Featured Author: Denise M. Colby
May 14, 2026 by Denise M. Colby in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Featured Author of the Month tagged as Author of the Month, Christian Historical Fiction, Denise M Colby, Marketing, Social Media, writing
Denise M. Colby loves to write words that encourage, enrich, and engage whether it’s in her blog, social media, magazine articles, or devotions. With over 20+ years’ experience in marketing, she enjoys using her skills to help other authors.
She treasures the written word and the messages that can be conveyed when certain words are strung together. She, being an avid journal writer, is often seen with a pen and notepad whenever she reads God’s word. Denise is writing her first Christian Historical Romance Series, and you can find her at www.denisemcolby.com
Denise is a member of OCRW, Faith, Hope & Love Christian Writers, ACFW (where she was a semi-finalist in the Genesis contest Historical Romance Category), OC Chapter of ACFW, and Novel Academy.
You can read Denise’s column The Writing Journey on A Slice of Orange, or follow her on Facebook or Instagram. You can also sign-up for her newsletter.
Big news for Denise!
Denise’s fourth novel, A Whole New Plan, is being released this month on the 26. The ebook is available for pre-order. You can also read ALL about the release plans here.
A Whole New Plan
Denise M. Colby
ISBN: 978-1649175960
May 26, 2026
Sometimes God’s best plan is the one we never expected.
California, 1870. Pastor William Baker has built his life on faith, routine, and safe choices—until Lydia Spencer walks in and turns everything upside down.
Independent, outspoken, and guarded, Lydia is unlike any woman he’s ever known. She has no interest in church… and no intention of revealing the truth she’s hiding.
Because Lydia isn’t just a schoolteacher.
She’s a Pinkerton detective, sent west to track a dangerous crime boss—and she’ll do whatever it takes to protect those she loves, even if it means keeping her distance from the one man who sees straight through her defenses.
But when unexplained thefts shake their quiet small-town rural community, and a desperate boy appears with ties to a deeper mystery, Will and Lydia are forced into an uneasy partnership.
As danger closes in, so do their hearts.
What begins as a reluctant alliance soon becomes a forced proximity neither of them expected—and neither can ignore.
Yet the very things that draw them together may be the ones that tear them apart.
Lydia’s life is built on secrets.
Will’s is built on truth.
And when her past catches up with her, they’ll have to decide what matters most—holding on to their own plans… or trusting the One who sees the bigger picture.
Because sometimes surrender is the only way to find the life you were meant to live.
Set against the backdrop of the American West, A Whole New Plan is a heartfelt story of faith, courage, and a strong woman learning to trust again—woven with threads of mystery and hope.>
If you enjoy western Christian romances with elements of intrigue and heart, you’ll love A Whole New Plan—perfect for fans of Misty M. Beller and Mary Connealy.
Step into a story of courage, trust, and unexpected love—grab your copy today.
Denise M. Colby’s Books
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A Whole New Plan Book Release is This Month
May 12, 2026 by Denise M. Colby in category The Writing Journey by Denise Colby tagged as book launch, Denise M. Colby, historical romance, New book releaseMy next book, A Whole New Plan, releases this month and there’s a lot to celebrate. It’s my fourth book in my Best-laid Plans series to be released within a two-year window. I’m excited to add to the story world I’ve built and introduce the point of view of yet two more people. The release date is May 26, 2026.
You can pre-order the e-book for $1 savings until release day on Amazon.
A Little About A Whole New Plan
I love these characters and how they interact. It was fun to build friendships with the other characters and the way they developed organically. I can’t wait for everyone to get to know Will and Lydia more and read their story.
Lydia is the third teacher out of five that traveled west together to teach in California. She’s really a Pinkerton agent posing as a school teacher. She likes to work alone.
Will is the Pastor in Washton. He’s Luke’s best friend (from When Plans Go Awry) and Sarah’s brother (No Plan at All).
There’s also a dog in this story that may or may not be loosely based on our black lab, Ace. I asked ChatGPT to make him fluffy and have him chasing sheep and a baby cow. This is in the opening chapter of the book. I felt it captured Fido’s energy pretty good.
This story answers many unanswered questions left in previous books that I wasn’t sure myself what the answers would be (you can thank my critique group, who encouraged me to answer them). There’s a bit of a mystery and suspense in here as well. I never planned on writing suspense, but I’m finding it a fun to write.
Celebrate The Release of A Whole New Plan
I’m offering two signed copies in a GoodReads Giveaway. The last day to enter is May 31, 2026.
Goodreads Book Giveaway
A Whole New Plan
by Denise M. Colby
Giveaway ends May 31, 2026.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
There’s a lot of other things happening this month and next as well to celebrate A Whole New Plan’s book release. Several guest blog posts, a reviewers tour, and a 99 cent sale on my other three e-books from May 26-June 1. I’m also doing a book signing at Barnes & Noble in Brea, CA (my local store) on May 30, 2026 from 2-4pm.
