About Elizabeth

A reader once told me that when she feels down, she picks up one of my books. She knows it will take her away from her troubles, at least for a while. That made me smile because I understand the need to ride on the winds of imagination. As a reader, I enjoy a novel that will whisk me away to another time and place.

Sometimes we simply need an escape from the stress of life and the tragedies happening around us in this fallen world. We need to be refreshed and inspired, lifted from everyday life.

I’ve often heard this response to my novels, which confirms what my ministry of words is about—telling stories set in unique locations and filled with adventure and suspense. Stories that infuse with a sense of hope and redemption. Stories that leave you with a spiritual nugget to take away.

Isn’t that what Jesus did when He told His parables?

Above all, my greatest hope is that my writing will not only entertain you, but draw your heart closer to Him.

Escape with me!

My Story

I’m a seventh generation Texan and grew up in a small town in East Texas once considered the world’s richest acre because of the oil produced on one acre downtown. There were so many oil pumps in my hometown that every night their gentle hum lulled me to sleep.

For a brief few years I lived in Oregon, the setting from which I draw many of my stories. God placed the desire to write within me from an early age. That, along with the love of reading, of course. My mother kept bookshelves filled with books she loved reading as girl, passing that love down to her daughter. Others influenced my life, as well. My third grade teacher read Mrs. Piggle Wiggle to the class—such a beloved and zany story—I couldn’t wait to share it with my children. Only two years later I tackled two adult novels: 2001 A Space Odyssey (admittedly it took five tries before I made it through) and The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. I remember spending entire summers doing nothing but reading novels, and sometimes reading the ones I loved more than once!

In addition to reading voraciously, I wrote poetry and numerous stories, even starting my first romance novel at fourteen. My English teachers entered me in UIL creative writing contests, so I’ve been writing off and on for years. But it wasn’t until 2001, when I had three small children at home, that I began to seriously pursue writing a novel for publication. That’s been a few years ago and now my kiddoes (add another one to the mix for a total of four) are mostly all grown,  and I’m still writing and going strong!

I have the Lord to thank for giving me the dream to write novels and for making it come true. My stories have been finalists in contests, but in 2011, my romantic mystery The Camera Never Lies won the prestigious Carol Award in the mystery category. I thank my Lord and Savior for installing this creative gift within me and letting me use it in such a big way. I encourage you to dream big, and follow those dreams He gives you.

Bio:

Elizabeth Goddard is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of 60 novels and novellas, including Cold Light of Day and the Rocky Mountain Courage and Uncommon Justice series. Her books have sold nearly 1.5 million copies. She is a Christy Award, Carol Award and Reader’s Choice Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier and HOLT Medallion Award finalist. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry. For more information about her books, visit her website at www.elizabethgoddard.com.