The Big Apple or the Big Easy - Jolene Navarro

Hello, Jolene here. With summer vacation just around the corner, my husband and I are talking about places to go. All my stories are set in my home state of Texas. The small towns of the Hill Country are in my DNA, but I love to travel beyond our borders. 

My father was a commercial airline pilot, and growing up we traveled a lot.  On the other hand my husband grew up on a ranch (ranchers do not take vacations) and was one of eleven children. Needless to say traveling was not done, so I love to take him to new places. 

We've been talking about our favorite places and maybe revisiting one of them. New York City and New Orleans are right on top. My husband was surprised by how much we enjoyed our experience in New York. The energy and vibe of one of the biggest cities in a very land locked piece of property was amazing. We got to dance in the rain in Times Square. I was able to see works of art I’d only studied in art school.

 We found a family diner off not far from our hotel on Wall Street. My husband was exited to discover  burgers under 5.00 plus the owner spoke Spanish. 

We found this gem of a family diner off Wall Street. Home cooked food with very good price.

Just the history alone was mind boggling. I have to say the people were super friendly and even when we got a bit confused in the subway there was always someone willing to help.

Lower Manhattan – It amazes me that so many people can live in such a small space. It looks as if it could just fall of the little piece of land.

In the city you can hardly see the sky. From the river it looks like another world

Central Park

The human spirit is amazing…you can see it and feel it in large doses all over New York, but no matter how many building we build we still are drawn to nature. Central Park is an oasis in the mist of a man made jungle. Did I mention the history everywhere you looked?

Then there is the southern city of  New Orleans. 

Reid, my hero in The Texan's Twins is a native of New Orleans. Katrina relocated him to Houston as a kid. I listened to hours of videos to hear the voice patterns of people from this beautiful city. It was fun and if you read, The Texan's Twins I hope you can hear the sounds of the city in Reid's voice. 

The Texan's Twins - Jolene Navarro

 A big city with a completely different feel from New York. Relaxed, happy, laid back and ready for a good time.  We were sent to New Orleans with a Smithsonian Educational grant and I wasn't sure what to expect. I’m not a party person so I wasn’t sure about New Orleans.  We fell in love with textures, people and food.

Waiting to enter the unknown in New Orleans.

On the way to Pirate Ally in the French Quarter’s of New Orleans.

There is so much art and creativity in New Orleans

Anyone who has ever been to New Orleans will tell you to stop by the Cafe Du Monde, any time of day or night.

So many shops had a cat in the window. This one was watching over a weaving shop

You can’t go to NOLA without at least one visit to the cemetery. This was taken at Lafayette Cemetery No 1

Taking the Paddle Boat down the Mississippi while listening to live music was a wonderful experience. Warning: save your money and skip the dinner.

We stayed in the French Quarter and walked everywhere, even late at night we felt safe. We stepped onto Bourbon Street for about five minutes, that was enough.

The history, art, music and people made this a trip we want to make again. 

Have you been to both of these cities? If you had to choose one which would it be: New York or New Orleans?  Maybe neither? LOL

 Do you have a favorite city that you would visit over and over?

A Bittersweet Goodbye

Hometown Reunion is the final book in a series of seven novels set on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
 
Although the seaside fishing village of Kiptohanock isn't real, many of the landmarks and towns I've sprinkled throughout the series are very real. Including Quinby, Onley, Onancock, Wachapreague, Chincoteague and others.

 
 I visited the Eastern Shore for the first time when I was twenty-one. It was a transformational summer for me in more ways than I can begin to share. Over the years, I have tried to return to this unique place and these wonderful people as often as time allowed. There is so much natural beauty here.

The Eastern Shore gave me a lot of firsts. Here, this big city girl first went fishing; first went clamming in a tidal marsh; first learned to eat crab—a labor intensive endeavor. Here, on a sailboat in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay at midnight, I beheld the Milky Way for the first time. And here I fell in love with a life that is attuned to the rhythmic cycle of the moon and tide. All of us need a place of peace, tranquility and safe harbor in our lives. This is that place for me.

These contemporary love stories allowed me the opportunity of additional visits, more time with beloved friends. The novels enabled me to further explore this isolated, yet vibrant culture with my children. I think my family have now also fallen in love with this place and these very special people.

One last adventure there—it was a fun story to write. It made my editor sob—when I've done that, I know I've done my job.

It is about love’s second chance—my favorite kind of love story. Jax’s son, almost “thwee”-year-old Brody is the most adorable child character I’ve ever written. Yet there were deeper issues that each character had to grapple with.

Have you ever struggled with guilt? Which have you found harder—to forgive someone else or to forgive yourself? Neither are easy. Or have you ever felt second best or second choice?

Whenever you’re feeling second choice, read Isaiah 43 to see how much God loves you. He has redeemed you and called you by name. You have a place all your own in God’s heart. You have been chosen —you are His.

