Do you limit your books to only writers you know?

     Do you have certain authors you focus on when you visit your local bookstore? Do you read them because you know they will give you what you want, or because they are the only writer you are familiar with? I used to only read Terri Blackstock. I read everything she wrote. I loved her work. I couldn't wait for her next book to be released. I never picked up any other Christian Fiction, because I assumed they would be boring.  Silly me! That made about as much sense as only eating strawberries because they were such a sweet delight. Did I believe I would be unfaithful if I read someone else's work? Maybe. But the truth is, she would never know and in all reality would probably prefer I did read other books to increase the popularity of the Christian Fiction market.
     One day while waiting in a drug store for a prescription I saw a book rack with an assortment of books from different locations I recognised. I had a friend who was flying back home to Seattle the next day and decided to pick her up some books to read. Since she was born and raise in Pa. I was drawn to the books called "Love Finds You in Paradise, Pa." and "Love Finds You in Hershey, Pa.".  I found the back cover interesting on another one called "Love Finds You in Bethlehem, N.H." It reminded me of one of my daughter's favorite books, "Sarah, Plain and Tall". I added them to my order and went on my way. By the time my friend landed in Seattle, she was on the phone to let me know she was sending back "Paradise" so I could read it...it was one of the best books she had ever read! (And she is an avid reader!)
     Within a few days I was deeply involved in the world of Loree Lough, walking through the wolf sanctuary, and meeting the people of Paradise. I was not a love story kind of gal, so in all likelihood I might have never read her book, had it not had the wolves in it...I DO love wolves! In less than a week I was hooked, ready to join the fan club, and proudly wear my "Loree Lough Fan Club" button! Not because of the beloved wolf feature, but because she challenged my faith, and had me asking if I was willing to truly become more Christ-like in my walk with Jesus, or simply stay comfortable.
     No, she never asked those words. She never put that challenge on paper. She simply told a story in her own amazing way, that left me asking myself those questions. Where do we say no to God? Is there a limit to what you are willing to do to become more Christ-like? Is your ability to forgive blocking all God can do for you? Can you forgive someone for taking the most precious thing in your life away from you? For weeks I could not get those thoughts out of my mind. I still fall back on those lessons learned within the pages of "Love Finds You in Paradise, Pa."
     In the following months I began to open my mind up to reading lots of writers I had never met before, and now I am in the front row of a number of fan clubs. I would like to introduce you to these people I now call my friends. They all have a different style of writing, and all have my complete devotion to their collection of stories. I can't wait to introduce you to each one personally and professionally. I know you will love the clift-hanger suspense of Mary Connealy, the crazy antics of Janice Thompson, the way Jenny B Jones relates to kids and the Dr. Who generation, the enriching Bible characters that come to life in historical fiction of many, including Liz Clark Higgs, and so many more who have their own touching ways of changing your life.
     You wouldn't want to eat a diet of only strawberries, you need a little chocolate to go with that...and that is what I am going to try to do....Some of these fine writers have a few nuts in them, some are sweet, and some are just plain interesting...and each one is worth your time to see for yourself if you love them as much as I do! But as Forrest Gump's Mama always says..."Life is like  BOX OF CHOCOLATES..." you never know what you are going to get until you bite into it!