Between the Lines

What happens when a lifelong love of books meets the challenge of letting go of perfectionism?

On this episode of Between the Lines of Christian Fiction, Jennifer Sienes welcomes contemporary romance author Heidi McCahan for a conversation about her journey from a book-loving childhood in Alaska to a successful career writing heartwarming romance.

Heidi shares how her early love of reading helped shape her dream of becoming an author, the twists and turns of her publishing journey, and what it's like writing for both Love Inspired and Sunrise Publishing, where she works alongside bestselling author Susan May Warren.

One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation is Heidi's approach to writing her first drafts. By embracing dictation, she's discovered a way to quiet her inner editor, move beyond perfectionism, and find greater freedom in the creative process.

We also chat about her latest romance, One Last Shot at Christmas, released October 27, and what readers can look forward to from her.

In this episode, you'll discover:

· How growing up in Alaska and loving books influenced Heidi's writing journey

· Her path to becoming a published romance author

· What it's like writing for Love Inspired and Sunrise Publishing

· How dictating first drafts has helped her overcome perfectionism

· A glimpse into her newest romance, One Last Shot at Christmas

Whether you're an aspiring author, a fellow perfectionist, or simply someone who loves a heartfelt romance, you'll enjoy getting to know the woman behind the stories.

Connect with Heidi McCahan:

Visit heidimccahan.com to learn more about her books, sign up for her newsletter, and receive a free novella.

About the podcast:

Between the Lines of Christian Fiction takes you beyond the pages and into the hearts of the authors who write the stories you love.

Hosted by Christian fiction author Jennifer Sienes.

In this episode of Between the Lines, I caught up with multi-award-winning author Demi Griffin to talk about an exciting milestone in her writing career. Known by her readers for crafting intricate biblical fiction and epic epoch fantasy, Demi shared what it was like to step out of her comfort zone for her very first contemporary work.

We dived deep into her upcoming holiday release, Turning Pages, a Christmas novella set to hit shelves on November 3rd. Demi reflected on the creative shift required to trade sweeping world-building for a modern holiday setting, the inspiration behind this cozy new story, and what her long-time fantasy fans can expect from this festive change of pace.

What happened when an author mixed the grand, sprawling worldbuilding of J.R.R. Tolkien with a deeply personal, female-centric coming-of-age journey? In this episode of Between the Lines , I sat down with YA Christian Fantasy author M.H. Elrich to dissect the first book of her Daughters of Tamnarae trilogy, Etania's Worth .

M.H. Elrich shared how books like The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit sparked her love for epic fantasy. However, as she grew up, she noticed a void she wanted to fill: she wanted to see a young woman navigate a massive, high-stakes fantasy world without losing her unique identity, vulnerability, or faith.

Connect with M.H. Elrich on her website—www.mhelrich.com where you can follow her work and take part in all she offers her readers.

In this episode of Between the Lines, I sat down with Christian author Erica Kingsbury to dive into her beloved middle-grade fiction collection, the Juniper Creek Series. Erica opened up about how the series originally began as a simple, heartfelt summer project with her nine-year-old son to intentionally spend quality mother-son time together.

We discussed how she drew inspiration from her real-life hometown in eastern Washington state to craft the charming, orchard-lined fictional town of Juniper Creek. Erica also candidly shared the everyday challenges of balancing a writing career while being a stay-at-home mom and navigating the beautiful, unexpected journey of raising a special needs child. Tune in for an encouraging conversation about family, faith, and finding purpose in every season of motherhood and ministry.

Connect with Erica at her website EricaKingsbury.com where you'll find parent resources tied to each of her books along with information about her non-fiction book Not Alone: God's Presence on the Path of the Special Needs Mom.

Finding Courage in the House of Wind with Laura DeNooyer explores the heavy but necessary themes behind her latest novel launch. In this episode, I sat down with Christian fiction author Laura DeNooyer to discuss her powerful new release, House of Wind. The book shines a light on a rarely discussed epidemic: a pastor's wife navigating the devastating reality of being married to a covert narcissist. Laura shared what inspired her to tackle emotional abuse within ministry families and how she crafted the courage of her main character.

We also took a lighter detour into Laura's personal life, diving into her annual solo road trip through parts of the United States. She shared how these journeys fuel her creative process, clear her mind, and offer moments of deep reflection. Whether you are a writer looking for creative inspiration or someone seeking hope and validation through heavy emotional seasons, this conversation is for you.

