Interview with Megan Schaulis: Reimagining Esther in a Dystopian World of Faith, Fire, and Fierce Romance

Interview with Megan Schaulis: Reimagining Esther in a Dystopian World of Faith, Fire, and Fierce Romance

In this powerhouse episode, author Megan Schaulis joins us to talk about her dystopian duology The Susa Chronicles, which reimagines the biblical story of Esther through the lens of YA, romance, and sci-fi adventure. We chat about her lightning-strike inspiration, hearing God’s call to write, and how a camper journey across America helped lay the foundation for her beautiful, faith-filled stories.

What if Esther wasn’t competing to become queen—but to be the king’s bodyguard? Megan shares how her heroine, Novalis, lives in hiding because of her beliefs and must rely solely on the voice of Alpha—God—to survive in a world that feels stacked against her.
Whether you’re a fan of strong heroines, faith-filled allegories, or swoon-worthy clean romance, this is an episode that will inspire and ignite your spirit.

Listen to the episode here.

Meet Megan Schaulis

After a year of traveling the country in a 100-square-foot camper with her husband, daughter, and dog, Megan Schaulis returned home and wrote her first novel.

Megan has a B.A. in Journalism from Arizona State University and is a member of the ACFW. As a special education teacher, she helped young people fall in love with reading and writing. Today, she uses words in playful and creative ways at her branding agency. She lives in Abilene, Texas, where you’ll find her staying up way too late reading or hiking with her family.

Visit Megan’s website here

Follow Megan

Bible Verse for Encouragement

Esther 4:14 (NKJV)
“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Megan’s New Book: Proclaimer (Book 2, Susa Chronicles)

The only way to save her people is to betray the king she vowed to protect.

After winning her place as Chief Protector, Novalise is in more danger than ever. King Zadien seeks to destroy the Alphanites, and the only way Novalise can stop him is by winning a Request—one undeniable favor offered only to those who save the king from a deadly threat. With no imminent danger at hand, Novalise will have to commit treason to save her people.

Zadien is finally stepping into his role as king. With his courageous new Chief Protector by his side, he’s determined to annihilate the traitors responsible for his father’s death. His romantic feelings for “Astra” haven’t faded, but pursuing her could leave his kingdom without a monarch. Is their fledgling relationship worth violating the law and risking his crown?

As the clock counts down for her people, Novalise must choose between manipulating the king’s affection and trusting the voice in her heart to lead her. When all her plans crumble, will she hide behind her new identity as a Protector or find a way to rise in such a time as this?

Get your copy today on Amazon, White Crown Publishing, or your favorite book retailer!

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Kelly’s Personal Update

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

Interview with Laura Conaway: Writing Suspense with Heart, Faith, and Second Chances

Interview with Laura Conaway: Writing Suspense with Heart, Faith, and Second Chances

In this heartfelt episode, Kelly had the absolute joy of chatting with Laura Conaway—author of gripping romantic suspense and the woman behind the inspiring tagline “Triumph through Trials.” We dove into her newest release Rescue Duty, a powerful story filled with danger, redemption, and a second-chance romance between a fire and rescue squad member and an investigative reporter with a shared past.

Laura opened up about her writing journey, her time with Sunrise Publishing under the mentorship of Lisa Phillips, and how her stories are deeply rooted in Scripture and led by the Holy Spirit. She also shared the emotional inspiration behind her foster care storyline and how a red thread led her straight to Jesus. If you’re a fan of suspenseful stories woven with faith, hope, and healing, you don’t want to miss this one!

Listen to the episode here.

Meet Laura Conaway

Bestselling and award-winning author, Laura Conaway, resides in Pennsylvania and creates stories with a healthy dose of suspense and happily-ever-afters while her characters discover triumph through trials. As a former librarian, she’s always searching for the next best read and loves solving mysteries like Nancy Drew. When she’s not inhaling sweet potato fries to motivate writing, Laura spends her time playing guitar and sharing about the Greatest Story written.

