What are you Reading?

Terri Reed here. I just finished reading The Cowboy’s Convenient Bride by two-time recipient of Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award and finalist for Affaire de Coeur’s Best Up-and-Coming Romance Author Wendy Warren.

I have to say it was a fabulous story with endearing characters that made me laugh, cry and root for them as they skirted around their feelings until finally risking their hearts to love. Wendy’s use of language and imagery really brought this story to life. Full of angst and joy, this was a heartwarming and enjoyable read.

Hungry Ranchers? Messy House? Filthy Barn? I’m your woman...
Claire Dobbs needed a job—and she needed it yesterday. But when the single mother of three arrived at Pine Road Ranch, she didn't expect to be greeted by six-foot-plus of scowling, growling cowboy….

After being injured in a bullfight, all Fletcher Kingsley wanted to do was slink home to Honeyford, Oregon, and lick his wounds. The former rodeo champ didn't need a housekeeper. He needed a wife! It was either that—or forfeit his beloved family home.

It would be a cold day in Honeyford before Fletcher ever got hitched. But having the pretty, spirited widow and her lively brood underfoot could change a man's mind in a hurry. Especially when sweet Claire started him thinking about home and hearth…and love?

http://http//www.eharlequin.com/author.html?authorid=899

God is Really Good

Pamela Tracy here, and yes, I am the mother of a five-year-old. It's exhilarating and exhausting. See, he's in kindergarten now and I'm lurking in the background always aware of the ole "How is he doing?" critiques.
Have I ever mentioned that I used to be an elementary schoolteacher? More specifically, I taught kindergarten. Since Mike's birth, I've daydreamed of his entering school already knowing how to read, with beautiful penmanship, no desire whatsoever to wriggle in his seat, and polite. Oh, yes, my son would be polite.
For the last five years, BK (before K), we've gone camping, built train worlds, loved anything Spiderman, watched a million episodes of Scooby Doo, put together puzzles, dug in the dirt, went for walks/rides/ and chased each other with nerf guns.
Whenever I brought out the handwriting papers, Mike turned up his nose. Coloring? "Here's two scribbles, Mom. Good enough?" Getting him to write his name was comparable to getting me to eat green peas: very painful.
Now, he's in kindergarten, and I'm pleased. He's writing his name, learning the ABC's and their sounds, adding outloud, and coloring.
Guess what? He's not at the head of the class.
But that class is behind a door and has twenty little people who all have mother's lurking behind them all worrying about the "How is he/she doing?" critique.
Yesterday, while sitting at the table, my son took a pencil and wrote Good.
I'm sure he saw it on a paper!
Then, he wrote God.
Okay, so I'm looking at a phrase, an interjection if you will: Good God.
He wasn't done. He wrote Good again.
I'm looking at him, and finally said. "Good God good?"
"Yup," he said with confidence. "I wrote good twice because God is really good."
I'm no longer a kindergarten teacher. I'm now an English professor; have been for years.
My son is the next John Grisham.
Ya think?

Their First Noel Interview

How exciting to have _Andy MacFarland the hero from Their First Noel by Annie Jones, a November 2010 release from Love Inspired Romance .

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

I don’t know if you’d call it interesting but right now I’m pretty focused on restoring an old landmark here in Mt Piney, Vermont, the Snowy Eaves Inn.

2. What do you do for fun?

I don’t really have time for fun, with all the work I’m doing on the inn and taking care of my adopted little sister, Greer, while my mom helps other families bring home children from China (as she did with Greer). Family is a big deal to us MacFarlands. But if I had to say, well, I did just meet this girl from South Carolina, Corrine Bennington. She’s a baker and… well, she sure has brought an element of fun into my life lately… whether I planned for her to or not.

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

Nothing. I do what is expected of me and always have since my dad died when I was a teenager.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?
Of letting people down. That’s why I have to get the inn up and running before Christmas Eve, people are counting on it.

5. What do you want out of life?

What most Godly men want, to serve the Lord, to serve others, for my word to be my bond and to have the love of a family.

6. What is the most important thing to you?
Right now, to get this inn finished and to take care of my sister.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
Corrie was just noticing the books on the shelf in my office – C.S. Lewis and books on vintage architecture.

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

Maybe to loosen up a bit, to not have to always go by the plan. Corrie thinks people need to go with the flow, but I don’t know if I can change that much.

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

No, but I have a sock monkey named Budy MonKaye that I had when I was a kid and now my little sister carries with her everywhere. I like knowing she loves that little guy even though I don’t know about her idea that I may want it back for my own kids in the near future!
10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?

I’d go back to when the Snow Eaves Inn was built so I could figure out how to get it right. Or maybe back to when I was a kid and me and my mom and sister used to come out to the inn on Christmas Eve to be with other people who didn’t have big families. Or maybe to when Corrie’s parents met at the inn, to tell them they shouldn’t let anything come between them because they have a pretty great daughter who is going to need them. Or… Or maybe I’d stay right here in the present and see if this Christmas is the first of a lifetime to come with a certain southern baker who has never seen snow and is here to share our first noel.


Thank you Annie for sharing Andy with us.

FEATURED BOOK: THEIR FIRST NOEL BY ANNIE JONES

A spunky Southern baker, Corrie Bennington has her heart set on winning a gingerbread house contest in Vermont. Her masterpiece: a replica of the old inn where her estranged parents met. And where Corrie hopes to find the father she's never known. But when she arrives in Mt. Piney, Vermont, the inn is closed—and being restored. Handsome carpenter Andy McFarland offers to help Corrie find her dad and build her candy house. But Andy's matchmaking little sister has her own sweet holiday wish—helping Andy and Corrie find a little romance this Christmas.

More on the Thanksgiving Theme

Merrillee here, who is especially thankful this year that my mother-in-law will be joining us for Thanksgiving. We will be a small group--just three of us--my hubby, my mother-in-law and me. You see this year is the year that our kids are coming for Christmas, instead of Thanksgiving. Sometimes, we go to their place, if they aren't coming here, but we can't leave this year because my mother-in-law is in a nursing home. They are going to let her leave for the day to share Thanksgiving with us. That is special because she has either been in the hospital or nursing home since August 18. So we are going to have some turkey and all the trimmings, especially some pumpkin pie and thank God for our blessings.

What are you thankful for this year?

On a side note, one of my sons-in-law is a vegetarian, and I'm always on the lookout for good vegetarian dishes that I can serve when he comes for Thanksgiving. If you know any, I'd certainly love to have your recipes. Anyone?

His goose was cooked by Pat Davids

November is here and Thanksgiving is so close I can smell the turkey roasting. Except, this year I'll be in Cancun Mexico for a wedding instead of chowing down on my favorite pumpkin pie and whipped cream. I know, poor little me. Boo hoo.

