Saying Good-Bye to the Old and Saying Hello To the New by Jo Ann Brown

Life is a woven tapestry of having to say good-bye to one aspect of it and saying hello to another. I always thought that a graduation ceremony,

instead of being called “commencement,” should be more of “Hail and Farewell” as we had in the military when a high-ranking officer cycles out and another takes her or his place. A celebration of both the leaving and the arrival. Throughout our lives, we have periods of time when we are settled and times when we’re packing up and moving on.
Sometimes, this is literal. We find we have to move from our home to another place. It might be a job change or retirement or even going to college or simply buying that RV and seeing the world. Right now, we’re helping my father with that good-bye. He’s getting ready to sell the house, the only one my parents ever owned, that he’s lived in since the early 1970's. It was part of our family even before they bought it, because my mother’s parents rented the downstairs apartment before it was converted to a single family. Nearly fifty years later, he’s realized that taking care of that big house is more than he wants to deal with,

so my sisters and I are helping him sort through years of possessions and deciding what he wants to keep, what he wants to sell and what he wants to give away. For all of us, it’s a farewell moment, a reopening of the past as we look at photos and through items we’d once been familiar with but had forgotten or simply put out of our minds. His “hello” moment will be when he moves into his new apartment at my sister’s house and no longer has the responsibility for a big house...though he still intends to keep busy by doing things like mowing the grass and puttering in the garden.
Life is made up of these moments of change. Change caused by outside circumstances, change caused by others, change caused by ourselves. After all, isn’t that what our romance stories are about...how someone is changed by someone who comes into their life at a pivotal moment? It’s always so comforting to me, as a reader, to see how the hero and heroine (and their families and friends) step up to confront change and make it work in a positive direction for them.
Though there’s always that moment when a reader is hoping that everything doesn’t crash down in disaster!
Right now, I’m facing a few endings and beginnings of my own. In life and in my writing.

My upcoming book The Amish Widower’s Twins will be final book in my Amish Spinster Club series. Releasing in mid-June in print, it’s a book that I felt really sorry to finish because I have enjoyed writing about a new Amish community set near my home town. On the other hand, I’m now working a new Amish series, Green Mountain Blessings, that will begin in December 2019. I’m getting to meet a whole new collection of characters and work with them as they go through their own endings and new beginnings. Just like when we read a book by a favorite author, it’s sad to have one series come to an end, but, oh, how delicious it is to begin something brand new! Who knows what waits us in the days to come?

Because I Love You: Mother's Day

Several times over the years, my birthday has fallen on Mother's Day, as it will this year. My mom went home to the Lord 30 years ago, but I'm really thinking of her this year. Doesn't matter how old you are or how old your children are, Mother's Day is special for all concerned. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. You matter, and you will always matter. God bless you all! 

Arlene James

My mother is dead and I miss my mother everyday. But she will always be with me in my memories.The job of being a mother is one of the most important jobs a person can have. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there.

Margaret Daley

A happy Mother's Day shout out to all women who work great deeds of wonder and love in all aspects of their lives. 

 Leigh Bale

Wishing you and all mothers a Happy and Blessed Mother's Day. I'm missing mine today.

Jean C. Gordon

Wishing a happy and blessed day for all who care for others.

Dana R. Lynn

Wishing all the moms a wonderful Mother's Day. You nurtured our love of reading, opening up new worlds and ideas to us. Thank you, Mom.

Christine Johnson

"The day God made me a mother was one of the happiest moments of my life.  
Being a mother to my two daughters is such a gift. I
 try to give them all the love my own mother gave me. 
Wishing everyone a blessed Mother's Day."

Belle Calhoune

Twelve years ago, I lost my mom when she was far too young. Each year on Mother's day I go to her grave with flowers and do my best to remember all the happy times we shared. Love and miss you, Mom!

Laura Scott

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s, grandmother’s and mother figures. May you be blessed with love, encouragement and surrounded by family today and every day.

Terri Reed

To my mom, Grandma, and Aunt Katie who surrounded me with love and tried (really tried) to import wisdom.  I miss you every day.

