Hi friends! JoAnn Durgin here. If you haven’t been introduced to author Christina Coryell (yet), grab a cup of your favorite beverage and visit with us today! I had the pleasure of getting to know Christina recently, and she’s a warm, lovely, talented, and truly funny writer! Christina is an Amazon bestselling author of Christian women’s fiction who lives in southwest Missouri with her husband and two children. She is rarely alone when she does her writing, which leads to lots of creative situations. She’s written with kids climbing on her, loud guitar riffs playing in the background, and while cheering on her favorite baseball players (most often in the back hatch of her SUV while her kids ride their bikes).
Her books include A Reason to Run, A Reason to Be Alone, A Reason to Forget, and For No Reason, the four books in her popular, highly rated The Camdyn Series. The first book of the Girls of Wonder Lane series, Simply Mad, will be available in late June. The link to Christina’s author page on Amazon is below. If you click the yellow/gold FOLLOW button, you will receive notification of her new releases! Here’s that link: http://amzn.to/1AAEG9K.
Be sure and check out her generous giveaway below, but you must leave a comment to qualify! I asked Christina what she loves, and here are her answers:
*Music–nearly every kind. The main character in The Camdyn Series is crazy about Michael Bublé. I listened to him for a while for “research” and wound up in love with his voice. I also adore loud rock guitars and soft piano music, and most everything in between. I went to state competition for piano every year of high school, and I seriously considered majoring in songwriting in college. I still write songs for fun; I wrote one just last week, in fact.
*Anne of Greene Gables movies. The looks Gilbert Blythe gives Anne, and her poetic tendencies…sigh. When I find new friends like Gilbert and Anne (in fiction, movies, or in my life), I still consider them kindred spirits.
*Rain. Something about it makes me feel comfortable and safe…as long as I’m not driving.
Without further ado, here’s Christina to share some more with us!
Just a Coincidence?
When I made the decision early last year to begin writing, it wasn’t because I suddenly had a desire to pluck the stories from my head. Writing has been in my blood for as long as I can remember, and I still have samples from as far back as the fifth grade to prove that fact. Even when I was in college, when people would wonder what I was going to do with degrees in English and History, my internal response was, “I want to write great books.” One can hardly say that out loud, though, and be taken seriously.
As long as writing had been my passion, there was also an innate sense that I wasn’t really free to do so–that the timing wasn’t right. When I say that, I’m not talking about my timing, because that is never right–there’s always something pressing to steal time away. Last year, for the first time, I felt free to write. It wasn’t because I suddenly had loads of spare hours on my hands. Let’s be real. I’ve got two kids and a job and a massive mountain of laundry that won’t go away. I managed to find the time, though. When you’re on God’s timetable, things have a way of falling into place.
In my first novel, there is a running theme about coincidence and whether or not everything happens for a reason. About three-quarters of the way through writing, I was naming some unimportant characters, and I basically just threw in some monikers without even considering them much. When they lined up a short time later to create a major plot point that I wasn’t expecting, I immediately had goose bumps. It was in that moment, looking at those accidental names, that I really knew that God was right there with me, and I understood why He wanted me to wait for this particular story.
You see, I had never planned to write a romance. I had toyed with the ideas of many novels, but the two that I absolutely longed to write were about a specific historical time period and about a crushing life event, not love stories. When I began daydreaming about Camdyn Taylor and Cole Parker, with all the feelings and hopes that go into meeting that special person, their lives tumbled out of my mind as though the book was already written.
I knew at the end of the first book about Camdyn that her story wasn’t ending, and I had to continue it into a second novel, but the realization that I received when I considered that fact was even more stunning: Those two books that I wanted to write all along were absolutely Camdyn’s story, and they fit perfectly as the third and fourth books in the series. Not only did God walk through the process with me, but He even sent me the perfect characters and the backstory to share the topics that were on my heart. That doesn’t feel like a coincidence – that feels like a divine blessing.
Perhaps that’s why I am so in love with my friends from The Camdyn Series back in that small town in Tennessee. They were really never mine; I just got to borrow them for a little while so I could share them with you. The very night they meet each other in A Reason to Run, Camdyn and Cole discuss coincidence with Cole’s Aunt Rosalie. Here’s the scene so you can get a taste:
“It’s a good thing Cole came across you,” Rosalie said, taking a sip of hot chocolate where she leaned against the kitchen counter. “There’s a low water area just a couple miles up, and who knows how that would be in this storm!”
