About the Book

Book: Love’s True Measure Author: Lori DeJong Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: June 10, 2025

Shannon Trent has dedicated her life to ministering to teens, even as she hides secrets that haunt her past. Born into privilege, she’s built a simpler life away from the expectations of her influential family. She’s content on her own, believing that to open her heart would mean unearthing her deepest shame. But when her charming neighbor stirs feelings she’s never allowed herself to entertain, his lack of faith provides the perfect excuse to keep her distance. Hunter Kavanaugh has spent years chasing his dream career. But when his mother’s sudden death leaves him the sole guardian of his teenage sister, his carefully curated world begins to crumble. Struggling with grief, anger at God, and the demands of his job, Hunter is surprised when Shannon’s unwavering faith begins to resonate with him—and her ability to connect with his sister draws him closer. As Hunter and Shannon navigate their growing bond, unexpected challenges force them to confront their fears and priorities. Both must either choose to trust God’s plan is far greater than their own, or risk losing the love of a lifetime.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lori DeJong (pronounced DeeYung) is an award-winning contemporary Christian romance author who enjoys penning stories full of grace and the redemptive power of God’s love that inspire others to hope regardless of circumstance, find joy in the moment, and grow in their faith. Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Lori arrived in Texas in 2005 and dug those roots right in. She currently resides in beautiful Georgetown, north of Austin, with her husband of thirty-plus years. Other than their two fur-babies, their nest is empty, as their daughter graduated from college and settled in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area with her husband, and the sweetest grand-dog ever. Lori loves to write about love and romance and all that fun stuff, with a firm foundation of faith. Clean but sassy, sparkly, and even goose-bumpy romance, with God in the middle and characters seeking and learning and changing, couldn’t be more heartwarming or spine-tingly. Lori’s debut novel, “Love’s True Calling”, Book One of her True Calling Series, was the 2020 winner of the Scrivenings Press Novel Starts Contest, winner of the 2022 ACFW Genesis Award for Romance, 2023 Scrivenings Press Contemporary Book of the Year, and a doubl-finalist in the 2024 Selah Awards. “Love’s True Home” was released in 2024 and is a 2025 Selah Awards finalist.

More from Lori

As soon as Shannon Trent showed up in chapter one of my debut novel, Love’s True Calling, I knew she had a story. That there was something underneath all that joy and spunk that haunted her. That she felt she had to hide. Although born to a life of privilege, she doesn’t want her name to be the measure of her worth. Determined to live a simpler life, she dials in to her faith, only wanting to be and do whatever God says she should be and do. Hunter Kavanaugh, on the other hand, has overcome the instability of his teenage years to forge his own path. He’s made something of himself by his own grit and determination, and he measures his worth in terms of his success and the things it provides him. When these two literally run into each other outside their building, his grumpy disposition, and obvious high-powered job, leave Shannon unimpressed. No matter how handsome he might be, she has no intention of getting to know this neighbor any better. But God … When these two meet up again, a friendship blossoms. Her heart threatens to take her somewhere she’s never been before, but his unbelief gives her the perfect reason to keep her emotional distance. When God gave me this story concept, I was a little intimidated. Would I be able to convey the heart of a good man who didn’t have faith? Would I be able to flesh out a woman who had an abundance of faith yet still harbored shame from her past? But as I started writing this story, I fell in love with these two and their journey to discover the true measure of their worth … and the true measure of love.

Interview with the Author

Do you read books in this genre? If so, who do you like to read?

Yes, I love contemporary romance. I love to see characters overcome real-life challenges and find their special someone. In romance, we talk about the “HEA” moment at the end—the happily-ever-after. I’m not a true believer in “happily-ever-after,” not so much because I don’t believe in true love that lasts a lifetime, but because life is rarely smooth sailing, even when we’re deeply in love with our forever person. To me, romance is the acceptance of each other’s flaws and choosing to stay with this imperfect person. Life is full of ups and downs, and real love plows through all of it together. It’s the choosing of joy over despair. Maybe we should change it to “joy-ever-after.” I hope that’s what I convey in my books, that the characters don’t sail off into the sunset to this perfect life, but because they’ve already overcome challenges to be together, they’ll continue to do so, relying on the Lord to see them through.

What helps you to write? Do you eat snacks, listen to music?

Chocolate is a must when I’m writing. Haha! Seriously, though, I am one of those writers—and I don’t think there are very many of us—who needs some kind of sound while I’m writing. I find complete quiet very distracting. My mind wanders all over the place. So, I always listen to music while I’m writing. Usually Christian contemporary music, worship music, or instrumental music like Lindsey Sterling. I also love to write in places other than home. There’s a little coffee shop here in Georgetown (Texas) that plays Christian music, and I can go and write there for hours. If I am writing at home, I love to have a candle (or three) lit, especially if I’m writing in the evening and I turn the lights down.

What is your favorite hymn and why?

“It is Well With My Soul” is my all-time favorite hymn. I even have it painted on wood up on my wall. Although it was written in 1873, its message is timeless. It truly does convey faith at its very core. Trusting God, claiming His peace, even in the midst of tragedy or hardship when we can’t see what His purpose might be. Not to mention, it’s just a beautifully composed song instrumentally. Whenever I hear it, it grabs me.

What inspired you to write this book?

Shannon, to be honest. My female protagonist. The second she appeared in chapter one of Love’s True Calling, book one of my True Calling series, I knew I wanted to write her story. She’s cute and perky and extroverted and loves the Lord with her whole heart. Who wouldn’t want to be her friend? But I felt there was something underneath all of that spunk that she kept hidden from the world. A deep pain for which she carried profound shame. I wanted to delve deeper into her life, her upbringing, and how she came to have such a strong faith.

Share with me a few of your favorite things.

Besides my husband and daughter (which are actually people, not things, I guess), I love my fur-babies, Buddy and Lily. I love singing, especially harmonizing with my daughter. I love fellowship with other women of faith. Always fills my soul. I love candles and flowers and wrapping up in a blanket when it’s cold. It doesn’t get super cold in Central Texas very often, but I love winter when I can wear my warm, snuggly clothes and Ugg knock-offs.