Anyway, I thought I'd talk about one of my special Thanksgiving memories. After more than fifty years it's hard to pick one Thanksgiving memory out of so many wonderful ones, but I got a chuckle thinking about this one and thought I'd share it with you.

My brothers, all four of them, were hunters. Pheasant, duck, quail, goose. You name it. If it had a season they shot it. One day, just before Thanksgiving, my brother Mark came in with two big geese. Now geese in the wild aren't like the ones that live here in the city and beg for bread crumbs in the park. Bagging a goose takes skill and luck and Mark had TWO.

Thanksgiving was at our house that year and Mom decided to cook the geese instead of the usual turkey. I admit they smelled good as they roasted throughout the morning. When everyone was assembled at the table, my mother brought them in. My brother Mark watched with pride as his trophies came to the table. After cautioning everyone to watch out for buckshot, mom carved them up.

My grandpa, as the oldest, got the first piece. He took a bite and nearly pulled his dentures out. After mulling his mouthful for a while, he gulped and looked at Mark. "You didn't shoot these.""But I did," Mark insisted. By this time we were all trying to eat the tougher-than-boot-leather birds and not having much success.

"Nope," said Grandpa, pushing his meat to the side of the plate. "This one died of old age when your gunshot scared him to death."We all laughed but I did feel bad for Mark and my mom. Thank goodness there was plenty of side dishes to go around and plenty of pumpkin pie to fill us up. No one when away hungry, but goose was never on the menu at our house again.

I invite you to share a less than perfect Thanksgiving memory. I'm sure you've had one or two.

How Trials Strengthen You

Hi, this is Margaret Daley. I had rotator cuff surgery 2 1/2 weeks ago. I am now going through the long process of regaining use of my right arm, which is my dominant arm. It has been interesting trying to figure out how to do things with my left hand. I have decided I will not master writing with my left hand. I've been using a highlighter on books that I'm reading for research and my straight lines are definitely not straight. With eating I am doing better. I am actually not spilling very much food anymore. Getting dressed is another challenge that I have had to work on. I am using a voice to text program to write this blog. Learning to use the program wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, but there are some bugs that I haven't been able to work out. Needless to say I will be using this experience in a story. Have you had a challenge lately that has made you stronger?

God's Beauty is Amazing

I'm just thinking today what a beautiful thing God's love is today. I'm so Thankful for all the blessings in my life and as Thanksgiving is approaching I just want to God the glory for all His blessings. This is a beautiful sunset that we took when we were on our honeymoon in Kauai. If you just look around how could you not believe in God. His beauty is just so amazing.

This is a really short post since I have been running at a fast pace ever since my wedding and missed that today was my day to post. I'm getting into a new routine and will have my act together soon!

I hope everyone will be on the look out for my book YULTIDE COWBOY it hits the shelves Dec and is the 3rd book in the Men of Mule Hollow series. This is Chance's story and I had a blast writing this Christmas story.

God Blesss and until next time live, laugh and seek God with all your hearts.

Debra Clopton

A Season for Family Interveiw

How exciting to have Heath Stone the hero from A Season for Family by Mae Nunn, a November 2010 release from Love Inspired Romance.


1. Heath, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I’m an undercover narcotics officer. I’m good at the work, meaning my conviction rate is higher than normal. But I hate what it’s done to me inside. I spend so much time being somebody else that I’ve forgetting who I am underneath the disguises.

2. What do you do for fun?
Go to court and listen to sentencing. Isn’t that sick?

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
Checking in with my adoptive parents always turns into an argument. They don’t really understand that I keep my distance to protect them. Someday I want to get out of this work so I can have a normal life, whatever that is. I want to live without looking over my shoulder all the time.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?
My greatest fear is having my folks become targets for the people I’ve helped bring to justice.

5. What do you want out of life?
I want to reconnect with my two older sisters. We’ve been separated for twenty-five years, ever since our father went to prison for killing our mother. If I could get to know my sisters I think I might be able to get to know my real self, too.

6. What is the most important thing to you?
Finding a place where I belong, where I can just be myself. I don’t know what that feels like. I’m not sure I’ve ever known.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
When I was about fifteen I discovered historical western novels in the library at school. Those stories about the men and women who settled the old west helped offset the boredom of algebra and biology. I still find that reading can help with the day’s stress and settle me down when nothing else works.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I’d be a kinder person. I’ve recently met a woman who is so selfless and giving that it’s hard to believe she’s for real. Olivia Wyatt runs a homeless shelter in a rough part of Waco, and everybody who comes through the doors gets a big helping of faith along with the meal. If I could change, I’d be more like Olivia.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
I don’t have time for pets right now, but someday I’ll have a big ole’ slobbery dog who will be waiting at home for me, no matter what kind of day it’s been.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I’d go back to the days when my old man was hitting our mother. I’d stop him from tearing our family apart. But thankfully, my sisters have done okay for themselves and I’m sensing good things in my future, so maybe God worked everything out for us after all.

Thank you Mae for sharing Heath with us today.

FEATURED BOOK: A SEASON FOR FAMILY BY MAE NUNN

Texas cop Heath Stone knows what it's like to have no home or family. Once a foster-care kid, Heath now appreciates those who help others. Like Olivia Wyatt, the lovely young woman who opened a homeless shelter in a tough part of town. But Olivia's hard work is in danger when Table of Hope is suspected of being a drug front. Heath goes undercover to keep a close eye on the shelter—and Olivia. What he finds is a woman of faith, a woman who feels like family…the family he's always dreamed of.

More thoughts on Veteran's Day--Leann Harris

I was going to blog on something entirely different until I read Allie's post yesterday and want to continue her theme of thankfulness and allowing God to use you.

My husband is a Vietnam Veteran and he was a munitions officer. He was the guy that organized the bullets and bombs and gave them out to different units. One night his mother (this was before I met him) woke up from a deep sleep and knew in her heart she had to pray for my husband's safety. She prayed for hours. In their letters back and forth to each other my husband related to his family that the munitions dump had been infiltrated and the enemy had set off a certain palette of bombs. It had been a rough few hours. He took pictures of the crater left. Later, when his mom asked when and what time this happened, he told her. It was the exact time when his mother had woke with the urgency to pray.

It is always good to listen to that small still voice.

Allie Pleiter on Veteran's Day

It’s Veteran’s Day.

Professionally, I’m writing a WWI novel and I would love to be able to speak to the Great War’s long gone veterans.  My research tells me it was a brutal war. I’ve had the opportunity to read letters from soldiers that made me cry.  Still, that’s mostly academic, and I feel totally unqualified to write today’s post.   I come from a completely military-less family.  Short of a couple of my husband’s co-workers and one writer friend, I don’t even know military people personally.

