Maureen Wise has spent her career immersed in environmental science and sustainability, from teaching college-level courses to restoring streams and, humorously, struggling to keep houseplants alive. With a deep appreciation for nature and a knack for storytelling, Wise is uniquely positioned to reveal the beauty of the natural world.
Writing under the pen name Iris March, she’s best known for her Succulent Sleuth Cozy Mystery Series. But in 2024, she took a new path with Strength for My Path: 52 Devotions from the Hiking Trail, a spiritual guidebook that invites readers to connect with creation through scripture, prayer, and time outdoors.
“We went to California many years ago to visit the tallest trees in the world,” Wise recalls. “I kept saying to myself, this is church. I felt so inspired and in awe on every hike we took.” That experience led to an article for a faith/science nonprofit—and ultimately, the realization that she had much more to say.
Strength for My Path offers 52 devotions designed to accompany hikers on their journeys. Each entry includes scripture, prayer, and reflections that:
- Deepen love for both creation and the Creator
- Share hiking tips and nature facts
- Promote responsible creation care
- Spark wonder in the natural world
Every devotion was born from deep reflection and prayer. Wise’s favorite trails are found in the Cleveland Metroparks near her home, where she finds peace and purpose in God’s handiwork. As a certified Master Recycler, she’s also committed to preserving that handiwork through education and action.
Much like Master Gardeners, Master Recyclers undergo rigorous training. Wise completed a 15-week course through her county’s solid waste district, attending lectures, taking field trips, and volunteering 20 hours in her community.
“I’ve been writing about sustainability for over ten years,” she says. “I can’t seem to stop myself from having my cozy mystery characters carry reusable water bottles, compost waste, and care about their environmental impact.” Fiction may be fun, but it’s also a vehicle for her values.
Her own home reflects that commitment. “I admit I’m trying to plant a forest in our front yard,” she laughs. “And yes, we’ve had solar panels on our house since 2017.”
In Strength for My Path, Wise includes themed chapters like “Jesus Valued Time in Nature,” “Faith Found in Forest Fires,” “Carry a Compass,” “The Stillness of Snow,” and “Nature Centers and Churches.” Each title hints at the spiritual insight within.
When it comes to writing, Wise prefers long-form projects and is most confident in article writing, having published over 300. She never writes linearly, instead working a little each day and tracking her progress with a spreadsheet of daily and weekly word counts.
Whether you’re heading out for a day hike or carving out a few quiet minutes before work, Strength for My Path is a thoughtful companion for spiritual reflection in the wild. It encourages readers to pray in “wild places”—on rugged cliffs, deep in forests, or wherever nature calls.
Maureen Wise will make her debut appearance at the Buckeye Book Fair on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the Greystone Event Center in Wooster. A proud member of the Northeast Ohio Sisters in Crime Chapter, she’s excited to meet readers, share hiking tips, and answer your burning recycling questions. It would be a crime to miss her.
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