Lyn Cote & Her Son's Halloween Wedding

Lyn Cote here! I'm about to become a mother-in-law. That title usually elicits groans, tight smiles or dumb jokes. But I am happy and ready to be a mother-in-law. Above is a photo of my future daughter-in-law, standing with her back to the lake we live on. Don't you love that smile?

This is our son with the wind in his hair! This photo was taken when he was driving our boat on the lake this summer. This was the third summer that Andrew has brought Janet north to visit us and I think the "Up north" bug has bitten her. She was excited about coming --except for the 6-7 hour drive. Oh, well, she'll get used to it. I did!


And here is Janet in her bridal gown. Isn't she lovely?

Andy and Janet chose the final Saturday in October as their wedding day. This year that is Halloween! Janet is a bit tired of guests asking her if they should come in costume. She, however, can testify that I DIDN'T ask that.

I will be wearing an appropriate mother of the groom dress in Eggplant. * GRIN* I've eaten eggplant but this is the first time I will be wearing it.

Anyway, I haven't asked the wedding couple if they have given any thought yet to the fact that on every wedding anniversary, they will be home passing out candy. They'll have to deal with that!

Chokecherries and aprons

Janet Tronstad here, thinking of fall and the symbols of our lives. Why is it that fall makes me think more than, say, spring? I wonder if it's because I was born in a snow blizzard and realize instinctively that winter is a time for reflection. Anyway, I talked to our local RWA writer's group recently about the use of symbols in our books. One of the ones I talked about was something I used in my Dry Creek series in the book about Mrs. Hargrove. I used the chokecherry to symbolize how tough she was as a Montana farmwife (as opposed to the woman her husband had an affair with who she saw as a hothouse peach). I think a book with a symbol adds extra emotional punch. I also believe that we can use symbols in our lives to help us see who we are at different stages. My sister cherishes aprons from various phases of her life and those have become symbols for her. I have different 'mood' necklaces that symbolize different stages of my life (a necklace of colorful marbles, one of silver coins, one of white pearls). Do you have objects that symbolize different parts of your life, or different seasons?

Hero Interview from Soldier Daddy

Hero's interview for Soldier Daddy by Cheryl Wyatt:

1. Aaron, Petrowski, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I have the honor of being a commander over three elite USAF Pararescue Teams, one of which is located in Refuge, Illinois near an unmapped military base.

2. What do you do for fun?
I love to skydive, which is good considering it's also my job. I also love to spend time with my twin toddlers, one of whom has an imaginary gaggle of geese. Interestingly, the geese are military birds by nature. My son has them all named and ranked and well as their personalities pegged. LOL!

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
Going through my late-wife's stuff. She was killed by an impaired driver when our boys were eight weeks old. She was returning to work against my wishes because she found she didn't like being a stay-at-home mother. I sincerely regret that our last conversation was an argument regarding her desire to return to work.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?
My boys growing up unhappy and without a mother. I don't fear losing another spouse as much as I fear my boys going through the loss that took me out of Pararescue for three hard years. But I'm back in action now...if I can manage to snag this new nanny.

5. What do you want out of life?
I want my boys to feel secure and I want my PJ teams to be the best they can be and to be able to help our community in their downtime. Refuge had a bridge collapse last year and my return to work will enable me to institute programs that will boost morale in the community.

6. What is the most important thing to you?
Faith. People. Rescue. My relationship with God, my sons, my PJ teams and my sister Ashleigh as well as my live-in housekeeper, Mina. I'm also growing pretty fond of the new nanny. Did I mention she's gorgeous? My career is also very important to me.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
I read Pararescue and other military manuals. I read Intel briefs from superiors. If I read fiction, it must be action-adventure or military. Love my country and the men and women who serve it.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
That I didn't try harder to grab my grief by the throat and suffocate it rather than letting it suffocate me. The new nanny has taught me a lot about how to bring happiness into our home. My boys laugh more these days since hiring her than in all their years combined. I'm ashamed of that, the fact that I didn't come out of my own gloom enough to run with the boys through sprinkler and just go on living despite my loss. I have a fresh outlook on life now. I'm excited for what the future holds. And I hope it holds the nanny.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
Well, funny you should ask. (Chuckles.) For various reasons, which you will see once you read our story, my skip tracing sister Ash can't stand the nanny. There's tremendous animosity there. Sarah (nanny) is terrified of rodents. Ash, knowing that, bought the boys guinea pigs for their birthday. So, yes, we have pets, if one could call the skittering furballs that. They are quite cute, except the day one got loose when Sarah was in the house alone...

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I would go back to the night my wife died. Beg her not to leave. But then again, God is sovereighn. My boys never got to know their mom except through stories, but I have a feeling God has another mother on their horizon, as well as another wife for me...(eyes the nanny and smiles).

FEATURED BOOK: SOLDIER DADDY BY CHERYL WYATT

U.S. Air Force commander Aaron Petrowski leads pararescue teams, yet can't find one nanny for his three-year-old twins? The widowed father is returning to duty, but not without the best care for his beloved boys. So when Sarah Graham applies, the young woman surprises everyone by passing inspection. Until Aaron discovers Sarah has a secret tied to a tragedy in his past. He can't keep her in his employ—or in his heart. Until his brave little soldier boys teach him a thing or two about love.

Taking a Breath, by Carol Steward

Good Morning everyone! I can't believe it's been three weeks already. Last night as I was cleaning the house for my Mom's 78th birthday party, I found a rock that I received at the ACFW conference. It says "Breathe" and that's a great reminder for me. I get going so much that I sometimes forget to slow down.

I must be growing up, because it just seems like the school year started. This photo was fall on my campus , and my home is actually in the neighborhood just to the left. Odd that it took me so long to start working at the university when I practically live on the campus. For those who have prayed for my coworker, I wanted to quickly update you. She went to be with the Lord two weeks ago. We're thrilled for her to be healthy again, but miss her so much as we don't hear her say "Good Morning" each day and we've lost a wealth of information to our office. We're learning to carry on and appreciate how much she gave to all of us. It's brought all of us much closer and I know she'd be happy for that.

I don't know if all of you heard about the wild event in Colorado yesterday with the 6-year old and his father's experimental aircraft, which happened to be floating around in the sky (and very close to going over my house) for almost three hours and landed just outside of Denver International Airport airspace. If not, check it out, it's a crazy story. http://www.9news.com/video/default.aspx?aid=86980 For 5 hours, they thought the little boy had been on the aircraft, and I was sick with worry for their family. I know how that frightened little boy felt, too afraid to come out because he heard his father yelling in fear that he'd been on that "UFO" (can't make myself call it a balloon, it looks like a flying saucer to me). When I watched that video live, I worried that he had in fact fallen out somewhere along the way. I also remember a time when I was three and had hidden in a wood box of blankets and heard how mad my mom was when she was looking for me. I didn't want to face that either. I thought how wonderful it would be if this little boy had done the same, afraid that he'd be in big trouble for letting the aircraft go. What an unexpected happy ending.

