I love meeting new people, especially authors, that’s why the featured author in December’s Author Highlight is so special! Karen Steele, the Fiction Publicity Manager of Revell, introduced me to author Natalie Walters. And, I’m so glad she did!

Natalie is a bestselling and award-winning author who happens to write in one of my favorite genres: suspense and thrillers. Oh yes, and there’s romance.

Her impressive bio reads like a novel: Natalie Walters is the author of Carol Award finalist Living Lies, as well as Deadly Deceit and Silent Shadows. A military wife, she currently resides in Texas with her soldier husband and is a proud mom of three adult kiddos.

She has been published in Proverbs 31 magazine and has blogged for Guideposts online. She loves connecting on social media, sharing her love of books, cooking, and traveling. Natalie comes from a long line of military and law enforcement veterans and is passionate about supporting them through volunteer work, races, and writing stories that affirm no one is defined by their past.

But there is so much more to learn about this amazing woman. So, let’s get to know Natalie a little more.

What was your inspiration for writing in general—why did you choose writing?

I have always loved reading. As a little girl I’d curl up with my stuffed animals and could easily spend hours living in the pages of a book.

But then life sort of took over and reading became a luxury as I got married and began raising my kids. I read to them but couldn’t find the time to read for myself. As they grew older and more independent I found that I had some free time and it was on a trip when I found my first Christian Fiction book, literally, on a plane.

It was so nice to read clean fiction where I didn’t have to worry about what I would find in the pages. Reading that story inspired me to seek out more CF books and then one day while reading them it occurred to me that maybe I could write one.

So the short answer tucked into the long answer was good stories. I love reading good stories with dynamic characters, a plot that will sweep me into the pages, and themes of hope, faith, courage, and trust.

Your story is similar to mine in that I hadn’t really heard about CF books. I had tried my hand at writing a few books, so when I read my first CF, Angela Hunt’s book, The Debt, I was hooked.

What did you read as a child? Or, what did/do you read to your children/grandchildren?

My first stories were Ramona Quimby and the Babysitter’s Club. When I have grandkids, I’ll certainly share those stories with them but also the Berenstain Bears, Narnia, and and classics like Charlotte’s Web, The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Berries for Sal.

My daughter loved the Babysitter’s Club and The Cooper Kids series!

Do you have any strange writing habits/quirks?

When I’m writing, if its flowing really well, characters are working, plot is twisting nicely, I have to get up and move around. It’s like the story is moving too fast in my mind and I forget to breathe. I get up and walk around for one minute and then sit back down to keep going.

LOL! Have to walk off that adrenaline, right? I felt that way when I read it!

What is one of your favorite quotes from Lights Out and why do you love it?

“Choose fear or choose faith, but only one choice will bring peace.” I think this one stayed with me because of all the uncertainty we’ve faced in the last several years. Globally and personally, I’ve had to recognize that I can choose to live in fear or I can trust in faith that God is who He says He is and is in control.

Amen! I remember that line from the book. It’s a great truth.

What are you working on now?

I just turned in a novella that will be part of a romantic suspense collection with amazing authors, Lynette Eason and Lynn Blackburn. This story actually brings two secondary characters together from both of my series, which is really fun!

How great to work with such great authors! I’ll look forward to checking that one out!

A friend once asked me, “What are you passionate about? So passionate that you cry out and pound your fist on the table?” What is your pound-on-the-table passion?

That no one is defined by their past. No matter what we’ve been through or the mistakes, or bad choices we may have made, we are not beyond redemption or God’s grace. I’m so thankful for that and more than anything want others to live in the freedom of believing that for themselves.

AMEN! Preach it, Natalie. Thanks for sharing your heart and passions. And thanks for your generous contribution to our GIVEAWAY!

My friends, if you’ve never read a book by Natalie, here’s your opportunity to enter to ONE OF THREE SIGNED COPIES OF HER BRAND NEW NOVELLA INITIUM. [Click here to Find out more about INITIUM in the video interview.]

The December’s Author Highlight Giveaway!

THREE Possible Winners! Remember the drawing takes place on Friday, December 10th!

NOTE: WANT TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING THIS INCREDIBLE GIVEAWAY?

Check out my YouTube Author Highlight interview with Natalie. Because, in the video interview she will answer different questions, and you don’t want to miss one very exciting little known fact about Natalie. 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.

Remember the deadline is December 9th!

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!

Be sure to tell your friends because they could win a copy, too! See you there!

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed getting to know my friend Natalie and her amazing books. Next month’s Author Highlight is bestselling and award-winning author, Erin Bartels!

God Bless and Keep Reading!