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Exciting News! I have written a novella for the anthology A Holy City Christmas: Charleston Holiday Tales. The anthology features eight captivating stories about Christmas in the Lowcountry from members of the American Christian Fiction Writers South Carolina Lowcountry Chapter. The book also offers beautiful line drawings of some iconic Lowcountry buildings by the author/illustrator Shelia Sledden, also a member of the Lowcountry Chapter. My story, It Had to Be You, is a World War II inspirational romance set in Charleston.

Special Note: All proceeds for the first six months will go to RISE, a charitable organization that enables displaced men to find healing and hope and rise from their current circumstances to a promising future. To learn more about this worthwhile ministry, visit www.riseministrysc.org.

It Had to be You:

Marie’s idyllic world is crumbling bit by bit. Now, the United States is officially at war after the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. She hasn’t heard a word from her deployed boyfriend James. When her friends finally drag her to a local USO dance, she’s stunned to feel a magnetic pull with a handsome sailor. How could her heart betray her? Not only was the country’s future hanging in the balance, but Marie’s sense of stability and hope is shaken to the core. Would God bring hope for her future through the turmoil?

Grieving the death of her mother, caring for her ill father, anxiety over the war, and the ongoing silence of her active duty boyfriend, James, Marie’s once idyllic life had vanished, and her faith, once strong and vibrant, had dwindled to an ember.

Encouragement from a wise mentor and her best friends helped Marie return to activities she had loved and missed, among them volunteering at the local USO dances. On the night of her first time back to dance, Marie caught the fixed gaze of a handsome sailor from across the room. Unsettled, Marie feared the tingle of attraction stirring in her wary heart. Despite the magnetic pull between them, the evening ended without an introduction.

Then, a chance meeting in an unlikely place threw Marie and Mac, the handsome dancer, together. Her attraction to Mac was undeniable, but was dating another serviceman worth the risk of probable heartache? Could she trust him after her hopes had been dashed before? What was God whispering in her heart, and would she have the courage to listen.

Thank you for visiting, and before you leave, make sure to check out my blogs and perhaps leave a confidential prayer request. I hope you will visit often to find a place to land when you need a little encouragement! You can also follow me on Facebook.

Annette Wiley

Meet Annette

Years ago, Annette would never have guessed that she would someday move back to her South Carolina Lowcountry roots. After a long road of twists and turns along with adventures and opportunities, she made the Charleston area her home once again. Annette’s adult life began in Orlando, Florida, where she married her high school sweetheart. Her husband joined the United States Air Force four months after their wedding, and the Wiley family story took flight. Their final assignment was Dayton, Ohio, where Annette’s husband retired from the military. Tired of cold winters and gloomy weather, they headed to South Carolina for their next adventure.

For many years, Annette coordinated parish high school youth groups and adult faith formation programs. Through her ministry as a retreat team leader, she shared scripture and faith reflections with hundreds of women. As she discerned her writing path, she branched out into writing Christian fiction. Annette aims to offer inspiring fiction that gives the reader a deeper understanding of God’s infinite love and mercy. Her scripture reflections delve into the challenges of living in a flawed world while looking through the lens of faith.

Connect with me

Previous publications

While visiting my Amazon author page, check out my novella, Following His Plans, which is included in the anthology Charleston Light: Stories Inspired by Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse. This collection of faith-filled novellas is inspired by Charleston Light, the wonderfully awkward-looking lighthouse on the shore of Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina. The stories range from sweet romance to time travel to fantasy to a modern retelling of a beloved fairy tale. The anthology was a finalist in the 2023 Golden Scroll Award, sponsored by AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.)

Following His Plans: Consumed with the desire for wealth and status, Nora pours her energy into her prestigious interior design firm. But when her beloved aunt dies, she drops everything and travels to Rockland, Maine, where unexpected gifts and a possible romantic relationship help light the way for a new direction in her life.