Summer Reading Feature: Chrissie Koroiuvi

Chrissie Koroivui’s, DCo’s Solid Waste Program Manager, passion for reading romance novels inspired her to embark on a literary journey to an unexpected path – from reader to author.

Chrissie, under the pen name Cora Day, is the mind behind the Grimm County Lawmen series a collection of contemporary romantic suspense books. The series centers around a small-town sheriff’s office and each book in the series puts a contemporary spin on classic fairytales. Chrissie’s journey to becoming an author started after the realization that she needed to carve out time for herself amidst the demands and responsibilities of motherhood.

“On my birthday in 2023, I looked back at the previous year and felt like I’d been swallowed up in “mom life”, she reflects. “I could not think of anything I’d done over the previous twelve months that had been just for me. For the next twelve months, I vowed to change that”. Her love for reading and the realization that many of the books she enjoyed were penned by independent self-published authors, inspired her to pursue authorship. Chrissie set a goal to write and publish a book within a year—and ultimately surpassed her expectations by publishing three!

She is currently working on Grimm County Wishes, the last book in the Grimm County Lawmen series, and has plans for more books beyond her current series. “I have a notebook full of ideas”, says Chrissie “so I have no plans of slowing down.”

For Chrissie, the joy of writing lies in the creative process. “Creating the story is my favorite part. I enjoy dreaming up different scenes and then weaving them together to bring my characters from A to Z,” she explains. Yet, it’s the connection with her readers that truly ignites her enthusiasm.

“Interacting with fans has been really exciting,” Chrissie adds. “It’s great to have the support of family and friends, but when a complete stranger reaches out to tell you how much they enjoyed your book—there’s nothing like it.”

When she’s not writing, she’s probably immersed in the works of her current favorite authors Julie Johnstone, Amelia Elliot, and S.J. Tilly.

And her advice for aspiring authors? “If you’re struggling to start, just set a timer for twenty minutes and write. Don’t worry about spelling or grammar, just focus on telling the story. And if you’re struggling to finish, remember to bless and release. Your book is destined to become someone’s favorite, so don’t leave them hanging!”