About Christy Brunke

Welcome, friends! I’m blessed to be a mom, a pastor’s wife, and the bestselling author of the fictional book, Snow out of Season. But my greatest claim to fame comes from being a child of the King. Because of that, I’m passionate about my family, unborn children, and God-written love stories. Though I used to live in China, now I love serving in ministry here in Maryland. Praying you’ll be blessed as you read my blogs, my story, and my award-winning novel!

Biblical Fiction That Brings the Bible to Life

Love novels that bring the Bible to life? (Tweet that!) Check out these new Biblical fiction books! Want to order one? Just click on the book cover! (This post contains affiliate links. As a result, if you buy something through one, I may earn a commission to help support this site—at no cost to you.)

Redeeming Grace: Biblical Fiction by Jill Eileen Smith

Redeeming Grace by Jill Eileen Smith Biblical fictionWhen famine visits Bethlehem, Boaz holds out hope for rain while his relative Elimelech moves his wife Naomi and their sons to Moab. For a while, it appears the Lord is blessing Elimelech’s family, and his sons marry two lovely Moabite women.

But calamities strike, one after another, leaving Naomi alone in a foreign land with only her childless daughters-in-law for comfort. When news reaches Naomi that the famine in Bethlehem has lifted, only Ruth will hazard the journey to her mother-in-law’s homeland.

Destitute and downhearted, Naomi resigns herself to a life of bitter poverty, but Ruth holds out hope for a better future. And Boaz may be the one God has chosen to provide it. (Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group)

Building Benjamin: Biblical Romance by Barbara M. Britton

Building Benjamin Biblical fiction by Barbara M. BrittonNaomi desires to dance well enough to catch the eye of a wealthy landowner. Her father needs a substantial bride price due to the deaths of her brothers at the hands of the tribe of Benjamin.

But when Benjamites raid the Ephraimite feast and capture young girls, Naomi is bound and carried from her home by Eliab, a troubled shepherd who needs a wife. As Naomi awaits rescue, she finds Eliab has a strong faith in God and a just reason for abducting her. A reason that affects all the tribes of Israel.

The future of the tribe of Benjamin hangs in the balance, but if Naomi follows her heart and stays with Eliab to rebuild his lineage, she must forfeit her family and become a traitor to her own tribe. (Harbourlight Books [Pelican])

Want a new perspective on an old holiday? Subscribe to my blog or quarterly newsletter and get a free biblical fiction story!

Stories That Tackle Hard Subjects

Love stories that tackle hard subjects? (Tweet that!) Check out these novels about politics, racism and endangered children! Does one intrigue you? Just click on the book cover to order! (This post contains affiliate links. As a result, if you buy something through one, I may earn a commission to help support this site—at no cost to you.)

The Secret Heart by Marie Wells Coutu

Stories That Tackle Hard Subjects The Secret Heart novelAfter a whirlwind romance, beautiful Shawna Moore marries Hunter Wilson, the governor of Tennessee. Now, she wonders if the governor ever loved her or only hoped to avoid a scandal.

In this modern re-imagining of the biblical story of Bathsheba and King David, an investigative reporter is asking questions–the wedding took place only six weeks following the death of Shawna’s first husband in Iraq.

If he discovers the truth about Shawna’s baby, Hunter’s chances for reelection, as well as Shawna’s reputation, will be ruined. But keeping their secret is destroying their marriage. Will Hunter’s choice mean the end of his political career or his family? (General Fiction from Write Integrity Press)

Baggage Claim by Cathe Swanson

Baggage Claim novel by ACFW author Cathe SwansonWhen Ben Taylor, widower and single dad, gets caught up in a dangerous insurance fraud network, he has to learn to take a stand for right – and make a leap of faith: can he trust his nanny – who isn’t quite what she appears to be – and his newly-discovered biological father to hide and protect his four young children? (General Fiction, Independently Published)

Home at Last by Deborah Raney

All her life, Shayla Michaels, owner of the Coffee’s On bakery, has felt as if she straddled two worlds.

Her mother’s white family labeled her African American father with names Shayla didn’t repeat in polite–well, in any company. Her father’s family disapproved as well, though they eventually embraced Shayla as their own.

After the death of her mother, and her brother Jerry’s incarceration, life has left Shayla’s father bitter, her niece, Portia, an orphan, and Shayla responsible for them all. She knows God loves them all, but why couldn’t people accept each other for what was on the inside? For their hearts?