So, since my life has been a little crazy, I thought I'd share a recipe that we pulled out of our recipe box last week and fell in love with. I substituted applesauce for half of the oil, and it was delicious, both batches. :)

Pumpkin Bars

4 extra large eggs

1 cup veg oil - or 1/2 cup oil and 1/2 cup applesauce

2 cups sugar

Beat eggs, oil, (applesauce) and sugar until light, then add:

1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin

Sift all dry ingredients together, then gradually add to the pumpkin mixture:

2 cups unsifted flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp of each ginger, cloves, nutmeg

For cookie bars, pour into a greased jelly roll pan, 17" x 11" or into 10" x 15" for cake. Bake on center rack in 375 degree oven for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool and frost with cream cheese frosting.

Frosting recipe, 2 Tbsp butter, 3 oz cream cheese, about a pound of powdered sugar, 1 tsp of vanilla, and 2-4 Tbsp of milk.

Add a cup of coffee or milk and ENJOY!

Breathe and enjoy your weekend!

Carol

Whoops! Fall Stuff

Sorry for this going up late. I thought I scheduled it but I think Blogger burped or something because it didn't post.

Fall is my favorite time of year. I live in a woodsy area so the forests are starting to look like an earth-toned rainbow scrolling by my window as I drive down the road.

I love pumpkin pie and scarecrows. I love deep purple mums and rust colored mums in big thick bunches. I love the smell of cider bubbling and the taste of cinnamon. I love camping this time of year, cooking on a campfire and roasting marshmallows. It's cool enough for a hoodie but not cold enough to require a heavy coat yet.

These are all things I love about fall.

I'd love to know your favorite season and why. I'd love to hear what your favorite part of fall is too.

The cover of my October book depicts fall well. I love the artist's rendition of the twins tossing leaves in the air. Soldier Daddy is still in stores but only for a few more days. Hope you hurry and get your copy. Let me know what you think of it.

Talk away!

Happy Fall,

Cheryl Wyatt

Trick or Treat!

I'm not about to start a discussion here about whether or not you support the concept of Halloween, or participate in it, or actively protest it. That's a post for another day =)

However, with the upcoming "holiday" I would like to branch out for a minute and let's discuss creative ways of marketing - be that marketing your books as an author, or be that marketing your faith. (in some cases, it's both!)

Every year, my church hosts a carnival on Halloween night. They do this to provide an alternative to keep kids off the street and away from the potential dangers of the holiday. They have costume contests, games, a TON of candy, cake walks, 50 cent hot dogs for sale, etc. It's a blast for everyone, no matter what age you are. I can't wait to take my daughter this year. For all you fellow Louisiana-ians, you'll appreciate this. She's going to be an LSU cheerleader. =)

Anyway, I know marketing is a big discussion right now and an imperative part of an author's life. We're always looking for new ways to promote our books and our fellow author's books, and it dawned on me - why not at Halloween? If you are staying home and answering the door that night to hand out candy to your neighbors kids, why not stick a copy of your newest release in their trick bags along with the fun size chocolate bars? Or better yet, make a little "package" and tie some candy onto the book that relates to the story.

The children might not be excited about the book, but they'll tear the candy off and hand the book over to Mom. Bingo! New potential fan.

Consider doing the same with your friend's books. Invest in a few copies at Walmart and help boost their sales and pass out a few for them. If we all did this for each other, think what it could do - we'd be reaching a whole new niche of readers.

If you're like me and attending a carnival somewhere, then bring the books along and donate them as door prizes. Or like with the cake walk - maybe the winner receives a book and a cake!

These ideas cost us a little out of pocket but think of it as receiving back in two-fold. First of all, you're investing in new readership, and secondly (and most importantly) you're marketing your faith. You're taking what many consider to be an evil holiday and fighting back with the Truth and Light of Christ.

So get creative this year! And please post and let us know if you take this advice. =)

My Weekend at the Emerald City Conference

Hi eveyone, Terri Reed here. Just got back last night from the annual Emerald City Writiers conference held in Bellevue Washington. I had a great time connecting with old and new friends, going to workshops where I gleaned valuable information from the various presenters and even gave a workshop titled The Anatamoy of a Well Layered Story and used examples from my current story featured on the eharlequin site titled Yuletide Peril. http://www.eharlequin.com/article.html?articleId=1437

This regional conference is hosted by the Great Seattle chapter of Romance Writers of America. There was two hundrend and fifty attendees not to mention the edtiors and agents that also attended and gave workshops. Things I learned this weekend: 1)I need a strategic plan for my career thanks to Bob Mayer's Warrior Writer workshop, plus lots of info on the miliatry inBob's Military for Writers workshop, 2) tips on self-editing given by historical author Debra Mullins, 3)the ins and outs of writing a series (connected books)information provided by the wonderful Alexis Morgan and Pat White, 4) tips on tightening my writing given by author Megan Chance--whom I adore. She's one of the first authors I met when I decided to jump on this crazy ride of writing romance.

Here's a photo from the conference

(from left to right) Alexis Morgan, Jane Porter,

Christina Arbini, Pat White and Me-Terri Reed.

To Market, To Market...

Pamela Tracy here, and today's topic is marketing.

As an author, right now I'm very much like a person holding on to a kite. The kite, of course, is my latest book. Used to be, all an author had to do was write the book, and when it hit the stands, she would let go of the kite and off it would fly. "Bye, bye, Book. Please sell a million copies!" Nowadays, writers cannot let go of the string. Nope, we're on the ground with something akin to a GPS system and we're trying to figure out where to best aim our kite (er, book).

I've done some things. Have they worked? I dunno. Early on, think first 15 books, I pretty much let other people yell, "Hey, you, over there with the kite, do you wanna....?" With that attitude, I managed to once be mentioned in RWA Romance Sells magazine. I also took my kite to whatever event my local RWA offered. So, go ahead and picture me at booksignings, Book Expos, Women's Expos, and even a signing or two on a college or university campus. My kite didn't stand out much, but it did fly.

