My Summer Vacation(s)

Hi everyone - Winnie Griggs here.  July was a crazy busy month for me, but in a good way.  At the beginning of the month we took a six day family vacation to Hawaii.  It was my first time there but I hope it's not my last!  The scenery was breathtaking, the beaches were beautiful and the food was wonderful.  We visited Pearl Harbor, went to a luau, toured volcano formations, visited secluded waterfalls and saw amazing foliage.

One of my favorite things that we did though, was take a helicopter tour with the doors off.  It was so exhilarating and the views were fantastic.

After a week back at home I took off again, this time for New York with my three daughters.  I'd been there before but it was the girls first trip and we determined to fit as much into the three full days they'd be there as we could.  And I must say we made a pretty good run at it.

Once they headed home it was time for me to turn my focus to the Romance Writers of America annual conference, which had me spending another six and a half days in New York.

And there you have it - my busy, fun, exhausting, exhilarating July!  So how about you - did you have the opportunity to do much travelling this summer?  What is your favorite or dream destination?

Pursuing Your Dreams

Starting today, I'm in San Antonio, Texas for Romance Writers of America's annual conference. There's nothing better for a writer's soul than the opportunity to hang out with other writers. 

This will be my first RWA Conference since 2007. Back then, I was a novice writer in search of that elusive first book contract. I confess that there were times when my dream felt like nothing more than a pipe dream. Still, I kept writing and learning. I persevered through the rejections.

Seven years since my last RWA Conference, I am honored to be returning as not only a published author, but a soon-to-be multi-published author. All because of that dream.

Dreams don't come true just because we want them to. They take nurturing, hard work, sometimes tears and a thick skin. There is no path of least resistance. There will be challenges. Challenges that have to be faced head-on in order to come out stronger on the other side.

When my dream of becoming a published author took root, I had no idea it would take me almost 9 years to see it come to fruition. But the joy and satisfaction of that first contract was so worth the effort.

It wasn't until after I got that call from my editor that I realized I'd taught my children a valuable lesson. My youngest child was 5 when I started writing, so they'd witnessed my entire journey. The ups and downs, the heartaches and joys. Then they saw their mother's dream come true. Because I refused to give up.

In my September 2014 release, Rescuing the Texan's Heart, both my hero and heroine experienced the death of a dream. Only to have God restore them in ways they never imagined. After all, He is the ultimate dream giver. :-)

Have you ever had a dream? Did you pursue it or leave it languishing in the dust somewhere along the way? If you achieved your dream, what challenges did you face along the way?

Here's wishing that all your dreams come true.

~Mindy Obenhaus~

Coming September 2014

Melting his heart.

Cash Coble is desperate for a change. After working in the family business for ten years, he's stressed out and overworked. When he heads to Colorado to visit his ailing grandfather, he finds his mood lifted by the beautiful woman living next door. After a troubled past, ice climber Taryn Purcell isn't looking for love. Especially not with a charming Texan who's consumed by work. But there's something about Cash that captures her heart. Never one to back down from a challenge, Taryn promises to show Cash how to carve out a happy life—one that includes her.

New York, New York! Here I Come (Romance Writers of America National Writing Conference)

Hi Debra Clopton here, I'm writing this as my husband Chuck drives us to the airport--we're on our way to New York! I'm excited! I asked my granddaughter if I could borrow her fancy orange flower to wear to the Rita Awards on Friday night, but she said she was looking too fabulous in it herself and wouldn't let me wear it!!!

So, I guess I'll just have to do without the big orange flower in my hair. I'm still going to have a great time. RWA is the big conference of the year. I'll meet with my editor, my agent, my writing friends. The conference kicks off on Tuesday at 5:30 to 7:30 with a huge author autographing that benefits Adult literacy. I hope if you happen to be in the area you'll drop by the Marriott Marquis on Times Square and come see us all. There will be 500 of your favorite romance writers signing. Of course we the Craftie Ladies of Romance will be there and I believe about 34 other Love Inspired authors. Along with authors such as Debbie Macomber, Nora Roberts and other huge authors in the industry. Look for the Little Inspy Trading Card game that us Love Inspired authors will be doing. We've all got a trading card with one of our books on it and if you gather one from us all and take them to Lenora Worth, Janet Tronstad or Missy Tippins they will put you in a drawing to win $100. gift card to Amazon (Okay, I may have some of the rules wrong I have been on major deadline for two weeks working with very little sleep...trying to finish my book before the conference Sooooo If I have some details wrong at the conference we have a sheet at our tables that explains it all!) Anyway, I'm almost to the airport so I'll say goodbye for now.

I have to say that I look forward to conference so much because of the amazing ladies who make up the Love Inspired authors. We have a blast together and its really nice to get together and see each other face to face. They really are as nice as the books they write :)

Until next time live, laugh and seek God with all your hearts!
Debra Clopton
Have you been to Mule Hollow yet?
Watch for my next book Sept 1 2011 HER RODEO COWBOY book 1 in the Mule Hollow Homecoming series