Go Saints!!

This is Margaret here. I know that Lenora wrote about the Saints winning the Super Bowl, too, this week, but I can't resist doing the same because this was a long time coming for the Saints fans. I grew up in Biloxi and the Saints were the closest pro football team for us. My mother and stepfather weren't big into sports and football, but they loved following the Saints team. I'm only sorry they aren't here to finally see their team win the Super Bowl. They used to go to New Orleans to watch the game--this isn't something they did for other sports or teams. But there was just something about the Saints that pulled them in. Thank you Saints for giving my mother and stepfather such joy. I'm tickled that you finally played and won the Super Bowl. I know New Orleans needed the boost after all they have endured in the past years.

New Orleans Saints and dreaming .....

Hello. It's Lenora. 106 million people watched the New Orleans Saints win the Super Bowl. And what a win it was. In order to understand the magnitude of this win, you'd need to understand the history of the Saints and how they almost left Louisiana right before Hurrican Katrina hit. Their owner wanted a new stadium but Louisiana wasn't quite ready to pay for that. Things looked bad for a while and then Katrina hit and things went from bad to worse when the Superdome became a symbol of devastation and dismay. We didn't get a new Superdome exactly, but we did get a remodeled, rebuilt Superdome and after some tough negotiations, the Saints came marching home. Then Drew Brees took a chance and followed them.

It's the stuff of legends, a magical season of excitement and hope in the hearts of fans who needed something to cling to, something to hold onto when the world looked so bleak just outside their doors. New Orleans is a city of mystery and magic anyway, with one foot in the fire and one hand knocking on heaven's door. The city is a mixture of sinners and saints, that's for sure. But after the storms, it also became a city that truly was almost forgotten. Then something changed. The Saints started winning football games and New Orleans got a new attitude and a new breath of life. So if everyone out there will allow the state of Louisiana, known for being on so many "worst" lists, to enjoy being on a NUMBER ONE list, we'd appreciate the love, brothers and sisters. We are so thankful for the Saints, for Drew Brees, for Tracy Porter, Jeremy Shockey, Reggie Bush and Garrett Hartley. And the whole team of players with big hearts and big determination. This is all about redemption and hope, things we love to write about in our love stories. This is a love story--love for a team and a city. Even if you don't get football, we can all agree on that. It's nice to win. It's nice to smile and hug a friend and to dance around the room in glee as you watch a saint coming into his victory, carrying a flag of forgiveness and hope and redemption and salvation. Sure it's just a game, but this particular game was important to the state of Louisiana. And sometimes hope comes in the least expected forms--touchdowns, punts, field goals and interceptions--in a game or in life itself.Okay, back to writing my stories. I think I have a new one in mind.

Debra Clopton is Here! Can I get an Amen :)

Yes it's me, Debra Clopton and if all goes well hopefully this time as I write this post my computer is not going to crash like it did last time! Thank goodness for backups. God is good and I was able to get all of my current book in progress off and am happily trying to finish up in the next few weeks.

Last night was the Super Bowl. I'm not a huge football fan but I do like watching the Super Bowl...maybe that's because I know that the week after the Super Bowl is over means its NASCAR time! Daytona is Sunday--Woohoo!!! If you're a fan who are you pulling for this year?

Anyway back to the Super Bowl--sorry I got distracted about thinking about 200 miles an hour car racing :)--but I also had a blast last night at the Super Bowl party that I went to. Chuck Parks (the very special guy in my life :) are the leaders of our youth group at the Cowboy Church of Leon County--Chuck is the leader (or as he says, God is the leader he's just helping out) So I just help out too and have a blast being with the teenagers. The Super Bowl party was put on by a Christian group last night unaffiliated with any particulart church and there were about 60 kids there from the 2A school. The kids had fun hanging out, playing basketball and watching football on a big screen. It was an awesome feeling to see these kids come together from all walks of life and have such a great time. I over heard one young girl say that it was the best Super Bowl party she'd ever been too. I looked around and it blessed me to see the adults who had gotten the group together and the work that they had put into. Chuck and I just came in and helped for the night but it was great to see the work that these adults had put into the night being paid off by the smiles on the kids faces. I'm on major deadline right now and my head was telling me that I needed to be home writing. But so glad I went and participated. I want to urge you to get involved with the youth of your community if you can. I can't tell you how awesome it feels to walk into a room full of teens and to be welcomed with hugs and smiles. I've awakened this morning feeling fresh and happy. And that's good for my writing--which I love and have a great passion for. Who knows you may see a Super Bowl party in my book and you'll know where the inspiration came from. I urge you to jump in and find out where God wants you to help out and serve. You will be blessed!