Then, at about book fifteen, suddenly, I made a leap. I call it making my way to the next leg of the ladder. See, I'd written a book called The Good, the Bad, and the Romantic. I knew it was different almost from page one. It felt right. I'd finally figured out my voice (Yup, I did say book fifteen). With that book, I got an agent. That book sold to a different publisher. They changed the name of that book to Pursuit of Justice. That book was a RITA finalist and more. Now, suddenly, my kite needed to be a little bigger, maybe a bit more independent, and I definitely needed some lessons in how to fly. My first stumble, and it was a stumble, was postcards. Yup, sent them out. Yup, instead of getting regular size, I bought the deluxe. Who knew postage was more. From there I went to advertising in RT and getting my website and blogging (Yes, you're looking at one of those blogs) and more.

Why am I rambling about all this? LOL. Here's why. Saturday, I made it to the newspaper. Getting a write-up has always been a goal of mine. I listen to my writer friends as they discuss press kits (haven't done one) and such. I figured I'd need to come at it from a different angle, so I simply emailed a journalist who'd done a most excellent article on "Moms Who Write". Instead of offering simple "I'm a Writer!", I offered "I'm a writer; my sister-in-law is a writer, and my father-in-law's girlfriend is a writer." Then, I mentioned that my husband is a plumber; my brother-in-law is a plumber, and my father-in-law is a retired plumber. Then I mentioned that my sister-in-law fixed me up with my husband on a blind date. Then I mentioned that my sister-in-law and I fixed our father-in-law up with a romance writer on a blind date.

I did the romance writer and plumber angle a bit too well. The news article focused on that. As for my writing career... well, the article did mention that I was a Harlequin writer. And, once, I was referred to as the Romance Queen. Hehehehe.

However, it's a great and well-written article (Thank you, Sonja. Thank you, Sonja. Thank you!) Yesterday, as I walked to the grocery store, the barbershop lady opened the door and yelled, "Hey, Pam, I love how you met your husband!" Today at church, friends brought me the newspaper so I'd have extra copies. They all loved how I met my husband. They didn't care that I'm a romance writer. LOL. They were too interested in the real romance. Kinda kewl, eh?

I'll cherish this article forever (and so will my husband because he got the only blocked quote), even as I aim my kite for a different marketing idea.

Heroine Interview from Dreaming of Home

Interview with the heroine of DREAMING OF HOME (Steeple Hill Love Inspired October 2009) by Glynna Kaye:

1. MEGAN McGUIRE tell me the most interesting thing about you. Oh, wow. Most interesting, huh? I thought you said these questions would be EASY. I don’t know that I’m the best person to answer this. Maybe you should ask Joe Diaz. ☺

2. What do you do for fun? Oooh, now that’s a much easier question. I love teaching science to high school kids. Yes, I honestly DO find that fun! And I love anything having to do with being around water. I grew up in Phoenix, so swimming pools were a way of life almost year-round. And water skiing, boating, float trips. Even fishing. (I think the fishing revelation kind of blew Joe away.) And speaking of fun, hanging out with that good-lookin’ Joe and his cute son Davy tops the list!

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it? I don’t like confrontation. Or having to say something or do something that might possibly hurt someone’s feelings or make them angry. Or cleaning the bathroom.

4. What are you afraid of most in life? Of not taking the time to listen to what God has to say and subsequently getting myself far off track from where he wants me to be. I know he can find me, bring me back, but I’d rather stick as close to him as I can to begin with.

5. What do you want out of life? No major regrets. I want to look back on my life and know that I lived it to the full as best that God has enabled me in the time he’s allotted. I want to know that my time on earth has made a positive difference in someone else’s life—like my students as well as Joe, and Davy.

6. What is the most important thing to you? God. Family. Teaching. Dark chocolate.

7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read? I read everything from newspapers to the backs of cereal boxes. Fiction. Non-fiction. You name it.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I’d trust God more. Or ______ SOMETHING FUNNY

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet? Skooter is my blue betta (also known as a Siamese Fighting Fish, so he’s got spunk!). I read somewhere that aquariums are good stress relievers and since I’ve been going through a really hard time in my life …well, my little blue buddy and I have become fast friends. He’s a great listener!

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why? I’d love to go back to Canyon Springs at the time my Aunt Julie lived there. She’s always told such wonderful stories about small town life and how her teachers there inspired her. In fact, her stories inspired me to be a teacher and put the dream of teaching in Canyon Springs in my heart. Growing up in metropolitan Phoenix, I’d love to experience the town as it was when she was young, even for just a few days.

FEATURED BOOK: DREAMING OF HOME BY GLYNNA KAYE

Fresh out of the military, widower Joe Diaz is determined to raise his young son alone. But his next-door neighbor Meg McGuire has set her sights on the same house—and teaching job—as Joe! He's all about family now, not romantic entanglements, and he won't give up without a fight. But what about little Davy, who's growing more attached to Miss Meg every day? Or Joe, who finds himself dreaming of a home and family with the one woman in town who could take it all away?

Promises

Merrillee here, wondering whether there is anything quite so lovely as a rainbow. On a recent trip to Niagara Falls, I took this photo. A rainbow had formed in the mist that rises from the falls. Every time I see a rainbow, I remember the story of Noah and how God placed a rainbow in the sky to signify His promise that we read about in Genesis 9:13-16. "¹³ I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. ¹⁴ Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, ¹⁵ I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. ¹⁶ Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."

What a beautiful reminder of God's covenant. So every time we see a rainbow, we have a reminder that God is faithful. He will keep his promises. I like these two verses found in 2 Peter.

2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

2 Peter 3:13 "But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness."

Please share some of your favorite rainbows and God's promises.
Merrillee

Margie Lawson's deep edits class

After the ACFW conference I (Margaret Daley) went to Margie Lawson's house (stayed in a nice inn next door) in the mountains outside Denver. There were six of us in the class and it was fantastic (picture above at the Mexican restaurant we ate at). I recommend it for any writer. A lot of hands on illustrations and examples as well as working on your own book (picture below of me, Vickie and Angie working on our books).

We had two dinners out--one in Boulder at the Russian Tea Room with Joan Johnston (picture below) and the other about three minutes from Margie's house which is on the side of a mountain. The view from her house is gorgeous. I went walking a couple of days and drank in my surroundings (picture above). And on top of all that it snowed for three days. The neat thing was the snow didn't stick to the road--only the ground. Beautiful (picture below of me and the snow--first of the season--started falling on the first day of Fall).

Rainy days and Mondays--Lenora Worth

Yesterday was a cool damp Monday. It rained all day Sunday, making for a lazy afternoon after church. I had the blues yesterday since we heard the news that a friend and fellow Steeple Hill writer had died of cancer. It's never easy knowing someone has died but this one hit me hard since I've lost several friends to this awful disease. But what can you say about cancer? While scientists and doctors do their research and we walk or run races to find cures and hold fundraisers to raise money for cancer research, it's still a horrid disease that takes people way too early from this life.

