Our Authors

CHRISTA ALLAN: A true Southern woman who knows that any cook worth her gumbo always starts with a roux and who never wears white after Labor Day, Christa Allan’s debut novel with Abingdon Press released in 2010, and she has sold additional books with them. Christa's novels are "not your usual Christian fiction," tackling tough subjects with hope, humor, and heart. She teaches high school English (on a good day) and is the mom of five and Grammy of three. She lives in Abita Springs, Louisiana. Website/Blog: www.christaallan.com

TAMERA ALEXANDER: Winner of two Christy Awards for Excellence in Christian Fiction and two RITA Awards for Best Inspirational Romance, Tamera is a best-selling author whose deeply-drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose have earned her devoted readers around the world and multiple industry awards. For her, the greatest thrill of writing is when Christ reveals Himself in some new way and she takes a step closer to Him. Her deepest desire is that readers of her novels will do the same as they read—take steps closer to Him. Website: www.tameraalexander.com,
Blog: tameraalexander.blogspot.com.

LEIGH BALE is an award-winning author of Inspirational Romance, and in 2006, she won the prestigious Golden Heart Contest. A member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), the Golden Key National Honor Society, and the American Christian Fiction Writers, Leigh also belongs to various chapters of RWA, including the Sacramento Valley Rose, the Faith, Hope and Love Chapter, the Hearts Through History Romance Writers, and the Golden Network.
Web site: www.LeighBale.com.

JANET LEE BARTON loves to write about falling in love, families and friends. She has written 13 novels-all but one of those have been part of a series, and 5 novellas, of both contemporary and historical romance for Barbour Publishing. She loves to share her faith and love of the Lord through her writing. Born in New Mexico, she's lived in Florida, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi—but when her husband retired in 2006 they moved back to Oklahoma where they hope to stay put. Web site: www.janetleebarton.com.

ANDREA BOESHAAR and her husband Daniel have 3 grown sons and 4 grandchildren. She has been writing since she was a little girl; however, it wasn't until 1991 that Andrea answered God's call to write for the Christian market. Since then she's penned and published more than 25 novels as well as numerous novellas and nonfiction pieces. Andrea served on the Advisory Board of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and is one of its cofounders. Andrea is represented by the Steve Laube Literary Agency. For news of her latest releases and to read Andrea's blog: www.andreaboeshaar.com.

IRENE B. BRAND: In 2009 Irene celebrated her 25th year of book publishing. During that time she has had forty-six titles published with over two million copies in print. Her publishers have been Thomas Nelson, Fleming Revell, Kregel, Zondervan, Barbour and Steeple Hill. Her next publication will be a novella in a Christmas anthology, Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe, to be released by Summerside Press in September, 2010. The novella, An Appalachian Christmas, takes place in Mistletoe, Kentucky in the post-World War II era. Irene's home is in West Virginia. Web site: www.irenebrand.com.

SANDRA D. BRICKER published 3 young adult novellas and 4 sweet romances before breaking into the inspirational market when she was chosen to launch a new line for Summerside Press with Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas. Sandie spent 15 years in Los Angeles as an entertainment publicist and now lives in Tampa, Florida, where she enjoys a day job as an editor. She is affiliated with RWA, Faith Hope & Love and ACFW. Web site: www.SandraDBricker.com.

MAGGIE BRENDAN is a CBA bestselling author and a member of the American Christian Writers, the American Christian Fiction Writers Romance Writers of America, Faith, Hope and Love and Georgia Romance Writers. She is the author of the Heart of the West series. Her latest series is The Blue Willow Brides and Deeply Devoted, book one, released in September, 2011. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, singing, painting, scrapbooking and being with her family. Web site: www.MaggieBrendan.com;
Blog: www.SouthernBelleWriter.blogspot.com. She is also a resident blogger on Bustles and Spurs www.BustlesAndSpurs.com.

MARGARET BROWNLEY is an award-winning author of more than 20 books, Margaret has written for Harlequin, St. Martin's Press and Penguin.  Her books have been published in 15 languages. She is currently writing love and laughter in the Old West for Thomas Nelson.  A Lady Like Sarah is her first inspirational novel and the first book in her Rocky Creek series. Web site: www.margaretbrownley.com.

LINORE ROSE BURKARD delights in bringing Regency England to life with "Inspirational  Romance for the Jane Austen Soul."  After self-publishing her first novel, Before the Season Ends, Harvest House Publishers snatched up her book and she now writes exclusively for them. Linore's books give readers the sense of visiting the Regency while bringing a message of hope in character-driven stories that delight and inspire. Linore now lives in Ohio with her husband and five children, and is a member of FHL-RWA, ACFW, Christian Authors' Network, and other organizations. Web site: www.linoreburkard.com.

VICTORIA BYLIN writes about cowboys, outlaws and preachers for Love Inspired Historicals. Her books have finaled in several contests, including the Rita Awards and the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Awards. Vicki really does believe in "happily ever after." She and her husband have been married forever and have two grown sons. They live in Lexington, Kentucky next to a farm for retired race horses.
Web sites: www.victoriabylin.com, www.victoriabylin.blogspot.com,  and www.petticoatsandpistols.com.

SANDRA BYRD: Sandra has published nearly three dozen books in the Christian fiction and non-fiction market, including a series for adults, French Twist, which includes the Christy finalist Let Them Eat Cake (2007) and its sequels, Bon Appétit (2008) and Piece de Resistance (2009). The first two books in her newest series for young adults, London Confidential, released April, 2010, with books three and four due out September, 2010. Recently returned from a trip to London, Sandra is currently working on her next series for adults, Ladies in Waiting, which will take place in Tudor England. The first book will debut in June, 2011. Web site: www.sandrabyrd.com.

