I’m so excited to introduce fellow Scrivenings Press author, Lori DeJong!
Award-winning author Lori DeJong enjoys penning contemporary stories full of grace and the redemptive power of God’s love that inspire others to hope regardless of circumstance. She resides in Georgetown, Texas, with her husband and two fur-babies, with a daughter and son-in-love in DFW. Lori’s debut novel, Love’s True Calling, was the 2022 winner of the ACFW Genesis Award for Romance, a double finalist in the 2024 Selah Awards, and was named the 2023 Scrivenings Press Contemporary Book of the Year. Love’s True Home, Book 2 of the True Calling Series, was a 2025 Selah finalist. Love’s True Measure released in June. Lori’s Christmas novella, Jingle Bell Matchmakers, a part of A Match Made at Christmas novella collection, was named a 2025 ACFW Carol Award finalist.
Christina: What is your book called?
Lori: Love’s True Measure
Christina: When was it released?
Lori: June 10
Christina: Is it a series?
Lori: Yes, it’s part of the True Calling Series, Book 3
Christina: Can you share your blurb with us?
Lori:
A guilt-ridden woman with everything to gain, a self-made man with everything to lose …
Shannon Trent has dedicated her life to ministering to teens, even as she hides secrets that haunt her past. Born into privilege, she’s built a simpler life away from the expectations of her influential family. She’s content on her own, believing that to open her heart would mean unearthing her deepest shame. But when her charming neighbor stirs feelings she’s never allowed herself to entertain, his lack of faith provides the perfect excuse to keep her distance.
Hunter Kavanaugh has spent years chasing his dream career. But when his mother’s sudden death leaves him the sole guardian of his teenage sister, his carefully curated world begins to crumble. Struggling with grief, anger at God, and the demands of his job, Hunter is surprised when Shannon’s unwavering faith begins to resonate with him—and her ability to connect with his sister draws him closer.
As Hunter and Shannon navigate their growing bond, unexpected challenges force them to confront their fears and priorities. Both must either choose to trust God’s plan is far greater than their own, or risk losing the love of a lifetime.
Christina: That sounds like such a sweet story. What inspired you to write this book?
Lori: Actually, it was Shannon, my female protagonist. From the moment she first appeared in chapter one of my debut novel, Love’s True Calling, I knew I wanted to do her story. She’s spunky and extroverted and loves the Lord with her whole heart. She felt like someone I would want to be friends with.
But I also felt that under all that perkiness, there was a deep pain she was hiding from the world. Something for which she felt shame and found difficult to confide. As I delved more deeply into her upbringing, her family, her faith walk, her hopes and dreams for the future, and the big lie she believes about herself, I was even more determined to write her story. I really love Shannon, and I hope readers will see in her what I have.
Christina: I love that! What’s your favorite part of your writing process?
Lori: Other than the actual writing of a story, I really enjoy character development. I’m more character-driven than plot-driven, so this is a lot of fun. I find inspiration pictures of what they look like, where they live, I “shop” for cars, clothes, and other things that are of interest to them. I write a complete backstory for them, including their upbringing, their faith journey, if they have one, determine their Enneagram, birth order, love language, and anything else that helps me shape who they are. I usually have a very loose story idea when I begin character development, but it begins to take shape as I get to know my characters.
Christina: Can you share any challenges you faced during the research or writing process?
Lori: This was the first book I’ve written where one of the main characters was an unbeliever at the start of the story. In writing Hunter’s story, it was important to me to get it right. To make his journey authentic and even raw in some aspects. There’s a particular scene where he has to make a life-changing decision, and I had to ask him some tough questions. It was hard to put him through that, and I even cried through that process. But it’s one of my favorite scenes in the book for how raw and real it felt during the writing of it. I hope it resonates with readers who might need a message of hope and redemption. That God can take anything, no matter how ugly, and turn it into something beautiful.
Christina: It’s a blessing to present hope and redemption to our readers!
If you could give one piece of advice to budding creatives, what would it be?
Lori: Find your people. A community of writers who can come alongside you to encourage and help you along this journey. Join a writers’ group, go to conferences and take webinars. Educate yourself well before you start submitting. This can be a tough road, and there’s so much more to it than simply penning an interesting story. I had no idea until I joined a national writers’ organization many years ago that there is a craft to writing, and it must be honed and practiced. Having people around you who understand it is crucial to pursuing your dreams.
Christina: So true! Writers need Writers.
Can you describe your writing routine?
Lori: That’s a bit of a work in progress. I retired a year ago, so now I have more time to write. But it was a surprise to realize, six months into my retirement, the amount of time I had wasted, having good intentions but no follow-through. At the end of the year, I developed a color-coded calendar for myself with reminders that would go to my phone. It helped me see where I was using my time, and held me accountable, to a degree, when I’d see a reminder pop up that I should be writing, working on social media, prepping for my newsletter, etc. As for a daily routine, it varies. I always set aside writing time. But some days, I’ll set aside a chunk of time to schedule social media, take an online class, work on my newsletter, or read a book on writing craft. That’s about all the “routine” I have.
Christina: What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Lori: That God can take all our flaws, our mistakes, bad decisions—whatever it is we feel we need to keep hidden or for which we find it hard to forgive ourselves—and redeem them for something beautiful. We can use our experiences, good and bad, to minister to others. And He can use anything we offer Him for His glory.
Christina: What has been the most rewarding part of your publishing journey?
Lori: Other than seeing my long-held dream come to fruition—to be a published author—I think I would have to say the community of writers I’ve found along the way. From my writers’ groups, to my fantastic critique partners, and fellow Scrivenings Press authors. We just “get” each other in a way others, many times even our loved ones, don’t. This is a hard gig, but the encouragement, support, education, and edification I’ve found with other writers has been priceless to me.
Christina: What childhood story has stuck with you through adulthood?
Lori: Charlotte’s Web
Christina: What book are you reading right now?
Lori: What Brings Us Joy, Teresa Wells’ debut novel. Highly recommend!
Christina: You just won free tickets to anywhere in the world! Where are you going? And who are you taking?
Lori: Italy. It’s my dream vacation. And I’d take my husband, daughter, and son-in-law with me.
Christina: What upcoming writing projects are you working on?
Lori: Mistletoe and Malice, book one of my new romantic suspense series, Guarded Hearts, releases in October. And I’m working now on book two, The Quiet Watch. The series centers around bodyguards who work for an international security services company that not only provides personal security, but investigative and covert operations services. It’s been a lot of fun!
Christina: That series sounds great! I can’t wait to check that out!
Thank you, Lori, for taking the time to meet with me today!
If you’d like to connect with Lori or browse her books, check out these links below:
Amazon link for the True Calling series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7BT5PX2
Website: https://loridejongwrites.com/
Newsletter: https://bit.ly/LoriDeJongCommunity
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loridejongwrites/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loridejongwrites
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/loridejongwrites
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/loridejongwrites
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/38460845.Lori_DeJong
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lori-dejong