Carrie Padgett's Blog

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. *** Hard Copy

I borrowed this from the library based on soooo many rave reviews I saw and read online and on social media. It was fine. I didn’t love it.

From its Amazon page: A time travel romance, a spy thriller, a workplace comedy, and an ingenious exploration of the nature of power and the potential for love to change it all: Welcome to The Ministry of Time, the exhilarating debut novel by Kaliane Bradley.

In the near future, a civil servant is offered the salary of her dreams and is, shortly afterward, told what project she’ll be working on. A recently established government ministry is gathering “expats” from across history to establish whether time travel is feasible—for the body, but also for the fabric of space-time.

She is tasked with working as a “bridge”: living with, assisting, and monitoring the expat known as “1847” or Commander Graham Gore. As far as history is concerned, Commander Gore died on Sir John Franklin’s doomed 1845 expedition to the Arctic, so he’s a little disoriented to be living with an unmarried woman who regularly shows her calves, surrounded by outlandish concepts such as “washing machines,” “Spotify,” and “the collapse of the British Empire.” But with an appetite for discovery, a seven-a-day cigarette habit, and the support of a charming and chaotic cast of fellow expats, he soon adjusts.

Once in a Blue Moon by Kristan Higgins. ***1/2 eBook, purchased

I love and autobuy anything by Kristan.

From Amazon: Winnie Smith was never supposed to be that woman. She’s the responsible sister, the behind-the-scenes event planner, the one who avoids drama at all costs. So how did she end up publicly branded as the other woman—and promptly canceled by the Mommy Mafia of Cape Cod? One disastrous relationship, a missing background detail, and suddenly Winnie’s quiet life is in shambles.

Enter Lorenzo Santini, the world-renowned surgeon, feared and revered by colleagues, with zero patience for incompetence and life’s ordinary tasks. Known to hospital staff as Dr. Satan, Lorenzo needs a personal assistant—and Winnie needs a fresh start. It’s strictly business…until it isn’t.

–We met both Winnie and Dr. Satan in Higgins’s previous novel Out of the Clear Blue Sky, which I loved also. Now they get their well-deserved story.

North by Susan May Warren. ****, eBook, purchased

Again, Susie May is an autobuy for me.

North is the first of a four-book series. Alan Martin has been a recurring character in several of Susie’s series, an evil terrorist mastermind.

From Amazon: She ran from the man who broke her heart. He ran straight into danger to save her.

After their explosive Caribbean breakup, Selah Silver wants one thing: three quiet months at a kids’ camp in Washington State — no chaos, no second chances, no North Gunderson.

Then her train derails in the Cascade Mountains. And suddenly she’s running for her life with a mysterious stranger, a stolen canister, and a bioweapon that could kill thousands.

North knows he said the wrong things. He knows he hurt her. He also knows she’s in the hands of a Russian Bratva operative — and that he’ll burn the world down before he lets her die.

Even if she hates him. Even if she never forgives him.

Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan. ****, eBook, purchased

I’ve read a few books by Jenny Colgan and enjoyed them, so when this popped up as on sale, I gave into impulse and bought it and enjoyed it very much.

From Amazon: Polly Waterford is recovering from a toxic relationship. Unable to afford their flat, she has to move miles away from everyone, to a sleepy little seaside resort in Cornwall, where she lives alone above an abandoned shop. And so Polly takes out her frustrations on her favorite hobby: making bread.

But what was previously a weekend diversion suddenly becomes far more important as she pours her emotions into kneading and pounding the dough, and each loaf becomes better and better. With nuts and seeds, olives and chorizo, with local honey (courtesy of local beekeeper, Huckle), and with reserves of determination and creativity Polly never knew she had, she bakes and bakes and bakes…and people start to hear about it. Sometimes bread really is life…and Polly is about to reclaim hers.

–The characters, the setting, and the baking descriptions are particularly great. I just want to eat bread for days now.

That’s What Friends Are For by Wade Rouse. ****, Audio book, Purchased

I’ve read and enjoyed Wade’s books under his Viola Shipman pen name and this was the March pick for a book club I’m part of.

