I Witness

In this episode of the Christian Romance Podcast, my friend and fellow author CJ Milacci shares her writing journey and mission to provide hope-filled stories for teens and young adults. She discusses the lack of books with action and hope that led her to start writing her own, along with a strong pull from God.

CJ shares details about her podcast, Read Clean YA with CJ, where she highlights authors who write clean and exciting stories for young readers.

CJ is an award-winning author who provides stories addressing hard questions and offering hope in difficult circumstances. Her writing journey with Jesus often reflects the message in 2 Corinthians 12:10, “Therefore I take pleasure in my infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Listen to Episode 2 Here:

Award-winning author CJ Milacci writes stories for teens and young adults with heart-pounding action and hope. As the podcast host for Read Clean YA with CJ, she loves talking about books and the deeper themes woven into the pages of each novel. She’s passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope during seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance. 

Visit her online at www.CJMilacci.com

Follow CJ

Born into darkness and raised to become heir to the ruthless Raiders, Princess Catori yearns for a life beyond the violence and oppression that defines her existence. When she meets Micah, a riverboat captain with an unwavering sense of justice, she sees a glimmer of hope for a different future.

But her grandfather, founder of the Raiders, has a plan for Catori’s life that he refuses to relinquish, and he’ll stop at nothing to see her become all he has prepared her to be, whether she wants that existence or not.

Will Catori and Micah escape to the new life they long for, or will Catori become something she despises?

In this gripping companion novel set in the world of the Talionis Series, readers transport on a thrilling journey with Catori and her companions. Filled with action, suspense, and romance, Abandoned Shores is a story of survival, hope, and the power of love in the face of adversity.

Fans of dystopian fiction and epic romances will be captivated by this heart-pounding tale of adventure, danger, and the unbreakable bond between two unlikely allies.

Visit CJ’s Kickstarter campaign to get a bundle of her Talionis series, including the YA Christian romance Abandoned Shores.

You only have until July 26th, 2024. Check it out today!

You can receive her YA romance Abandoned Shores in a special bundle in her Kickstarter rewards.

We’re giving away a selection of amazing Christian romance novels that honor the courage, sacrifice, and enduring love found in the lives of those who serve our country. It’s our way of sharing heartfelt stories that beautifully weave together patriotism, faith, and love themes.

My debut novel, Finding Forevermore, is coming soon to Kickstarter! I’ve been working on this book for a long time, and God has shown me so much in the process. I can’t wait to share more about it with you as it goes through the editing process.

Follow on Kickstarter for updates.

I’ve also been writing a novella set in the same world. Once that’s finished, I’ll share more details on how you can get it for free!

Welcome to the debut episode of the Christian Romance Podcast! Kelly Jo Wilson talks with Heidi Chiavaroli, an award-winning novelist and hope-inspired storyteller who writes Christian romance novels.

Heidi shares her experiences as an author, including her writing background and faith journey. She discusses her unique writing style, which combines contemporary and historical romance in dual-timeline books.

She also talks about the challenges and perseverance required in the writing journey. Heidi shares her favorite Bible verse, Hebrews 12:1, which encourages endurance and keeping our eyes on Jesus.

Heidi’s latest book, The Way Back, is about a woman who seeks shelter at her estranged grandmother’s seaside inn while facing the uncovering of family secrets.

Listen to episode 1 here

Heidi Chiavaroli is a hope-inspired storyteller writing from the deep curiosity of her own heart. Her debut novel, Freedom’s Ring, was a Carol Award winner, Christy Award finalist, Romantic Times Top Pick, and Booklist Top Ten Romance Debut. Her second Carol Award-winning novel, The Orchard House, is inspired by the lesser-known events in Louisa May Alcott’s life and led her to write The Orchard House Bed and Breakfast series, a contemporary twist on Little Women. Heidi makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons.

Visit her online at heidichiavaroli.com to receive a free e-book!

