What We're Reading

Mary Alford What  I just finished:  
Gathering Shadows by Nancy Mehl.

What I'm currently reading: 
Buried Memories by Carol J. Post and Mountain Ambush by Hope White. 

What I'm planning to read next:
 Moving Target by Lynette Eason (Can't wait for this one.) 
_________

Barbara Phinney
What I just finished: 
Nothing

What I'm currently reading: 
The Collected Stories of Isaac Besher Singer.  Very interesting.

What I plan to read next: 
The Final Crumpet by Ron and Janet Benrey
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Louise M. Gouge

What I just finished:The Price of Privilege by Jessica Dotta, third in a suspense series about a young woman whose identity is shrouded in deadly secrets. A gripping saga!

What I'm currently reading:
My Enemy, My Heart by Laurie Alice Eakes, a Regency/War of 1812 set partly on the sea and partly on English soil. Very romantic and reminiscent of the wonderful old high seas adventure movies of the past.

What I plan to read next:
Wed on the Wagon Train by Tracy Blalock, December LIH release. This is Tracy's first LIH, and I'm sure I'll become a fan. 
__________

Deb Kastler
What I just finished: 
Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst  (Audio) This is not a diet book, but a devotional way of life eating book. While I didn't agree with everything she said, she has a lot of great points on making sure our whole focus is on God. Oh--and she's hysterically funny.

What I'm currently reading:
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick.  This is WAY different than the books I usually pick up, but I absolutely love it. I'm enthralled by the strength of character development and the clever plot. 

What I will be reading next: 
The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory. (Audio) I've been making my way through Ms. Gregory's books. Not sure her historical research is completely accurate, but she is a great storyteller. 
__________

Pamela Tracy:

I just finished reading: Body & Soul.  It's a paranormal YA by Stacey Kade.  I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads.  It's third in a series and did not disappoint.

I'm currently reading: 

(book) Never Say No to a Rock Star by Glenn Berger.  It's a memoir of working in the music industry circa 1970s&80s.  I'm only 20 pages in and so far I'm liking it.  Right now, I'm with Paul Simon on a bench and he's struggling started his lone career without Garfunkel (I always missed Garfunkel.  Felt the same way when Brooks and Dunn decided to go solo).

(Audio) The Collector by Nora Roberts.  I'm on the road over an hour a day driving back and forth to work.  About two months ago, I'd had it with audio books that were not keeping my interest, so I grabbed a tried and true.  Nora.  Now I'm listening one every two weeks and she's not disappointing.  What I like best about the collector is the clues she's handing out, that I'm catching (color of shirts, shoes).

Next on my list: 
Not really sure.  I just bought the River of Time series by Lisa Bergen.

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Jean C. Gordon

What I just finished: 
Once A Wife (A Mother's Heart Book 2) by Patricia Keelyn. This author and series is new to me. I'll probably read more.

What I'm currently reading: 
Mistletoe and Sage by Lyn Cote. Still whittling down my holiday TBR list. As usual, Lyn doesn't disappoint.

What I plan to read next: 
The Cowboy's Holiday Blessing by Brenda Minton, the next to last holiday book I have left.
__________

Merrillee Whren

What I just finished: 

A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade

What I'm currently reading: 

Until I Found You by Victoria Bylin

Next on my list: 

Hamilton by Ron Chernow  

__________

Danica Favorite

What I just finished: 

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (on audio!)

What I am reading now: 

Historical newspapers to research my current book.

What I am reading next: Mending the Doctor’s Heart by Sophia Sasson

FEATURED BOOK AND INTERVIEW: Nursing the Soldier's Heart by Merrillee Whren

Loving the Soldier 

Nurse Kirsten Bailey places her family above all else. She refuses to give former army medic Brady Hewitt any leeway for being weeks late in visiting his ill grandmother. But Brady has a good excuse, and he's eager to show the pretty nurse that first impressions aren't always right. While working with Brady to care for his grandmother and two orphaned boys, Kirsten realizes that his charm and kindness aren't an act. But Kirsten plans on doing missionary work abroad, and she's determined not to fall for the engaging soldier. Could the man she once dismissed be the one to make her stay forever? 

Interview:

How exciting to have Brady Hewitt the hero from Nursing the Soldier’s Heart written by Merrillee Whren an August 2015 release from Love Inspired Romance .

1. Brady Hewitt, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

    I’ve had some dangerous jobs. I’ve been an army medic, an oil rig worker, and I also worked on a fishing boat off the coast of Alaska.

2.  What do you do for fun?

     I’ve always enjoyed playing soccer, and I’m getting the chance to teach the game to some of the kids at the Village of Hope.

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

     Talking about my dad because he basically abandoned me after my mother died.

    

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

     I fear being like my dad, who let difficult times ruin his life.

