Cathy Gohlke is the bestselling, Christy Hall of Fame, and Carol and INSPY Award-winning author of twelve novels that have been translated into several languages and enjoyed by readers around the world. She has also worked as a school librarian, drama director, and director of children’s and education ministries. 

Cathy and her husband, Dan, have been married forty-two years and divide their time between Northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore, where they share time with their grown children and three grandchildren.

 

Let’s talk about your grandmother, who used to read books to you and your brother. “Books are not made by magic. Real people write books,” she told you. What did, or would, your grandmother have to say about your long writing career?

Grandma might tilt her head at the wonder of it all. Dimples would etch her cheeks as she smiled, her hazel eyes twinkling. She’d likely say, “Well, now, that’s fine.”

Fine meant grand and well done to Grandma. She’d read every word of every book then share my books with others. There’d be no fanfare, no boasting, but she’d take it in stride, knowing this was the thing the Lord had placed in my hand for this season of life.

We’d sit and share our hearts over a steaming pot of English Breakfast tea, maybe discussing a line or two from a particular book. She’d relate with a story from her long ago past and I’d come away feeling rich, content, and unconditionally loved with inspiration for another book.

Mentors are important to every writer. Who are some of your mentors, including those you’ve met and those you haven’t? What did you learn from them?

Growing up I learned unconditional love and the joy of reading from my grandma; determination, persistence and a strong work ethic from my mother; the joy of writing from my older sister. As an adult I learned writing skills from teachers and correspondence writing programs. I learned by experience the truth of the proverb posted outside my office—”Those who move mountains begin by carrying away small stones.”

In my thirties I learned to believe that God loves me through a pastor’s book and a vision the Lord gave me in a near death experience. Once I fully believed that, I could believe in God’s gifting and that He might truly open doors for me. In more recent years the late Lucinda Secrest McDowell was a wonderful mentor to me as a woman, a writer, a speaker, and an encourager of others.

As I’ve written about them, I’ve been inspired and mentored by men and women from history: Corrie ten Boom by her faith and in extending forgiveness; Dietrich Bonhoffer by his courageously standing against injustice and serving our Lord regardless of the cost or opinion of others; Charles Sheldon by his first asking what would Jesus do?; Oswald Chambers in his staying focused and giving our best for God and others each day.

While all of these have blessed me, Jesus Christ is by far the greatest mentor of my life, teaching me more about living and using the gifts He gives for His glory and for the good of others.

I’ve been blessed beyond measure with the marvelous mentors God has brought into my life.

Please tell us about your new novel, This Promised Land (Tyndale House, April 2025).

When she ran away as a young war bride, she was cut off from her family forever . . . or so she believed. Decades later, maybe the only way to move on is to go home.

Ginny Pickering Boyden can’t wait for her last day of work, when she’ll be free to pursue a lifelong ambition through a master gardener apprenticeship. But an unexpected letter brings shocking news: Ginny has inherited her family’s Christmas tree farm, a dream she’d long ago given up.

Facing a past laced with memories and lies she’s tried hard to bury, a furious nephew who thought the land would be his, and a failing farm with a mountain of debt, Ginny returns to New Scrivelsby, Virginia, determined to sell. But when her younger nephew, a Vietnam vet, appears with demons of his own and three young children in tow, Ginny isn’t sure what to do. Too much of their story reminds Ginny of her own. She has little hope, however, that three generations of warring Pickerings can set aside their differences to restore all that’s broken, both on the land and in their hearts.

Set against the beautiful and rugged landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountains, This Promised Land is the story of a daughter’s longing to make sense of the past and of the unbreakable bonds that bring prodigals home.

What was the catalyst behind this story?

My brother loaned me his copy of Timothy Keller’s book The Prodigal God. Reading it may have been the first time I recognized myself in the role of the wayward and desperate Prodigal Son, as well as the older, jealous, judgmental, and unforgiving son from Jesus’ parable in Luke 15. Keller’s book woke in me the realization that we all hold traits of both brothers, and a desire to remain neither.

I determined to face and own my mistakes seen in the extremes of both sons by better understanding how each had failed their loving father, how each came to take the path he’d chosen, and how each stood on the threshold of response to his father’s entreaty and love. The questions ultimately became: Can I repent and accept my heavenly Father’s welcome and forgiveness? Can I live joyously within my Father’s house as an obedient and treasured daughter without judging others?

The realization that we, like Ginny, Curtis, and Mark, are all at one time prodigals who’ve “left home” and are in desperate need of returning is the first and primary focus of my story. Ginny’s dawning realization that she’d also lived the role of the older judgmental son in her feelings toward Curtis, Harold, and Luke helps her realize she wants to change. In helping Mark and his children, Ginny finds not only a second chance for herself but an opportunity to grow, following in the steps of the Running Father.

A few months ago, you welcomed a new puppy into your home. Please tell us about Maggie.

Maggie is a red/apricot mini-golden doodle we adopted at eight weeks of age. She’s fun and funny, extremely energetic, and full of puppy antics. Potty training has gone more slowly than I’d like. We’re blessed to still have fingers and toes considering her penitent for chewing everything in sight. Hurdles aside, we’re totally in love with her. She’s affectionate, smart, and a great little car traveler. At four months she’s begun to reveal her very definite opinions and personality. She’s never met a stranger she doesn’t love—two legged or four legged. While it’s doubtful she’ll ever become a watchdog of note she’s bringing abundant sunshine into our lives. We can barely remember life before her and can’t imagine life without her.

Thank you, Cathy! It’s nice to have you back at Divine Detour.

Thank you so much, Kathy, for having me. It’s always a great pleasure. God bless you!

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For more information about Cathy, visit her website and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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