The Christian Romance Podcast

In this heartwarming holiday episode, Kelly chats with three beloved Christian romance authors about their collaborative novella collection, A Very English Christmas. Each author shares the inspiration behind their story—woven with romance, faith, and a touch of literary magic from iconic authors Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Beatrix Potter. Carrie brings us into the Victorian era with a tale of love, perseverance, and trust in God, all while Charles Dickens pens A Christmas Carol. Marguerite transports us to Edwardian England with a story of class divides, hidden secrets, and a heroine inspired by Beatrix Potter’s trailblazing spirit. And Carole’s Regency-era novella paints a beautiful friendship between her heroine Violet and Jane Austen herself, exploring the burdens of family and the gentle nudges of divine guidance. This episode is filled with meaningful faith themes, romantic tension, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into crafting timeless historical love stories. Whether you’re a fan of dual timelines, literary legends, or faith-filled storytelling, this conversation will warm your heart. Listen to the episode here. Meet Carole Lehr Johnson Carole Lehr Johnson is an award-winning author of eight books which are inspired by her love of tea and scones, castles and cottages, and all things British. Her nine trips to the UK over the years have led her to immerse her writing in the United Kingdom. Connect with Carole on social media and her website at CaroleLehrJohnson.com Meet Marguerite Gray Marguerite Martin Gray is an award-winning author of a dozen novels and novellas. She enjoys the study of history, especially when combined with fiction. An avid traveler and reader, she also teaches French and Spanish online. She currently lives in North Louisiana with her husband and rescue pets. Her two adult children and two grandsons keep her young and up to date. Connect with Marguerite at her website MargueriteMartinGray.com Meet Carrie Turansky Carrie Turansky has loved reading since she first visited the library as a young child and checked out a tall stack of picture books. Her love for writing began when she penned her first novel at age twelve. She is now the award-winning author of more than twenty inspirational novels and novellas. Carrie has won the ACFW Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the Holt Medallion. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Scott. They have five grown children and twelve grandchildren who bring them much joy. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her walking around the lake near her home, working in her flower gardens, cooking healthy meals for family and friends, or leading women’s ministry at her church. Carrie loves to connect with reading friends on social media and through her website: Carrieturansky.com  Bible Verses for Encouragement You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.— Psalm 23:5 NKJV This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience…— 1 Timothy 1:18–19 NKJV Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.— Proverbs 3:5–6 NKJV The New Book: A Very English Christmas Celebrate the season with three timeless tales inspired by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Beatrix Potter. When Emma Grace Langley retreats to her grandmother’s antique shop in the snowy Cotswolds after heartbreak and job loss, she hopes to find clarity. Instead, she finds a collection of heirlooms—a portrait, a rare book, and a charming figurine—that unlock stories from the past. As each tale unfolds, Emma is drawn into the lives of three remarkable women whose lives were touched by England’s greatest storytellers. In A Portrait of Faith, devoted daughter, Violet Walford, longs for a life beyond duty to her family. When she is asked to paint insightful Regency-era author, Jane Austen, their unexpected friendship inspires Violet to pursue life and love with new courage. In A Victorian Christmas Tale, Clara Reynolds struggles against physical challenges and family expectations while falling in love with John, a writer with ties to Charles Dickens. Their work at the London Foundling Hospital brings healing, hope, and a Christmas transformation that would make Scrooge proud. And in A Tale of the Season, Edwardian heiress Arabella Graham escapes to the Lake District and meets a charming country veterinarian—and author and illustrator Beatrix Potter. With gentle wisdom and the peace of a country Christmas, Arabella discovers the joy of finding her own path. Blending romance, inspiration, and literary nostalgia, A Very English Christmas is the perfect holiday escape for fans of historical fiction and classic English authors. 