In theory, every American citizen should be qualified to respect the military, to honor those in service.  An experience a few years ago, however, showed me how little I really know of the sacrifices those families make in my name.

I was hired to speak at an army base near me just after my parenting book FACING EVERY MOM’S FEARS came out.  The idea was to translate the fear-fighting tactics I’d researched for this book so that they could be used to fight the fears that plague families with loved ones in combat.  I thought it was a wonderful invitation, and I was thrilled to put this valuable information to such good use.

I was unprepared for the emotional impact of the people I met.  Wives who couldn’t bring themselves to leave home because they might miss the phone call from their husbands--the phone call that could be their last conversation.  Mothers paralyzed by the darkness of knowing their sons are in harms way, but not knowing exactly where their sons are.  Teens aware but too young to handle the continual stress of a parent in combat.  Women afraid to discuss their bone-deep fears with their husbands because “the last thing he needs to do is worry more about me at home.”  It was an awe-filled, humbling experience for me.  I left knowing just how little I knew.  I was struck silent by the huge sacrifices made to which I had never given a moment’s thought.  People have not just lost loved ones to war--I saw the lives of the living devastated by the burden of service.

You may not be able to attend a service or ceremony today, but you can stop and say a prayer for our service men and women, for their families, for those grieving a loss or those struggling with survival.  I know I will.

Pulling the Plug

Kim Watters here. Now that I’ve got your attention, it’s not quite the dire situation the title reflects. Well, for my kids yes, but in the big scheme of things—no.

Earlier this month we cut the satellite TV. Yes, you read that correctly. We pulled the plug on over 300+ channels, most of which we never watched anyway, because our family spent way too much time in front of the boob tube. So now we have public channels only, just as we had when I was a kid. Cruel I know but in a cost cutting economy, we had to make some choices. DirecTV was one of them. I want to encourage my kids to be more active and use their minds creatively instead of vegetating out in front of the TV. Of course, they can still see some of their favorite episodes on the computer, but we’ve limited their time there as well.

Has it worked? I think so, but only time will tell. Without the myriad of choices of some somewhat inappropriate shows that don’t exactly mirror the values I’m trying to instill in my kids, they are finding other things to do. Reading, which makes my heart beat faster since I’m a writer, is one of them. Dusting off the old toys sitting in the closet is another. They’re even more helpful around the house, though I suspect it’s more from boredom or them hoping by being underfoot, we’ll change our minds and bring the satellite back. Not going to happen anytime soon, but I do like getting the dishes done faster.

As for myself, I miss Monday Night Football and the Discovery Channel, and the Cooking and the History channel. It’s funny how you miss things when they’re gone, but not for long. I survived my childhood, I can survive this. My TBR pile is growing smaller and the money saved will buy a lot more books to add to my dwindling pile.

That said, what have you done without lately? How has it hurt or helped you? Curious minds want to know.

*Photo by Salvatore Vuono www.freedigitalphotos.net

Fall flavors.....

Wow--Lisa's stew sounds just delicious!  I love the late fall, when the weather turns chilly and it's time for all sorts of  meals from the crockpot, and for baking bread! Here's a recipe that I make every week for our family, that would be great with Lisa's stew:

WONDERFUL HOMEMADE BREAD
Combine the following in the mixer bowl:
3 pkg regular yeast (or 2 Tbsp + 3/4 tsp, if you buy it in jars)
1/4 cup  bread flour
1 Tbsp white sugar
1/2 cup warm water
Let the mixture bubble  five minutes, while measuring the next ingredients into a separate bowl, then add these ingredients to the yeast:

2 cups quick oatmeal
2 cups whole wheat flour
1  Tbsp  Vital Wheat Gluten
1 Tbsp + 3/4 tsp  salt
1 cup packed brown sugar
2/3  cups canola oil
4 1/2  cups warm water
Add the above mixture to the yeast mixture, and mix well.

Add flour below, using a dough hook to knead if you have one, until dough comes away from the sides of the bowl (dough will still be sticky, not dry.  Amount of flour needed may vary with room humidity.)
4 cups whole wheat flour 
6 cups bread flour
3/4 cup chopped walnuts and/or pecans
1/2 cup cracked wheat

Pour dough into a huge, well-oiled bowl,  turn to coat with oil. Cover loosely with a damp, clean tea towel. Let rise one hour, or until doubled in size. Dump onto a large cutting board or clean counter. Cut in sections, and place in  oiled bread pans. Let rise one hour. BE SURE to preheat  oven fully to 350 degrees. Bake 35 minutes. Brush tops with butter, cool in pans ten minutes, then turn out on cooling racks.  This  also makes yummy dinner rolls.

I'm now imagining that Devlin Sloane and Beth Carrigan might be enjoying Lisa's wonderful stew and the aroma of this easy homemade bread, in Winter Reunion, which is out in the stores right now!


Winter Reunion is my first book for Steeple Hill's Love Inspired line, and is also the first book in my three-book Aspen Creek Crossroads series.

What are some of your favorite fall recipes?  I would love to hear about them!

Best wishes to you all,
Roxanne Rustand
www.roxannerustand.com   and      http://roxannerustand.blogspot.com

Cold days...stew in the pot...stewing over a plot!

Hello from Lisa Mondello! It hailed all morning and the ground was covered with ice when we woke up. I heard a collective groan from my daughters as they headed out the door and even the scuffle of shoes being changed into boots.

So it's officially that time of the year when I pull out my crock pot and make my favorite stew. I love my crock pot. On days I'm deep into working on a story, it's my lifesaver. It never fails that I end up wrestling with a story idea only to have to stop working so I can make dinner. A little bit of planning in the morning takes care of all that and makes me feel like I have my own personal chef come dinner time!

As I said, I'm deep into working on my next proposal for Love Inspired Romance. At the same time I'm taking a wonderful workshop on screenwriting that is really helping me nail down a lot of plot points and is making the writing of the story easier. I'll be getting back to work on both of those in a minute, but I wanted to leave you with this family favorite recipe. Many blessings, Lisa Mondello



Crock Pot Stew

2 to 2 1/2 pounds of stew beef
2 carrot sticks cut into chunks
4 potatoes peeled and cubed
1 onion either cut up fine or put in whole
1/4 cup flour
1 tbsp oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 cups hot beef broth or 2 beef bouillon cubes dissolved in two cups of hot water
Salt and pepper to taste.

Literally mix all that together in the crock pot and put on high for 5 hours or low for 8-10 hours. Serve with salad and a loaf of bread. Enjoy!

