I’m so excited to have Kathryn Springer as my guest here for the next few days. We met many years ago, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know her. She’s a wonderful author, and I can’t wait to read her latest release, The Hearts We Mend. If you read to the end of the post, you’ll have a chance to enter to win a copy of the book!

Here’s a little bit about it:

Planning and Post-It notes are the epitome of Evie’s life. But when she meets Jack, her life gets more than a little complicated.

Thirteen years ago, Evie’s firefighter husband was killed in the line of duty, leaving her to raise their young son, Cody, alone. Now, Cody is marrying the love of his life, and as he packs up his belongings, the house feels as empty as Evie’s heart. But for all her planning and mad organizational skills, Evie could never have anticipated the dramatic shift her life is about to make.

Tattooed, rough-around-the-edges Jack raises quite a few eyebrows in the tight-knit community of Banister Falls. Where Evie’s life is stream-lined, Jack’s approach to living is moment-by-moment. But as Evie gets drawn into Jack’s world—a world that isn’t as safe or predictable as the one she’s worked so hard to create—he challenges her to open her eyes to the problems outside the walls of the church.

Jack doesn’t make Evie feel comfortable, but he definitely makes her feel something. Something she hasn’t felt since Max passed away—or, maybe ever. Because even though Jack isn’t anything like her late husband, he just might be everything she needs.

Welcome, Kathryn. It’s so much fun to have you.

Can you relate to Evie? How so?
Can I relate to Evie? Oh, let me count the ways! We both rely way too much on lists and Post-It notes for one thing!
Every season of life brings change and as a mom who watched all THREE of her children get married in the same summer I’ve had to adjust to the empty nest, too. Evie is questioning where—and how—she fits in her son’s life and wondering “what’s next, God?” I have to admit I’ve struggled with those things as well.

How do people who have a family member struggling with addiction inspire you?
I’m inspired by the way they “pray without ceasing.” Jack fights for his brother on his knees and I know people who are doing the same thing. I’m inspired by parents who say, “Whatever it takes, God. . .” and they mean it because they want their children to walk in freedom. They’re battle-weary but they trust God and lean on his strength.

You live in a small town. Is in anything like Banister Falls?
The town I live near is even smaller than Banister Falls, but one of the traits all small towns seem to have in common is a working, efficient “grapevine”. It doesn’t take long for news to get around! One of the things I love about them, though, is that people seem to feel more connected to each other and are there for each other when someone needs help.

If you could do one thing outside your comfort zone, what would it be?
Travel overseas. My husband and I sponsor two teenagers who live in Uganda and I would love to meet them in person someday.

Despite the heavy topic, you use humor in your book. Why?
Laughter heals. I truly believe it’s a gift from God. You have to find joy even in the middle of difficult things or those difficult things will just swallow you up whole.

What else is in the works for you?
Right now I’m writing the second book in my series for Love Inspired about three brothers who build canoes in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. There’s also a third Banister Falls novel in the works!

USA Today bestselling author Kathryn Springer grew up in northern Wisconsin, where her parents published a weekly newspaper. As a child, she spent many hours plunking out stories on her mother’s typewriter, which her older brother “published” for a nominal fee (he had the stapler!).

Kathryn is a fan of new beginnings and happy endings and she writes about both in the country home she shares with her husband, their spoiled Labrador retriever and a slightly overweight calico cat.

Learn more at kathrynspringer.com.

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Thanks, Kathryn!