CANDACE CALVERT is a former ER nurse who believes love, laughter and faith are the best medicines. Multi-published author of humorous mystery, she began an exciting new direction with the debut of Critical Care for Tyndale House. Her Mercy Hospital series offers charismatic characters, pulse-pounding action, tender romance, humor, suspense—and an encouraging prescription for hope. She likes to say she's helped "Grey's Anatomy find its soul." A mother, grandmother, and native Californian, Candace now lives with her husband in the beautiful Hill Country of Texas. Web site: www.candacecalvert.com.

CARLA CAPSHAW: 2004 and 2007 Golden Heart® winner, Florida native Carla decided to be a writer and world traveler when she was ten years old.  She loves passionate stories with compelling, nearly impossible conflicts, and has found Inspirational Historical Romance to be the perfect vehicle to combine lush settings, vivid characters and a Christian worldview. Currently published with Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical, she still lives in Florida but is always planning her next trip ... and plotting her next story. Web site: www.carlacapshaw.com.
Email: carla@carlacapshaw.com.

CHARLOTTE CARTER has authored more than fifty books under various pseudonyms for Harlequin, Dorchester, Guidepost Books and Love Inspired. Her honors include Best Harlequin American and Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times and the National Readers' Choice Award. She and her husband live in Southern California. They have two married daughters and five grandchildren. In her spare time Charlotte performs standup comedy—G-Rated Humor for Grownups. Visit her blog: www.CharlotteCarter.com.

VANNETTA CHAPMAN holds a BA and MA degree in English. She has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, and has received over two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She is a member of FHL, ACFW, and San Antonio Romance Authors. Currently writing Amish romance novels for Abingdon Press and Amish mystery novels for Zondervan, Chapman lives and teaches in the Texas hill country with her husband, cats, and a rather large herd of deer. Web site: www.VannettaChapman.com; Blog: vannettachapman.wordpress.com. She can also be found on facebook and myspace.

MARY CONNEALY is the author of the Lassoed in Texas Series: Book #1 Petticoat Ranch, Book #2 Calico Canyon and coming soon, Book #3 Gingham Mountain. She is also co-author of Alaska Brides with Cathy Marie Hake and Kathleen Y'Barbo and, a three book series including Of Mice and Murder from Heartsong Presents Mysteries, and the South Dakota Brides series from Heartsong Presents. She will be writing eighteen romantic comedies for Barbour Publishing through 2012. You can find out more details at: Web sites: www.maryconnealy.com, www.petticoatsandpistols.com;
Blogs: www.mconnealy.blogspot.com, seekerville.blogspot.com.

SHIRLEY KIGER CONNOLLY and her husband, Tom, live on the southern coastal tip of Oregon.  She has stayed busy publishing articles for years, but did not publish her first inspirational romance until 2005, then her first full-length devotional the year following.   Although her creative imagination and love for make-believe keep her most active as an Historical Romance writer, as wife of a pastor-teacher, Shirley also enjoys writing devotionals and speaking at women’s retreats." A member of various chapters of RWA. Web site: www.shirleykigerconnolly.com; Email: shirley@heartsforchrist.org.

JACQUELYN COOK has begun a new phase of her  writing career with Sunrise Feb. 2008 and The Gates of Trevalyan Oct. 2008. Both are released by BelleBooks as single title, serious inspirational novels. After 20 years in journalism and twenty years in  genre Christian Romance, she is enjoying writing these books of the heart that are being bought by libraries. Jacquelyn lives on a farm in southwest Georgia.She is church secretary and adult teacher at her rural Baptist Church. Web site: www.jacquelyncook.com.

LYN COTE: Author of over 25 novels, Lyn's first novel was published in 1998 for Love Inspired. She's written several articles on the inspirational market and does an update every year. Winner of the HOLT—in 2001, Lyn writes for Steeple Hill (Love Inspired), Tyndale, and Avon Inspire—both historical and contemporary romances and mainstream with romantic elements. Her latest series are The Gabriel Sisters for Love Inspired Historical and The Texas Star of Destiny—for Avon Inspire—both historicals. Web site: www.booksbylyncote.com, Blog: www.strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com.

BRENDA COULTER: A contented homemaker for almost two decades, Brenda read her first inspirational romance at the end of the year 2000 and impulsively decided to try her hand at writing one. When her first completed manuscript was purchased by Steeple Hill she announced to her husband and two teenage boys that she was making a mid-life career change: she's now a fulltime writer. Web site: www.BrendaCoulter.com.

MARGARET DALEY is an award winning, multi-published author in the romance genre. One of her romantic suspense books, Hearts on the Line, won the American Christian Fiction Writers' Book of the Year Contest. Recently she has won the Holt Medallion, Golden Quill Contest, FHL's Inspirational Readers' Choice Contest, Winter Rose Contest, and the Barclay Gold Contest. She wrote for various secular publishers before the Lord led her to the Christian romance market. She currently writes inspirational romance and romantic suspense books for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired lines. She has sold sixty-nine books to date. Blog: www.margaretdaley.blogspot.com.

JANET DEAN: A 2005 and 2006 Golden Heart finalist and 2006 Genesis finalist, Janet writes inspirational historical romances for Steeple Hill. A wife, mother and proud grandmother, she writes stories of maintaining faith in trying circumstances that show the power of God to strengthen families. Fascinated by history and the role of strong women in our nation's past, Janet brings both together in her faith-based love stories. Web site: www.janetdean.net.

