Susan J. Reinhardt’s writing journey has taken the scenic route. From her elementary school days to the present, her path has included challenges, unexpected detours, perseverance, and, above all, a deep desire to share God’s Word with others.
Susan’s love of reading began to blossom during her school years and eventually grew into a desire to write. As a child, she struggled with dyslexia at a time when it was virtually unknown. A caring grade-school teacher helped her overcome some of those challenges, while her parents instilled strong godly values and made sure she was in church whenever the doors were open. Although her early attempts at writing were unsuccessful, the dream never completely disappeared.
In 2003, Susan’s writing journey began to take shape. Her individual devotions and short articles were published over the following several years. She hoped to write a devotional book, but after attending a writers conference and receiving advice about the publishing market, that dream was temporarily set aside.
A few years later, during a Christmas visit to Gettysburg, she was standing in the town square and "heard the voices of the Founding Fathers as fading echoes." When they returned home, her attempts to write a non-fiction article didn't work out. She put the experience on the shelf and kept it in prayer.
When discussing it months later, her husband enthusiastically told her, “That’s it! That’s your book, and you’ll write it in four months.” Susan had her doubts, but she couldn’t shake his words. Then, one day, she began writing—and the characters seemed to jump onto the page. Four months later, the first draft was complete.
That experience launched Susan’s fiction career. She went on to write four novels: The Moses Conspiracy, The Scent of Fear, The Christmas Wish, and Out of the Mist. The first three were published through a small press in Pennsylvania, while Out of the Mist was published by her late agent through Amazon’s White Glove program. The books enjoyed modest success within their genre. Although they are currently out of print, Susan hopes they may make a comeback someday.
Life brought Susan additional detours, including the passing of her husband and years devoted to caring for her mother. In 2020, while immersed in caregiving and dealing with the stresses that came with it, Susan’s long-held vision of writing a women’s devotional book resurfaced as she prayed and sought God’s direction.
Even though her time was limited, Susan continued to make progress. She recognized a need for a devotional that offered just the right amount of encouragement each day—not so brief that the reader felt shortchanged, yet not so extensive that it became difficult to fit into a busy schedule. She realized that other women might benefit from a devotional designed with that balance in mind, and she pressed forward.
When Susan’s mother passed away in 2024, work on the devotional moved into high gear. Eventually, a publisher was found, and the dream that had been planted years earlier became a reality.
Jump-Start Your Day! A 60-Day Devotional is a Christian women’s devotional created to help readers begin each day by spending meaningful time in God’s Word. Born out of Susan’s own seasons of uncertainty, caregiving, prayer, and perseverance, the devotional offers encouragement for women who need something substantial enough to carry with them throughout the day while still fitting into their busy lives.
From a little girl struggling with dyslexia to a published novelist and now the author of a devotional book, Susan’s writing journey has certainly taken the scenic route. Through every twist and turn, however, her passion for writing—and her desire to encourage others through her faith—has remained.
Jump-Start Your Day! A 60-Day Devotional launched the end of August 2026 and is available on Amazon, B&N, and BookLocker.
Susan’s love of reading began to blossom during her school years and eventually grew into a desire to write. As a child, she struggled with dyslexia at a time when it was virtually unknown. A caring grade-school teacher helped her overcome some of those challenges, while her parents instilled strong godly values and made sure she was in church whenever the doors were open. Although her early attempts at writing were unsuccessful, the dream never completely disappeared.
In 2003, Susan’s writing journey began to take shape. Her individual devotions and short articles were published over the following several years. She hoped to write a devotional book, but after attending a writers conference and receiving advice about the publishing market, that dream was temporarily set aside.
A few years later, during a Christmas visit to Gettysburg, she was standing in the town square and "heard the voices of the Founding Fathers as fading echoes." When they returned home, her attempts to write a non-fiction article didn't work out. She put the experience on the shelf and kept it in prayer.
When discussing it months later, her husband enthusiastically told her, “That’s it! That’s your book, and you’ll write it in four months.” Susan had her doubts, but she couldn’t shake his words. Then, one day, she began writing—and the characters seemed to jump onto the page. Four months later, the first draft was complete.
That experience launched Susan’s fiction career. She went on to write four novels: The Moses Conspiracy, The Scent of Fear, The Christmas Wish, and Out of the Mist. The first three were published through a small press in Pennsylvania, while Out of the Mist was published by her late agent through Amazon’s White Glove program. The books enjoyed modest success within their genre. Although they are currently out of print, Susan hopes they may make a comeback someday.
Life brought Susan additional detours, including the passing of her husband and years devoted to caring for her mother. In 2020, while immersed in caregiving and dealing with the stresses that came with it, Susan’s long-held vision of writing a women’s devotional book resurfaced as she prayed and sought God’s direction.
Even though her time was limited, Susan continued to make progress. She recognized a need for a devotional that offered just the right amount of encouragement each day—not so brief that the reader felt shortchanged, yet not so extensive that it became difficult to fit into a busy schedule. She realized that other women might benefit from a devotional designed with that balance in mind, and she pressed forward.
When Susan’s mother passed away in 2024, work on the devotional moved into high gear. Eventually, a publisher was found, and the dream that had been planted years earlier became a reality.
Jump-Start Your Day! A 60-Day Devotional is a Christian women’s devotional created to help readers begin each day by spending meaningful time in God’s Word. Born out of Susan’s own seasons of uncertainty, caregiving, prayer, and perseverance, the devotional offers encouragement for women who need something substantial enough to carry with them throughout the day while still fitting into their busy lives.
From a little girl struggling with dyslexia to a published novelist and now the author of a devotional book, Susan’s writing journey has certainly taken the scenic route. Through every twist and turn, however, her passion for writing—and her desire to encourage others through her faith—has remained.
Jump-Start Your Day! A 60-Day Devotional launched the end of August 2026 and is available on Amazon, B&N, and BookLocker.