By the way I hope your team won, if not it was still a great, exciting game...
Until next time live, laugh and love God with all your heart...and I can't help but add this morning that if you are feeling discouraged by something in your life that you will immerse yourself in God's word to help you refocus and know that God loves you and is there for you.

Visit me at debraclopton.com, facebook, or debraclopton.blogspot.com

Blessings--Debra Clopton

Heroine Interview from On Wings of Love

Heroine Interview from On Wings of Love by Kim Watters:

1. Ruth Fontaine tell me the most interesting thing about you.

Wow. Interesting question. I’d have to say my job. I’m an Organ Procurement Coordinator. I bring hope to people in need of new organs through the generous gift from recipients and their families. The one downside though is that I run into people like Noah Barton, the pilot with the new charter service, who has serious misconceptions about what I do and the whole process involved in procuring organs.

2. What do you do for fun?

I knit, but I’m not really sure how fun it is since I’m so lousy at it. It helps pass the time in flight though because it gives me something to do with my hands. I hate flying and Noah isn’t making it any easier.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?

Laundry. Like dust, it’s everywhere and always seems to pile up when I’m not looking. Good thing I wear a lab coat most of the time.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

That I will never find the true love that my parents have. I seem to have poor judgment when it comes to men, and I’m afraid I’m making another mistake by even thinking about trying to help Noah. He’s still in love with his deceased wife.

5. What do you want out of life?

To be happy? Fulfilled? I’m not sure. What does every woman want? Right now I’m just concentrating on my job, the rest will fall into place, I’m sure.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

To save as many lives as possible. There is a such a serious shortage or organs to go around, sometimes I feel like a hamster on wheel; spinning but getting nowhere fast. I also want to make people aware of the benefits of organ donation and dispel the myths surrounding it. If I can help Noah, that would be a start.

7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?

Yes, I read magazines. I can usually get one read during my flight once I’m finished with my job and if I don’t want to knit. I’d like to read more books, but my attention is usually scattered in all directions so it’s hard to keep up with the characters and plots.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’d like to lose a little weight and maybe add a few inches. Aside from the physical though, I’d like to get rid of my crazy fear of flying since it’s a required part of my job.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

I don’t have a pet. I’d love a dog, but my crazy schedule won’t allow me to have one because it wouldn’t be fair to the poor animal to have me gone all the time.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?

I’d take the medical knowledge that I’ve obtained through my job and go back and save my twin sister. She died waiting for a heart transplant, which is part of the reason I do what I do. Is that wrong? Am I living in the past? No. I’m simply doing God’s will and helping people on earth. I know that when I see my sister again, she’ll be proud of me.

Heroine Interview from Hometown Promise

Interview with the heroine from Hometown Promise by Merrillee Whren:

1. Juliane, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

That is a hard question because I don’t think there is much that is interesting about me. I live a very mundane life in a small Ohio town. What is interesting about that? I guess if I have to think of something, maybe the fact that I restored a century-old house with the help of my uncle. I now live in that house.

2. What do you do for fun?

I love to sing. I sing in the church choir and with the church praise team. I have the lead female part in the program the church choir is doing for the Winter Festival that is held each year in Kellerville. My dad loves Karaoke, and we have a fun time singing together.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?

Dealing with my dad. I dread having any kind of conversation with my dad about his drinking. We also don’t always see eye-to-eye on things regarding the family store. So those conversations are hard, too.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

I’m afraid that people will find out that my father has a drinking problem. My mom, my sister and I have been covering for him for years.

5. What do you want out of life?

I want a peaceful family life in which my dad isn’t drinking and my sister and I have resolved old differences. I want to make a success of our family’s store. I’d like to get married one day, but our little town isn’t exactly teeming with single men who aren’t related to me. So I plan to make the best of my single life.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

My relationship with God and my family. Even though I don’t always get along with my sister Elise, I love her.

7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?

Most of my reading is either related to Bible study or business. My family runs a variety store in Kellerville. I try to keep up with the latest business trends and news. Every once in a while I have time to read a romance novel. That’s about as close as I get to any kind of love life.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I would like to lose a little weight.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

I have no pets.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?

