Welcome, Mom’s Choice readers! Today we were able to get with author Natalie James, whose MCA winner, You Are So Loved, also received the International Impact Book Award and the Literary Titan Gold Book Award. Natalie has had a varied career and pursued a number of interests, so we’re glad she finally turned her considerable energy to writing. You Are So Loved is not only a wonderful story; it also lets parents have meaningful discussions with their children about self worth, faith, and the unconditional nature of God’s love. Read on to find out more about Natalie James and her award-winning book, You Are So Loved!

MCA: Natalie, welcome! To get started, please tell us something about yourself.

I’m a military wife, married to my best friend for 18 years—we’ve known each other since the third grade! Together, we have two incredible children: Owen, who is 18, and Neulla, who is 15. Being a mother is the greatest calling of my life, and I truly believe God placed me here to love, nurture, and guide my children.

The inspiration for You Are So Loved came to me during 21 days of prayer at our local church. I felt God put this book on my heart, and with a leap of faith, I pursued it. Now, it’s published and being sold internationally—something I never could have imagined! The journey has been humbling, and I’m honored that the book has received multiple awards. More importantly, it’s reaching the hearts of children and families around the world.

While writing this book, I also embarked on another adventure—flight school, training to become a pilot. It’s been an exciting season of trusting God’s plan for my life. But no matter what I do, my heart always comes back to children. I’ve been mailing You Are So Loved to organizations that serve vulnerable children, such as CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), foster care programs, domestic violence shelters, Impact Africa, and Mercy Ships. My deepest desire is for every child to know just how deeply loved they are by God.

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share this message, and I look forward to this conversation today!

MCA: Won’t you provide us with a brief synopsis of the book?

A perfect, unfailing, faithful love. You Are So Loved provides hope to all children. It nurtures and strengthens confidence in every child who reads it. No matter what they do, see, hear, or experience, God will always be present and will love them forever.

They will:

• Gain understanding of God’s unfailing love for them.
• Feel loved beyond measure.
• Understand the truth of who they are and how precious they are.
• Learn to build a genuine friendship with God and understand that we place our value on how deeply God loves us and on who He says we are, not on what the world says.

MCA: Tell us what moved you to become an author—and how your life experiences influence your writing.

I never set out to become an author, but I truly believe God placed You Are So Loved on my heart during a season of deep prayer. During 21 days of prayer, I felt a strong calling to write a book that would remind children of how deeply they are loved by God. As a mother, I know firsthand how important it is for children to feel safe, valued, and cherished, and I wanted to create something that would provide that reassurance—not just for my own kids, but for children everywhere.

My background as a military wife, a mother, and someone who has always had a heart for children deeply influences my writing. I’ve spent years seeing the resilience of military families, the unique challenges children face, and the importance of providing comfort and encouragement. Motherhood, in particular, is the greatest calling of my life, and it has shaped everything I do. My love for my own children and my faith in God’s promises inspire the messages I share in my writing.

Beyond my personal experiences, I also felt a strong pull to make sure this book reached children who need it most. That’s why I’ve been mailing You Are So Loved to organizations that support vulnerable children. My prayer is that every child who reads it will feel seen, valued, and deeply loved by God.

Becoming an author was a leap of faith, but looking back, I see how God orchestrated every step of this journey. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share His love through my writing, and I look forward to continuing to do so in the future.

MCA: Was there a specific occurrence that moved you to write You Are So Loved?

As a mother, I’ve always felt that my greatest purpose is to love and nurture my children, and that extends beyond my own family. I wanted to create something that would bring comfort, reassurance, and encouragement to children everywhere, especially those who may feel unseen, unloved, or uncertain of their worth.

One of the defining moments that truly solidified my decision to write this book was hearing stories of children who have experienced hardship—those in foster care, those who have faced rejection, and those who are simply longing for love and affirmation. I knew I wanted this book to reach the hearts of children who need it most. My prayer is that every child who reads it will come to understand just how precious they are in God’s eyes.

