Transforming an Ordinary Concept into an Extraordinary One

with Belle Calhoune.

Good morning, everyone.  Belle here.  I’ve brought along some pumpkin donuts and a mug filled with eggnog.  It’s never too early in the morning to have a little eggnog, especially at this time of the year.  Cheers!

In the competitive world of publishing, every author or aspiring author needs to write a book that shines.  In my humble opinion, one of the most effective ways of creating a compelling read is to take an ordinary premise and make it something extraordinary.  

 Unusual.  Different.  

Back in 2012 when I stumbled upon a Speed dating pitch on the Harlequin forums, I discovered an opportunity to become a published author with Harlequin Love Inspired.  When I began writing my book, which was titled “The Return of the Preacher’s Daughter,” (A title I still love) I knew two things.  One—I wanted it to be a reunion romance.  Two—I wanted the heroine to have really endured something profound that separated her from her hometown and the people she loved, including the hero.

Think about it.  When you read a book about a hero or heroine who hasn’t been back home in a long time, as an author you must create a compelling reason for this long-term absence. 

Let’s rewind to my childhood when I lived across the street from a public library and devoured Harlequin romances like nobody’s business.  Although I loved these novels it always bugged me to see the heroine doing a lot of hand-wringing over a situation that seemed fairly minor.  Even at the age of twelve, I knew it wasn’t that serious.  It made the heroine appear weak and it lessened the overall impact of the character arc.

I had a lightbulb moment while brainstorming my plot for the book I hoped would earn me a contract with Love Inspired.  My reunion romance story needed a shot of adrenaline.  It needed to be elevated.  After a lot of brainstorming, I came up with this:  Eight years earlier the heroine Cassidy had fled her hometown after being the driver in an accident that left her best friend a paraplegic.  Before she left town, Cassidy ditched her fiancé, who was the older brother of her best friend.  There’s also a plot twist about the accident.  BAM! I had a reunion romance-heroine coming home story with tension, conflict, secrets and twists.  

When I received “the call” from my editor, Emily Rodmell, she told me my book had a lot of hooks and Harlequin Love Inspired wanted to buy it.  Lots and lots of hooks, if I remember it correctly.  It was clear to me how important my hooks were to the sale of the book which ended up being titled, Reunited with the Sheriff.   

When you add hooks to your work, try to create something compelling and unique.  Put your own twist on it! Sell that book!  I took the simple idea of a reunion romance and turned it on its head.  There were many layers to the story, including a character who was a paraplegic.  One of the most challenging things I’ve ever done as an author is to create a story featuring this paraplegic character, Holly.  Heart of a Soldier was a tough book to write because it delved into areas that weren’t always comfortable.  Romance between a rugged, able-bodied man and a paraplegic woman confined to a wheelchair is a tricky road to navigate. 

However, it was a completely fresh approach and full of hooks.  The heroine Holly had met the soldier hero Dylan due to a pen pal and email correspondence so he had never seen her in person.  Again.  Turning a story on its head.  Readers loved this particular book, which showed me the rewards of digging deep and taking a romantic story and turning it upside down.  I was by no means an expert on paraplegia, but I did my research and created an accurate portrayal of a paraplegic.

If you take your story concept and twist the screws a little bit, you’ll have a book that stands out from the rest.  Readers will love you for it.  Publishers and editors also.  If you’re trying to get a publisher to notice your work, I think it’s a great way to go about it.  

As a means to this end, brainstorming is a great tool for authors.  I highly recommend getting a huge storyboard and then start fooling around with a romance trope.  Think of ways to make it unique.  Out of the box.  Flip it upside down and twist it around.  Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself.  It’s difficult and sometimes uncomfortable to challenge the status quo, but in the end, you’ll reap the rewards.  And so will your readers.

Author Jolene Navarro shares some of her insights on this very subject.  “With The Soldier’s Surprise Family I started with the popular secret baby plot and thought about ways to make it different.  What if he didn’t know about his son?  His wife wouldn’t let go of her past so he left the drama behind and cut all contact with her.  Five years later she is killed by her boyfriend in a murder-suicide situation.  CPS shows up at his door.  Not only is his son traumatized, but he refuses to speak and needs a home.  There’s a baby girl too.”

