Multi-award-winning novelist, Gail Gaymer Martin is the author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and women’s fiction with 57 contracted novels and nearly 4 million books in print with numerous national awards, including: ACFW Carol Award, Booksellers Best and RT Reviewer’s Choice Award. CBS local news listed Gail as one of the four best writers in the Detroit area. She is the author of Writer Digest’s Writing the Christian Romance. A cofounder of American Christian Fiction Writers, she serves on their Executive Board. Visit her at www.gailgaymermartin.com and click on “contact” to write to GailDear Reader, When I was in the third grade my teacher wrote on my report card: Gail is a good writer. Who would have guessed that many years later after a full career as a high school English teacher and at Davenport University a nd many years as a counselor, I proved that she was correct by selling my first novel to Barbour publishing in 1998. After my second novel in 1999, I sold to Love Inspired that year and my first LI was released in 2000. My career has been amazing and I’ve been doing what I love to do for all these years. My other hobbies are music handbells and singing as a soloist as well as the church choir and in an amazing audtion only Christian chorale, And I have always enjoyed entertaining especially with food. So I love to cook so I’m including a recipe.Orange, Almond and Raspberry Dressed Up CornbreadI ran across a recipe in a Good Housekeeping magazine, modified it and I’m so glad I did. This is easy to make and delicious, used as a breakfast coffeecake, snack or even a dessert. You’ll never know that is made from boxed cornbread.Ingredients
1 Box of Cornbread mix (I use Krusteaz Honey Cornbread, fat-free, but any regular size box will work.)
1 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen Finely grated rind from one orange
1/4 cup of almonds (I used almonds with orange flavor)Directions
Prepare one box of cornbread following directions but use orange juice instead of water
Add to batter: raspberries, orange rind and 2/3 of the almonds
Mix, pour into 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 pan.
Sprinkle top with the other 1/3 almonds.
Bake using the directions on the cornbread box.
Serves 12 or 16 depending on the size of the slices.Enjoy from Gail Gaymer MartinDevotionaln John 15: 8, John says, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” In summer, we see the growth of many things: fruits, vegetables, flowers, bushes, trees, plants and even weeds. But we are also asked to bear fruit and not only in summer but all the year through.Our fruit is different. It’s the way we serve others, the way we represent our Lord and Savior in this world. Whether it’s showing kindness, love, compassion, forgiveness, or mercy, we are bearing fruit for the Lord. And others then can know we are followers of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. As you go through this week, ask yourself, “How have I shown the fruits of the spirit in the world this week?” I pray we can all find many ways we’ve represented our Lord and touched others.
Blessings, GailScroll down to read the first chapter of Romance by Design
When sensible, organized Jenna offers her brother a room for a few weeks, she didn’t realize she’d opened her home to his crazy world until he and his friend, clinical psychologist, Rich Woodruff loaded Mark’s belongings into her house.
Though Rich comes across as sarcastic and self-centered, something about him intrigues her. Attempting to keep confusion to a minimum, Jenna details the house rules and her method of organization. To her irritation, not only her brother, but his friend jokes about her anal‑retentive personality. The last thing Jenna wants is to be laughed at in her own home.
Yet as Rich opens up about his family and his upbringing, she softens and changes her approach. She even takes his nonsense and psychobabble in stride, because of Rich’s devoted friendship to her brother. And she never ever imagined dreaming about Rich, because she never dreamed about anything—until one night when he whispered in her ear, Dream of me. And she did. AMAZON
CAROL AWARD WINNING NOVEL!