JENNIFER DELAMERE: Jennifer has been an editor of educational materials for over fifteen years. An avid Bible student and teacher, she should probably have been less surprised when her first foray into fiction turned out to be an inspirational romance. Her debut novel An Heiress at Heart was chosen by Grand Central Publishing to be the first inspirational romance for their Forever imprint. She loves reading classics and histories, which she mines for the vivid details to bring to life the people and places in her books. She and her husband live in North Carolina.
Web site: www.jenniferdelamere.com

CECELIA DOWDY has had several novels released within the Christian romance genre by three publishers: Crossings Book Club (under their CrossAmerica imprint), Steeple Hill (Love Inspired imprint) and Barbour Publishing (Heartsong Presents). She is a former board member of Faith Hope and Love, and she's served on the board for her local RWA Chapter: Washington Romance Writers. Currently, she is married with one child and pens novels in her spare time. Visit her website and blog: www.ceceliadowdy.com and www.ceceliadowdy.blogspot.com You may email her at: dowdywriter @ aol.com. (without the spaces)

JUDY DUARTE. An avid reader who enjoys a happy ending, Judy Duarte couldn't shake the dream of creating a book of her own. That dream became a reality in 2002, when Silhouette released her first Special Edition. Since then, more than thirty of her books have hit the shelves, including three inspirational women's fiction novels and two novellas. Her stories have not only landed her a prestigious Reader's Choice Award, but in 2009, she won the Maggie and finaled in the Inspirational category of the Rita® with Muberry Park. She's also delighted to announce that Entertaining Angels is a 2010 Rita® finalist.

ANNA DYNOWSKI lives in Toronto, Canada with her own real life hero/husband, Henry, and their cat, Misha. In 2000, she responded to the tug on her heart to write Christian Romance Fiction that encourages and entertains and has since learned God is her business Manager and in charge of her writing. Anna writes what is in her heart—love—and what is in her soul—faith in God. Web site: www.geocities.com/AnnaDynowski.

LAURIE ALICE EAKES: A transplant from Washington, DC to south Texas for her husband's job, Laurie Alice Eakes the distinction of selling thirteen books to Baker/Revell, Barbour Publishing, and Avalon Books in as many months. This followed the publication of her first book for Heartsong Presence and winning the National Readers' choice Award for her first novel, A Regency from Avalon Books. When she's not writing, she reads, goes to the beach, and experiments cooking with the new spices she can find on the border. Web site: www.lauriealiceeakes.com

MARY ELLIS grew up close to the eastern Ohio Amish community, Geauga County, where her parents often took her to farmers' markets and woodworking fairs. She came to appreciate their deep commitment to God and simpler lifestyle. She and her husband now live close to the largest population of Amish families in the country, where she finds solace and inspiration. She began writing Christian romances two years ago when she rededicated her life to Christ. She is married to her college sweetheart and has one dog and a cat. Email: maryeellis@yahoo.com.

JESSICA FERGUSON: Writing as Jessica Travis, Jess is the author of The Groom Wore Blue Suede Shoes, a Silhouette Romance. She is published in Chicken Soup for the Chocolate Lover's Soul, Daily Devotions for Writers and a number of magazines and newspapers. Jess is the 2009-2010 president of Bayou Writers' Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana and loves encouraging new writers. As assistant editor of The Times of Southwest Louisiana, she was able to help many of her writer friends get their first bylines. Blog: www.jessyferguson.blogspot.com.

EVA MARIE EVERSON is the author of both fiction and nonfiction award-winning books including Reflections of God's Holy Land; A Personal Journey Through Israel (Thomas Nelson) and The Potluck Club series (Baker/Revell). She has written for numerous periodicals and ezines, is a freelance editor, and speaks at writers and women's conferences both nationally and internationally. She is a seminary graduate, a mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild, the longest member and first president of Word Weavers and current Executive Co-Chair of Word Weavers National Leadership Team, and a member of a number of organizations for writers and speakers. Website: www.EvaMarieEversonsSouthernVoice.blogspot.com .

LINDA FORD lives on a farm near Olds, Alberta, Canada. She shares her home with her husband of over 30 years, a shifting number of adult children, and her client-a paraplegic man for whom she provides care, also a yappie parrot, and on occasion, dogs she reluctantly babysits for her children. Linda and her husband raised a family of fifteen-a combination of adopted and homemade children, which has given her much fodder for her books. Before she moved to Olds with her family, she lived on a ranch in eastern dryland Alberta where she gained invaluable experience with farming, prairies, cowboys, and kids-themes that are repeated often in her books

img src="images/authors/picture.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="100" class="fltlft" />TERRY FOWLER, a native Tarheel from coastal North Carolina, sold her first inspirational romance in 1998. A born again Christian, Terry serves as youth Sunday school teacher, church treasurer, choir member, and anything else her small church requires. Terry is in awe of the gift God gave her and feels doubly blessed by the wonderful experience of publishing her first books. "It's truly a privilege to witness for God in this manner." Web site: http://terryfowler.net.

DEBBY GIUSTI: Army brat, Army wife and Army mom, Debby is a nomadic traveler who calls the world her home. Currently, she and her family have put down roots in Atlanta, Georgia, where she pens Love Inspired Suspense for Steeple Hill. Debby has been published in numerous magazines, including Southern Lady and Woman's World, and heartwarming stories about her family's outreach appear in Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul 2 and Chicken Soup for the Volunteer. Web site: www.debbygiusti.com ; Email: debby@debbygiusti.com.

LINDA GOODNIGHT: Winner of the 2008 RITA Award for excellence in inspirational fiction, Linda has also won the Booksellers’ Best, ACFW Book of the Year, and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from Romantic Times Magazine. Linda has appeared on the Christian bestseller list and her romance novels have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Active in orphan ministry, this former nurse and teacher feels blessed to write fiction that carries a message of hope and light in a sometimes dark world. She and husband Gene live in Oklahoma. Web site: www.lindagoodnight.com.

