Valentine Vacation, Chapter 7...Roxanne Rustand

Amelia hesitated, debating about whether or not she should walk over to Darrel and Christy's table and wish them good morning. Yesterday, Christy had been distraught over the loss of her ruby engagement ring on the beach.  Now, given the stiff set of Darrel's shoulders and the lines of tension bracketing Christy's mouth, it was clear that anger simmered between them, and they both appeared tired. Had they argued late into the night?  Had the loss of that ring destroyed their future happiness together?  If I could help them somehow I would, Lord.

A hostess appeared at Amelia's elbow and guided her to a table a few feet away from where the young couple was sitting, but they didn't look up as she passed by.  Saddened, Amelia rubbed the gleaming diamond ring she'd left on her right hand for safekeeping.  The irony of the situation made her sigh.  Christy had lost her ring, and yesterday Amelia had found a different one, so  two women were mourning the loss of a precious symbol of the love they shared with someone special.

And now Amelia's own wedding ring was in her back pocket, because she'd finally gained the courage for the symbolic step of taking it off, and she was mourning, too.  She was alone. Where was the fairness in life?  Why hadn't God intervened the night her husband died?  She'd prayed so hard at his bedside, desperately hoping that Andrew would recover. Instead, he'd suffered terribly, and then he'd died.

Wedding rings.  A small, precious stone, a bit of gold.  So  easily lost, one way or another. Yet a ring stood for so much more than mere monetary value.  Love.  Caring. Companionship. The chance to grow old with a beloved man who had held her heart gently in his hand.

"Madam?"  the hostess said.  "Would you rather have a different table?"

Jerking her thoughts back to the present, Amelia blinked.  "I'm sorry.  I just realized that I need to take care of something important, but I'll be back in a few minutes."

Amelia wound through the tables in the cafe and strode to the front desk of the hotel where several staff members were dealing with hotel guests.  She waited until the heavy set brunette, the shift manager, was free. 

"I found something on the beach last evening." Amelia held up her hand.  "I'm sure someone must be desperately looking for it."

"Wow.  That's one amazing solitaire.  Huge." The woman's brow furrowed.  "I haven't received any reports on a lost ring like this one.  A young couple is looking for their ruby ring, though."

"Maybe this one doesn't even belong to a hotel guest.  Perhaps someone was just strolling past along the beach."  Amelia studied the glittering facets.  "The police should be notified, and it would be better off locked up in the hotel safe."

The manager nodded and pulled a form from beneath the counter.  "Fill this out for me, while I call the police."

Amelia completed the form, and handed over the ring when the woman finished her phone call.  "Will you let me know if the owner turns up?" She wrote her cell phone number at the bottom of the form.  "I'd just like to know what happens."

A large, warm hand settled on her shoulder and she turned to find Colin standing behind her. "I called your room and checked the cafe, looking for you.  I thought perhaps you'd decided to back out on today's New Experience."

He was dressed in khaki shorts and a black T-shirt that emphasized his deep tan and muscular build, but it was the twinkle in his bright blue eyes that caught and held her attention.  "What is it?"

The laughlines at the corners of his eyes deepened.  "Go get your swimsuit. I promise--if you are very brave--you'll have an experience that you'll never forget."

           

The twinkle that had charmed her now had her worried.  "But--"

He held up a hand.  "I promise you'll love it, if you're willing to take chances.  If you aren't, you miss out on the best things in life.  Right?  I'll bet there are a lot of things you haven't tried."

Andrew had liked that about her, she thought stubbornly.  She'd always been solid.  Dependable.  Predictable.  He'd been exactly the same, and they'd been happy.  Hadn't they? 

A small, rebellious ember of excitement started to flicker to life, somewhere deep in her heart.

"Are you game?" Colin lifted an eyebrow.

"I...I guess I am." Amelia swallowed back her uncertainty.  "And I've already got my swimsuit on, so lead the way."

His grin widened as he took her hand and headed toward to open archway leading out of the hotel to the beach.  The warmth of his hand sent a dizzying swirl of sensations up her arm that gathered in her chest. 

Sunbathers were already stretched out on the white sugar sand, baking in the Florida sun.  Children romped with each other, building castles and waterways in the sand. People bobbed in the water, laughing.  And farther down the beach to the right she could see a handful of people surfing.

She felt the warmth drain from her face.  "Y-you aren't thinking about surfing.  I mean,  I've never...I couldn't..."

He angled a look at her and squeezed her hand.  "Not there.  Look to the left."

There were brightly colored paddle boats and canoes pulled up along the beach. They looked...safe.  She smiled.

"Nope, look farther down."

A sleek boat dipped and swayed in the surf, with some sort of metal framework on the back. Two men walked back and forth on the deck, busying themselves with rigging of some kind. Disappointment slid through her.  "Fishing?  That will be...nice."

He laughed.  "Not today.   I was just thinking that we're both on a Valentine's vacation, and we should do something so exhilarating that we'll remember it forever."

