Blog Archives
Foundation of Love
You are SO Loved provides families of young children with reminders of God’s love and offers reassurance and comfort while encouraging them to embrace their unique qualities. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Writing You Are SO Loved was deeply personal and meaningful for me because I believe that every child deserves to grow up knowing they are unconditionally loved by God. In a world that can often be overwhelming and full of mixed messages, I wanted to create a source of reassurance and hope for families. The book encourages children to see their unique qualities as a gift and helps parents provide comfort and affirmation rooted in faith and truth. This message felt especially important to share, as it reflects the values and love I want every child to carry with them as they grow.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share with young readers and their families in this book?
In You Are SO Loved, I wanted to share a few key ideas that I hope will resonate deeply with readers and their families. First, the reminder that God’s love is constant and unconditional- no matter what challenges we face or how we may feel about ourselves. That foundation of love can bring peace and reassurance in difficult moments. I aimed to provide comfort and hope, not just for children but for families as a whole. Life can be tough, and I wanted this book to be a gentle reminder to lean on God’s love and each other, finding strength and joy in faith and connection.
The illustrations in your book are incredibly engaging. What was the collaboration with Noor Zaki like?
Collaborating with Noor Zaki was an incredible experience. Despite the time difference-me being in Virginia and Noor in Faisalabad, Pakistan- we worked together every morning at 5:00 am for a year. Noor truly brought my vision to life and elevated it in ways I couldn’t have imagined. She understood how important the message of You Are SO Loved was, and her illustrations beautifully captured the heart of the book.
The rainbow was a central part of the color palette, inspired by the Bible verse Genesis 9:11-17, where God places a bright rainbow in the sky as a reminder of His promises. To me, the rainbow symbolizes God’s unwavering love and faithfulness, a miracle we can still see today. It was essential to include it not just as a symbol, but as a thematic element woven into the book. As readers turn the pages, They’ll notice that each illustration transitions through the colors of the rainbow, creating a meaningful and visually engaging experience. Noor captured this vision perfectly, and I’m so grateful for her talent and dedication. Not only was I blessed with a talented illustrator in Noor Zaki, but I also gained a lifelong friend through the process. Working with her daily for a year allowed us to build a deep connection beyond just the book. Her passion and dedication to bring the message of You Are SO Loved to life was remarkable, and I’m forever grateful for her artistry and her friendship. It’s a bond that goes far beyond the pages of this book.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m really excited about the next book I’m working on! While I have five concepts I’m exploring, the one I’m focusing on next will be Christian faith and equestrian-themed. It’s inspired by our horse, Simon, who has an incredible story. He was once neglected, injured, and rejected by his herd, but after we cared for him and nurtured him back to health, he transformed into a healthy, happy horse who now thrives in a loving herd family.
The book will highlight how love, care, and having someone believe in you can truly transform a life. Simon’s story will explore the idea that we all have scars-some visible on the outside and others hidden within. It will emphasize how God can heal those wounds, whether they’re physical or emotional, and how His love and redemption can transform us completely. Simon’s journey is such a powerful example of this, and I hope it will resonate with readers and remind them of God’s incredible ability to make all things new. Simon’s story is such a beautiful reflection of God’s love and redemption, and I can’t wait to share it. As for when it will be available, I’m still in the early stages, but I’m aiming to bring it to life as soon as possible!
Author Links: GoodReads | Barnes & Noble | Instagram | Amazon
You Are SO Loved provides hope to all children. It nurtures and strengthens confidence in every child who reads it. No matter what they do, see, hear, or experience, God will always be present, and will love them forever.
They will:
Gain understanding of God’s unfailing love for them.
Feel loved beyond measure.
Understand the truth of who they are and how precious they are.
Learn to build a genuine friendship with God and understand that we place our value on how deeply God loves us and on who He says we are, not on what the world says.
God put a bright rainbow in the sky to remind us all of His promises. Genesis 9:11-17
Experience Guided by Grace
It’s Christmas Tonight: Santa’s Visit follows a curious young girl who, in the stillness of a snowy evening, has a delightful encounter with Santa Claus himself and finds out the true meaning of the holiday. What was the inspiration for your story?
In a way, that’s a difficult question because inspiration just is. It comes from God. I wanted to write a Christmas verse and began playing with it. I remembered my own childhood when I was sitting by the window, looking at the dark garden with old trees covered in snow, and hoping for something amazing to happen.
And then, when I was working on the poem, I simply started writing and came up with some rhymes. And then, when the story reached Santa’s reply to the girl’s question, I had a feeling that I was writing it down while someone was dictating. Looking back at it, it was an experience guided by grace.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Chloé Nyíri?
Chloé is a very talented artist. She does something very few book illustrators do these days – draws and paints by hand on paper, with real watercolors. Her technique is beautiful and her art is a true reflection of her soul. Chloé is a lovely person. Also, she has a little daughter who is her inspiration, and she can truly relate to a child’s curiosity on a Christmas Eve.