Everything changes one icy morning when Portia runs into the street and Link Whitman nearly hits her with his pickup. Soon he is falling in love with Shayla. Can they overcome society’s view of their differences and find true love? (General Fiction from Abingdon Press)

Want more stories that tackle hard subjects? Check out my award-winning novel, Snow Out of Season. You can read an excerpt here!

Baby Shower Skit: Everything but the Crib

Ever notice how many things women put into and pull out of their diaper bags? (Tweet that!) I wrote this baby shower skit, that’s part of a game, for my brother and sister-in-law’s shower. Feel free to use it for your own parties. Kudos to my mom, Denise Litzau, for coming up with the idea. 

Photo by Denise Litzau

The sketch is about a new mom who must pull almost 30 objects out of her diaper bag to care for herself and her infant. You can use a doll as the baby or, if you’re brave, a real kid. 

After the skit ends, ask the party attenders to list as many objects as they can. The person with the most correct objects wins. 

Everything but the Crib Baby Shower Skit

"Everything but the Crib" Baby Shower Skit

Photo courtesy of chicagocpr.org.

Set -up: Fill a diaper bag with the items listed at the end. Place a doll or a real baby in a car seat on the stage or in the middle of the room.

A woman hurries into the room carrying a diaper bag.

“All right, sweetie. We’ve gotta go. We don’t wanna be late for your doctor’s appointment!” 

She puts on ChapStick®, takes a drink from her water bottle, picks up the baby, and kisses him on the forehead. She smells his diaper and her eyes widen.

“Whoo! Let’s get you changed first.”

She puts the baby on a changing pad and then pulls out wipes, Vaseline, and a diaperand starts to change him.

“Oh no—you got poop on your pants! How do you always manage to pick the worst times to have a poop explosion? Oh well. No time to change you now, but let’s just make sure I have an extra pair of clothes in the diaper bag.”

 She pulls out a plastic grocery bag with a clean shirt and pants.

“Great! I’ll change you at the doctor’s office.

She cleans her hands with hand sanitizer, looks back at the baby, and her shoulders fall. 

“If it’s not coming out one end, it’s coming out the other.”

She wipes spit-up off his face with a burp cloth and then puts on his hat, shoes, and jacket. 

“All right. Let’s go.”

Baby Shower Skit for Natalie Litzau's Baby Shower

She searches in the diaper bag for her keys.

“Where in the world are my keys?”

As she’s searching, she pulls out a church bulletin, a nursing cover, and a golf ball. She holds up the ball and cocks her head.

(Talking to the baby:) “Say, ‘Daddy, your golf balls do not belong in the diaper bag.'”

At this point, have an assistant start calling the mom’s phone. Meanwhile, the mom roots around in the bag again and pulls out a blanket, her wallet, and nail clippers.

“Ah!” she yells in exasperation. “We’ve gotta go!” 

Her phone should ring around now. She pulls it out.

“Mom?” She listens for a moment. “Yes, he’s still crossing his eyes. No, I don’t think it means he’s going blind. We’re actually just about to leave for his doctor’s appointment.” She listens again. “Okay. Thanks. Love you!”

As she hangs up, her assistant turns on the sound of an infant crying. She pulls out a pacifier and tries to stick it in the baby’s mouth, but he rejects it, so she puts it back into the bag.

“It’s okay, sweetie, Mommy will feed you soon. I promise.” 

Tim Litzau with Angelina Brunke and Michaela Brunke

She spots her keys, pulls them out, and sighs in relief. Her dog runs into the room, and she starts to hand him a bottle, but shakes her head and gives him a dog toy and treat instead.

(Talking to the baby.) “Yikes! Look at your nose.”

She grabs tissuesand wipes the baby’s nose. Then she shoves everything back into the bag, pops a piece of gum into her mouth, and puts on her sunglasses. With a sigh, she picks up the baby and the diaper bag and rushes out.

Objects in the Order They Appear

  1. ChapStick®
  2. Water bottle
  3. Changing pad
  4. Wipes
  5. Vaseline 
  6. Diaper
  7. Plastic grocery bag
  8. Pants
  9. Shirt
  10. Hand sanitizer
  11. Burp cloth
  12. Hat
  13. Shoes
  14. Jacket
  15. Church bulletin
  16. Nursing cover
  17. Golf ball
  18. Blanket
  19. Wallet
  20. Nail clippers
  21. Phone
  22. Pacifier
  23. Keys
  24. Bottle
  25. Dog toy
  26. Dog treat
  27. Tissues
  28. Gum
  29. Sunglasses

Natalie Litzau with Michaela Brunke and Angelina Brunke

Photo by Debby Stafford.