JEAN GORDON writes financial planning advice "by day" and romances centered around home, family, and small-town life "by night." She's published five sweet romances with Avalon Books and is now pursuing opportunities in the inspirational market. In addition to the Faith, Hope and Love Chapter, Jean belongs to the Capital District (NY) Romance Writers and ACFW. She and her husband share a 170-year old farmhouse on a small farm in Upstate New York with their daughter, son-in-law, two grandchildren, and a menagerie of pets and livestock. Web site: www.JeanCGordon.com.

LOUISE M. GOUGE: Award-winning Florida author Louise writes historical fiction, calling her stories "threads of grace woven through time." In addition to numerous other awards, Louise is the recipient of the prestigious Inspirational Readers' Choice Award. Married to David Gouge for forty-five years, Louise is mother of four and grandmother of six children. In addition to writing, she teaches English and humanities at Valencia Community College in Kissimmee , Florida. Web site: louisemgouge.com.

ANNE GREENE delights in writing historical and suspense novels about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines. She and her hero husband, Army Special Forces Colonel Larry Greene, visited Scotland, resulting in her newest book release, Masquerade Marriage, published by White Rose Publishing. When she's not deployed with her husband, Anne makes her home in McKinney, Texas. Tim LaHaye led her to the Lord, and Chuck Swindoll is her pastor. Her highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to an awesome new world and touch hearts to seek a deeper relationship with the Lord Jesus. Web site: AnneGreeneAuthor.com

MARCIA GRUVER is a full time writer who hails from Southeast Texas. Inordinately enamored by the past, Marcia delights in writing historical fiction. Her deep south-central roots lend a Southern-comfortable style and a touch of humor to her writing. Web site: www.marciagruver.com; Blog: www.yieldedquill.blogspot.com.

LINDA HALL writes what she loves to read—romantic suspense. Two of her novels have been Christy finalists, and she has won many awards. Most of her novels have something to do with the sea. Linda grew up in New Jersey and it was there that her love of the ocean was born. In the summer she and her husband basically move aboard their 34 foot sailboat which is aptly named—Mystery. The Halls  have two grown children and four grandchildren that they love spending time with. Web site: http://writerhall.com.

VALERIE HANSEN writes for all three Love Inspired lines, romance, suspense and historical. Besides having written over forty novels, the majority being Christian, she worked with young children for many years, both in church and secular environments, as well as raising a family of her own and playing foster mother to a wide variety of furred and feathered critters. Married to her high school sweetheart since age seventeen, she now lives in an old farm house she and her husband renovated with their own hands. Web site: www.valeriehansen.com.

FIONA HARPER: Award-winning author Fiona writes fresh, heart-warming fiction for Harlequin Romance, and adores writing stories about the transforming power of love. Fiona lives in London, England, with her husband and two daughters. She loves good books, good films and good food, and can always find some room in her diet for chocolate. Her first novel was a double RITA finalist and won the RNA's Joan Hessayan New Writers' Award. Web site: www.fionaharper.com.

ROBIN LEE HATCHER: Winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction and two RITA Awards for Best Inspirational Romance, Robin is the best-selling author of over sixty novels and novellas and is a past president of Romance Writers of America® (1992-1994). She enjoys writing both contemporary women's fiction and historical romances. Her heart's desire is that God will use the work of her hands to make a difference in the lives of readers, to ease a burden, to touch a heart, to bring a smile, to give hope and encouragement. Web site: www.robinleehatcher.com. Blog: http://blog.robinleehatcher.com.

RACHEL HAUCK. Rita Finalist and best selling author, Rachel writes romance and women's fiction. Published since 2004, Rachel serves the writing community as past president and current an advisor for the American Christian Fiction Writers. She is a worship and prayer leader in her community. Married to a pastor and teacher, she lives in central Florida. For more information on Rachel and to find out her social media haunts, visit her Web site at www.rachelhauck.com.

MARY HAWKINS is an Australian Christian romance author, published by Harlequin Mills and Boon, Barbour and Ark House Press (Sydney). Justice at Baragula is her 19th title and her first e-book. She and her husband, Ray, shared in church ministries in Australia, three short term mission adventures to Africa, two years ministering with a church in England and now live in Tasmania. They are parents of three adult children and five grandchildren. Mary's husband has always been very supportive of her writing and she is delighted his 31 Day devotional books are now being published.
Web site: www.mary-hawkins.com

RUTH LOGAN HERNE likes to be called "Ruthy", thinks snakes should always live outside and possums should leave cat food alone. A mother and grandmother to seriously smart (read: know-it-all) young people, she writes stories of humor, hope and faith, embracing God's love and life's opportunities. She loves that her mid-life crisis brought her to writing endearing fiction and is pretty sure God is a Yankees fan. She's absolutely positive that her husband is. Web sites: www.ruthloganherne.com; Email: ruthy@ruthloganherne.com.

VICKI HINZE: Vicki is the award-winning author of twenty-four novels, four nonfiction books and hundreds of articles, published in as many as sixty-three countries. She loves to mentor and is recognized by Who's Who as an author and an educator. Her hope for her fiction is to entertain and to show that while we all share challenges, constructive solutions exist. If others can find them, we can too. Web sites: www.vickihinze.com and vickihinzebooks.com Blogs: My Kitchen Table, Thinking Aloud, My Faith Zone.

