The Common Thread

I’ve extolled the success of the recent book signing in which I participated, but I really must shine some light on the amazing authors who brought their own special brand of joy to share among fellow writers and customers alike. I’m sure after you read our author bios that you’ll be able to tell what drew us together so closely.

Betty Kulich, an Associate Pastor for 20 years at Redeemer’s Church, serves as Director of Woman’s Ministry for Harvest Preparation International Ministries, is the 2021 CIPA Fiction Award Winning Author of The River, and a featured author in four devotional anthologies (three for Guideposts). She is the author of The Mask: A Historical Fiction Novella for the Ohio Literary Trail Mix as well as a Guideposts short story on angels. Betty has an MS in Education from Ohio State University.

Deborah Edmisten is a wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandma to five beautiful grandchildren. She has been passionate about reading and writing since she was a young child and has developed that passion into an award-winning ‘tween time-travel trilogy, two award-winning children’s chapter books, and multiple novels for adults across several genres. Her aim in writing is to weave stories that entertain while also causing readers to reflect deeply on life.

Sea of Red by Deborah Edmisten

Dianna Caraballo is an Ohio native, mother of twins, and grandmother of five. She currently holds a minister’s license and has been a businesswoman for thirty-one years. Writing is her biggest passion along with inspiring and encouraging good works in other as well as speaking about God’s love. Her written works include Women Were Designed for Greatness, Too – Biblical Truths Every Woman Should Know & A Little Drink of Water: A Devotional of Spiritual Awakening. She is currently at work on a third book.

HL Gibson, a native Ohioan, is a lifelong lover of books and storytelling. She credits her mother for instilling her passion for reading, which led her to cultivate a vivid imagination as a writer and inspired her to finally put her stories on the page. As a member of the Beth Tikkun Messianic Fellowship, her faith plays a significant role in crafting her fiction. HL has a vast and growing personal library, loves tea and classical music, and is a self-proclaimed bourbon snob. She is married with one son and five high-maintenance cats.

Realm by HL Gibson

Marrissa Saunders, wife of Blaine, is the Founder and Pastor of Sister Talk LTD, started in 2014 as a welcoming space for women to grow into the person God intended them to be. Her down-to-earth personality helps her relate to multiple generations, ultimately drawing them closer to Christ. She received her certification in systematic theology, is an author of two Christian books, and most importantly, is a Child of God. Marrissa’s testimony of regaining her eyesight from an autoimmune diagnosis encourages others to rekindle their faith in the Lord and to never underestimate the power of prayer.

A Little Talk With Jesus by Marrissa Saunders

Through God’s grace, Michael has overcome the odds by succeeding after serving five years in prison. It was in prison that God touched his heart and gave him a special love for the broken, downtrodden, and incarcerated. Michael knows firsthand the day-to-day struggles of incarceration and has dedicated the rest of his life to helping those in prisons, jails, and juvenile centers. He is the father of three beautiful girls whom he loves dearly. Making memories with them, playing his bass guitar, serving in the community, and hanging out with friends is how he enjoys spending his free time.

Broken & Restored by Michael G. Parker

When You Take Your Shabbat & Shalom With You

Saturday, I had the privilege of being in the company of five faith-filled authors from different walks of life and different walks with Adonai. These amazing folks wrote in a variety of genres. One author, Deborah Edmisten, is a dear friend I met in a local writers’ group. Three others, Betty Kulich, Michael Parker, and Dianna Caraballo, I’ve met at previous events. And Marrissa Saunders was the new girl on the block, but she fit in with this group so seamlessly, it felt as if we’d known her forever.

Kern’s Home & Garden & Christian Bookstore hosted their Spring Open House, and the above-mentioned friends and I, all local authors, participated. This is the third such event that I’ve attended at Kern’s, and I must say the word I kept hearing yesterday was “magical.”

The greenhouses were a small glimpse into what Eden must have looked like, and truly, Adonai walked among us. A sweet Spirit pervaded the day as we authors came together in love and friendship. I am blessed to have these writers in my life.

The best part was when some of the authors had the opportunity to pray with patrons. And that’s when it hit me. Every writer present brought rest and peace with them yesterday as they ministered to the individuals who approached their respective table. The unseen hand of Adonai directed each person to the correct author, who in turn reached out to customers via their writing. HaShem was glorified repeatedly, and I knew this to be true when the people who conversed with us were so open about their faith and needs.

If you weren’t able to visit with us yesterday, fear not! The books written by these wonderful writers are still available, and if you’ll bear with me and stay tuned, I promise to make it easy for you to locate their books. Until then ~

Baruch HaShem!