Final Tips for a Successful Baby Shower Skit

To make the practices and performance go better than mine did, follow these suggestions:

1.Turn the list above into a cheat sheet and place it near the diaper bag to help you remember to use all the items. 

2. Run through the skit several times beforehand with the dog and your assistant. 

3. Ad lib where there’s action, but no dialogue.

4. Don’t do a full diaper change. Just fake it the best you can. The more crazy and chaotic this and the rest of the skit is, the funnier it will be. 

Contemporary Romances for Spring

Love contemporary romances and looking for some spring reading? Check out these Christian novels! If one sparks your interest, just click on the book cover to order! (This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through one, I may earn a commission to help support this site—at no cost to you.)

Spring Raine by Delia Latham

Contemporary Romances for Spring Spring Raine Delia LathamA last-minute decision sends a young woman to a seaside community and lodging at Paradise Pines…where life takes a whole new path.

Capturing Beauty by Brenda S. Anderson

contemporary romances for spring Capturing Beauty Brenda AndersonPhotographer Haven Carlysle is a changed man. He returns to Duluth to capture the North Shore’s beauty … and to recapture the love of his son. But that means making amends with his ex-girlfriend too.

Enter Callie Beaumont. All her life, Callie has longed to work outdoors soaking up God-breathed beauty, and the opportunity is finally on the horizon. But being the liaison between the handsome photographer and his son has thrown her dreams, and her heart, into chaos.

Can Haven capture her heart when she won’t let him capture her image? And will his poor choices cost Callie her dream job and him the love of his son?

A Second Chance by Alexis Goring

Contemporary Romances for Spring A Second Chance novelNewly single food critic and newspaper reporter Traci Hightower is done with dating. After the man of her dreams left her at the altar on their wedding day and ran off with her “best friend,” Traci resigned herself to being a bachelorette for life.

Marc Roberts is a political reporter who is known as Mr. Nice Guy, the one who always finishes last. But his widowed sister Gina Braxton appreciates his compassion and kindness, since she’s raising her two kids alone.

With God’s guidance and the help of Gina’s matchmaking skills honed by her career as a bestselling romance novelist, Traci and Marc find hope for their broken hearts.

The Amish Wanderer by Laura V. Hilton

Amish Wanderer contemporary romance novel by Laura HiltonAfter her daed, the bishop, is admitted to a mental hospital after hurting their small Amish community, Bethany Weiss is ready to get away from Jamesport, MO—and away from God. Silas Beiler, dogged by a rough childhood and a family who blames him for each new disaster, is hitchhiking toward Pennsylvania in hopes of stability.

He sleeps in barns where he can and works for food when possible. When Bethany spies a man asleep in the hayloft, she first fears the return of an unwelcome suitor. But when it is Silas who turns and speaks, the memories flood back: a happy summer six years ago, full of lemonade, long walks, and budding courtship.

Can their old love overcome both this new pain and the hurt and rejection of their past?

Finding Joy by Melanie D. Snitker

Contemporary Romances for Spring Finding Joy Melanie SnitkerA horrific accident changed everything for Parker Wilson. He returns to his family’s ranch, the scars on his face a daily reminder of all he’s lost, yet his mom still insists he needs to stop hiding and live his life again.

The beautiful new employee she hires is the last thing he needs, and he’ll do whatever it takes to make the girl quit and regain the peace and quiet he prefers. Only deep desperation could force Chelsea Blake to work on a cattle ranch.

But if she’s going to avoid her parents’ judgment when they arrive in three weeks, she must turn the temporary job into a permanent one. Between dodging mud, feeding longhorn cattle, and dealing with a handsome boss who keeps giving her the cold shoulder, staying gainfully employed is proving to be a challenge.

Chelsea may not be cut out for ranch life, but her determination to succeed is stronger than Parker’s efforts at forcing her to leave. Surprisingly alike, will the two set aside their disapproval to find immeasurable joy?

Grace and the Rancher by Mary Alford

Grace and the Rancher novel by Mary AlfordCan a runaway singer and a makeshift rancher, thrust together by circumstance and held together by the common thread of loss and a love of music, find hope and a happily-ever-after under the stars of Delaney Mountain?  