We've written about this in our stories, hoping to help our readers make sense of things such as this, hoping to give people a bit of comfort in knowing that God is always there with us, during the worst of times. And our faith will help us through this loss, this sadness that weighs us down at times such as this. So I will pray for the family left behind. I will pray for those who hear from their doctor this week that they, too, have cancer. I will pray for a cure and for comfort until there is a cure. And we can all keep fighting the good fight, running the race, until we find a way to stamp out this disease. Okay, I think I need chocolate. Lots of chocolate. And I need someone out there to say something funny to make me laugh or tell me about the kicking pair of shoes you found on the clearance rack last weekend.
That would help a lot right now. Chocolate anybody?

Doing What I Love To Do-Create A New Book

Hi Y'all, Debbie Clopton here! I'm always excited when I get to start a new book. I've just began working on my next one and the creative process is clicking away in my brain. The problem is when I'm in that stage I'm distracted in every other part of my life. I don't have any desire to pay bills, check email, write blogs LOL ;-) I just want to work on the book. But life goes on around me and so must I. I get tickled when I talk to people and they ask me where I get my ideas--or they tell me they don't know how I can write that many words. See, my problem is that I have to go into this brain of mine and sort and choose which ideas to make into a book. There are so many of them I have to figure out which ones get to come out an get created. The same thing with writing so many words, I'm long winded actually and books come easier to me than writing sort blogs, or letters, or emails. I guess we are all wired differently and a writer is wired to love to do all the things that others think would be hard about writing.

So today I'm feeling great and ready to do what I love, create a story. How about you--what do you love to do?

Hero Interview from Silent Night in Dry Creek

Interview with the hero from Silent Night in Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad:

1. Wade Sutton, tell me the most interesting thing about you. I do what the regular sheriff’s don’t want to do. Undercover with drugs, surveillance of suspects, that kind of thing. Some days it’s pretty exciting.

2. What do you do for fun? The most fun I’ve had lately is helping this woman fly like an angel in the Christmas pageant in Dry Creek. You should come see it.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it? That would be telling that same woman I’m crazy about her.

4. What are you afraid of most in life? Ending up a lonely old man like my grandfather. Have you met him? Then you know what I mean.

5. What do you want out of life? I used to think it was finding justice, but justice doesn’t keep any one warm at night.

6. What is the most important thing to you? Being able to look in the mirror at night and know I did okay,

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book? I’ve started reading thrillers on my stake-outs. They keep me awake.

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

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet? A pet? I can’t even keep my plant watered.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why? I love the Old West.

FEATURED BOOK: SILENT NIGHT IN DRY CREEK BY JANET TRONSTAD

It's Christmas in Dry Creek. For private investigator Wade Sutton, the town holds too many memories—none of them fond—of his childhood. Yet he can't say no when the sheriff asks him to secretly watch over a woman who might be in danger. "Helping" lovely Jasmine Hunter with the church's Christmas celebration does more for his bruised heart than he wants to admit. As does being back on his family's farm. But he can't stay in Dry Creek. Unless…Jasmine gives him a reason to call it home again.

It's me again!

Valerie Hansen, reporting for duty!



I'm still a techno-phobe but here I am. Almost on time. (tried to drag this "smile" closer)


And, since I am here, I'll tell you all some news that I just learned late yesterday. I'm going to be one of the six authors participating in a new series for Love Inspired suspense! I'm delighted and excited and all those great adjectives. All I know so far is that it involves the Texas Rangers and is contemporary.




If I had any notion that the Lord was not in the details, I have to tell you that unbeknownst to anyone, I had recently bought a TX history book that covers that, among other things. What a laugh. Hey, maybe that's the "secret" that we've all been looking for. Just pursue an interesting subject on your own and you'll have a new job drop into your lap. Not.



Anyway, here I sit, waiting by the phone for details and writing my blog entry like a good little author. Well, maybe not THAT good. I am drinking chocolate coffee. :)



Hugs to you all and now that you know the secret to sales, enjoy it!

Val

Finding Gems

Missy Tippens, here. Okay, so finding gems might be a misleading title for my post. I didn't find a diamond or rubies. What I'm talking about finding is...photos. Photos that I just found on my cell phone today! :)





So I thought I'd share a fun story with you that happened back in July on our beach vacation.


The day we checked out and were leaving the condo, I saw a gorgeous view from the parking deck. Yes, even the parking deck had a view in this great place! So as we were driving off, I yelled for my husband to halt the car so I could snap a few photos (and take one last look at the beach--which is always sad for me). I grabbed my phone and climbed out.


This is the beautiful blue and white and green of the Alabama Gulf. Gorgeous. And such a perfect day made it difficult to leave.

Then I turned and snapped the next photo while breathing in the fresh air, hoping that we'd be able to come back to the same place next year.

Then I turned around...and my family and vehicle were gone! Vanished. No sounds. No honking and waving. No quiet sneaking away. I'd been so wrapped up in the scenery that I'd lost total track of time.


Well, I knew they hadn't forgotten about me and left. Or at least I hoped they hadn't! LOL I figured they'd opted to give mom a scare. So I walked out of the parking deck. Still no car.

I walked toward the main highway and looked for them. Nothing.

They'd really pulled a good one on me! Then it hit me that they may have gone up to a higher level on the deck.

About the time I reached the bottom of the ramp, here they came. The last photo is the one I snapped as they acted like they were going to pass me by. You can even see my reflection (snapping said photo) in the side of the car if you look.

What fun! Don't you love it when you can laugh with someone you love?

Lyn Cote's Fun Weekend

Lyn Cote here--Just got back from a fun weekend. My dh and I drove to Minneapolis last Friday. We arrived around supper time and treated ourselves to a Rib Feast at Tony Roma's at the Mall of America. I hadn't been to the MOA since last year. But that was for a booksigning with a crowd of authors so I didn't have any shopping time. I didn't do a lot of shopping but my dh cetainly studied the Craftsman tool section of Sears.

The next day, I attended a very interesting day-long workshop featuring Michael Hauge, a screenwriting teacher and script doctor in Hollywood. This was sponsored by Midwest Fiction Writers. Anyway, it was great to see friends there that I hadn't seen for a long time and the buffet was yummy! And the workshop gave me deeper insight into the characters of the Love Inspired romance I'm writing right now. So a day well spent!