5.  What is the most important thing to you?

     Right now the most important thing is making sure my grandmother Cora has a good life in her remaining years.

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

     I’ve never been much of a reader, but lately I’ve been reading books to Zach and Tyler, two boys from the children’s home at the Village of Hope. I’m enjoying these books as much as the kids.

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

     I’d like to learn to trust God more and seek his guidance before I make plans.    

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

     I’ve never had a pet because my employment didn’t fit well with caring for a pet.

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

      I’m not sure I would like to go back in time. These days I’m trying to look forward and not back. But if I have to choose a time and place, I’d go back to the oil wildcatter days in west Texas. I enjoyed my job in the oil fields, and it would be interesting to see how the early oilmen worked.

FEATURED BOOK AND INTERVIEW: Second Chance Reunion by Merrillee Whren

A Mom's Redemption 

Annie Payton's lost everything she once held dear. The Village of Hope is her last chance to rebuild the life she's frittered away so needlessly. But as she works to regain custody of her children, she never imagines an unlikely advocate in her corner—ex-husband Ian Montgomery. Ian's always willing to help those down on their luck, but his ex-wife's a different story. Her past betrayal is still a painful memory. As the Village's lawyer, he'll represent her—but that's as far as he'll allow his feelings to go. Can Annie show Ian that she's changed in every way but one—the love she still has for him? 

Village of Hope: A community built on love

Interview:

How exciting to have Annie Payton the heroine Second Chance Reunion written by Merrillee Whren a January 2015 release from Love Inspired Romance .

1.  Annie Payton, tell me the most interesting thing about you. With God’s help I’ve managed to climb out of the pit I had dug for myself.

2.  What do you do for fun? There hasn’t been much fun in my life in recent years. Right now I’m learning to have fun again by playing games with some the senior citizens at the Village of Hope’s assisted living center.

3.  What do you put off doing because you dread it? I put off talking to my parents because I’m not sure they will accept me.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life? I’m most afraid of losing my children forever.

5.  What do you want out of life? To be with my children and never go back to my old ways.

6.  What is the most important thing to you? My children and staying clean and sober

7.  Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read? Reading is something I’m starting to do again. I like to read thrillers.

8.  If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would change the way I squandered everything good in my life. I’m trying to get those things back little by little.

9.  Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet? No.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?  I would travel back to my teen years with the knowledge that I have now and live my life in a different way.;

Friday Sisterhood with Merrillee Whren

Family Status: married with two grown daughters

What Is Your Favorite Beverage: wild cherry diet pepsi

What Is Your Favorite Food:It’s hard to pick just one. Favorite snack: Cheetos, Favorite meat: filet mignon, Favorite fruit: strawberries, Favorite veggie: broccoli, Favorite takeout: Pizza

What Is Your Favorite Thing to do During Free Time: play tennis or read

Who Has Been the Most Influential Person in Your Life: My mother. She read to me when I was young, not just short story books, but whole novels. That created a love for books.

First Book You Fell in Love With: Old Bones The Wonder Horse

A Book You Wish You’d Written: I’ve never wanted to have written someone else’s book, but I have wished to be able to evoke reader emotions like other authors I have read.

First Book Published: The Heart’s Homecoming, a 2005 Love Inspired

Most Recent Book: Book out now: My 2003 Golden Heart Winner, A Place to Call Home as in indie book

Next: Coming in January 2015 Second Chance Reunion, Love Inspired

How Many Have You Written: I wrote eight books before I sold one. The January 2015 book will be my 13^th published book. 

What Do You Know Now That You Wish You’d Known Then: Every writer has his or her own process when writing a book and his/her timeline for a career.

What is Your Favorite Bible Story: The story of Ruth

What is Your Favorite Bible Verse: Isaiah 40:29-31

What is Your Favorite Hymn: Old Time Hymn: “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”  New: “My Lighthouse” 

What is an Ongoing Prayer Request You Have: For the health of my daughter who has Crohn’s disease

Montana Match Interview

How exciting to have Parker Watson the hero from Montana Match written by Merrillee Whren a January 2012 release from Love Inspired Romance.

1. Parker Watson, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

I like to invent stuff. My current project involves turning the waste from my ranch into

fuel. It’s a work in progress. I’ve been studying some of the methods used by other people

and trying to make something that will operate on my ranch.

2. What do you do for fun?

I love to snow ski, but I don’t do it very often because my work keeps me too busy. At

home, I like to watch movies with my girls.

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

I dread leaving the ranch and going into town because the people there don’t like me much.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

I’m most afraid of confronting the people who believed the worst about me when I was

falsely accused of misconduct with one of my students.

5. What is the most important thing to you?

The most important thing to me is giving my girls the best life possible. They mean

everything to me. They keep me going, even when life doesn’t seem fair.

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

Most of the books I read are non-fiction. I work as a medical writer, and I do a lot of scientific

research for my work and my inventions. I don’t do much pleasure reading.

