Class of 1984
Business Certificate

What have you been up to since leaving Crandall?

I graduated from Atlantic Baptist College (ABC) in 1984 with a business certificate. I took two years of various business courses and graduated on the Dean’s list. I immediately went to work in the office at Kenneth E. Spencer Memorial Home and stayed there for a few years. After that I worked for Apex Machine Works before circumstances took me to Halifax. In 1989, I started working for London Life Insurance Company and have now been with them for 29 years.

In 1994, I took a leap of faith and continued my London Life career in London, Ontario. It was here that I met my husband Jeff at the Turtle Races (long story!). We’ve been married 20 years this fall.

One of my favorite things to do is write contemporary Christian romantic suspense novels. Ever since I picked up my first Nancy Drew book, I’ve always loved a good mystery. That’s when my inspiration for writing took hold of my heart. I started my own “Mindy Dobson” mystery series. While I lived in Halifax, I took a Creative Writing course and began work on a short story that soon turned into a manuscript. It continued after I joined a writer’s club called Women Writing for Christ (WWC) here in London. That manuscript won the 2016 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense for an unpublished novel. My second novel won the 2017 ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Genesis award in the Romantic Suspense category.

I took courses through the Christian Writers Guild run by Jerry B. Jenkins. These helped me grow my writing career and I now have an agent who has pitched my manuscript to different publishing companies in the U.S. I’m continuing on with writing other books while I wait for publication. I know that God has a specific one in mind for me in His perfect timing.

I’ve had an article featured in Our Canada plus other articles including a continuing short story published in an online publication – Christian Life in London. I blog weekly and share many stories of heartache, growth, and deal with different circumstances in life.

I pray that God will use my words for His Kingdom. That’s why I write. For Him.

How has Crandall prepared you for the future?

I will forever be grateful for the studies I had at ABC. I met many amazing people that helped shape my life through life’s experiences. Dannie Brown was a huge influence in my life and what I learned through his classes has helped me grow in the world of business. I enjoyed being part of the choir and going on tours. What a great experience! I also rededicated my life to Christ while I was at ABC. I have been through many trials that have since helped me to grow stronger. As my mother always used to say, “God is good. All the time!”

Note: I would love for you to connect with me through my blog at www.darlenelturner.com.