~ featured author ~

Susan Meissner is a former newspaper editor and the author of numerous novels, including The Shape of Mercy, Lady in Waiting, A Window to the World (named one of the Top Ten Christian Novels of 2005 by Booklist magazine), and her newest novel, The Girl in the Glass. Susan and her pastor husband, Bob, have four children. Susan bought the plants for her mini-cactus garden at a farmer's market where a man played a violin next to a stall of fresh tulips while Susan shopped for cacti. Her cactus garden thrives in the hot sun on the south side of her home in southern California. "Here in the most southwest corner of the United States, our spring is always eager to get here," says Susan. "Usually in late February, we start taking the extra blanket off the bed and rummaging in our closets for flip-flops and the garden gloves. My cacti and succulents are always the first to show off their spring wardrobe.

They approach spring as if they are channeling their inner bridesmaid. I am always amazed that despite their tough and sometimes prickly exterior, cacti and their non-spined sisters are amazingly tender inside. And they like to vibrantly rock their blooms, small though they may be, to remind us that just because you are strong that doesn’t mean you can’t be beautiful." Visit Susan's website at www.susanmeissner.com.

Susan can make her office in the great outdoors much of the year!

Welcome!

No doubt about it, writing novels is a dream job. But it's not all fun and games. When it's time for a break or change of scenery, many novelists retreat to a special garden spot in the backyard, front porch, courtyard or garden shed. We welcome you into the outdoor spaces that offer us respite and inspiration. So grab a mug of coffee or a cup of tea and come sit with us a spell. . .

[Authors are presented in alphabetical order, so be sure to scroll through all of the more than 50 gardens, or use the sidebar links to navigate to your favorite authors. Each week, one author's garden spaces and latest book are featured at the top of the blog.]

carolyne aarsen

Since selling her first book in 1997, Carolyne Aarsen has had numerous novels published. Her stories reflect a love of God, family, and rural life. When not writing she helps her husband with his logging business, and with the cows, horses and chickens on their farm in Neerlandia, Canada, where long winters make them appreciate their flowers all the more. (The lovely arbor bench below is the view from Carolyne's office window!) Carolyne and her husband have raised four children and numerous foster children, and are now enjoying the addition of grandchildren to their family. Read more about Carolyne at www.carolyneaarsen.com.

tamera alexander

Tamera Alexander is a bestselling novelist whose works have been awarded and nominated for numerous honors, including the Christy Award, the RITA Award, and the Carol Award. After seventeen years in Colorado, Tamera and her husband have returned to their native South and live in Nashville, Tennessee, where they enjoy spending time with their two grown children, and a ten-pound silky terrier named Jack. Tamera's always wanted a screened-in porch, and look...she finally got one. The perfect outdoor office! More at www.tameraalexander.com.

Tamera doing research at Claude Monet's gardens in Giverny, France.

Tamera's tidy indoor office (between books, obviously!)

nikki arana

Nikki Arana’s newest title, The Next Target, due out in June 2012, is about a woman inspired to evangelize Muslims and her efforts to protect them from the Satanic directive of Sharia law to kill anyone who converts from Islam to Christianity. It is inspired by a true story. Her first three novels make up the Regalo Grande series, set alternately in Guadalajara, Mexico and California wine country. Nikki and her husband, Antonio, live in the Pacific Northwest.  Visit Nikki's website at www.nikkiarana.com.

Nikki's office at home.

ruth axtell

This year marks a transition year for Ruth Axtell. She has a new book coming out with a new publisher. With Her Good Name Ruth returns to the longer books she so enjoys writing. She loves writing about the 19th century, whether it’s Regency or late Victorian England. With Her Good Name she returns to coastal Maine in the 1890s when the wealth came from the logging industry. This is Ruth’s 14th published work. Next spring she’ll return to Regency England with Midnight Masquerade. Gardening, both vegetable and flower, are a source of inspiration in Downeast Maine and something to look forward to during the winter months. Visit Ruth online at www.ruthaxtellmorren.com.

Ruth stops at a sidewalk café
while in Paris on a research trip.

A view of Ruth's garden when she lived in Holland.

Ruth's office-with-a-view in her Maine home.

karen ball

Karen Ball has been writing stories since she was a little girl. The first novel in her Family Honor series, Shattered Justice, was given the 2006 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award. The much anticipated final book in that series, What Lies Within, will release in November '07. Karen's love of all things nature came from her mother and father, who raised pansies and roses, respectively. As a result, Karen's garden today has an abundance of both flowers, and she loves creating bouquets from her garden to fill the house with the sweet fragrances. The color and aroma are a definite inspiration to her as she writes. Visit Karen's website at www.karenballbooks.com.