A Daughter for Christmas Interview

How exciting to have Dr. Max Connors, the hero, from A Daughter for Christmas, a November 2010 release by Margaret Daley, from Love Inspired Romance with us today.

1. Max, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I have a chance to be a father to a thirteen year old daughter I never knew I had. I'm excited and afraid at the same time.
2. What do you do for fun?
Read--mostly non fiction books about history and biographies.
3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
Telling Rachel Howard her adopted daughter is my child--a child my ex-wife never told me she had when I was serving in the Middle East. I'm not looking forward to that, but I want to be a part of my daughter's life.
4. What are you afraid of most in life?
Not knowing how to be a good dad for Taylor. Suddenly I've got a teenage daughter and I didn't have the years before to get to know her and establish a relationship with her.
5. What do you want out of life?
Peace. As a doctor serving in the military in the Middle East, I've seen too much death.
6. What is the most important thing to you?
Getting to know my daughter.
7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
Non-fiction about history and biographies.
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Since my ex-wife left me when I was overseas in the military, I've become very cautious of letting myself get too close to another.
9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
No. I didn't think it was fair to have one when I worked long hours in New York City at the hospital.
10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
That's hard for me to answer. There are so many historical periods I find fascinating. But I suppose if I had to pick it would be during the time when the United States became a new country. What an exciting time for us. Our founding fathers had such a vision. I would have liked to have been there and given them my two cents, especially in light of what is happening today.

FEATURED BOOK: A DAUGHTER FOR CHRISTMAS BY MARGARET DALEY

Dr. Max Connors had no idea he'd fathered a child thirteen years ago. Or that his baby girl had been given up for adoption. He locates his daughter in a small Oklahoma town and moves there, hoping to become a part of her life. But when he meets her widowed mother, Max is unsure how to reveal his identity. As he helps Rachel Howard with her plans to homeschool the girl, he's welcomed into the family. But with the holidays approaching, Max must tell Rachel who he really is. Can he make his dreams of family come true by Christmas?

Valerie Hansen surfaces again!

Wahoo! Valerie Hansen is back. I know, I know. You hadn't really missed me. That's okay. I was chained to my computer and working on one of the new books for which I recently received a contract. This one is a suspense and there are three of those, plus two historicals, plus a regular Love Inspired Romance. Whew! Yeah, I get tired but I also consider my work as my personal ministry and it thrills me when I have more chances to write for Love Inspired.

As you can see from this cover, I do have a new historical coming in early 2011. Then, the month after that, there's a suspense about Texas Rangers that was part of a six-book, six-author series. The manuscript I just completed TONIGHT before readying this post, will be released in Oct. 2011. And then come the as yet unwritten others.

I truly love what I do. May you all be blessed as much by the tasks you're given.

Valerie Hansen

Annual Ham & Egg Supper

Missy, here. We just had our annual Ham & Egg Supper at our church last night. It's a big community event that's been going on for over 40 years!

The menu includes country ham, grits, scrambled eggs, biscuits and homemade jelly. YUM! Some of my favorites. Of course, the day after, I'm always as thirsty as can be from all the salt in the country ham. :)

Every year, people start working the day before, trimming the ham, cracking the eggs, rolling the silverware in napkins, decorating the tables...

And then the day of the event, doing all the cooking and baking. And it takes an army of people to direct traffic, take tickets, serve the food, run the take-out window and clean up afterward. It's quite a production and a wonderful tradition.

Do you have any church or community activities that have become a tradition through the years?

Firefighter Heroes Love You, too.

Linda Goodnight here with an important message. Sounds like a commercial for life insurance, doesn’t it? Well, in a way it is. One of my favorite heroes, both in books and in real life, is the firefighter, probably because I happen to personally know some very handsome, hunky, young men who work in this noble profession. Godly men who really care about the people they serve, which brings me to my message. Smoke detectors.




For obvious reasons, fall and winter bring more house fires. Yesterday my FF son and his crew responded to an early morning fire. Because there were no smoke alarms in the house, the family slept on until the fire was out of control. Two little ones died.

Firefighters don’t just walk away from a scene and forget about it. Those deaths haunt them. FF hurt. They question. They pray that it will never happen again. Most fire departments will provide smoke alarms free of charge and even install them for you. Be sure yours are good to go. Check them now. We love our firefighter heroes, and they love you too much to lose you.

Already Thinking Thanksgiving! A Must-Have Recipe!

Lyn Cote here! I'm already thinking Thanksgiving. And I wanted to share a must-have recipe if you're like me and have a husband who LOVES stuffing! I do stuff the bird but then I make a crockpot full of stuffing so I have some for leftovers. Also I only have one oven and usually the turkey takes up all the room in my oven.
So here's the recipe:

Crockpot Stuffing
1/3 c butter or margarine
1 c chopped onion
1 c chopped celery
1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sage
1/4 tsp thyme
6 1/2 c dry bread cubes
1 can cream of chicken soup with enough water to equal 2 cups liquid OR 2 cups of chicken or turkey broth
1 egg, well beaten
Saute onions and celery in butter around 7 minutes. (Personally I don't. I like my veggies al dente)
Combine all ingredients. Add egg last. Pour mixture into crockpot, cover, cook on high for 45 minutes and then low for 5-8 hours. Adjust liquid in accordance with dryness of bread cubes.
For large recipe, 13-14 cups, double all ingredients except soup or broth.

Hope this helps! How do you make stuffing or dressing? Anybody like cornbread or with raisins or craisins?

Trying to think like a monk (yes, the old ones)

This Janet Tronstad. I recently forced my twelve-year old nephew to go to the Huntington Gardens here in Pasadena with me so I could show him their copy of the Guttenberg Bible. It's one of the few in existence and I think it's awesome. He wasn't impressed (;)), but I haven't stopped thinking about it since. Partly because I feel like we are at the same kind of crossroads in the evolution of books today. Our new ebooks are (maybe, somewhat) like the Guttenberg press. And I feel like I'm one of the monks who might have looked up from a lifetime of painting the scrollwork in those ancient texts to protest that people would lose their reverence for books if they weren't done in the same way. And the monks were right. No one would have ever taken one of those scrolls to the bathtub with them! The monks probably also pointed out that their books were more beautiful than the ones printed by machine -- and again they were right. The monks might have even wondered what they would do without their jobs since making the scrollwork was their life.

Change is almost always hard. You hear all the chatter about whether or not people are going to buy ebooks, but I want to know how you feel about the change. Nostalgic for the old? Fearful of the new? Dragging your feet in resistance? Jumping off the bridge in eagerness? Let's talk. And try, if you can, to put yourself in the mind of one of those old monks. Incredible to even think of laboring like they did just to make one copy of one book!