Returning to her home town for a teaching job, Jane Conroy faces a vandalized classroom, flattened tires, and, worse, being stalked. A police officer, Kyle Manning listens to her fears, but he’s not worried until Jane receives odd messages based on the old Dick and Jane School Primer. The first is See Jane Run. Kyle is falling in love with Jane and his concern grows when the threatening messages grow more deadly. But why? Jane is well-liked by everyone. Yet the threats become more dire. Finally the police force investigates, searching for anything that would cause such hatred. But will they find the answer too late? AMAZON
Discontent and penitent, Susan returns to her childhood home in Louisiana to make amends with her mother, to see her mentor, Libby and to re-evaluate her life, but instead of solace, her heart tangles with Justin Robard, facing his aunt Libby’s recent death which affects both their lives. But Susan finds purpose helping Justin keep the inherited plantation home tied to the conditions of his aunt’s will, and in the process, she learns a secret that will shock Justin and change his life, if she has the courage to tell him the secret that could set him free. AMAZON
On Easter Sunday, Emily, wheelchair bound and Greg, both scarred by the past, meet while admiring the church’s butterfly banners, a symbol of renewal and resurrection, but they do not see the connection between the banners’ symbol and their own lives until they open their eyes and their hearts to God’s grace and the gift of love. AMAZON
In her cabin in a Northern Michigan woods, Tess, a young widow of a cheating husband, heads outside to change the propane tank, but strange sounds get the best of her. Instead of a bear lumbering through the trees, Ryan Walsh appears, thinking he’s stopped a break-in. When she learns that she knows Ryan’s sister, she is pleased to have company. But Ryan is struggling to end a hopeless engagement and doesn’t tell Tess. From their chance meeting in the woods, to their conflicts and reactions, healing might take more than they can handle. Until they open their hearts and trust their instincts, they may never feel complete and know they are home in each other’s arms. AMAZON
Looking through his windshield wipers, Andrew Somerville spots a young woman with a small child at her side, sodden with rain. He pulls off the road and comes to Hannah Currey’s aid, as she tries to escape her abusive ex-husband. Andrew, who considers himself the prodigal of a wealthy family, recalls his difficult past and finds himself tangled in Hannah and little JJ’s life as she struggles against her determined ex to a build a new life. Andrew’s heart melts but can Hannah trust again to accept this wonderful man’s kindness and love. AMAZON
A stolen laptop leads Todd Bronski to meet Jenni Anderson, raising her eight year old nephew who admits his guilt. Todd’s anger eases and he doesn’t call the police, but instead, develops a way to teach young Cory a lesson. Jenni can do little but agree, while she is trying to run her homemade candy business, her only source of income. Businessman Todd, against wisdom, begins to develop a way to help Jenni’s business, but is it wise to mix business and pleasure? AMAZON
Heartfelt Vows
Widow Bev Miller promised to keep her chin up and trust in God after her husband’s untimely death. She had her boisterous children to nurture through this transitional time. When she encountered handsome businessman Dale Levin, she began to wonder about the possibilities. Could love strike her a second time?
While caring for his aging parents, Dale witnessed a true marriage and didn’t feel such a powerful force could ever exist for him. Love was an old-fashioned romantic notion that faded over time. But then Bev and her kids crept into his routine. . .and into his heart. Would God prove his long-held beliefs wrong and grant him the happy ending he craved? AMAZON
A Love Renewed.
After the failure of her marriage many years ago, Christie Hanuman started over and vowed to remain single . . . until her ex-husband walked back into her life. Patrick had also changed, and was now raising his three-year-old son while also caring for his ailing father. Even more amazing to Christie, he had discovered a profound faith in God. Was this transformation a sign from above? And with so much history and love between them, could Christie dig deep into her soul and uncover the truth — that she’d never stopped loving Patrick . . . and that this was a new chance at happiness? AMAZON
Open Hearts
Sometimes love needed a heavenly hand, but Annie O’Keefe was reluctant to believe in romance. She had always been the family caretaker and made sure everyone else’s needs were met first. But when a charming landscaper appeared outside her window, Annie had secret hopes that this handsome stranger might be meant just for her.Ken Dewitt had a past he’d rather forget, but he counted himself lucky that nothing had ever killed the joy in his heart or his faith in God. He wanted to help show Annie the way to happiness and freedom. She needed to know how special she was. He only prayed the truth wouldn’t break the strong bond between them. AMAZON
“Thou Shalt Not Marry!”