Visit Laura’s website

Follow Laura on Social Media

Comfort Cases Charitable Organization for Foster Kids: Link Here

Bible Verse for Encouragement

1 Corinthians 15:56-57 (NKJV)
“The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Laura’s New Book: Rescued Duty

After growing up in foster care, investigative reporter Naya Michél has learned there’s usually more to a situation than meets the eye. When she’s assigned a story about the current water contamination crisis in town, Naya is ready to show her boss she has what it takes to secure a promotion—especially since the events surrounding the story have personal ties to her childhood. When her investigation makes her the target of someone who wants the truth kept quiet, how far will Naya’s determination take her before the cost becomes too much?

Rescue Squad firefighter and former foster kid Zack Stephens is ready to step up his game at work when his boss hands him a cold case for hazmat training. As Zack delves into the case, he uncovers a shocking revelation—his parents’ deaths weren’t accidental. Determined to find their murderer, Zack throws himself into the investigation. But he doesn’t expect his search to collide with Naya, the girl he promised to protect when they lived in foster care together.

As threats mount and Naya is caught in the crosshairs, can Zack reconcile the mistakes of his past and find a killer before someone deals a lethal blow? And can the two of them learn to trust—and love—each other again despite the pain of their past?

Get your copy today!

Sunrise Publishing

Amazon

*As an Amazon affiliate I may earn from qualifying purchases

Get updates on our themed book giveaways

Enter the most current book giveaway on ChristianRomancePodcast.com and sign up for our email list.

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Kelly’s Personal Update

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

Interview with Patricia Johns: Writing Amish Romance, Finding Redemption, and Co-Creating with God

Interview with Patricia Johns: Writing Amish Romance, Finding Redemption, and Co-Creating with God

In this heartwarming episode, we sit down with the incredibly prolific and inspiring Patricia Johns, author of over 56 sweet romances—many set in the beloved world of Amish fiction. Patricia opens up about her journey from NICU nurse to full-time author, how her faith weaves through her storytelling, and the joy (and surprises) of co-writing with God. We chat about empty nests, writing through hard seasons, and how God meets us in every chapter of our lives. Plus, we get an inside look at her latest novel Green Pastures, a story about brokenness, sisterhood, and redemption in an Amish setting that feels both timeless and refreshingly real.

Listen to the episode here.

Meet Patricia Johns

Patricia Johns is the author of over 56 inspirational, Amish, and sweet romance novels published through Harlequin Inc. and Bethany House Books. Her first romance through Harlequin came out in 2013, and since then she has grown to become a Publishers Weekly bestselling author with several new books coming out every year. She writes from Alberta, Canada, where she lives with her husband and son.

Visit Patricia’s website

Follow Patricia

Bible Verses for Encouragement

Psalms 27:13 NKJV, I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.

I John 3:8, He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Patricia’s New Book: Green Pastures

Tabitha Schrock’s return to Lancaster County shakes the foundations of her family and community. After her departure during rumspringa and a recent divorce, Tabitha faces the challenge of reintegrating into Amish society while pursuing her dream of working as a veterinarian. Meanwhile, her sister Amanda, whose own prospects were dimmed by Tabitha’s leaving Shepherd’s Hill, decides to seize her chance at love by pursuing a man with a shadowed past. And their youngest sister, Rose, despite her beauty and romantic hopes, faces the harsh realities of matrimony, grappling with the weight of vows made before Gott and her community.

As the sisters navigate the intricacies of love, faith, and tradition, they are bound by their commitment to uphold their Amish way of life. But as they strive to keep their promises, how much are they willing to sacrifice to remain true to themselves and their community?

Get your copy today!

Amazon

Baker Book House

*As an Amazon affiliate I may earn from qualifying purchases

Get updates on our themed book giveaways

Enter the most current book giveaway on ChristianRomancePodcast.com and sign up for our email list.

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Kelly’s Personal Update

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