Jolene elevated her secret baby story to include a traumatized child and an additional baby—a sibling of the hero’s own son.  Complex, huh?  She flipped the secret baby-child story on its head and created something highly original and poignant.

My December release for Love Inspired is entitled Reunited at Christmas.  I have a confession to make about this particular story.  I wrote it in part because I don’t particularly like amnesia stories.  I wanted to challenge myself to do the very thing I didn’t necessarily want to do.  

My heroine Ruby Prescott wasn’t just any amnesia victim.  She was a search and rescue worker who had been presumed dead after an avalanche in Colorado.  Her family in Love, Alaska has been grieving her loss for two years.  Add in the fact that Ruby and Liam are an interracial couple with a five-year-old son she can’t remember.  Oh, and her return is a few weeks before Christmas, the most blessed time of the year.  Plus, her husband is hiding a secret about their marriage.  

In celebration of my new release, I’m giving away ten copies of Reunited at Christmas.  Winners will be announced in the Weekend Edition.

Happy Holidays everyone! And remember—don’t be afraid to take your novel and make it a gem. It’s like polishing a diamond.  Make it shine!

So, my friends.  How are you challenging yourself in your writing? 

Reunited at Christmas. 

A Season to Remember 

Two years after the avalanche everyone thought had claimed her life, Ruby Prescott returns to the remote Alaskan town of Love. And no one is more ecstatic than her husband, Liam, and their young son. Even if amnesia has robbed Ruby of her memories, she's soon woven back into the fabric of their lives. As they celebrate the holiday season, Ruby is falling head over heels for the man she's told was the love of her life. But she can't escape the feeling that there's something Liam is keeping a secret. Will the return of her memories tear them apart for good—or will this be a Christmas she'll never forget?

Belle Calhoune grew up in a small town in Massachusetts as one of five children. Growing up across the street from a public library was a huge influence on her life and fueled her love of romance novels.  Belle is the author of seven Harlequin Love Inspired novels with two more contracted.  She has Indie published the popular and best-selling inspirational romance series, Seven Brides, Seven Brothers.  Her new indie series, the Secrets of Savannah is a spin-off of her debut series.  Belle loves writing romance and crafting happily ever afters.  When she’s not wrangling her two high maintenance dogs or spending time with her husband and two daughters, Belle enjoys travel and exploring new places.

Confessions of a Cover Queen: Tapping into Your Creativity to Create a Memorable Cover

with guest Belle Calhoune.

I must confess something.  I am an unapologetic cover snob.  Please don’t judge me.  I really can’t help myself.  It all started when I was six-years-old and I came across a book cover that absolutely mesmerized me. 

 It was a book called “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak.  The wildly imaginative cover drew me in, which led me to read the book.  Not once.  Not twice.  But dozens of times until it became not only a keeper, but one of my favorite books of all time.   

As an avid reader, I find myself gravitating toward vivid, compelling covers.  After all, it’s the first thing we notice about a book, and almost one hundred percent of the time, the book blurb comes afterward.  So as readers we really are first attracted to a book by its cover.  And forgive me for being blunt, but a terrible cover isn’t going to attract many buyers.  As an author, one of the most important steps in the book publication process is the cover art.  A cover really can make or break a book launch.  There is no escaping the reality that a stellar cover helps sell books.

As a hybrid author I write for Harlequin Love Inspired (a traditional book publisher), as well as Indie/Self- publishing.  The process involved in both of these endeavors is very different.  With Love Inspired, I am very fortunate to have input in the cover process.  Love Inspired authors fill out AFS forms (Art Fact Sheets) which is our opportunity to have input in the covers of our story.  We are able to convey to the art department what our hero and heroine look like, the setting of our book, time of year, weather and any unique details we might wish to include. 

It’s always very exciting to receive an email alerting us to the final cover reveal.  My current release from Harlequin Love Inspired is “A Match Made in Alaska.”  Last December I was out Christmas shopping at the mall with my daughters when I happened to see a message on my phone from Love Inspired.  When I clicked on the attachment I found myself getting teary-eyed the moment the picture came into focus.  My cover was spectacular.  And although I have been in love with many covers before, this one was different.  The artist had tapped in to the very world I created in Love, Alaska.  It felt as if the artist had read the book and based the cover off those details.  In reality, my input led the artist in the right direction. 

