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

Teri Wilson

I just finished reading: After You by Jojo Moyes. (This is the sequel to Me Before You.)

I am currently reading: Emily Giffin's upcoming novel First Comes Love, which releases on June 28. I'm interviewing her for HelloGiggles.com during her book tour, so her publicist sent me an advance review copy. I'm beside myself with excitement. Emily is one of my favorite all-time authors. (And the book is sooo good.) 

Next, I plan to read: The Memory of Us, by Camille Di Maoi. Camille is a friend of mine, and this is her debut book for Lake Union Publishing, based on the Beatles song Eleanor Rigby. I can't wait to read it! 

Barbara Phinney:

I just finished reading: A Fall From Yesterday by Norah Wilson.

I am currently editing my mystery books.

Next, I plan to read: Emma’s Prayer by RA Giggie, a local author who writes poignant Christian mysteries.

Danica Favorite:
I just finished reading: An Alaskan Wedding by Belle Calhoune

I am currently reading: Gate of the Sun by Elias Khoury

Next, I plan to read something light and fluffy that I don’t need to think about. My current read is really challenging!

Pamela Tracy
I just finished Kiss River by Diane Chamberlin, which I enjoyed.  There was a surprising twist at the end. 
I am currently reading Her Rancher Bodyguard by Brenda Minton.  I keep hoping that if I read her enough whatever she is doing right will zap me so I can write like she does.
Next I'll probably read No Test for the Wicked which I picked up at the RT Book Conference.


Patricia Johns
Right now, I'm reading middle grade books with my son. There is only so much time in a day, and I'm writing hard! When my reading is vastly different from my writing, it helps me not to confuse the two.
So right now, I'm reading: a Hardy Boy's Book called The Flickering Torch Mystery. ;)

Lorraine Beatty
I just finished reading White Shirts? A first hand account of a mass shooting at a Jackson fire department several years ago. Written by the wife of one of the victims.
What I'm reading now: Mindy Obenhaus Falling forthright Hometown Hero.
What I'm going to read next - Yuletide Reunion by Virginia Vaugan. 

Deb Kastner

I just finished reading: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. Excellent writing and characterization.

I'm currently reading (well, re-reading): Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. It's a classic for a reason! I adore Mr. Rochester. Love those dark, broody heroes.

Next, I'm planning to read: Something out of the Regency era, I think. 


Linda Goodnight
I am currently reading The First Gift by Ruth Logan Herne. It was sent to me for endorsement by her publisher and I am really enjoying it. It is a heart-tugging, surprising story set in New York's Appalachia.
I just finished reading Kristin Hannah's Winter Garden, a beautifully written, complex tale of a mother with a horrifying secret past and her daughters who struggle to understand her.
Next, I will read Lacy William's Once Upon a Cowboy. It looks very cute. The cover is gorgeous and the opening scene hooked me.

10 Inspiring Quotes for Book Lovers by Teri Wilson

Hello, lovelies! 

Here at Craftie Ladies, some of us write contemporary romance, some of us write historical and some of us write romantic suspense. But there's something we all have in common: books. We're all devoted book lovers, and I'm guessing that you are too.

So in celebration of the love of reading, here are ten inspiring quotes about books...

There is no friend as loyal as a book.

Ernest Hemingway

Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another's skin, another's voice, another's soul.

Joyce Carol Oates

A book is a dream you hold in your hand. 

Neil Gaiman

There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all. 

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it.

Edward P. Morgan

I cannot sleep unless I am surrounded by books. 

Jorge Luis Borges

Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.

Frederick Douglas

We read to know that we are not alone. 

C.S. Lewis 

You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had been alive. 

James Baldwin 

I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.

Jorge Luis Borges 

Writing with Wolves by Teri Wilson

Hi, everyone!

Happy New Year! I'm thrilled to have a brand new Love Inspired book out this month. ALASKAN SANCTUARY was a great joy to write. It takes place on a wolf sanctuary. My son lives in Denver, Colorado, and on a visit last summer, my family went to the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center in Divide and got to hang out with some amazing animals.

The entire time I was there, I kept thinking, "Wow, this would be such a great setting for a book." So I just kind of moved it to Alaska, where all my books for Love Inspired take place. (What? I can do that. I'm in charge of that fictitious town! And there are totally wolves in Alaska.)