💞 Tropes in A Very English Christmas Friends to Lovers (Carrie’s Victorian romance) Opposites Attract / Class Differences (Marguerite’s Edwardian story) Literary Friendship / Secret Talent / Family Burden (Carole’s Regency story) Faith Through Trials Found Family Slow Burn Romance Holiday Romance / Christmas Setting Historical Matchmaking / Subtle Interference by a Mentor Second Chance at Love (for the modern wraparound story) Get your copy today! Amazon Get updates on our book giveaways Enter the most current book giveaway on ChristianRomancePodcast.com and sign up for our email list. Kelly’s Personal Update Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me during the Kickstarter! I’m so grateful for you! Finding Forevermore is available today! Her family secrets. His guilt. One road trip that changes everything. Raven Cunningham has built a quiet life between the shelves of a small-town bookshop, ghostwriting stories for others while hiding her own. She’s long believed her father abandoned her, until a letter from her late grandmother reveals a shocking truth. Convinced the reclusive author J.C. Nevermore is her father, Raven sets out to uncover the real story. When her childhood friend Cole Walker, a former Army medic wrestling with his own scars, offers to help, she’s not sure if she can trust him . . . or herself. As they chase clues and revisit old memories, what begins as a search for answers becomes a journey toward something deeper. Finding Forevermore is a heartfelt story about faith, family, and the kind of love that’s anchored in God’s unfailing grace. Get your copy For Kindle Unlimited lovers, Finding Forevermore is ready for you to check out. You’ll get updates by joining my free email list. Visit my website here to sign up Follow me for updates Instagram YouTube TikTok

Kelly chats with beloved author Melody Carlson about her heartwarming and deeply personal Christmas novella, Once Upon a Christmas Carol. What starts as a lighthearted holiday romance takes on deeper meaning as Melody shares the story’s uncanny parallels to her real life—including the grief of her first Christmas as a widow and the unexpected gift of a new “bonus daughter.” Set against the snowy charm of Michigan farmland, this novella is packed with holiday warmth, romance, and a powerful message of grace. Melody opens up about the book’s serendipitous themes, her favorite Christmas traditions, and how God’s timing is always perfect, even in fiction. Listen to the episode here. Meet Melody Carlson Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than 250 books with sales of more than 7.5 million, including many bestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and contemporary romances. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, her novel All Summer Long has been made into a Hallmark movie, and the movie based on her novel The Happy Camper premiered on UPtv in 2023. Suttle Tea Shop (Author Kit Tosello’s fabulous tea shop) Follow Melody Facebook Instagram Bible Verse for Encouragement “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”– John 3:16 (NKJV) Melody Carlson’s New Book: Once Upon a Christmas Carol What will happen when a tropical escape from holiday blues turns into a snowy wonderland filled with joy and cheer?Carol Langstrom hates Christmas. Growing up in a dysfunctional home, with a birthday on December 25 and too many dashed childhood expectations, she would rather avoid the holiday season. And working in the design industry where she manages seasonal decor for wealthy, entitled clients certainly hasn’t helped!    So, this year her goal is to flee to the Bahamas–by herself–bah humbug! But bad weather and God’s radically different plan redirect her flight to blustery Michigan, where she gets stuck on her aunt’s farm and discovers a different kind of Christmas–one wrapped in love, family, and holiday spirit. Melody Carlson’s Christmas novella delivers all the charm of a holiday Hallmark movie, is rooted in Christian faith, woven with sweet romance, and features A Christmas Carol themes. 💞 Tropes in Once Upon a Christmas Carol Christmas romance Grumpy sunshine (Carol is Bahama-buggy!) Found family Surprise snowstorm Small town charm Mistaken identity (thinks he’s her cousin!) Forced proximity / snowed in Enemies to more Chef hero Big city girl meets charming country life Grace and second chances Get your copy today! Amazon Baker Book House Get updates on our book giveaways Enter the most current book giveaway on ChristianRomancePodcast.com and sign up for our email list. Kelly’s Personal Update Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me during the Kickstarter! I’m so grateful for you! Finding Forevermore is available today! Her family secrets. His guilt. One road trip that changes everything. Raven Cunningham has built a quiet life between the shelves of a small-town bookshop, ghostwriting stories for others while hiding her own. She’s long believed her father abandoned her, until a letter from her late grandmother reveals a shocking truth. Convinced the reclusive author J.C. Nevermore is her father, Raven sets out to uncover the real story. When her childhood friend Cole Walker, a former Army medic wrestling with his own scars, offers to help, she’s not sure if she can trust him . . . or herself. As they chase clues and revisit old memories, what begins as a search for answers becomes a journey toward something deeper. Finding Forevermore is a heartfelt story about faith, family, and the kind of love that’s anchored in God’s unfailing grace. Get your copy For Kindle Unlimited lovers, Finding Forevermore is ready for you to check out. You’ll get updates by joining my free email list. Visit my website here to sign up Follow me for updates Instagram YouTube TikTok