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

I would learn how to better deal with the people who hurt me. I don’t know what to say to

them anymore.

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

I don’t have a pet myself, but there are lots of animals on the ranch. I recently gave our nanny

a dog for her birthday. It was my girls’ idea, and I thought it would be a great gift since she

has always wanted a dog of her own.

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

Sometimes, I wish I could go back to the time when my life was simple and I was a respected

teacher in my community rather than an outcast. But then, my girls, Rose and Jasmine,

wouldn’t be a part of my life. There is no going back, so I have to accept the way things are.

FEATURED BOOK: MONTANA MATCH MERRILLEE WHREN

Nanny to six-year-old twin girls isn't exactly the position Brittany Gorman is looking for. But she needs a job. And the twins' struggling single dad, rancher Parker Watson, needs all the help he can get. Soon Brittany is not only assisting with the girls, but also helping Parker make peace with his past. It seems Brittany's finally found a place to belong. And with two little matchmakers on the loose, there's no telling what the future holds. As her time on the ranch runs out, can Brittany and Parker find the strength to face that future—together?

The States We're Visiting in January

A Love Inspired Romance landed in Montana today, probably at a book store, grocery store, or box store near you. Hmmmm, what's not to love about Montana Match. Set in present day, Montana, Author Merrillee Whren has this to say:

Montana is the fourth largest state in the US, but it is the third least populated state. The state has seven American Indian reservations. I chose Montana for the setting of Montana Match because I lived there when I was a child, and my goal is to set at least one of my novels in every state where I have lived. I also have twin girls in the story who are part Crow Indian. One of my best friends in fourth grade was a girl named Rose who was a Crow Indian. She inspired the little girls in the story.

We have two Montana books bumping up against each other at the stores this month! Christine Johnson wanted to make sure we really understand Montana, so in her book All Roads Lead Home, she goes back in time to 1922. Here's her offering:

Since All Roads Lead Home is a road trip story, it covers states from Michigan to Montana. I chose to end the trip in northwest Montana because I love the way the Rocky Mountains rise out of the plains like a snow-dusted wall. Glacier National Park, which was founded in 1910, hugs the border with Canada and is part of the first International Peace Park with Waterton National Park in Alberta. At the time of All Roads Lead Home (1922), you could drive west to the park and drive north along the eastern edge, but much of the travel inside the park was on horseback. Backcountry chalets provided overnight accomodations along the trails. People especially loved to see the glaciers, for which the park is named, but those glaciers are rapidly melting away. In 1922, trains ran across the southern boundary of the park through Marias Pass, but a car could not drive across the park. The Going-to-the-Sun Road across the park was completed in 1933. I've driven it many times...always with white knuckles!

We wave goodbye to Montana and head clear across the U.S. (Really, we can go no farther) to New York. Jean C. Gordon's comtemporary romance Small Town Sweethearts is an eye opening for those of you who can only imagine Manhattan. Really, New York is so much more. Go ahead, Jean, tell us how much more:

For the many people who think New York State is New York City: Upstate NY, where Small-Town Sweethearts is set, is quite different from the Downstate New York City area. Upstate we have dairy farms, mountains, lakes, orchards, and lots of villages and hamlets with fewer than 5,000 people that aren’t near any major cities. Wyoming County in Western New York, where I grew up, is the number one diary county in the state and has about the same number of milk cows as people (40,000).

If you're still in the mood for states, you can drop down to Mississippe and read Terri Reed's January release. In Mississippi, there's a taste of suspense.

Hello 2012

The Craftie Ladies wish you a blessed New Year.

Wishing everyone a blessed time with family and friends, and great things in the year ahead. Naomi Rawlings.

Happy New Year. May you all have many blessings in 2012.

Merrillee Whren

To everyone reading this, I wish you a new year filled with unexpected blessing, challenges that stretch but not defeat you and joy in the knowledge that you are loved.

Winnie Griggs Small Towns, Big Hearts, Amazing Grace

I wish all of you a wonderful, blessed 2012!! May God fill your lives with love and happiness.

Missy Tippens

In 2012, may all your needs be met and all your dreams take wing. Blessings!Regina Scott

Last year was all the things it should have been: brilliant, tragic, spiritual, heartbreaking, exhausting, exhilarating, surprising, bewildering, dazzling and wondrous. I can only hope this year will be the same.

Sherri Shackelford, Winning the Widow's Heart, June 2012

Terri Reed here on this new day of 2012. I wish you all a wonderful and blessed new year. I have a new release out this month, the second book in my Protecting the Specialists series. The Secret Heiress hits the shelves on January 3rd. I'm doing a blog tour to celebrate the new release. Click here if you'd like the dates and links to the blogs. One commenter during the tour will be drawn to receive a ten dollar gift card.