RHONDA STOPPE by Susan Reichert
Do you believe in true love ? We live in a world of broken relationships and hurting people ; it seems heartache is all around and marriages end right after they begin . Some even wonder if relationships are worth the risk . However , in Real-Life Romance : Inspiring Stories to Help You Believe in True Love ( Harvest House ) author Rhonda Stoppe sets out to show that heartfluttering , long-lasting love is all around us , if we just take the time to look for it
Rhonda Stoppe says , “ The idea to write my new book , Real Life Romance , came about after I wrote If My Husband Would Change I ’ d be Happy . Each time I shared love stories highlighted in that book it drew in my audiences , and got incredible responses via email after I ’ d appear on radio programs .”
This book is different from the other marriage and parenting self-help books she has written . “ It was so much fun to write this book . These are stories of ordinary people who found extraordinary love , as they trusted Christ to write their love stories .
To write the book she pulled from hers and her husband ’ s experience in his 36 years of ministry and her experience as a speaker at women ’ s , moms and pastor ’ s wives events across the country . “ We ’ ve met and observed a lot of couple ’ s fall in love and enjoy loving marriages because of their obedience to God ’ s ways and plan for romance . Women have shared with me through the years their personal stories of regret , redemption and hope . How did you make the decision to become an author ? “ That ’ s an interesting question . I never really “ decided ” to become an author . Seriously , I remember when my youngest daughter was about 10 years old I was traveling , doing speaking engagements and the Lord ( through a godly mentor ) nudged my heart to realign my priorities for that season .”
Is that when you started writing ? “ Several years earlier , I had written a devotional for a minister ’ s wives retreat for
which I was the coordinator . I bought a book to learn how to get a work published .
Sounds like it took some persuasion . “ Well , I was speaking at the same women ’ s event as Cindi McMenamin who happened to be the author of the book , When a Woman Discovers Her Dreams . We ended up having lunch together and I shared with her stories of God ’ s faithfulness in my life . She reached over , touched my arm , and said , “ Why aren ’ t you published ?” I told her I am not a writer . My gift is speaking and she responded , “ Rhonda , writing is just teaching on paper ”.”
Did you go on to publish ? “ With Cindy ’ s help , I became a traditionally published author in 2013 with Moms Raising Sons to Be Men .”
What did you find to be the hardiest for you in writing ? “ LOL , that ’ s easy . The hardest thing about writing is , well … writing ! I love to be with people . Mentoring one on one and speaking at women ’ s events is my jam . Writing requires I pull back and spend time alone with the Lord , studying , researching , praying and then writing books that will help guide women towards a no regrets life . And I love to share the gospel with people I meet at random , at events , and wherever the Lord sends me .”
Through your writing , you have certainly touched the lives of many women who perhaps never got the opportunity to hear you speak . “ I receive emails and comments from women all over the world who tell me how God is using my books and articles to help them break free from regrets , and build no regrets lives .”
What is your process for deciding on the book you want to write ?
“ I don ’ t know if I would actually call it a process . As I speak at events , receive emails from followers , mentor women one-on-one , and listen to them share their lives the Lord impresses upon my heart what might be the next mentoring resource I could publish to help them .
“ Titus 2 calls the older women to teach the younger . I take seriously this calling and God allows me the honor of mentoring thousands of women through my writing . Something I never would have dreamed He had planned for me at this season of my life . His ways are truly astounding –– aren ’ t they ?” ■
Learn more about more about Real-Life Romance , Rhonda Stoppe and her loving relationship with her husband at www . NoRegretsWoman . com
6 Southern Writers