Things Rudolph never told you...

Seven Things Rudolph Never Told You

by Teri Wilson, Author of Sleigh Bell Sweethearts

Tis the season for Christmas trees, carols, Nativity scenes, sleigh rides...and reindeer. Sleigh Bell Sweethearts, the Christmas book in my Alaska series for Love Inspired, tells the story of Zoey Hathaway, a charter pilot who unexpectedly inherits a reindeer farm. And the reindeer come with an even bigger surprise -- their brooding ranch hand, Alec Wynn.

Just in case you find yourself in Zoey's predicament, here are seven surprising facts about reindeer...

1. Both male and female reindeer grow antlers.

2. Reindeer legs make a unique clicking sound when they walk, so they can find one another in a blizzard.

3. Reindeer noses have the ability to warm the air before it gets to their lungs.

4. Reindeer can run up to 48 miles per hour. Whether or not they can fly is debatable.

5. Male reindeer shed their antlers at the end of mating season in early December, which means that Santa's sleigh is run by girl power!

6. Reindeer are the only mammals whose eyes appear to change color. In the winter, their eyes appear blue, but in the summer, when reindeer experience almost constant sunlight, their eyes are gold.

7. Reindeer feet are the widest of any deer feet. The special width of their hooves act as snowshoes for walking in Arctic snow.

On top of all that, they are adorable!

Owning her own plane is all charter pilot Zoey Hathaway's ever dreamed of. So when she inherits a struggling reindeer farm, with three dozen unruly reindeer and one dangerously attractive ranch hand, Zoey's well-crafted plans seem to fly out the window. Now she must put her trust in Alec Wynn, and hope that the troubled cowboy's past won't interfere with her plans to save the farm. Zoey knows that if she wants to succeed, she can't do everything on her own. But as she accepts Alec's help, she'll soon realize it's not just her farm that's at stake—but her heart.

Danger at the Border Interview

Today we're welcoming Border Patrol Agent Jeff Steele, the hero of Danger at the Border, written by Terri Reed a September 2014 release by Love Inspired Suspense. 

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.   

1.  Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.  When it came to the attention of Homeland Security that people were becoming sick after swimming in a lake that spans the international boundary line between the US and Canada, I was sent to investigate and determine if the lake water had been deliberately poisoned and if so why?

2.  So, during the book you met Dr. Tessa Cleary.  Tell us a bit about her. Tessa is a field biologist for the USDA Forest Service’s Fish and Aquatic Ecology Unit. She was sent to Glen Lake to find the cause of the pollutant. What was your first impression? Pretty and trouble with a capital T. I figured she would be high maintenance, bossy and demanding. When did you know it was love? I honestly can’t pinpoint the exact moment—Tessa turned out to be nothing like I first thought.  She was warm, caring, self-reliant and self-sacrificing.  She unexpectedly wove her way into my heart.   

3.  What strengths/skills do you have? Quick on my feet, protective of those I love and my country.  What is your greatest weakness? I’m jaded and cynical. At least that was Tessa’s assessment in the beginning of our adventure.     

4.  What scares you? Loving someone then having them leave me.    

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My relationship with my parents.

6.  Where are you in your faith at the start of your story? I’m a man of faith. But during this journey that Tessa and I were on, my faith was tested many times.

7.  Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?  My faith is stronger. I’m more committed than ever to God.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story.  Tell us why this scripture is significant.   Our soul waits for the Lord: He is our help and our shield. Psalms 33:20

This scripture sums up perfectly what I learned through this journey with Tessa.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

Apple pie and ice cream because its an all American kind of dessert.

Memorial Day Memories

Today we honor and remember those who've died while serving this country.  
Thank you for giving your life for our freedom.

We all know that Memorial Day is a day set aside to honor American military members who have died, whether in battle or after returning home. (Veterans' Day, November 11, honors the living who have served.) We also know that without our brave military, from the Minutemen of the American Revolution to the Navy Seals of today, we would not have great nation that is the United States, a beacon of freedom to the entire world. So this weekend let's be sure to take time and remember and honor those who have died. But don't mourn these fallen military men and women.

Thank God that such heroes lived.

