What if a family with a unique birth story stays in the spotlight due to tragedy?
That’s the premise behind my new Christian romance series, Surrendering Hearts. The series follows the Hart sextuplets, each sibling getting their own story where they discover their own identity and try to find a love like their parents shared.
The first book, Anchored Hearts, is about surrendering control. Oldest sextuplet Jordyn Hart is used to managing her siblings, her career, every aspect of her life with success. Suddenly everything and everyone around her changes, and she’s struggling. It doesn’t help that her colleague, no-nonsense reporter Spencer Collins, is in the middle of her work transition. Will she be able to let go and let God or watch everything precious to her fall apart?
I’m currently writing Repairing Hearts, Ryan’s story. His journey starts in Anchored Hearts when he returns from the Navy and buys a home in the quaint area of Watkins Glen in NY’s Finger Lakes region. Ryan is so bent on staying away from his childhood home that he fails to see he’s bought a dump of a home. His only resolution is to agree to participate in a reality show that will finance the repair and remodel. Once the show starts, Ryan realizes he’s in for much more than finding someone experienced with a hammer. It’s basically a dating show with contestants focused on landing loner Ryan Hart. All but BJ Wallace, a reluctant contestant with a huge secret.
What I love about this series is despite being sextuplets, each sibling has their own personality. Each handles their childhood trauma differently. Most important to me, each has their own surrender story. I love creating flawed characters who will find freedom when they surrender to Jesus. Every time I write a book I first go through the theme myself—whether I want to or not!
Jordyn’s story was the hardest personal journey for me. Surrendering control is something I struggle with, and while writing Anchored Hearts not only did the pandemic hit, my mom became ill and required a caregiver. I left my family and stayed with mom for two months. She recovered, or so we thought, only for her to suddenly pass after the holidays. It was traumatic, shocking and the aftermath was a healing journey that changed me and my writing. I’m so proud of Anchored Hearts because I came through the surrender.
With Repairing Hearts, I feel the same lesson applying to my life as I write Ryan. I tend to be an introvert and to stuff my grief. Ryan finds himself in a desperate place where he can’t go on alone. He has to ask for and allow help. It’s humbling and vulnerable. It’s a surrender story I think many can relate to.
After Ryan comes Evan and his journey, Building Hearts. Following Evan is James, Kelly, and Paige. I’m so excited for readers to fall in love with the Hart family and the Savior who sets us free when we surrender.
Can two go-getters surrender their need to control and find a happily-ever-after?
Jordyn Bell Hart succeeds in everything she does. Her promotion to morning show co-anchor blossoms her career in the same way her mother’s work had. Jordyn keeps tabs on her family and enjoys helping them grow. When life around her starts to change, can she surrender her desire to control?
Spencer Collins knows how to balance a busy life. He has his work as a reporter, his time caregiving for his grieving father, and looking out for his little brother. When he learns he’s the new co-anchor of a morning show with Jordyn Hart, can he handle working with a celebrity who brings a lot of challenges to life on and off the set?
Christian Romance/Clean & Wholesome
Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to find freedom in Christ by surrendering the good, the bad, and —maybe one day—the chocolate. She’s the author of the new contemporary romance series SURRENDERING HEARTS (Anchored Hearts, Repairing Hearts, +four more.) Her other romance series is SURRENDERING TIME (Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged.) She also co-wrote a YA series with her daughter, SURRENDERING STINKIN’ THINKIN’ (You’re Beautiful, You’re Amazing, You’re Brilliant.) Her stand-alone romances include MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN and RESTORING CHRISTMAS. Julie maintains a blog at juliearduini.com and participates in the team blog Christians Read. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Learn more by visiting her at http://linktr.ee/JulieArduini.
Thank you so much for letting me share the Hart sextuplets with your readers. I hope they will love this family as much as I do.