This episode with Hope Toler Dougherty dives deep into how God gently (and vividly) led her from nonfiction essays to the world of Christian romance fiction. In this episode, Hope shares the divine inspiration behind her writing journey and her latest book, Forever Free. We talk about her character Heath’s redemption story, Phoebe’s farm fresh dreams, and how singleness and second chances intertwine with grace and growth. If you’ve ever felt “less than” or unsure of your path, Hope’s journey will deeply encourage you. Grab your journal and a cozy cup—this one is full of wisdom, laughter, and God’s fingerprints on every page.
Hope Toler Dougherty holds a Master’s degree in English and taught at East Carolina University and York Technical College. Her early novels are Irish Encounter, Mars…With Venus Rising, and Rescued Hearts. Her Forever series includes Forever Music, Forever Home, and the novella, “A Hatteras Surprise,” featured in Candy Cane Wishes and Saltwater Dreams.
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” – Ephesians 3:20 NKJV
Hope’s Book: Forever Free
Phoebe Sinclair combines her love of flowers and teaching to nurture a cut flower business on her grandfather’s land. She has her hands full growing the farm, growing her customer base, and dealing with her growing attraction to the aloof man who volunteered to help make her farming dream come true.
Can she focus on her main job, or will a pair of yearning eyes and a hurting heart divert her worthy goals?
Heath Daniels has resigned himself to a life of singleness as he watches his siblings couple up and set wedding dates. Tracking their happiness, however, is more difficult than he expected. A real struggle, in fact.
Feeling old troubles—from the bad time when he dropped out of college to explore less-than-noble pursuits—creep back to tempt him, propelling him to volunteer for manual labor that leaves him exhausted at the end of every day—and out of trouble.
Tropes you’ll find inside:
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Second Chances
Found Family
Grumpy/Sunshine (a little bit!)
Rehabilitation/Healing Through Work
Secret Softie Hero
Get your copy today on Amazon or your favorite retailer!
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me during the Kickstarter! I’m so grateful for you!
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
In this episode with Rachel Hauck, award-winning Christian romance author and storyteller extraordinaire, we dive deep into her newest novel, The Sands of Sea Blue Beach. We talk about second chances, slow burn romance, and the beauty of God’s fingerprints in every splatter of our stories. Rachel shares her journey from newsroom dreams to novel-writing reality, the joy of seeing her book Once Upon a Prince become a Hallmark movie, and the heart behind the coastal charm of her fictional Sea Blue Beach. It’s an episode filled with inspiration, laughter, and writer-to-writer encouragement you won’t want to miss!
Rachel Hauck is an award winning, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She is a double RITA finalist, and a Christy and Carol Award Winner. Her book, Once Upon A Prince, first in the Royal Wedding Series, was filmed for an Original Hallmark movie. Rachel was given the prestigious Career Achievement Award for her body of original work by Romantic Times Book Reviews. She is a writing workshop presenter and mentor, and earned the Mentor of The Year award from ACFW. A graduate of Ohio State University (Go Bucks!) with a degree in Journalism, she’s a former sorority girl and a devoted Ohio State football fan. Her bucket list is to stand on the sidelines with Ryan Day. She and her husband live in sunny east coast Florida.
Romans 15:13 (NKJV) “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Rachel’s New Book: The Sands of Sea Blue Beach
Can anything rekindle the summer love between former sweethearts facing old wounds and a divided town?
Emery Quinn finds herself at a crossroads between her career and complex family dynamics. Struggling to connect with her blended family and ready for a fresh start, Emery accepts the position of editor-in-chief at the Sea Blue Beach Gazette. Upon her return to the Sands Motor Motel, she is flooded with bittersweet memories of her late mother and past regrets from a long-ago summer.
Architect Caleb Ransom has returned home to Sea Blue Beach, a place filled with cherished memories and potential opportunities. He means to make a difference for his family and his hometown by caring for his troubled sister’s son and preserving the history of the town as the leader of the new Main Street initiative. He certainly never expected to run into Emery Quinn, the girl who captured his heart sixteen summers ago.
As Emery and Caleb revive their friendship, they find themselves facing a bitterly divided town. Together, they navigate family challenges, professional setbacks, and a high-stakes royal visit to discover how forgiveness and love can reshape their hearts and their destiny.
Tropes you’ll find inside:
Second chance romance
Teen summer love turned adult reconnection
Small coastal town setting
Friends to lovers
Slow burn romance
Family drama / healing from past wounds
Secret identity (supernatural figure named Emmanuel)
Grumpy sunshine elements (in the form of emotional hesitancy vs warmth)
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me during the Kickstarter! I’m so grateful for you!
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
In this delightful episode of The Christian Romance Podcast, we sit down with beloved author Ann H. Gabhart to chat about her latest historical romance, The Pursuit of Elena Bradford. Set in the enchanting resort of Graham Springs in 1842 Kentucky, this story follows Alina—a spirited young woman with a love for art and a heart torn between duty and desire—as she’s sent off to find a wealthy husband and save her family. With a charming cast of suitors, a sister full of sparkle, a touch of mystery (inspired by a real unsolved case!), and a spiritual theme grounded in God’s faithfulness, this novel has it all. Ann shares her writing journey, a bit of Kentucky history, and the Bible verse that inspired Alina’s story. You’ll laugh, swoon, and definitely want to grab this book by the end!
Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of many novels, including The Song of Sourwood Mountain, In the Shadow of the River, When the Meadow Blooms, Along a Storied Trail, An Appalachian Summer, River to Redemption, These Healing Hills, and Angel Sister. She and her husband live on a farm a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Ann enjoys discovering the everyday wonders of nature while hiking in her farm’s fields and woods with her grandchildren and her dogs, Frankie and Marley.
Psalm 37:4, NKJV “Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”
Ann’s New Book: The Pursuit of Elena Bradford
Nothing would please her family more than her securing an admirable match, but true love and loyalty are harder to come by than she imagined.
At twenty-two, Elena Bradford has never met a man who made her consider marriage. But when her father dies and leaves the family deeply in debt, Elena becomes their only hope. Her mother uses their last funds to take Elena and her younger sister to Graham Springs, Kentucky, where people find healing by drinking the mineral spring water and healthy recreation through the many daily activities–including dances almost every evening.
As her mother schemes to find Elena a wealthy husband, Elena finds herself drawn to two men her mother would never consider. Charming artist Kirby Frazier spends his days drawing and painting the guests, but his real mission is to find a wealthy bride to finance his dream to go west. Melancholy Andrew Harper has come to Graham Springs in need of healing after a broken heart.
When a beautiful young lady shows up at the Springs with no chaperone and a story that seems suspicious, nearly everyone is charmed and intrigued. But when an unexpected tragedy occurs, Elena, Kirby, and Andrew will all be faced with decisions of life, love, and loyalty.
With a Southern flair and a spark of intrigue, this stand-alone clean historical romance will charm readers with masterful artists, colorful dances, a love triangle, and endearing family relationships.
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me during the Kickstarter! I’m so grateful for you!
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
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