Pamela Tracy

Wishing all you moms out there a most blessed Mother's Day. Thanks for all you do!

Deb Kastner

For all the moms of babies and toddlers--bless you. Your days are long, your shirts stained from tiny fingers, and, yes, your children need you. You matter.

For all the moms of tweens and teens--bless you. You no longer can make problems disappear with a cookie, the hugs aren't as bountiful as they were a few years ago, and, yes, your children need you. You matter.

For all the moms of adults--bless you. You aren't as involved in the daily lives of your kids, and sometimes you miss those days gone by, and, yes, your children need you. You matter.

Happy Mother's Day

Jill Kemerer

Thanks Mom for being the grammar police as I was growing up.
I'm still relying on what you taught me. 
Valerie Hansen

Whether you're a mom, stepmom, grandmother, aunt, or friend, chances are you've made a difference in someone's life and you may not even know it. So this mother's day, I'd like to wish you all a happy and blessed mother's day, and my prayer is that each of you will realize just how important you are to someone. Happy Mother's Day...

Mary Alford.    

My mother has been gone two years now and I miss her dearly but a story I’d like to share happened this past summer. I had one of my Amish books come out in hardcover from Thorndike press. I usually get three copies and I always gave one to Mom. I took her book to the library in Abilene KS near where she had lived. When I told the staff I had a book to donate and they realized who I was, the head librarian said, “We sure do miss your mother. She used to come in here and say, ‘My daughter has a new book out and I don’t see it on your shelves.’” Mom loved to promote me.

Pat

Happy Mother's Day to all moms and to all women who love children. As always, I give thanks to God for my wonderful mother whose love was unconditional. I also give thanks for my daughter and daughter-in-law. Both of these young women are caring and compassionate mothers who have given me adorable grandchildren who fill my heart with joy. Truly I am blessed!

Debby Giusti

I didn't receive the blessing of one mom, but three. And this last year, with the death of my husband (their son and son-in-law), they have surrounded me, prayed for me, hugged me, offered encouraging words, cried with me, and offered financial assistance when it was needed. These women have taught me how to love, to wife, and to mother. I feel cherished and loved by for Him to have blessed me with such strong and caring women. I pray I can do the same for my daughters and my daughter-in-law. Happy Mother's Day, MOMS!!!!!!

Christina Rich

What We're reading

Terri Reed
I’m in the middle of reading the Summer Brides anthology by authors Susan Wiggs, Sherryl Woods and Susan Mallery. All great authors. I’ve finished the first story, the Borrowed Bride by Susan Wiggs and it was delightful. I’m halfway through A Bridge to Dreams by Sherryl Woods and its a cute, fun read. I’m looking forward to reading Susan Mallery’s Sister of the Bride.

I recently finished reading Vulnerable by Mary Burton. As always, it was a fast paced, suspenseful read set in Nashville which I’ll be visiting this summer.

Up next, I’m not sure. It will depend on the mood I’m in when I finish the anthologies.

 

Cate Nolan

Currently reading:  Two different books: Think No Evil : Inside the Story of the Amish Schoolhouse Shooting...and Beyond and Debby Giusti's Plain Danger

Just finished: Dana Mentik's Dangerous Tidings

Up next: books for a contest

Jolene Navarro

I finished The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew - Three Women Search for Understanding. It's three mothers that live in the New York area and they wrote this right after 911. I'm actually rereading it. Love this book on motherhood, faith and culture. 

I'm reading Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson and Ron McMillan. It is for work but I'm also finding great insight to personal conversations and a better understanding of the power play with my characters.

What am I reading next? My list is so overwhelming I'm not sure. Maybe a fun Susan Elizabeth Phillips or Jodi Thomas.

Lenora Worth

I am reading The Bronte Plot by Katherine Reay. Very good!!

Pamela Tracy
I just finished The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordon.  He wrote Percy Jackson and I'm reading what my son reads.

I'm reading Ghost in the Wind by E.J. Copperman.  What can I say?  I like a good ghost story.

