Jacqueline Freeman Wheelock is a multi-published author whose works range from a short story in Christmas Stories From Mississippi, published by University Press of Mississippi, to a memoir about growing up during and after integration published by McFarland & Co. Wheelock has been a member of several writers and critique groups and is currently a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an organization which has afforded her valuable instruction and opportunity toward publication. An avid reader and former high school and college English teacher, her first novel, A Most Precious Gift, debuted in 2014 via Mantle Rock Publishers. She and her husband Donald reside in Madison, Mississippi and have two adult children and one beloved granddaughter.

Dinah Devereaux, New Orleans-born slave and seamstress, suddenly finds herself relegated to a sweltering kitchen on the Natchez town estate of Riverwood. Having never cooked a day in her life, she is terrified of being found out and banished to the cotton fields as was her mother before her. But when she accidentally burns the freedom papers of Jonathan Mayfield, a handsome free man of color to whom she's attracted, her fear of the fields becomes secondary.

When the mistress of Riverwood orders Dinah to work alongside the sullen Mr. Mayfield, sparks fly setting the two on a collision course. Is their mutual love for God strong enough to overcome deep-seated insecurities and set the couple on a path toward self-acceptance and love for each other?

 

FOLLOW JACQUELINE ON FACEBOOK (Click the Follow button next to Like):   facebook

Virginia Vaughan was born and raised in Mississippi and has never strayed far beyond those borders. Blessed to come from a large, Southern family, her fondest memories include listening to stories recounted by family and friends around the large dinner table. She now writes inspirational romantic suspense for Love Inspired Suspense. Her current release Mistletoe Reunion Threat, is Book 4 in her Rangers Under Fire series.

“Simply put, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the encouragement and guidance given to me by my fellow Christian writers. Writing is hard work and writing to bring glory to God is even harder. Many of us consider what we do as much a ministry as a job and like any ministry, we need fellow believers around to hold us accountable. After all, every Christian writer I know dreams that their book will one day be picked up and read by someone who’s lost and will ultimately point their way to Jesus.”

MISSING CHILD 

Someone wants Mississippi prosecutor Ashlynn Morris dead…and they've taken her son to get to her. The only person she can trust to get him back is his father, a man who doesn't even know about their secret child. When grief and survivor guilt pushed army ranger Garrett Lewis to run out on their wedding five years ago, he knew he was leaving behind the love of his life. But a son? Finding out he's a father has him reeling, especially since his little boy is missing. But now the tormented ex-soldier has a new mission, one that can't fail. Protect the woman he's never stopped loving…and bring her son—their son—home for Christmas.

  

FOLLOW VIRGINIA ON FACEBOOK (Click the Follow button next to Like):   Facebook

                                                                                                                                                                                          

Poor Stephenia McGee. I mess up her name so often, she told me I could just call her Steph. I’m working on it. She’s helped me in setting up my business. Not my favorite part of this job, and she’s been very patient. We’ve had fun doing local book festivals and craft fairs. I have the contemporary Mississippi stories, while she has the historical Mississippi stories. We make a great team!

Stephenia H. McGee is fascinated with hoop skirts, Greek revival homes, quirky Southern sayings, and home-grown recipes. She sips sweet tea on the front porch of her home in Mississippi where she writes stirring historical novels of faith and redemption set in the Deep South.   

“Through the ACFW I’ve been blessed with the advantage of getting to know great writers who understand the unique joys and challenges Christian novelists face. These talented people have offered advice, friendship, and prayers that have helped me continue to grow in my career and development as an author.”

A Mississippi Plantation: Civil War pits countrymen against one another and tears a nation asunder. Life and death are held in the balance where everyone is a slave to something. 

One is born free, yet lives as a soul in bondage…

Lydia Harper never intended to purchase a slave. But when she witnesses a woman being beaten in the street, all her pretenses begin to unravel. A bride to a man she barely knows and bound by her secrets, Lydia will risk everything to save a stranger. Amid the War Between the States, the mistress of Ironwood faces the battles in her own heart and discovers strength in a way she never imagined.

The other is born to serve, yet holds the spirit of freedom… 

Ruth, standing on the threshold of desperation, has lost everything she holds dear. After being pulled from the dirt, she is no longer a field hand but the personal maid to the lady of Ironwood. Ruth soon realizes adversity pays no mind to the color of skin. When propriety slips, she discovers they have more in common than she dreamed possible. In a time when fear brings the South to its knees, two women will forge a friendship in the fires of redemption and thrust Ironwood into a new future – where the battle for freedom has merely begun.

 

SUBSCRIBE TO STEPHENIA'S NEWSLETTER:   website

                                                                                                                                                                                          

Diane Ashley is another sweet lady. In the car on the way home from the Dallas conference, she helped brainstorm the story I’m currently working on. She’s the other driver for our crew, and I desperately love her for that!

A "town girl" from central Mississippi, Diane T. Ashley has written two novellas and co-written nine historical novels. All but one of her books are set in the Deep South during pivotal times in American history and contain characters who resonate with today's readers. 

My novella "An Accidental Christmas" can be found in A Biltmore Christmas. It's my favorite story...except for the one I'm working on now.

“ACFW is a must for any serious Christian author. I got my first contract because of connections I made with other authors at the annual conferences and met my wonderful agent there as well. The classes will teach you about the craft of writing and the people will encourage you. If you want to be published, join us. And look me up at the next conference.” 

First opened to friends and family on Christmas Eve of 1895, the Vanderbilts’ estate has a long tradition of Christmas hospitality. In these four fictional romances, the orphaned Bradford sisters each find both employment and romance at the Biltmore estate. But will the love be lasting or just a Cinderella dream?

   

FOLLOW DIANE ON FACEBOOK (Click the Follow button next to Like):   Facebook

My favorite part of being a team of Christian writers is worshiping and praying together!