Meet Catholic Romance Writer Gerri Bauer

Gerri is not just a Catholic romance writer. She also has non-romantic short stories and other varied interests. She enjoys Gregorian Chant as well as the Grateful Dead. She enjoys Jane Austen alongside Star Trek. She loves her husband and loves to write as much as any other author in our Meet the Writer series. So brew yourself a nice cup of tea and…

Meet Catholic Romance Writer Gerri Bauer

1. Tell something interesting about yourself

I was 10 when my mini-story was published in Highlights magazine.
I was 58 when my debut novel was traditionally published.

2. What makes a good Catholic writer?

Someone whose Catholic faith/worldview permeates their writing, whether fiction or nonfiction. Good Catholic writers also have learned their craft and practiced, practiced, practiced before releasing their work into the world.

3. What do you like about being a Catholic/Christian Writer?

Being true to myself, my faith and my values – and hoping that my worldview connects with readers. Even if I only touch one reader, that’s one person who may benefit in some way.

4. What is the Main focus of your particular Writing or what do you like to write about?

Love and redemption are themes that surface in my fiction, both in my historical romances and non-romance short stories. Catholicism is integrated into a person’s whole being, and I make Catholic values part of the lived experience of the fictional Catholic characters in my novels. That applies even in my short stories in which religion isn’t mentioned. (You can read some of my short stories for free on my website, gerribauer.com)

Seconds ticked on the grandfather clock against the wall, but each seemed a minute long. She took a step backward, and feared she’d drop the plate despite how hard she gripped it. The boy and girl shared the same shaped nose, mouth, and eyes. And so did she. She was face to face with her nose, her mouth, her eyes. The three of them even had the same hazel eye color. Miriam and the girl could have been twins. Only the girl was pink and fleshy like her mother, and Miriam was thin and dark, as her own mother had been.  Mama, who had always urged her to sit out in the sun without wearing a bonnet. –Fertile Ground

5. How does your Catholic Faith influence your writing?

My Catholic worldview forms the foundation of all my writing, even when faith may not be obvious on a story’s surface. Catholicism has impacted my fiction, the four secular biographies I co-wrote for hire, and the speeches and other material I wrote while working for a secular university. It even influenced my earlier journalism years when I thought I was a lapsed Catholic. I realized, in hindsight, after I returned to sacramental practice, that I’d actually stayed Catholic all along. (I’m a cradle Catholic.) My beliefs underscored everything I wrote journalistically and on occasion got me in trouble when I wouldn’t compromise them – such as when refusing an editor’s request to twist the meaning of an article or refusing to use recommended but unethical reporting practices.

6. What’s your favorite article/Post/book/story you have written?

Oh, that’s a tough one. I have soft spots for the short story, “Miss Edna’s Lace.”

When Elvis died, I felt so empty that I headed straight for Jimmy Choo’s, but quietly, with the half-veil of my pillbox hat draped low over my face.  I didn’t want to draw attention to my vintage Dior mourning outfit, since I normally wear pants, even here. The voices followed me all the way uptown, which I reckon was because I was thinking about Elvis and I can’t think about Elvis without thinking about home.

And for the third novel in my three-novel series. That novel is “Growing A Family in Persimmon Hollow,”

Persimmon Hollow, January, 1891

Penelope Gold stood by the window, cradled a hand over her abdomen, and swallowed. She had to stay detached. The life growing inside would be with her for only another six months. Then he or she would stay here at St. Isidore’s Orphanage South in this hinterland town on the Florida frontier.

Penelope would return to Boston, and pretend to have absorbed a rich understanding of Italian Renaissance art after an extended trip abroad. Everyone at musicales and dinner parties would nod and make appropriate murmurings as though they believed her.

7. What is your favorite topic/subject to write about?

Love. Not only romantic love, but love in the deeper Gospel sense.

8. Favorite scripture verse.

Philippians 4:7 – Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

The whole of Philippians 4:4-9 speaks to me, but I figured 11 lines of scripture might be long for this interview.

9. What Are you currently working on?

Editing/revising the unpublished non-romance short stories I’ve written over the past 30 years, with a goal of self-publishing a collection.

Writing one blog post a month for my Frontier Florida blog about domestic life in pioneer Florida. Frontier Florida

Most small-town restaurant layouts don’t guide patrons through history during a walk to the restroom. I’m glad Thai Blossom in Winter Garden does.

