Guest Blogger: Getting to Know Author Crystal Walton

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I glanced up from my book toward my husband, who was staring at me with an I-caught-you grin on his face. I lowered the book to my lap. “What?”

His grin only grew wider. “Nothing. Just watching you smile.”

I hadn’t even realized I was smiling. Should’ve known. Romance has a way of doing that. I’ll be so caught up in the story, so taken by the characters, that I become a part of it. And when the hero in the novel charms the heroine, that involuntary grin sneaks its way across my lips without my even noticing.

If you’ve read any of my books, you know I love the sweet romance thread of every story. Love to write it. Love to read it. Love to live it. And I think God intends for us to enjoy that part of a relationship. But as an author, I always want to be purposeful in not delivering a skewed depiction of romance.

One of my favorite scenes in Light Unshaken is when Emma’s brother reminds her that love isn’t a fairy tale. It’s a commitment. Oh, man. An arrow straight to my heart. It’s true, right? I mean, yeah, the butterflies are ah-mazing! Love them. But they’re definitely not the whole story.

In Part One of the series, Eyes Unveiled, Emma and Riley find faith in love. Now they have to find the courage to nurture and guard it. I approached this story, wanting to show the rawness of that journey. The brokenness we carry into a relationship. The failures we face in learning to be selfless. The courage needed to make sacrifices and the grace it takes to build a commitment that will last.

That’s love. That’s the kind of romance I want to write about. It’s the kind I want to live.

But let’s be real. That journey can get kind of messy at times. We wrestle with temptations. We make bad choices. We give in to fears. It’s not always pretty. At the same time, that’s what makes redemptive love so beautiful.

It’s the main reason I write what I do. And it’s the same reason I’m so over-the-moon excited for you to join Emma in this inspiring story about real love, costly choices, and the courage to fight for what you believe in.

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Light Unshaken
Amazon | Goodreads

It’s real. It has to be. Twenty-two-year-old college student Emma Matthews gained too much ground last year for it all to be a dream. She has an engagement ring on her finger to prove it. Not to mention an internship she’s made for. 

After a summer of overcoming her fears, Emma can’t afford for the news she just received to shake her. Not when it might jeopardize her future with Riley. And not when the kids in downtown Portland are counting on her to keep the center’s doors open. With the added strain of a broken relationship and an unexpected friendship reminding her what’s at stake, what other choice does she have? 

But as mounting danger compromises her safety, friction intensifies until the risk of keeping her promise threatens all she’s fought to believe. Caught in a moment when every light in her life goes out, Emma must find the courage to lead her heart no matter what it costs her.

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Crystal's first book, Eyes Unveiled, is free through today. Don't miss out on the opportunity to read the first book in this series and make sure you pick up Light Unshaken as well!

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Crystal writes contemporary inspirational fiction fueled by venti green teas from Starbucks.  When not working her accounting day job, she's delving into the wonder of words, supporting her Starbucks habit, or laughing over movie quotes & singing eighties songs with her husband. She'd love to connect with you at http://crystal-walton.com

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