If you like your inspirational romance with a medical element, you're probably no stranger to Candace Calvert 's novels. The author crafts uplifting tales of medical professionals and their everyday struggles to bring hope to the ill. Calvert recently kicked off her new Grace Medical series with Trauma Plan, which tells the story of nurse chaplain Riley Hale as she attempts to resist the charm of Dr. Jack Travis. With such realistic detail in the novel, we weren't surprised to learn that this author uses her own experiences as an ER nurse to add a realistic touch to her stories. Today the author shares how she spins her medical know-how into addicting inspirational reads.

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Name: Dani Pettrey

Book: Submerged

Current Home: Maryland

Job (when not writing): Homeschool mom 

Author Icon: I’ve been inspired by so many writers, but if I had to pick just one, I would definitely say Dee Henderson. She’s a phenomenal story teller and such an inspiring person.

How many manuscripts do you have hidden under the bed?: Two under the bed and two more that may still see publication one day :)

How long did it take you to sell your first book?: From the first thought of "maybe I’ll write a book" to contract was seven years.

Can you give us a rundown of writing Submerged?

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May’s inspirational novels have something for everyone. Whether you prefer to read tales set in the past or present, with romance or mystery, adult or teen heroes, there’s a new read on shelves this month that is sure to give you your faith filled fiction fix! Take a look at some of the religious-based reads that are making our TBR lists.

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport Why you should check out this read: RT reviewer Patsy says that in this book readers can expect to “be treated to the grandeur and charm of the wealthy and the not-so-wealthy. In this story thick with secrets and lies, Newport’s characters are by turn charming, conniving or trying to be true to themselves in spite of what society expects of them.”

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Series author Leann Harris is known for writing shorter romances that pack a punch, and writing incredibly strong heroes who readers can't help but fall for. Her latest story, Redemption Ranch, features timid army soldier, Tyler. Today, we hear from the author about where she finds the inspiration to craft such wonderful and heartwarming characters. 

People often ask how do I get story ideas? They are everywhere. The idea for Redemption Ranch came from the Military Channel program entitled Dogs of War, about dogs the US Army used during WWII. Americans volunteered their dogs and they were trained and used in the Pacific. That show was followed by another entitled No Dog Left Behind about dogs American soldiers found in Iraq.  

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Inspirational author Dan Walsh returns this month with The Discovery, an extraordinary Top Pick!-earning story. After hero Michael Warner's grandfather, a celebrated author, dies, the younger man inherits his estate. Among the possessions, he finds a lost manuscript that contains secrets about their family, secrets so big that they would've shattered worlds if his grandfather ever revealed them. Today RT reviewer Leslie L. McKee asks Walsh about this compelling tale and learns what's next for this award winning author.

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The Discovery has a unique literary arc — a novel within a novel. Why did you decide to write two storylines? How are they connected?

The idea for the book came to me before the structure did. As I pondered how the grandfather would share his hidden past the ‘book-within-a-book’ idea surfaced. I knew it would be a challenge to pull off, but I’m happy with how it worked out. The reader gets to read over Michael’s shoulder, so to speak (Michael’s the grandson). By the end of the book, both he and the reader make all the necessary connections.

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First and foremost, I am probably a “bad girl.” I mean, my last two blog posts were about horror and erotica, so draw your own conclusions. But when I stumbled upon Sheila Wray Gregorie’s recent nonfic book, The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex, I was very intrigued by both the subject matter and the sleek cover. I never thought there could be such a thing as a Christian sex guide, and before this book, I figured such a guide would only contain one sentence: Don’t have sex until you’re married. But this guide goes beyond that to explore the complex dynamics behind a healthy, happy (and yes, married, heterosexual) sex life. From intimacy issues to the importance of communication and even the not-so-dirty deed itself, this book covers all the bases when it comes to Christian marriage, love and sex. I was so pleasantly surprised by The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex that I’ve decided to share 10 topics this book covers that I wasn’t expecting.

PLEASE NOTE: THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL CONTAINS AN EXPLICIT, FRANK DISCUSSION OF SEX AND SEXUAL ACTS.

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There are so many new book deals being made in the inspirational market that we’ve decided to devote a new special column to them. Here are five of this week's most inspiring inspirational book deals — just after they’ve been announced!

Tosca Lee returns to her historical roots to take on “the most reviled man in Christendom” for her upcoming novel, Iscariot. The story will follow the character’s arc, giving readers a look at his life and choices. Publication date: TBA.

In 1890s Holliston Maine, change is coming and it's moving faster than some might like. When a local lumber baron’s son looses his heart to a poor immigrant’s daughter, it’s clear that class lines are going to be crossed. But will this young couple emerge from the town’s — and their families’ — censure with their love still standing strong? To find out you’ll have to pick up a copy of Her Good Name by Ruth Axtell.

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There are so many new book deals being made in the inspirational market that we’ve decided to devote a new special column to them. Here are five of this week's most inspiring inspirational book deals — just after they’ve been announced!

Guidepost’s The Secrets of Mary’s Bookshop series is co-written by several different authors but all of the stories feature an amateur sleuth slash Cape Cod bookstore owner. We’ve just gotten word that the sixth installment will be penned by Melanie Dobson and published sometime this year.

A teacher's changing life is the focus of Jennifer Johnson’s Pantry Promises. In this story, the heroine has always dreamed of being a mother and is thrilled to meet a contractor who has a ready-made family. This sounds like a match in made in heaven, but will the man’s unemployment become a problem as the couple embarks on a new relationship?

Teachers are also the center of attention in the upcoming historical romance from Frances Devine. Whispers of the Wind is set in at a school for the deaf and blind Georgia in the 1800s and the story follows three school teachers that each find love.

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There are so many new book deals being made in the inspirational market that we’ve decided to devote a new special column to them. Here are five of this week's most inspiring inspirational book deals — just after they’ve been announced!

A Brother’s Gift by S. Dionne Moore tells the tale of an unlikely romance that develops between a Civil War soldier and a nurse when he returns her brother’s quilt from the frontlines. This story will be part of the Quilts of Love series, which is scheduled to begin with October 2012’s Storm’s Signal by Carolyn Zane and continue through March 2014 (although there’s no word yet on a pub date for A Brother’s Gift).

Another forthcoming installment of the Quilts of Love series will be written by Barbara Cameron. Her novel Scraps of Evidence will feature a vintage quilt that inspires a young woman to re-examine what she thought she knew about her aunt’s accident — and her family’s history.

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All week long, we have been giving readers the inside scoop on newly released inspirational series. Today we catch up with author Suzanne Woods Fisher, who kicks off her new Stoney Ridge series this month with The Keeper. This book is "a keeper" itself and features Amish characters facing difficult challenges. Find out just what's in store for Fisher's newest characters with today's special interview!

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What gave you the inspiration for your Stoney Ridge Seasons series?

This series is about the Lapp sisters—Julia, Sadie, M.K.—and each sister will take a turn as the main character. As for the inspiration behind the series…when I was researching my first non-fiction book about the Old Order Amish (Amish Peace), I became friendly with an Amish family who happened to have a red windmill. That red windmill became a metaphor for my experiences with the Amish—they’re always surprising me! The Lapp family in my story has a red windmill on their farm. They’re a quirky, endearing family whom I think readers will quickly love.  

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