Wolves are incredible creatures. They're often misunderstood, which is why they're currently listed on the endangered species list. I was honored to write about such beautiful animals and incorporate their story into my hero and heroine's romance in ALASKAN SANCTUARY.

Here's a bit about the book:

Piper Quinn is fighting for the future of her wolf sanctuary. A painful childhood has taught her to be more comfortable with animals than humans—especially the beautiful wolves of Aurora, Alaska. So when reporter Ethan Hale arrives to cover her struggling shelter—and deems the wolves a danger to the community—she's ready to prove him wrong. A former park ranger, Ethan's seen just enough tragedy to support his claim. Soon their difference of opinion is front-page news. And Piper and Ethan must reconcile their opposing views with their stubborn hearts that are quickly finding refuge in each other.


ALASKAN SANCTUARY is available on Amazon, at Harlequin and lots of other places. Visit my website for more info.

OH! And one more bit of exciting news!! My book UNLEASHING MR. DARCY is now a Hallmark Channel Original Movie and will premiere on January 23 at 9 eastern/8 central on the Hallmark Channel. I couldn't be more excited about this movie. It's very much in keeping with the spirit of my book, and the whole experience has been a dream come true. Check out the trailer below and set your DVR's!

Return to Autumn House, a Halloween Serial - Chapter Two - Teri Wilson

Return to Autumn House – Chapter Two

Teri Wilson

We have to get out of here. It’s not safe.

Hallie’s chest grew tight. She couldn’t seem to breathe. Or even think straight. The noises in the house grew louder. Whoever was inside was coming closer. And closer.

It’s not safe.

She could run. She should run. She should turn right around, climb back into her pumpkin orange roadster and drive far away. She should forget she’d ever heard of Marshmallow, Maine. Let them condemn the place. Why should she care what happened to Autumn House?

Maybe because this is where Kane kissed you for the very first time.

Kane.

He was the reason she couldn’t bring herself to turn tail and run. He was hurt. Hurt and bloodied. Something terrible had happened to him. She couldn’t just leave him here. She’d never be able to forgive herself if she did, even though she’d never seen him after the Halloween night so long ago when he’d kissed her on this very front porch. He’d been dressed as Superman, with a red cape and a big S on his manly chest. She’d been Lois Lane. They hadn’t planned on matching costumes. It had just happened. She’d thought it was fate. She’d thought it meant they were destined to be together.

She’d never been so wrong about anything in her life, except maybe the time she’d tried pumpkin spice potato chips. (They were horrible. Almost as horrible as being kissed within an inch of her life by a man who'd never deigned to speak to her again.)

But that didn’t mean she could leave him here. Not when something sinister was just on the other side of the front door to Autumn House. Whomever…or whatever…was coming for them had grown so close that Hallie could hear it breathing heavily just on the other side of the door.

A shiver ran up her spine.

“Kane. Wake up. Please wake up.” She gave him a little shake and tried not to think about how handsome he looked, even with a bloodied forehead.

But it’s such a nice forehead. So Clark Kent-esque.

She sighed.   

Focus, Hallie!

“Hmm?” Kane’s eyes fluttered open. “Lois? I mean, Hallie?”

Good. He was awake. If she could just get him to the car…

The door to Autumn House creaked open, and Hallie froze. It was too late to flee. Time had run out. She held onto Kane’s limp form for dear life while something hulking and black leapt toward her in the dark. A monster.

She squeezed her eyes closed and prayed for a miracle.

Then something wet and cold hit her on the side of her face. It almost felt like the monster had licked her. She opened her eyes.

Laugher bubbled up her throat. It wasn’t a monster at all. It was a dog. A big, clumsy dog. And from the looks of its wagging tail, it was friendly.

“Hallie, we have to get you out of here.” Kane sat up. “I told you it wasn’t safe. You’re severely allergic to dogs.”

He remembered. How sweet. How…super. Hallie had the sudden urge to kiss him right then and there.

But wait. Why was he all bloody? Why had he ignored her for so many years? Who did this giant dog belong to? And why was Autumn House on the verge of crumbling to the ground?

A kiss was the last thing she needed. What she needed most of all were answers. And maybe some Benadryl.

Baked Alaska recipe from Teri Wilson, author of LI Alaska series

Hi, everyone! 