Kelly chats with author Christen Krumm, whose latest Christmas romance Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage is full of charm, warmth, and heart. Christen shares how her writing journey took her from YA dystopian to sweet holiday rom-coms, why she loves reverse grumpy sunshine dynamics, and the magic behind Susan May Warren’s collaborative Jonathan Island world. With relatable characters, snowy small-town vibes, and the deeper message of trust and hope, this episode is a cozy must-listen for readers who adore faith-filled romance and second chances. Listen to the episode here. Meet Christen Krumm Christen Krumm lives with her real-life superhero husband and three barefoot wildings in small-town Arkansas. Coffee is the lifeblood, books are her happy place, and creating stories is her favorite. Find her online at christenkrumm.com Visit ChristenKrumm.com Follow Christen Instagram Pinterest Amazon Bible Verse for Encouragement Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,And lean not on your own understanding;In all your ways acknowledge Him,And He shall direct your paths.” Christen Krumm’s New Book: Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage “If you enjoy a clean read with close proximity, Christmas vibes, the characters watching Christmas movies, and the characters being bookish, Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage is a must read.” Reviewer—Goodreads She just wants a nice, quiet holiday getaway. Too bad her new—and way too handsome—accidental roommate comes with an annoying dose of holiday cheer. Successful, but writer’s blocked author Bronte Parker just needs some holiday peace and quiet to jumpstart her brutal writer’s block. Hence her rental at a quaint cottage on quiet and remote Jonathon Island. So what’s the deal with the double booking? And worse…the sudden Santa can’t leave—not with a record breaking blizzard overtaking the island. Suddenly her world is all about eggnog, Christmas movies and decking the halls with all type of distractions. He’s a soldier who needs a merry Christmas… After two years away, Army surgeon Jonah White is thrilled to be going home for the holidays. Too bad his parents have escaped the island for a tropical Christmas cruise, renting out their place—his home!—to a seriously uptight author. And thanks to a blizzard, he can’t even escape. But when he discovers the author has writer’s block, well, the doctor is in. He’ll help her fix it by showing her a real Christmas—something foster kid Bronte has never had. And maybe it’s working because as surprise Santa sweeps her up in the magical Jonathon Island Christmas festivities, a new story starts to come alive inside…one where maybe a happily-ever-after could actually exist. But is this just a holiday romance? And what happens when the blizzard ends, the air clears, and duty calls. Is the magic over? Enjoy this enchanting Jonathon Island Christmas story about being snowed in with an unexpected hero…and taking a chance on the happy ending you never saw coming. The Jonathon Island series is created by USA Today bestselling, award-winning author Susan May Warren. 💞 Tropes in Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage Reverse Grumpy Sunshine (she’s the grump, he’s the sunshine!) Snowed-In Together Found Family Small Town Romance Forced Proximity Holiday Romance Big Family, Only Brother Healing Through Love Christmas Traditions Foster Care Backstory Get your copy today! Amazon Sunrise Publishing Get updates on our book giveaways Enter the most current book giveaway on ChristianRomancePodcast.com and sign up for our email list. Kelly’s Personal Update Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me during the Kickstarter! I’m so grateful for you! Finding Forevermore is available today! Her family secrets. His guilt. One road trip that changes everything. Raven Cunningham has built a quiet life between the shelves of a small-town bookshop, ghostwriting stories for others while hiding her own. She’s long believed her father abandoned her, until a letter from her late grandmother reveals a shocking truth. Convinced the reclusive author J.C. Nevermore is her father, Raven sets out to uncover the real story. When her childhood friend Cole Walker, a former Army medic wrestling with his own scars, offers to help, she’s not sure if she can trust him . . . or herself. As they chase clues and revisit old memories, what begins as a search for answers becomes a journey toward something deeper. Finding Forevermore is a heartfelt story about faith, family, and the kind of love that’s anchored in God’s unfailing grace. Get your copy For Kindle Unlimited lovers, Finding Forevermore is ready for you to check out. You’ll get updates by joining my free email list. Visit my website here to sign up Follow me for updates Instagram YouTube TikTok