Working with Chloé was a breeze. I simply shared the poem and told her to draw and paint as if it were her own. In the end, there were only one or two tiny revisions. The artwork was perfect.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
If we talk about the fun part, it was the bit where the girl is humming a tune she made up about Santa flying to the moon. That reminded me of myself and of my children who make up silly songs all the time.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
Chloé and I are now working on a children’s story about a Border Collie dog who liked playing handball with his best friends – three boys. They play every day but then the boys grow up and move out.
Another project we’re working on together is a book about pregnancy and motherhood. So, hopefully, we’ll soon have plenty to share with our readers even though we don’t have a release date planned yet!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Bookbildr | Chloe Nyiri Illustrations | Amazon
Prepare to be transported to a cozy and magical Christmas evening in “It’s Christmas Tonight.” In this heartwarming rhyming story, join a curious young girl in her home as she has a special encounter with none other than Santa Claus himself. As the snow falls gently outside, she can’t help but pose the timeless question, “Santa, what makes Christmas truly unique?”
Santa, with his twinkling eyes and hearty laughter, sits down with the girl in her warm living room, sharing a magical revelation about the essence of Christmas, illuminating the profound significance of this holiday.
Beautifully illustrated by a traditional watercolor artist from Hungary, Chloé Nyíri, this picture book makes the perfect Christmas gift.
The Power of Prayer
In Jesus, Take the Wheel, young readers follow a woman who experiences multiple challenges as she travels, and they learn important lessons in faith and the power of prayer. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I’m a mom to a four-year-old and a two-year-old. We go to the library once a week and always check out a big pile of books. We also own a massive amount of books at home. And yet, throughout my constant exposure to the kid-lit world, I’ve never read a book quite like Jesus, Take the Wheel. I wanted to read a story to my children about the power of prayer and how faith strengthens us when life brings challenges. I couldn’t find one, so I wrote it.
It was important for me to write a story that could positively impact both children and adults in different ways. Those are my favorite kind of books.
I wanted children to understand the basic concept of prayer and that Jesus supports them. Plus, kids love to read about vehicles.
For adults, it’s more layered. I hope it makes them pause, reflect, and trust in God’s plan. Often, it’s only through hindsight that we gain clarity about our struggles. When a problem appears, we usually need to learn a life lesson, or there’s an unexpected blessing. We can’t know where life will lead us when we are knee-deep in a problem. But God does. I thought it could be a beautiful moment for an adult to remember this perspective when reading to a child.
My ultimate hope is that Jesus, Take the Wheel brings comfort to anyone who reads it.
Is there anything from your own life included in Jesus, Take the Wheel?
Oh yes. It’s very loosely autobiographical. I met my husband on New Year’s Eve. The night had gone awry, and I was walking around in the most cynical mood. Then I turned a literal corner, and he was right in front of me. In one moment, I believed everything had gone wrong, and in the next, I met my soul mate.
We also experienced years of infertility. If you read the book, you’ll understand the nod to that. However, I wrote it in a way where it could also apply to adoption.
I look at my two incredible children and understand that God sent them to me at the perfect time in my life. I wanted to have kids much earlier, but God’s plan was so much better than my own.
I thought the illustrations in your book were wonderful. Can you share a little bit about your collaboration with Marissa Napolitano?
Marissa Napolitano is an incredible talent! She’s so gifted. I worked with her on my last book, Christmas Begins With Christ, so we’d already established a good working relationship.
Before we began the project, we discussed my vision for the book in-depth on the phone. I made a storyboard with illustration ideas for each page that would complement the text. I shared that storyboard with her, and she contributed her ideas. I let her run with it if I didn’t have a specific plan for a spread. She always delivered stunning work.
I really wanted to represent Jesus with light, and she nailed that. I was so blessed to have her illustrate the book.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have two more ideas for children’s books but haven’t written them yet. My next one will most likely be about Easter.
I’m also plotting an adult fantasy trilogy. I’ve started outlining the first book chapter by chapter, and it’s been such a joy to do!
I stay busy between being a nurse and a mom. Once my kids go to bed, I find pockets of time to write. My pace is slower because I wear many hats, but it’s been a beautiful adventure. I’m incredibly grateful to be doing what I love.
Author Links: Goodreads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Will you take the wheel?
It’s not going my way,
And this isn’t ideal.
“I don’t understand,
But I know you have plans.
So I put all my fears,
Into your loving hands.”
Follow the POP of a car’s tire, the ROAR of a plane’s takeoff, and the HONK of a train trip gone wrong. When a woman’s travels don’t go as planned, she prays to Jesus. He answers by showing her how His divine plan is so much better than her own.
Both children and adults will delight in this rhyming tale about the power of prayer, faith, and God’s love. Beautifully illustrated with vibrant vehicles and touching moments, Jesus, Take the Wheel is the perfect gift for holidays, baby showers, adoptions, baptisms, and birthdays. Targeted for children ages 3-9.
LITERARY TITAN 