Christina Hergenrader began her career as an award-winning teacher, writing devotionals for her class. She was inspired by the feedback to submit her writing for publication and is now the author of ten titles for both teens and adults, spanning both fiction and non-fiction. Her novel, Last Summer at Eden was nominated for a Christy Award. When she’s not writing, Christina loves spending time with her husband and four children, teaching, speaking to women’s groups, traveling, photography, and spending time in prayer.
I can’t spell Bio without BOI (born on island) because that’s where my story begins. I was born on Galveston Island to a first-grade teacher and a principal. Growing up, I loved to read and take care of our menagerie of pets.
I graduated from high school ready to experience something other than island life. Why not Nebraska? Sight pretty much unseen, I packed up my wardrobe of t-shirts and shorts to attend college at Concordia, Nebraska. Five years and fifteen pounds later I graduated with a passion for teaching, lifelong friends, and a constant craving for cafeteria food. I’ve never met a baked potato bar I didn’t like.
I met my future husband at a wedding a few weeks after college graduation. He said, “Can I buy you a beer?” Answering yes to that Budweiser Heavy was the best decision of my life.
My first teaching job was in Houston and my new husband joined me here. I absolutely loved teaching and was named Teacher of the Year and Young Alumnus by my alma mater, Concordia.
I earned my Masters degree in Creative Writing, writing my creative thesis about Caroline, a high school student modeled after several of my students. Encouraged by how much my classes liked the novel devotions, I submitted the manuscript to Concordia Publishing House, who contracted me to write a series. More books, articles, and Bible study curriculum followed. With each new assignment I fell more in love with my Savior—and my calling to spread His message to the world.
Our lives changed in 2004 when God blessed us with our first daughter. About two years later He gave us the double blessing of twins, a boy and a girl. Two years after that, God gave us more love than we could imagine with the birth of our fourth baby, a boy (for those of you keeping track at home that’s four kids in five years). Haunted by the fear I wouldn’t remember anything from these hectic years, I started my blog, bestoftimesblog.com.
I’ve written five fiction books (the Novel Devotions series and Last Summer at Eden) and five non-fiction books (God Loves Moms: Twelve Lessons about God’s Mercy, Love Rules: A Study of the Ten Commandments, Starring Roles, Family Trees & Olive Branches, and Shine: Reflecting God’s Love).
I love to meet readers and share God’s love through speaking.