True guilt drives us to repentance and helps us find our way back to what is right. False guilt, however, brings only condemnation with no way out. True guilt leading to repentance brings freedom and healing. False guilt paralyses and enslaves.

This is a heavy burden we were never created to shoulder. Jesus took the heavy load of sin on the cross so that we don’t have to. He is the only one who can be our burden-bearer. It is in the laying down of our burdens that we find rest and peace in Him.

May we all find the strength to finally accept what is past, to fully embrace the present and to look to the future with hope-filled eyes.

Thanks for traveling to Kiptohanock with me. Thanks for allowing me to share a very special place and people with you. But I have other stories to tell. Though we must leave Kiptohanock, further adventures await in a new series of books set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. I hope you will join me there.

So wishing you fair winds and following seas one last time,

Lisa

Where is your happy place?

New for May from Our Contemporary Love Inspired Authors

Jean C. Gordon here with a new must buy from our Love Inspired Contemporary authors. Just click on the cover to purchase it. And to learn more about Lisa, click on her name.

Hometown Reunion
by Lisa Carter 

A single dad starting over.
Is this his second chance at love?
Widowed former Green Beret Jaxon Pruitt comes home to face his toughest battle: reconnecting with his toddler son. He also makes an unwitting enemy of childhood friend Darcy Parks when he takes over the kayak shop Darcy hoped to buy! For little Brody’s sake, she’ll stay until summer’s end. But could a growing connection turn their temporary truce into an unexpected forever?

Sunday Scripture

The Good Shepherd, Bernard Plockhorst, 19th C.
[PD-US]

Jesus said:
"I am the good shepherd.
A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A hired man, who is not a shepherd
and whose sheep are not his own,
sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away,
and the wolf catches and scatters them.
This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.
These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,
and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
This is why the Father loves me,
because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.
I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.
This command I have received from my Father."

John 10:11-18

If you have any prayer needs, please mention them in the comments section so we can join you in prayer. You do not need to include specific names or situations of a private nature, just say that you have a prayer request. The Lord knows your heart and the needs you have. It is a privilege and honor to pray with you and for you.

A Grateful Writer!

By Debby Giusti

Thank you!

I’m sending my thanks to each and every one of you who have ever bought or read one of my books. Your emails, messages, and letters touch me deeply. Your kind words when we meet in person do as well.

For so many years, I worked to become a better writer, to learn the craft and to incorporate the various writing techniques into my stories. Eventually my attempts to create a compelling story that would attract an editor’s eye and lead to a publishing contract paid off.  My dream came true in 2007 with the publication of my debut novel, NOWHERE TO HIDE. Since then I’ve had 21 books published by Love Inspired Suspense and two independently published stories.

Photos are from my UNDERCOVER AMISH signing.

 

This afternoon, I’ll sign AMISH RESCUE, the third book in my Amish Protectors series, at Books-A-Million in Peachtree City, GA. If you’re in the area, stop by. I’ll be manning a table in the front of the store from 3:30 to 6:30 PM. I always donate the proceeds, along with an added personal donation, to a local charity. My readers know that by buying my book they are also supporting a worthwhile cause. Today’s signing will benefit Pregnancy Aid Clinic, an Atlanta based center that provides life-changing and life-saving pregnancy services free of charge to women in the Atlanta area.

 

The lovely ladies in this book club always come to my signings!

I’ll also have a drawing for an author gift basket. The Writer’s Prayer and The Reader’s Prayer will be available along with other fun giveaways. If you would like an autographed copy of AMISH RESCUE and can’t get to the signing, BAM takes phone orders (770-632-1296) and sends the signed book or books to the customers.

Hosting a signing is a humbling experience, and I greatly appreciate of all the people who attend each and every event. Truly, they bless me in so many ways.

 

I hate that people have to wait in line,
but no one ever complains.

Readers, do you enjoy book signings and look forward to meeting new authors? Authors, do you host signings in your local areas? Are signings a good way to meet new readers?

I’m sure the other Love Inspired Authors join me in sending thanks and gratitude to all of you, the wonderful readers who visit this blog, for your support, your encouragement and your friendship.

Happy reading!

Wishing you abundant blessings,

Debby Giusti

www.DebbyGiusti.com

Amish Rescue

By Debby Giusti

Hiding with the Amish

Englischer Sarah Miller escapes her captor by hiding in the buggy of an Amish carpenter. Joachim Burkholder is her only hope—and donning Plain clothing is the only way to keep safe and find her missing sister. But for Joachim, who’s just returning to the Amish, the forbidden Englischer is trouble. Trapping her kidnapper risks his life, but losing Sarah risks his heart.

Order HERE from Amazon!