SUNNI JEFFERS: A 1998 Golden Heart winner, Sunni pursues her love of writing on a small ranch in NE Washington near the Idaho and Canadian borders, where she lives with her husband, two dogs, two cats, and a herd of Scottish Highland cattle. In a county with no stop lights, she enjoys the breathtaking beauty of the mountains, forests, abundant wildlife and the Pend Oreille River. In this inspiring setting, besides writing, she reads, keeps busy with church activities and as treasurer of the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate, and entertains her girls - four young granddaughters and their moms—with fancy tea parties. Email: sunni@sunnijeffers.com.

CHRISTINE JOHNSON grew up in small-town Michigan, where tales rise taller than old-growth forest. God blessed her with a love of story, which thus far has led to two RWA Golden Heart® award finals and publication with Steeple Hill's Love Inspired Historical line. When not at the computer keyboard, she loves to explore God's majestic creation. Web site: http://christineelizabethjohnson.com

MYRA JOHNSON'S roots go deep into Texas soil, but she's proud to be a new Oklahoman. Empty-nesters now, she and her husband share their home with two loveable dogs and a snobby parakeet. Her debut novel, One ImPerfect Christmas, is a fall 2009 release from Abingdon Press. She also writes for Barbour Publishing's Heartsong Presents line. Autumn Rains, winner of the 2005 RWA Golden Heart for Best Inspirational Romance Manuscript, releases October 2009, soon to be followed by Romance by the Book and Where the Dogwoods Bloom. Myra and her husband have two married daughters and five grandchildren. Web site: www.MyraJohnson.com.

K.M. DAUGHTERS is a writing team: sisters Pat Casiello and Kathie Clare.  Members of RWA, FHL, NJRWA, Windy City RWA, and ACFW, K.M. Daughters released their debut inspirational romance in June 2008 through The Wild Rose Press, the first in their Visions of Love series. Web site: www.kmdaughters.com.

CINDY KIRK: Award winning author Cindy was first published by Steeple Hill Love Inspired after winning the FHL chapter's Touched by Love Contest.  Now with over twenty-five books in print, Cindy writes stories about everyday people who find their happily-ever-after with someone special in a context of home, family and community.  Web site: www.cindykirk.com.

JANE KIRKPATRICK is an award-winning author of 14 inspirational/historical novels and two non-fiction titles.  A Sweetness to the Soul earned the Wrangler award for Outstanding Western Novel in 1995 and her books have been finalists for The Christy, Western Writers of America, the WILLA Literary Award, Oregon Book Award and Reader's Choice.  She lives with her husband of 32 years, one dog and a goat named Stan on their 160 acres in Eastern Oregon. where they raise Alfalfa seven miles from their mailbox. Web site: www.jkbooks.com, Blog: http://janekirkpatrick.blogspot.com. Email: Jane@jkbooks.com.

MAUREEN LANG has always had a passion for writing, handwriting her first "novel" around the age of ten. Eventually she became the recipient of a Golden Heart Award from RWA, followed by the publication of three secular romances. For 15 years she gave up writing, until her faith sent her in a new artistic direction. Soon she won a Noble Theme Award from American Christian Fiction Writers, and a contract followed a year later for her Inspirational historical fiction Pieces of Silver, (200 Christy nominee). She lives in the Midwest with her husband and sons and has a grown daughter in Chicago. Web site: www.maureenlang.com.

YVONNE LEHMAN, living in the mountains of western North Carolina, is an award-winning, best selling author of historical and contemporary romance, mystery, and women's fiction. When her contracted cozy mystery and three-book series of Hawaiian historicals are written and released she will have 50 books to her credit. For 25 years she directed the Blue Ridge Writers Conference, is now directing the Blue Ridge "Autumn in the Mountains" Novel Retreat held in October and is co-director of the Honored Authors section of the Gideon Film Festival. Web site: www.yvonnelehman.com; Email: YLehman@bellsouth.net.

JULIE LESSMAN: Julie is an author who has garnered writing acclaim, including ten Romance Writers of America awards. She resides in Missouri with her husband and their golden retriever, and has two grown children and a daughter-in-law. She is the author of The Daughters of Boston series, which includes A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed, and A Passion Denied. Web site: www.julielessman.com.

CHRISTINE LINDSAY, Gold winner of the ACFW Genesis for Historical, and 2nd place winner of the 2010 Touched by Love for Historical Romance, loves to write about God's redemptive love shining through heartache and tough subjects. This is seen in her debut novel, Shadowed in Silk, released in 2011. Christine's call to write came when she re-lived the loss of relinquishing her first child to adoption. She's experienced love and loss, and seen God give back to her a hundred fold with love, romance, and joy in her own life. Christine breathes these experiences into the fully developed characters of her novels.  Web site: www.christinelindsay.com.

LOREE LOUGH. At last count, best-selling author Loree had 74 books, 63 short stories, and over 2,500 articles in print. Dubbed by reviewers "the writer whose stories touch hearts and change lives", she has earned dozens of "Readers' Choice" and industry awards. Loree and her husband split their time between a little house in the Baltimore suburbs and a really little cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, where they cater to a formerly-abused Pointer whose numerous vet visits inspired the nickname 'Cash'. She loves to hear from her readers and personally answers every letter. Web site: www.loreelough.com.

MARY MANNERS is an award-winning author of contemporary inspirational romance. Her first book, Mended Heart, will be released soon by White Rose Publishing. Mary is a member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), Smoky Mountain Romance Writers (SMRW), and the Faith, Hope and Love Chapter. She lives in the foothills of the beautiful Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with her husband and daughter. Web site: marymannersromance.com.