From Amazon: In this poignant and hilarious story inspired by TV’s beloved The Golden Girls, bestselling author Wade Rouse celebrates love, aging, finding your people, and the art of impeccably timed one-liners.

Theodore Copeland has created a fabulous life in the desert oasis of Palm Springs, where he shares a fabulous pink mid-century home with three fabulous friends: Barry, a former actor still clinging to his youth, his hair, and the memory of the dream role that killed his career; Ron, an uprooted Christian from the Midwest with a big heart but no one to give it to; Sid, who, after coming out late in life, has never found love. Teddy is the caustic, unspoken leader of “The Golden Gays”—the foursome’s monthly drag tribute to The Golden Girls. Despite their foibles and bickering, they have turned their golden years into a golden era.

–I’m probably the same age as the protagonists of this one (except Sid–he’s older) so I got all the pop culture and Golden Girls references. I watched the show when it was on, though I haven’t done a rewatch since. This was enjoyable on audio with the different characters voiced by different actor/narrators.

What I’m currently reading or about to start:

Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weil, paperback, current, but barely started. Finished Chapter 1.

Meet Me in Italy, by Brenda Novak, paperback, current, but barely started. Finished Chapter 1, into Chapter 2.

East, by Susan May Warren, eBook, current, but barely started. Still in Chapter 1

The Other Side of Now, by Paige Harbison, audio, I’m a little over two hours into its 10+ hours of listening time.

The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans, eBook. I just received a notice from Libby that my hold is ready from the library. I’ve heard and read great things about this epistolary novel (a form I love), so I’m looking forward to diving into this one.

What’s a current or recent book you’ve read and enjoyed? Comment below and let me know!

THE BOOKSTORE DIARIES by Susan Mallery is chockfull of the elements that make Mallery so beloved: Vibrant characters that we want to be friends and hang out with, a setting that invites the reader to move there (or at least visit), and an adorable pet (besides a ragdoll cat, THE BOOKSTORE DIARIES features an African Grey Parrot with an extensive vocabulary).

Jax is happy with life. She and her ex have settled into an amicable routine for co-parenting their two children. Her bookstore is thriving. Things are going well. Just the way she likes it.

Then her sister announces she’s considering moving away from their small coastal California town. Her ex proposes and his fiancée wants them to be friends. The contractor working on her store seems to want to date her. And worst of all, the numbers indicating the owners of the diaries that townsfolks keep in lockboxes in the shop are erased in an accident. How to tell which diary belongs to which person?

All of a sudden, Jax feels life slipping out of control. A feeling she does not like. At all.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. If you can get over the idea that people would trust their personal diaries to be stored in a public place. Even locked boxes, that one streeeetched my willingness to suspend my disbelief. But it wasn’t as big a part of the plot as the book description makes it sound.

Jax’s evolution from absolute control freak to a woman willing to allow someone else to have an opinion about their own life (her sister) was believable and made her sympathetic. She began the book refusing to listen to others and their input, but by the end, she could admit when she was wrong and should have heeded some advice.

Of course, it’s always fun to read about a bookstore and The Painted Lady Bookstore sounds like a delight.

I recommend this one!

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, but it did not induce me to review the book, either positively or negatively. I’m happy to recommend it of my own free will.

A new Susan Mallery story is always a good reason to curl up and block out the world. Even though this one is not really a beach read, it still invited me to get lost in great characters and their world.

Shannon and her mom, Cindy, have always been close. Maybe too close? So close that when Shannon’s boyfriend proposes, she can’t bring herself to tell her also engaged mom who’s sure to suggest a double wedding.

Victoria and her mother, Ava, are not close. For lots of reasons. Both of them are strong women who like to impose their will on their world.

The lives of the four women collide on a fateful afternoon and secrets spill out. All four women, sometimes with the men in their lives, meet up and learn more about their lives and their futures and each other. Shannon is forced to admit that she just might be part of the problem she’s having with her mother. Victoria also.

Mallery always does such a good job writing fully-drawn characters who walk off the page and into my head. While some of the plots points may strain my credulity a bit, I keep turning the pages. This is women’s fiction at its finest, engaging the emotions and the imagination.