This is a post I've been meaning to do for a while. You know how it is...there's always something you plan on doing, and somehow it just gets put off. Right?

A few years ago, when I was busy slaving away on ALASKAN HEARTS (which would later become my very first book with Love Inspired), I remember saying to my critique partners, "If I ever sell this book to Harlequin, I'm going to celebrate by making Baked Alaska." I mean, how appropriate! 

Fast forward to the present. My Alaska series for LI is now 5 books strong, and have I made that Baked Alaska yet? Um...no. Not exactly. There's something little intimidating about taking on an ice cream cake that you eventually set on fire. 

How does it not turn into a melted mess? Better yet, how do I manage to not set my kitchen fire?

But right here, right now, I'm taking the first step. I found a recipe! (Don't laugh. You have to start somewhere.) 

I'm including the recipe below. This particular recipe does not require actual flames. But the total preparation time is a whopping eight hours and 30 minutes. Egad. Never fear, though. Only one hour of that time is active. (I can only assume the rest of the time is spent wondering what you've gotten yourself into.) And look how pretty it is! Just like Alaska, only with sugar. 

Does anyone care to join me in this little culinary adventure? Better yet, has anyone actually made Baked Alaska before??

Do tell. Please. 

Ingredients

Ice Cream Dome

2

cups (1 pint) peppermint ice cream, softened

6

cups (1.5 quarts) mint chocolate chip ice cream, softened

6

cups (1.5 quarts) vanilla ice cream, softened 

Brownie Base

1

cup butter

8

oz bittersweet chocolate

4

eggs

2

cups sugar

2

teaspoons vanilla

1 1/4

cup all-purpose flour

1

teaspoon baking powder

1/2

teaspoon salt

Merinque

8

egg whites, room temperature

1/4

teaspoon cream of tartar

1

cup sugar

Directions

Directions 

• Line a 3-quart bowl with plastic wrap. Fill base of bowl with peppermint ice cream; layer with mint chocolate chip ice cream, then finish with a layer of vanilla ice cream. Cover surface with plastic wrap and freeze until ice cream is very hard, at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours in advance.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 9-inch cake pan with cooking spray, line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and spray parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray.
• Place butter and chocolate in a medium glass bowl over a saucepan of hot water (or a double boiler) and stir the butter and chocolate until melted. This can also be done in a microwave by placing butter and chocolate in microwave-safe medium glass bowl and microwaving on High for 1 to 2 minutes or until melted, stirring once. Set aside to cool
• In a separate large bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar and vanilla until well combined. In another medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt until combined. Add the cooled chocolate mixture to the eggs and whisk to combine. Add the flour to the chocolate mixture and whisk to combine. Pour into cake pan. Bake 50 minutes to 1 hour until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• When the brownie is completely cool, about 1 hour. Turn brownie out onto a large flat, ovenproof plate. Unmold the ice cream dome on top of the brownie layer. Place back in the freezer. 
• With electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the egg whites and cream of tartar for 2 minutes on medium-high speed. Increase the speed to high and add the sugar in a slow stream until stiff, glossy peaks form.
• Remove ice cream dome from freezer. Remove plastic wrap. Cover the ice cream dome with the meringue, covering it completely, using the back of spoon to make swirly peaks. Freeze for at least 3 hours or up to 2 days.
• Heat the oven to 500°F. Bake for 3 to 5 minutes or until the peaks start to turn a golden brown color. For easier slicing, let cake stand for 30 minutes. Slice and serve. 

Come visit Teri's world of Aurora, Alaska, in her latest book for Love Inspired - ALASKAN HOMECOMING. 

Ballet dancer Posy Sutton is only back in her hometown of Aurora, Alaska, until her injury heals. It's a decision that'd be easier to stick to if she didn't keep bumping into her charming ex-boyfriend, Liam Blake. After six years, she should be over him—but instead all she can see is the mistake she made when she left him. She's not sure she can handle choosing between Liam and ballet a second time…if Liam is even willing to risk his heart again. When her time in Alaska is up, will she and Liam be part of the sweetest dance of all?

Recipe from Betty Crocker.

Ballerinas and Bears! ALASKAN HOMECOMING by Teri Wilson

 

Hi everyone! I'm Teri Wilson, and today is my day on the blog. I write for Love Inspired, and my most recent book is ALASKAN HOMECOMING, which came out in March.