Esther Downing heard her father make this decree to her little sister, forbidding her to marry until the eldest — meaning Esther — found herself a husband. Trouble was, Esther was afraid of her own shadow and loved her solitary librarian life. But everything changed when he came along.
Resort manager Ian Barry was on a mission of love. Sure, he was shyer than a kindergartner on his first day of school, but beautiful and taciturn Esther took his breath away. With repeated stops at the library, payment for overdue books and fervent prayer, Ian hoped she’d see how much he wanted to give her, the least of which was his heart on a platter!
Where there’s a will, there’s a way . . .AMAZON
Jemma Dupre, a young childless widow, longs to be independent, but she has no resources and Claire, her mother-in-law is the only family Jemma has. When Claire decides to move back home to Loving, Jemma follows her to the resort town, and with the help of Claire’s wealthy cousin, resort owner, Philip Somerville, Claire opens a boutique, Loving Treasures, Jemma works with her but wants a life and home of her own. When Philip offers her a job, she finds herself attracted to him and declines. But Philip, who had loved and lost, wants to give Jemma the world, yet first he must show her and himself the treasure of a second chance at love. AMAZON
Josie Ryan arrives on Mackinac Island, looking forward to the Christmas season in the quaint setting with no automobiles and a back-in-time aura, but she learns that her longtime friend has to cancel her trip due to a family emergency. Disappointed, Josie decides to stay the day and then cancel her trip since it’s no fun being alone. But her plans change when Chris Barnes, visiting his grandfather, comes to her aid and offers to show her the sites. When she learns that Chris is raising his deceased brother’s child, she is touched. Amid snowball fights, snowmen, and snow angels, Josie’s life changes when she falls in love with the little girl, but Ellie wants a mommy. Even though Chris is a great guy with wonderful attributes, Josie has absolutely no plans to marry, or can this four-year-old change Josie’s plans. AMAZON
Molly Manning loves dogs, and she uses shelter dogs with her Teacher’s Pet special education school program to provide discipline training and love for her students and the dogs. But her dream is a building of her own to run her Teacher’s Pet business, and Brent Runyan has that building. But Brent, a workaholic businessmen is not interested. He’s trying to raise his orphaned nephew who has special needs, and Brent is failing. His tragic past puts dogs on his no interest list, but Molly is persistent. Soon Brent finds himself and his nephew, tangled in Molly’s dream and, even more, in Molly’s life. AMAZON
When uptight Kathryn Palmer hires laid-back Lucas Tanner to remodel the back rooms of her farmhouse in a rural town in the Detroit suburbs, she has no idea that he would also remodel her life. As a marketing research director, Kathryn focuses on her executive business career. Marriage and children have no place in her plans, that is, until Lucas Tanner hammers his way into her heart. AMAZON
Willow’s life changes when she meets Case hiking on a Sedona mesa. Her artistic career, and climbing red rocks, fill her solitary life, a lifestyle she learned from her deceased mother and aunt. But Case has family, and when Willow meets them and sees their wealth, her friendship with Case must end. Yet saying goodbye hurts as she refuses Case’s invitations and hikes on her own. Alone she weighs her choices, and when lost on a mesa, she learns a lesson about life, love and never wanting to be lost again. AMAZON
Marcy White was raised to believe that women are to be seen and not heard, but her good friend Ally pushes her to take chances and enjoy life. When Marcy becomes the Maid of Honor at Ally and Cade’s wedding, she meets their good friend, Grif Coleman. Grif owns a horseranch, as does Cade, and Ally pushes Marcy to learn to horseback ride so she can join the fun. Marcy questions the word fun, but Ally doesn’t give up. When Marcy finally concedes, she gets to know Grif and experiences his kindness and patience. Can Marcy take a new look at life and experience a change of attitude? AMAZON