Although the credit goes to the artist for creating such a masterpiece, those details I provided on the AFS sheets were invaluable.   

Although doing the AFS sheets can be tedious, I would advise every author to take their time and go through the sheets in meticulous fashion.  Rushing through the forms can lead to a cover that you’re not really crazy about. There’s no better feeling in the world than seeing a fantastic cover that you actually were a part of creating.  For this particular series (Alaskan Grooms series) I wanted to tap in to the romanticism of brides and grooms, as well as the remote aspects of Alaska.  

I promise you, I’m not the only writer who feels that covers are extremely important.  Piper Huguley, an award winning author of Christian romance says, “It’s well worth the time and effort to obtain a good cover.  I suspect that readers might not have been willing to try my stories if it had not been for the covers on book one in both of my series.  Both covers have won Best Cover at the Emma awards two years in a row.”  Piper makes an excellent point.  Discoverability.  Exposure.  Award winners!  An outstanding cover allows a book to shine.  And it attracts readers like moths to a flame.  

Speaking of cover contests, I had a great experience this year with the Judge a Book By Its Cover Contest sponsored by the Houston Bay Area RWA.  My cover for “An Alaskan Wedding” (created by Robert Papp) received second place in the Inspirational Category.  This is a great contest and I know that the Chapter is hoping to widen the pool of entries.  So enter your book covers in this cool contest and spread the word about it.   

Tips for creating an appealing Indie cover:

1. Study the market.  Make sure you look around at what covers-books are selling.  And be familiar with the top-selling books and their covers.  If I’ve seen it once I’ve seen it a hundred times (or something like that).  Numerous authors launch the Indie books at the same time with an identical cover.    Don’t pick the most obvious couple for your book.  Look for something a little different or with unique details.  Add a landscape or special fonts or pops of color.  

2. Branding.  Establish a brand via your covers that readers will know is uniquely associated with your books.  And try to stick to it.  That doesn’t mean you can’t get creative and experiment a little, but never stray too far away from your own brand so that your readers need a road map to find you.

3. Don’t chase trends so much that your cover is blah.  Find yourself in your own cover creations.  Brainstorm and use visualization to bring your story to life.  Tap into the most important elements of your story and then capture them on the cover of your book.  

4. Find a great cover artist! Unless you’re extremely talented and can do it yourself a great cover artist can really help you nail the cover of your dreams.  I always have a great vision for my covers but I do not possess the skills to do it by myself.  I am a firm believer in doing the thing I do best, which is write.  I work with my cover artist to fine tune the details, but I leave everything else in her capable hands.

5. If you’re doing a series, find something to tie the covers together visually.  Add some little detail that connects the books together so that if you line them up they all appear as if they’re from the same tribe.  

6. Don’t be afraid to tool around with a cover until it fits your version of perfect.  A good cover artist will work with you to ensure that you are one hundred percent satisfied with the end result.

7. Sometimes you have to spend a little money to be successful in the cover game.  A cheap cover may save you a few dollars, but in the end, you’re not doing yourself any favors by putting out a blah cover.  I’m not saying break the bank, but spending a decent amount will pay off in the long run.

8. Sweet rules the day when writing for the Inspirational market.  That means no heroine with cleavage for days or a hero with too tight jeans or a shirt unbuttoned down to his belly button.  Romantic, but never raunchy.

Best-Selling Christian romance author Leah Atwood says, "A good cover should tell a story in line with the book. A poor cover or one with a misaligned story to the books theme will distract the reader and do an injustice to the book.”  

Leah’s latest cover for “Calling Love” showcases beautiful wedding bands that lets the reader know this book might be about the bonds of holy matrimony.  The vivid pop of color really catches the eye and nicely complements the font.   

As a romance author I love romantic covers.  I want a cover to make me feel something.  I want to know more about the people gracing the cover of the book.  Were they high school sweethearts who were just reunited?  Or a divorced couple yearning for a second chance?  Or perhaps the heroine has a secret baby by the amnesiac hero who just inherited a ranch in Wyoming that used to belong to the heroine’s father?  An Inspirational romance cover should convey love, romance, hope and the belief that the couple featured in the novel will be able to surmount all obstacles to be together.  That’s no small feat, but if you tap into your creative abilities, it lies just within reach.  

