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!
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
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)
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?
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.
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.
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!
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!)
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.
In this episode, Kelly chats with rom-com author Marline Williams about her bold and nostalgic Jesus Revolution Romance Series. With a heart for storytelling and a deep love for the 1970s era, Marline shares her journey from advertising to independent publishing—and how God called her to write laugh-out-loud romances set in the heart of the Jesus movement.
Kelly and Marline dive into the setting of Love the One You’re With (book two in the series), unpack the spiritual truths woven into her heroine’s journey, and even talk about campus revivals, witnessing with ginger ale, and the importance of letting your light shine. Whether you’re a fan of second chances, enemies to lovers, or a good ol’ Jesus Freak throwback, you’ll love this episode!
Marline Williams—rom-com novelist (and unapologetic Jesus freak since 1971)
In her pre-authorial existence, Marline Williams was an advertising copywriter and editor. Ideal for learning to craft fiction, really. After a quarter of a century of convincing consumers to buy things they don’t need with money they don’t have, Marline retired. She tossed her snarky coffee mugs and reunited with her childhood joy—writing crazy, wonderful stories.
Marline weaves midcentury-modern nostalgia and Jesus Movement memories into offbeat love stories for women who aren’t sure they believe in happily-ever-afters anymore. Her upbeat, faith-soaked romances are set in the swingin’ ’60s and funkadelic ’70s (with occasion trips to the nifty ’50s). Sweet-yet-swoony stories that go deep, but not dark.
Her debut novel, All Men Are Liars (Jesus Revolution Romance, Book 1) launched September 2024. Wild and Sweet, a 1960’s Christmas novella (part of the Christmas in the Cascades anthology) quickly followed with a October 2024 launch.
She’s currently working on the second book in the Jesus Revolution Romance series–the next adventures in the life of her “All Men Are Liars” heroine, Dana Whitman.
Marline Williams’ New Book: Love the One You’re With
To thine own self be true. Yeah, right. Street-preaching in Hyde Park, singing Godspell’s greatest hits at the Royal Albert Hall, performing at Jesus People music festivals—Dana Whitman has finally met her tribe! It’s spring 1974 and Dana arrives in swingin’ London wearing her heart on her sleeve and Roland Schowalter’s ring on her finger. A ring that seems dangerously close to slipping off when she matches wits with droll, dashing Oxford atheist Cyril Hawthorne, self-appointed pirate king of the wild Shakespeare troupe she’s joined. Her long-distance romance with all-American Roland feels fuzzy and far-away, their small-town future increasingly unappealing. Rumors about Roland’s loyalty—and doubts about her own—force a freaked-out Dana to do some of her most convincing acting off-stage. But her return to the States will make everything okay again. Right? How can Dana be true to herself and the man she’s promised to love?
💞 Tropes in Love the One You’re With
Love Triangle
Opposites Attract (Jesus Freak vs. Atheist)
Second Chance Romance
Fish Out of Water
Finding Your Identity
Faith Journey / Spiritual Awakening
Friends to Lovers (previous book)
Cross-cultural romance (American girl meets English guy)
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.
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