Next, I'll be reading The Apprentice, My Life in the Kitchen by Jacque Pepin.  He wrote Kitchen Confidential.  It's for my book club.

Barbara Phinney

What I am reading: A Fall From Yesterday by Norah Wilson

What I just finished: The Red Sea Rules

Next to be read: Seaside Secrets by Dana Mentink

Leann Harris

I'm reading Linda Goodnight's book, Memory House.

Rhonda Gibson

 Currently Reading: The God I Never Knew by Robert Morris Non-Fiction

What I just finished Reading: Dragon Harper by Anne McCaffery Fantasy

What is next on my reading list: Mrs. Jefferies Wins The Prize by Emily Brightwell Cozy Mystery

Jill Kemerer

I'm currently reading Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst. This is a nonfiction Christian living book written for women who struggle with their weight. I'm very encouraged by the message of finding our significance in Christ and relying on His strength to help us make healthy choices. As someone who is tired of gaining/losing the same 5-7 pounds, I'm thrilled to have found this book.

I recently finished reading Jill Lynn's May Love Inspired, Her Texas Family. Jill has such a fresh voice, I couldn't put this one down!

Deb Kastner

I just finished reading: Books for a contest.

I am currently reading: Venetia by Georgette Heyer. I adore classical Regency romances and Georgette Heyer is the queen of all Regencies.

Next up I plan to read: The Crown by Kiera cass. My daughters passed the first books on to me after they had read them and I am looking forward to this last book in the series.

Linda Goodnight

I just finished reading: Thunder and Rain by Charles Martin, a gorgeously written, heart-tugging story I simply could not put down. Talk about a manly hero. Oh my!

I’m currently reading: Just Down the Road by Jodi Thomas, a Texas rancher romance full of wit, tenderness, and beauty.

Next I plan to read: Rustler’s Moon by Jodi Thomas, one of her Ransom Canyon books. I’ve just discovered her books and love her writing.

So, Craftie readers, what are you reading?

Blast from the Past - Guess the Author

It's that time when we glimpse into the past of one of our Craftie Ladies. The first reader to correctly guess this month's author will receive a copy of this author's latest Love Inspired release.

Ready?

Here's your clue:

I was fresh out of high school and moving to the big city of Austin after living most of my life in a small town. I'd stared a job, working for a lab in the bookkeeping department. My first real job. I'd also just met my boyfriend who later became my hubby. This picture was taken when I was going to see him, thus the smile on my face.

At that point in my life, I had no idea about the future. That I'd soon become a step mom and that I'd fall in love with my granddaughters beyond belief and that I would someday see my dream of becoming a published author come true.   

Do you know who this is?

Well, here's one more hint. This author will be taking over Blast from the Past posts starting next month.

Leave your guess in the comments to be entered in the contest. And be sure to look for more clues in the comment section throughout the day.

Good luck!

Craftie Ladies - Love Inspired Romance January 2016 Releases

Listed below are the upcoming releases from our talented Love Inspired Romance writers here at Craftie Ladies of Romance.  To purchase any of these wonderful books, just click on the book covers.  And to learn more about the authors, click on their names.

A Family for the Soldier

by Carolyne Aarsen

 Since his return to Little Horn, Texas, former special ops soldier Grady Stillwater has felt lost. Stillwater Ranch needs his attention— and so does his brother’s abandoned baby. But the injuries Grady sustained in Afghanistan have skewered his confidence. Physical therapist Chloe Miner offers hope and guidance—and a balm for the cowboy’s wounded heart. Little does he know that Chloe is hiding a life-altering secret of her own. The sweet girl he remembers from high school has a baby on the way, and she may need Grady every bit as much as he does her…

LONE STAR COWBOY LEAGUE: Bighearted ranchers in small-town Texas.

Blast from the Past - Guess the Author

Yes, friends, we are back. It's that time when we glimpse into the past of one of our Craftie Ladies. The first reader to correctly guess this month's author will receive a copy of this author's latest Love Inspired release.

Ready?