“Well, you have no idea how happy I was to see him!” I told her. “I had all but given up. I was sitting there praying for an angel to come rescue me, and all of a sudden there he was. It was a very lucky coincidence.”
“Sorry, can’t agree with you there,” Cole interjected, gazing over at me. “I don’t believe in that stuff.”
“What, angels?” I asked.
“No, coincidence,” he explained. “I think everything happens for a reason.”
QUESTION FOR READERS (please answer in the comments section for the opportunity to win one of Christina’s books–paperback or eBook, winner’s choice!): Have you had a “coincidence” that you knew was the hand of God at work?
I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for letting me share my own thoughts with all of you. ~Christina Coryell
USA Today bestselling author JoAnn Durgin is the author of over twenty novels since her debut, Awakening (Lewis Legacy Book 1), released in late 2010. Her books include the beloved Lewis Legacy Series, as well as its prequel, Prelude. She is also the author of Catching Serenity, Heart's Design, and Gentle Like the Rain, a sequel to Heart's Design. Other novels include Echoes of Edinburgh, The Wondrous Love Series, Perchance to Dream, and the popular Starlight Christmas Series. Her latest release is The Christmas Challenge and coming up next is Pursuit, the highly anticipated Book 8 in The Lewis Legacy Series. JoAnn lives with her family in her native southern Indiana and now enjoys writing full-time and spending time with her first granddaughter, Amelia Grace. Sharing the hope and joy to be found in a relationship with Christ is her passion, and JoAnn adores writing and reading Christian romance. She loves to hear from her readers via her website or her Author JoAnn Durgin page on FB!
Christina’s books are WELL worth reading. They are fun, creative, sweet, enjoyable, “can’t put down”, clean books. I am happy to read this information about her and it’s a fun way to get to know her better after getting to know the characters in her books!
Hello JoAnn and Christina! What a fun interview to read this morning. I enjoyed getting to “meet” a new-to-me author. Christina, your enthusiasm for what you do spills out in your interview. It does, indeed, make me want to read your books. I have had many incidences in my life that some would consider “coincidences”, but I know and believe that our steps are ordered by the Lord, and He goes before me preparing my path. One of those times would be when I met JoAnn online. She was just another author looking for someone to read and review her books. Right? Not so! JoAnn was a great, godly friend that God knew I needed in my life. God had truly ordered our steps and led us right into each other’s path, and each other’s heart. He has, through JoAnn’s writing, and through my love for God-honoring Christian fiction, given us an awesome friendship. I am so thankful for you JoAnn!
I’ve had a ton of “coincidences” that I knew were really God at work. The one that stands out in my mind is how I met my husband. I was actually dating someone at the time, but we were more friends than anything else and knew we weren’t actually meant to be together. We just enjoyed each other’s company and weren’t looking for serious relationships. A friend of mine wanted to set my future husband up with my boyfriend’s younger sister, but she wasn’t interested. I saw his picture and thought he was cute, but my friend kept telling me he was too young for me (he was 20 and I was 28). She gave him my number though and he called me. We were going to go out for dinner and he cancelled at the last minute! I kind of thought he was a jerk, but he called me the next week and wanted to reschedule. I almost didn’t go, but I decided to give him another chance. We were married 5 months and 1 week after our first date, and this June will be our 10th wedding anniversary! We have two beautiful daughters and a great life together. Oh, and another twist of fate, the friend I was “dating” when I met my husband now works with him and they are best friends! We all got quite a surprise at the company Christmas party when my husband “introduced” me to him! He is married to his true soulmate and they have a son. It just goes to show, happily ever after really DOES exist! God moves in mysterious ways.
Forgot! My e-mail is myfacebookemail23 at yahoo dot com.
I had the pleasure of reading through the Camdyn Series while on vacation with my family. I really enjoyed all the twists and turns and Camdy’s personal discoveries. As a writer, it gave me insight on another way to tell a story, as a reader, I just had a good time. I repeatedly had to stifle a laugh as not to wake anyone in the house.(I am a bedtime reader.) I can not wait to read more from her. Way to go Christina!!!!
