Let’s Chat! Author Crystal Joy!
Welcome, Readers! And Welcome, Author Crystal Joy!
Meet Crystal Joy. This week we welcome this author whose pen name fits her photo perfectly: Crystal-clear Joy.
I‘m excited to get to know Crystal better, and I think you will be, too. Please leave a comment in the Reply box below, and you’ll be entered in the drawing for a print copy of Crystal’s Completely Captivated.
Congratulations to Stacy Simmons, winner of a print copy of Crystal’s Completely Captivated!
Who Is Crystal Joy?
I write Contemporary Sweet Romance, but I like to refer to my writing as Deep Rooted Romance.
First, I resigned from my teaching position as an 8th grade Language Arts teacher because I knew God was calling me to pursue a writing career. I loved my job. The students were fun and quirky, and I worked with an amazing staff. But God kept pushing me in another direction, and I knew I had to follow. It was really scary leaving a secure job to pursue a “not-so secure” career. (Click to Tweet That!)
Now I know I’m doing what I was called to do because every day when I sit down at my computer, I feel a sense of peaceful contentment wash over me.
A Debut Experience for Crystal Joy
My first published book is titled Completely Captivated. It’s a collection of short fictionalized love stories about real-life couples.
My writing career did not start off like I thought it would. When I resigned from my teaching position, I intended to work on my sweet romance novels and publish them right away. But my novels needed a lot of revisions.
While I taught, I woke up at five in the morning to write, went to work, then lesson planned and graded at night. Writing at five in the morning did not create enticing, well-written books.
In the meantime, I wanted a way to connect with readers, so I wrote short love stories for real-life couples. Every month, I interviewed a new couple, wrote their story, and posted it on my website. The stories became such a hit that I decided to publish collections of these heartfelt stories. (Click to Tweet That!)
Right before I published Completely Captivated, a hurricane hit my publishing company, and the company didn’t think it would have my books printed in time. I had to push back the date of my book launch party, but it gave me more time to plan an amazing party.
What’s up with Crystal now?
Now I just finished my second book, Completely Yours. It’s the second collection of love stories. Although it’s a mix of love stories just like the first book (engagements, break-ups, weddings, tragic circumstances), this collection is much deeper than the first.
These couples really laid it all out there for you—questioning if their spouses still love them, if they should give up on long-distance relationships, if they should share their feelings with their childhood crushes. I love how open these couples were during their interviews because it made their stories realistic. Love isn’t easy. Relationships are hard work. (Click to Tweet That!)
Finally, I hope these heartfelt stories touch your heart as much as they did mine.
Ordering and Social Media Links for Crystal Joy:
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Lord, You are Joy. Your are the eternal source of joy for us, your children. How marvelous are Your ways in all the Earth. Crystal’s joy shines clearly because it’s from You. You are Love. You’ve called Crystal to write stories about love—fictionalized stories based on true love stories. How unique and captivating! Bless Crystal’s every word that lifts up Your glorious name: Love. ~ For Jesus’ sake
I thoroughly enjoyed your interview. I left teaching to go into another field as well. Your book sounds wonderful and I wish you the best in your new career.
Thanks so much for joining in, Stacy.
Thank you so much, Stacy! I hope your new profession is going well and you’ve found a job that you love!
Completely Captivated and Completely Yours sound like wonderful romance stories to read. Thank you for sharing your writing journey and the leap of faith you took to pursue God’s will. Blessings as you continue to write for His glory.
Great to see you in our chat circle this week, Marilyn!
Thank you, Marilyn! I thank God for the opportunity to write these stories. I finished one of the stories in Completely Captivated right before the wife passed away. I drove to Mark and Rene’s house and gave them their story in person, and discovered that they were planning funeral arrangements for Rene. The story was read over and over again at Rene’s funeral, as a way to honor her life and relationship with Mark. They are one of the best couples I’ve ever met. Writing Mark and Rene’s story and finishing it right before her passing was all God’s timing. Thanks again for reaching out to me!
I Love both of these books. It always amazes me how Crystal puts these stories in such a readers adventure.
I Love the fact that all of them don’t end happy.
CRYSTAL IS A GREAT AUTHOR!
I encourage new or other readers to check it out, you won’t be disappointed.
Thanks so much for joining our chat, Sandy! Please come back.
Thanks for your kind words, Sandy! I am so blessed to have a reader like you in my life!
This sounds like a delightful book, and I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance. I am putting your books on my wish list! Blessings on your continued writing ministry.
Hi Evangeline–Thank you for your kind words! Happy Reading!
Great to see you in our circle this week, Evangeline!