GAIL GAYMER MARTIN: An award-winning, multi-published author, Gail writes Christian women's fiction, romance  and romantic suspense for Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing. Besides novels, Gail is the author of Writers Digest book, "Writing the Christian Romance." She has also produced numerous worship resource books and hundreds of articles in a variety of Christian publications. A speaker, Gail also presents keynote addresses and workshops across the US and abroad. Her website Writing Fiction Right is available for writers of any genre. She lives with her husband Bob in a northwest Detroit suburb and is active in their home church. She also sings with a well-known Christian chorale in the Detroit area. Web site: www.gailmartin.com.

PENELOPE MARZEC: Winner of two EPPIE awards for her inspirational novels, Penelope grew up at the New Jersey shore and found her hero in a  transplanted New Yorker. An early childhood educator, Penelope writes when she isn't teaching and between invasions by her three daughters. Email: penelope@skyweb.net.

DEBBY MAYNE is a multi-published author with Avalon, Barbour, Summerside Press and Abingdon Press. She has worked as managing editor of Coping with Cancer magazine, product information writer for the TV retailer Home Shopping Network, creative writing instructor, competitions judge for Writers Digest, and copy editor and proofreader for several book publishers. Web site: www.debbymayne.com

SUSAN McGEOWN is a wife, mother, teacher, author ... but, most importantly, a “woman after God’s own heart.” She has five historical novels (including Rosamund’s Bower, 2008 RCRW’s Golden Rose winner in the category of ‘Novel with Romantic Elements’), five contemporary novels, and one nonfiction Bible study. She’s been a teacher, a Children’s minister, a deacon, a preschool director, and a Bible study leader. Living in Bridgewater, New Jersey, with her husband of almost twenty years and their three children, each of Sue’s stories champions those emotions nearest and dearest to her: faith, joy, hope and love. Web site: http://www.susanmcgeown.com.

SHERRY ANN MILLER is the author of eight novels, two novellas, one biography, five family histories and numerous musical stage productions and poetry, including the award-winning, five-book Gift Series and the historical, two-book Warwick Saga. She lives in Port Ludlow, Washington, with her husband of 44 years, where she continues to write quality Christian fiction. Sherry enjoys reading, writing, research, genealogy, sailing, fishing, crabbing and long walks along the seashore, but family is her first love and main priority. With seven married children and twenty-seven grandchildren, Sherry considers herself a well-blessed woman. Web site: www.sherryannmiller.com.

DIANN MILLS: DiAnn combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels. Five of her books have won placements through American Christian Fiction Writer's Book of the Year Awards 2002–2008, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader's Choice award for 2005 and 2007. She was a Christy Awards finalist in 2008 and 2010. DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers. She is a member of FHL, Inspirational Writers Alive, AWSA, and is the Craftsman Mentor for the Christian Writer's Guild.  Web site: www.diannmills.com.

JENNA MINDEL lives in Northwest Michigan. She's enjoyed a career in banking that has spanned over twenty years and several positions but writing is her passion. In the midst of her corporate climb, Jenna joined Romance Writers of America and it took ten years before her first romance, a traditional regency, was published. In 2006, Jenna became a RITA finalist with her sixth regency, but the contemporary world of romance beckoned. Jenna answered the call to write books of her heart set near the Great Lakes with her first inspirational romance from Steeple Hill titled Mending Fences, a Jan. 2010 release. Web site: www.jennamindel.com.

LISA MONDELLO published her first novel in 1998 and continued on from there selling 4 books in her Texas Hearts series to Avalon Books. Upon submitting and getting rejected by a Harlequin Intrigue editor, the editor suggested Lisa's voice was well suited for Inspirational Romance and asked if she'd ever considered writing one. There was no going back after that. Lisa now writes inspirational romantic suspense for Steeple Hill's Love Inspired Suspense and inspirational romance for Love Inspired Romance.

JILL NUTTER is a counselor by day who assumes her alter ego, Jillian Kent, a writer of historical romance novels, by night. Jillian's three-book series, The Ravensmoore Chronicles, are set during the Regency era. Book One, Secrets of the Heart, is tentatively scheduled for release by Strang/Realms in May, 2011. Jill's agent is Rachelle Gardner of WordServe Literary Group. Web site: www.jilliankent.com.

SANDRA ORCHARD lives in rural Ontario, Canada with her wonderful husband, their two youngest college-age children, and a menagerie of pets. A homeschooling mom for the better part of two decades, she began writing Christian romantic suspense after her husband complained about the book piles in the bedroom and suggested she write her own. Little did he know what he'd started! The grand winner of the 2009 Daphne DuMaurier Award for Excellence in unpublished mystery/suspense, Sandra received news of her first book contract on her youngest daughter's first day of college, and her new career was launched with Love Inspired Suspense. Web site: www.SandraOrchard.com.

LoREE PEERY: LoRee started writing as a means of coming to terms with her father's unsolved homicide. Tens of thousands of words later, she found peace. She writes about Nebraska in nonfiction and novels, and firmly believes the state's beauty is kept secret from the rest of the world. Her first inspirational romance contract was with White Rose Publishing. A lifelong country girl, LoRee lives on an acreage in eastern Nebraska. Web site: www.loreepeery.com.

MARTA PERRY: A lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania, where she still lives, and her own Pennsylvania Dutch roots led Marta Perry to write about the Plain People and their rich heritage in her current novels. The author of more than forty novels, with over five million copies of her books in print, Marta is active in her church and community. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Faith, Hope and Love, and American Christian Fiction Writers. She and her husband enjoy traveling and visiting their six beautiful grandchildren. Web site: www.martaperry.com.

