New Ideas?

Hi everyone, Janet Lee Barton here. My last post was about how my Boardinghouse Betrothal series came to be and how the ideas took a while to simmer before coming to a full boil where I had to begin writing. Well, I think something like that MIGHT be happening again.

When we downsized, I didn't think I had room for the Christmas village I'd put up for years, so I had it put in the attic for my daughter to use when she has grandchildren. But not long ago I found out that my husband and daughter and her family missed it.

Still I wasn't sure where to put it and wanted a 'place holder' for it. And then I wondered if I could find a year around village and began to search for what could become just that. I was so thrilled to find just want I wanted. It's mostly spring and summery, but I've ordered some fall trees to add to it and we're going to put tiny pumpkins out come October or so.  Then for Christmas, I'll pull out my Christmas village and change it out for the season. I love having a year round village! For now, it looks like this:

This is a day shot with the lights on, but it's truly beautiful at night! 

So what does this have with ideas? Well, as I sit in my chair across the room and study it, I find myself imagining people living in each house, going to church, or out and about. I can almost see them going from room to room--although I think I might have to draw floor plans for each one. But I think before long, I'll have a few new stories to tell. I've found that ideas can come to us anywhere and at anytime, but it pays to let them bubble up and then simmer for a while. I can't wait until these fully take shape.

For you writers out there--what pulls things all together for you?

Craftie Ladies - Love Inspired Historical June 2016 Release

Listed below is the new release from our talented Love Inspired Historical June author here at Craftie Ladies of Romance. To purchase this wonderful book, just click on the cover. And to learn more about the author, click on her name.

A Nanny for Keeps

by Janet Lee Barton

A Family in Need
 With no teaching positions open, Georgia Marshall agrees to become the temporary nanny for the two little girls next door. But she soon becomes enamored of the precocious children and their dashing but distant widowed father. Though she's falling for him, she can't help but think that the nobleman is out of her reach.

After the tragic loss of his wife, Tyler Walker swore he'd never again give his heart away. Until his neighbor brightens his home and brings some much-needed stability to his motherless family. But he refuses to allow this arrangement with the pretty teacher to become permanent…no matter how much he wants Georgia by his side—forever.

FEATURED BOOK AND INTERVIEW: A Nanny for Keeps by Janet Lee Barton

A Family in Need 

With no teaching positions open, Georgia Marshall agrees to become the temporary nanny for the two little girls next door. But she soon becomes enamored of the precocious children and their dashing but distant widowed father. Though she's falling for him, she can't help but think that the nobleman is out of her reach. 

After the tragic loss of his wife, Tyler Walker swore he'd never again give his heart away. Until his neighbor brightens his home and brings some much-needed stability to his motherless family. But he refuses to allow this arrangement with the pretty teacher to become permanent…no matter how much he wants Georgia by his side—forever.

 Interview:

How exciting to have Georgia the heroine from  A Nanny For Keeps written by Janet Lee Barton a June 2016 release from Love Inspired Romance .

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

I’m not sure most people would find me interesting. I’m a teacher—well, a nanny now, but one only because there are no openings for me at present and I can’t take advantage of Mrs. Heaton’s generosity any longer. I must have employment.

2.  What do you do for fun?

On my days off, I do many things with the other boarders at Heaton House, but right now, I’m enjoying being nanny to two of the sweetest little girls and I work just next-door to Heaton House.

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

I put off admitting how attracted I am to their papa because once I do, I must resign and then I fear I wouldn’t be able to be part of his— or their— lives any longer. He’s part of the English gentry and I’d never be considered a match for him.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

That I’ll never have a family of my own.

5.  What do you want out of life?

I want to please the Lord and deep down I want real love—a husband who truly loves me.  And of course a family.

6.  What is the most important thing to you?

My faith in the Lord. I know He will be with me no matter what.

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

That I wouldn’t seem to fall in love with the wrong men.

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

No. I used to have a dog before I moved to New York City, but we can’t have pets in a boardinghouse. Maybe one day . . .

9. Can you tell us a little interesting tidbit about the time period you live in?

Oh, there is so much interesting about it! So many single women coming to the city to find work—you know many in small towns don’t approve of that, but in the city it seems much more commonplace now. And there are all kinds of positions—besides being a nanny or teacher. One of our former boarders is a photographer with her own shop—of course she’s married now but her husband fully supports her in her venture. One of the boarders is a seamstress and another works at the Barge office helping the immigrants who come into the country. Yet another is a window dresser at Macy’s. Small towns just don’t have the same kind of opportunities that a big city offers. And those of us at Heaton House feel blessed to have Mrs. Heaton as a landlady. She makes us feel we have a real home.