In this episode, Kelly chats with award-winning Regency romance author Julie Klassen, whose timeless stories blend love, faith, and a touch of mystery. Julie shares her journey from marketing and editorial work at a Christian publishing house to becoming a full-time novelist with over 20 historical books to her name. The two dive into Julie’s upcoming release, Whispers at Painswick Court—a swoony, twisty Regency romance infused with secrets, second chances, and a heroine determined to avoid love (but maybe not forever). Listeners will also get a peek into Julie’s charming holiday novella, A Sea View Christmas, and hear all about her research trips to the English countryside (including her reader tours to the Cotswolds!). Julie opens up about how God has shaped her writing journey and shares an encouraging Bible verse that has brought her peace through motherhood, writing, and all the in-between. Whether you’re a long-time Julie Klassen fan or new to her books, this is a cozy, heartfelt chat you won’t want to miss! Listen to the episode here. Meet Julie Klassen Julie Klassen loves all things Jane–Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold over 1.5 million copies, and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing’s Best Award and has been a finalist in the RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for 16 years and now writes full-time. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit Julie at her website here and sign up for her newsletter Follow Julie Facebook Instagram Pinterest X Bible Verse for Encouragement Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV):Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Julie Klassen’s New Book: Whispers at Painswick Court She expected her return to Painswick would bring memories of the past–not danger and romance.Anne Loveday, a surgeon’s daughter, is determined to live a single, useful life. To escape her matchmaking stepmother, she accepts an invitation from an old friend to return to Painswick, the place where she and her sister spent many happy summers until that last, fateful year. Soon after arriving, Anne is asked to serve as sickroom nurse to Lady Celia, who forbade her nephew to marry Anne’s sister years before. Pushing aside resentments, Anne moves into Painswick Court, a shadowy old house rumored to be haunted. Also in residence are Lady Celia’s spinster daughter, her handsome adult nephews, and a secretive new lady’s maid. Two local doctors visit regularly as well, one of whom admires Anne while concealing secrets of his own. As an escalating series of mishaps befalls her patient, Anne realizes someone is trying to kill the woman. But who? When Anne finds herself a suspect and her resolution to avoid romance challenged, can she discover the real culprit–and protect her heart–before it’s too late?Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen in this compelling Regency-era novel laced with intrigue, love, and English village charm for fans of historical romance and whodunit mysteries. 💞 Tropes in Whispers at Painswick Court Grumpy/Sunshine (heroine is determined to avoid romance, hero is persistent) Second Chance Romance Enemies-to-Lovers Vibe (strained family history) Love Triangle Potential Small Town/Village Setting Nurse/Patient Caregiver Family Drama Found Family Holiday Romance (in A Sea View Christmas) “Reluctant Love” heroine trope Gothic Mystery with Romance Secret Sister/Sibling Surprise Get your copy today! Amazon Baker Book House Also Check Out Julie Klassen’s New Book A Sea View Christmas The holiday stirs up excitement as fondly remembered guests come to stay and acquaintances grow into more. . . .With a promise to her youngest sister, Sarah Summers declares that this year’s Christmas at Sea View will exceed all expectations. But an upcoming trip to Scotland–and the prospect of becoming reacquainted with dashing widower Callum Henshall–blows a flurry of doubts into her mind. Sarah had discouraged his attentions before yet soon finds herself once again torn between attraction and duty as alluring thoughts of a second chance at love weave their way into her practical heart. Meanwhile, seventeen-year-old Georgiana eagerly anticipates the exciting Christmas of her dreams after last year’s dull, disappointing holiday filled with endless chores. She enjoys all the promised parties, music, and dancing, but is taken by surprise when young love comes knocking. Does the festive romance of a Sea View Christmas hold the key to a happily-ever-after for both sisters? Get your copy today: Amazon Baker Book House Get updates on our themed book giveaways Enter the most current book giveaway on ChristianRomancePodcast.com and sign up for our email list. Kelly’s Personal Update Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me during the Kickstarter! I’m so grateful for you! Finding Forevermore is available today! Her family secrets. His guilt. One road trip that changes everything. Raven Cunningham has built a quiet life between the shelves of a small-town bookshop, ghostwriting stories for others while hiding her own. She’s long believed her father abandoned her, until a letter from her late