I highly recommend OTHERWISE ENGAGED!

_____________________

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, but that did not induce me to review it, favorably or not. I really did enjoy it!

Let’s meet Jodi Artzberger!

Jodi, tell us about yourself:

I’m a Christ follower and I have a passion for the Word. My family and I live in beautiful Colorado. I write inspirational Christian romantic suspense stories that are Gospel centered and intertwined with God’s love and plan of redemption. Without the Gospel, we’re powerless!

I always have a book in my hand, and when time allows, you can find me cooking and playing with my latest kitchen gadget. (But I hate ironing and I could really use a laundry fairy.)

Ha! I so get that!

I pray my writing inspires, makes you smile, and teaches you something about Christ and His love. Remember, if you can read, you can learn anything!

Very, very true!

Tell us about one of your books or series:

For Captain Kane Danvers, the undercover life in Boston’s gang unit was all he’d ever known. But Mia was his chance at a different future—a chance he was willing to give up everything for. The problem? To have that life with her, he first had to save her from the one he was trying to leave behind.

Mia Logandale wanted a simple, safe life for her and her brother, even if it cost her a future with Kane. She’d made her plans, but some things couldn’t be planned for. When Kane’s past put her in the crosshairs, she was forced to confront a danger she never saw coming.

Before they found their home in Otter Bay, Kane and Mia’s love was forged facing their worst fears. Discover how it all began in this gripping prequel.

Your readers can grab it free here.

Ahh, thanks!

What are your socials?

https://jodiartzberger.com/

https://www.facebook.com/JodiArtzberger/

Thanks for stopping by, Jodi!

We met Tabitha Bouldin in February. I wanted to circle back since she has a new release set for March. Mark your calendars for THE RANCER’S STOLEN PAST!

Tabitha Bouldin has a bachelor’s degree in creative writing/English from Southern New Hampshire University. She is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author and an avid reader. When she’s not homeschooling her kids, you’ll find her curled up with a book. Tabitha’s genre of choice is Contemporary Christian Romance which she describes as: Adventure with heart.

Let’s get to know Tabitha a bit better:

Can you share a bit about your writing process? Do you have any rituals or routines that help you stay creative?
I’m a chaotic writer. Most of the time, I work on one story at a time, but there are times (like now) where I have three spiraling and I hop from book to book throughout the week. It’s not ideal, but sometimes characters don’t behave and they all try to tell me their story at the same time. Rituals and routines are important to me. If I don’t have a routine, I won’t get anything done. My work days start with coffee and my Bible. I typically spend around 6-8 hours a day writing or working on writing related business. Changing things up from writing to being creative in other aspects, like creating visuals for stories, helps keep my creativity going.

What has been the most surprising or rewarding aspect of your writing career so far?
The most surprising and rewarding aspect is being able to write for a living. I became a homeschool mom ten years ago, and I have never regretted it. Now that the kids are older, my husband and I have been blessed to turn my writing into a full-time career for both of us.

What’s the most unexpected place or moment where inspiration struck for your story?
I had an epiphany about a character’s motivations while in the middle of a writing class that had nothing to do with motivation. We were discussing plot and the lightbulb went off. In that same class, I came up with my favorite plot twist too.

Where can readers find you?

IG: @tabithabouldin
FB: Tabitha Bouldin Author
X: @tabithabouldin
TT: @tabithabouldin_author

Anything else we should know about you?

THE RANCHER’S STOLEN PAST will release March 31, 2026.

Sign up for Tabitha’s newsletter and get her book news!

www.tabithabouldin.com/newsletter

Thanks for stopping by, Tabitha!

I’ve been taking a conscious break from blogging and social media. I’ve had a lot going on and my brain and heart needed a respite from the constant onslaught of images and words and meanness. So I now take a quick look at Instagram maybe once a day, and Facebook every couple of days. And I’m fine. I’ve missed some news, but we all survived.

I’ve also done a bit more reading lately and I’ve read some good stuff. I also hit Pause on an audio book that was coming to a very tense moment and I couldn’t keep going. I know it will be fine because I’m still close to the beginning and it’s a first person narrator. But still. My psyche couldn’t handle the perilous situation she was in just then. I’ll probably get back to it soon. Just not right now.

