Interview with Leslie Gould: From Shakespeare to Amish Romance, the Beauty of Second Chances

Interview with Leslie Gould: From Shakespeare to Amish Romance, the Beauty of Second Chances

In this episode, Leslie Gould shares how God shaped her journey from short stories to bestselling Amish fiction. We talk about how her background as a museum curator and love for Shakespeare influenced her writing, and how a cross-country road trip in a VW camper sparked a lifelong love of storytelling. Her latest book, The Shop Down the Lane, inspired by You’ve Got Mail, blends birdwatching, anonymous letters, and second-chance romance in a uniquely Amish setting. Plus, she opens up about adoption, the power of friendship, and what 42 years of marriage has taught her about real love. This episode is filled with wisdom, warmth, and the reminder that nothing is ever wasted when we co-create with God.

Listen to the episode here.

Meet Leslie Gould

Leslie Gould is the #1 bestselling and award-winning author of fifty novels, including the Amish Memories series and the Plain Patterns series. She’s sold 800,000 books over the last two decades. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and communications and an MFA in creative writing. Leslie enjoys research trips, church history, and hiking, especially in the beautiful state of Oregon where she lives. She and her husband, Peter, have four adult children and two grandchildren.

Visit LeslieGould.com

Follow Leslie

Bible Verse for Encouragement

Psalm 84:3 (NKJV)
“Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young—Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God.”

Leslie’s New Book: The Shop Down the Lane

Lois Yoder has always found solace in the quiet life of Paradise, Pennsylvania, where she manages a gift shop that reflects her Amish community’s simple values. Her tranquil world is upended when Moses Lantz, former Amish man turned Mennonite and the man who broke her heart, buys the shop with ambitious plans to transform it into a tourist hub–a move that Lois fiercely opposes.

Seeking a distraction, Lois joins a birdwatchers’ circle letter under an alias–but unknown to her, Moses does the same at the urging of a friend. While their correspondence blossoms into a tender romance, the enmity between Lois and Moses in real life only intensifies. Can they overcome their animosity and embrace the love they’ve found through their letters, or will their stubborn hearts keep them apart forever? 

Get your copy today on Baker Book House, Amazon, or your favorite retailer.

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 Novel

If you missed out on my debut novel Finding Forevermore on Kickstarter, no worries. You’ll have a chance to get the book at a later time once it officially launches across retailers like Amazon.

I’ll share more updates by joining my free email list and you’ll get all kind of goodies! Visit my website here to sign up

Follow me for updates

Interview with Terri Reed: Faith, Suspense & Second Chances with a K-9 Twist

Interview with Terri Reed: Faith, Suspense & Second Chances with a K-9 Twist

In this episode of The Christian Romance Podcast, Kelly chats with bestselling author Terri Reed to chat all things romantic suspense, adorable working dogs, and the beauty of reconciliation. Terri shares the inspiration behind her new book Standing Watch, a thrilling tale of an estranged couple finding their way back to each other with the help of a loyal Labrador and a whole lot of faith. From agility training with her Aussie to the behind-the-scenes story of how one of her sweet romances became a Hallmark movie, this episode is packed with inspiration, encouragement, and some serious canine cuteness. If you love second chances, strong heroines, and suspenseful plots rooted in God’s purpose, you won’t want to miss this one!

Listen to the episode here.

Meet Terri Reed

New York Times bestselling author, Terri Reed’s awarding winning romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publishers Weekly top 5 Romance Bestsellers and Publishers Weekly top 5 Religion Fiction Bestsellers, Publishers Weekly #1 Mass Market Paperback Bestsellers, Nielsen’s Bookscan top 25 Bestsellers and featured in USA Today and have been #1 Amazon Bestsellers, as well as Fresh Picks at FreshFiction.com. Her novel A Family Under the Christmas Tree was adapted into a Hallmark movie and retitled Picture a Perfect Christmas. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and agility training with her dog.

Visit TerriReed.com

Follow Terri

Bible Verse for Encouragement

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

Terri’s New Book: Standing Watch

To protect an innocent witness…

a K-9 must sniff out a killer.