When Joselyn Comstock can no longer stand the life she leads, she wants to find a small town where she’s unknown and create a new life. But she has no idea what her new life holds. Gabe Fabray steps into her world when she’d looking for a house to buy. He takes her to a neighboring home and she buys it but it needs work. Gabe happens to be in construction, so he is hired to renovate the new house. But as they work together, her attraction for Gabe grows and she faces that she’s living a lie. Can she tell Gabe the truth, and if so will he ever trust her again? AMAZON
In high school, Derek Randolph, a bungling, chunky sophmore and her best friend’s brother was the bane of Jessany Cosette’s senior year. When Meg convinces her to return to town for their high school’s centennial celebration, she agrees and finds herself staying in Derek’s home with Meg. But to her shock, Derek has become a handsome hunk with a killer smile and a newscaster on TV. Derek can’t believe the skinny string bean friend of Meg’s has become a gorgeous woman. Yet past memories remain for Jess and old friend’s won’t let it go. Even though she agrees to appear as Derek’s girlfriend to aid his possible promotion, can her growing feelings survive the past that she can’t forget? AMAZON
When Claire Howard and her best friend decided to camp across the Southwest, she is not prepared for the unexpected, nor the stranger who comes to her rescue. Trevor Brielle saved Claire from the frightening tumble, but can he save himself from his tumbling heart? And can Claire learn that she is worthy of her dreams? AMAZON
Alyssa Greening is proud of her lovely ocean-side Victorian Bed and Breakfast, Butterfly Tree Inn, in Pacific Grove, California. Ross Cahill, owner of an avocado ranch in San Luis Obispo, brings his widowed mother, Maggie, to Pacific Groves to witness the annual migrating Monarch butterflies that fill the trees. Ross is antsy being away from his ranch, but he is drawn to Alyssa, and her appealing ways. Alyssa, with a fondness for Maggie, is startled at her attraction to Ross. But two people devoted to very different businesses separated by many miles find their attraction impossible. Can they find a way to face the truth and let love grow? AMAZON
Jill Noodan’s life changes when her best friend, Jack Dodd, appears in her life after many years. They had been inseparable until Jack’s high school graduation when he moved on to education and a career in Los Angeles while Jill remained in Pacific Grove, not wanting to leave her father, abandoned by his wife. Being told how much she was like her mother, Jill has avoided relationships other than her deep friendship with Jack. His return now brings back memories of fun-filled days with someone she trusted and stirs feelings she’s never felt before. Jack realizes that Jill has been the model for the woman he could never find to love. But the past is strong, and will the fear of losing their perfect friendship stands in their way of falling in love? AMAZON
Lana West, a high school teacher, has plans to spend a quiet summer doing anything but being around teenagers. But when she meets, Mark Branson, the church’s new youth director, he somehow cajoles her to be the female of chaperone for the church’s summer youth activities. Soon Lana finds herself knee deep in bowling and horseback riding, a far cry from her summer plans. Mark, too, wonders why he continues to find the spirited, humorous, yet bull-headed, woman so appealing until he realizes the challenge leads him to understand his own life decisions and to face the woman of his dreams. When he ropes Lana into summer camp counseling, she faces life head-on and finds herself elbow-deep in soap suds, up to her neck in poison ivy and over her head in love. AMAZON
Laine Sibley returns home to be near her estranged sister dying of cancer and her young niece. She is surprised when her sister asks her to take care of Becca after she dies. Laine, struggling with faith issues and the need for forgiveness, finds support from her new neighbor, Jeff Rice following her sister’s death. But her life unravels when she realizes she is tangled in a con-man’s plot.