I’m going to give some quick reviews, but this isn’t everything I’ve read recently. I’m leaving out my tried and true authors, my auto-buys. So there’s nothing here by Susan May Warren, Susan Mallery, Katherine Center, or Nora Roberts. I’ve read them all recently, but I want to talk about authors and books that were new to me or that I haven’t talked about in a while.

With the release of the Netflix movie THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB, I picked up the fourth in the series THE LAST DEVIL TO DIE. It’s been out over a year, but I hadn’t gotten around to it. The fifth book comes out in a couple of weeks. This book wraps up several story threads and it’s appropriate that there was a bit of a break between the installments.

I enjoyed the movie in spite of the changes from the book. The casting and acting were excellent. The changes were (mostly) necessary to condense the story into a two-hour movie. I (along with the vocal critics) will be curious how the producers will handle the one glaring change if they make more movies.

I listened to an interview with Elizabeth Strout, so I picked up her Pulitzer Prize winner OLIVE KITTERIDGE. Less a novel and more a collection of intersecting short stories, they form a portrait of Olive, an older woman who lives in Maine. I enjoyed this one a lot and will read more by Strout.

THE BRITISH BOOKSELLERS was an audio book I enjoyed by Kristy Cambron.

I don’t get a lot of time to listen to audio books, so this one took me quite a while to get through, but that shouldn’t reflect on the story which was engaging and based on historic events during WWII. The narrator’s voices were amazing and I highly recommend this one!

Beatriz Williams is normally an auto-buy for me, but somehow I missed her release last year and I read this one–her 2025 release, UNDER THE STARS–before last year’s release. I’m waiting on 2024’s story, HUSBANDS AND LOVERS, from the library so I’ll be properly back on track very soon. UNDER THE STARS was excellent as always, with dual timelines, complicated family relationships, and two protagonists, one likeable, one not-so-much. Set on Winthrop Island, the home of several of Williams’ previous stories, we get to see more of the island this time.

Other notable reads in the last months:

DELICIOUS by Ruth Reichl – a bit slow to start by overall enjoyable. ****

NO PLACE LIKE HOME by Betsy St. Amant, #2 in her Magnolia Bay series, I enjoyed it and its look at the art of aerialists. Aerialism? Aerial art? Friends to more. ****

MODERN LOVERS by Emma Straub. I’ve read Straub’s more recent books and enjoyed them so I gave this backlist title a try. I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it either. ***

IT’S A LOVE STORY by Annabel Monaghan. I’ve read two of Monaghan’s three previous books and enjoyed them a lot. This one is great too. With a couple of quibbles. And one groan at the end. Did no one from California edit or proof this book?? Because come on. Fireflies in California?? It’s a enemies to lovers/opposites attract kind of story with deep feelings. *****

MEET ME AT THE FUDGE SHOP by Lindsay Harrel, part of the Jonathon Island series. This was a fun entry to the series, a kind of Romeo and Juliet story with dueling fudge shops, teenage loves reunited, and a fun island setting. ****

FOR A LIFETIME by Gabrielle Meyer, book 3 in her Timeless series. These stories of time travelers are intense and riveting. This one has a set of twins crossing between the Salem Witch trials in 1692 and the East Coast in 1912. There’s aviation and journalism and heartbreaking decisions. *****

THE BUSY BODY by Kemper Donovan. A mystery with an unnamed protagonist who works as a ghost writer and gets pulled into investigating a murder during her latest assignment. Donovan is the host of the podcast, All About the Dame, about Agatha Christie, which I very much enjoy and listen to regularly. ****

THE MAID by Nita Prose tells the story of a murder at an upscale hotel through the eyes of one of the housekeepers. Molly is mostly invisible, but she sees and remembers nearly everything. She’s likely on the spectrum, though this is never explicitly stated. Overall, THE MAID is an excellent mystery well told. I’ve started the next book, THE MAID’S SECRET. *****