TRISH PERRY: A romantic at heart, award-winning author Trish lives in Northern Virginia and discovered her love of writing while earning a degree in Psychology. She switched career paths in 1997 and never looked back. Trish's novels incorporate romance, humor, friendship, and a variety of relational issues that intrigue women of today. Her books have finaled in a number of FHL's Readers Choice Award competitions. Web site: www.trishperry.com.

JUDY LEIGH PETERS, aka Judith Leigh: Judith lives in Northern Florida near the Suwannee River with her hero husband, David. She has always loved the written word and decided that she wanted to write books that would touch the reader’s hearts. Her novel When the Vow Breaks an Inspirational published by Highland Press received a 5 Heart Review from The Romance Studio. She was also part of two Highland Press Anthologies, Love Under the Mistletoe & Flames of Gold. Judith now writes under the name Judith Leigh for her new publisher Highland Press. Judith is a member of several RWA Chapters and President of Ancient City Romance Authors. Web site: www.judithleigh.net.

CATHERINE RICHMOND: Catherine was busy raising her family and working as an occupational therapist when a song sparked a story within her. Spring for Susannah was released by Thomas Nelson in June 2011. Catherine lives with her husband on the Richmond Rabbit Ranch in Nebraska.
Web site: CatherineRichmond.com.

DANI PETTREY is a wife, homeschooling mom and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves—the thrill of adventure, nail-biting suspense, the deepening of one's faith and plenty of romance. She's a huge fan of dark chocolate, is always in search of the best iced mocha and her dream is to one day own a little cottage on a remote stretch of beach. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters. Her debut novel Submerged releases from Bethany House Publishers in May 2012. Web site: www.danipettrey.com.

SARAH RICHMOND: Take a journey with Sarah, aka Sarah Gross. Sarah's first book, Lady in Waiting, set in her home in England, was an EPPIE finalist. Her second book, Rose Adagio, is a Cinderella story in Edwardian England. Rose Adagio won the RWA Hearts Through History chapter's Romance Through the Ages contest. Her next book, Brides of Serendipity, received five stars as an Amish Romance from www.reviewyourbook.com. Both books are published by Cerridwen Press. Today Sarah resides in Southern California where the houses aren't as interesting but the weather is a lot warmer. Web site: www.SarahRichmond.com.

SANDRA ROBBINS lives with her husband in the flatlands of West Tennessee. After working for years as a teacher and principal in the public schools, she now enjoys her days spent at the computer creating her next mystery. Her love of mysteries can be traced to her childhood and the thrill of losing herself in the adventures of Nancy Drew. It is her prayer that God will use her words to plant seeds of hope in the lives of her readers. Web site: http://sandrarobbins.net, Blog at www.sandrarobb.blogspot.com.

CARLA ROSSI has written everything from Christmas Pageants and school newsletters, to poetry, stage plays, and Christian music. After another thousand pages of humorous essays about friends and family, she completed a novel. In 2004, she joined RWA and her local chapter. When she's not squirreled away in her office with her writing partner—a Main Coon cat—she's adding piano, bass and vocals to her church's worship band. Carla has three grown children and lives north of Houston with her husband, the muse cat, and a slightly obsessive-compulsive Doberman Pinscher. Web site: www.CarlaRossi.com. Email:  Carla@CarlaRossi.com.

ROXANNE RUSTAND lives in the country with her family, plus a menagerie of horses and pets who frequently find their way into her books. One if her books won RT Bookclub Magazine's award for Best Superromance novel of 2006, and she was nominated for a Romantic Times Magazine's Career Achievement Award in 2005. She wrote sixteen secular novels before finding the genre she truly loves--inspirational fiction--and now writes for Steeple Hill's  Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense lines. Web site: www.roxannerustand.com  Blog: http://roxannerustand.blogspot.com.

CYNTHIA RUTLEDGE wrote her first novel at fourteen and relegated it to the trash at fifteen. Although decades would pass before she wrote again, her dream never died. She began to write again in 1995 and in 1998 her novel, UNFORGETTABLE FAITH, took first place in the Faith, Hope & Love Chapter's annual Touched by Love Contest. It was bought by Steeple Hill in 1999. Web site:  www.cynthiarutledge.com.

RENEE RYAN sold her first book, Extreme Measures, to Dorchester Publishing by winning the inaugural New Historical Voice Contest in 2002.  She eventually reconciled her writing with her faith and began writing inspirational romances in 2006.  She sold her first inspirational romance to Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical (LIH) in December 2006.  When she’s not writing, Renee works part-time as a regional makeup artist for an international cosmetic company. Web site: www.reneeryan.com.

SHERRI SHACKELFORD: A wife and mother of three, Sherri’s hobbies include collecting mismatched socks, discovering new ways to avoid cleaning, and standing in the middle of the room while thinking, “Why did I just come in here?” A reformed pessimist and recent hopeful romantic, Sherri has a passion for writing. Her books are fun and fast-paced, with plenty of heart and soul. She writes for Harlequin Love Inspired Historical. Web site: www.sherrishackelford.com.

MARY MONTAGUE SIKES: For as long as she can remember Mary (Monti) has loved to read, write, and paint. Born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, she was surrounded by history and enjoys incorporating historical events and people in the articles and books she writes. With a passion for travel, one of her most memorable experiences was a summer spent in Austria as a member of a Methodist youth work camp. Since Monti enjoys setting her novels in exotic settings such as Sedona, AZ, Trinidad, and Antigua, her publisher has created the “Passenger to Paradise” series for her work. Web site: www.marymontaguesikes.com, Blog: www.marymontaguesikes.blogspot.com.