Jeff senses Laine suspects him of involvement in the scam. Caught in his own web of intrigue, Jeff cannot tell her the truth about himself. If he does, she could be in serious danger. And when pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place, will Jeff’s final piece make Laine’s world complete or end it altogether? AMAZON
Falling in love can be wonderful, but for Sandy Fisher and Clay Burdett, it is more like a steep mountain climb. Sandy returns to her hometown concerned about her widowed mother’s health and to heal from her job loss and her broken engagement. Though discouraged, her attitude and determination never falter, and when her car acts up and the only mechanic in town gives her the runaround, she’s determined to win the battle. Clay, scarred by his childhood, left his promising career and moved into the small town to bury emotions and guilt involving the death of his wife. But life continues to be empty, and when he meet’s spunky Sandy who challenges him and awakens his spirit, he faces his wasted life unless he conquers his past. Like opposite poles, Sandy and Clay are drawn together, seeking something deeper and more meaningful than their past choices. Yet they continue to doubt until truth softens their hearts as sand softens clay. AMAZON
Coping with her husband’s death and grief of being childless, Sally Newgate joins a support group and connects with Brad Mathews, a widower with two small children. Though family and friends warn her not to ‘lose her head,’ Sally struggles, knowing it’s her heart and not her head that’s causing her problems. AMAZON
Karen Chapman came to her grandfather’s orchard to rest. She finds herself, however, in the midst of a family feud – and falling for a descendant of her grandfather’s archrival. Eric Kendall found Karen in his grandfather’s tree – and lost his own heart. He finds Karen’s faith refreshing, though he knows his own is lacking. Eric soon realizes that he wants Karen to be part of the future he’s trying to define – but he can’t be the man she needs until he makes the Lord his focus. Is Eric willing to go out on a limb to secure Karen’s love? Or will they allow the unresolved quarrel of their grandfathers to fell their affection? AMAZON
When successful interior designer Hunter Evans returns from London with his latest contract in hand, he is startled to learn a new designer with curly red hair, ruffles, and a noisy charm bracelet has been hired to add country decor to the modern design firm. And of all things, the company owner seems to enjoy putting them together on the same project And even worse, Hunter can’t control his attraction to her.
Thrilled with her new prestigious position, Morgan Branigan faces opposition in the design company that had catered to modern decor. But nothing can stop her. As the only daughter in an Irish family with five brothers, she learned how to win battles. But had her brothers prepared her for the unexpected feelings that draw her to Hunter, her nemesis? Would it take more than feelings to kindle the relationship? Morgan’s only hope is God’s design. AMAZON
After experiencing unhappy romantic relationships, Shelly Dawson avoids all male prospects and devotes herself to her position in a men’s clothing store, but when she convinces her best friend to make amends with her estranged sister in Tucumcari and then learns her friend has fallen in love and will stay there, she decides to surprise her with a visit. But when she arrives she meets her landlady’s grandson, Mike Elliot who has come for a visit and also with a secret he needs to share if he can find courage. With Shelly’s best friend and her friend’s sister already seriously dating, she finds herself in the company of Mike. Though he is attractive and very nice, her past fears and flaws knot her into confusion, and what could be a step forward becomes a backslide, especially when she learns her job at the clothing store is in danger. As time heals her wounds, a new piece of information puts their relationship in jeopardy unless she can understand that the news only adds to their relationship and is a blessing. AMAZON
When Skylar Littleton stopped for the night in Tucumcari on her way to visit her estranged sister in California, her trip became literal when she tripped over a dog’s leash and broke her right ankle. Her life becomes even more tangled with the dog’s owner, Doug Elliot, a doctor and his pearl earring-wearing grandmother, who changed her plans and here life. AMAZON
When Cadence Carter moved to Sedona, Arizona without knowing anyone, she made a new friend who needed to be rescued at his new coffee café. But CC had no idea how much rescuing Devon Adler needed.
When Devon met the blunt yet creative CC, he took a step back but soon learned CC knew coffee shops. As his dream grew, his past faded and his hidden talent came to light. Can Devon and CC’s long awaited dreams come true so they can share latte’s and love songs? AMAZON
When Julie Johnson hears a male voice from her past, she doesn’t recognize her childhood friend Adam Wright, who played tag or hide and seek in their grandparents’ yards. Years have passed and their lives have changed. Both single, they talk over the fence about solutions to their widowed grandparents’ loneliness. They come up with a plan to play matchmaker, but the solution doesn’t go as they had planned and it leaves them with new problems and an ending they hadn’t expected. AMAZON
Tim Richmond, a widower, is left to raise his young disabled son. Separated from his three sisters at a tender age and raised by an unloving aunt, Tim longs to find his missing siblings as well as give his son a home filled with unconditional love. Further, he is drawn to capable and independent Julie Gardner, though he knows there is no hope for a relationship; she doesn’t need him. Or does she? Then, at Christmas, a gift he never imagined possible proves faith, love and blessings can make his life whole again.