Then we drove down to St Ansgar Iowa to spend a few nights at The Blue Belle Inn B and B, one of my favorite places in Iowa or anywhere really. Sherrie Hansen Decker, the proprietress, bought the decrepit Victorian for $18,000 just before the city was going to tear it down. Six months later she with the help of her family renovated it and opened it for business. Each room in the bed & breakfast has a name and theme, such as "Never Never Land," "The Wrinkle in Time," "The Secret Garden." This time we stayed in "Anne's House of Dreams," the Anne referred to is of course Anne of Green Gables. Sherrie and her dh are writers too, so we had a lot to talk about.
Anne's House of Dreams

Monday morning my dh and I headed back to Wisconsin. It was a quiet but "gusty" drive home. After a lovely weekend away, we unloaded the car only to find out that two of our beloved cats had gotten out!

Since we live in a forest, which has many other animals who think cats are a delicacy, we had a tense period till we found the youngest cat who belongs to my daughter in the garage. Whew! Just what we all needed to up our blood pressure.

Have any of you stayed at a B and B? I've only been inside one other B and B, but I can't believe that there are too many as lovely as The Blue Belle Inn! Drop by her website and see what she did with a house the town was ready to demolish.

Old friends, old loves

This is Janet Tronstad here saying hi from sunny Southern California. I just got off the phone with an old friend (someone I dated for a few years a decade ago). His call reminded me once again of how wonderful it is to have 'old' friends. He remembers so much of where I've been that there's no reason to explain and explain. I have a couple of female friends who've known me forever as well and I love them all. It reminds me of that nostalgic television show Cheers that will be forever remembered as the place where 'everyone knows my name.' Being with my long-time friends makes me feel that way, but some other places do as well -- church for one, times with my brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews for another. How about you? Where are the places or times when you feel known?

Hero Interview from A Texas Ranger's Family

Interview with the hero from A Texas Ranger’s Family by Mae Nunn:

1. Daniel Stabler, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
As much as I love my work in law enforcement, I’m first and foremost a daddy and a family man. I was raised on my family’s West Texas ranch but I always knew I wanted to get my degree in criminology and become a Ranger. Then my daughter came along and all my plans to focus on my career flew out the window. My wife, Erin, left us when Dana was only a week old and that’s when my baby girl became the center of my world.

2. What do you do for fun?
Every summer my family hosts a huge barbeque cook off to help support a Christian boys home. I use my vacation time, take Dana with me and we work the cattle while my brother pulls the event together. It’s great fun being home again, making sure my daughter learns ranching values and enjoying all the crazy efforts and amazing barbeque of the competitors.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
I really hate to go off and leave Dana while I travel during investigations. She’s sixteen now, quite an independent young lady with her purple hair and pierced eyebrow, but not nearly as grown up as she thinks. I know I can trust her to behave while I’m gone, and she always has our house keeper for company, but I worry about my girl while I’m away.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?
There’s nothing I’m physically afraid of and my eternity is secure so I don’t even fear leaving this life. But I guess you could say I’m afraid that Dana and I will never have a “normal” family as long as her mama isn’t part of our lives. I pray constantly that God will restore my relationship with Erin and bring her home one day.

5. What do you want out of life?
My heart’s desire is to have my family reunited. I believe that when a man and a woman speak their wedding vows before God they are meant to be together forever. I also believe the Bible when it says “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4) I’ve made Christ the head of our home and trust that one day He’ll answer my prayers.

6. What is the most important thing to you?
In life and especially in law enforcement, integrity is so important. A man’s word is his bond. When I make a promise I keep it. My daddy taught me to guard the value of our family name and I’ve tried to pass that lesson on to Dana.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
I love the Bible. The answer to every question, to every problem has been given to us through the inspired Word of God. But I also enjoy a good western tale. I still read the old Louis L’Amour novels my daddy gave me when I was a boy.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
If I could change something I’d probably be a little less laid back. It really aggravates people that I don’t get more excited when the heat is turned up. But in my line of work if I let my blood pressure rise every time things got tense I’d be on medication. Nope, on second thought, I need to keep a level head and a quiet heart. I’m fine just the way God made me.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
I grew up in the country with critters everywhere, so these days I’m fine without any pets in our home. One summer while we were at the ranch Dana thought she wanted to bring a baby skunk home for a pet. The first time it sprayed her and she had to dig a hole to bury her clothes, she changed her mind.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I’d go back to the early days of the Texas Rangers. Those first Rangers were on a mission to protect the settlers from anything and everything that threatened their lives in the western territories. They were a unique breed, unafraid and unwavering in their convictions. The Rangers today are much the same but it would have been amazing to ride with those first Rangers, to share their passion and to hear their stories.

FEATURED BOOK: A TEXAS RANGER'S FAMILY BY MAE NUNN

Photojournalist Erin Gray has seen the world through her camera. But she's never taken a snapshot of the husband and daughter she left behind years ago. After Erin suffers life-threatening injuries, she returns home to heal—with every intention of leaving again. But seeing her Texas Ranger husband with their teenage daughter begins to melt her heart. Daniel never lost faith that someday they would be reunited. Now he hopes that he and Erin can put the past behind and come together as a family forever.

Carol Steward - Starting from Scratch

I've taken a year off writing to let God refill the creative cup. When I finished my fourth book in 2 years, there were plenty of things in my life that had been ignored. Welcome a grandson. Make cookies with his older brother. Visit my granddaughter in Phoenix and meet my Love Inspired sisters. Learn to play Guitar Hero (including being booed off the stage). Geocache and enjoy the great Colorado outdoors. In addition to a little playing, I thought I'd catch up on housework, refinish furniture, remodel a few rooms of the house, rearrange the furniture a few times.

I started out at a closeout sale, not searching for anything, but finding funky beaded curtains to make our basement bedroom look unlike a basement bedroom. We proceeded to choose paint. Had to be something that would compliment the antique turquoise marble lamps of my grandmother's. The one color out of consideration is the only color that was right. Mocha and Latte. In one day, our dull, drab extra bedroom became a warm and restful master suite.

Onto the bathroom. We chose the tile and accessories. We tore out the old tub walls. . . a few days later painted the brown bathtub white. . . A few weeks later, cut and put up the new tile. . . a few months later, put in the grout. . . It's gorgeous, and I love it – finally.

Summer was supposed to be used painting the eaves of our brick house. It's not that much. It shouldn't have been so tough. It wasn't a hot summer. That's a good thing. But it rained, and rained, and rained. That too is a good thing, except not when you want to paint. We got the first coat on, and the cold arrived. It's just a tease of winter, I know, but it's enough to stop the painting. For who knows how long. . . At least we got the first coat of paint on the primer.

So I didn't revamp everything. I didn't become an expert guitar player. I didn't get any sewing done. I did get to read my friends' books, and look at life from the "other side." My perspective is back - sort of.