BUMMER CAMP BY Ann Garvin. The second I’ve read by this author. Good. Better than good, maybe, but not great. I enjoyed it. I’ll probably read another by her since I really enjoyed the other book I read by Garvin, THERE’S NO COMING BACK FROM THIS. Cat gets called back to the summer camp her parents ran and left to her sister, Ginger. It appears Ginger is about to lose the camp to a scammer and it’s up to Cat to save the camp and everyone’s jobs. ***

THE WORDS WE LOST by Nicole Deese. Really, really good. I might have liked this one even more if I hadn’t read it so soon after I finished THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND by Patti Callahan Henry (also excellent *****). I liked the realistic portrait of grief, although I lost patience with the protagonist who wouldn’t let anyone get close to her. ****1/2

THE CHRISTIE AFFAIR by Nina de Gramont is the second–or third??–book I’ve read in the last couple of years speculating on the famous “incident” of Agatha Christie’s disappearance for eleven days in 1926. This one is pure fiction but lots of fun to think it could have happened. ****

IRIS by Susan May Warren. Yes, an auto buy that I said I wouldn’t talk about, but oh well, it’s my list. This is #4 in Warren’s Minnesota Kingstons series. I’m just starting the last one, STEINBECK. And I can’t wait to wrap up the series and get all the siblings to their happily ever afters. ****

THE LOVE HATERS by Katherine Center. Center is another auto buy for me every summer. So good. I loved it. Set in Florida, mostly. About a documentarian following a Coast Guard rescue unit. So good. *****

THE BANNED BOOKS CLUB by Brenda Novak. Lots of readers adore Novak and have her on auto buy. I love her on social media. She’s engaging and fun and funny. The book had a great ending and it kept me turning the pages. ****

GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL LIFE by Emily Henry. One of these days I’m going to blog about some of the younger writers whose books I used to love but who, IMHO, have run out of ideas or good words or for whatever reason, I’ve decided their work isn’t for me anymore. Emily Henry will not be on that list. I think I’ve read everything she’s written now. Each book is different and she’s getting better and better. This is her best one yet. Two writers arrive in Florida to compete to co-write/ghost write a reclusive woman’s celebrity memoir. *****+

Let’s meet Rebecca Hemlock!

Rebecca Hemlock has been a Nancy Drew fanatic since childhood and is drawn to anything involving mysteries and storytelling. Her books have realistic, complex characters who endure crime related hardships that either test their faith or spark a new found faith in God. Each character follows the underlaying mission found in Romans 12:21. “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

An award-winning Christian Fiction author of 15 books, Rebecca began her novel writing career, after four years of working as a freelance journalist. She is an active member of The American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters in Crime and loves writing for those who like historical elements mixed with their Romantic Suspense and Mysteries. Rebecca has earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing along with an Appalachian Studies certificate and plans to continue her writing education.

Some questions for Rebecca:

Your characters feel so real. How do you go about creating and developing them? Are any based on people you know?

Each of my characters is loosely based on someone I know. I use the people I meet and stories I have heard from others as inspiration. Writing someone based on a real person makes the authenticity come naturally.

What inspired you to write your latest book, and how did the story idea first come to you?
My latest book was inspired by my sister, who is a nurse. She has inspired me to look deeper into the workday of nurses. They see unbelievable things, from heart wrenching deaths to miracles.

If your main character could step out of the book and spend a day in your world, what would they do first? Eliza doesn’t have much time for herself. Nurses work long hours and deal with all sorts of people. She would probably go get a massage.

What’s coming up?

A Nurse’s Ambush

How could she trust the police to catch someone they claimed didn’t exist?

When ER Nurse Eliza Duncan is preparing medication for her patient and good friend, she spots a familiar form sneaking into her room. She hurries back to find Esther terrified and crying, claiming her stalker had returned, but she’s alone.
The police find no signs of Esther’s “visitor” and dismiss her as paranoid. Eliza checks the hospital footage, only to find out that none of the cameras in Esther’s room were on during her encounter.
Eliza hires private investigator Ben McCade, but this means facing a past both she and Esther were running from. The only way to bring the stalker to justice was to set a trap and catch him off guard.