The cover for “If Only in My Dreams” (Book 5 in my Seven Brides, Seven Brothers series) is one of my absolute favorites.  It conveys all the hopes and dreams and romanticism of my couple—Rose and Brandon.  Every time I look at it I grin like crazy because it brings to mind all of the reasons why I write romance.  And why I always will.   

What kind of covers make you smile?  Or compel you to take out your wallet and buy the book?  Does a favorite cover come to mind?

Belle Calhoune was born and raised in Massachusetts, one of five children. The daughter of a Physician and a Biologist, Belle found herself entranced by the literary world. Growing up across the street from a public library fed her hunger for books, particularly romance novels and mysteries. After graduating from Syracuse University, Belle worked as a Federal Investigator in Boston. After the birth of her youngest child, she and her college sweetheart husband moved to Connecticut, where they now reside with their two daughters, a lovable chocolate lab and a very spoiled poodle. Being an author is her dream job.


Belle is generously giving away five print copies of A Match Made in Alaska. Leave a comment and your name will be entered in the drawing. Winners announced in the Weekend Edition.

A Match Made in Alaska

A Small-Town Rescue

Librarian Annie Murray hoped participating in Love, Alaska's "Operation Love" would lead to finding a rugged bachelor to call her own.  But as her flight crash lands before reaching her destination, she finds herself alone with her pilot, Declan O'Rourke.Annie's met charmers like Declan before--now she wants a man of substance.  Forced to survive with him in the snowy wilderness, Annie discovers Declan's depth--and he begins to see the shy librarian's heart of gold.  But once back in town, outside sources threaten their bond. It'll take all the bravery they had in the wild for Annie and Declan to find love in small-town Alaska.

Thinking Outside the Box and Trusting Your Own Instincts as a Writer

Happy Holidays everyone!  Belle Calhoune here, wishing everyone all the joys of this blessed season.  Today I'm going to talk about writer instincts and thinking outside the box, two things I did when I wrote “Heart of a Soldier,” my January 2015 Love Inspired book. 

Back in 2012 when I wrote my first Love Inspired book, “Reunited with the Sheriff” I created a secondary character, Holly Lynch, who was paralyzed after a reckless driving accident caused by her best friend, my heroine, Cassidy.  I was trying to break in with Love Inspired during their “Speed Date with Emily” pitch on the Harlequin community forums.  Side note: if you're trying to break in to Love Inspired, watch those forums for contests and pitch events.  My big idea for that first book was to create a heroine who had done something so monumental that she couldn't walk away from it, even though for many years she tried.  Being the driver in an accident that makes your best friend a paraplegic seemed fairly huge to me.  Little did I know then that the character of Holly would burrow herself so deeply into my heart that I couldn't stop thinking about her and wanting to create a Happily Ever After for her. 

By deciding to feature a paraplegic heroine I was thinking outside the box. I was going out on a limb when I wrote the first page of the book and started out on this journey, not knowing if it would be accepted by readers.  And then it hit me!  What exactly do I know about being a paraplegic and the daily issues that surround that condition?  I had done research for the initial book, but if I was going to write a romance novel featuring a paraplegic I had to do major research.  So I did...lots and lots of intensive research about nerve pain, medication, wheelchairs (manual or power?),  mobility issues, driving as a paraplegic, riding horses as a paraplegic and the emotions that go along with it.  One of the most personal issues I researched was whether a paraplegic can bear a child, which was very important to Holly and is an issue in the book. 

As most writers and readers know, there's always a black moment.  Cue the spooky music.  During the edit phase I had a random copy editor who attempted to convince me that I'd

pretty much done everything wrong.  I felt powerless and demoralized.  And angry.  I'd worked so hard and given the book my all.  I prayed about the situation and asked God to lead me in the right direction.  So, I decided to speak up and let my editor know how I was feeling.  This wasn't easy for me because it felt like complaining when it reality it was protecting my vision of my book.  There's a difference.  Now comes the good part.  My really cool editor, Emily Rodmell told me that I could STET all the copy editor's suggestions.  STET is a fairly magical word for authors.  It basically means we can reject the edit/suggestion and keep the original words or descriptions we used.  It meant I had my voice.  To have my editor give me the power to keep the work as my own creation was a miraculous feeling.  I think I may even have been Snoopy dancing. 

