In this episode, Kelly chats with rom-com author Marline Williams about her bold and nostalgic Jesus Revolution Romance Series. With a heart for storytelling and a deep love for the 1970s era, Marlene shares her journey from advertising to independent publishing—and how God called her to write laugh-out-loud romances set in the heart of the Jesus movement.

Kelly and Marlene dive into the setting of Love the One You’re With (book two in the series), unpack the spiritual truths woven into her heroine’s journey, and even talk about campus revivals, witnessing with ginger ale, and the importance of letting your light shine. Whether you’re a fan of second chances, enemies to lovers, or a good ol’ Jesus Freak throwback, you’ll love this episode!

Listen to the episode here.

Meet Marline Williams

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Marline Williams—rom-com novelist (and unapologetic Jesus freak since 1971)

In her pre-authorial existence, Marline Williams was an advertising copywriter and editor. Ideal for learning to craft fiction, really. After a quarter of a century of convincing consumers to buy things they don’t need with money they don’t have, Marline retired. She tossed her snarky coffee mugs and reunited with her childhood joy—writing crazy, wonderful stories.

Marline weaves midcentury-modern nostalgia and Jesus Movement memories into offbeat love stories for women who aren’t sure they believe in happily-ever-afters anymore. Her upbeat, faith-soaked romances are set in the swingin’ ’60s and funkadelic ’70s (with occasion trips to the nifty ’50s). Sweet-yet-swoony stories that go deep, but not dark.

Her debut novel, All Men Are Liars (Jesus Revolution Romance, Book 1) launched September 2024.
Wild and Sweet, a 1960’s Christmas novella (part of the Christmas in the Cascades anthology) quickly followed with a October 2024 launch.

She’s currently working on the second book in the Jesus Revolution Romance series–the next adventures in the life of her “All Men Are Liars” heroine, Dana Whitman.

Visit Marline’s Website

Young Life Organization: Click Here

Link to the Spotify Playlist with fun 1970s music: Click Here

Behind-the-scenes deleted chapter of Love the One You’re With: Sherwood Forest Frolic – Marline Williams

Follow Marline

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Bible Verses for Encouragement

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
–John 8:32 (NKJV)

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

–Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)

Marline Williams’ New Book: Love the One You’re With

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To thine own self be true. Yeah, right.
Street-preaching in Hyde Park, singing Godspell’s greatest hits at the Royal Albert Hall, performing at Jesus People music festivals—Dana Whitman has finally met her tribe! It’s spring 1974 and Dana arrives in swingin’ London wearing her heart on her sleeve and Roland Schowalter’s ring on her finger. A ring that seems dangerously close to slipping off when she matches wits with droll, dashing Oxford atheist Cyril Hawthorne, self-appointed pirate king of the wild Shakespeare troupe she’s joined.
Her long-distance romance with all-American Roland feels fuzzy and far-away, their small-town future increasingly unappealing. Rumors about Roland’s loyalty—and doubts about her own—force a freaked-out Dana to do some of her most convincing acting off-stage. But her return to the States will make everything okay again. Right? How can Dana be true to herself and the man she’s promised to love?

💞 Tropes in Love the One You’re With

• Love Triangle


• Opposites Attract (Jesus F