The Lawman’s Secret Son by Lorraine Beatty

The Lawman's Secret Son novel by Lorraine BeattySuddenly a father, police officer Seth Montgomery knows all about order—but his world is thrown into chaos when he learns he has a five-year-old son.

With little Jack suddenly in his care, Seth turns to neighbor Carrie Fletcher for help. Given her checkered past, Carrie prefers to keep to herself, but there’s no denying she cares for the boy—and her feelings for charming Seth are rapidly developing, too.

When someone from Carrie’s past shows up threatening to jeopardize the life she’s worked so hard to build, Carrie will have to fight for her future with the new family she’s found…or risk losing everything.

The Doctor’s Texas Baby by Deb Kastner

The Doctor's Texas Baby novel by Deb KastnerWhen Carolina Mason shows up in Haven, Texas, after a three-year absence, no one is more surprised than town veterinarian Wyatt Harrow. Especially when he sees Carolina’s two-year-old son, Matty. Their son. How could she have kept his child a secret?

Carolina doesn’t deny the boy is his. She thought she was doing what was best for everyone when she left, but she realizes she was wrong. Though Wyatt is eager to make up for lost time with Matty, Carolina’s not so sure that extends to her. Can these former sweethearts navigate their complicated past to make a family for their son?

Avalanche by Gayla K. Hiss

Avalanche contemporary Christian romance by Gayla K. HissSet in the North Cascades National Park of Washington State, Avalanche is the inspirational story of one man set on revenge and the woman who risks everything to help him find the fugitive who killed his partner.

Maybe It’s You by Candace Calvert

Maybe It's You contemporary romance by Candace CalvertMicah Prescott’s goal is to improve the Hope hospital image, but his role as a volunteer crisis responder is closer to his heart. The selfless work helps fill a void in his life left by family tragedy.

So does a tentative new relationship with the compassionate, beautiful, and elusive ER nurse, Sloane Ferrell. Then a string of brutal crimes makes headlines, summons responders . . . and exposes disturbing details of Sloane’s past. Can hope spring from crisis?

Want more contemporary romances for the spring? Just click here!

Purple Postcards for President Trump

Many of you know President Trump wasn’t my pick in the primaries, but I supported him in the general election. But whether you cast your ballot for him or another candidate, we are all called to honor and pray for our leaders.

Purple Postcards for Our President, Donald Trump

Photo courtesy of LifeNews.com.

“Honor the king,” 1 Peter 2:17 (NASB) tells us.

Likewise, 1 Timothy 2:1-3 says, “The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers . . . to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live” (MSG).

Today, One America Coalition is asking people to send Donald Trump postcard pink slips saying, “You’re fired!” They hope to inundate the White House with so much mail that they make history.

Purple Postcards for Our President, Donald Trump

Photo by Lori Butler.

When my friend, Lori, heard about this, she was grieved and came up with her own plan. Let’s flood the White House with encouraging messages for our president on purple postcards. (Tweet that!)

“Regardless of whether you like the man or not, give him a chance,” Lori said in her “Bless the Prez” event page. “Encourage him to make the changes you want to see.”

Here’s the letter I’m sending our president today. May it embolden you to write your own.

My Purple Postcard for Our President

Dear President Trump,

I admire your business acumen and your desire to make America great again. But the main reason I voted for you was to protect the lives of the most vulnerable among us—unborn children.

Photo courtesy of CultureShiftForLife.com.

Thank you for keeping your promise to nominate a Supreme Court justice who upholds the Constitution. I’m praying the Senate will confirm Neil Gorsuch’s nomination soon.

Thank you, also, for reinstating the Mexico City Policy. I’m so glad our tax dollars will no longer fund the killing of unborn babies in other countries. I pray you’ll also be able to defund Planned Parenthood here in the States.

I was blessed to see that your vice president—whom I deeply respect—spoke at this year’s March for Life. As I’m sure you know, Pence said, “We will not rest until we restore a culture of life in America.” May that ever be true.

Photo courtesy of polination.wordpress.com.

I’m including a copy of my bestselling novel, Snow out of Season. May it inspire you in your defense of the unborn.

Praying for you and Vice President Pence! 🙂

Sincerely,

Christy Brunke

Friends, will you join me in sending an uplifting card to our president today? Even a simple sentence or two can make an impact. Address your envelopes to President Trump and send them to . . .

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500