts from you!!
This is a great group of ladies, and I love to read their posts to learn more about them and their craft. I love to read, have since I was a little girl. I especially love Christian fiction!! Your books sound good, so they’ll be on my wish list!
Thanks so much for inviting me, Valerie! I agree about our names–I think this is the first time in my life I’ve actually known another Valerie, lol. I can tell how much you love this community of readers–and how much they love all the authors here too! Thanks for all you do to make this gathering place happen!
Hi Trudy! It’s so nice to meet you! I’m so glad there’s a community like this where you can nurture your lifelong love of reading and especially of Christian fiction! It’s so wonderful to be part of this group where authors and readers can connect. :)
Right now there are three women named Valerie (one goes by Val, two of us don’t) in my small rural church. We are all within a year of each other in age, too. Which is older than you by a fair chunk LOL.
But it’s sure not a common name. The last time I knew a Valerie personally was in high school, I think.
Welcome, Valerie. So glad you could join us.
Welcome Valerie! Looking forward to getting to know you and reading your books!
Three, wow! I do go by Val sometimes, but I’ve stopped introducing myself that way in person because somehow people always think I’m saying Beth–no idea how that happens, lol!
Thanks so much, Merrillee! So excited to be here!
Thanks so much, Laurie! I’m so excited to get to know all the authors here as well–and my TBR pile is expanding rapidly, lol!
Hi Valerie! And welcome.
I enjoy getting to know new authors through this blog and getting to know about the behind the scenes.
I used to be sad about favorite authors leaving the blog but I’ve since realized it’s a wonderful way to get to know new authors. Looking forward to learning more about Hope Springs series.
Thanks so much for the welcome, Priscila! I’m so glad you enjoy getting to know authors through this blog–it’s a great place for that! And I’m so looking forward to getting to know readers too! :)
It’s nice to “meet” you! My favorite thing about this community is the interaction with the authors. It’s also been a great place to find new to me authors and books.
Welcome. So nice to meet you.
That’s EXACTLY why I started introducing myself as Valerie! With “Val” people don’t catch it. “Pardon me? Belle? Bev?” But by the time they’ve heard all three syllables, their brains have caught up!
My hubby and old friends call me Val, but otherwise I go by Valerie.
Hi Ellie! Nice to meet you too! I’m looking forward to some great conversations with everyone here! I always love discovering new-to-me authors and books too. :)
Thank so much, Lelia! It’s wonderful to meet you!
Great post! And welcome to Inspy!
Aw, thanks so much, Alexa! I’m thrilled to be here and having so much fun already!
I love that you write with real problems of life, love, and faith. I have experienced difficulties with people since I was 13 yrs old. I have epilepsy and until 10 years ago I was on so much medication that my brain didnt function like everyone elses. It was so much slower. Because of this I was looked upon as weird. Fortunately I had three brothers and a sister who looked out for me when I couldnt. And my husband of 36 years loves me the way I am.
Hi Lori! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with me. I can only imagine some of the struggles you’ve faced as a result of your epilepsy and medication. What a blessing to have siblings and a husband who love and care for you unconditionally! I think that’s what draws me to writing about real-life problems–this world is a messy, problem-filled place, and it’s only through God’s grace and mercy and the people he puts into our lives that we can get through it. And what a blessing that we know this world and all its problems aren’t the end, as God has promised us an eternity with him in our heavenly home. Blessings!
It’s nice to hear that people in the inspirational publishing industry build each other up. That’s what it’s all about, and I’m glad that it carries over into work as well.
So true! It’s a wonderful blessing!
Hi Valerie, Welcome to Inspy Romance! We’re glad you joined us. :)
Thanks so much, Narelle! So happy to be here!
Valerie,
I have never paid attention to blogs. With the emails I get it just seemed an additional thing to read that I didn’t have time for. Somehow your email lead me to this site and after reading your first post something made me sign up. Thank you. I guess I was finally ready for life affirming site.
MaryRhonda
I’m so glad to hear you were inspired to sign up for the Inspy Romance blog, MaryRhonda! And welcome! I think you’re going to find the content here a true blessing!
It’s great that you have found so much encouragement from other authors!
I love reading Christian ebooks about love and faith in GOD. I am going thru a divorce and my faith in GOD is all I have to get me thru it and I like reading. So books like that inspire me to keep the faith and keep going, no matter how hard the road gets.
I certainly have! And from readers too! It’s such a blessing!
Hi Angela. What a blessing that in our darkest, hardest moments, God never leaves our side. I’m so glad you have found inspiration and hope in Christian books–I know sharing that hope is what motivates me (and the others here, I suspect) to write. I am keeping you in my prayers during this difficult time. Blessings
I’m a newbie here, thanks to Valerie Bodden, whom I follow already. I love reading Christian romance and suspense. I’m signing up to follow the blog and look forward to hearing about many new authors!
Hi Judith! I’m so glad to have another place to connect with you. :) And I think you’ll find the content here on Inspy Romance a blessing! Glad you signed up!
Valerie,
I love reading faith-based books, and I enjoyed reading your blog. I am happy I signed up!
Hi Janet! I’m so glad you decided to sign up here. I know you’re going to love the content from all these wonderful authors!