ALASKAN HOMECOMING is the 4th book in my series of Alaskan romances for LI, so it's full of fun Alaskan things, like snow, ice skating, naughty reindeer, gigantic dogs, snowball fights, romance (of course!) and bears. Lots of bears! But I can't say anymore about that without giving things away. No spoilers!

One of the things I like best about ALASKAN HOMECOMING is my heroine, Posy. She's a ballerina. I love ballet, and I've wanted to write a ballet-themed book for a long time. (I just had to figure out how to bring ballet to Alaska.) So, in celebration of my heroine, Posy Sutton, here are seven fun facts about ballet:

1. A male dancer lifts over one and a half tons (!) worth of ballerinas during a single ballet performance.

2. Most ballerinas wear out 2-3 pair of pointe shoes per week. 

3. One tutu costs up to $2,000 to make. 

4. The same tutu requires 60-90 hours of labor and over 100 yards of ruffle.

5. The amount of energy needed to perform a ballet is about the same as playing two full football matches or running 18 miles. 

6. Pointe shoes never have the ribbons sewn on when you buy them. Dancers sew their own ribbons into their shoes, so they can customize exactly where they're placed. They usually sew elastic onto the shoes as well. The amount of time that ballet dancers spend with a needle in their hands is a lot.

7. A prima ballerina can complete 32 fouette turns, while staying in the same exact spot on the floor. After the turns, the tip of her pointe shoe is hot to the touch. 

Surprised? There's a lot to ballet besides pretty pink satin and ballerina buns! Want to learn more? Check out ALASKAN HOMECOMING!

Ballet dancer Posy Sutton is only back in her hometown of Aurora, Alaska, until her injury heals. It's a decision that'd be easier to stick to if she didn't keep bumping into her charming ex-boyfriend, Liam Blake. After six years, she should be over him—but instead all she can see is the mistake she made when she left him. She's not sure she can handle choosing between Liam and ballet a second time…if Liam is even willing to risk his heart again. When her time in Alaska is up, will she and Liam be part of the sweetest dance of all?

Alaskan Homecoming by Teri Wilson

From the author:  My March Love Inspired release is called ALASKAN HOMECOMING. This book is the fourth in my Alaska series from Love Inspired, and it's a contemporary inspirational romance. The heroine of ALASKAN HOMECOMING is a ballerina, which thrills me to pieces. I've been wanting to write a dancer heroine for a long time. Here's a tiny peek at ALASKAN HOMECOMING:

Ballet dancer Posy Sutton is only back in her hometown of Aurora, Alaska, until her injury heals. It's a decision that'd be easier to stick to if she didn't keep bumping into her charming ex-boyfriend, Liam Blake. After six years, she should be over him—but instead all she can see is the mistake she made when she left him. She's not sure she can handle choosing between Liam and ballet a second time…if Liam is even willing to risk his heart again. When her time in Alaska is up, will she and Liam be part of the sweetest dance of all?

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

I'm a ballet dancer. I can't remember a time when I didn't dance. My parents say that even as a two-year-old, I would dance to the beat of the push-button toys in the church nursery.

2.  What do you do for fun?

My career doesn't leave me much free time, but recently I got into a snowball fight with the youth group at church. And, ahem, the youth pastor. Strangely enough, it was the most fun I've had in a long time.

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

Since I've been home in Alaska, I've been getting a lot of phone calls from the ballet director of the company where I dance in San Francisco. I can't bring myself to talk to him. Not yet...

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

Losing what I love most. For me, that's always been dance. But now I'm not so sure.

5.  What do you want out of life?

Dance has always been everything to me, but I'm starting to realize that it may not be enough. People need to love and be loved.

6. What scripture most defines your life?

A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to

dance..." Ecclesiastes 3:4

7.  What is the most important thing to you?

The most important thing to me is loving God and honoring his plan for my life, even though sometimes I have trouble knowing exactly what that is.

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

I would take back all the hurtful things I ever said to the people I care about.

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

I don't have a pet, but the church youth group has a dog for a mascot. A big dog. A REALLY big dog. When I first got to town, I mistook him for a bear. But that's another story. 

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

It's the most exciting time of all - the present. I'm finally learning to live in the moment instead of always looking back.