Here's a picture of my father, William Douglas Jacobs, who served in the U. S. Navy at the end of World War I and in the Merchant Marines during World War II. Born in 1903, he died in 1990, and his ashes were scattered on Puget Sound by the Navy. I still miss you, Dad. You weren't just brave in the Navy, you were brave all through life. Louise M. (Jacobs) Gouge

 Both parents were in the Army, medical corp during Korean War. Mom 2nd Lt., Dad a private.  From Leann Harris

Why Romance?

Hey, y'all! Mindy Obenhaus here and I'm a sucker for a good happily ever after. Whether it's books or movies, for me a story must have some element of romance or I'm done. I just think that there is nothing more satisfying than two people defying the odds to find happiness together.

And here at the Craftie Ladies of Romance, I can bet I'm not alone.

So I asked a couple of my fellow Love Inspired authors a simple question.

Why do you write romance?

Lisa Jordan, author of Lakeside Reunion, Lakeside Family and Lakeside Sweethearts (out this June) said, "I write romance because I believe in promises of hope and happily ever after. From the time I was a little girl, I wanted the guy and girl to get together in the end. I wanted to create that same heart sigh with my readers that I experienced while reading romance novels. As a Christian, I want to write romances that glorify God and honor the love He models for us." 

Missy Tippens, author of Georgia Sweethearts and A House Full of Hope said, "I write romance because it has always been what I love to read. I love a romantic story with a happy ending."

So now it's your turn. Whether you're a reader, a writer or both, why do you read/write romance?

Mindy Obenhaus always dreamed of being a wife and mother. Yet as her youngest of five children started kindergarten, a new dream emerged—to write stories of true love that would glorify God. Her debut novel, The Doctor’s Family Reunion, released from Love Inspired Books in September and her second book, Rescuing the Texan's Heart, will be available September 2014. Learn more about Mindy at www.mindyobenhaus.com

Taming the Texas Rancher Interview

How exciting to have Hannah Young from TAMING THE TEXAS RANCHER written by  Rhonda Gibson  a  October 2013 release from Love Inspired Romance .

1. Hannah, tell me the most interesting thing about you. I would have to say the most interesting thing about me is my love of reading. That may not be interesting to others but I think it is because I try to read the most current fiction novels of my day.

2.  What do you do for fun? Read

3.  What do you put off doing because you dread it? I love horses but because of a childhood accident I’m afraid to ride them. So for many years I have avoided riding them but to prove myself to Daniel, I have to learn to ride again without being afraid of the horse.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life? Not being accepted as I am. You see, because of the horse accident I now live with a limp and hate that others see me as less of a person because of it.

5.  What do you want out of life? To be loved and to be trusted.

6.  What is the most important thing to you? I want to become the person I was when I was a child. I want to work on the ranch beside my future husband, Daniel.

7.  If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?  My height. I wish I was taller so others would take me more serious.

8.  Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet? I recently got a puppy named, Buttons. Buttons came from a large family and needed a home plus the little boy that gave her to me is so cute, I couldn’t refuse him.

9. Can you tell us a little interesting tidbit about the time period you live in? This is the news of the year, at least I thought so: Geronimo Surrenders! The last major Indian War in the USA ends when the Apache Chief Geronimo surrenders at Skeleton canyon after a decade-long campaign of terror to discouraged settlers in New Mexico and Arizona. He and his tribe agreed to move to Florida.

A Place of Refuge Interview

How exciting to have Kathleen O'Bryan from A PLACE OF REFUGE written by Janet Lee Barton  a September 2013 release from Love Inspired Romance .

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

I'm not sure there's all that much interesting about me. I'm an immigrant from Ireland and I lived with my sister and her husband until recently. Now I want to do all I can to help her and her boys out of the tenements and on to a better life.

2.  What do you do for fun?

Before moving to Heaton House, the only fun I had was taking my nephews to Central Park. Life hasn't been much fun up until now. But I love living here and I've gone on several outings with the other boarders--to Ladies Mile, on picnics and even to Coney Island. That's all been a lot of fun.  And I love spending time with the boarders. I feel like they are part of my family now. Well, all except for Luke. He's . . . special. I've never had a man friend like him before. He came to my aide in the park last year when my brother-in-law was threatening me. And he was here the night I was brought to Heaton House  beaten and . . . he'll always be special to me.