It's now been a year of cleaning and sprucing up, while God's refilled the creative cup. After the inspiration of meeting with other writers last week at the conference, it is time to again, start from scratch. To pull the words together, rearrange the ideas, and tell my stories. I can't wait to read the final manuscript.

What do you do to reenergize?

Cheryl Wyatt here to say: Your Readership is a Blessing

Hi all! Cheryl Wyatt here.

Ten years ago I was an avid reader of Love Inspired novels. Some of the authors on this site were and still are among my favorites.

Who knew that ten years later, I would have the great privilege of being among them?

As you know by previous posts, several of us recently returned from the American Christian Fiction Writers conference in Denver. One thing the keynote speaker deposited in us through her inspiring talks was to remember to be thankful every day for even the little things.

Sometimes in the midst of deadlines I forget to remember what it's like without deadlines. Debbie Macomber's talk brought me back to the beginning of my quest for publication and helped me to remember a day I dreamed for this yet never imagined it could become a reality.

Another thing Debbie taught us was to dream big no matter how old we are.

What do you dream for?

What are you afraid to dream for?

Why?

Remember that we serve the God of all hope who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond all that we can think or imagine. (Eph 3:20)

I pray you dream big today and everyday and that you remember to be thankful for the little things.

I can't tell you what an honor it was to be able to sit next to one of my author mentors and now friend, Margaret Daley at the ACFW booksigning.

These LI ladies live the faith they write about in their books. Each of them are remarkable in the way they reach out to newer authors like myself.

I'm so thankful to be here...and we are so thankful for your readership that keeps us here and able to write books we hope you will love.

Hugs all!

Cheryl Wyatt

The Times of Our Lives

Last week I attended the 2009 ACFW Conference and like I believe everyone there, had a fantastic time.

The journey however, was a little rough.

First of all, this would be the longest I'd ever been away from my baby girl, who is now 14 months old. She's spent the night at Nana's a zillion times but only one night at a time. Once, for two nights. This time was going to be 4 nights and 5 full days. Not sure if I was more nervous or my mom! ha! It didn't help my anxiety that Little Miss had been super clingy to me these last few months or that she was just getting over a double ear infection in which she felt miserable for a week straight.

Secondly, this trip would be my first time to fly in an airplane. EVER. I'm 25 years old, and before last week, I've lived - and loved - life safely on the ground. And you know what? After flying in four different planes (one layover there, one layover back), with absolutely wonderful, easy, non-turbluent, simple flights...I still love my life on the ground. Sigh. Who wants to carpool to Indiana next year? =)

Seriously though, I learned so much, had an amazing time of fellowship, survived the flights home, and welcomed my Little Miss with open arms that have not shut yet. I can't stop hugging her =)

(Hubby actually came with me to conference, hence my lack of missing him! lol)

A few highlights of my trip -

Getting to meet my fellow LI authors in person and having a blast at dinner at the Elephant Bar with our editor Tina James.

Jenness Walker's testimony of faith and hope and tears. Everyone in the conference was touched by that girl who I am an honored to call my fellow friend and at the time, roomie. =) (thanks again for the special delivery mint, Jenness!)

Hanging with Susie May Warren in the bar area of the lobby and talking 'til late.

The amazing multi-author book signing! What a blessing to be a part of it!

Rachel Hauck's leading of worship. What wonderful songs - and her talented voice is just a vessel for God's grace.

The banquet and watching fellow authors win awards (and my curly hair lasted longer than I'd expected! woohoo!)

Starbucks in the hotel lobby! Good planning (much smarter than the towel bar in the shower decision)

Here are some pics from the weekend...

Me with Lori Chally for the awards banquet night

Me with author Ted Dekker, new ACFW member!

Me with super author Susie May Warren!

Me and Lenora Worth, another LI author and friend!! =)

"Shoe Pic" with agent Chip MacGregor, and authors Tosca Lee and Susan May Warren

My table at the big booksigning

Playing around in the car in downtown Denver! lol

Me and fellow LIS author Liz Johnson!

Hope to see you there next year, fellow authors! As for our non-author readers, well, this is just part of the craziness we have to go through in order to provide you all with novels =)

Wisdom

Terri Reed here. This past summer one of the beloved teachersfrom my children's school passed away unexpectedly. Mary Heaney was hiking with friends and suffered an aneurysm. She wasn't that much older than me. She was a beautiful, faithful friend to the parents as well as the students. One of the many lessons she taught me, as the mother of two children who came through her fourth grade class was:
Prepare your child for the path, not the path for you child.
I have this wise saying typed out on bright pink piece of paper hanging from my bulliten board where I can see it everyday as I sit down to work.
I thank God daily for the nuggets of wisdom He has given me through the various people who have come and gone in my life. I will never forget Mary or her wise words.

Back from Conference

From Pamela Tracy's Diary


September 16,
It's four it the morning. Why am I awake? Oh, yeah, this morning I'm driving fifteen hours to Denver. I'm so happy Lynn Rush is going with me. Driving alone is boring. She'll never know that the shortcut I mentioned is really two hours longer but very scenic. Drive, Drive, Drive, Drive... day ends.

September 17,
The phone rings, waking me from a dead sleep. It's a friend saving me a seat for the Donald Maass workshop that I'm not attending (luv ya, Donald, but heard you in Phoenix and have family in Denver). Stumble to shower (where's the towel rack? what? no towel rack. Hey, the towel rack is IN the shower. Whose idea was that?) Spend day with family, return to conference to listen to Debbie MacComber and meet friends. Talk, Talk, Talk...day ends.

September 18,
Took the University of Fiction class from Karen Ball and Allen Arnold. Learned that I need to build a tribe. Then, I worked at the bookstore. That night twenty-seven authors and one editor, all Love Inspired, went to dinner. Talk, Talk, Talk, day ends.


September 19,
Graduated from the University of Fiction, got a diploma! Worked editor/agent appointments. Went to the the banquet. Broken Lullaby won best short romantic suspense. I didn't pass out, at least physically. What a day! Talk, Smile, Faint. Talk, Smile, Faint... day ends.

September 20,
Returned home. Drive, drive, drive... day ends.

Best thing about conference: Seeing old friends, making new friends, and knowing that God is there through it all.

Hero Interview from Twice in a Lifetime

Interview with the hero from Twice in a Lifetime by Marta Perry:

1. Matthew Harper, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

Not sure how interesting you’d find it, but I’m a newcomer here in Charleston. I brought my daughter, Lindsay, here to start a new life away from Boston. When my wife died, it seemed like my heart just died with her. Lindsay and I couldn’t stand wandering around a house that felt so empty, and when my law school roommate invited me to go into practice with him in Charleston, I jumped at the chance.