This book is only the beginning of my journey as an author. I’m now working on a new book that blends my love for faith and horses, inspired by the story of our horse, Simon. His journey of transformation—once neglected, injured, and rejected by his herd but later healed and restored—mirrors the way God’s love can redeem and renew all of us. I’m excited to continue sharing messages of hope, love, and faith through storytelling.

MCA: Truly an inspiring message. Would you share your creative process with us—how you generate ideas and bring them to life on the page?

My creative process is deeply rooted in faith and inspiration from God. When writing You Are So Loved, I felt God impress upon my heart the importance of the rainbow—not just as a beautiful part of creation but as a miraculous reminder of His unfailing love. The Bible verse Genesis 9:11-17, where God places a bright rainbow in the sky as a sign of His promises, became a central theme in the book. To me, the rainbow symbolizes God’s unwavering love and faithfulness—a miracle we can still witness today.

I wanted this symbolism to be more than just words on a page; I wanted it to be visually woven into the book’s design. That’s why I made the rainbow a key part of the color palette. As readers turn the pages, they’ll notice that each illustration transitions through the colors of the rainbow, creating a visually engaging and meaningful experience. It was my hope that this subtle but intentional design choice would reinforce the book’s message of love, hope, and divine promise.

Bringing this vision to life was a collaborative effort, and working with Noor Zaki as my illustrator was an incredible experience. Despite the time difference—me being in Virginia and Noor in Pakistan—we would work together every morning at 5:30 AM for a year to refine and perfect the artwork. Noor had an amazing ability to take my ideas and elevate them in ways I never could have imagined. She captured the heart of the book so beautifully, and I am beyond grateful for her talent and dedication.

For me, the creative process isn’t just about writing—it’s about listening to God’s guidance, trusting the journey, and surrounding myself with people who help bring the vision to life. Every step of this book’s creation was a testament to God’s faithfulness, and I am honored to share it with the world.

MCA: It’s always fascinating to hear about an author’s experiences while creating their first book. What do you hope readers will take away from You Are So Loved?

My hope is that every child who reads You Are So Loved walks away knowing, without a doubt, how deeply cherished they are by God. In a world that can sometimes make children feel unseen, unworthy, or not enough, I want this book to be a source of reassurance and comfort—a reminder that they are wonderfully made, fully known, and unconditionally loved. I hope readers—both young and old—come away with a renewed sense of God’s love and the understanding that they are precious in His eyes, just as they are.

MCA: I certainly share that hope. What do you find most rewarding about the writing process—and what are some of the challenges you face?

The most rewarding part of the writing process is seeing how You Are So Loved is touching the hearts of children and families. Knowing that this book is providing comfort, reassurance, and a reminder of God’s unfailing love makes every step of the journey worth it. When I receive messages from parents, caregivers, or even children themselves sharing how the book has impacted them, it reaffirms that following God’s calling to write this book was the right decision.

Another rewarding aspect is the creative collaboration working with Noor Zaki to bring my vision to life was an incredible experience. Seeing the story come together visually was so special. I loved watching the words and illustrations blend into something meaningful and beautiful.

On the other hand, writing and publishing a book isn’t without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was simply taking that leap of faith. I had never written a book before, and stepping into something unknown required a lot of trust in God’s plan. There were moments of doubt, wondering if I was the right person for this, but I kept reminding myself that if God placed this on my heart, He would equip me for it.

MCA: Tell us how You Are So Loved contributes to promoting family-friendly values or enhancing the lives of your readers.

My book, You Are So Loved, is designed to be more than just a story—it’s a heartfelt reminder of God’s unconditional love, meant to uplift and encourage children and families. At its core, the book promotes family-friendly values by reinforcing the importance of love, faith, and affirmation. In a world where children are constantly exposed to messages that make them question their worth, You Are So Loved serves as a foundation of truth, reminding them that they are wonderfully made, deeply known, and infinitely loved by God.

One of the ways this book enhances the lives of readers is by fostering meaningful conversations between parents and children. Whether it’s read at bedtime, during family devotionals, or in quiet moments together, You Are So Loved creates an opportunity for families to speak life and encouragement into their children. It reassures kids that they are valued just as they are and that God’s love for them is unwavering.