Here's your clue:

In this picture, taken in the late 1980's,  my second grade class and I studied a unit on Hawaii, including the geography, history, music, myths, flora and fauna and so much more about our 50th state. On the last day, we celebrated with a luau. Kids tasted tropical fruits, danced the hula, and shared some of the things they'd learned and stories they'd written. It was a blast!

Do you know who this is? Leave your guess in the comments to be entered in the contest. And be sure to look for more clues in the comment section throughout the day.

Good luck!

Patricia Johns: Just Part of the Package

     I fancy myself a gardener. Except, I don't really have enough patience. I'm the kind of woman who draws a deep, poetic satisfaction from a sprouted seed, and then gets too impatient to wait for the plant to mature and actually give her some tomatoes, so she tears out those quivering young sprouts (which were planted too late anyway) and puts in some full basil plants instead.

     It's shameful. To everything there is a season...  but some seasons are just too short to waste! And when you've already planted your seeds WAY too late because for some unknown reason you rely on social media and Yahoo news to inform you of the proper times for these things, you realize that you aren't the gardener you imagined yourself to be.

     You are a balcony plant waterer. That is all.

     Thank goodness I have other talents! And I've realized that I just have to embrace who I am--weaknesses as well as strengths--because this bundle of impatience, enthusiasm and writing talent is ME.

     In THE RANCHER'S CITY GIRL, Eloise kills house plants, and she's certainly not the ranching woman that Cory needs in his life, and she knows better than to try and change herself into someone else. Who wants to play act for the rest of her life, pretending to be what someone else wants?

     Our weaknesses are as much a part of who we are as our strengths. What imperfections have you embraced as simply being part of the unique package this is you?

When Cory Stone discovers the father he never met is gravely ill, he brings the ornery man to his Montana ranch, along with his round-the-clock nurse. Once again Cory finds himself falling for the wrong woman--a city slicker like the ex-fiancee who broke his heart. But in Eloise LeBlanc, Cory also finds a kindred spirit. The caring beauty knows firsthand about love and loss. Neither of them is looking for a new romance, and Cory certainly isn't searching for love. But can the independent city girl heal the heart of a broken cowboy?

THE RANCHER'S CITY GIRL came out in January 2015, and is still available online.

Friday Sisterhood with Missy Tippens

Our Beloved MISSY

Family Status: Married for 25+ years with three kids. One is grown and working as a youth minister. The middle son is in college studying physics. The youngest is a senior in high school. Yes, I'll be an empty nester soon!

What Is Your Favorite Beverage: Diet Dr. Pepper

What Is Your Favorite Food: Spaghetti with freshly grated parmesan. Lots of parmesan! And that might hold a tie with brownies--gooey dark chocolate brownies. :)

What Is Your Favorite Thing to do During Free Time: Read or catch up with DVR'd shows with my daughter.

Who Has Been the Most Influential Person in Your Life: Probably my husband. But also my Bible study leader, Dotty Gunby.

First Book You Fell in Love With: Anne of Green Gables.

A Book You Wish You’d Written: There are several that have made me cry, wishing I could write like that.

First Book Published: Her Unlikely Family from Love Inspired in 2008.

Most Recent Book: The Guy Next Door from Love Inspired (October) and Hope for the Holidays Contemporary Collection, an indie published boxed set with fellow authors from the Seekerville blog (November).

Available Now!

Out Next: The Doctor's Second Chance from Love Inspired in May.

How Many Have You Written: 8

What Do You Know Now That You Wish You’d Known Then: How to better balance work/writing with family and "real" life.

What is Your Favorite Bible Story: The story of Esther (really enjoyed Beth Moore's study!).

What is Your Favorite Bible Verse: Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

What is Your Favorite Hymn: So many!! I can't pick one. But right now, I'm excited about singing the traditional Christmas carols.

What is an Ongoing Prayer Request You Have: For my children to discover and follow the path God has planned for them.

Carol Award Finalist: Debra Clopton

Today at the Craftie Ladies we complete our salute to our authors who rise to the top and prove that Christian fiction rocks! 

Please join me in welcoming Debra Clopton.

Her novella, 

AN EVER AFTER SUMMER. 

is a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers' Carol Award.

