Lezlie lives on a hill hosting city lights, mauve-colored sunsets, dramatic lightning shows, and the music of morning birds buzzing about her lavender blooms. She moved to Redding as a third grader, knew she wanted to be a teacher by sixth grade, and was journaling (diaries back then) by 7th.

Her serious writing began as a healing process when her third child was diagnosed with a rare, terminal cancer disease before she was two. Lezlie published her personal story about the loss of her daughter: When I Cried Out. She also wrote a children’s chapter book, brainstormed by one of her previous 4th grade classes. Her three sons live in the LA area along with her baby granddaughter, but her teenage grandson lives here in Redding. She’s been published online, in magazines, in devotionals, and in parent home-notes.

Lisa Arnold is a fiery Latina whose contagious passion saturates every aspect of her life. She currently lives just outside of our nation's capital with her husband and two children where she enjoys the diversity of people, culture and food. A true teacher at heart, she also loves the great outdoors which she affectionately calls "God's Classroom" and eagerly shares her discoveries with anyone willing to listen. As an outspoken advocate for "the least of these", her greatest passion is to share the story of God's redeeming love through examples in her own life.

Sara Rust currently lives in Redding, California where she enjoys building community, gazing at mountains, drinking chai tea, and snuggling with her puppy.  Sara graduated with a film degree from Northwestern University back in 2003, but felt the tug of Jesus to venture to the small, obscure town of Cairo, Illinois after graduation.  It's here she spent 6 years as a missionary learning how to love.  With a heart stirred for the next generation, she headed west to California for a season of being trained up to teach and write. Her California season has kept her on her toes as she earned her Masters in Education, finished her first book, and developed curriculum for Jesus Culture.   Equipped with an overactive imagination, she loves writing stories which tell of the great love that pursues us all.

Originally from the land of crawfish and Mardi Gras, Katie Pickard has lived in 15 cities, 7 states and 3 countries. She completed some seminary, but took a break when she moved to Virginia to marry her best friend. She hopes to finish her MDiv someday, but in the mean time, God’s call has led her to adventures in life-changing small groups, youth ministry and missions, preaching and writing. These days she gives most of her focus to her own “youth group” consisting of two, very short, Pickard men. You can also find Katie tending her Faith by the Firelight where she reflects on the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Debbie Legg puts her "commas" in the following order:  Loved by God, wife of a farmer, mother of a teenager and a first grader, writer, filmmaker, speaker, survivor of infertility and depression, forty-something techno-idiot trying to figure it out as she goes.  Any spare time she finds is taken up with family and friends, dancing, drinking coffee, reading, camping, kayaking and grooving on her drums, preferably at the same time...well, not so much the coffee with the drums.  Don't ask. ;)

Angie Mauer has had a passion for writing all her life. Currently, you can read along as she shares her heart on her blog “Laughter Does the Heart Good”. Angie is a true "southern belle", having been born & raised in beautiful North Carolina. She’s a happy homemaker, wife of a hilarious husband, and mother of two handsome boys, ages 11 and 8. She loves her family, friends, writing, reading Christian novels, and of course, laughing (as you can tell by her blog title). Most importantly, she loves God with all her heart, and lives to encourage others to do the same.

Joline Pinto Atkins is an actress who also uses the web as her world-wide stage. She can also be found writing at The Cuppa Jo, Pittsburgh Mom, and Working Mother. Joline is wife to one (phew - that's good to know) and mother of two amazing children, aged 11 and 7, who are both named after authors. Addicted to fitness, she sweats out any daily angst by popping in one of her Beachbody workouts, and longs for good books, vats of coffee, and an endless supply of buffalo wings - which she will not share with you. So, please, do not ask.