Welcome, Martha Hutchens

I've had the pleasure of knowing Martha for a few years. We connected as writers, and she's one of the most upbeat, encouraging ladies I've met. And her writing is amazing.

Martha's latest novel, A Steadfast Heart, will be released June 3rd.

A Steadfast Heart is a novel-length exploration of Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” It offers a few hours of escapist fun while diving deep into the truth behind that promise.

It’s important to notice that God doesn’t say all things are good—only that He works them for good. The trials my characters face push them in directions they never would have chosen on their own, yet those struggles become the path to deeper faith and lasting joy.

This sweet historical romance is perfect for fans of the following tropes:

• ready-made family

• nanny/tutor

• single dad

• fish out of water

I invited Martha to stop by the blog so you can get to know her. One of the fun things about Martha is her knowledge of quirky history, and she's amazing at accurately research her stories.

Martha, what makes you feel alive?

I love visiting historical sites. Over the years, I’ve explored many. I stood in Folsom, New Mexico, where the discovery of the first Folsom Point rewrote our understanding of American prehistory. I’ve walked through Fort Sumner, a key location in the American Civil War. I’ve even visited the apartment building in Manhattan that once served as headquarters for the Manhattan Project—yes, that’s where the name came from. (The doormen said someone shows up about once a month to see where it all began.)

But I have two favorites.

One is Lamy, New Mexico. Most of the scientists and their families who came to work on the Manhattan Project arrived by train at the Lamy station. The only other buildings are a church, a few homes, and a restaurant that was once an Old West saloon. I can only imagine how it felt for those scholars from universities around the world to arrive there. From Lamy, they took a 45-minute bus ride to Santa Fe—then another four-hour trip over terrible roads to Los Alamos. One turn was so sharp a bulldozer had to be stationed there just to nudge buses around it. They must have felt like they were being transported to the ends of the earth.

My other favorite is a small cabin outside Branson, Missouri. In the early 1900s, the family who lived there inspired Harold Bell Wright to write The Shepherd of the Hills. The novel was so beloved that fans traveled to the area to see where the characters lived—kickstarting Branson’s tourism industry. Wright also wrote That Printer of Udell’s, a book that changed lives. One young boy who read it became a Christian and said it shaped his understanding of right and wrong. That boy grew up to be president—and stood in Berlin to say, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall,” which led to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Martha, which compliment related to your writing has meant the most, and why?

I have received compliments on my newsletter, and those mean the world to me. I try to make each edition worth reading since I know how crowded inboxes can be. Some comments stand out. One reader shared that my devotional encouraged her during a difficult time—what an incredible privilege. Another took the time to tell me what each section meant to her. With how busy we all are, that message truly stayed with me. And then recently, I received several messages from people telling me they would be glad to pray for my first novel release. I thank God for the people who subscribe to and read my newsletter.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done, Martha?

I used to live in Los Alamos, New Mexico—where quirky is just part of daily life. I once watched a live telecast from Mars while standing on the Main Street sidewalk. I read a newspaper article about a bear that wandered into the Senior Center looking for a snack—and another bear that rode on top of a garbage truck through town. I’ve stood in front of a real Nobel Prize on display in the county history museum, just a few steps from a World War II–era wedding dress made from parachute silk (because silk was rationed).

But the strangest thing I’ve seen happened in a tiny place called Nambe.

To set the scene: Nambe isn’t really a town. A handful of people live there, and the only real business is the Nambe Trading Post. One day I stepped inside—and found a real Emmy Award sitting on a shelf. Turns out the owner of the trading post designed costumes for major Hollywood productions like Dances with Wolves and won the Emmy for the television miniseries Son of the Morning Star. And now? She keeps that Emmy in a quiet little trading post in an even quieter town.

I encourage you to find Martha online and in bookstores. Be sure to sign up for her newsletter, you won't be disappointed.

A Steadfast Heart is available at Sunrise Publishing, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.

Martha's novella, Protecting the Cowgirl (isn't that cover fabulous?) is also available for Kindle on Amazon.

Inspirational fiction is one of my favorite escapes from the pressures of life. I'm intrigued that A Steadfast Heart is an exploration of Romans 8:28. That sounds so interesting! I'll be checking my mailbox in two weeks for the copy I preordered.