Grab your copy House of Wind on Amazon and discover more stories and updates on Laura DeNooyer's Official Website

In this episode of Between the Lines, I sat down with historical romance author Linda Shenton Matchett to explore her unique journey through the publishing world. Linda shared how her childhood love for storytelling was reignited in 2002 while writing for Travel & Lifestyles Magazine, a pivotal moment that eventually led her to shift from journalism to fiction.

We dove deep into her latest work, Shetland Sunset, part of The Resistance Chronicles. While many World War II novelists focus on familiar battlefields, Linda carves out a distinct niche by exploring the perilous missions of the "Shetland Bus" and the European underground resistance. We also discuss her strict research philosophy, highlighting why she prioritizes rare primary sources over quick internet searches to bring authentic, forgotten history to life.

Tune in to discover the discipline behind historical accuracy and how to find your own unique storytelling niche.

Connect with Linda on her website and social media.

Website/Blog/Books: http://www.LindaShentonMatchett.com

Facebook Reader's Page: www.facebook.com/groups/lindashentonmatchettsreadersgroup/

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lindasmatchett

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lindamatchett

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/linda-shenton-matchett

Purchase Link for Shetland Sunset: https://books2read.com/u/4AWqJk

Welcome to another episode of Between the Lines!

In this episode, I sit down with inspiring historical and contemporary romance author Erma M. Ullrey. Erma is the creative voice behind heartwarming, clean romance stories woven with a beautiful dash of faith. We pull back the curtain on her latest historical romance release, Letters with Love: Romance, Loss, & Love (Book 3 in the ...With Love Series). Erma details how her protagonist, Lila James, navigates identity and healing during WWII, alongside the enduring charm of wartime pen pals.

Beyond the plotlines, Erma shares priceless insight into her life across the U.S.—from the Jersey Shore to Northern California and Idaho. As an active facilitator within American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she breaks down why being part of a creative writing community is vital and offers actionable strategies to make your collaborative brainstorming sessions highly effective.

You can purchase Letters with Love on Amazon and be sure to follow her on Substack.

What happens when an entire family teams up to write a children's book? In this episode, we sit down with dad Bobby Bryant III and his children (Bobby II, Ava, and Joseph), the co-authors behind the faith-filled children's picture book, Trusting Timothy: A Story about Cheating.

The Bryants open up about their unique creative collaboration process and share why they felt compelled to tackle tough topics like peer pressure and integrity for young readers. We dive deep into practical strategies for parents wanting to build strong moral foundations early, help their children develop life-long good habits, and ultimately inspire them to love the Lord above all else.

Whether you are a parent, educator, or simply love a heartwarming story of family unity, this conversation will leave you inspired to intentionality in your own home.

Get your copy on Amazon Today! Or connect with Mascot Books and purchase your copy from the publisher.

What if a forgotten letter in your attic held the key to a 500-year-old family mystery? In this episode of Between the Lines, we sit down with award-winning author Jennifer E. Tirrell to discuss her highly anticipated debut split-time novel, Jane's Secret.

Jennifer opens up about the deeply personal inspiration behind the book—sharing how her late grandmother sparked this sweeping tale of faith, family lineage, and hidden secrets. Plus, Jennifer gives us a sneak peek into her creative journey and what lies ahead for her next writing chapter.

Whether you are an aspiring author or a lover of historical mystery, this heartwarming conversation will inspire you to look closer at your own family roots.

You can connect with Jennifer on her website.

Jane's Secret is available on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle.

In this episode of Between the Lines, host Jennifer Sienes welcomes author Laura Thomas to discuss her upcoming novel, Ribbons of Guilt, the highly anticipated third book in the Bite of Betrayal Series.

Laura shares the inspiration behind this compelling romance novel and offers insight into the emotional journey of a married couple facing challenges that test their commitment, trust, and love. What begins as a conversation about fiction quickly evolves into a thoughtful discussion about real-life marriage, the effort required to build lasting relationships, and the importance of grace, forgiveness, and communication.

Whether you're a fan of romance novels, relationship-centered stories, or enjoy hearing the creative process behind great books, this episode offers an engaging look at both the story and the deeper themes that inspired it.

Ribbons of Guilt is available for preorder now and releases on July 5.

Preorder the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Ribbons-Guilt-Betrayal-Laura-Thomas/dp/195395717X/

Connect with Laura on her website

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about love, marriage, second chances, and the stories that connect us all.