Guest Blog: Julie Arduini

Dear Readers, I hope this message finds you well. I am drowning in grading, but the accelerated class I'm teaching will be over in just a couple of weeks--the end is in sight!

As always, I'm excited to share a Christian author with you and hope you love meeting her!

Introduce yourself—name, where you’re from, and something people notice when they meet you?

Thanks for having me, Christina! I’m Julie Arduini, Are-due-we-knee, and I write small-town romances that feature Christian surrender themes and chocolate. I live in Ohio, but my romances are based in Upstate NY to spotlight all the gems I visited/lived in for 30 years.

People notice my curls right away.

Tell us about your book—title and back cover blurb.

Building Hearts is the third book of six in my Surrendering Hearts series. The Hart multiples discover their identity and try to find a love like their parents shared. Each sibling has their own book with a different surrender issue.

Building Hearts

Can one reality show rebuild a home and two hearts?Evan Hart has always felt the odd one out in a family of thriving siblings. When his reality show pitch is greenlit and he's named co-producer, Evan sees a chance to finally belong within his family and the world watching them. Building with the Harts promises new beginnings and second chances until the network adds a wildcard: Shea Madden, a brooding co-producer with secrets of her own.Shea Madden walked away from reality TV after a contestant's public humiliation led to tragedy, and she took the fall. The Renovation Channel offers her a shot at redemption with a show built on authenticity and hope. Working alongside insecure but earnest Evan Hart begins to heal old wounds until Shea's past resurfaces, threatening her future, the show's success, and the Hart family.In this clean and wholesome small-town romance, Book 3 of 6 in the Surrendering Hearts series, featuring the Christian surrender issues of belonging, grief, and forgiveness, discover how faith, trust, and unexpected love can rise from the rubble.

Share one thing that you found difficult or challenging about writing this book.

I had a couple challenges. One, when I started research on Building Hearts, I also began leading a women’s ministry that re-launched. I wanted to create a strong structure so when I move on, the ministry will thrive. That took a year, and in that time, I didn’t write a word of fiction. Two, my vision declined and I couldn’t figure out why. Turns out I had undiagnosed congenital cataracts that were bad enough to need surgery. I also have severe near-sightedness and astigmatism. I will require a different lens, and I’ve had to wait this entire book for the surgery dates. Thankfully, both eyes will be done in October.

 Ask the blog reader a quirky question or two?

Surrendering Hearts features six multiples. How big is the family you grew up with. Would you have wished for a bigger or smaller family?

As for me, it’s me and my sister. Our parents are gone, and when we were younger, we wanted to belong to a big family. I met my husband’s family before I met him, and they are six kids. Five boys, one girl. They invited us to Sunday dinner, and we had the best time watching the big family. Now they are my family.

Share your social media and buy links!

Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/JulieArduini

Building Hearts, Free KU: https://www.amazon.com/Building-Hearts-Small-Town-Acceptance-Surrendering-ebook/dp/B0FL5D1KT4 Softcover releases September 19.