Celebrating 25 years of writing books and a few other things--Lenora Worth

Hello. I haven't been on here in a while. Due to some life changes, I'm scaling back on a few things so I can focus on writing. But today is my birthday (I'm 31 twice!!!) So I wanted to celebrate that. Then I realized that this past March marks twenty-five years of my being published in contemporary commercial fiction! It's hard to believe that many years have passed. But oh, the fun I've had along the way! I could go on and on with memories but I do remember that in Orlando at my very first Harlequin party, I had on the same dress as another woman. We took our picture together but I have no idea where that picture is. I remember the price tag on that dress, too. A treat to myself.

I also remember the first time I went to NY in 2003 (I think.) I wore a dress to the Harlequin black-and-white ball that I got on sale for thirty bucks at Dillard's. I still have that dress! I have memories of meeting many of the Ladies here during those times and making lifetime friends. I'm one of the old-timers around here now. Back in the day, I made up Bad Girl names for us because we had to follow so many guidelines in our stories. I was Elnora, of course. And I still am some days. Everyone wanted a bad girl name and while my editors frowned on it, it helped us all to not take ourselves too seriously. (My editors still frown at me a lot now, too.)

Anyway, I'm off to celebrate with Big D all day long, but I'll be checking in from time to time. I want to give away books! So leave a comment and tonight at 9 PM Central time, I'll post two winners.

I'll be giving away the following: One print or e-copy of Their Amish Reunion and one e-book only copy of Undercover Princess (from Tule Publishing.) Two very different stories, but each with their own faith thread.

Help me celebrate 25 years of having the time of my life and being thankful for this trip around the world with another birthday.

And tell me some of your favorite memories. I'd love to hear them!!!

Thank you all for supporting my writing dreams and thanks to all my Love Inspired friends and editors for the fun times, challenges and the always loving friendships!!!! Here's to twenty-five more!

Free Books Delivered Right to Your Mailbox

Sit Back and Read with the Love Inspired Reader Service

Choose two FREE books from any inspirational series.

Join contemporary and historical Christian characters as they experience the challenges of life, the promise of hope and the wonder of romance.

Read a FREE excerpt. Decide which series you like best. Choose Regular or Larger Print. Love Inspired will send your two free books plus two mystery gifts (approximate retail value of $10) directly to your door. Once you're a member, all you have to do is sit back and read.

Sign up today!

Print Books
eBooks

Sunday Scripture

The Road to Emmaus, Joseph von Fuhrich,
1837. [PD-US]

The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way,
and how Jesus was made known to them 
in the breaking of bread.

While they were still speaking about this,
he stood in their midst and said to them,
"Peace be with you."
But they were startled and terrified
and thought that they were seeing a ghost.
Then he said to them, "Why are you troubled?
And why do questions arise in your hearts?
Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.
Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones
as you can see I have."
And as he said this,
he showed them his hands and his feet.
While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed,
he asked them, "Have you anything here to eat?"
They gave him a piece of baked fish; 
he took it and ate it in front of them.

He said to them,
"These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you,
that everything written about me in the law of Moses
and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled."
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
And he said to them,
"Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer
and rise from the dead on the third day
and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins,
would be preached in his name
to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
You are witnesses of these things."

Luke 24:35-48

If you have any prayer needs, please mention them in the comments section so we can join you in prayer. You do not need to include specific names or situations of a private nature, just say that you have a prayer request. The Lord knows your heart and the needs you have. It is a privilege and honor to pray with you and for you.

Saturday

http://craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/p/calendar.html

Military Working Dogs

Good morning, Terri Reed here, off to a late start. That seems to be how my life is going lately. I'm knee deep writing a new book. But I want to talk about the new Military K-9 Unit continuity series from Love Inspired Suspense featuring Military Working Dogs and their handlers. This was a challenging series to be a part of because I'd never written a military set book. There was so much fascinating information to learn and all of the authors involved worked really hard to make our stories adhere to the codes and regulations of the military, while still providing a sweeping suspense plot, satisfying romances and happily ever afters.

And of course we all fell in love with the dogs.  Here are some fun facts about the first five K-9 heroes.  There are eight full length novels in the series, two Christmas novellas, and a short story online prequel that came out in March. Here's the link for the full collection

https://books.harlequin.com/search?w=military%20k-9%20unit

Do you have dog? A pet? 

I'd love to giveaway a signed copy of Mission to Protect to a commenter. And we'd love to see a photo of you pet.

Book 1 Mission to Protect by Terri Reed

Book 2 Bound By Duty  by Valerie Hansen

Book 3 Top Secret Target by Dana Mentink

Book 4 Standing Fast by Maggie K. Black

Book 5 Rescue Operation by Lenora Worth

Spring Has Sprung with a New Office

In Arkansas, spring means it's 75 one day, then a plunge to 28 with sleet and snow, then back up to 65 in a 48 hour period. In April. Over the years, I've shared an office with my husband or had a corner in the living room for my desk. Until this spring.