What are your socials?

rebeccahemlock.com

https://www.facebook.com/rebeccahemlock123/

https://www.instagram.com/rebecca_hemlock/

https://www.tiktok.com/@rebeccahemlock

https://www.threads.net/@rebecca_hemlock

Anything else for my readers?

I have a free story available here!

Thanks for stopping by, Rebecca!

Let’s meet Jerusha Agen!

Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes romantic suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats, often while reading or watching movies. Find more of Jerusha’s thrilling, fear-fighting stories at JerushaAgen.com.

Some questions for Jerusha:

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who dream of publishing their own stories one day?
It’s important to commit to the process of writing. What will you do each day to make progress? Will you write 500 words a day? Will you do research? Will you edit? Work on your proposal? There is something you can do each day that will move you closer to completion. Do that. And then do it again. Now I’m going to go take my own advice.

Do you have any rituals or routines that help you stay creative?
I’ve found that three things are absolutely essential for me to stay creative over the long haul. I need God to fuel my creativity and supply me with ideas, I need sleep, and I need a steady diet of story. I get my story diet through watching movies—good or bad, they always get my creative juices flowing.

What’s coming up?

Waylaid (Windy City Westons, Book 1) – March 27, 2025 Someone wants to kill her. She wants the killer to finish the job.

Spring Weston will do anything to rise in the ranks of pro cycling and prove she isn’t the one failure of the five Weston siblings. Anything except cheat. When she learns of doping on her cycling team, she’s determined to uncover the truth. But she can’t if she’s dead.

Sergeant Torin Cotter may not be the hero the public thinks he is, but he recognizes fear when he sees it. When he takes over the investigation of the collision that landed Spring in the hospital, he’s compelled to protect her from whatever danger she’s in, even though he knows he might fail. Again.

Spring’s faith in God isn’t enough to help her face the living nightmare she awakened to after the accident. But neither she nor the handsome sergeant see the greater threat that’s coming until it’s too late.

What are your socials?

Newsletter signup: https://jerushaagen.com/newsletter-and-blog-subscription/

Anything else for my readers?

I have a free suspense story available here!

Thanks for stopping by, Jerusha!

Let’s meet Cara Putman!

As a preteen Cara Putman watched lawyers change legislative opinions at an important legislative hearing in Nebraska. At that time, she wondered if she became an attorney if people would give her words the same weight. An honors graduate of the University of Nebraska Lincoln, George Mason University School of Law and Krannert School of Management at Purdue University, Cara has turned her passion for words into award-winning stories that capture readers. Her legal experience makes its way into her stories where strong women confront real challenges.

Cara writes legal thrillers, WWII romances, and romantic suspense because she believes that no matter what happens hope is there, waiting for us to reach for it.

When she’s not writing, Cara is an over-educated attorney who lectures in law and communications at the Daniels School of Business at Purdue University. She and her family live in Indiana, the land of seasons. You can read chapters for most of her books and connect with Cara at her website: Http://caraputman.com.

Some questions for Cara:

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who dream of publishing their own stories one day?
It’s important to commit to the process of writing. What will you do each day to make progress? Will you write 500 words a day? Will you do research? Will you edit? Work on your proposal? There is something you can do each day that will move you closer to completion. Do that. And then do it again. Now I’m going to go take my own advice.

What’s the most unexpected place or moment where inspiration struck for your story?
For my book in the Two Dog collection, I was reading an article in the Omaha World-Herald. It was about how medical examiners are selected in Nebraska. I couldn’t believe it. I could/would be a medical examiner in my home state, and I still think that’s crazy. I’m pretty smart, but I don’t feel qualified to make those sorts of deliberations. I’m sure in the larger cities, there are close partnerships between the county attorneys and doctors, but in the smaller locales, that would be harder to arrange…and from there, my writer’s mind started spinning with story ideas.

If you could collaborate with any fictional character (not your own) to write your next book, who would it be and why?
This probably sounds cliché, but I’d love to collaborate with someone like Jo March. I almost typed Hercule Poirot, but he’d drive me crazy as would Sherlock Holmes, so I’m going with Jo March or Anne Shirley. I’ve always loved those strong heroines.

Any recent releases?