Kim, thanks for stopping by Inspy Romance and leaving a comment today on Christina’s guest blog! I LOVED your story (I’m a little older than my husband, too). Happy anniversary next month! Thanks so much for sharing, and I hope you’ll visit us again.
Lenita, thanks so much for stopping by Inspy Romance today! Your description of Christina’s books is spot-on, and I’m thrilled for her success! I’m glad you enjoyed the interview, and hope you’ll stop by Inspy Romance again soon! Blessings.
Beverly, without a doubt, the Lord brought us together. I treasure your friendship (the fact that you’ve read and enjoyed my books is an added bonus!). Thanks so much for stopping by Inspy Romance today, and I hope you’ll have the opportunity to read Christina’s books! Blessings, my sweet friend.
Hi Melissa, and thanks so much for stopping by Inspy Romance today and leaving a comment! You were busy on your vacation, and I’m thrilled you were able to read and enjoy Christina’s books at the same time. Blessings on your own writing, too!
I have read the first of the Camdyn series and really loved it. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. There have been many coincidences in my life but the most recent was when we were looking for a house to buy.We looked at so many houses but finding one for our family situation was not easy. Our Realtor sent us to look at a house the was under contract because it sound like what we needed. It had just been renovated and it was really nice. The realtor told us that the man who renovated it was working on another one and he would let us see it even though they were still working on it. I saw it first then the rest of the family went to see it. It was just the right size for all six of us. We prayed about it and road by to see how the work was coming along. The house never went on the market. One of our visits we met the renovator and he said he felt like we were the family for this house. He worked with us thru all the ups and downs of buy a house. We felt that God directed us to this house. We have lived here for almost 3 yrs and are thankful everyday for this blessing.
Thanks for having Christina on your blog. I am a faithful reader and reviewer of her novels.
My passion is reading books and I read across several genres over the years.
I was tired of worldly novels and I started reading Christian fiction.
I have met many fantastic people, become closer to the Lord, and found a new endeavor in reviewing Christian fiction.
I think this was the Lord working in my life.
My mother told us she didn’t think it was a coincidence that we moved sooner than we had planned. Clear across the state just before she was diagnosed with cancer so we would have a room in our home for her to be close to her doctors and we could be there for her :)
You are a faithful reader of our blog and we always love to have you visit and comment on our blog, Purplemeri! Looking for a house can be exhausting; like you, we had a family situation that required certain things, and it wasn’t easy. Sounds like God truly did direct you to that house, and you are blessed. Blessings to you, and thanks for your support of Christian authors and their books.
Linderellar, thanks for visiting the blog today and commenting! Yes, it sounds as though the Lord directed you to Christian fiction. Thank you for your encouragement and support of Christina and other Christian authors! We have a number of contemporary Christian romance authors here on Inspy Romance, so we’d love to have you drop by anytime! Blessings.
Hi Dee, and thanks for stopping by and commenting on the blog today! No, your move doesn’t sound like just a coincidence at all. I’m glad you could be with your mother. Thank you, as always, for your encouragement and support of Christian authors. Blessings.
Great post. Thanks for introducing me to a new author. Her books look fantastic. I always enjoy hearing about authors who never intended on writing romance. Yep. God had other plans in store. Blessings.
Thanks for dropping by today, Belle, and yes, don’t you just love how God works? :) I’m sure you’ll enjoy Christina’s books. Blessings.
Thanks for the wonderful compliment, Lenita!
I love your comments Beverly, because JoAnn has been such a blessing to me. I do believe God brought her into my life just as He brought her into yours. So glad you and I had the chance to “meet” as well!
Hi Kim! That is such a great story, and I love the part at the end about the best friends. God really does work in mysterious ways!
Thanks so much Missy! Making new writer friends has been one of the joys of this process for me. I also love a book that makes me laugh!
That is a great story Purplemeri, and sounds like a definite God intervention! So glad you’ve had an introduction to my first book, and I hope you have a chance to read the others.
Hi Linderellar! I am so grateful to you as one of my reviewers, and I know just what you mean about reading Christian fiction. Don’t you love it when a book really touches you? The ones that make me cry, laugh, or really think are the absolute best.
Wow Dee, that certainly does sound like it wasn’t a coincidence. Very glad you could be there for your mother, and thanks for stopping by the blog!
I find it’s best to never say no to anything, because you don’t know where God will place you! Thanks for the great comments, Belle!
