It's Only a Party if Love Inspired is There! by Pamela Tracy

Yeah!  This year I was able to attend the Romance Writers of America's conference.  With just one except, I had the best BEST time.  Below, are some of the photos I took of Love Inspired ladies, most of whom are on this blog.  Enjoy!

I arrived on Wednesday and that night I attended
a hands-on Murder Mystery.
Who was there?  Why Jolene and her daughter.
Hmmm, were they suspects?

Each table had a bag as a centerpiece.
Each bag had a piece of evidence.

My table included Sherri Shackleford and Tina Radcliff.
Between them is a Harlequin  Heartwarming author.
For sure she, Leann Bristow, is a suspect.
After all, a Love Inspired author would never be involved in murder.
Except for writing it.

Thursday, Harlequin had a signing.
Here we have Lenora Worth and Terri Reed.
They are flanking Joanne Grant, editorial director, extraodinairre

Ah, here we see Sherri Shackleford enticing a reader

Marta Perry is signing a book for me!

Teri Wilson writers for LI
But, at the signing, she was lurking in the Special Edition area.

The Love Inspired editors also hosted a meet and greet for its authors.
Here we see Deb Kastner and lovely husband Joe

Here we see Patricia Davids.
And!  I'll send a book to whoever can name the author standing behind her
She'll soon be joining this blog

Walking through the conference lobby you might find a surpise.
Here we have Jill Kemerer's cover.
Hey, you can even put your face in the place of the model.

The highlight, of course, is the Harlequin party.
Here I am along side my best friend Cathy McDavid who writes for Harlequin Heartwarming

Love Inspired authors ready to party!

It's always great to reconnect with friends

Sigh.... the conference ended way too soon.  I didn't get to sit down and visit with my peers enough.

Next year, it's in New York.  A long way for this Arizona girl to travel, but I'm hoping to go...

Pamela Tracy's next book is
The Soldier's Valentine
Release date April 2019
from Harlequin Heartwarming

Pamela is also busy working on a
Love Inspired proposal.

What We're Reading; How About You?

Leann Harris

I'm reading Madeline Hunter's Accidental Duchess

I finished The Sheriff by Angi Morgan (Intrigue)

I plan to read Best Little Stories from WWII by C.Brian Kelly

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Debby Giusti

I love sharing book selections, but like Missy, I just finished judging a contest and can't disclose what I read. However, I can share that I gave a perfect score to one novel, a YA, that really hooked me. I'm hoping the story wins!

Now, I'm eager to read Marta Perry's newest Amish suspense, WHERE SECRETS SLEEP. I lived near Amish areas in Ohio and Pennsylvania in my youth, and Marta's stories always take me back to those early years and the simple life of the Amish people.

Next on my To Be Read List is my book club's April selection, PRISONER OF TEHRAN: One Woman's Story of Survival Inside an Iranian Prison, by Marina Nemat. The member of the book club who made the selection highly recommend the true story and said she learned so much from the book about Iran in the 1980s.

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Rhonda Gibson 

I just finished reading, Janet Lee Barton's, A Daughter's Return. Very Good. 

I am reading now, Mrs. Jefferies and the one who got away by Emily Brightwell. I'm a big cozy mystery reader so this is just what I needed. 

Next I plan to read, The Lumberjack's Bride by Jean Kincaid.  

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Mary Curry

I can't name the last book I read since it was for a contest, but it was great!

I'm currently reading Angi Morgan's  Protecting Their Child. It's an Intrigue that led to her current West Texas Watchmen series. It's a bit gritty, but I'm turning the pages as fast as I can and reading when I should be doing other things, so I guess that tells you how great it is.

Next up, Dana R. Lynn's Presumed Guilty. Dana is one of my fellow Killer Voices so I'm excited to read her debut.

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Keli Gwyn

What you just finished reading: Months ago I’d celebrated fellow Love Inspired author Jill Kemerer’s First Sale. I eagerly awaited the release of her debut Love Inspired romance and rejoiced when an advance copy of Small-Town Bachelor, an April release, showed up in my post office box. Jill’s book went to the top of my to-be-read piles. (Yes, I have more than one.) I enjoyed this sweet story of a small-town gal and the big city guy who comes to her rescue during a tornado, ends up staying in her hometown due to an injury he suffers as a result and finds himself reluctant to leave. Jill’s characters are likable, the romance satisfying and the writing crisp and clean. As a bonus, the heroine, a wannabe zookeeper, is caring for a pair of adorable otters. A heartwarming tale!

