In this episode, Kelly chats with award-winning biblical fiction author Tessa Afshar about her newest novel, The Royal Artisan. Set during the reign of Queen Esther, this story blends historical intrigue, second-chance romance, and powerful spiritual truths. Tessa opens up about writing through spiritual warfare, the theme of living with an “orphan spirit,” and how God’s identity as our Father transforms our lives. With touches of suspense, a hidden identity, and a rekindled romance, this episode is a must-listen for fans of faith-filled fiction and timeless storytelling.
Tessa Afshar’s award-winning biblical fiction has been on Publishers Weekly, CBA, and ECPA bestseller lists and has been translated into twelve languages. Born in the Middle East, Tessa spent her teen years in England and later moved to the United States. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life. Tessa is a devoted wife, a mediocre gardener, and an enthusiastic cook of biblical recipes.
“But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.” — Isaiah 64:8 (NKJV)
Tessa Afhar’s New Book: The Royal Artisan
Sazana of Persia creates exquisite pottery that graces Susa’s finest tables, but her master, Lord Haman, does not know her secret: Sazana is one of the Jews he has vowed to eradicate. When Haman discovers her true identity, he forces her into indentured servitude. But at Haman’s sudden downfall, Queen Esther becomes the new master of the pottery workshop, restoring Sazana to her rightful place.
Yet her troubles are not over as Haman’s sons are enraged by his death, and the queen assigns one of her men to root out any threats. Sazana is shocked to discover the identity of the queen’s agent is none other than Jadon, the man who left her heart in ruins years ago. But despite his presence, danger still lurks, and when Sazana and Jadon become entangled in the hunt for an ancient artifact, so much more than their own hearts and lives depends on the success of their mission.
Experience the thrill and intrigue of secrets and romance within Queen Esther’s royal domain in this biblical fiction tale that will appeal to fans of ancient history, The Chosen, House of David, Francine Rivers, and Angela Hunt.
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 Interview with Paullett Golden, we dive into the incredible testimony behind her writing journey—from a near-death cancer diagnosis to becoming a beloved author of sweet, closed-door historical romance. In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Kelly chats with Paullett about how faith, healing, and second chances wove their way into her personal story and the pages of her books. Paullett also opens up about her newest release, A Sporting Affair, a lighthearted Regency rom-com brimming with charm, emotional depth, and swoony romantic tension. This one’s packed with inspiration, laughter, and a gentle reminder that God’s plans are always greater than ours.
Paullett Golden writes sweet and closed-door historical romances that give voice to the outliers and survivors, the wallflowers and overshadowed. With her sensual portrayal of love and historical authenticity, she promises enchanting immersion in Georgian England, from mores to moorlands. She holds a PhD, MA, and BA with specializations including Georgian and Victorian era British Lit, Arthurian Legends, Rhetoric, and Creative & Professional Writing. After establishing her career as a university professor, she learned from an oncologist she had only three months to live. And so, she did. She aimed to survive by writing her first novel, a novel she claims saved her life. While she wrote to live, she now lives to write.
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Paullett Golden’s New Book: A Sporting Affair
Pursuit at Point of Release
Rafe Fitz-Stephens lives a charmed life: good friends, loving family, academic success, and exclusive membership in the Vitruvian Society, a gentleman’s sporting club. When the annual village competition calls him home from London, he’s ready for a hero’s welcome–after all, there is no one better to win the games than a well-trained Corinthian. If only his training had included how to avoid tripping into a leg-shackle.
Genevieve Slade dreams of a stable home with a stable gentleman, stable friends, and, perhaps, a stable. Her father, however wealthy, moves his family from manor to manor, living as veritable gypsies to escape that horrifying word no one in the Slade household dares utter: responsibility. As she settles into yet another new home in yet another new village, both dreams and disposition are shaken when a madcap stranger tumbles, literally, through her bedchamber window.
Join Rafe and Genevieve as these enemies-of-circumstance race to break the betrothal before either stumbles headlong in love with the other.
Genre: historical romantic comedy, Regency Sweetness: sweet romance, courtship, clean language Tropes: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, village/small town setting, alpha hero, obstinate and headstrong heroine, sporting events, opposites attract, compromised
💞 Tropes in A Sporting Affair
Enemies to Lovers (but make it internal conflict!)
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 heartfelt episode, Kelly chats with Christy Award–winning author Connilyn Cossette about her latest release, Splendor of the Land, the third book in her Kingsmen series. Connilyn opens up about her journey into biblical-era fiction, how her own research into the Old Testament sparked her debut novel, and the personal faith lessons woven into her writing. They explore the emotional depth of wounded heroes, the beauty of forced proximity and redemption tropes, and the steadfast love of God that carried Connilyn through a breast cancer diagnosis. With a story set during the reign of King Saul, Splendor of the Land delivers spiritual truth, adventure, and romance all wrapped in one unforgettable tale.
Connilyn Cossette is a Christy Award–winning and bestselling author of stories that illuminate the ancient world of the Bible in hopes readers will dig deeper into the Word and encounter the Great Storyteller himself within their pages. A recent breast cancer survivor and adoptive mom of her two greatest gifts, she lives in a small town south of Dallas, Texas.
Psalm 63:3 (NKJV) “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.”
Connilyn Cossette’s New Book: Splendor of the Land
“A triumphant story in which flawed characters face real choices and must rely on a real God to save them.”–MESU ANDREWS, bestselling and award-winning author
Gavriel, a soldier in the elite company of Yonatan–son of King Saul–dreams of forging his destiny through crafting weapons with his own hands. Despite earning his place among Israel’s finest, he is haunted by a dark past that no distraction can dispel. When his reckless behavior crosses a line, Yonatan gives him one last mission to prove his worth: help persuade a distant Kenite tribe to sever their ties with the Amalekites.
Zahava, a gifted goldsmith hidden behind her father’s legacy, lives in the shadows due to her physical affliction. Her unmatched and unrecognized talent is a closely guarded secret within her family. Disheartened by a future that seems unattainable, she resigns herself to a life of obscurity. However, when Gavriel arrives in her village, they’re tangled together in ways neither could have imagined. As they navigate unforeseen dangers and enemy threats, Gavriel must confront his past and either bend his knee to the One True King or lose the woman he loves forever.
Set against the backdrop of ancient Israel, this exhilarating Old Testament-era tale is threaded with themes of redemption, courage, and sacrifice. This Iron Age story will appeal to readers of biblical fiction, Francine Rivers, Tessa Afshar, and Angela Hunt.
💞 Tropes in Splendor of the Land
Wounded Hero
Forced Proximity
Forced Marriage
Redemption Arc
Secret Talent (female goldsmith)
Enemies-to-Reluctant-Allies
Biblical-era Setting
Heroine in Disguise (crafting in secret due to cultural norms)
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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