No, this isn’t a food post, although their food is excellent. And I wasn’t paid in any way to say so. My husband and I stopped there for lunch a few times on computer-repair drop-off and pick-up journeys. That’s how I discovered the history. –Frontier Florida : Historic hotel deserves rescue

Writing an updated history of my parish’s CCW organization. The first 60 years are documented, but papers/files from the subsequent 40 years are widely scattered.

Revisiting the mess of a historical novel I abandoned 10 years ago. It needs a full rewrite.

10. Name a favorite saint or Catholic or some other figure who inspires you in your life.

Saint/Mother Cabrini and Venerable/soon to be Blessed Fulton Sheen top my list equally.

I was born and raised in NYC even though I’ve been a Floridian for many decades. I’ve admired Mother Cabrini and Archbishop Sheen since my youth. They inspire me as fearless, strong examples of Catholicism and what it means to live the faith. They loved God, were deeply Catholic and dedicated themselves to helping others by using their distinct strengths and charisms.

11. Who is your favorite Living Writer?

Philippa Gregory, an English novelist of historical fiction. I particularly enjoy her novels about the Tudor era. She has well-rounded characters, stories that flow, and interesting plots that often include religious conflict.

12. If you could have lunch with any deceased writer who would it be, what would you eat and what would you talk about?

Can I pick two?

Flannery O’Connor: We’d eat whatever was in season at Andalusia during my visit, but it would include dairy. I’m fascinated by how O’Connor was such a bold Catholic writer in a Protestant-dominated time and place that radiated waves of suspicion and sometimes hatred about Catholicism. I’d hope to discuss living and writing in such a milieu. And we’d talk about and admire the pea hens.

Jane Austen: We’d have tea and discuss writing techniques and sewing. I’d watch for signs of the stinging wit that slips into her novels and surviving letters. And I’d try to discern her full personality, lost to posterity when her sister – shortly before she died almost 30 years after Jane died – destroyed almost all Jane’s thousands of letters.

13. Name a favorite movie/tv show or music you find worth sharing with others.

Star Trek – TOS

and TNG.

I’ll ace any trivia quiz you bring on
I’m fluent in JavaScript as well as Klingon

Only question I ever thought was hard
Was do I like Kirk or do I like Picard?
–Weird Al, White and Nerdy

Gregorian chant,

Mozart/Bach/Albinoni allegro and concerto selections,

and some Grateful Dead.

14, Can you see one of your books being made into a movie or tv series?

Yep. I think all writers can see that. Since it’d be best to start with the first book in a series, I’ll opt for my novel At Home in Persimmon Hollow. That way the other novels could follow in subsequent seasons.

15. Favorite Historical event.

The Transfiguration. It’s like the veil between God and man lifts for the briefest moments, just enough to offer a glimpse of the brilliance of everlasting life.

This interview was published on May 8, 2026

The day these events took place

1373 – Julian of Norwich, a Christian mystic and anchoress, experiences the deathbed visions described in her Revelations of Divine Love.

1429 – Joan of Arc lifts the Siege of Orléans, turning the tide of the Hundred Years’ War.

1886 – Pharmacist John Pemberton first sells a carbonated beverage named “Coca-Cola” as a patent medicine.

1970 – The Beatles release their 12th and final studio album Let It Be.

2026- Personal History of Gerri Bauer

And here is an aside that I just have to share. I was delighted to see you’ve scheduled me for May 8, 2026. It’s a very special day. One of my nephews is finally graduating from college after many years of starts and stops and jobs. His commencement is May 8. It’s especially important because his father’s (my older brother) dying wish that he finish that degree. And he did. The joy is both immense and bittersweet.

His name is William Giovanelli and his father’s name was Richard Giovanelli, who died in 2024 from cancer. William’s Mom, Pam Giovanelli, is going to the Commencement – it’s in Galveston, Texas, not an easy place to get to! William is graduating with honors from the Texas A&M College of Marine Sciences & Maritime Studies and he now plans to get a master’s degree.

Catholic Bard: I had an interesting dream about Galveston Texas.  Why Did I Dream About That? | Relating A Dream I Had Of A Place Don’t Actively Remember Reading About Only To Find Out That I Did.

16. What else do you want people to know about anything.

We’re called to respect the dignity of all people, even when we disagree with them about any of the myriad things dividing humanity today.

Want to Be Interviewed Also?

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