What inspired you to write your finaling book?

Actually my agent Natasha Kern wanted me to try my hand at a historical and asked me if I thought I could squeeze a novella into my schedule. I was busy but no way could I pass up an opportunity to collaborate with Mary Connealy, Margaret Brownley and Robin Lee Hatcher so I agreed and was so glad I did. It was a joy from beginning to end. My story was to be set in Summer and all of them were about mail order brides. When I set down to brainstorm ideas I started looking at popular names from the 1870’s and, like happens to me a lot, when I saw the name Melvina and then the name Eldora the magic happened-I instantly saw Melvina Eldora Smith in my mind and the wonderful opening line popped into my head:

A born killer, Melvina Eldora Smith killed three people by the age of one: her mother at birth, her father of a broken heart and her poor, poor uncle Mutt outside a bar with a runaway buggy…

I instantly had to find out who this girl was! I felt for her and saw an unloved child grown up into a spunky young woman who’d unjustly had a lot of horrible things blamed on her all of her life by her bitter aunt. And of course I wanted to see her with a happy ending! 

How does your faith play into your stories?

I live my faith each day in a natural way, it is just a part of me. Like everyone, I struggle sometimes and am always striving to be a better person, to make a difference. It’s an ongoing process. I let my faith play into my stories in the same way, letting my characters walk naturally with their faith too. There is ebb and flow and each story’s faith element is dictated by the book and the character as I’m writing it. I let God lead on that discovery and I pray about it constantly as I write.

What is your favorite part of writing?

I love the creative process-that moment when I’m writing and then something unexpectedly ties together perfectly and beautifully-I call it a God moment-completely orchestrated by Him. I just love that! And with this story started with the opening line coming to me so perfectly and in an instant.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on Counting on a Cowboy book 2 in my new Four of Hearts Romance series coming out from Harper Collins Christian in 2015. Book 1 Betting On Hope comes out Feb 2015. I’m thrilled about the books and hoping my readers love them too. They are about 3 brothers, cowboys, running their family ranch the Four of Hearts Ranch in Wishing Springs, Texas. These are longer books than my Mule Hollow series but have the same feel and a great supporting cast of characters I think my readers will love. I tried very hard to give Wishing Springs that Mule Hollow feeling, but with a twist. 

 

Tell us about your Carol Award finaling book.

Like I said above it’s a sweet story that will have you rooting for this wonderful girl, Melvina Eldora Smith (Ellie). She’s nineteen, lost everyone who ever loved her at birth and decides to become a mail order bride when she reads an ad by a man looking for a mother for his baby-who has also lost her mother at birth. Ellie has a lot of love to give and needs love desperately-as does Mathew the hero. I so enjoyed Ellie’s spirit-she is just so full of expectations and hope. It was my first historical and my version of a Cinderella story. I’m loving that it’s up for this award because it was such a joy to write. It can be bought alone as an ebook or as a collection called a Bride For All Seasons. The 4 novellas in the collection are tied together by a meddling mail order bride magazine editor who takes the letters he receives and edits them, tweaks them to “help” the people find love. The only problem is when the brides reach their destinations things are not as they seemed and it makes for very comical situations!

 Sounds like a fun read.

Thanks for joining us today, Debra. We look forward to cheering you on at the Carols!

What's all this about Throw Back Thursday? Books I remember from the past--Lenora Worth

Hello, my darlings. It's always fun to remember good things from the past, right? I'm not one to post pictures of Elnora in the good old days, but I do like to discuss books and movies that I remember from other eras. So I thought it would be fun to talk about some of the books and movies that had a big influence on us.

When I was in high school (and maybe even before that) in the early 70s. (Yes, I'm that old) one of my favorite books was "Practically Seventeen" by Rosamond du Jardin. This story captivated me since it was about young love and lots of angst. I must have read it ten times over the years. I wish I still had my frayed copy but I don't even remember what happened to it.

Of course, I love "Gone With the Wind" too. Sweeping saga abou a sassy southern bell who just wanted to be loved.

 

These are just two of my through-back Thursday books.