When K-9 task force officer Zach Kelsey’s estranged wife is attacked at a Mount Rushmore observation deck, he and his K-9, Amber, are quick to come to her rescue. He discovers not only that Eden, a park ranger, is carrying his child, but that she saw her coworker’s murder. As the only witness to the crime, Eden has no choice but to accept Zach’s protection. But with a ruthless killer ramping up his vicious attacks, they must put their differences aside to catch the murderer…before Eden becomes his next target.


From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Dakota K-9 Unit



Book 1: Chasing a Kidnapper by Laura Scott
Book 2: Deadly Badlands Pursuit by Sharee Stover
Book 3: Standing Watch by Terri Reed
Book 4: Cold Case Peril by Maggie K. Black
Book 5: Tracing Killer Evidence by Jodie Bailey

Get your copy today at Amazon, Christianbook.com, or your favorite book retailer.

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 Novel

If you missed out on my debut novel Finding Forevermore on Kickstarter, no worries. You’ll have a chance to get the book at a later time once it officially launches across retailers like Amazon.

I’ll share more updates by joining my free email list and you’ll get all kind of goodies! Visit my website here to sign up

Follow me for updates

Interview with Suzanne Woods Fisher: Capture the Moment of Romance and Adventure in the National Parks

Interview with Suzanne Woods Fisher: Capture the Moment of Romance and Adventure in the National Parks

We welcome back Suzanne Woods Fisher – and wow, what a joy this episode is! We dive into her latest release Capture the Moment, the first in her brand-new National Park Summer series. Suzanne shares the inspiration behind the book, born from a memorable anniversary trip to Grand Teton National Park. We explore the heart of her heroine, Kate Cunningham—a zoo photographer turned wilderness adventurer—who finds herself not only chasing the perfect photo but also a sense of belonging, purpose, and perhaps…love. With themes of conservation, courage, and faith, plus a suspenseful twist involving a stealthy poacher, this story has it all. If you love nature, slow-burn romance, and seeing God’s creation celebrated through story, you won’t want to miss this conversation!

Listen to the episode here.

Meet Suzanne Woods Fisher

Suzanne Woods Fisher

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the award-winning, bestselling author of more than forty books, including The Sweet Life, The Secret to Happiness, and Love on a Whim, as well as many beloved contemporary romance and Amish romance series. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California.

Visit SuzanneWoodsFisher.com

Follow Suzanne

Bible Verse for Encouragement

Job 12:7–10 (NKJV)
“But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you;
And the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you;
And the fish of the sea will explain to you.
Who among all these does not know
That the hand of the Lord has done this,
In whose hand is the life of every living thing,
And the breath of all mankind?”

Suzanne’s New Book: Capture the Moment (Book 1 National Parks Summers Series)

She’s ready for adventure–isn’t she?

Kate Cunningham is facing the opportunity of a lifetime. As a zoo photographer, she’s spent years photographing animals in carefully controlled environments, but now National Geographic has dangled an irresistible prize: If Kate can snag a unique photo of a legendary bear in Grand Teton National Park, they just might publish it. It’s the kind of challenge Kate has been waiting for, and she’s eager to prove herself in the wild. 

With more enthusiasm than experience, Kate soon realizes that capturing an image of this bear isn’t as simple as she hoped. Fortunately, she crosses paths with Grant Cooper, a seasonal park ranger who knows the terrain–and the bears–better than anyone. His tracking skills could be exactly what Kate needs to succeed, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes. But they’re not the only ones with an interest in the park’s most famous bear. And his motives are far from innocent.

A clean, kisses-only contemporary romance and summer read by Suzanne Woods Fisher for wildlife, travel, and photography enthusiasts set in Grand Teton National Park.

Get your copy today at Baker Book House, Amazon, or your favorite book retailer.

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 Kelly Jo Wilson

If you missed out on my debut novel Finding Forevermore on Kickstarter, no worries. You’ll have a chance to get the book at a later time once it officially launches across retailers like Amazon.

I’ll share more updates by joining my free email list and you’ll get all kind of goodies! Visit my website here to sign up

Follow me for updates