Dear Friend,

Welcome to June— the month to celebrate the ending of another great school year, Flag Day, Father’s Day, Juneteenth, and the official beginning of summer!

A very special THANK YOU to all who purchased and reviewed This Promised Land. Much to my joy and surprise This Promised Land made the May 2025 ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) Bestseller list!

I love meeting virtually and locally with book clubs and reading groups. If your reading group would enjoy a virtual author visit after reading any of my books, please contact me through the CONNECT page on my website to schedule a date and time. There’s a great Book Club Kit for This Promised Land available HERE. 

Writing News:

I’ve turned my new novel manuscript over to my editors. They’re reading it now while I eagerly await their thoughts and look forward to the editing process. This new book will release in the fall of 2026, so there’s lots of time to contemplate cover design, gather recipes for my website, develop a Pinterest board, and all pertinent exciting things.

More Writing News:

In the meantime, I’m exploring/researching a new story—set in a time, a place, and amid a situation and group of people I never imagined myself writing about—one that I guarantee will surprise you. It’s a new adventure and perfect for the beginning of summer. Please pray that I’ll discern clearly the message our Lord means for me to convey through this story. I’m very excited about the research.

Gardening News:

Iris have never bloomed so beautifully in my garden as they have this spring, though lately they’ve taken a beating from fierce spring storms. Peonies burst into color by turn—Coral Charm, Coral Sunset, Buckeye Belle’s wine red with yellow stamen, Chippewa’s deep red layer upon layer of petals, Blush Queen, Alertie’ fair pink, a bright pink, and finally pure lily white buds are opening. Fragrance is everywhere. Salvia’s blue and purple spikes and long stems of spearmint set off every bouquet.

More Gardening News:

Seeds or seedlings of snow peas, asparagus, bell and crunch peppers, tomatoes in three varieties, honey nut squash, carrots, lettuce, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and various herbs are all in the ground, in raised beds, or pots. Red and black raspberries (where never the twain shall meet), strawberries, and blueberries are all flowering or putting out leaves, as are the rhubarb plants and a newly planted fig tree. The apple trees made it through their first winter, the magnolia is struggling, but the cherry tree is showing its first small crop of cherries. I love gardening, the joy of tilling soil and bringing forth fruit from the earth draws my heart deep into the creative heart of God. Time in the garden is a sweet communion with Him.

What I’m Reading:

I hope your launch into summer is joyful and that you’ll find time to rest, relax with family and friends, and enjoy some great books.

Until next time, God’s rich blessings for you,

Cathy

Bestselling four-time Christy, and Carol and INSPY Award-winning author, Cathy Gohlke, writes novels steeped with inspirational lessons from history.  Her stories reveal how people break the chains that bind them and triumph over adversity through faith.  When not traveling to historic sites for research, she and her husband of 42 years, Dan, enjoy their children and grandchildren, dividing their time between Northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore.  Visit her website at www.cathygohlke.com, follow her on Bookbub, Goodreads, and find her on Facebook at CathyGohlkeBooks.  Subscribe to Book Gems with Cathy Gohlke for short video clips of books she loves and loves to share with readers.