 

 And I'm adding one of my own. This is a reprint of one of my early books. It's always been a reader favorite so I'm thrilled that it's having another go:

 

 

 

What are some of your favorites?

Y'all come and see us in San Antonio, Texas!!!--Lenora Worth

The Craftie Ladies of Love Inspired will be kicking up our heels in the Lone Star State next week when we head to San Antonio, Texas, to attend the Romance Writers of America annual conference which is being held at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel.

One of the highlights of the conference is the Readers for Life Literacy Autographing which is held on Wednesday night from 5:30 until 7:30 PM. Here is the official blurb:

"Meet Harlequin Love Inspired authors, collect their bling, and possibly win a $50 gift card.  Visit any participating Love Inspired author at the RWA Literacy Autographing at the Marriott Rivercenter hotel in San Antonio on Wed, July 23rd from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, and find out how to play."
That's right! We are giving away some serious swag. See mine below. It's a stress ball! You can think of me when you squeeze away that stress! The other Craftie Ladies will have everything from bookmarks to links to free reads to magnets to ... well ... a car! No, no, never mind the car. We're not Oprah after all. But you can get all this STUFF and sign up to possibly win a $50.00 gift card. And you can walk through a room full of writers--hundreds of writers--and buy their books and you will be doing this for the good of reading. The literacy signing started in 1990 and throughout the years, RWA has raised more than $825,000 for literacy.

We all love to read and we believe strongly in teaching others on how to read. So don't be shy. Come and see us. And help us spread the word. Pass it on, please. We hope to see you there!

Maggie and Jared

Pamela Tracy here and I'm very excited about my Love Inspired Romance released this month called Once Upon a Christmas.

You met Jared in last year's book, Once Upon a Cowboy.  That book featured younger brother Joel who was the prodigal son.  In Joel's book, Jared is the older brother.  Of course once Joel was redeemed, Jared had to have his book too.  Both books take place in Iowa, in an imaginary town just east of Knoxville. 

                                                 Jared's farm is described in both books,

but Maggie's profession/passion is one I hadn't dealt with before. She owns a vintage clothes shop. I had soooo much fun letting my imagination run wild as to how she'd dress through-out the book. So, without furthur ado, here's Maggie and Jared, on their wedding day, in vintage clothing.

 

And Father Makes Three Interview

How exciting to have Elizabeth Randall the heroine from And Father Makes Three written by Kim Watters a July 2012 release from Love Inspired Romance .

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

Interesting? What a question. I don’t think I’m that interesting at all. I mean I always had my head in a book in school, still do at times. Did the fast-track, graduated from college at twenty, med school as few years later, and became a doctor way before any of my classmates. I’ve been working ever since. So, no. Nothing interesting about me. Now my daughter on the other hand…..

2.     What do you do for fun?

Fun? Well, I went to dinner and a movie with my friends the other night. Aside from that, Jordan and I like to ice skating in the summer time to cool off and go to the park in the winter. 

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

Calling the adoption attorney to make sure Jordan’s adoption was legal. I’m afraid that there might have been some mistake and that she doesn’t really belong to me.

4.     What are you afraid of most in life?

Losing my daughter Jordan. She has leukemia and I’m trying to find a compatible bone marrow donor for her.

5.     What is the most important thing to you?

My love for God, and being able to use my hands to serve Him as a pediatric emergency room doctor. And without wanting to sound redundant, my daughter.

6.     Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?

Lately I haven’t had much time since my daughter is so sick. But when I do have some time I tend to read and medical journals, non-fiction and biographies.

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

Wow. You’re just full of great questions today. I need to learn to relax, have fun, and be a bit more spontaneous, I guess.

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

We don’t have a pet; we don’t really have time for one, especially since I’m living at the hospital right now while Jordan is there. I know Jordan wants a dog or a cat, but until we can get her healthy, I can’t think about much else right now.

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

I think I’d go back to my childhood. If I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t be in such a hurry to grow up. Maybe I’d actually enjoy it a bit more a make some friends my own age instead of being a total bookworm and kind of lonely.