Please join with me as I celebrate A Whole New Plan’s book release.
A wounded Pinkerton agent. A cautious pastor. When danger threatens, only faith—and God’s perfect plan—can show them the way forward.
California, 1870. Pastor William Baker built his life on steady faith and safe choices, but the arrival of Lydia Spencer upends everything. Independent, outspoken, and hiding a limp from a recent injury, Lydia is unlike any woman he’s ever known. And she has no interest in church—or in sharing her secrets.
What Will doesn’t realize is that Lydia is a Pinkerton detective, undercover as a schoolteacher while tracking a dangerous crime boss. She’s determined to protect her friends in Washton… even if it means keeping her distance from the kind, steadfast pastor who sees too much.
When strange thefts strike the ranch and a frightened boy appears with ties to their past, Will and Lydia are thrown together in a search for truth—and find themselves fighting not only for justice, but for a future neither had planned.
Full of faith, mystery, and romance, A Whole New Plan weaves a story of healing hearts and unexpected love amidst God’s perfect design.
If you want to learn more about the Best-laid Plans series, and the order of books, check out my March blog post.
0 0 Read moreFeatured Author: Denise M. Colby
May 1, 2026 by Denise M. Colby in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Featured Author of the Month tagged as Author of the Month, Christian Historical Fiction, Denise M Colby, Marketing, Social Media, writing
Denise M. Colby loves to write words that encourage, enrich, and engage whether it’s in her blog, social media, magazine articles, or devotions. With over 20+ years’ experience in marketing, she enjoys using her skills to help other authors.
She treasures the written word and the messages that can be conveyed when certain words are strung together. She, being an avid journal writer, is often seen with a pen and notepad whenever she reads God’s word. Denise is writing her first Christian Historical Romance Series, and you can find her at www.denisemcolby.com
Denise is a member of OCRW, Faith, Hope & Love Christian Writers, ACFW (where she was a semi-finalist in the Genesis contest Historical Romance Category), OC Chapter of ACFW, and Novel Academy.
You can read Denise’s column The Writing Journey on A Slice of Orange, or follow her on Facebook or Instagram. You can also sign-up for her newsletter.
Big news for Denise!
Denise’s fourth novel, A Whole New Plan, is being released this month on the 26. The ebook is available for pre-order.
A Whole New Plan
Denise M. Colby
ISBN: 978-1649175960
May 26, 2026
Sometimes God’s best plan is the one we never expected.
California, 1870. Pastor William Baker has built his life on faith, routine, and safe choices—until Lydia Spencer walks in and turns everything upside down.
Independent, outspoken, and guarded, Lydia is unlike any woman he’s ever known. She has no interest in church… and no intention of revealing the truth she’s hiding.
Because Lydia isn’t just a schoolteacher.
She’s a Pinkerton detective, sent west to track a dangerous crime boss—and she’ll do whatever it takes to protect those she loves, even if it means keeping her distance from the one man who sees straight through her defenses.
But when unexplained thefts shake their quiet small-town rural community, and a desperate boy appears with ties to a deeper mystery, Will and Lydia are forced into an uneasy partnership.
As danger closes in, so do their hearts.
What begins as a reluctant alliance soon becomes a forced proximity neither of them expected—and neither can ignore.
Yet the very things that draw them together may be the ones that tear them apart.
Lydia’s life is built on secrets.
Will’s is built on truth.
And when her past catches up with her, they’ll have to decide what matters most—holding on to their own plans… or trusting the One who sees the bigger picture.
Because sometimes surrender is the only way to find the life you were meant to live.
Set against the backdrop of the American West, A Whole New Plan is a heartfelt story of faith, courage, and a strong woman learning to trust again—woven with threads of mystery and hope.>
If you enjoy western Christian romances with elements of intrigue and heart, you’ll love A Whole New Plan—perfect for fans of Misty M. Beller and Mary Connealy.
Step into a story of courage, trust, and unexpected love—grab your copy today.
Denise M. Colby’s Books
0 0 Read more
My 2026 Focus Word is Balance
April 12, 2026 by Denise M. Colby in category The Writing Journey by Denise Colby, Writing tagged as balance, Denise M. Colby, focus word, Word of the yearIt’s time I shared my 2026 focus word. Every year I pick a word to be my main theme for the year. It’s something I’ve done since 2015. Last year, my word was Flourish. In 2024 it was Grow. For 2026, the word I picked is BALANCE.
Why the focus word Balance?
I don’t know about you but I sometimes have a hard time keeping up with everything. Quiet time, family time, full-time day job, writing, family, health & exercise. I absolutely love this quote:
Writing and launching two books in 2025 was so much fun, but it also used up every waking moment I had available outside of my day job. This year I wanted to dial things back a bit to be … well … more balanced. Hence why I chose balance as my 2026 focus word.