April 2025: The Accused; Book 2 of Secrets to Keep

What are your socials?

http://instagram.com/caracputman

http://facebook.com/cara.putman

Anything else for my readers

A novella is available here.

Thanks for stopping by, Cara!

Let’s meet Gina Conroy! Gina, please tell us about yourself:

From the moment I received my first diary in the second grade, I’ve been in love with the written word and the power it has to touch, stir, and reach from the depths of one soul to another. That passion for storytelling has been the thread weaving through my life ever since. Whether writing fiction or real life stories, I infuse faith, vulnerability, laughter, and hope in my stories where characters come alive, mysteries unfold, and redemption shines.
When I’m not writing, I’m teaching and mentoring others to pursue their passions and embrace their creativity. Born and raised in New York but now living in the Midwest, I’ve built a life where writing, teaching, and adventure collide. Whether it’s developing engaging writing classes for writers of all ages, writing mystery novels or rom coms, or encouraging writers at all stages to chase their dreams, I love helping others uncover their stories.
An empty nester turned caregiver, I dream of traveling the world, dancing my way through every country, and penning stories full of adventure, faith, and hope.

Some questions for Gina:

What inspired you to write your latest book, and how did the story idea first come to you?

When I joined the Valentine’s Day collection, the theme—A Valentine’s Day Romance—was already set. My job was to create the characters, location, and conflict. Rosie, the main character, came to me quickly. I knew she would be cynical and disillusioned about love because, honestly, that’s where I am in my own dating life after my 20-year marriage ended, followed by eight years of difficult dating. The other characters, though, just appeared and evolved as I wrote. It’s hard to explain to someone who isn’t a writer, but fellow authors will understand how that creative magic happens.

What do you hope readers will take away from your book? Are there specific themes or messages that are close to your heart?

There are several themes woven throughout the story, but at its heart, it’s about exploring different kinds of love and how they function within the dynamics of a New York Italian family—something I know well, having grown up in one. Through the relationships between the characters, I delve into the unique bonds and challenges of love between mothers and daughters, sons and fathers, sons and mothers, best friends, and even exes. I hope readers see that all types of love need to be celebrated on Valentine’s day.

Your characters feel so real. How do you go about creating and developing them? Are any based on people you know?

Since Rosie is the main character, there is a lot of me in her. But at some point she took on a life of her own. For the supporting cast, I drew inspiration from the diverse individuals in the Italian New York community. While you might notice some stereotypes—they exist for a reason—I’ve also included a range of personalities and experiences. My goal was to create characters that different readers can see themselves in and connect with.

What’s a quirky or surprising detail about your research process that most people wouldn’t guess?

I don’t always get to visit the locations I write about, but while working on this story, I happened to attend a wedding in New York. Naturally, I took the opportunity to ride the subway, explore Manhattan and the Bronx, and stroll down Arthur Avenue in Little Italy—the very streets I describe in the book. I loved blending my Italian heritage with a dash of Albanian culture to create a unique flavor, layering in the Catholic/Italian tradition of Candelora, and setting it against the vibrant backdrop of Little Italy in the Bronx. My hope is that readers can taste all these flavors and savor the most succulent part of the story: the message of 1 Corinthians 13, the Love Chapter.

What do you having coming out soon? 

Anxious For Love released in May.

Los Angeles event planner Charlee Lovelle creates picture-perfect moments for everyone. But her own love life? A disaster. Burned out on dating apps and mismatches, she’s ready to give up on love for good—until her so-called best friend surprises her with a coaching session with the infamous “Love Doctor.”

Maxwell Adams, bestselling author and Australian dating coach, just wants to help people find real love—not play the dodgy viral persona that made him famous. When a PR crisis puts his reputation on the line, helping Charlee find love in six weeks might be his best shot at saving them both.

Thrown into an unexpected partnership, Charlee and Maxwell must navigate clashing perspectives, undeniable chemistry, and mounting pressure—all under the glare of a Hollywood scandal.

If they can keep their cool—and their hearts—they might just rewrite the rules of modern romance.

What are your socials?

https://linktr.ee/ginaconroy

Anything else for my readers?

I offer a free sample of my Life Balance Journal here.

Thanks for stopping by, Gina!