Follow Heidi:

Young love means everything . . . until it leaves you with nothing.

The summer before her senior year of high school, Laney Jacobs and her best friend jump from a six-story beachside cliff to impress their boyfriends. Laney rose from the water. Her friend did not.

Six years later, when Laney’s troubled mother’s memoir hits the bestseller list airing the family’s destructive secrets, Laney is forced to relive the trauma, this time in the public eye. To escape the scrutiny, she seeks shelter at her estranged grandmother’s seaside inn.

But she can’t reconcile the loving woman with the heartless parent in her mother’s book. As she looks for answers, the ex-boyfriend who’d witnessed her darkest days reappears, stirring up both pain and hope.

When her mother’s vindictive fans threaten her grandmother’s livelihood and the lighthouse Laney has come to love, she turns to the century-old words of a young lighthouse keeper to help her find the courage to move forward. But once truths from the past come to light and old love finds new beginnings, will Laney discover that forgiveness is the only way toward true healing?

Available on Heidi’s website, Amazon, and many other book retailers

We’re giving away a selection of amazing Christian romance novels that honor the courage, sacrifice, and enduring love found in the lives of those who serve our country. It’s our way of sharing heartfelt stories that beautifully weave together patriotism, faith, and love themes.

My debut novel, Finding Forevermore, is coming soon to Kickstarter! I’ve been working on this book for a long time, and God has shown me so much in the process. I can’t wait to share more about it with you as it goes through the editing process.

Follow on Kickstarter for updates.

Welcome to the Christian Romance Podcast, where we go behind the books with inspiring Christian romance authors, exploring faith, love, and the journey to bring the story to life.

Listen to the podcast overview:

Each month, we’ll host themed book giveaways, offering you the chance to win a custom selection of Christian romance novels. These giveaways celebrate different themes, from patriotic love to holiday romances, ensuring there’s always something exciting to look forward to.

Subscribe to our newsletter to enter for your chance to win and add inspiring reads to your To-Be-Read list!

Thanks for listening, and I look forward to sharing these wonderful stories with you!

In this episode of the I Witness Podcast, we uncover the inspiring story of Stephanie Flohr, an unlikely servant of God who, amidst profound grief, found herself in a dark place, even planning the date she would take her life. Through unwavering courage and a renewed trust in God, listen to how she discovered her true worth and purpose.

Listen to the episode with Stephanie Flohr here

TW: suicidal thoughts, depression, grief

Stephanie Flohr is an unlikely missionary, but she follows God’s call anyway. On May 4, 2020, her husband unexpectedly passed away, and her desires, dreams, and goals went along with him.

Stephanie has traveled to a dark place, planning her own time to meet Jesus in heaven, but God had other plans. Through her unique ministry of encouragement and compassion, she spreads the transformative message of Jesus’ love, offering hope to those who need it most.

Stephanie is determined to share her uplifting story of faith, resilience, and obedience to help others come to know their beautiful worth in Jesus.   

Visit Stephanie on her website

Support Stephanie’s mission through Launch International

“I can’t spend a lot of time dwelling on what I am leaving behind, the tears start to flow and the heart hurts. Yes, I will miss so many people. But I know beyond any doubt where the Lord is leading me, allowing me to go and He has a plan and purpose for my life.” 

-Stephanie Flohr

Psalms 147:3, NKJV: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Proverbs 3:5-6:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

Paula’s Hope

Paula’s Hope is a nonprofit located in Northwest Arkansas that offers free biblical counseling.

If you are interested, click the link below to get started.

Click here for more information

I have a resource to help you walk with God in your own unique way.

The Stillness Prayer Journal is a printable prayer journal with over 100 customizable pages all dedicated to simplifying your walk with God.

The journal has cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques combined with Bible verses and Christian-based encouragement to guide your time with Him in a simple, thoughtful way.

This prayer journal focusing on anxiety relief is meticulously designed to harmonize your spiritual and mental health.

Do you need to feel God’s love right now?