We just finished a major remodel and room addition. My new office is complete minus a bit of trim. The door that goes into the rest of the house isn't installed yet, but eventually, I'll be able to close myself off when I'm on deadline. Even without the door, my space is on the back of the house and secluded enough that my family can watch TV in the great room and I can't hear them.

I finally got to make curtains out of the pastel seashell fabric I bought twenty years ago. I painted the walls a soothing seafoam green and I can strew seashells and beachy decor until my heart is content. My indoor/outdoor cat has his perch in the window and continues to be my muse after making a full recovery from a coyote attack last spring. Don't worry, he doesn't get to go out at night any more.

I also have an exterior door that leads to my outdoor office now - a screened in porch. All I need is a desk out there, some tools and building supplies cleared off, and the gas company to move our propane tanks to improve my view. My old fashioned wood screen door makes that awesome clapping sound when you go out. And there's a small pet door so my two outdoor cats can enjoy my screened porch too. They're both scaredy cats and don't wander far enough for coyotes, but they feel safe in the enclosed porch.

My space is slowly coming together, just in time for inspiration to strike. It's always bittersweet when a series ends. My latest release and the final title in my Texas Cowboys series is Counting on the Cowboy. But I'm itching to start a new series in my new office space.

Question: Do you have a space of your own? Answer and I'll put you in the drawing for my blog tour. Lots of books up for grabs along with a hand-crafted memory board according to your design.

Award winning author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance and has over a dozen published titles. A romance reader since her teens, she hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as she demonstrates that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does.

She gleans fodder for her fiction in rural Arkansas where she spent her teenage summers working the concession stand with her rodeo announcing dad and married a Texan who morphed into a pastor. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her husband and son, flea marketing, and doing craft projects.

Connect with her: Shannon’s Website, Shannon’s Blog, Shannon’s Facebook, Shannon’s Goodreads, Shannon’s Pinterest, Shannon’s Twitter, and  Shannon’s Amazon Author Page. Sign up for her Newsletter to get a free e-book and behind the scenes info: Shannon's Newsletter

New for April from Our Love Inspired Suspense Authors

Jean C. Gordon here with new must buys from our Love Inspired Suspense authors. Just click on the cover to purchase the book. And to learn more about Margaret, Debby, and Terri, click on their names.

Texas Ranger Showdown
by Margaret Daley 

"STOP ME"
She was taunted by a killer.
Margaret Daley’s thrilling Lone Star Justice series continues, this time pitting radio therapist Dr. Caitlyn Rhodes against a methodical murderer. First, her patients are found dead, then the mocking phone calls start. The evidence is pointing Texas Ranger Ian Pierce to one conclusion: he must protect Caitlyn from becoming this vicious killer’s next victim…before he loses the woman he once loved—for good.

Amish Rescue
by Debby Giusti 

HIDING WITH THE AMISH
Another thrilling book in the Amish Protectors series
Englischer Sarah Miller escapes her captor by hiding in the buggy of an Amish carpenter. Joachim Burkholder is her only hope—and donning Plain clothing is the only way to keep safe and find her missing sister. But for Joachim, who’s just returning to the Amish, the forbidden Englischer is trouble. Trapping her kidnapper risks his life, but losing Sarah risks his heart.

Mission To Protect
by Terri Reed 

ENTER THE WORLD OF THE MILITARY K-9 UNIT
A riveting new series begins!
When the Red Rose Killer leaves his calling card for Staff Sergeant Felicity Monroe, she knows exactly what that means—she’s on his revenge list. Her boss, Master Sergeant Westley James, and K-9 German shepherd Dakota become her guardians, but they’ll have to act fast to escape the man who wants her dead.

Sunday Scripture

The Incredulity of Saint Thomas, Caravaggio, 1601-1602,. [PD-US]

On the evening of that first day of the week,

when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,

for fear of the Jews,

Jesus came and stood in their midst

and said to them, "Peace be with you."

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you.

As the Father has sent me, so I send you."

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,

"Receive the Holy Spirit.

Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,

and whose sins you retain are retained."

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,

was not with them when Jesus came.

So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord."

But he said to them,

"Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands

and put my finger into the nailmarks

and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Now a week later his disciples were again inside

and Thomas was with them.

Jesus came, although the doors were locked, 

and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you."

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands,

and bring your hand and put it into my side,

and do not be unbelieving, but believe."

Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me?

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples

that are not written in this book.

But these are written that you may come to believe

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,

and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

John 20:19-31

If you have any prayer needs, please mention them in the comments section so we can join you in prayer. You do not need to include specific names or situations of a private nature, just say that you have a prayer request. The Lord knows your heart and the needs you have. It is a privilege and honor to pray with you and for you.

The Lord is pouring His abundant mercy upon the world.

Jesus, we trust in You!