My 2024 Editing Babies

When I started editing a few years ago, I was so nervous. After all, I still need people to edit my books for me. How could I possibly catch everything that needed to be caught on someone else's story?
Obviously, I have conquered that fear for the most part. I will say, I still pray over each and every book I edit because I want to help the author make it the best it can possibly be. But I also can't imagine not editing anymore. I love working with other authors, helping them strengthen stories, and I definitely adore being able to read a book before anyone else. ;)
This year, eight books released which I was content editor on. I'm thrilled to share them with you because they're all good and I definitely recommend them. So, here's the list with a little bit about each story. Just click on the cover if you want to know more.
This is Jenny Carlisle's third full-length novel, and the final book in her Crossroads series. She also has a novella included in the A Gift for All Time collection, which ties in to these stories.
In this story, she has characters on the brink of adulthood, having to make hard decisions. I very much enjoyed the fact that some of her characters have to deal with situations you don't always see in a book.
Jenny describes this as women's fiction with a little romance, but I describe it as sweet romance. Feel free to check it out and see if you agree!
I very much enjoyed this one. Terri does an excellent job with her flyboys. Her setting is completely original. Have you ever read a WWII book set in Brazil before? I loved learning some of the history of that part of the world as I read this gorgeous romance.
The humor laced through between the men on the plane, the interesting aspects of the origins of the character, and the bad guy so easy to root against all made for a very enjoyable read.
​(I've already edited her newest book which will release early in 2025, and I'm excited for you to read it too!)
You guys. When I met Tonya Ashley about seven or eight years ago, I had no idea I'd end up being blessed with editing her stories. I got a sneak peek of the first chapter of this book years ago and encouraged her to keep writing. And she did!
Her setting is in Van Buren, Arkansas, just a little after the '49ers rushed through. If you haven't read her story in A Gift for All Time, it comes before this one, but both are a stand-alone.
Her female character is spunky and daring, not at what you might expect to find in a woman back then. And her male is easy to fall in love with even as he tries to hold us back at arm's length. There is romance, a bit of mystery, and even some adventure before the end. I loved it.
Lori DeJong has quickly become a dear friend in the last few years. This is the second book in her series and I'm sad that I'm about to edit the last, because it's so good, y'all. 
Set in the Dallas area of Texas, Lori continues the tale of the student ministry she introduced us to in her first book. We revisit two secondary characters from the first book in this story as they take center-stage, revealing why they've acted the way the did, as well as letting us in on some hidden motivations.
The way she writes, you honestly think these people and situations are real, that you can see and smell and taste everything in the book, and that you're going to want to go back again and again.
Cynthia Roemer weaves such beautiful stories. This book is the third in her Wounded Hearts series. I knew going in that this book would be different from the first two because in this one, the war has been over for a few years.
While you might think that would leave things more settled for the characters, there is still plenty to interrupt their day-to-day life and plans.
The young sister of the men in the first two books becomes the heroine in this tale, as she strives to hold together the life she's always known while everything around her changes and shifts.
The hero has lost his memory and can't let himself move on until he figures out what he's left behind. 
Cynthia does a wonderful job of being realistic and still giving you a happy ending. I recommend all of her books.
I never imagined I would edit biblical fiction. The weight of responsibility to make sure everything is as accurate as possible is huge. But I was passed Linda Dindzans's first book, and you guys, it's so good.
Linda weaves together the story of the Samaritan woman, the Good Samaritan, and a bunch of history, to leave you with this intense story of people who discover Jesus and learn that only He can help with their struggles and hurts.
As with all biblical fiction, you have to remember that this is fiction and only how an author has imagined things MIGHT have happened. But it's also a great way to immerse yourself in a story that is set in the times of our savior and be able to better picture things as you read the Bible.
Regina Rudd Merrick is one of my dearest friends. I'm so glad she's part of my life. And her RenoVations series is a fun one. Join us in Kentucky as we meet another of the Reno family, this time a twin brother. He's moving back in with his grandparents while he looks for a job, and also filling in as a jack-of-all-trades for his cousin.
Which sets him up to work with the heroine, which is a master electrician and fully intends to resist his charm. Except when throw together over and over again, and when he helps her with her own house renovations, how can she ignore the attraction?
As always, this book has plenty of charm and shenanigans. Prepare to enjoy yourself. Every been to Colorado? Donna Wichelman's first book takes you there, with all the amazing details of the coal-mining town where she's set her story. Get ready for a spunky Irish girl and a grieving widower to clash with each other from the first moment--until they don't.
This story has a gorgeous setting, interesting history, fun characters, and a wonderful heaping of Christmas cheer. It's a great start to what is sure to be a wonderful series.
Ready to read? Which book sounded the most interesting to you?