The Craftie Ladies Do Like to Read, But....

Confessions of a Candy-Corn-aholic

My name is Betsy St. Amant, and I'm a candy-corn-aholic.

Yep, that's right. I confessed. I like candy corn. I love candy corn. If candy corn was easily found year-round, I'd be the pig rolling around in it. I actually found a bag in AUGUST at Walgreens, bought it, took it to work, and well... it was gone a few days later. What can I say?

I've apparently passed the habit down to my Little Miss, who is proudly 2 years and 3 months old. She gets the habit honest, that's for sure. We snuggle in the chair together on cool autumn nights with Blankie and Gigi (her beloevd Giraffe) and share candy corn from a tupperware bowl. (the small size, don't worry.)

What Fall addictions - er, traditions - are your favorite?

Westside Christian High School does Steel Magnolias

Terri Reed here, tired from help with costumes and set for my daughter's high school play rehearsal. They are doing Steel Magnolias. Anyone remember the movie? The year was 1989--I had just moved to New York to model. My husband and I lived in a dinky one bedroom apartment on the upper Westside of Manhattan. We saw the movie in a huge cina-plex near Lincoln Center. I cried, I laughed and cried some more. My husband thought the whole thing too sappy for words. That's a man for you.

Well, my daughter is playing Shelby. I have a hard time watching her on stage in this role. She does a fabulous job. I'm so proud of her. The play opens on Thursday, runs through the weekend and then the following weekend.

I'll be the one sitting in front with a box of kleenex in my lap.

Birthdays R Us

This past Friday was my birthday. No, don't even bother asking which one. I'm not telling. I used to love birthdays (remember, I was raised an only child). This one will go down as one of the most interesting:

1) Woke up to presents on the kitchen table. Crockpot from hubby(really, I asked for it) and two little gifts from my five-year-old son. Mikey promptly spoke up indignantly, "I didn't get those. Daddy did." He was a little upset that Daddy would buy things and then claim that he (Mikey) had gotten them for me. To solve the problem, Mikey ran to his bedroom, got his new Lego box, and gave it to me. After a bit of back and forth, he agreed that he'd still store his Legoes in there, but the box would be mine.

2) At work, they'd decorated my door in black crepe paper and pictures of really old people. There was also a vulture standing guard. I had to break into my office.

3) I was co-chair a one day workshop at my school. My co-chair had a family emergency (more abut her in a minute).

4) Finished conference, called husband, couldn't make it home in time to change clothes before going to party. (Stopped at TJ Maxx on the way to the party and purchased four new shirts. I couldn't wear the professional looking black blouse under the gray sweater to my birthday party, now could I?!).

5) Got to party just in time. Party at my friend Maribeth's (co-chair, remember). She wasn't there (sniff).

6) Finally got home so tired I fell asleep in the chair (which made me worry about my new age since I've not fallen asleep in the chair since I was pregnant with Mikey!)

7) What a wonderful day God gave me, surrounded by friends.

Hero Interview from His Holiday Bride by Jillian Hart

Ford Sherman, from His Holiday Bride by Jillian Hart
　
1. Ford, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

I've just accepted a new job in the small town of Wild Horse, Wyoming. It's real different from Chicago where I was a cop, but I love the change. The wide open spaces make me feel as if I'm living in a real life western movie.

2. What do you do for fun?

I'm a fun guy. I like to read, hang out with my family (I'm big on family) and work. I love my work. Especially these days dealing with rogue cows, which has brought me into close contact with the prettiest cowgirl I've ever seen--Autumn Granger. I don't mind that one bit!

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

I'm not so good with housework. As a long time bachelor I've learned to pick up after myself, but I procrastinate when I can. Dishes can only sit in the sink for so long.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

Something happening to the people I love. I lost my grandfather awhile back and that was hard. We were close. Now that I'm getting to know Autumn, I'm starting to worry about her safety a lot, a sign I care about her more than I think.

5. What do you want out of life?

I want everything--wife, home, kids, family, a happy-ever-after, and I'd starting to want those things with Autumn.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

Family.

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

Westerns. I grew up on them. My grandfather loved them and he and I used to sit for hours in his study reading the afternoon away. Every time I pick up a western these days, I think of him and so he's never far away.

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

That I had moved to Wild Horse sooner, because I feel as if this little town is where I belong.

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

I love horses. I have my eye on this incredible gray American Quarter Horse named Lightning. I love riding him when I'm hanging with the Grangers and I've been negotiating on a price with Frank, Autumn's dad. We'll see how that turns out.

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

The wild west, of course. I would get a kick out of an old west cattle drive and watching a western sunset with Autumn at my side.

FEATURED BOOK: HIS HOLIDAY BRIDE BY JILLIAN HART

Big-city sheriffs don't belong in tiny Wild Horse, Wyoming. At least that's what rancher Autumn Granger thinks when handsome Ford Sherman sweeps into town and sets his sights on her. A country cowgirl, she can't possibly be his match. Like most newcomers, he'll eventually get restless with small-town life and leave it—and her—behind. But when rustlers attack her family's ranch, Ford helps her protect Granger territory. She finds herself hoping that he really is in Wild Horse to stay. Could her holiday wish of a happily ever after with this handsome lawman come true?

What makes a marriage last?

Pat Davids here.

It’s quite a question, isn’t it? What makes a marriage last? I’m a romance writer. I should have the answer to that one, shouldn’t I?

Not really. I write about falling in love. Not about staying in love.

The couple in the picture with me are my parents. Clarence and Joan Stroda. They’re celebrating 60 years together this month. That’s quite an accomplishment.

I think it’s my mother’s smile that has kept them together. Isn’t she the cutest little Bohemian Grandmother? The spiffy dude is my dad. Tough, funny, hardworking. A born and bred farmer who’s still out in the fields every day. He told me once he never planned to retire because people who retire die. He's a stubborn man.

There’s always a lot of laughter in my family. I think laughter is a big part of that special glue that keeps couples together. That, and pure stubbornness. The good Lord gave me a large potion of both.

My husband and I are heading toward 37 years together. On our 10th anniversary, he looked at me and said, “Thanks for seven wonderful years, Pat.”
I said, “Honey, it’s been ten years.”
He said, “I know, but three of them were dreadful.”
I knew which ones he was talking about. They were tough years but we were too stubborn to quit. And you know what? Things got better.

So what do you think it takes to keep a marriage going for sixty years?

Needed: A Hero

I am starting a new book and deciding about my hero. I could use your help. What is it about a hero that appeals to you? What does he look like? How does he act? Do you like an alpha male or a beta one? What kind of occupations do you like to see a hero do? What makes an empathic hero?

