When I say the year 2020 what response do you have? As for me, and I think many of us, you probably shuddered remembering all the uncertainty, the never-before-heard-of decisions to shut down businesses and schools. And trying to figure out how to keep your eyes focused on God while the world was going absolutely […]
My First Book
I’m sure that I’m not the only person who has a memory bank of firsts. When talking books, I still remember the very first book that I ever read. I was four and the book was Three Billy Goats Gruff, if you were wondering. I also remember the first contemporary Christian romance book that I ever read. […]
Book Besties
I know “book boyfriends” are a thing, but what about a book best friend? Romance novels just wouldn’t be the same if our heroines didn’t have someone helping them navigate the highs and lows of love. These besties bring empathy, wisdom, and comic relief. Sometimes such beloved characters get their own story in a […]
Fab First Lines
I love a good book cover. I’ll often stop to read the back cover if the front cover catches my eye. Sometimes those books pan out, and sometimes they don’t. A cover doesn’t tell you a lot about an author’s writing, after all. So, what do I like even more than a captivating cover? A […]
Home Again by Melanie D. Snitker
As I write this, I’m sitting on a dog bed on the floor in my new living room. We just closed on our house a couple of days ago, and the movers will be here tomorrow with the rest of our furniture. In the meantime, it’s been quite an adventure, and I’m so thankful […]
For the Love of School (+giveaway)
August normally marks the start of the back to school season with joy, nostalgia, maybe a little stress. Parents, students, teachers, and other school employees are busy making preparations and looking forward to seeing smiling faces both old and new. And then 2020 happened. Nothing looks the same this year, even for those in places […]
A Strong Foundation
Everything should be built on a strong foundation if it is intended to stand the test of time. That is as true for a house as it is for a story. Story needs a strong foundation. Think of your favorite books. What do they have in common: a phenomenal story world or perhaps amazing […]
The Boy Next Door and The Heartbroken Girl – Waiting For You
The Spencer family first came into existence when I wrote Mistletoe Kiss. I hadn’t planned to write a series, but I absolutely fell in love with the family when I was writing Chase’s story! I normally get to know the characters before I start writing. I already knew Wade from Mistletoe Kiss—the sweet, dependable, boy […]
All in the Family (and #Giveaway)
Do you like to read books in which the characters are interconnected, e.g. in a community or church or family? Do you like to read a series in which each book features a sibling, a cousin, best friend, or someone in the family? I thought I’d share with you a glimpse of how I planned […]
Sea Turtles, Cupcakes and Pirate ships
Hola! Jolene Navarro checking in from the Texas Hill Country. The sun is shining and I’m writing outside, wishing I was on the coast. My latest release, The Texan’s Promise is the third book set on the fictional ranch Diamondback located on the Texas Coast. Our visits to the beach, inspired my current series […]