Ultimately, I hope You Are So Loved helps strengthen family bonds, encourages faith-filled conversations, and instills in children the unshakable truth that they are precious and loved beyond measure.

MCA: Can you share any memorable moments or feedback from readers that have touched you or reinforced the impact of your work?

There have been so many moments that have touched my heart and reinforced why I felt called to write You Are So Loved, but a few stand out in a truly special way.

One story that moved me deeply was shared by my sister-in-law. She had given my book to a co-worker who was going through a difficult time and had to move into a family member’s home with her young daughter. They weren’t Christians, but the little girl was drawn to the book in such a powerful way. She loved it so much that she would sneak it off the bookshelf at night and sleep with it. That simple act reminded me that God’s love reaches hearts in ways we can’t always see, and that this book is touching lives beyond what I could have ever imagined.

Another moment that filled me with joy was hearing about my niece, Kasey. She loved You Are So Loved so much that she would pack it in her backpack every morning and take it to school to share with her classmates. Knowing that she was so excited to spread the book’s message with her friends was incredibly humbling and reinforced the importance of this book’s message.

And then there’s my niece, who has struggled with reading and would often avoid reading out loud. But something about You Are So Loved resonated with her in a way that gave her confidence. She loved the book so much that she started reading it out loud to her grandma every time she stayed over. To know that this book not only encouraged her spiritually but also helped her find joy in reading means the world to me.

Each of these stories is a reminder that You Are So Loved is more than just words on a page—it’s a message that’s bringing comfort, joy, and confidence to children in ways I never expected. Seeing how God is using this book to touch hearts in such personal ways has been the most humbling and rewarding part of this journey.

MCA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting their writing journey?

My biggest piece of advice to aspiring authors is this: Trust the calling God has placed on your heart and take that leap of faith, even when ­the path feels uncertain. When I first felt led to write You Are So Loved, I had never written a book before. I didn’t know where to start. If you feel called to write, start writing—even if it’s messy, even if you don’t have all the answers yet. Just take the first step.

Embrace the process and be patient. Writing a book is not an overnight journey. It takes time, refinement, and perseverance. There will be moments of doubt, but don’t let fear or uncertainty stop you. Stay rooted in your purpose and remind yourself why you started.­

Surround yourself with the right people. Whether it’s a mentor, a supportive friend, or an illustrator who understands your vision (like Noor Zaki did for me), having the right team makes all the difference. Collaborating with people who believe in your story and help bring it to life is invaluable.

Don’t be afraid to share your work. It can be intimidating to put your heart into something and send it out into the world, but stories are meant to be shared.

Most importantly, write with purpose and heart. Your words have the power to inspire, encourage, and change lives. If God has placed a story within you, trust that it’s meant to be told. Stay faithful, keep writing, and know that your words will reach exactly who they are meant to.

MCA: Natalie, as an author, what are your future plans or goals?

I’m really excited about the next book I’m working on! While I have five concepts I’m exploring, the one I’m focusing on next will be Christian faith- and equestrian-themed. It’s inspired by our horse, Simon, who has an incredible story. He was once neglected, injured, and rejected by his herd, but after we cared for him and nurtured him back to health, he transformed into a healthy, happy horse who now thrives in a loving herd family.

The book will highlight how love, care, and having someone believe in you can truly transform a life. Simon’s story will explore the idea that we all have scars—some visible on the outside and others hidden within. It will emphasize how God can heal those wounds, whether they’re physical or emotional, and how His love and redemption can transform us completely. Simon’s journey is such a powerful example of this, and I hope it will resonate with readers and remind them of God’s incredible ability to make all things new. Simon’s story is such a beautiful reflection of God’s love and redemption, and I can’t wait to share it!

MCA: And we can’t wait to see it! Natalie, it’s been such a pleasure to have this time with you. Thanks again for joining us, and we absolutely wish you the best with your future writing endeavors!