In this inspiring devotional episode of the I Witness Podcast, host Kelly Jo Wilson explores the profound concept of God’s unconditional love. Through a heartfelt devotional, she delves into the idea that this divine love cannot be earned but only accepted.

Join Kelly Jo as she shares wisdom on embracing this boundless love and how it transforms our lives.

Listen to the episode here:

Romans 8:26, NKJV Likewise, the Spirit also helps us in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Ephesians 2:4-8, NKJV But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 15:9 As the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.

John 15: 12-13 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

In the depths of despair, can one woman find the strength to accept the love of God?

Sarah’s world was shattered two years ago with the loss of her beloved husband. She has been a mere shadow of herself, drifting away from her faith and the God she once leaned on. As she navigates the turbulent waters of grief and single parenthood, her resolve is constantly tested.

This Christmas, Sarah’s struggle reaches a tipping point. With the mounting pressure to provide for her children and the weight of her sorrow, she finds herself at a crossroads.

Will she continue to turn away from God, or will she find the courage to face her pain and embrace the love that has always been there for her?

Hope for the Holidays is a poignant tale of loss, resilience, and the redemptive power of faith. It’s a story for anyone who has ever questioned God’s love in the face of suffering. Join Sarah on her heartfelt journey as she learns to trust in the divine embrace, finding hope and healing in the most unexpected of places.

In this episode of the I Witness Podcast, host Kelly Jo Wilson explores how to heal while grieving, and the intersection of grief and faith with guest Stefanie Cabaniss, a specialist in grief support for Christian women. Stef shares her poignant journey of losing her best friend to cancer, a loss that deepened her faith and inspired the creation of the Grief 2 Great Day podcast and ministry. Their conversation delves into the transformative power of trusting God through life’s toughest challenges, highlighting the strength of honesty and vulnerability in prayer.

Stefanie Cabaniss is the founder of Grief2GreatDay.com, a coach and author specializing in grief support for Christian women. She hosts the Grief 2 Great Day Podcast to support Christian women navigating the difficult journey of grief.

Experiencing indescribable pain and confusion after losing her best friend to cancer, she struggled to create a new life. She earned a master’s degree in Public Health focusing on community grief support. She served as secretary for the Eastern Carolina End of Life Care Coalition.

Her book entitled, Dying to Be Healed, was released in January 2021. Stef is also the creator of What Do I do After the Loss of a Loved One? 4 Actions to Take Now to Cope with Grief a faith-based workshop to help women breathe, laugh, and live again.

Stef contributes to local newspapers and radio and is available to discuss grief support topics such as ‘getting through’ the first year of grief and creating purpose after loss. Stef and her husband, Jeff live in eastern North Carolina.

Matthew 11:28-30, NKJV: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and al these things shall be added to you.”

John 11:35: “Jesus wept.”

Grief 2 Great Day Podcast with Stef Cabaniss

Grief Resources include a Grief Survival Workshop, Loss of Life Coaching, and a support program to help you navigate grief alongside others who understand the devastation and have a common goal for healing.

Facebook Grief Group community

Stefanie Cabaniss knew in those agonizing moments watching her friend dying that the story must be told. As with the Scriptural account of Noah, Abraham, and Moses, this recollection conveys a realistic version of that manner of ‘crazy’ faith.

Dying to be Healed is not a story set in a backdrop of ages past. It is a contemporary, true, bittersweet, and altogether real-life narrative of the final months of the earthly existence of Stefanie’s best friend, Monica.

Monica battled the ravages of stage-four Melanoma but came to strongly and immovably believe that she had been miraculously healed by the power of the Great Physician. This is a story of that unshakeable faith in the midst of rampant physical contradiction.

Get your copy of Dying to Be Healed today

I have a resource to help you walk with God in your own unique way.

The Stillness Prayer Journal is a printable prayer journal with over 100 customizable pages all dedicated to simplifying your walk with God.