If I could go back in time, I think I would go back to the time to the early nineteenth century when my ancestors established our little town of Kellerville.

Killer Chocolate: A Valentine Mystery

Hello from Lisa Mondello. I want to invite you all here on the Craftie Ladies of Romance site to visit our sister site, Craftie Ladies of Suspense. The authors have put together a 14 day serial that started Feb 1 and will conclude Feb 14!

Each day a new author writes a different chapter based on the previous day's twists and turns, plus reader comments. No one knows which way the story will turn, even the authors. It's been fun to post and see what kind of ideas readers come up with. So join in for Killer Chocolate: A Valentine Mystery over at the Craftie Ladies of Suspense site. http://www.ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com You won't want to miss what happens next!

Until next time, many blessings, Lisa Mondello

Allie Pleiter says "hello!"

Well, hello there! I’m Allie Pleiter. I’m new here. I’ve been writing for Love Inspired, Love Inspired Historicals, and Steeple Hill Cafe for several years now, but only recently became “Craftie.”

I’ve been “crafty,” however, for a long time. Some days I wonder if I’m more known for my knitting than my writing. I’m a knitting fanatic. I write a knitting blog called DestiKNITions. Fill my day with yarn and coffee, and I’m a happy gal. Add in a little chocolate and let me hit my writing word count for the day, and I’m ecstatic. Of course, life very rarely gives me the space to hit success on all those fronts, but I do try to make sure a little yarn, a little chocolate, and a little coffee makes it into all of my days. And writing most days.

And reading. Writers are always readers. When we go to book fairs, we’re just as star-struck to meet our favorite authors as we hope you are to meet us.

My next book is one of the rare moments when my passions converge. Sad as I am to wrap up the Kentucky Corners series with “Bluegrass Easter” in the Easter Promises novella out in March, I’m delighted to get to write a knitting character. Librarian Audrey Lupine loves to knit and loves her little quartet of ewes that she raises for wool. What she doesn’t love is when things don’t go according to plan. And really, what kind of exciting book would it be if things went according to plan? Audrey gets a whopping load of chaos before she gets her happy ending, but I hope readers and laughing as much as they sigh with her adventures.

I’ll let you in on a little secret: the basis for the book’s plot comes from a true story. You’ll hear more about that next time I post. For now, just know I’m here waiving, saying hello, and happy to be here.

Kim Watters is in the house

Hi everyone, Kim Watters here introducing myself. Like the other newbies, I'm so happy to be here and honored to be among such a wonderful group of ladies. Thanks so much for the invite. I live in Arizona with my husband, two kids, one dog and two highstrung hamsters. ( I want whatever they have that keeps them spinning on their wheels all night)

My first book is one the shelves this month and brings me a story I want to share something with you.

Joseph Gibson is my hero.

While out jogging, the 38 year old Phoenix doctor was hit by a car and killed. Dr. Gibson's wife, Jennifer, says "his passing served as a blessing to others". His organs were donated to four patients in need. Four beautiful pieces of Joseph live on through others. I should be so blessed to be able to do the same when it is my time to go.

My current release On Wings of Love also deals with the delicate subject of organ donation. My hope is that people reading this book will also come away with a new appreciation for organ donation, the many people involved to make sure everything takes place, and the wonderful gift that each and everyone of us has a chance to give to someone else.

Blessings,

Kim Watters

Helllooooo!

This is my first time here, and I am sooo excited to meet you all. This is a very cool blog, you know--filled with authors I admire, who write books that I love.   I'm so glad they let me join in, because I won't  have a Love Inspired book out until November!  In fact, I'm working on that book right now.

So, I'll just introduce myself.   I wrote fifteen books for a secular line before moving to Steeple Hill's Love Inspired Suspense. I've now sold nine books to that line--including FATAL BURN, which will be out in the stores during the next week.

I live with my husband on an acreage in the country, with three very  active dogs--our two Border collies, plus our grandpuppy Abby, who is here a lot because our son travels as part of his job.  Abby thinks she's still a puppy, but at ten months of age she's around 70 pounds of pure muscle, and she can sure wear the other two dogs out.  We're just glad she's here--she had a rough go of it as a young puppy, but with a lot of prayer and a wonderful vet, she's now our miracle dog!