Sometimes brainstorming with others help me form a clear picture of that vague hero in the back of my mind right now. Any suggestions?

Peace in a chaotic world--Lenora Worth

Hi. I was thinking about what to write today and wondered if I'm the only person on earth who wishes all the talking heads would just be quiet. We're blessed to be able to get information from so many sources today--the television, our phones, online and even the old fashion way--through the mail.

But how do we decipher what is true and what is just speculation and assumption? I've actually started turning everything off. No television, no cell phone to tempt me, no checking the e-mail every five minutes. I had forgotten how nice the quiet can be. Eating lunch while watching the birds and squirrels just outside my kitchen window sure does beat those shouting matches on all the twenty-four hour news stations. And don't get me started on reality television shows. While I still watch a couple of those, I find it very distasteful to watch a man or a woman trying to find true love by going through 25 or so candidates who are so starry eyed they can't think straight. Is that any way to begin a life together?

I'm not a cynical person. I'm just wondering where other people go to find their "upper room". Where do they go to find a quiet place to think and pray and meditate on Christ and this world. Sometimes, just listening to the quiet can speak volumes. Maybe all those shouting heads should give this a try. It just might bring some civility to solving the worlds problems.

Where do you find your quiet time?

Debra Clopton Saying Hi

Hi Everyone, Debra Clopton here saying HI! I'm home from my honeymoon--the picture is me on the shores of Kauai Hawaii. Chuck was taking this picture and I almost got plastered with the wave that just came in. I don't think I need to tell you that I had a great time. I think the picture tells it all. GOD is so awesome. And I can honestly say that God out did himself on this beautiful island. WE loved it. The wedding was a blast and if you go to debraclopton.blogspot.com you can see a collage of photo's from the wedding at the cowboy church. It was so lovely. My sons gave me away and Chuck's sons were his best men. My two best friends since 3rd grade stood with me as about 350 people came out to wish us well. Including my family and Chuck's family. There were even 5 of my Mule Hollow fans, very sweet ladies from Calvert Texas, who came to the wedding :) Life is great and now its back to work creating new Mule Hollow books and a new series I'm working on which I'll talk about at a later date!

I'm running late on my post today and really didn't get anything prepared because I have been running from the moment I got home 3 weeks ago from our honeymoon. But I do want to say that I have a new book out this month YUKON COWBOY and there is a behind the scene post up at eharlequin.com and maybe on our facebook page too. YUKON COWBOY is part of the Alaskan Bride Rush continuity and not a Mule HOllow book. I had a great time writing this book and hope readers enjoy it too!

Until next time live, laugh and seek God with all your heart!
Debra Clopton

Hero Interview from The Marine's Baby by Deb Kastner

THE MARINE’S BABY by Deb Kastner (Oct 2010)
Interview with Nate Morningway:

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

A couple of months ago, I would have said it was that I diffused IED’s (homemade bombs) for the United States Marine Corps. But then my battle buddy Ezra passed away and left me the guardian of his baby daughter. Gracie is my life now, and she’s definitely the most interesting thing about me.

2. What do you do for fun?

I’ve been in Iraq serving two consecutive terms, so I’m not sure I know what fun is anymore. I like to jog to keep in shape.

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

Ha! Dirty diapers, but I can’t really put that off, now, can I?

Seriously, I dreaded going home to Morningway Lodge because I’d have to face my older brother, Vince. He and I never got along at the best of times, especially after I ran off and joined the marines and left him alone to take care of the lodge by himself.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

I’m terrified I’m not going to be a good father for Gracie. I’m all she has, and I’m not sure I’m up to the task. Nothing in my marine training taught me how to be a good dad. I’m afraid of raising Gracie without a mother’s influence. And I’m afraid my own lack of faith in God won’t be good for Gracie. Faith is important to the rest of my family, my own mom, especially, God rest her soul. She would have wanted me to raise Gracie in a Christian home.

5. What do you want out of life?

I would like to help my brother run Morningway Lodge. Even though I left home and turned my back on it, it’s still, in a way, my legacy, and I’d like it to be Gracie’s, too. But that’s not going to happen. Vince hates me. And I guess I don’t blame him.


6. What is the most important thing to you?

Gracie. That little girl is my world.

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

My brother Vince is the reader. I always had trouble in school. I probably ought to read a baby book or two, though, right?

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

Maybe you should ask my brother. Vince is always telling me I’m immature and irresponsible.

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

No pets. Impossible when you’re deployed. I’d like to get Gracie a pet someday, though. Maybe a little kitten or something.

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

I’d go back to my 18th birthday, when I enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps without letting my father and brother know about it. I think I would still have enlisted, but I should have told them before I did it.

FEATURED BOOK: THE MARINE'S BABY BY DEB KASTNER

The U.S. Marine Corps made a man out of Nathan Morningway. But the orphaned baby girl left to him by his military buddy made him a father. A single father. With no training in diaper duty, let alone parenthood, Nathan heads home to Morningway Lodge—where he's not exactly warmly welcomed by his family. But day-care worker Jessica Sabin helps care for little Gracie and teaches him how to be a daddy. That seems to make Jessica happy. So why does she look so sad sometimes? Nathan's new mission: to find out—and make Jessica smile forever.

A date

Leann here. Today, at breakfast as my husband and I were eating, he asked me if I'd like to go to lunch. He teaches at the university and has Fridays off. I said sure. Then we got the newspaper and saw the new movie "Red" was opening. I thought we should make it a day, go to the movies, too. He liked the idea. So, I'm looking forward to spending an afternoon with my hubby.

Although we been married 39 years, we still need dates. Although I kill people in my books, I don't want to kill romance.

Allie Pleiter on Fall Food

It’s fall, and a woman’s thoughts naturally turn to...food.  

I like food.  I didn’t realize it until someone pointed it out to me, but I write a lot about food, too.  One book group that was reading BAD HEIRESS DAY decided to have all the foods mentioned in the book at their meeting (which I attended by speakerphone, something I love to do if you’re group is interested).  Sort of a grown up version of THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR.   I was aghast at the volume and diversity (and nutritional drought) of the food.  Yes, evidently I do write about food a lot.  Who could forget the chocolate chip cookies or the milk and cookies pie in BLUEGRASS COURTSHIP?  The tea ceremony scene in PERFECT BLEND...okay, that’s a beverage but I think the theory still applies.  