The journal has cognitive behavioral therapy techniques combined with Bible verses and Christian-based encouragement to guide your time with Him in a simple, thoughtful way.

This prayer journal focusing on anxiety relief is meticulously designed to harmonize your spiritual and mental health.

Why is it so easy for us to doubt God?

In this episode of the I Witness podcast, we explore why it’s so easy to doubt God. We dive into 1 John chapter 5, a scripture that shares the unwavering assurance found in God’s testimony. We explore the challenges believers face in their faith journey with a short story and discuss the eternal promise we have in Jesus Christ.

Listen to the devotional episode here:

1 John 5: 11-13, NKJV: And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

Matthew 11:28-30: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

This 7-day devotional takes you through women’s stories of heartbreak, death, disease, and more, with Bible verses to remind you of God’s promises.

You don’t have to earn God’s love. All you have to do is accept it

In a deeply moving episode of the I Witness podcast, K.L. Gilchrist unveils her transformative journey from profound heartache to unwavering faith. As she recounts the tragic loss of her teenage daughter, K.L.’s testament to the sustaining power of faith offers a beacon of hope to everyone navigating life’s storms.

Listen as K.L. shares her story of unwavering faith through loss, heartache, resilience, and the consistent embrace of Jesus, even in her darkest hours.

K.L. Gilchrist is an author of contemporary Christian fiction for women who want to be entertained, challenged, and inspired by true-to-life stories.

A graduate of Temple University and Palmer’s Eastern School of Christian Ministry(ESCM), K.L.’s career as a technical writer led her back to her first love: writing fiction books.

K.L. writes for women who enjoy reading about faith in the midst of life challenges. She lives with her family in suburban Philadelphia, PA, and is known to dance whenever and wherever she can.

Visit K.L. Gilchrist at her website www.KLGilchrist.com

Personal Journey and Embracing Faith

  – K.L. Gilchrist’s spiritual journey began when she discovered Jesus as an adult. She endured numerous challenges that tested her faith, and her journey from a technical writer to a fiction author showcases her personal and professional evolution.

Impact of the Pandemic and Personal Tragedy

  – The mental health repercussions of the pandemic are vast and deeply personal for K.L., with the heart-wrenching loss of her daughter, Jordan. Yet, in such profound grief, her unwavering faith and relationship with Jesus Christ became her sanctuary, offering solace and guidance through the hardest moments.

The Role of Faith in Coping with Loss

  K.L. stresses that her unwavering faith and relationship with Jesus are paramount in navigating pain. She emphasizes the necessity of daily prayer and immersing herself in scripture, highlighting the solace and connection they provide. She emphasizes the significance of complete submission to God’s will and the importance of dedicating alone time to foster a deeper relationship with Him.

Recommendations for Nurturing Faith

  – For those grappling with grief, K.L. offers practical tips she embraced when walking the arduous journey. She advocates for complete trust in God in all circumstances and suggests getting into the Word of God. The Book of Job and Psalm 22:24 were comforting scripture references for her. Additionally, the book “Holding Onto Hope” by Nancy Guthrie is highlighted as a valuable resource, especially for grieving parents.

Authentic Communication with God

  – K.L. promotes genuine and open communication with God, no matter how messy or broken you feel. She believes in being honest with God and talking to Him anytime or anywhere,  even in the middle of a J.C. Penny parking lot.  

Psalms 22:24, NKJV “For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from Him; But when He cried to Him, He heard.”

The book of Job shows the tremendous losses Job endured and his unwavering faith during trials.

K.L. Gilchrist writes faith-filled stories with wonderful characters. You can find her complete collection on her website.

Chablis Shields, a purple-haired Jesus chick with a line dance addiction, is engaged to marry her church’s most eligible young bachelor, John Gerald.

After dodging a drone in an unbelievable proposal, she figures she’ll breeze through six months of planning and celebrations and arrive at the altar Instagram-ready and shining like a black diamond.