2. What do you do for fun?

Fun here on Sullivan’s Island outside Charleston is a lot different from what I was used to. The Bodine family has been introducing us to their brand of fun: playing in the surf, boating, exploring remote barrier islands, watching over the sea turtle nests, having picnics on the beach. I’m learning to enjoy it, and my Lindsay is turning into a real island girl, thanks to Miz Callie, my neighbor, and her granddaughter Georgia.

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

Talking to Lindsay about her mother. I know I should, but my grief is still so overpowering that I’m afraid I’ll scare her.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

Losing my daughter. And yet the longer I hold back from expressing my feelings, it seems the farther away I push her.

5. What do you want out of life?

A fresh start with Lindsay, without a lot of painful reminders of the past; a chance to make a difference in the lives of my clients.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

My daughter, plain and simple. Maybe I didn’t spend enough time with her when her mother was alive—I guess I was too busy trying to be successful for them. Now I know better.

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

I never read much when I was a kid. If you’d grown up on the streets like I did, you’d understand. But now I’ve been reading with Lindsay, and I’m catching up on all the books I missed then. Right now we’re reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe together, and I’m enjoying it as much as she is.

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

I guess I’d like to be more open with people, but I don’t think I can. Life has taught me to guard my heart.

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

No, but Lindsay has been talking about getting a puppy, so I guess we’ll have a pet in the family before too long.

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

I’m not one to wish for things that can’t be. I’ve got enough to handle in the present.

FEATURED BOOK: TWICE IN A LIFETIME BY MARTA PERRY

When her family calls brokenhearted Georgia Lee Bodine home to Charleston, she knows there's trouble. Her beloved grandmother hired some fancy lawyer to carry out eccentric requests—and unearth an old family secret. Georgia plans to send Matthew Harper packing until she discovers how much the widowed father cares about her grandmother. And that his heart is even more deeply guarded than her own. As they work together on the Bodine history, they uncover a surprise about themselves: that love can strike twice in a lifetime.

Traveling

Just call me Merrillee--suitcase will travel. Sometimes, I think I should forget putting my suitcase back in the attic. A number of my trips this year have been to Chicago to babysit my granddaughter. That's what I'm doing now while her mom and dad are flying to Arizona to see about moving there.

I like to travel, and I usually leave packing until the last minute. I know that's bad, but it's a habit I haven't been able to break. Flying can be a hassle, but I like the opportunity to watch and study people. Maybe it's the writer in me that has me taking in the way people interact. There are the business travelers with their computers and cellphones. I still haven't gotten used to the people who sit in airports and appear to be talking to themselves when they are using one of those bluetooth gizmos or microphone with a cellphone. Then there are the families with small children who have had to take half their house with them in order to provide for the kids. There are the folks who need wheelchairs. There are the seasoned travelers who pay no attention to the flight attendants giving the emergency instructions, and there are the first-timer flyers who hang on the flight attendant's every word.

I like a window seat so I can see out and look at the tiny cars and neatly laid out cities and towns. It's fun to see if I can recognize places from the air--like the time we flew over the Wake Forest University campus where one of my daughter's went to college or the time I picked out my own house from the air or the time I flew on the Fourth of July and saw four different fireworks displays as we started our approach to the Jacksonville airport.

On this most recent trip, I sat next to a woman who was reading on a Kindle. I had never seen one up close. So I asked her how she liked it. She told me that she was very pleased with it. She asked me what I was reading, and that opened up an opportunity to talk about Steeple Hill, since I was reading a Love Inspired book. We talked for a while, then we proceeded to read. By the end of the flight, I had finished my book. Even though she was reading on a Kindle, I offered her the book which, of course, contained a couple of my bookmarks. She gladly accepted the book. I hope she reads it, and that we gain a new fan.

Do you like to travel? Why or why not?

At the Reception.

Hello, Pat Davids, here.

I had a wonderful time at my niece's wedding a few weeks ago. I love weddings and I love socializing at the receptions, meeting new people and reconnecting with old friends and family. Now, if you must know, I'm terrible with names. Terrible. However, I'm pretty good with faces.

At this wedding reception I saw this tall, burly man with a full beard and something about him seemed so familiar. I walked over to his table with a big smile on my face and I said, "Hi, I think I know you."

Without blinking an eye, he said, "No, you don't."

Wow, talk about a conversation killer, but I'm persistent if nothing else. I said, "I used to be Pat Stroda (my maiden name) and I went to Chapman High School.

He said, "I'm Gary and I didn't." (Names have been changed to protect the innocent.)

He honestly did not seem to care who I was. Trying one more track, because I was sure I had met this man, I asked, "Do you work in Wichita?"

"No."

Sighing in complete defeat, I said, "Then you are a perfect stranger, aren't you?"
That got a smile at last and even a small chuckle. His wife thought it was really cute.

I ran into her when I was leaving and told her to tell the "perfect stranger" goodbye. I need not have bothered. He was waiting by the door.

His eyes grew bright, he smiled and held out his hands. "Hey, aren't you Pat who went to school in Chapman?"

"Yes," I cried. "Aren't you Gary who didn't go there?'

Oh, we both had a good laugh. I pulled out a postcard with a list of my upcoming titles and told him, "Now we'll never be strangers again."

A nice story, but it didn't end there. Several days later, I got an e-mail from the "perfect strangers" wife. She had been telling the story and mentioned that I was an author to her book club. Several of them had heard of me, and low and behold, I've been invited to be their guest speaker in December. What fun.

There really is no such thing as a perfect stranger. Only friends we haven't met yet.

What's your stranger to friend story. I know we all have them.

In Beautiful Denver

I arrived on Tuesday for the ACFW conference. Denver is beautiful at this time of year. The grass is so green and the flowers are beautiful. Not to mention the mountains (from someone who comes from a relatively flat area) in the background. I'm excited about the conference and getting to see people I've email and talked to throughout the year. I'm just hoping I can grab some sleep between seeing everyone.

After the ACFW conference I'm going north of Denver into the mountains to go to one of Margie Lawson's workshops. I'm really looking forward to be in the mountains. I have a hard time deciding if I love the mountains better than the ocean. For me it's a toss up. Which do you prefer--mountains or the ocean?

