Can you trust GOD with any outcome? Even when it comes to people we love?
This month’s A2A featured guest is the Christy Hall of Fame and bestselling author, Cathy Gohlke. Never one to shy away from touch topics, Cathy’s newest release (Tyndale House Publishing, releases September 8th), Every Given Day, is a gripping historical fiction set during the early 20th Century about a groundbreaking medical discovery.
Cathy is one of my dearest friends, so I know the type of author–and woman of GOD–she is. Not familiar with her? Here’s just a bit about Cathy.
Bestselling, Christy Hall of Fame, and Carol and INSPY Award–winning author Cathy Gohlke writes novels steeped with inspirational lessons, speaking of world and life events through the lens of history. She champions the battle against oppression, celebrating the freedom found in Christ. Cathy has worked as a school librarian, drama director, and director of children’s and education ministries. When not traveling to historic sites for research, she and her husband, Dan, divide their time between northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore, enjoying time with their grown children and grandchildren. She’s also a fur-baby mama to that adorable pup, Maggy!
And what is the latest book?
Inspired by true events, Christy Hall of Fame author Cathy Gohlke delivers a powerful new historical novel weaving together the discovery of insulin—a breakthrough that revolutionized modern medicine—and one woman’s brave fight to cling to her family and hope against unspeakable odds.
In 1918 New York City, schoolteacher Gwendolyn Armstrong travels to her sister’s home to tutor her niece and nephew during the Spanish flu outbreak. As illness, family secrets, and a suspicious brother-in-law create mounting danger, Gwen finds herself caring for her nephew after he is diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. A compassionate doctor becomes both her ally and a potential love interest as he tirelessly pursues every promising treatment for the boy. As Gwen clings to hope, she must confront her fears, surrender what she cannot control, and learn to trust God for a miracle.
My 5-Star Review:
Cathy Gohlke’s books always surprise me. Not because they aren’t exquisitely written or because she tackles topics most authors avoid, but because she creates suspense so organically that I’m suddenly on the edge of my seat, turning pages as fast as I can. Every Given Day delivers on all counts—a powerful historical novel set against the discovery of insulin, a medical breakthrough that changed the world, and one woman’s courageous fight to hold on to her family, her hope, and her faith against unimaginable odds.
5 STARS BECAUSE Gohlke pours her heart and soul into every book, and that commitment to story, historical authenticity, believable characters, and unwavering faith makes EVERY GIVEN DAY another treasure. Learning about the torturous journey toward a treatment for juvenile diabetes was both illuminating and deeply moving. This one is firmly on my shortlist of top picks for 2026.
Be sure to watch our A2A Interview, where Cathy explains why this story has a very personal significance to her.
So how about some fan facts about Cathy!
Do you have any strange writing habits/quirks?
I love to watch fire flames as I write—in campfires, woodstoves, fireplaces—wood burning, propane or electric, even a video of a fire burning is a pleasure for me. No matter the season—even in the high heat of summer—I love to watch electric fire flames (with no heat) dance as I write. I find the flames calming, mesmerizing, absorbing. They draw me in and help me separate my mind from everything but the story. Watching fire flames is like offering me a door to a different world, an opportunity to leave everyday cares and concerns behind and walk into story world.
Who is your favorite character—protagonist or antagonist—and why?
I love several characters in this book, but I think my favorite might be the Scottish doctor—Dr. Malcolm McNeil. He’s a courageous man who’s suffered a great deal and puts his life on the line to help others. We learn that he was a doctor in the Great War, and while he was away serving in Africa, his daughter died of diabetes—known as the wasting disease—a disease for which there was no cure or hope of relief at the time. His wife died, too, of the Spanish flu. So even though he made it through the war, those he loved best did not. He came to America to start over in a New York medical practice.
He’s a man of strong faith who sees God’s hand in the research being done for a cure for diabetes and he’s determined to do all he can to help keep Alistair alive until a cure can be found. He’s hardworking, compassionate, sacrificing his time and health and heart to help others, even though he’s lost everything and everyone he loved in this life. He struggles with his great loss and inability to change situations and people, but he never loses his faith in God. I admire him very much.
What is something God taught you while you wrote your featured book?
I knew this going into the story, but God underlined it for me throughout the time I worked on the book: It’s easier to suffer ourselves than to see those we love and care for suffer. It is easier by far to surrender ourselves and face our own death to the will of God than to surrender our loved ones and their potential death, especially when those loved ones are young. We want so desperately to spare them, to save loved one’s pain and suffering but we can’t. Sometimes we can see a reason for suffering but most of the time we cannot. And yet the only way we find peace and the only way we can help our dear ones find peace is to surrender them to the care of Almighty God. That doesn’t mean we don’t do all we can to help them, to relieve suffering, to work toward a cure—of course we do. But the final solution is not in within our realm of power.
And that is so important in our faith journey.
September’s A2A Giveaway!
Yes! Thanks to Tyndale House Publishing, the winner will receive a softcover copy of Cathy’s latest release, Every Given Day!
Leave a comment below and share this blog and if you haven’t already, please subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of this blog and receive another free gift from me — and an extra entry.
NOTE: WANT TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING THIS INCREDIBLE GIVEAWAY?*
Check out my YouTubeA2A interview with Cathy. Because, in the video interview Cathy answers different fun questions–and we have some inspiring discussions!
By Liking and Commenting on the video episode, you will have one more entry.* Sharing the video, another entry.* Subscribe, and you have TWO entries for a chance to win.*
The Deadline is September 11th
Watch our interview–
That means, my friends, if you comment and subscribe -– or are already a subscriber -– to my blog, then watch the video and LIKE, SHARE, and COMMENT on the VIDEO, then Subscribe to my YouTube Channel, your name will be entered SIX TIMES!*
Next month’s A2A Guest: USA TODAY Bestselling and award-winning author, Tamera Alexander!
Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed getting to know Cathy! Until next month, God bless and KEEP READING!
*So sorry, entries from the contiguous US only.
