Mary L. Hamilton began writing for publication when her children were young. She sold articles to Christian magazines and later wrote a play for her church’s women’s ministry outreach. That play sparked her passion for fiction even as it humbled her to see it performed. She says, “I gave them words in black and white and they put skin and clothes on those words. They brought black and white to life in Technicolor.”

By that time, her three children had quit taking naps and she couldn’t find a regular time to write when she wasn’t falling asleep. She gave up writing until her youngest was in school and then concentrated on writing fiction.

Her first novels drew from her experience growing up at a Christian youth camp. The Rustic Knoll Bible Camp series for young teens tells the stories of three hurting teens who bring their “baggage” to camp and find that Jesus can lift their burdens.

Since then Mary has written novels of mystery and suspense and plans to write more general stories for women.

She has lived in Texas most of her adult life, and when she’s not writing, she enjoys knitting, playing with her dog, and a little phone photography. Look for her on Instagram or Facebook 

She loves hearing from readers so feel free to contact her at [email protected]

Author and Podcaster Linda Kozar chats with guests who share the story of their life and how they got to the place they are now. Stories that are sad, touching, bittersweet, and often miraculous. Everyone has a story to tell before they leave this earth and we should hear the unique story of their life. www.lindakozar.com

About If I Were a Tiger

A whimsical and playful rhyming picture book about a young boy who imagines himself as a tiger to overcome his fears—only to realize that he can trust in God.

Caroline Coleman loves to write for all ages. She has a fiction MFA from Brooklyn College, an English degree from Princeton, and two law degrees she doesn’t use anymore. She is also the author of the novel Loving Soren. She lives in New York City with her family and is no longer afraid of the dark.

Author and Podcaster Linda Kozar chats with guests who share the story of their life and how they got to the place they are now. Stories that are sad, touching, bittersweet, and often miraculous. Everyone has a story to tell before they leave this earth and we should hear the unique story of their life. www.lindakozar.com

Within These Walls of Sorrow by Amanda Barratt. 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—In her latest novel, Within These Walls of Sorrow: A Novel of World War II Poland, author Amanda Barratt writes in a style and voice her readers cannot get enough of. Through extensive research, Barratt takes readers back in time to the Kraków ghetto, and one amazing story of resistance and sacrifice.  Zosia Lewandowska loses the man she loves when Germany invades Poland. In a brave move, as the Germans increase their reign of terror and ghetto walls rise, Zosia joins pharmacist Tadeusz Pankiewicz, and his staff, as they risk their lives to aid the Jewish people.

Amanda Barratt is the bestselling author of numerous historical novels and novellas including Within These Walls of Sorrow: A Novel of WWII Poland, The White Rose Resists: A Novel of the German Students Who Defied Hitler, and My Dearest Dietrich: A Novel of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Lost Love.

Her work has been the recipient of the Christy Award, the Carol Award, and an Honorable Mention in the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards. Amanda is passionate about illuminating oft-forgotten facets of history through a fictional narrative. She lives in Michigan and can often be found researching her next novel, catching up on her to-be-read stack, and savoring a cup of tea. Find her online at www.amandabarratt.net.

Author and Podcaster Linda Kozar chats with guests who share the story of their life and how they got to the place they are now. Stories that are sad, touching, bittersweet, and often miraculous. Everyone has a story to tell before they leave this earth and we should hear the unique story of their life. www.lindakozar.com

William Daniel is a seventh grader, a WWII enthusiast, and a competitive gymnast. He builds model airplanes and wants to be a pilot someday. He has an older sister, Maris, and a twin sister, Calyn, and is the younger by four minutes. As you can well imagine, he enjoys making people laugh, which he does for family, friends, and at school. William lives in Colorado with his family and dog, Riley.

Author and Podcaster Linda Kozar chats with guests who share the story of their life and how they got to the place they are now. Stories that are sad, touching, bittersweet, and often miraculous. Everyone has a story to tell before they leave this earth and we should hear the unique story of their life. www.lindakozar.com

SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sisters of the Heart, Seasons of Sugarcreek and Families of Honor series. Before becoming a writer, she was a teacher in both Texas and Colorado. She now lives with her family in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time.