grandmother reveals a shocking truth. Convinced the reclusive author J.C. Nevermore is her father, Raven sets out to uncover the real story. When her childhood friend Cole Walker, a former Army medic wrestling with his own scars, offers to help, she’s not sure if she can trust him . . . or herself. As they chase clues and revisit old memories, what begins as a search for answers becomes a journey toward something deeper. Finding Forevermore is a heartfelt story about faith, family, and the kind of love that’s anchored in God’s unfailing grace. Get your copy For Kindle Unlimited lovers, Finding Forevermore is ready for you to check out. You’ll get updates by joining my free email list. Visit my website here to sign up Follow me for updates Instagram YouTube TikTok

In this episode, bestselling author Mary Connealy chats about Riches Beyond Measure, the conclusion to her Golden Gate Treasure series. Known for her romantic comedies with cowboys, Mary shares how this treasure hunt adventure brings together faith, family, and a whole lot of fun. They dive into the story of Annie, a grieving widow and devoted mother, who never expected to fall in love again—especially not while chasing gold through the rugged terrain of 1870s California. With charming chaos, reluctant romance, and a strong spiritual thread about storing up treasures in heaven, this book offers both rich storytelling and timeless truth. Mary also gives a behind-the-scenes peek into her writing process, the real-life inspirations behind her characters, and why she always adds a splash of wild humor to her faith-filled fiction. Listen to the episode here. Meet Mary Connealy Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of 75 books and novellas. She has over a million and a half books in print. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Visit her website or find her at Petticoats & Pistols! Follow Mary Amazon Facebook Instagram X Bible Verse for Encouragement Matthew 6:19–21 (NKJV)Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Mary Connealy’s New Book: Riches Beyond Measure When they leave the ranch in search of stolen treasure, will the spark between them survive the perils ahead?When an earthquake strikes Two Harts Ranch, it shakes the life of Annie Lane along with that of Cord Westbrook, who has been working as a cowboy on Annie’s family ranch in anticipation of purchasing his own. The only thing delaying his plan is the deep attraction he feels toward Annie, a widow with a child and an established life as a teacher at the Hart School for Orphans. Unfortunately for Cord, she seems determined to avoid romance. The aftermath of the earthquake reveals that prized artifacts from the long-sought MacKenzie’s Treasure have been stolen from the ranch. But the return of the MacKenzie family from out east has everyone focused on what other precious finds might be waiting at the end of the legendary two-part map. As Cord, Annie, and the MacKenzies set out in search of riches, they face dangers more treacherous than earthquakes. With gold in their sights and love within reach, Cord and Annie realize that some treasures may fade, but life’s true riches are far more valuable than earthly goods. Embark on a rousing California wilderness adventure filled with danger, deception, and second chances in this riveting conclusion to Mary Connealy’s Golden State Treasure series–ideal for fans of frontier romances, cowboys, and treasure hunts. 💞 Tropes in Riches Beyond Measure Treasure Hunt Adventure Widow Falling in Love Again Forced Proximity Orphan Train Found Family Reluctant Courtship Second Chance at Love Marriage of Convenience Cowboy Hero + Feisty Heroine Grumpy meets Sunshine (a bit of a twist with Annie & Cord!) Get your copy today! Amazon Baker Book House Get updates on our themed book giveaways Enter the most current book giveaway on ChristianRomancePodcast.com and sign up for our email list. Kelly’s Personal Update Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me during the Kickstarter! I’m so grateful for you! Finding Forevermore is available today! Her family secrets. His guilt. One road trip that changes everything. Raven Cunningham has built a quiet life between the shelves of a small-town bookshop, ghostwriting stories for others while hiding her own. She’s long believed her father abandoned her, until a letter from her late grandmother reveals a shocking truth. Convinced the reclusive author J.C. Nevermore is her father, Raven sets out to uncover the real story. When her childhood friend Cole Walker, a former Army medic wrestling with his own scars, offers to help, she’s not sure if she can trust him . . . or herself. As they chase clues and revisit old memories, what begins as a search for answers becomes a journey toward something deeper. Finding Forevermore is a heartfelt story about faith, family, and the kind of love that’s anchored in God’s unfailing grace. Get your copy For Kindle Unlimited lovers, Finding Forevermore is ready for you to check out. You’ll get updates by joining my free email list. Visit my website here to sign up Follow me for updates Instagram YouTube TikTok