Author Colleen Coble's thirty novels and novellas have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA award, the Holt Medallion, the ACFW Book of the Year, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best awards. She writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail and love begin with a happy ending. 

General Information:

Born and raised in the Midwest (Indiana), I grew up on a farm with horses, pigs and chickens. I had plenty of adventure--from being dragged by my pony to running my brother Randy's motorcycle through a fence. Maybe that's why all my stories have action and adventure in them.

How I Started Writing:

I think only God knows what really makes a writer. He gave me the upbringing I would need and the voracious reading appetite necessary to understand what makes a story. I remember the night I finished a book and told the Lord how tired I was of reading books that assumed He didn't exist. I told God I'd do my best to write for Him, but He would have to open the doors. I waited and nothing happened. I couldn't think of a thing worth saying.

Then one night in August 1990 everything changed.

My brother, Randy, the oldest of my three younger brothers, was killed by lightning on August 28, 1990. That tragedy showed me I didn't have time to wait to do what God was calling me to do. During a visit to Wyoming to see where Randy had lived for a time, the first idea for a book came to me, fully conceived. I was working full time, so it took a year to write it. Then seven years to sell it.

In the years since then, God has been faithful, though the path has not been easy. Nothing worth doing is ever easy. God wouldn't let me give up, and I like to think the struggle made me stronger. God has given me so much in my life, most importantly my great family, a loving church family at New Life Baptist Church, and my wonderful publishing family at Nelson Books.

My Best Life Now

See all these bruises? It's from pinching myself. I wake up in the morning and can't believe how blessed I am. A wonderful supportive husband, two great kids Dave and Kara who bring me joy every day. And our son just added the perfect daughter-in-law to our family this past summer. Donna was well worth the wait. She brought two darling grandsons with her so it was double the blessing.

I 'm part of the amazing fiction team at Nelson Books. Allen Arnold (on the left) is a powerhouse of a leader. Ami McConnell has an uncanny eye for story, and brings out so many good things in my work. My freelance editor Erin Healy makes me look so good. It's a true partnership. Jennifer Deshler is the best marketing director I've ever worked with. I'm very blessed to be part of the Nelson Books fiction family!     This is my darling Ami in the back right with glasses. Her sweet hubby Aaron is to her left. Max, her amazingly wonderful son is in the center of the table at the back with his sister Maddie Beth just barely poking her head above the table beside him. Diann Hunt is on the left with my hubby behind her. I'm in the back left. This was taken at the beginning of our RV Tour June 2006.