This experience taught me a memorable lesson.  In going against the copy editor I wasn't being rude or bratty.  I was using my writer instinct to protect my work.  I knew instinctively that I'd created an accurate, moving portrayal of a paralyzed heroine.  And what I learned by speaking up and voicing my concerns was that my editor had my back and supported me. 

In many ways this book has changed me as a writer.  It was a little scary taking it on, knowing that I might be facing criticism if I didn't get it right.  But in creating a non-traditional heroine, I set myself free as a writer.  I allowed myself to write the story of my heart.  At some point I told myself that as a writer it was my mission to write this story.  As a human being I believe that love isn't reserved for physically perfect people.  It felt powerful to have a book reflect that belief and to know that I would stand behind the work no matter what.

Validation as a writer comes in many forms.  As writers we always love hearing our editors say we wrote a good book.  If “Heart of A Soldier” hits the readers as emotionally satisfying and well crafted, my job is done.  A few days ago I received a message from a reader who I've known for a few years.  What I didn't know is that she is in a wheelchair, has nerve pain and takes daily medication like Holly.  To have her tell me I got it right is probably the most moving thing that has ever happened to me as a writer.  Her letter brought me to tears.  And although I don't live or die by reviews, receiving a 4.5 star review from RT Book Reviews was a celebratory moment, mainly because it showed me that you can rely on your writer instincts and have it pay off big. 

My advice to writers or aspiring writers is to write the book of your heart.  Don't rely on the ordinary.  Or what we feel is the norm. Sometimes in letting go of our fears and the things we believe are expected of us, we reach a state of grace where we truly can achieve a personal best.  

 Have you written the stories of your heart, the ones that are just begging to be told?  If not, what’s holding you back?

Belle Calhoune  grew up in a small town in Massachusetts, one of five children.  One of the best things about her childhood was growing up across the street from a public library and having a summer house in Cape Cod.  Although her mother was a Psychiatrist and her father a Biologist, Belle gravitated towards literature and writing.  Married to her college sweetheart, she is raising two lovely daughters in Connecticut.  A dog lover, she has one mini poodle and a chocolate lab.   Writing for the Love Inspired line is a dream come true.  Working at home in her pajamas is one of the best perks of the job.  A French enthusiast, she dreams often of her next Parisian escape.  Belle also enjoys summers in Cape Cod, traveling and reading.



Today Belle is giving away two print copies of "Heart of a Soldier." Leave a comment letting us know you want your name in the Stetson. Winners announced in the Weekend Edition!

A Soldier's Unexpected Homecoming

Returning soldier Dylan Hart heads to Texas to finally meet pen pal Holly Lynch. When he arrives, he's shocked to discover the plucky beauty he fell in love with has kept a very big secret. Scarred emotionally by his past, Dylan is deeply hurt that Holly didn't trust him with such a vital truth about herself. When he's hired as a cowboy on her family's vast ranch, he's committed to staying in town. And as he slowly reconnects with the woman whose letters once saved him, he'll have to take a look inside his heart to discover what matters most.


This is such an exciting story behind the story, that Seekerville is also going to give away two Merry Christmas copies. Print or ebook. Winners choice. Ebook releases on January 1 from Amazon.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

with guest Belle Calhoune.

The road to publication is often filled with flying monkeys, tornadoes and mountains of self doubt.  Fortunately, it's also filled with encouraging Glindas, a supportive cast of characters and moments of triumph.  Much like Dorothy, we authors set forth on a publication path filled with hope, yearning and a desire to find a home for our books.  As authors we have our own journey of discovery as we navigate the rough waters of the publishing world.  

The Four Essential Ingredients on the Yellow Brick Road.

Heart.  Becoming a published author is not for the faint of heart.  It takes a lot of endurance, resilience and a willingness to embrace the process.  Most authors are compelled to write because they can't not write.  Trust me, I've tried.  Writing is so essential to our lives that we can't imagine a world in which it doesn't play a prominent role.  It is deeply engrained in our hearts.  If this is your truth, attack the world of publishing with a passion.  Give it everything you've got, withholding nothing.  Wear your heart on sleeve and proudly proclaim yourself as an author pursuing publication.  I've been in situations where I didn't want to put it out there, just in case it didn't pan out for me.  And even though it's sometimes annoying to be questioned relentlessly about when we're getting published, there's a lot to be said for owning it.  For me, it felt so empowering to lay it all out there and wear that author badge for all to see. 