Ah yes, Allie enjoys food.  Summer foods are great, but it’s the fall foods I love best.  I’m working on a novel about a women who loves to bake bread (which, if you read the preceding paragraph, evidently comes as no surprise), so I’m planning to do a lot of baking this fall.  I’m not very good at baking, but I love the way the house smells (I’ve learned this can also be achieved with a good candle, by the way, so I’ve become good at aroma cheating!).  There’s hot chocolate, pumpkin pie, all that good stuff.   Apple pie is nice and summery, but there’s something about pumpkin pie that puts it in a class all its own.  Did you know scientists have identified pumpkin pie as one of the most attractive to men?  Perhaps the way to a man’s heart truly is through his stomach.

What about you?  What fall foods and scents are your favorites?

This Girl Can't Dance

Kim Watters here. Okay so last month I told you about my experience with the YMCA. This month I have to admit that I did attend the Zumba class offered. Going in I knew that I didn’t really know how to dance. I just didn’t know how bad I really didn’t know how to dance meant.
The Sunday afternoon class is packed with people. Great. I can get lost in the crowd. At least my friend, Debbie, that I convinced to take the class with me is in the same shoes. We hide in the back row, hoping to go unnoticed. Er-my friend is almost 6’ tall. No way that’s going to happen. In comes the instructor, who zeroes in on us first thing.

“Welcome class. If this is your first time, just follow along and do your best. Don’t over do yourselves and there are no wrong moves.”

“Good.” I whisper to Debbie. “That instills a lot of confidence in me. What have we gotten ourselves in to?”

Debbie laughs and nods, wearing a horrified expression.

The music starts and we’re off. Egads.

“Come, ladies, let’s go. Get that heart rate up. We’ve got to move it, move it.”

What is the instructor doing? Where’s the ease into the workout? I’m breaking into a sweat and it isn’t from exertion yet. I stumble to the right and then the left, all my klutziness there for all to see in the full-length mirrors on two sides of the room. My friend isn’t faring much better. At least at this point we’re still laughing. Somewhat. Forward, back, to the right, to the left. Add the arms or weapons as the other women in the class must be thinking about now. My body has taken on a life of it’s own. And I’m still at least one beat behind everyone else in the class. Just when I think I’ve got the move down, we change to something else.

Judging from the warm-up, the instructor can dance. I’ve never felt inadequate before until I realize that my hips just don’t go in that direction. The class goes left, Debbie and I go right. We jiggle this way, the class jiggles the other way. The salsa? Really? One , two, three, now switch. Maybe I should be looking for a class that works out to the Polka. Being of German and Polish decent, I may find that a little more my style. Nonetheless, we stick it out and make it to the end with only a few bruises.

Despite the fact I can’t dance, I had fun and went again. And keep going although my hips still don’t go the same direction as the instructor’s. I finally get the hang of the dances and now the instructor has changed things up. The moves are even harder. I’ve given up trying to learn them and just bounce around to the music in a mad attempt to look like I know what I’m doing, but I’m still having fun.

The same goes for writing. Go beyond your comfort zone and explore options that seem difficult. Change things up to add variety. Change a genre. Try a new profession for your characters that requires a bit of research. Something in your book not working? Try something else. But most of all have fun. See you in Zumba later.

It's official! My first Love Inspired Romance!

I've waited for this day for a long while. My first Love Inspired Romance has hit the shelves. I'm getting calls and emails from all over the country from friends and family who have spotted it. Fresh-Start Family is special as it features hero Tom(Tag) Garrison. As with all of my stories, I struggle in the beginning to find a perfect name for my hero and heroine. I couldn't come up for one for this story so in the interest of "moving on" I used my husband's name, figuring I'd change it later on down the road when the hero revealed himself a little more to me. The problem is there was never going to be name that fit this hero better than Tom. So I kept the name. Although Tom (Tag) Garrison is a fictional character, so much of my inspiration for his character came from my husband and it's hard for me not to have this hero hold a special place in my heart. Add a precocious 7 year old boy and a single mom and you have the makings for some real mischief and fun. I hope you all enjoy reading Fresh-Start Family!

Many blessings, Lisa Mondello

Heroine Interview from Seeking His Love by Carrie Turansky

Interview with the heroine:
Rachel Clark from Seeking His Love, LI October 2010, by Carrie Turansky

1. Rachel, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I’ve always loved drama. I started out acting in high school and then majored in theater in college. I taught drama at a high school in Seattle, and now I lead the Northcoast Christian Youth Theater in Fairhaven, Washington.

2. What do you do for fun?
I love to watch old movies, especially musicals. I like to read, spend time with friends, and I’m a great bargain hunter. I can pull together a great outfit or redecorate a room with a visit to a couple thrift stores.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
I put off contacting my mom. We have a strained relationship, and sometimes it’s just easier not to call or write very often.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?
I sometimes struggle with letting people see who I really am on the inside. I’ve been hurt in the past, and it takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there again and risk rejection.

5. What do you want out of life?
I want to make a positive difference in people’s lives – my students, my friends, and hopefully my future husband and children.

6. What is the most important thing to you?
My faith is very important to me and also my calling to work with children and youth. They are the future, and we need to invest in their lives.

7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
I love to read! My favorite type of books are historical and contemporary inspirational romance.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I’d like to have more courage to be transparent with people.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
I don’t have a pet, but my landlord has the sweetest golden retriever named Sasha, and I’ve fallen in love with her.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I would travel back to my early days of teaching in Seattle. I’d be more aware of a certain student’s intentions. Maybe I could’ve seen what was coming and prevented him from lying about me and getting me in so much trouble.

FEATURED BOOK: SEEKING HIS LOVE BY CARRIE TURANSKY

Since losing his wife and child, widower Cam McKenna has tried to avoid children. But when he must temporarily care for his niece, Cam opens his home. With no idea how to relate to a fourteen-year-old girl, he seeks the advice of the new Christian Youth theater director. He's touched when Rachel Clark gives his niece a scholarship—and teaches him a thing or two about teens…and love. But why is Rachel so secretive about her past? The truth threatens their fragile relationship yet promises to bring them closer to each other—and the Lord— than either dreamed possible.

Sharing Family Excitement

Missy, here. We've had some excitement in the family this summer and fall. My nephew, Buster Posey, has had a great rookie season with the San Francisco Giants. And they're the National League West division champs, heading to playoffs! This photo is a shot my father-in-law took off the TV the other night after they beat the Padres. :)

It's been fun to be able to watch him play on TV. We even got the chance to go watch him when they played the Braves in Atlanta back in August. And now they'll be playing the Braves in the playoffs. It's all been very exiting to watch him living out his dream.

Selling books to Steeple Hill has been a dream come true for me! Have you ever had the chance to live out one of your dreams?

Heroes and other delights

Linda Goodnight here. Someone recently challenged me to make a list of fiction books that lingered in my mind long after I’d closed the covers. Fun challenge for a book person, so away I went.

