Michelle Shocklee, Rendezvous ’26 Writer

Rendezvous with readers and writers in Nashville on November 7, 2026, to celebrate stories and enjoy encouraging fellowship.

 

Meet Michelle Shocklee at Read Write Rendezvous ‘26

History comes alive in Michelle Shocklee’s novels through richly layered stories, heartfelt emotion, and a deep appreciation for the people and moments that shape generations. Readers who love historical fiction filled with meaning, hope, and unforgettable characters will not want to miss connecting with this talented writer at Read Write Rendezvous.

 

About the Writer

Michelle Shocklee is the author of several acclaimed historical novels, including All We Thought We Knew, the 2025 Christy Award Book of the Year; Appalachian Song, a 2024 Christy Award finalist; Count the Nights by Stars, winner of the 2023 Christianity Today Book Award in Fiction; and Under the Tulip Tree, a Christy Award and Selah Award finalist.

As a woman of mixed heritage—with Hispanic roots on her father’s side and German ancestry on her mother’s—Michelle has long valued diversity and believes stories help readers better understand one another. Learning from the past and changing the future is at the heart of why she writes historical fiction.

Now that their two sons are grown and married, Michelle and her husband enjoy life together in Tennessee.

You can learn more about Michelle and her books on her website at www.MichelleShocklee.com.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance

Currently reading: The Year of Jubilee by Cindy Morgan

A note from Michelle:
With millions of books out in the world to choose from, I’m always grateful when readers choose to read one of mine! Thank you!

 

About the Featured Title

The Women of Oak Ridge

In the hills of Tennessee, two women work at a Manhattan Project site during World War II and uncover truths that irrevocably change their lives in this captivating new story from award-winning Southern fiction author Michelle Shocklee.

1944. Maebelle Willett arrives in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, eager to begin her new government job and send money home to her impoverished family. She knows little about the work she will be doing, but she’s told it will help America win the war. Not all is what it seems, however. Though Oak Ridge employees are forbidden from discussing their jobs, Mae’s roommate begins sharing disturbing information, then disappears without a trace. Mae desperately attempts to find her but instead comes face-to-face with a life-altering revelation—one that comes at significant cost.

1979. Laurel Willett is a graduate student in Boston when she learns about the history of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where thousands unknowingly worked on the atomic bomb. Intrigued because she knows her Aunt Mae was employed there, Laurel decides to spend the summer with her aunt, hoping to add a family connection to her thesis research. But Mae adamantly refuses to talk about her time in the Secret City. Mae’s friends, however, offer to share their experiences, propelling Laurel on her path to uncovering the truth about a missing woman. As Laurel works to put the pieces together, the hidden pain and guilt Mae has tried so hard to bury comes to light . . . with potentially disastrous consequences.

Standalone Southern historical fiction great for fans of Lisa Wingate, Donna Everhart, and Lynn Austin. A compelling dual-timeline novel set during WWII and the 1970s about the weight of secrets and the power of forgiveness.

Also Available: All We Thought We Knew, Appalachian Song, Under the Tulip Tree, Count the Nights by Stars

 

All featured Rendezvous titles are listed on the JustRead Amazon Storefront, or visit the author’s website for more information. Learn more about Read Write Rendezvous—why (About page), what, where, who, and how (Event page). We invite you to join us and/or support the event (Sponsorship and Promotional Opportunities page).

Have you read any of Michelle’s books? Let us know your favorites and which titles you add to your TBR!