Blog Archives
I Was Called by God
When Jesus Calls follows a woman experiencing heartbreak while looking for love in all the wrong places. Mary goes on an emotional and spiritual journey seeking healing, purpose, and a deeper connection with Jesus. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was called by God to write my life’s journey of trusting God above all else. He gave me the Bible scripture to lean on in John 11:40, Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
What were some challenges you felt were important to defining your characters in this story?
The only challenges I felt were having to relive parts of my life that caused me a lot of pain. However, God used these times in my writings to heal my heart, and He has set me free of that pain.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
I never believed I would be an award-winning author. However, being obedient to God’s will has blessed me beyond imagination.
This has been a profound journey. I am humbled and grateful! Always Believe and Never give up! John 11:40
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it out?
I am currently writing the 3rd book in my When Jesus Calls series. It should be available in the Fall of 2026.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Striving to bury the anguish of her past, Mary dedicates herself to her career as a sales and marketing director at a popular resort and even becomes a best-selling author. Amidst the challenges, she longs to follow Jesus. As she experiences His continuous forgiveness, healing, and strength, Mary’s life takes a significant turn; she becomes a single mom. Despite the trials that test her faith, Mary realizes the power of forgiveness and her need for Jesus. She is determined to use her story to prevent others from enduring similar pain. Will her unwavering faith and trust in Jesus Christ be enough to resist the external forces that seek to alter her decisions in following His plan for her life?
When Jesus Calls is a story of undeniable faith. Mary realizes she has not protected her heart well, as God’s word says in Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Repenting of her sins, Mary finds peace and comes to know her Savior, Jesus Christ, in a more personal way. She realizes He will never fail her, and all things work together for His Glory.
Do not believe the lie; all are worthy because of Jesus! He loves you!
When Jesus Calls
Martha Gayle’s When Jesus Calls is a heartfelt Christian fiction novel that follows the emotional and spiritual journey of Mary, a woman seeking healing, purpose, and a deeper connection with Jesus after a string of personal heartbreaks. The story unfolds through Mary’s inner reflections, her work at a charming inn, her close friendships, and her life-changing decisions, like buying a cottage by the sea and choosing forgiveness over bitterness. Along the way, Mary grapples with past wounds, discovers the redemptive power of faith, and learns how to let Jesus guide her life.
I found myself emotionally invested in Mary’s story from the very first chapter. Gayle’s writing isn’t flashy, but it’s deeply sincere. She writes with a raw honesty that makes you feel like you’re sitting with a friend who’s laying their heart bare. Her style is intimate, plainspoken, and brimming with warmth. There’s no pretense, just a genuine voice telling a story grounded in love, loss, and the quiet call of God. I admired how Mary’s spiritual insights came through lived experiences, not sermons. It didn’t feel like I was being preached at. Instead, I was invited to reflect right alongside her, which made the story more powerful and real for me.
What stood out most was the emotional depth and vulnerability. I felt Mary’s loneliness. I understood her ache for love, her longing for peace, and her deep need for meaning. Gayle doesn’t gloss over the hard stuff—betrayal, temptation, self-doubt—but instead shows how grace meets us in the middle of the mess. I loved the supporting characters. Mr. Henry, the inn’s general manager, especially touched me. His quiet faith journey and the kindness he showed others brought tears to my eyes more than once. The book reminded me how much we all need community and how God can speak through the people around us.
When Jesus Calls is a quiet reminder that healing is possible, faith is alive, and we’re never too far gone to be called back home. I’d recommend this book to anyone who’s been through heartbreak, who’s questioning their faith, or who just needs a gentle story that breathes hope.
Pages: 174 | ASIN : B0DHSXZCP6
A Wave of Uncertainty
When Jesus Leads: A Sequel to When Jesus Calls follows a woman struggling with her feelings of fear, uncertainty, and a desire to protect her heart and her daughter. In complete faith, Mary leans on God to guide her path. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Although written as fiction, both Novels are based on true-life testimony.
Mary met Jimmy, who had a past that she wasn’t familiar with, but in a vision, God showed her his heart, as He saw it. God called her to love him. This wasn’t easy for Mary, but she had no choice as the conviction from God was strong. As a single mom, desiring to protect her daughter’s heart made it more difficult for Mary. God poured so much love into her heart for him, and most importantly, she wanted to follow God’s will for her life. Mary’s Faith became more real than she had ever known it as she continued to walk against a wave of uncertainty to love Jimmy through his addiction that ultimately brought him to Jesus, and his life was dramatically changed.
Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your character’s life?
Although When Jesus Calls and When Jesus Leads are written as fiction, both of my books are based on true life experiences. I used Mary as the main character because Mary always rested at Jesus’ feet while Martha always seemed to worry. This was a lesson that Mary continued to grow in. When Jesus Calls is about my life and how being betrayed at a very young age caused a lot of trust issues; Mary poured herself into her work as sales and marketing director at the Inn to hide behind the pain. When Jesus Leads brings Jimmy back into the story of dating, meeting family, holidays, etc. Mary continues to seek to understand God’s will for her life with him and ultimately surrenders her will to God’s.
