Can authors have a favorite among the books they write? Well, my friend and fellow author, Mary Pat Johns has an interesting take on that. See what you think and get a sneak peek at her book soon-to-release (which sounds amazing!). 

Book 4 of the Valiant series will release in July. Waitin’ On Paige is the last book of the series. With the release of Books 2 and 3 in 2024, I struggled to find the balance between marketing and writing. However, the Lord is in the refreshing business, and he gave me the time and strength I needed to make it happen. How good is that?
People often ask if I have a favorite in the series. That’s a hard one to answer. Book 1, Countin’ On Jesse will always hold a special place in my heart, as it’s my first published novel. Kind of like my firstborn. Everything was new and harrowing, but we made it. In Book 2, Lovin’ On Red, I wanted to show and share God’s extravagant love, because when the Lord makes things new, he does a bang-up job that lasts forever.

Do you love all things royal? I fully admit I love wearing a tiara every now and then. There's just something about it. But why? Well, good news. Guest Author, Megan Schaulis is chatting about just this today. Read on to see her theory, as well as learn more about her amazing-sounding books!

​Last year on my daughter's seventh birthday, she spent the entire day dressed as a queen. Like a real queen—Mary, Queen of Scots. My parents found the elaborate regal costume on a trip to England.
In fact, her birthdays have had a royal trend for years, starting at age two when I gave her a gold tutu and a little white dress with "Princess" emblazoned on the front.
If you're a girl-mom and you're reading this, you're likely either sighing because your own daughter is in the throes of her princess phase or sighing because you miss the sparkly crowns and tutus that once covered the house.

While I haven't lived in Texas for almost eight years now, I did live there for eleven, and I am always excited to find another author from there. It's like a friend, even if we've never met. Though, after getting to know Allison Nance through her interview questions, I feel like we could be friends. Maybe we need to plan a family vacation to Galveston. See what you think and check out her gorgeous cover for her soon-to-be-released debut novel!

Congratulations on your first full-length novel. What first inspired you to write this story?

Thank you, Amy! Whew, we are diving in deep with this first question. The answer starts about nine years ago, when my husband and I were first given a heart for cross-cultural ministry, specifically for the people of Japan. Beginning in 2016, God impressed Japan on our hearts, and from that first prompting, we prayed and began learning about how we could best serve overseas. We joined a sending organization and were set to be in Japan in the summer of 2020... and we all know what happened that year. Japan's borders remained closed to non-citizens for almost two years, and finally in 2022, we made it to Sapporo, where we joined some friends who had an English cafe ministry. Approximately five months into our time in Japan, I started developing severe anxiety and insomnia, as well as several other physical effects related to these things. As a typically laid-back person, this was highly unusual for me, and I began seeking medical counsel. None of the doctors had any answers for me. Eventually, my anxiety became so intense, my husband and I decided it was best for our family to move back to the US so I could heal. 

Have you ever noticed when a character makes a certain facial expression … well … a LOT?
I think I notice things like that more because I catch myself doing it when I write. My characters have this tendency to lift one eyebrow higher than the other. Why?

​Yeah. I have a tendency to do that look more often than I should. To the point that I actually have an extra wrinkle above my right eyebrow that doesn’t exist over the other. Yep. I come from an expressive family. No poker faces here, for sure.