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

Going back to the tenements. I'm afraid I might see my sister bruised like I was. I'd love to have her out of there so none of us have to go back.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

That my brother-in-law will hurt my sister or the boys now that I'm not there to protect them.

5.  What do you want out of life?

I want to get my sister and nephews out of the tenements so that we can all have a chance to have a good life, one where we don't have to worry where our next meal comes from. And I want my sister to be able to know people like Mrs. Heaton who has been so kind to me.

6.  What is the most important thing to you?

My faith and my family.

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

I don't know. The Lord made me the way I am, and He must have had a reason for doing so. Who am I to second guess him? I suppose I'd like to have more patience and not jump to conclusions so quickly. Maybe not find it so hard to trust others.

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

I don't have a pet. It's been all we could do to take care of ourselves since we came to America. No need making a pet suffer along with us. Maybe someday my nephews will be able to have a pet.

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

Oh, my, it's a time of much change. Especially for women. So many are entering the workforce and there are all kinds of jobs for them. Why, Mrs. Heaton's daughter-in-law works at Butterick and Julia works at Ellis Island. Elizabeth works at the Delineator magazine and Millicent is a photographer who wants to open her own business. Mrs. Heaton says we all have so many more choices on what to do than women did when she was our age. Women don't have to depend on a man to take care of them--they don't have to settle for anything but love now. And after watching the way my brother-in-law had treated my sister--I don't think I'd ever be able to trust my heart to any man. Well maybe one. I believe Luke is the kind of man one could trust . . . but he'd never think of me that way . . . no matter how much I might wish he did.

Snowflake Sweethearts Interview

How exciting to have Annie Romano the heroine from Snowflake Sweethearts written by Carrie Turansky, a December 2012 release from Love Inspired Romance.

1. Annie, tell me one of the most interesting thing about you.

I love to cook for friends and family, and that’s one reason I decided to become a personal chef and start my own business in Fairhaven, Washington. Experimenting with new recipes and serving a special meal to friends brings me a lot of joy.

2.  What do you do for fun?

I enjoy spending time with my six-year-old daughter Emma. We like reading aloud in front of the fire, baking cookies, and taking walks to the park. Recently I’ve been learning to ice skate. That’s been a fun adventure, because I’m not too athletic, but the special man in my life, Alex Jameson, has been teaching me, and that makes it fun. I can’t wait to try it again with Emma.

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

Balancing my checkbook and working on taxes rank up there right next to having a headache and stomach flu. I do not have a head for numbers, so I am very thankful to share that side of the bakery business with Alex.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

I’m afraid that I may not be able to give my daughter the safe and happy childhood that she deserves. Being a single mother is often challenging and I’m tempted to worry about the future. I’m thankful that I’m learning more about trusting God and opening my heart and life to others so they can become the family and friends that we need.

5.  What is the most important thing to you?

Taking care of Emma and making sure she has everything she needs emotionally, physically, and spiritually is very important to me. Being her mom is a blessing, but some days I feel like I might not have what it takes to be a good mother. But since I’ve been staying with Irene, she has really boosted my confidence and been like mom to me and a grandma to Emma. I am very thankful for Irene’s friendship and encouragement.

 

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

Oh, yes! I love to read cookbooks and also inspirational historical romance.

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

Sometimes I wish that my family situation growing up could have been different. My father left my mom and me when I was young, and that has always been a painful reality for me. But that longing for a father was one of the reasons I became a believer in Jesus when I was in college. Knowing my Heavenly Father loves me has been a balm to my heart and met some of my deepest needs.

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

Emma and I would love to have a pet. I hope when we get our own home we will adopt a cat or dog that needs a home and a lot of love. That would be fun for Emma and help her learn more about responsibility.  

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

I’d love to travel back in time and meet my grandparents and other family members in Italy. I’ve heard so many wonderful stories about them, and I wish I’d had a chance to get to know them. Maybe I’d learn some secret family recipes I could use at the new Jameson’s Bakery Café too!