That doesn’t mean I’m stopping writing. It’s more about aiming for more time in each area of importance in my life, while not having one part consume me over a long period of time. (although if I had to have one consume me, it’s the book-related one….I never tire of spending time in this area – lol).
Each year, I choose a main Bible verse to go along with my focus word.
For 2026, that verse is Ecclesiastes 3:1
“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
I have also found some great quotes on this word, including:
This is my twelveth year choosing a word and I’ve enjoyed sharing and writing about my word on this blog. I have a section on my website where I’m building word pages so that if someone chose any of those words they could utilize the quotes and ideas.
I have more to share about my 2026 focus word, so stay tuned. In the meantime, I’d love to know what word you’ve chosen for 2026. Let me know in the comments.
Books by Denise M. Colby
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A Whole New Plan, Book Four in My Series, Releases This Year
March 12, 2026 by Denise M. Colby in category The Writing Journey by Denise Colby tagged as A Whole New Plan, Book Release, Denise M. ColbyI’m so excited to announce my next book, A Whole New Plan, releases on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
A Whole New Plan Book Blurb
Sometimes God’s best plan is the one we never expected.
California, 1870. Pastor William Baker built his life on steady faith and safe choices, but the arrival of Lydia Spencer upends everything. Independent, outspoken, and hiding a limp from a recent injury, Lydia is unlike any woman he’s ever known. And she has no interest in church—or in sharing her secrets.
What Will doesn’t realize is that Lydia is a Pinkerton detective, undercover as a schoolteacher while tracking a dangerous crime boss. She’s determined to protect her friends in Washton… even if it means keeping her distance from the kind, steadfast pastor who sees too much.
When strange thefts strike the ranch and a frightened boy appears with ties to their past, Will and Lydia are thrown together in a search for truth—and find themselves fighting not only for justice, but for a future neither had planned.
Full of faith, mystery, and romance, A Whole New Plan weaves a story of healing hearts, unexpected love, and God’s perfect design.
There’s a little bit for everyone in this story:
💕 Romance Tropes
- Slow Burn Romance
- Opposites Attract
- Pretend Engagement / Fake Relationship
- Out of My League
- Forced Proximity
- Protector Hero
🔍 Mystery/Adventure Tropes
- Pinkerton Agent / Lady Detective
- Small-Town Mystery
- Undercover Investigation
- Secrets & Hidden Identity
Book four in a series
This is book four in the Best-laid Plans Series. Here’s the series blurb.
Three young women. One new beginning. A journey of faith, friendship, and unexpected love.
It’s 1869 and three young women travel to Sacramento, California, ready to begin new lives as teachers in the rural one-room schoolhouses of the West. But the plans they carefully laid soon give way to something far greater. As God gently redirects their paths, each woman discovers lessons in friendship, faith, and trust—and encounters the most surprising gift of all: love.
They weren’t searching for it.
They never expected it.
But they may just find everything their hearts truly need.
Series Order
There has been a bit of confusion about the order of books, since this is the third teacher’s story.
My actual third book released is a prequel. No Plan at All is a side-story from a character from the first book, but Amazon doesn’t allow using 0 or .5 and only will allow labeling them based on the order released (lesson learned).
So here are the books in my Best-laid Plans Series in the actual timeline order.
I’m so excited to have multiple books to show together. That makes four books released in the last two years.
How did that happen?
I have worked hard over the past decade writing and learning, and its great to see the fruit now from all that labor.
It’s also fun to have many more stories in my head to fit this story world. I have two other teachers still to write, as well as other side characters that have been raising their hand wanting to share as well.
I wanted to share encouragement for every writer out there. Keep going. One day, you too will be able to have multiple books out for readers to enjoy.
Denise loves to share about her writing journey (see all her posts here), including her word of the year (this year it is BALANCE), her debut novel When Plans Go Awry, and all the things in between. You can visit her at her website and blog at www.denisemcolby.com or on her facebook or instagram. Please note: some links include Amazon Associate links where Denise can earn from qualifying purchases.
0 0 Read moreFeatured Books
A WHOLE NEW PLAN
A wounded Pinkerton agent. A cautious pastor. When danger threatens, only faith—and God’s perfect plan—can show them the way forward.
More info →
AND WHEN I WAKE
When your greatest enemy is your own sister, can you save a nation without losing your soul?
More info →
FATED HEARTS: A Love After All Retelling of the Scottish Play
Everything he’d believed to be true was a lie.
More info → DAY OF THE DARK
A recipe for disaster: take one total solar eclipse, add two dozen spine-chilling mysteries, and shake the reader until the world ends in Day of the Dark!
More info → 
