My tagline is “Encouraging you to find freedom in Christ by surrendering the good, the bad, and—maybe one day—the chocolate.” When I write, there is always a surrender issue and a chocolate mention. As I grow in the craft, I’m learning that the surrender starts with me.
Nearly five years ago, I had an idea to write a series about sextuplets who stay in the national spotlight after tragedy. I researched. I took notes. I started to write. Then a Christmas project came along that I had always wanted to be a part of.
Three years ago. I returned to the series. I started over. I revised. Then our daughter and I started a new series for young teen girls and women of all ages. I tried to return to the sextuplets, but we wrote two books of three for Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’.
Then the quarantine hit. It felt like the perfect time to return to what I was calling Surrendering Opinions. Then my daughter reminded me we still had You’re Brilliant to write to wrap up our series. Once that was finished, we had home repairs to tackle. A family reunion. Then my mom became ill and I left home to care for her. When I came back home to catch up, I still had to return for her appointments. Then came the holidays.
And a week later, Mom passed away.
That series is now Surrendering Hearts featuring the Hart sextuplets. Book 1, Anchored Hearts, was supposed to release three years ago. Those were my plans. God’s plans were different. I don’t know exactly what they are, but I had to let go of so much these three years. For someone that likes to think they are in control, that hasn’t been easy.
That’s what has made writing the heroine of Anchored Hearts, Jordyn Bell Hart, so fun. The first sextuplet, she’s put it on herself to take care of everyone around her. Now that the sextuplets are in their twenties, they are grown and finding their own identities. Jordyn’s not quite ready to let them go. When Spencer Collins enters the pictures, he relates to her. They share grief and loyalty to family. Yet he has an issue he can’t control. And it’s the one thing keeping Jordyn away.
Anchored Hearts is now available for pre-order and releases this month. Although I don’t understand everything about the process and timing I can say God needed to lead me through the fire and not around it to understand and write Jordyn’s story. I am proud of this book because I believe readers will relate and seek freedom in Christ because of Jordyn and Spencer’s story.
I love to connect with readers, and it would mean a lot if you follow me across social media and book sites so you are aware of the latest book information. Thank you so much for reading today!
Connect with Julie Arduini: http://linktr.ee/JulieArduini
Pre-Order Anchored Hearts: https://www.amazon.com/Anchored-Hearts-Surrendering-Book-ebook/dp/B09XH1KVXD
ABOUT ANCHORED HEARTS
Can two go-getters surrender their need to control and find a happily-ever-after?
Jordyn Bell Hart succeeds in everything she does. Her promotion to morning show co-anchor blossoms her career in the same way her mother’s work did. Jordyn keeps tabs on her family and enjoys helping them grow. When life around Jordyn starts to change, can she surrender her desire to control?
Spencer Collins knows how to balance a busy life. He has his work as a reporter, his time caregiving for his grieving father, and looking out for his little brother. When he learns he’s the new co-anchor of a morning show with Jordyn Hart, can he handle working with a celebrity who brings a lot of challenges to life on and off the set?
Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to find freedom in Christ by surrendering the good, the bad, and —maybe one day—the chocolate. She’s the author of the new contemporary romance series SURRENDERING HEARTS (Anchored Hearts, Repairing Hearts, +four more.) Her other romance series is SURRENDERING TIME (Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged.) She also co-wrote a YA series with her daughter, SURRENDERING STINKIN’ THINKIN’ (You’re Beautiful, You’re Amazing, You’re Brilliant.) Her stand-alone romances include MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN and RESTORING CHRISTMAS. Julie maintains a blog at juliearduini.com and participates in the team blog Christians Read. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Learn more by visiting her at http://linktr.ee/JulieArduini.
June, thank you for letting me share the Anchored Hearts journey. Many blessings to you!
It’s a pleasure to feature your book. Sextuplets are a fascinating subject.
Julie, you know I understand the delays and frustrations you faced with this series. But God wouldn’t let it go, would He? He has plans for these stories, told through you. You are blessing many by your obedience!
She is a blessing!
You have good reason to be proud of this series. You did the hard work. I’m glad I was on this journey with you, praying for your writing with book one of Surrendering Hearts and your personal journey too.
God’s timing is always right.
So true, God’s timing is perfect!
Julie, your Surrender Series is such a brilliant idea. I have been waiting for the release of Anchored Hearts, so wish you and the book the very best. It is a fantastic read!
I love the subject also. I pray she has great success with this series.
Wonderful blog post, Julie! God is going to use this series to help a lot of people.
I’m sure He will! As a writer, I also greatly desire for God to use me to help others. It makes all the hard work worth it.