 We also have a couple of horses out back--our son's thirty-three year old quarter horse Smokey, and my ten-year-old gelding--and lots of super-friendly, fluffy barn cats.  They've all been neutered, though we keep finding new strays that join the mix, too.  Must be all of the good cat food. :) 

Our three kids are all in college.   Emily is an English major and wants to be a professor and a writer.  Brian is working on his MBA, and Andy is close to finishing a degree in engineering and business management.

So that's it for us....and now, I look forward to meeting you all!

Blessings,
Roxanne Rustand
http://roxannerustand.blogspot.com
The "All creatures great and small place"

Saying Hello and Sighing with Relief!!

Hi Everyone! My name is Lisa Mondello and I am thrilled to FINALLY be able to make my first post on the CRAFTIE LADIES OF ROMANCE blog. I can't tell you how happy I am to be part of this wonderful group of Love Inspired authors!

The first thing I want to say is PHEW! My first Love Inspired Romance manuscript is written, revised and currently on its way to my editor in New York City! It's called FRESH START FAMILY and will be published by Love Inspired October 2010! Here's a little blurb about the story...

Taking care of a 7 year old is a full time job for any mother. But for Jenna Atkins, she has the added worry of dealing with her child's potential fatal illness. The same illness that killed her husband. With no one to help her deal with her small business and the fear of possibly losing her son, she moves to her hometown in Nebraska where she knows she'll get the support she needs from her community and her father. The price she pays for support is long commutes to the big city for treatment for her son.

After being imprisoned in Afghanistan, the last thing Tom Garrison wants from anyone is a medal. He just wants to hide and forget the high price he paid for playing the hero. He's nobody's hero. But when Jenna Atkins shows up on his doorstep one rainy evening begging for him to drive her and her sick son to the hospital because her car broke down, how can he refuse her? He offers what little he has to give, a plane ride to Valentine, hoping they'll make record time to save her son.

Neither one of them were looking for anything more than a friend. But with God's help, they may just get a second chance to be a family.

As the months go on I will update you on the progress of FRESH START FAMILY and post the cover when it is available!

Until next time, many blessings, Lisa Mondello

People of the Book

So the other day I, Carolyne Aarsen, went to look for a book I wanted to lend out. I couldn't find it on my office bookshelves, so I went to our other set of bookshelves. A set of bookshelves that completely fill a wall about 20 feet by 8 feet. The fellow making them didn't think we'd ever fill them up. Then a couple of days I ago, as I said, I went hunting for a specific book.

Now before I go further you need to know - I'm a book person. I can't deny it. I love books. I love having books. I love buying books. I love lending books out. I love reading them more than once. I like to support fellow authors and I like to fill up bookshelves. But when I couldn't find this one book amongst the myriad of books in my house, a book I knew I had,I realized it was time to do a purge. I had books stashed double on shelves. Books piled up in corners of my office. Books filling pieces of furniture that were not really meant for books. So full of fervent zeal, I started.

Well, it was harder than I thought it would be. I held books in my hands and found myself going back to the first time I read it. I thought of the magic it brought me and the place it took me. This one couldn't go. And this one helped me figure out what I was going to do with a character. This one taught me how to treat emotions without getting maudlin (don't know if I've learned that but the writer of the book had a handle on it). This one was a favourite of my children. This one my mother gave me for Christmas. This one came from my father. These are from an author who I love. And on and on. Each book dredged up a memory or taught me something. But I persevered. When the book purge was over, I had a pile sitting in the middle of my office.

Now I have to decide what to do with them. So if any of you bookaholics out there are interested, for your reading pleasure - I have a book on The Pitman Method of Shorthand, a nursing textbook from 1989, The Art of Cross Examination from 1955, mangled copies of The Broken Snare, Jude the Obscure, Crime and Punishment, some Louis L'Amour westerns, assorted paperbacks that I can't even identify anymore and a brand new copy of Edgar Sawtelle. If I don't hear from you in the next two years, I'll have to move that pile of books from my office into the living room. Sounds drastic, I know, but it has to be done.

Booksignings

Booksignings are a part of every author's life. Some view this as unfortunate, as the more introverted writer prefers to stay behind the safety of her computer screen than be in the spotlight. But it's a neccesary evil in marketing and promotion.