Courage.  Being a writer is one of the few professions where the solitary aspects of our career can allow fear and doubt to set in.  I'm reluctant to admit how many years I sat on manuscripts out of a deep rooted fear of failure.  What would it feel like, I wondered, if a publisher (or several publishers) rejected my work?  For some reason I held on to my writing dream and clutched it tightly to my chest, allowing no one or nothing to shatter the dream.  But, in doing that, I held myself back.  I wasn't making any forward strides.  I was just treading water.  Only in putting your work out there can an aspiring author truly become an active participant in their journey.  It's inevitable to come across stumbling blocks on the road to publication, but if you arm yourself with courage, you can surmount those obstacles and emerge victorious on the other side.

Brains.  Before I submitted my manuscript to Emily Rodmell (now my Love Inspired Editor) for the Speed Dating Pitch on the Harlequin forums, I did a lot of research on the line.  I read and read and read.  Knowing what is selling in the particular line or imprint you're targeting is crucial.  Having your finger on the pulse of the business is not only a savvy move for aspiring authors, it actually puts you one step closer to publication.  The easiest way to do this is to read newly released books and study them as if you're taking a college course in it.  Writing for the Inspirational Romance Market 101.  Take notes.  Study the rhythms and the dialogue, the character arcs and the black moments.  Watch for pacing of the first kiss and the levels of intimacy that are appropriate for the Inspirational market.  Focus on all the elements that add up to a marketable, entertaining read.  Then write the very best novel you can.

Belief.  This is probably the most important factor in becoming a published author.  This is the ingredient Dorothy possessed the whole time she was in Oz.  As a writer you have to believe that you can accomplish your goal.  Sometimes this boils down to visualizing your name on a book cover, writing the last line in a manuscript or hitting the send button and putting your book out there in the universe.  Believing in your talent and your ability to write and sell a novel is crucial to success.

In the end, we alone possess the power to put words on the page that will move readers and encourage Editors and publishers to want to buy our novels.  Writing can be filled with self doubt and way too much introspection.  In order to overcome these moments of self doubt we have to believe in our talent,  our storytelling ability and the work we've created.  We must be unwavering in our belief that our work is meaningful and will touch the hearts of readers.

While writing my latest novel, “Forever Her Hero,” I had a few moments of self doubt.  Writing a love story involving a grieving widow is a little out of my comfort zone.  In creating the story I was walking a fine line between grief, loss and budding romance.  Was it too depressing?  Could I pull it off? As a way of snapping out of those moments I developed a mantra.  I would ask myself the question, “Why are you writing this? Why does this story have to be told?”   Asking myself that question allowed me to focus on the story, the character arcs and my own belief in the importance of the work.  Every single time I emerged feeling stronger and more determined to see this book on store shelves.

My favorite quote from the Wizard of Oz comes from Glinda the Good Witch when she tells Dorothy, “You had the power all along, my dear.”  As writers, we possess the power to turn words into published novels.  It lies within us.  That's a mighty thing indeed.

Don't forget to comment today for a chance to win one of two copies of Belle's latest release, Forever Her Hero. Winners announced in the Weekend Edition.

A Time to Heal  

Coast Guard officer Sawyer Trask left  Cape Cod with a big regret—never confessing his true feelings to his childhood friend Ava. Now a widow with two young children,  Ava needs him more than ever. He once promised to watch over her and the kids,  and he's going to honor that—even though he harbors a secret that could tear them apart. Ava could always count on Sawyer through thick and thin, so having him nearby is a huge comfort. But his presence is also stirring her heart in unexpected ways. Can Sawyer and Ava move beyond their past hurts to find their happily ever after?

Author Bio

Belle Calhoune grew up in a family of five children in a small town in Massachusetts. She attended Syracuse University and majored in English with a minor in French.  After graduating from college she became a Federal Investigator with the EEOC in Boston, Massachusetts. She now lives in Connecticut with her husband, two daughters, one mini poodle and a chocolate lab.   Writing for the Love Inspired line is a dream come true.  Working at home in her pajamas is one of the best perks that come with being a writer. Belle enjoys spending summers in Cape Cod, traveling, exercising on the Elliptical machine, watching movies and reading.  She's now working on her fourth book for the Love Inspired line.