About the Book

Book: The Reverend’s Second Chance Author: Lauralyn Keller Genre: Christian Historical Romance Release Date: July 15, 2025 A buried secret in Harmony Springs could cost a pastor and a teacher their careers—and their second chance at love. Lydia Jefferson buried her dreams long before the death of her husband. Now she’s locked her heart to men for good. In Harmony Springs, she’s finally found freedom from the shameful failure and loss of her past—until her childhood sweetheart arrives to be the new pastor. Samuel Allen never thought he’d love again, not after his fiancée walked out of his life. But when his first church assignment sends him to Harmony Springs, he finds himself face to face with the woman who disappeared from his life seven years before. Could this be a second chance at love? Unfortunately, she wants nothing to do with him. When an orphaned child brings Lydia and Samuel together again, can they face the pain of their past and learn to trust each other enough to build a home?

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About the Author

Lauralyn Keller loves to combine history and romance in stories that touch the heart. She lives in beautiful Colorado and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and reading.

More from Lauralyn

Baking is one of my favorite activities. I find it relaxing, and it’s so fun trying new recipes. You might have noticed that there are generally some kind of dish or treat in my stories that characters really like. For Lydia Jefferson in The Reverend’s Second Chance, that treat is a cookie called cinnamon jumbles. It plays a part in her love story with Samuel Allen, the new pastor for Harmony Springs. I asked ChatGPT how to make the best cinnamon jumbles. Here’s what it came up with. Cinnamon jumbles are such a cozy, nostalgic treat! They’re chewy cookies with the perfect balance of cinnamon sugar, and they’re pretty easy to make. Here’s a recipe that will give you soft, chewy cinnamon jumbles with a nice little crunch on the outside.

Best Cinnamon Jumbles Recipe

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
1 tbsp ground cinnamon (for rolling)

Directions:

Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this step.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix just until combined. Don’t overmix—this will keep your cookies tender.
Roll the Dough: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon for rolling. Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Then roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
Bake: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly with the back of a spoon or your fingers. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set.
Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips:

Softness: For softer cookies, don’t overbake them. The cookies will continue to cook a little as they cool on the baking sheet.
Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh. They should stay soft for about 3-4 days.

I (Lauralyn) hope you enjoy this cookie recipe. Maybe you can even make them and enjoy a few with a nice cup of coffee or tea while reading The Reverend’s Second Chance. Lydia would approve. 🙂 God bless, Lauralyn

Interview with the Author

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

Yes! Historical fiction is my favorite genre. I love history, so reading stories set in the past lets me see different perspectives on events that have happened. Some of my favorite authors in the genre are Francine Rivers, Ashtyn Newbold, Sarah M. Eden, Kasey Stockton, Esther Hatch, and Jeanette Oke.

If you could travel back in time, what time period would you go to?

It would be amazing to visit the time of Jesus. I’d love to see the events of His life firsthand, walk with his family and the disciples, see what people truly thought and how they behaved around Him. And of course, being able to see Jesus face-to-face, to talk to Him and hear His physical voice, to see His loving gaze . . . it would be incredible.

What is your favorite book and why?

Though it’s not from a genre I read often, The Lord of the Rings is my favorite book. Tolkien’s faith has long inspired me, and seeing how he wove those themes of faith throughout his book leaves me in awe, especially since he’s admitted it was unconscious when he first wrote it. That’s how deeply his faith impacted his life.

Other than that, the fact that it’s a story about deep friendships, facing peril head-on, having characters with depth and purpose and valor, epic adventure – what’s not to love?

What is your favorite hymn and why?

In Christ Alone. It’s a beautiful hymn, and the reason it’s my favorite is that it speaks to my soul every time I hear or sing it. It’s an excellent reminder that it truly is in Christ alone that anything can be done. This life is about Him – we’re simply players in His story.

What is one thing readers would be surprised to learn about you?

I have an irrational fear of koi fish. They are the creepiest things ever. Growing up in Hawaii, I saw a lot of them, and the only thing I can figure for such a phobia is falling into a koi pond as a child. While I don’t remember that happening, my dad has said he thinks it was at a mall in Honolulu when I was about two years old. I can’t even see a picture of koi without shuddering. And don’t get me started on how they tend to huddle in groups, one giant mass of fish . . . ick!