Author and Podcaster Linda Kozar chats with guests who share the story of their life and how they got to the place they are now. Stories that are sad, touching, bittersweet, and often miraculous. Everyone has a story to tell before they leave this earth and we should hear the unique story of their life. www.lindakozar.com

Brittany Ann is an ECPA bestselling author, speaker, and founder of the popular website EquippingGodlyWomen.com, where she challenges, encourages and equips Christian women to be "all in" in faith and family. Her work has been featured on CBN, The Christian Post, Crosswalk, and more.

Brittany is married to an incredible godly husband, and together they have three adorably energetic children.

Author and Podcaster Linda Kozar chats with guests who share the story of their life and how they got to the place they are now. Stories that are sad, touching, bittersweet, and often miraculous. Everyone has a story to tell before they leave this earth and we should hear the unique story of their life. www.lindakozar.com

Henry O. Arnold co-authored the novel Hometown Favorite with Bill Barton, and a work of nonfiction KABUL24, with Ben Pearson. He co-wrote and produced with Steve Taylor and Ben Pearson the film The Second Chance starring Michael W. Smith. He wrote the screenplay for the documentary on evangelist Billy Graham, God's Ambassador, and the documentary KABUL 24, based on the book. His latest documentary film I Go To The Rock: The Gospel Roots of Whitney Houston, will be released in 2023. The Singer of Israel is the third volume in his historical fiction series, The Song of Prophets and Kings. The first two volumes, A Voice Within The Flame and the Crown of the Warrior King are also published by Whitefire Publishing. He lives on a farm in Tennessee with his lovely wife Kay. They have two beautiful daughters married to two handsome men with three above-average grandchildren. For more information please visit www.henryoarnold.com.

Author and Podcaster Linda Kozar chats with guests who share the story of their life and how they got to the place they are now. Stories that are sad, touching, bittersweet, and often miraculous. Everyone has a story to tell before they leave this earth and we should hear the unique story of their life. www.lindakozar.com

DEBORAH RANEY dreamed of writing a book since the summer she read Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books and discovered that a Kansas farm girl could, indeed, grow up to be a writer. Her almost forty books have garnered multiple industry awards including the RITA® Award, HOLT Medallion, National Readers' Choice Award, Carol Award, and have three times been Christy Award finalists. Her first novel, A Vow to Cherish, shed light on the ravages of Alzheimer's disease and inspired the highly acclaimed World Wide Pictures film of the same title.

Deborah is on faculty for several national writers' conferences and served on the executive board of the 2500-member American Christian Fiction Writers organization for 18 years. She is a transplant to Southeast Missouri with her husband, Ken Raney, having moved from their native Kansas to be closer to kids and grandkids. They love road trips, Friday garage sale dates, and breakfast on the screened porch overlooking their wooded backyard. Visit Deb on the Web at www.deborahraney.com.

First Guest:  KAREN BARNETT, the award-winning author of seven novels, writes historical romance that sweeps readers into the beauty and adventure of our national parks.

Second Guest: RACHEL DODGE is the bestselling author of The Anne of Green Gables Devotional: A Chapter-by-Chapter Companion for Kindred Spirits and Praying with Jane: 31 Days through the Prayers of Jane Austen. Rachel teaches college English; speaks at libraries, literary groups, and teas; and writes for Jane Austen’s World. A true kindred spirit at heart, she loves books, bonnets, and ballgowns. You can visit her at RachelDodge.com or on Instagram @kindredspiritbooks.

JENNIE GOUTET is an American-born Anglophile, who lives with her French husband and their three children in a small town outside Paris. Her imagination resides in Regency England, where her Clavering Chronicles and Memorable Proposals series are set. Jennie is author of the award-winning memoir, Stars Upside Down, and the modern romances, A Sweetheart in Paris and A Noble Affair. A Christian, a cook, and an inveterate klutz, Jennie writes about faith, food, and life—even the clumsy moments—on her blog, A Lady in France.

SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sisters of the Heart, Seasons of Sugarcreek and Families of Honor series. Before becoming a writer, she was a teacher in both Texas and Colorado. She now lives with her family in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time.