Don't Forget to Say Good Morning!

From December until last week, I had to rely on a friend to drive me to and from work. I would meet her in front of the house. I started going out earlier to take a moment to myself before having to deal with the day job and all its challenges. (I’m a teacher so LOTS of challenges!) At first, I also thought it could be an exercise to help with my scene descriptions in my manuscripts. But the more times I completed the activity, the more I realized it was doing so much more for me.

My friend would text me when she was leaving her house, so I knew I’d have about ten minutes before she pulled up outside. I started going out at least five minutes before she was due, and I’d examine the world around me. I would take several deep breaths and clear my head. I’d recognize where the birds were and see if there were nests in the trees. I’d notice the sounds of different birds and which side of the street they were on. I would study the sky, making note of the colors and how they swirled into each other. I’d touch the rough edges of the stones that make up my front steps, rubbing my fingers over the loose pebbles on top. I would close my eyes and listen to the wind, making note of how it felt as it brushed across my cheeks. I would smell the smoke of the logs people were already burning in their fireplaces in the houses nearby.

Now I’m back to driving myself around, but I’m still starting my days off the same way. I just lean up against my driver’s side door instead of sitting on the doorsteps. The activity has become my own private greeting to the day, a way to bring me closer to God, and a way to open my heart to all the possibilities ahead of me for the following twenty-four hours.

If you’ve done this type of activity, tell us about your experience. If you haven’t, is it something you’d consider? Share your thoughts with us.

New for October from Our Love Inspired Suspense Authors

Jean C. Gordon here with three new must buys from our Love Inspired Suspense authors. Just click on the cover to purchase it. And to learn more about these talented ladies, click on her name.

Framed for Murder
by Mary Alford 

FALSELY ACCUSED
Framed for helping her partner smuggle guns—and then murdering him—CIA agent Liz Ramirez must find the evidence that will prove her innocence…before she's caught or killed. So when her squad's leader attempts to bring her in for questioning, she knows her future depends on convincing Aaron Foster to go rogue and help her. On the run from the rest of her team and the gun dealers who are convinced she knows the location of their missing weapons, Liz risks losing the proof that would clear her name. But will eluding her pursuers—and trying not to fall for the handsome commander—prove to be fatal?

Undercover Amish
Publishers Weekly Bestseller by Debby Giusti 

AMISH COUNTRY REFUGE
After Hannah Miller’s mother is murdered and her sisters go missing, someone comes after her. Now the only way she can survive is to entrench herself in an Amish community…and rely on Lucas Grant, a former police officer who is planning to join the Amish faith, for protection. But finding refuge for Hannah— disguised as Plain at a secluded inn—pulls Lucas back into his old life. And when Lucas discovers the criminals after them may be the people who killed his partner, the mission to take them down becomes personal. With the assailants closing in, though, can Lucas stop them…and finally put his past behind him to start an Amish life with Hannah?

Christmas Amnesia
by Laura Scott 

MISTLETOE MEMORY LOSS
Assaulted a week before a high-profile drug trafficking trial, assistant district attorney Madison Callahan narrowly escapes death…but suffers amnesia. Now, when she can't recall the identity of her attacker, everyone is suspect—except the handsome policeman who saved her. Officer Noah Sinclair will do anything to bring the mob-connected drug trafficker to justice, including providing personal protection to Madison—the sister of the partner he nearly got killed. But helping her regain her memory may end their unlikely alliance because once she remembers him, Noah might be the last man she'll want to rely on. As the trial looms and with the assailant dead set on ensuring that Madison doesn't survive to see Christmas, it'll take everything Noah's got to keep Madison alive.

He was determined not to have a girlfriend. But a wife on the other hand…

Maggie K. Black here! It’s my very first blog post and I’m remembering a fierce battle of wills I witnessed twenty years ago.

I’d never seen a young man teased so badly! Or handle it so calmly. I was twenty-one and I’d gone to a comedy club with a large group of fellow students. For some reason, the terrible stand up comedian decided to pick on the rather dashing and clean cut young man named Michael at the far end of our table.

Poor Michael. No matter how hard he tried not to get lured into a fight, the comedian goaded him, relentlessly, about the fact he went to church, was involved in politics and wanted to become a teacher. Time and again, the room would hold its breath waiting to see what jab would make Michael lose his temper. But instead he held his cool. And even though some of his views were very different from mine, I respected the way he handled himself with strength and respect. It even captured my heart.

At least, until the comedian asked him the fateful question, “Michael, do you have a girlfriend?”

“No Sir,” Michael replied. “And I’m not looking for one.”

My heart sank. Mutual friends introduced us after the show and we started talking. 

“I don’t want a girlfriend,” he said to me, earnestly, his green eyes wide. “I really mean it.”

But that was okay. We could be friends. We went to a movie a few days later and then I invited him over for dinner. He was fascinating, funny and kind, with the wonderful ability to discuss interesting topics while respecting the fact we didn’t always agree. I seem to remember our biggest fight was over the fact I wanted dogs and he didn’t.

Three months later, to my total shock, he proposed.

“I still don’t want a girlfriend,” he said. “But I want you as my wife.”

I told him to wait six months and ask me again. Which he did and I said yes! 

It definitely confused some people that we got married so young and so quickly. But, after almost twenty years together, I’m so very thankful for all the adventures we’ve been able to share. 

Now, he proofreads all my Love Inspired Suspense books, and says that when my heroes and heroines spar and argue in the face of danger it reminds him of us!

He’s been the perfect, steadfast hero for me to face down each challenge and battle that life threw our way. And while we each won and lost our fair share of disagreements, I did finally get my dogs.

Do you agree that opposites attract? Do you like the kind of book where the hero and heroine who have major differences, but love brings them together?

Christmas is Coming!

Hello, Terri Reed here. How is your summer going? Mine has been super busy. We brought home a new puppy this spring so we’ve been doing lots of training, I finished and turned in one book, I went to Nashville for four days with my son, I attended RWA’s national conference in San Diego where I sat on a panel talking about 'sweet' romances--my portion was on writing the 'sweet' romantic suspesene-- as well as played 'Vanna White' for the RWA RITA and Golden Heart ceremony and I am now writing another book due mid August.  

The weather has been unpredictable here in Oregon. Hot one day, cool the next. Cool in the morning, hot in the afternoon. Hot in the morning, cool in the afternoon. I am longing for the consistent coolness of fall. Speaking of fall I have two new books coming up.  Both are Christmas themed.

http://amzn.to/29tvbRR Identity Unknown releasing October from Love Inspired Suspense

http://amzn.to/29BzTvy A Family Under the Christmas Tree releasing October from Howard Books

Did you know you can pre-order books?  I’d never done that until recently. I pre-ordered a friends book and when it showed up on my doorstep on release day it was a pleasant surprise.

Both of my fall books are available for pre-order.  J

My favorite part of Christmas is decorating the house and tree. I love the memories that come with the ornaments. I enjoy the uplifting pleasure of seeing the decorations and remembering the reason for the season. Jesus! 

I have several nativity scenes I put up as well as the cute snowman and angels. I don't do much in the way of Santa stuff. 

What is your favorite part or tradition at Christmas?

I'll be giving away one copies of each to TWO commenters!