" I love this month’s theme of Life! It instantly reminded me of John 10:10: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” God doesn’t just want us to exist or get by; He wants us to experience the fullness only a life walked with Him can provide!

That sort of life involves trusting Him, and I love stories where characters realize God has more in store for them than they ever imagined for themselves. The heroine of My Heart Belongs in Ruby City struggles with this very thing, maybe because it’s something I’ve struggled with, too. I’ll never forget reading Hannah Hurnard’s devotional allegory Hinds' Feet on High Places when I was in my twenties, seeing parallels between myself and Much-Afraid, a servant of the Shepherd who dwells in the village of Much-Trembling. She loves the Shepherd but is consumed with shame and fear. Only by following the Shepherd on a difficult journey, trusting Him through difficulties, can she reach the High Places of true joy…a richer life of abundance that God has in store for all of His children. That book has helped me trust Him for a more abundant life!"

Susanne Dietze began writing love stories in high school, casting her friends in the starring roles. Today, she's the award-winning author of over a dozen historical romances who's seen her work on the ECPA and Publisher's Weekly Bestseller Lists for Inspirational Fiction. Married to a pastor and the mom of two, Susanne lives in California and enjoys fancy-schmancy tea parties, genealogy, the beach, and curling up on the couch with a costume drama and a plate of nachos.