SUSAN SLEEMAN is a best-selling author of romantic suspense and mystery novels. She grew up in a small Wisconsin town where she spent her summers reading Nancy Drew and developing a love of mystery and suspense books. Today, she channels this enthusiasm into writing romantic suspense and mystery novels and hosting the popular internet website TheSuspenseZone.com. Susan currently lives in Florida, but has had the pleasure of living in nine states. Her husband is a church music director and they have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law and an adorable grandson. Web site: www.susansleeman.com, Facebook: www.facebook.com/SusanSleemanBooks.

SANDRA LEE SMITH: Award winning author and multiple contest winner, Sandra Lee Smith AKA Sandra Leesmith writes exciting romance with characters looking for the promised happily ever after. Sandra is a member of RWA, FHL, Desert Rose Chapter, ACFW, Christian Writers of the West (ACFW chapter), SCBWI. Sandra lives in Tempe, Arizona and is one of the original fifteen in http://seekerville.blogspot.com. Web site: www.sandraleesmith.com.

MISSY TIPPENS is a pastor's wife and mom of three. After ten years of pursuing her dream, she made her first sale of a full-length novel to Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Her books have been finalists in the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year contest and the 2010 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Web site: www.missytippens.com. And she blogs all over the place: www.lifewithmissy.blogspot.com, www.seekerville.blogspot.com, www.writingbyfaith.blogspot.com, and www.craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com.  She's also on Facebook, MySpace, Goodreads and Shoutlife.

BECKY WADE: Becky's a California native who attended Baylor University, met a Texas boy, and settled in Dallas.  She published three historical romances for the ABA, then put her career on hold for several years to care for her three children, and has now returned to writing sheerly for the love of it.  She felt led to move to the genre of contemporary Christian romance and couldn't be more thrilled with it.  Web site: www.beckywade.com. Emaill: becky@beckywade.com.

JAN WASHBURN: After many years of writing short stories, articles, and poems for national magazines, Jan decided to try her hand at writing a novel. Since she was teaching junior high school at the time, her first three published books were for young adults. Now out of touch with teens, Jan's novel, More Than Great Riches, is an award-winning inspirational romantic suspense from White Rose Publishing. Jan is a member of the Florida Romance Writers.

CATHERINE WEST: Catherine loves to read and write romance. When she's not writing, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or tending to her roses and orchids. Catherine and her husband live on the beautiful island of Bermuda, with their two wonderful children, now young adults. Catherine is a member of RWA, FHL and American Christian Fiction Writers and is a founding member of International Christian Fiction Writers. Catherine's debut novel Yesterday's Tomorrow, will release in 2011, through Oak Tara Publishers.
Web site: www.catherinejwest.com,
Blog: http://www.internationalchristianfictionwriters.blogspot.com.

ELIZABETH WHITE: A resident of the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast, Beth is the author of two Zondervan romances and a three-book miniseries for Steeple Hill's Love Inspired Suspense line. Her Tyndale novella "Reforming Seneca Jones" was a 2001 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award winner, and Under Cover of Darkness was nominated for a 2005 RT Bookclub Reviewers Choice award as well as American Christian Fiction Writers' 2006 Book of the Year. She is married to a minister, mother of two young adults, and is owned by a Boston terrier named Angel. Web site: www.elizabethwhite.net; Email: bethsquill@aol.com.

LINDA WINDSOR: Linda lives in a "painfully" restored late 18th century home with her husband, James, and post-college children, not to mention their friends and assorted cats. Having played professionally in a local country/old R&R band for ten years, both she and James now share a music and lay ministry. She wrote 16 historical and contemporary romances for Kensington and Meteor before selling last year to Multnomah's Alabaster and Palisades lines. Web site: www.lindawindsor.com.

MERRILLEE WHREN: Merrillee is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America®. In 2004, she made her first sale to Steeple Hill. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of twenty-eight years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas and Chicago but now makes her home on one of God's most beautiful creations, an island off the east coast of Florida. When she's not writing or working for her husband's recruiting firm, she spends her free time playing tennis or walking the beach, where she does the plotting for her novels.

KIT WILKINSON is a Phi Kappa Phi graduate, holding multiple degrees from the University of Virginia, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. After studying, teaching, and traveling for many years, she became a stay-home mom and started writing romantic fiction while her kids napped. In 2008, her first inspirational work was awarded the RWA Golden Heart for best Inspirational Romance. Besides writing, Kit loves hanging out with friends and family, cooking for lots of people, and participating in almost any sport. Each year, she enjoys joining her church's family life ministry in hosting a free vacation Bible school for over 400 area children. She and her wonderful husband reside in Virginia, with their two young children and one extremely large Labrador named Ernie. Web site: www.kitwilkinson.com.

KAREN WITEMEYER writes historical romance novels for Bethany House Publishers. She combines her love of bygone eras with her passion for helping women mature in Christ to craft stories that lift the spirit and nurture the soul. Web site: www.karenwitemeyer.com; Email: karen@karenwitemeyer.com.

LENORA WORTH has written 35 books for three different publishers. She reached a milestone in 2006 when she received her 25th book pin from Harlequin. Her books have won both regional and national awards and she now has over 1 million books in print. Currently she is writing both Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense for Steeple Hill. Married to her childhood sweetheart, Lenora has two grown children. She wrote a weekly opinion column for five years for the local paper and currently also writes freelance for a local magazine. Lenora lives in Louisiana. Web site: www.lenoraworth.com.

KATHLEEN Y'BARO is the best-selling author of more than forty books. She has been named as a finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year contest every year since its inception in 2003. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. In addition to holding a BBA in Marketing from Texas A&M University, Kathleen is a certified paralegal specializing in criminal and family law and is a member of the State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division and the Daughters of the American Revolution. A native Texan, Kathleen has three grown sons and a daughter. Web site: www.kathleenybarbo.com.