When I completed the list, I started wondering why those particular books stuck while others fall through the sieve of memory and disappear. As a writer, I figure there’s a valuable lesson to be learned, so I examined the list carefully and discovered ONE single factor they all had in common. Here’s my list:

Abbie’s Outlaw -Victoria Bylin (Probably my all-time fav.)
Cheasapeake Bay series – Nora Roberts
Sands of Time and Stephanie - Susan May Warren
Desperado and Jackson Rule-Sharon Sala
Fireside – Susan Wiggs
The Gamble, Morning Glory, and Hummingbird–Lavyrle Spencer
Gone With the Wind – Margaret Mitchell
The Notebook – Nicolas Sparks

While I had to look up the titles for some of these, and their plots may be fuzzy, the reason I remember every one of them is the hero. Not the story. Not the female lead. The hero. The strong, protective, sacrificial hero.

Is it just me who is so affected by the male lead in a book? An inquiring mind needs to know!

So, here’s your challenge. (You knew I’d say that!) Quickly generate your own list of 5 or so fiction novels and think about what element - storyline, hero, or heroine - stands out most in each one. Which element appears most often on your list? Please share your list and your results for my very unscientific (but fun!) straw poll.

Lyn Cote--Wish me a Happy Anniversary!

Today is the day I married my dh THIRTY-SIX, that's right 36 years ago. Yikes! That's a long time! We were married in Waukegan IL at my home church. I wore white and my groom wore a blue patterned polyester tux. Ah, those were the days, the seventies. GRIN

One special memory of that day. After the wedding we drove to Steve's grandmother's house. She was in her late eighties and didn't go out much. The little children in the neighborhood saw us go into her house. When we came out, they have formed sort of a conga line down from the steps to the curb. And with one arm and one foot out like dancers, they chanted: "Happy Anniversary! Hey!" Hilarious! I waved to all of them as I swept into our "limo." (We didn't rent a limo. Our cars were such old beaters that we borrowed a friend's parents' car for the wedding!)

Tonight we're going to attend a George Winston concert in our little town. We have a art center in an old church downtown. Last year GW performed here because he had an open day between a Chicago and Minneapolis concert. He enjoyed playing at such an intimate venue that he promised to return! And his concert will be for the benefit of our local food pantry. So I'm really looking forward to tonight! Here's a sample from You Tube!




Questions for you:
Did you enjoy that?
How long have you been married?
Any memories of that day you'd like to share?

Juggling with Janet Tronstad

It's me -- Janet Tronstad again. This morning in church our pastor talked about how we often feel we're juggling in our lives (and he had a real juggler there to perform - which was neat). I so related to what he was saying. Somedays I don't know which way I am going - it just seems there are so many things I need to be doing. How about you? What things are you juggling? For me, it's my elderly parents, my writing, my friends (one of whom is in the hospital and another who is busy deciding to move out of Los Angeles - both of which need some extra time from me). And those are only the things that come to mind first. I also have a big list of things I ought to be doing (like sorting through a big stack of paper waiting for me when I came back from my last trip -- and still sitting where it was then).

Hero Interview from The Bodine Family Christmas by Marta Perry

Interview with the hero from The Bodine Family Christmas by Marta Perry in Mistletoe Prayers:

1. Travis McCall, tell me the most interesting thing about you. The only important thing about me is that I’m a helicopter pilot in the US Coast Guard. That’s not just my career—it’s my life.

2. What do you do for fun? When I was stationed in Alaska, I liked hiking, going hunting, hanging with my buddies. Now that I’ve been sent to Coast Guard Base Charleston, I’m not sure what I’m going to do. This isn’t my kind of place at all.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it? Getting involved with a woman again. I had that once. Trusting her was the hardest thing I’d ever done, after growing up the way I did. And she let me down—traded me in for another guy while I was in the hospital after a crash. I won’t let that happen again.

4. What are you afraid of most in life? Letting down somebody who’s counting on me for a rescue. Like we say—you have to go out, but you don’t have to come back.

5. What do you want out of life? To go on doing the thing I was born to do. For awhile, after the crash, I thought it was all over. Now I’m making a new start in a new place.

6. What is the most important thing to you? Living up to the Coast Guard tradition.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book? Just training manuals, that’s all.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I’d like to be as easy and laid back as some people I know, but that’s not me.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet? Nope. Except that now that I’ve gotten involved with Annabel Bodine and her animal rescue, I’ve kind of gotten attached to a certain stubborn donkey.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why? I go back and change my childhood...maybe give myself a set of normal parents like Annabel has. She doesn’t know how lucky she is. But you can’t change the past, can you?

Heroine Interview from The Gingerbread Season in Mistletoe Prayers

Interview with the heroine from The Gingerbread Season by Betsy St. Amant in Mistletoe Prayers:

1. Allie James, tell me the most interesting thing about you. That’s easy – I love Christmas. I’m a true Christmas addict. I love the music, the lights, the snow, the shopping, the gifts, the family time—you name it. I even have an extra special childhood tradition at Christmas I’ve carried over into my adult life (to the amusement of my mother!) But you’ll have to read my book to find out what it is! ☺

2. What do you do for fun? If it’s Christmas time, I go caroling, skiing, sledding, or help my dad at his Christmas tree farm. I skipped coming home last Christmas , but I’m back this year and it’s going really well. I missed everyone more than I realized.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it? Trying something new. I have some self-esteem/security issues I’m working on, and its hard putting myself out there to try new things. I don’t handle failure well.

4. What are you afraid of most in life? Being alone. With the loss of my high school/college sweetheart and my long-time feud with my parents, I got a glimpse of that kind of bleak future and it scared me.

5. What do you want out of life? Contentment—in myself, for who I am. I’m learning that kind of contentment though can only come from God. Not through a boyfriend, the long-desired approval of your parents, or even a favorite holiday!

6. What is the most important thing to you? My family, for sure. We’ve been through a tough time these past few years and making up has shown me how much they really do mean to me.

7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read? I do, especially at Christmas when I can snuggle up in my favorite sweatshirt by the fire. I like fiction books, romance of course. Even though they’re hard to read when my own love life is in shambles…

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I tend to set lofty goals for myself, and need to remember that it’s not about pleasing others. Just pleasing God and doing what He has told me to do—not what I feel everyone else is telling me to do. ::Sigh:: Easier said than done.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet? No, but I love animals. Maybe one day when I get settled.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why? To the day Jordan broke my heart at the gazebo on Christmas Eve. I’d like to revisit that moment, as painful as it’d be, to try to understand him better. Maybe if I could redo that moment in time, I could save us both a lot of heartache. But all things happen for a reason…