Christian Fiction Reader’s Retreat. Those words peaked my interest last year as I started seeing some favorite bloggers begin to talk about the inaugural event. It sounded a bit like heaven hanging out with bookish friends and meeting authors. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t swing it last year. So, when they announced that this year’s event was going to be hosted in Cincinnati, my (now former) hometown, I jumped at the chance. Timing ended up working out perfectly so I could stay with my mom and then hang around a couple extra days to hang with my best friend an her new baby. Here’s a recap of the fun, and at the end, a giveaway!
The first thing that I was super excited to meet Carrie from Reading Is My Super Power. Carrie has answered so many blogger questions as I’ve gotten started and been super sweet about it all. I also got to meet Annie, organizer extraordinaire, from Just Commonly.
Carrie and I pre-CFRR and post CFRR.
The day was filled speakers and great panel discussions such as spirituality themes and how to/should they/to what extent be woven into Christian Fiction. We heard some great opinions from authors about “organic” faith where their authors live it, but don’t necessarily preach at others and how these themes impact readers. Cynthia Ruchti open with a great talk about why chose Christian Fiction. I wish I had recorded it so I could listen again.
I got to meet sooooo many awesome authors. Here are some I was able to snap photos with! Carrie and Annie kept a secret from us all. Friday night, after after a long day of packing bags, Carrie said she wanted me to meet someone. Lo, and behold, I walk around the corner and there’s JEN TURANO. And when I started to introduce myself, she knew who I was. FANGIRL MOMENT. I tried valiantly to real it in and act normal, but not sure how successful I was. On Saturday, I was privileged to eat lunch with her, Shelly Shepard Gray, and a new to me author, Mollie Campbell. It was awesome to be able get to know these authors more along with a few other attendees.
After end of the retreat Saturday, Kristi Ann Hunter grabbed some of her lead team and some others and we all went to LaRosa’s and then UDF for ice cream. I learned that Kristi was staying at a friend’s that was only about 15 minutes from where I grew up and she had lived in the area for awhile! It’s a small world. I also got to meet some other great bloggers and readers and author Deb Marvin!
There were also many giveaways and games. It was a seriously awesome day. I hope I can see you there next year!
One of the books in our swag bag is Ronnie Kendig’s newest A Crown of Souls. Even the title is intriguing. And….you could win a copy! I will announce the winner next week on Tuesday. As always, please read my terms and conditions for giveaways and it’s open to US residents only. Click on the link here to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway.
I tried to get a nice photo of the book, but Onxy was not cooperating.
Kat's Corner Books 
Love your photos and recap. It was such a blast! And dinner was tons of fun 😁 great to meet you!!
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It was great to meet you too!
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Lucky lucky girl!! Sounds like you had an awesome time!!
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I would love to attend next year. Looks like such fun with all the girls.
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I am going to sit down in September and read a paperback. ACK. (I read on kindle and audiobook) and I’m having a hard time deciding which one of the CFRR books I’ll pick first. But I think Crown of Souls is at the top of the list! It was great to meet you Kat and SO MANY friends in person!
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It was great meeting you too! I asked around and the consensus seems to be that your should read the first in the series first, fyi. So, I’m going to have to get it from the library.
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awwww I’m first in your recap?!? I’m so honored! And it was super fun to keep that Jen Turano secret from you and then watch you nearly pass out LOL 😀 Love ya!
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I was so trying not to be that creepy stalker fan girl, but then she knew who I was and I about swooned.
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I would love to attend next year. It looks like everyone had a great time.
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Thanks for the fun recap on our 2017 CFRR, Kat – can’t thank you enough for your help at CFRR!! It was fun to visit with you. So glad you enjoyed the retreat and hope to see you at our 2018 CFRR!! Hugs!!
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Sounds like a WONDERFUL time. If I were able to, I would like to attend next year! Thanks for the awesome recap! 🙂
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I didn’t attend, but if i did I’d love to meet not only the authors, but the book bloggers like yourself. i’d love to go one day.
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I hope it works out for you one year! I wasn’t able to go last year, but this one just fell into place perfectly.
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It was so much fun to meet you and hang out with you. There were so many amazing readers/bloggers/authors there. We needed an extra day just to do more mingling. Hugs!
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I would love to go!!!! *sigh*…someday. 🙂
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I would have loved to attend but right now I’m caring for my mother at my house. Maybe sometime in the future. What a dream to get to meet so many authors!
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It’s a good thing you’re doing caring for you mom. It is a blast if you can ever swing it.
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Looks like you had an awesome time!! So glad you could make it this year. And that book looks good, love Ronie Kendig!!
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I had such a great experience as well; meeting fellow readers, reviewers, bloggers and the authors who make it all happen!
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Kat, thank you for sharing your experience! I’m sure lots of priceless memories were made. I would love to attend CFRR. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of Crown of Souls.
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Happy to share the swag! I know not everyone can get there.
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I was not able to go this year. I so want to attend next year!!! Thanks for the chance to win!
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No, I didn’t attend, but enjoyed hearing about it on facebook posts.
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