The Guiding Light--Lenora Worth

I cried today from 2 PM until 3 PM Central time. That's because my favorite soap opera "Guiding Light" is going off the air after seventy-two years in existence, first on the radio and then on television. I know some frown on soap operas because of their wild plots and over-the-top acting but I grew up watching Guiding Light. My mother and my sisters watched it and so did I. I learned a lot, watching this saga set in the town of Springfield, USA. I learned that every big family has secrets and scandals, just like my eccentric family. I learned that families fight and pout, but when push comes to shove they cling together. I learned how to dress and how to wear pearls from watching all the fashionable women passing through Springfield. And I learned all about heroes and heroines, villians and vixens just from watching that show. Once in a writing workshop, a very renowned author who also taught writing as a college course told us that she had her students watch Guiding Light so they could learn all about characterization and plot twists. I thought "Well, if it's good enough for a college professor and well-know writer, it's good enough for me. But then, I loved it already. On the day that my son was born, I had Guiding Light going in the delivery room. He came into the world at 2:44 PM while Reva and Josh were fighting about something. They made up later and my son is now twenty, soon to be twenty-one. And while I know Guiding Light is not Oscar material (but it has won quite a few Daytime Emmies) I also know that the show has brought me countless hours of entertainment--joy, laughter, romance, danger, death and lots of fun. And while the plotlines sometimes just got downright whacky and the steamy stuff sometimes fogged my glasses, I always tuned my television to Guiding Light (even during tight deadlines.) I just needed that comforting background noise while rushing through a first draft. And Guiding Light stays with me long after the countless edits and the final draft. I'll be at a conference later this week, but my husband has strict instructions to cue up the DVD to record the final episodes. When I get home, I'll find some quiet time and I'll sit down and watch the end and I'm sure I'll cry again. I'll miss Guiding Light but I'll remember that the show started with a minister tending his flock. He was a beacon to hurting humans. I'll remember that and know that I'll still have my own Guiding Light in God, even after the final curtain call on my favorite soap opera.

Heroine Interview from Dad in Training

Interview with the heroine – Molly Manning from DAD IN TRAINING
by Gail Gaymer Martin, Steeple Hill Love Inspired, September 2009 release.

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

Other than I’m a special needs teacher with an innovative program called Teacher’s Pet, I guess I’ll say I’m determined. When I want something that’s important to me, I don’t take no for an answer. I strive to succeed because I don’t like to fail. I can’t fail.

2. What do you do for fun?

I love working with dogs---all kinds of dogs. I love training them and playing with them. What I love about dogs is they are faithful and offer unconditional love. Oh yes, and I know where I stand with them. A wagging tail, the dog likes me; bared teeth, I’d better get out of its way.

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

I dread talking about my teen years. My parents were “the Cleavers.” They seemed perfect, and I tried to meet their expectations, but for a while, I gave up. I’m ashamed of those years and I won’t talk about it.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

I’m most afraid of two things, failing as I said before, and having to tell someone I love about those difficult years that I want to forget.


5. What do you want out of life?

I want to own a dog shelter and provide training for them so they can be adopted to good homes. I want to see euthanasia end for dogs that are trainable.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

Being fulfilled is important to me---the dog shelter and I suppose, I’d like to have a husband and family one day. I’m thirty and have nothing in the horizon. But I’m an optimist---and don’t forget, I don’t like to fail.

7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?

I don’t read as much as I’d like. Working as an educator fulltime and then striving to build a dog shelter business takes time, but when I do sit and relax, I read books about people who’ve struggled and learned to survive. Oh, and I do read my Bible.
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I could change a lot of things, I’m sure. My friend Steph Wright could give you a list as long as her arm, but since she’s not doing the interview, I’ll say patience is what I’d like to change. I want things to happen now not later. I forget that things happen in God’s time and not always mine.

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

Funny you ask that question. No. I love dogs but I live in a condo that doesn’t allow pets. So maybe that’s my other dream, to live in a house. When I have a pet, naturally it would be a dog or two. I love Steph’s border collie Fred, so I might like to have a border collie or maybe a golden retriever. I love those too.

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

I would return to my teen years and undo what I’m so sorry for. I think everyone has horrible things they do, and they wish they could wind back the clock. I know God forgave me, but that’s another flaw I have. I can’t seem to forgive myself.

Thanks for the interview. It helped me put some things into perspective. Maybe in time all my dreams and wishes will come true. I think they will. I’m very determined.

FEATURED BOOK: DAD IN TRAINING BY GAIL GAYMER MARTIN

How is Brent Runyan supposed to reach his troubled nephew? The workaholic businessman knows nothing about providing a real home to the orphaned boy who needs him so much. Special education teacher Molly Manning thinks the answer is threefold: love, time—and a dog. But Brent can barely let his nephew into his heart, let alone a golden retriever. With his tragic past, Brent knows what can happen when you love anything: you can lose it. Until Molly asks this dad-in-training to start with the basics by letting her stay…forever.

Surviving

Valerie Hansen on the right. That's me. And with me are two great friends who went with me to Little Rock to participate in the Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure."

We're survivors. And I thought, given that this will post on 9/11, that I'd mention being so thankful to be well, let alone to be here at all.

It was many years ago that I faced and beat breast cancer but the memory has remained so clear, so traumatic, that I have only recently found myself able to write about it.

I had a Love Inspired book released this past June and another in July. The next one will be a historical Love Inspired that follows up on the July book but is set in 1858. However, this November, my personal survival story will be included in "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings." I won't cite it all here because that would spoil it. Just let me say that that experience changed my life FOR THE BETTER. It wasn't fun. It wasn't anything I'd willingly repeat. Yet, right now, I can only be thankful and amazed that I came through that trial and have been cancer free for seventeen years and counting! PTL!!!!

Blessings,

Valerie Hansen

Lovable Characters

Missy here. Some of you may recognize this actor, Jeff Branson, from his role as Shane on a CBS soap opera. Well, his photo has been inspiring me while I'm working on a new story idea. :) But when making a character, we have to think about more than just making him hunky. I'm in the middle of working on this new idea, and I thought, what better way to get ideas than from readers? So if you don't mind, I have a few questions and would love your feedback.

What things make you fall in love with a hero? What things make you sympathize with a heroine? Can you pinpoint what it is about characters or a story that makes them stick in your head long after the story is over?

I'd love any help you can offer for my research! :)

Labor Day Fun

Linda Goodnight here. My daughter-in-law’s family runs a beautiful church retreat camp not far from our home. They invited all of us out on Labor Day for charcoaled burgers and fun on the lake. Now, I’m not much of an outdoorsy person, but I did enjoy paddling around in the paddle boats and walking around the beautiful, wooded camp. My girls took the camera and shot tons of funny photos as well as some nice shots. I won’t show you the one where my husband and the girls decided to re-enact Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac (All in fun, of course), but I’ll share this one that I find particularly sweet.


And how was your Labor Day weekend?