I used to be very shy growing up, and if you had told me even 5-6 years ago that I'd be holding booksignings and making speaking events at local writer's groups and churches, I'd have laughed in your face. No way! Not me, the girl whose voice shakes and neck turns all red and splotchy when put in the center of attention!

But God has, especially in the last 2-3 years, brought me out of my comfort zone and shown me that sometimes in order to put the spotlight on Christ, we have to be willing to step out there into the light ourselves first. I have four speaking events this year so far, all between last week and May, and while that used to bring fear and trembling, now I'm just excited and ready to see what God will do. Though I have to admit, I will probably still wear a turtleneck of sorts because the splotchy-ness has not completely gone away! lol It keeps me humble!

I have a booksigning this upcoming Monday night, February 1st, at 6:30 at Barnes & Noble here in Shreveport. If you're local, come on by! Both of my novels, RETURN TO LOVE and my brand new release, A VALENTINE'S WISH will be for sale that evening. I'd love to see you. There will be free chocolate and, for those who buy a book and sign up for my newsletter, the chance to win a really fun Valentine's giveaway basket!

So what are some tips/tricks you like to incorporate in your booksignings as authors? Or, readers, what are some things you like to see when you attend a booksigning by your favorite author? I'm open to any and all suggestions! =)

Igniting Faith

Hi, Terri Reed here. I thought I'd share that yesterday I started a 40 day negativity fast.

What's that, you ask?

Well, its breaking the pattern of negativity by capturing our thoughts ( 2 Cor. 10:5) and replacing them with positive thoughts (Romans 12:2).

It's speaking the truth of God's love and power over my life, into my life and over and into the lives of others.

Igniting Faith in 40 days is part devotional, part verbal affirmations of God's love and power.

I'm excited to see how God works in my life in the coming days and weeks.

http://www.ignitedhope.com/?do=store&id=11

Paperback Writer

Pamela Tracy here and today’s post is not the one I meant to write. Actually, I'm having a lot of fun writing this post because I got interested in my topic. So, please read, and while you're reading hmmm Paperback Writer by the Beatles.

See, I went looking for the top ten bestsellers of 2009 (I’d accidentally thrown my People magazine away.) It’s not that easy finding the top ten (notice how I emphasized the word the?) I found personal lists; I found lists that didn’t agree. I found the white list, the black list, the children’s list. I found a list that actually had the same book on it twice! Pretty soon I didn’t want to see any more lists. Then, as I was perusing the top 50 list (Yes, I found another list) for 2009, I stumbled upon the history of the paperback.

Cool!

This info comes from the link below, but I’ve paraphrased and summarized to my little heart’s content. http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/fiction/article6847448.ece

Don’t think about the Dime Novel. It may count as the first paperback but that would be like comparing a tricycle to a mountain bike. The story you are about to read has to do with a man named Allen Lane. Picture your town in the 1930’s. No cell phones, no televisions, no computers. People read for entertainment. Anyhoo, in the 1930's Alan Lane was returning to his hometown from visiting Agatha Christie (Isn’t that soooo cool) and apparently he was at a bookstall looking for something to read and he was dismayed by the cost of the books (yes, I’ve had that feeling too about hardbacks and even some paperbacks).

He had an idea. Yup, you guessed it: affordable books.

Here’s a direct quote:

It is quite clear that the time has come to wake up to the fact that people want
books, that they want good books, and that they are willing, even anxious, to
buy them if they are presented to them in a straightforward, intelligent manner
at a cheap price

Sounds a whole lot like today, huh?

Apparently the people in the book world didn’t think too highly of the idea. And, they were pretty sure his venture would fail, and while it was failing, it would tarnish the reputation of the hardback world.

Lane had trouble getting the rights to the books he wanted to publish. Most refused him, and the one guy who did agree to work with him only did so because he assumed Lane would pay for the rights (which he did) and then go out of business – money spent, business gone, bye bye.

Guess who saved the day. Woolworths. Cool, huh? They ordered the paperbacks to sell in their store. People bought the paperbacks. Woolworths ordered a lot (really, really a lot) and Lane made not just one boatload of money, but at least ten boatloads of money.

And the paperback and its reader lived happily ever after.