But the road to marital bliss grows rocky when she discovers her fiancé is far from being a muscular yet picture-perfect Christian. His financial situation isn’t quite what she counted on, but his solution becomes even more difficult to handle.

And that future mother-in-love?

Well, she isn’t exactly on her side. Meanwhile, trauma from her past complicates her decision-making, and lingering issues from John’s dating history trouble their relationship.

With a tight timeline and a village of loved ones waiting for the big day, Chablis must decide: is she truly ready for a lifetime of sacrifice and commitment?

Engaged is a National Indie Excellence Book Award finalist! The book is available through all major online booksellers. You can also request this novel from your favorite local bookshop.

Get your copy of Engaged here

Tracey and her husband, Dr. Brian Jones, have much to celebrate. They’ve been married for more than twelve years, their son is doing well in college, and a new baby is on the way.

However, small resentments still exist beneath the surface of their relationship.

When Tracey betrays Brian’s trust in order to provide emotional support to a family who helped her in the past, battle lines are drawn in their household. Will Tracey be able to hold on to her marriage and family when her past and present collide?

Holding On is available through all major online booksellers. You can also order this story from your favorite local bookshop.

Get your copy of Holding On here

We can never plan for the unexpected turns of this life that sometimes lead to great personal suffering. Sometimes that suffering can overshadow everything and threaten to pull us under.

Nancy Guthrie knows what it is to be plunged into life’s abyss. Framing her own story of staggering loss and soaring hope with the biblical story of Job, she takes you by the hand and guides you on a pathway through pain―straight to the heart of God. 

Holding On to Hope offers an uplifting perspective, not only for those experiencing monumental loss, but for anyone going through difficulty and failure. (Includes an 8-week study on the book of Job for readers who want to dig deeper into what the Bible says about dealing with suffering and grief.)

Get your copy of Holding On To Hope here

In this episode of the I Witness podcast, we are honored to have Kathy Brasby share her extraordinary journey of how she found hope in the midst of faith, love, and loss. Kathy navigates the complexities of life’s ups and downs, always steadfastly believing in God. Kathy bears her soul and tackles the challenging questions about God’s role in our suffering. Her narrative takes a painful turn as she recounts her endeavor to understand hope.

For women going through phases of grief and brokenness, Kathy’s story serves as a testament that you are never alone, even in your darkest hours. Tune in for an episode that promises to tug at your heartstrings and offer a glimmer of hope in the face of life’s most challenging moments.

When Kathy was a little girl, her aunt confronted her mother: “Can’t you teach her not to ask so many questions?”

This is Kathy’s worst trait and her best: she is curious. She loves to learn and study.

She’s a former journalist and also has been blogging for a number of years. She published Cutting Through Despair: Dare to Hope in 2022 with stories about people – modern-day and biblical – who overcame hardships.

Her Christian faith is the foundation of all her work.

Her BA is in English, and she also holds an MA in Theological studies. She lives on a hobby farm in northeast Colorado and has six children and ten grandchildren.

A favorite theme in her stories is overcoming – and some stories are serious.

Connect with Kathy on her website or the following social media channels

Instagram, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube

Habakkuk 3:17-19, NKJV

Though the fig tree may not blossom,

Nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labor of the olive may fail,

And the fields yield no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,

And there be no herd in the stalls—

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The Lord God is my strength;

He will make my feet like deer’s feet,

And He will make me walk on my high hills.

To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.

Psalms 23:4,

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

We all want hope, but we aren’t sure what it is or even if it can be had. How does one find hope? Cutting Through Despair: Dare to Hope shares stories of people wrestling with hardships. When I asked each, “How did you find hope in these horrendous circumstances?” they told me. Discover with me how these people become overcomers. And how you can too.

Get your copy today, click here

Grief 2 Great Day

Empowering Christian women to understand their journey, deepen their faith, and navigate daily life.

Listen to the Grief 2 Great Day Podcast with Stef Cabaniss

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