 What are you reading now: I’m a huge fan of fellow Love Inspired Historical author Renee Ryan and love her Charity House series. I read my first of her stories a few months ago. As soon as I finished it, I dug through my TBR piles and found several more of her books. I’m currently enjoying His Most Suitable Bride. As usual, Renee’s characters are well drawn, the emotion is deep and the romance is sigh-worthy. Another winner!

 What you plan to read next: I'm privileged to read The Cactus Creek Challenge by my friend and agent mate Erica Vestch for endorsement. I'm eager to dive into Erica’s entertaining story and know I’m in for a treat—along with some chuckles

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Pamela Tracy

What you just finished reading: Killed at the Whim of a Hat by Colin Cotterill - one of the more unique books I've read. It was set in Thailand and had a set of characters that didn't really work for me. But, I was interested enough in the whodunit to keep reading. When all was said and done, at the end, the only character I'd be willing to share tea with was Granddad Jar (not sure the spelling; I did this as an audio as I drove back and forth to work). Oh, and I did enjoy the George W. Bush quotes.

What you are now reading: Ranger Confidential by Andrea Lankford. Just started today! My WIP has a forest ranger hero. Plus, there's Grand Canyon stories and since I live in the Grand Canyon state, how can I go wrong? (Yes, I know. I always manage to find a way).

What you plan to read next: Based on the two above, I need something relaxing LOL. Not sure what. Probably a spooky book by Heather Graham especially since I've already checked the audio Phantom Evil (I know, I know, the name…. And, I already had to fast forward one part because it scared me) out of the library. FYI, the library always has Graham's book (and yes I am a fan) and seldom has Dianne Gist books. Makes me cranky a bit.

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 Louise M. Gouge

What you just finished reading: Falling for the Enemy by Naomi Rawlings. This is a terrific LIH story that takes place in 1805 France during one of the many wars between England and France.

What are you reading now: Wolf Creek Father by Penny Richards. A heartwarming story of love between a small town sheriff with two trouble making children and a feisty schoolteacher who aims to tame the all.

What you plan to read next: The Gift of a Child by Laura Abbot. This is another LIH, and I'm looking forward to reading it because it's a love story with the added element of danger to a winsome orphan boy.

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 Christine Johnson

In fiction, I'm currently reading Cara Putman's Shadowed by Grace, which takes place in WW2 Italy. It follows the work of the U.S. Army's Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives division which was in charge of protecting and recovering art works. As someone who studied art many years ago, this is fascinating reading.
In nonfiction I'm reading Lysa Terkeurst's The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands. Now that's something I really need to do well before I get overwhelmed. Anyone here feel overtaxed? See my hand waving? She addresses our tendency to say "yes" without thinking through the decision. Sounds like me. Now I just need to stop myself from leaping to give an answer right away.
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 Missy Tippens

I just finished reading several books for a contest I was judging. I can't reveal the titles, but several of them were very good! Two were novels that I could NOT put down. The characters were very well done.

I'm not reading anything at the moment.

But sitting next to me on the couch, waiting to be read, is Engaged to the Single Mom, a March Love Inspired book from Lee McClain. I can't wait!

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Jean C. Gordon

I just finished the Shanghai Girls by Lisa See, the first book in her Shanghai series. It's a historical family saga that starts before WWII in Shanghai and ends in California about 20 years later.
Now, I'm reading the second one, Dreams of Joy. My granddaughter recommended them to me. They're the first Kindle books I've bor, owed from my library. The first one was okay, but moved a little slow. The second one is faster paced, and I can't put it down.
Next, I should read The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins for a workshop she's doing at my local RWA chapter meeting in April that will reference the book.