Making Up Stuff

Merrillee here, thinking how much fun it is to create characters and places--in other words making up stuff. Ever since I was a kid, I've had imaginary people in my head who had conversations with each other. I didn't know that those voices would one day lead me to become a writer. I didn't plan to be a writer when I was young. I wanted to be a teacher, and I became one. But I had always enjoyed reading a good story, and one day I decided I should write one of my own and try to sell it. I wrote for years without making that sale. A little more than a year before I made my first sale, I received a rejection that made me question whether this dream of becoming a published author was something I should continue to pursue.

I decided to quit.

That was in November 2002. In January 2003 after I had put away the Christmas decorations, I started writing again. I started again because Jillian and Sam kept telling me that I had to write their story. Those imaginary people wouldn't let me quit. So I began writing their story just to get rid of them. After I did that, then I'd quit. I had no idea that Jillian and Sam's story would become my first sale to Steeple Hill. The Heart's Homecoming came out in August 2005. I had created a town for Jillian and Sam that I called Pinecrest. My imaginary town is located near Spokane, Washington. I wrote two more books set in that location.

In February, the first book of my new Kellerville series, Hometown Promise, will be available. My latest imaginary town, Kellerville, is located in Ohio near Cincinnati. Juliane and Lukas are the imaginary people who brought me to that little town, so I could tell their story. I hope you will take a journey with me to Kellerville. Check out the cover where you can see the town square with its gazebo and clock tower.


Using your imagination is fun whether you are a writer or not. What kinds of things do you like to imagine?

Winter blahs

I've got the winter blahs. I always get them. Every year. The only time I really like winter is when there is snow and lots of sunshine to make the snow sparkle like diamonds.

Oh, I do like those occasional abnormally warm days that let you escape the house in just a sweatshirt. Today it was up to 50, but it was cloudy and foggy. Some film maker could have shot a werewolf movie in my back yard. Ugh! Blah, blah, blah.

This has been a very gray, very cold year and I'm just fed up. I want sunshine. I need sunshine. Many people suffer from SAD, seasonal affective disorder, but most, like me, just get the winter blahs.

What do you do to ward off cabin fever?

Or are you one of those hardy people who like winter?

Down time

For the past year writing wise I've had no down time, but I have for the past week. I'm waiting on hearing about a proposal before finishing the rest of the book so what do I do with myself? It's not enough time to delve into a new book. It's not that I don't have things to do. I do--lots. But I'm a goal oriented person and right now I don't have a writing goal. That's a big deal to me. I'm walking around the house aimlessly. What do I do?

I could clean my house. Ugh. Not my favorite thing to do, especially the dusting. I'm not sure why dusting is what I hate the most but it is. I could read the 8 books I received Monday. I'm a judge for the RITA contest and I am a slow reader. I could spend time with my granddaughters (I did on Monday and loved it). All of those activities I am doing, even going to lunch with a writer friend to brainstorm today, but I need a writing goal. Writing is what fulfills me. Do you have something like that?

I'm here! It's Lenora :)

Last night, I saw on my calendar that today was my day to blog. Then I got involved in a chapter and finished that up and promptly slinked downstairs and fell into my chair (where I got bleary-eyed and decided to go to bed.) So I'm standing in the kitchen this morning, drinking coffee while I looked out over all my lovely saga palms that are now brown and dying from intensely cold temperatures and suddenly it hit me--Lenora, it's your day to blog! I don't usually move that fast in the morning, let me tell you. Even forgot to take my blood pressure medicine.

Now I'm here, writing away when a dear writer friend calls and we laugh and talk about being in the middle of a conversation and suddenly going blank because a plot point has just popped in out heads. That got me to wondering--what was the strangest place you ever came up with a story idea? It's usually in church for me, during a beautiful hymn. I can't tell you how many three books contracts I've gotten out of the words of a hymn. My "In the Garden" series is based on that beautiful hymn, of course. (Three books--set on an estate in South Louisiana.) This Sunday, I was sitting there listening to a guest speaker, thanking God for allowing me to finish the first draft of the latest work in progress and suddenly, I realized I needed to change the ending of the book. Something the speaker said prompted that. I grabbed paper and pen and jotted down some notes. My friends just smiled. (They know me so well.) Back to "In the Garden". Adding to the idea I got in church while singing that--a few weeks after that Sunday, we left early one morning to travel to Georgia to see relatives. There had been an ice storm in our area and I saw a convoy of tree service trucks heading back to Mississippi. They had come over to help out during our crisis. That gave me the idea for one of the heroes in that series. He would own a tree service company and he'd come to the estate to help cut back some trees after a big storm. And the heroine would have a phobia--she'd be deathly afraid of the dark. Why? Well, that was part of the fun.