While writing my story, God healed my heart on many occasions and freed me from pain that I never dealt with. Pain that I never knew existed. Writing both books has been an amazing but emotional journey, as real-life experiences are written deep into the pages of each Novel.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
After marrying my husband, God called me to leave my career many years ago to be a stay-at-home wife and homeschool mom. It was a tough decision for me, as I trusted in my ability and what I could do to provide for myself and my daughter.
I had to understand the importance of letting go/surrendering and trusting Jesus above all else. After my daughter went to college, I asked the Lord to please give me something that I could do on my own again. I studied for all of my insurance licenses and, within six months, owned my own insurance agency. After building a business almost four years later, God called me to sell my business to write When Jesus Calls and When Jesus Leads. This has been a profound journey of God’s amazing love.
When we trust God and walk in His will, hearts change.
When Jesus Leads has already won a Gold, 5-star award with The Literary Global Book Awards. I am humbled!
What next book are you working on, and when will it be available?
I am currently working on the 3rd book in the series. This book should finish the story, or there may be one more. My prayer is that it will be available in the Fall.
John 11:40 – Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Join Mary on an inspirational journey of romance, hope, forgiveness, and, most importantly, faith. Will Mary’s unwavering faith be enough to follow God’s will for her life?
When Jesus Leads is a sequel to When Jesus Calls—Mary’s life as a young woman whose life does not turn out as planned. The betrayal in her marriage leaves her bitter, heartbroken, and angry. Focusing on forgetting the pain of her past, Mary pours herself into her work as a sales and marketing director of a charming resort called the Inn and becomes an award-winning author. Her job becomes her identity.
Mary’s life takes a remarkable turn when she meets Michael, an author. After he decides to leave town and not return, Mary becomes a single mom. Mary attempts to try to find a balance in her life, enjoying her career at the Inn and writing. She then meets Jimmy, who has a past that she is uncomfortable with, and as God calls her to love him, her world feels uncertain. “Is this God’s will for my life?” she asks herself.
Surprisingly, Michael comes back into her life, leaving her feeling vulnerable about her and her daughter’s future.
As she grapples to understand her relationship with Jimmy, doubt and fear surround her.
When Jesus Leads is a story about undeniable faith and a journey toward romance, forgiveness, love, and learning to trust God above all else. Jesus reminds her of His word in John 11:40: “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the Glory of God?”
When Jesus Leads – Sequel to When Jesus Calls
Martha Gayle’s When Jesus Leads is a heartfelt and faith-driven novel that follows the journey of Mary, a woman navigating love, trust, and obedience to God in the face of uncertainty. The story unfolds with Mary grappling with her emotions, questioning her choices, and ultimately surrendering her path to divine guidance. At the heart of the novel is her complicated relationship with Jimmy, a man with a troubled past, and her struggle to reconcile her feelings with what she believes God is asking of her. Alongside Mary’s personal journey, the book explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and unwavering faith, all tied together with a strong sense of community and heartfelt relationships.
I was drawn into Mary’s story from the start. There’s something deeply relatable about her hesitation, the internal tug-of-war between fear and faith. One of my favorite moments was when she sat in her office, staring at the storm outside, realizing that life’s storms can be just as unpredictable. The writing makes these moments come alive, and I found myself feeling her anxiety, her longing for clarity, and her quiet strength. The book does a great job of showing that following Jesus doesn’t always mean an easy road, it’s often full of doubt, tough choices, and sacrifices.
What I appreciated most was the authenticity of Mary’s struggle with Jimmy. When Mary wrestles with the question of whether Jimmy is the right person for her and Elizabeth, it feels real. She’s not just swept up in romance, she’s cautious, protective of her daughter, and determined to listen for God’s direction. The moment when she reads Jimmy’s parents’ letter declining to come to his birthday party was gut-wrenching, it showed just how deep the wounds of addiction can go. And yet, Mary’s choice to love him anyway, in whatever way God calls her to, is a powerful testament to grace.
Then there’s the curveball: Michael, Elizabeth’s biological father, suddenly reappears after years of absence. The box he sends, filled with a letter and an unexpected child support check, adds another layer of emotional complexity. Her emotions are raw and justified—how does someone just walk back in after nearly a decade? Yet, instead of focusing solely on bitterness, the book gently steers toward the power of forgiveness. It doesn’t force an easy answer, which I respected. Instead, it lets Mary sit with the weight of her choices, showing how forgiveness is a process, not an instant reaction.
When Jesus Leads is a touching and emotionally rich novel that will resonate deeply with readers who appreciate faith-centered stories about love, second chances, and trusting God’s plan. If you enjoy books with strong moral themes, uplifting messages, and characters who feel like real people struggling with real faith, this one is for you.
Pages: 256 | ASIN : B0DSJJN9L2
LITERARY TITAN 