I love Christina’s books and look forward to her next one. I really enjoyed the interview. The last big “coincidence” was 4 years ago when I had broken my arm and was because of the slow healing process I was going to have to leave my job at Blue Cross Blue Shield because I just couldn’t sit in a cubicle and stay on the computer typing all day. I could have retired but wasn’t ready to and really wanted to continue to get a salary. The day I decided that is what I needed to do, I got a phone call from my church telling me the secretary was having to quite because of a personal situation and wanted to know if I was interested. God has a way or working things out.
I used to read the trashy romance novels and magazines but now I only read the Christian novels because I know that God sees everything we do
We moved to a rural area a few years ago. I started feeding the stray cats a few weeks after we moved here. They are becoming tamer and don’t just run away but stay on the porch but won’t let me pet them. One of the cats had kittens on the porch Easter day. She moved the kittens to the garage at two weeks and the kittens are running around the garage. I believe God uses me to help the animals because they can’t speak for themselves.
My email I forgot to leave
Deanne Patterson
Cnnamongirl(at)aol(dot)com
I believe God orchestrates all our lives, so therefore I don’t believe in coincidences! There is really a reason for everything :-) God’s done many things in my life that certainly can only be His workings!
I’ve always been a stay-at-home mom with an occasional part time job just to help out. So when we went through a financial crises years ago, I needed to go back to work for a season. I never knew how long that would be, but I trusted God to show me. I started out as a substitute cafeteria worker (lunch lady) at our local school. I did that for about 3 years and then moved into a permanent part-time worker. After about a year of doing that, I really felt I needed to step down from the job, but really struggled with the decision. I really just wanted to do what the Lord wanted me to and be in His will. At the same time, the principle at that school was retiring after 30 years. There was a retirement party for him one evening and my husband and I went to it. I didn’t realize he was a Christian! His speech blew me away, he said he wanted to follow Jesus’s leading in his life and encouraged us to do the same (imagine in a room full of non-Christians!). It was like the Lord was speaking right to my heart! I got the confirmation I needed to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God released me from that job. I didn’t know the reasons, but had the peace I had been looking for. Well, I found out rather quickly why….our daughter came to us in June of that year (on Father’s day) and told us that we were going to be grandparents! I knew right then that I was called to be the best grandma I could be! Our granddaughter is now almost 15 months old and we’ve bonded with her so close. Only thing we wished (and pray for) is our daughter to come back to the Lord and for her and the boyfriend to marry. But God has opened the doors for us to minister to her in lots of unspoken ways just by us loving her no matter what!
I have the first book by you, Christina (A Reason to Run) but haven’t read it yet! It’s a case of so many books, so little time :-) Thank you for the chance to win a copy of your book and for the wonderful post today! And by the way….I LOVE those heels you have on in the picture ;-)
Ann, that is truly an awesome story! I love that. Thanks for faithfully reading my books!
Shelia, I love knowing that I don’t have to worry about my kids reading over my shoulder when I read a Christian novel. Glad you have found Christian fiction!
Hi Deanne! Sounds like you are a lot like my daughter – she loves any and all animals! Thanks for your comments. God bless!
Hi again Trixi! I’m so glad you can be there for your granddaughter, and that is probably the best witness for your daughter as well. (I have a thing for shoes, as does Camdyn in A Reason to Run!)
Thanks for visiting InspyRomance, Ann! Always great to “see” you! I love how God worked out that situation in the way only He can. I had a similar experience when I moved out to CA where he paved the way to the “right” job for me when I arrived. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you most sincerely for your loyal support and encouragement of Christian authors, Ann. You are our #1 cheerleader/reader! Blessings.
Awesome comment, Shelia! Thanks so much for visiting Inspy and we hope our blog can introduce you to a lot of Christian authors and their novels! Blessings.
Hi Deanne, and I’m so happy you’ve found our InspyRomance blog! Have fun with all those kittens! Yes, I agree that the Lord is using you to help with them. Many blessings to you! :)
Always love when you stop by InspyRomance, Trixi! Thanks so much for your comments. Praise the Lord for the time you can spend with your granddaughter and the opportunity to spend time and minister to your daughter. God puts us in the “right” place in His timing, that’s for sure. Keep plugging away on those books and you’ll get them read eventually! Many blessings. :)