So ... this is why we sometimes forget to blog, why we sometimes forget to take our medicine, feed the cat, cook the meals and wash the clothes. This is why we stare off into space at the oddest times and why even in church, we might do what I call the Scarlett O'Hara gasp (remember the scene where her mother is giving evening prayers??)and go blank. It's because a writer's brain is wired just a bit differently from "civilian" brains. We're always sniffing out stories. And that's just part of the fun of our jobs. So ... what was the strangest place you ever came up with an idea for a book??

What are you reading?

Debbie Clopton's computer crashed this morning (poor thing!) as she was trying to post to the blog. So I thought I would just toss a question out to you. I hope you'll share!

What are you reading right now? What's next in your TBR (to-be-read) stack?

Hero Interview from A Soldier's Devotion by Cheryl Wyatt

Interview with the hero from A Soldier’s Devotion by Cheryl Wyatt:

1. Vince Reardon, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I’m tall, dark and brooding. I’m the tallest cutest guy on my pararescue jumper team and all the ladies know it. Grin. I’m an Air Force war vet, still serving our country doing high profile military and civilian rescues.

2. What do you do for fun?
Ride my custom-built motorcycle, skydive and work out like mad for rescues.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
Call Dad. We don’t always get along but these days, I’m seeing more reason to toss aside my pride and reconnect.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?
That I’ll lose my sister like I lost my brother. My sister and I were always very close but we became estranged after my brother died in a prison riot. He was wrongly convicted and that I’m interested in an attorney might set my family’s teeth on edge. But Val…she’s….well, you’ll see when you read the book. I’m crazy about her.

5. What do you want out of life?
To be a better person and to make a difference in the lives of those I rescue and their families. To serve my country with pride. Those were my old priorities. While they’re still tops, I’m looking into some new stuff and starting to see I can’t do any of the above without a solid relationship with God. I’m seriously seeking.

6. What is the most important thing to you?
Well, these days, God is becoming pretty important to me as well as a gal named Val, but aside from that, keeping those I love safe. Keeping total strangers safe when duty calls for it.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
Val’s been reading Bible story books to me and teaching me all the stuff I never learned growing up in exchange for me giving her cooking lessons. Don’t tell her I said this but she poses a danger to herself and society whenever she gets near any kind of oven knob. She’s banned from anything that resembles a stove until I can teach her how to cook without having to use the smoke detector to determine when her food is done. I find that endearing about her though and we’re having fun learning stuff together.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
That I didn’t give in sooner. You’ll understand when you read the book. Grin.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
I have a motorcycle that I named. Does that count? Ha. If I had a pet, it would probably be a piranha or a shark. Definitely not spiders though. Hate those.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
Back to when my brother went to trial. I was deployed oversees and couldn’t be here to fight for him because I was fighting for my country. Had I known his wrong conviction and sentencing would lead to his wrongful death, I would have tried harder to get a military leave of absence to come defend him and prove his innocence. To live in regret is not easy, but Val, God and a pierced, tattooed prison pastor named Rowan are helping me come to terms with everything.

FEATURED BOOK: A SOLDIER'S DEVOTION BY CHERYL WYATT

U.S. Air Force pararescue jumper Vince Reardon was headed to a lifesaving mission. Until a too-pretty lawyer crashed her fancy car into his motorcycle—sidelining him for two weeks. Vince can barely accept Valentina Russo's heartfelt apologies. Ever since his brother was wrongly convicted—and killed in prison—Vince has lost respect for lawyers. But wait—is that Val volunteering at his refuge for underprivileged kids? If Vince isn't careful, this lady of the law might just earn his respect and his heart.

Good grief - it's Friday!

Valerie Hansen here:

I'm guilty. Again. I lose track of time when I'm working hard on new books and, PTL, I am.





I do have a book coming out this month and although it's not a straight Love Inspired but a historical, instead, I wanted to at least mention it. And then I went and forgot my chance until very late at night. Here's the cover. I absolutely LOVE it.





Oh, well. I apologize. I have a mind like Swiss cheese and I think all the stuff I'm supposed to remember runs out through those holes!

Blessings,
Val