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Ask Elnora--About Maneuvers? Lenora Worth

Hello my darlings. How I've missed you but I enjoyed my time off and I'm so glad we got to know some of those wonderful RITA nominated books! I must read all of them. Elnora is behind on her reading list. But I have very good excuses. I just finished a long Superromance that I so enjoyed writing. It's off to my clever editors for well .... more edits ... I'm sure. So of course I celebrated with new shoes and a few days away from my computer. But it's hard to stay away for any amount of time.

I had to maneuver things so I could enjoy my down time. I had big plans to finally get this office into shape, to finally go back through and "edit" my overflowing closet yet again, big plans to sit on the beach and read all the books I've been pining to read, big plans to climb mountains and scale walls and ... well, I haven't done much of anything but I've enjoyed my rest. Now it's off to Atlanta to the RWA Conference. I have a great and full schedule--and a workshop on Saturday with one of my favorite people--Marta Perry--and one of my favorite editors--Tina James. We maneuvered into getting this workshop and we're excited to talk about writing. I'll try to give conference highlights next week.

In my last home, a big train maneuvered its way along a track just past my yard. We laughed about the noise and how it shook the earth when we first moved in but we got used to the train and always waved when it passed near the trees. Here where I live by the bay, we hear a different kind of maneuver. We live surrounded by military bases--air force and navy and a couple of very secretive fields and reservations. So we often hear our military practicing maneuvers. When I first heard the boom, boom right outside my door, I did a jump, jump right out of  my recliner. Then I realized what was going on. Now when I hear the rat-ta-ta-tat of a big gun somewhere, instead of scaring me it makes me feel safe. There are heroes out there in the shadows, practicing to protect me. Sigh.

One night recently, Big D and I walked out on the dock to look at the stars. I saw some flickers in the distance. Like fireflies dancing on the clouds. My husband explained that was maneuver planes flying over one of those secretive fields. I have to say it was a lovely sight. Better than fireworks even.

So Happy Belated Fourth of July, my precious people. Let freedom ring or boom or rat-ta-tat. I'm thankful for new shoes and for the freedom to write these words and my books. I'm thankful for the military men and women who are out there protecting me. And I'm thankful for all of you, too!

Now what did I miss while I was away? Come sit by me and let's catch up!!!

RITA FINALIST – KATIE’S WAY-by Marta Perry

When were you born? Katie’s Way was born November 1, 2011

Where were you born?

I was born to author Marta Perry in the Pennsylvania Dutch area of the United States which makes perfectly good sense. Marta lives where the Amish do and I'm an Amish love story.

Do you have any brothers and sisters?

Marta has written many, many books, but my particular family is called Pleasant Valley. I am the fifth book in that series.

Some of my older many siblings include: Leah’s Choice, Sarah’s Gift, Anna’s Return, and Rachel’s Garden. Hannah's Joy is the latest book in the series and is available now.  Then in November, book seven, Naomi’s Christmas arrives. Whew! That Marta works fast!

What do you think made you a RITA finalist?

The Amish believe pride to be a sin so please don’t think I'm bragging. After all, I am an Amish novel. But since you ask….My characters are extremely well created, so much so that the lilt of Pennsylvania Dutch practically rises from the page. You can tell my author knows her stuff. My plot is thick and entwined, with many twists and turns, all of which grow naturally from the characters and their stories. The rich texture of family weaves a lovely thread throughout, and the faith issue of forgiveness, both of others and one self, is subtly presented. In my very humble opinion, Katie’s Way is a wonderful-gud book.

Here’s the cover blurb:

A quilt shop brings Amish and Englisch together, and trouble follows...

After a thwarted romance, Katie Miller starts over by moving to Pleasant Valley and opening a quilt shop. Soon Amish and Englisch turn the store into a lively spot...to the consternation of Caleb Brand, who crafts furniture next door. Then Katie's sister joins her, to escape rumors of her wild rumspringa, and Katie feels the burden of responsibility for a restless teenager. Even worse, her efforts to bring more people to Main Street arouse resistance among local businesses. When acts of vandalism threaten Katie's shop, she turns to Caleb for comfort, and their friendship deepens. But will Caleb's secret past prevent him from embracing a future with Katie? Or will their fragile romance develop the strength to last a lifetime?