When Spring Dalton’s best friend excludes her as a bridesmaid because of her ‘less than perfect’ figure, she faces her life head-on. Thinking God may never answer her prayers, she accepts her cousin’s offer and travels to Heidelberg, Germany with dreams of a becoming an artist, becoming thinner, and being swept away by Prince Charming.
On the train from Frankfurt to Heidelberg, Matt Sherman literally falls into her lap and the two strangers embark on a floundering adventure–falling in love. From the first day, Matt is drawn to Spring, but guilt and anger from his past makes him feel unworthy to be loved. AMAZON
Will Spring learn patience as she realizes prayer is answered in God’s time? Will Matt learn to forgive and accept God’s forgiveness so he can follow his heart and ask Spring to be his wife?
Employed by Mode Magazine, Steffi Rosetti is assigned to cover the spring fashion collection in Milan, Italy, but her trip is complicated by a strange, unexpected letter from someone she has never met—her paternal grandmother. Curious and apprehensive, Steffi heads for Italy where she meets the new photographer for Mode, and as they explore the streets of Milan and the waterways of Venice, she makes her decision whether nor not to visit this woman she’d never known, unaware of how her life will change with these two new encounters. AMAZON
Visiting her ailing grandmother in the fairytale-like German town, Lucy Blair plans to be a caregiver during her grandma’s illness and attend the world-renowned theater production of the Passion of Christ. What Lucy did not plan was to run into her old college boyfriend, Ron Woodson, who is in Germany to learn woodcarving for his furniture making business. Will their meeting rekindle the old flame or will the past smother the new spark? AMAZON
When Sarah Hampton peeks out her bedroom window, she sees a new young man working in the gardens below. Even though improper, Sarah is intrigued and strikes up a conversation with the yeoman. Concerned about the impropriety of speaking to the daughter of the land owner, Big John Banning says he is the new orchardkeeper for her father’s cyder apples and hurries away. But Sarah’s intrigue grows even though her interest in a commoner is improper for a young Victorian lady. Struggling against propriety and her mother’s determination for her to find a proper husband, Sarah finally learns to lean on the Lord to prove with God all things are possible. AMAZON
Nikki Townley a fashion-buyer, looking for a life with deeper meaning, leaves her career and moves to a small, tourist town in northern Michigan to assist her ailing great-aunt Winnie in running her floundering antique business. There she finds herself caught in a mystery searching for her aunt’s missing fortune, facing an investment company in pursuit of her aunt’s property, and hoping to save long-distance romance with her faithful male friend Rob Moore, while struggling to escape her attraction to an exciting, smooth-talking womanizer. Can she overcome temptation, locate the missing fortune and find the truth to the treasures of her heart? Will Rob wait for Nikki to make up her mind? KINDLE
Gerri Seward poses as Gerri Ward, a housekeeper at Emory Estates, hoping to vindicate her grandfather who died in prison for a murder he did not commit. Her faith weak, Gerri works on her own guile with the help of the estate’s groundskeeper and handyman, Rich Drake. In the gloomy mansion, Gerri finds clues, but the closer she gets to the answer, danger rises. As her relationship grows with Rich and with the Lord, she charges forward, determined to uncover the evidence she needs and to experience the blessing of a growing love. KINDLE
Although once a stranger in the German village, Maddy meets Jacob during a folk festival and her life changes when her moneyed life seems unimportant compared to the lives of the orphans she meets through Jacob. As their friendship grows, she finds herself involved in his family’s mystery regarding their Black Forest castle and a missing deed. Will Jacob help her fulfill more than her long-time dream?
Livy Schuler thinks she has her life planned. But visiting the Mandalay family at Christmas with her young nephew introduces her to new and a new way life. From her cousin Helen and the secret gift of two hearts bound as one which Livy’s brother asked her to deliver to Helen, she learns the true meaning of love. Can she let her plans fade to explore the possibility of a love ever after? BUY NOW