Far out in the water, she saw a speedboat flying through the waves, and a bright speck of something following it, but so high in the air that she could barely make out what it was.  She stared, as comprehension set in and her knees turned weak.  "Parasailing?  You want to go parasailing?"

He stopped at the water's edge, where the waves rhythmically washed up over their feet, then fell back.  "You can just come and stay in the boat if you like.  Or, you could go up with me--they have a two-man harness."

"I get dizzy on stepladders!"

He look down at her, his dark eyes warm and mesmerizing, and lifted her chin gently with a forefinger.  "It's not what you think.  The first time I tried, I thought it was going to be like a gut-wrenching roller coaster.  I was afraid to open my eyes initially--but when I did, then I didn't want the trip to ever end.  Trust me?"

Trust him?  She didn't really know him.  Yet...that ember of excitement in her heart burned a little brighter, urging her on.  Her children had begged her to take this trip, wanted her to start leaving her sadness behind.  It was time to make changes, and this was the perfect time.

Twenty minutes later she found herself in a web harness, far, far above the sparkling waters of the ocean with Colin next to her.  A sense of peace settled over her as they drifted through the air so smoothly that she felt as if she were floating on a cloud.  Below her, a beautiful panorama of  lush Florida landscape spread far as the eye could see.

Colin reached for her hand and brushed a kiss against it.  "What do you think?" 

She sighed with bliss. "You're right--I wish this would never end." 

Far below, the tiny speedboat turned into a long, sweeping arc that brought them along the curve of the beach.  As it gradually slowed, they began to descend.

She looked down at the hotel and the beachgoers.  "Isn't this wonderful ?  Look at all the--"  her voice caught in her throat.  She blinked, then squinted, trying to focus on a group of people gathering just outside the hotel, her pulse hammering through her wrists.  "Do you see that?  Colin--what's going on?"

Valentine Vacation--Chapter Six by Pamela Tracy

The sound of waves and the smell of the ocean lured Amelia from a sound sleep - the best she'd had in months. Her children had been right. She'd needed to get away. She stretched, enjoying the moment of warmth, the moment of contentment. Then, she stepped from the bed and slipped into a pair of jeans, plus a bra and T-shirt, before heading to the bathroom to brush her hair and teeth.

The back and forth action of brushing her teeth, a simple everyday activity, made her notice the wedding ring still on her finger.

And she missed him all over again.

Rinsing, she looked in the mirror and thought about something the minister had asked her just a short while after Andrew's death. "Would it have been better to have never loved? Then, to have loved and lost?" Not particularly original. That question was the theme of many a book, many a sermon. She'd not answered, back then, but she could answer today. "I loved Andrew. With all my heart. Every day was a gift."

Running the fingers of her left hand through her hair, she smiled at the reflection. Her wedding ring seemed to sparkle. Funny, yesterday it had seemed dull. She held her hand up and smiled at her reflection - taking a mental snapshot. Andrew Jr. and Laura would be proud. The smile stayed in place as she tugged off the wedding ring.

Her finger felt bare and looked decidedly different - especially with the slight pink indentation where the ring had been a symbol of commitment for more than twenty-five year.

Can I really do this?

Just in case the answer was no, Amelia slipped the ring into her back pocket. Then, slipping on her tennis shoes and wrapping herself in a warm sweater, she stepped out on the balcony.

Apparently, Colin wasn't up and about yet. His balcony was empty.

Stop being silly, she chided herself. It was just a dinner. That didn't mean breakfast, too. After a moment, she went back inside, grabbed her purse plus the book she'd been reading, and headed down to the hotel's lobby restaurant for breakfast.

He wasn't there either.

But not everyone in the restaurant was a stranger. Sitting at a table just beyond the hostess stand was the young couple from last night. What were their names? Oh, yes, Darrel and Christy. Darrel was nearly done with his breakfast. Fork in one hand, piece of paper in the other, he was busy saying something to Christy.

She wasn't listening.

And her breakfast was untouched.

Valentine Vacation-Chapter Five by Margaret Daley

"You found the ring?" Christy grinned and cupped Darrel's hand. "He just gave it to me two nights ago. We've been dating for two years."

Colin gestured for Amelia to come over to the couple's table near theirs. "I hope so. Can you describe it?" He took hold of her hand and hid the ring from the young couple's view.

"Oh, it's the most beautiful ring in the world. It's Darrel's grandmother's engagement ring. She was born in July. The birthstone for July is a ruby. The center of ring is a large ruby with diamonds around it. Is that the one you found?"

The expectant look on the young woman's face broke Amelia's heart. She wished she could say yes and give it back to her. Slipping her hand from Colin's, she showed Christy the ring they found--a large solitaire diamond. Disappointment marked both of their expressions.

"That isn't it. It's beautiful but hopefully someone will find my engagement ring." Christy's eyes misted with tears.

Amelia remembered when Andrew had given her engagement ring to her and how she had floated around for weeks. He had saved for it for months and was so proud of it. She fingered her wedding ring with the small solitaire diamond in a matching band. "I'm so sorry this one isn't yours. Keep looking. I'll pray that you find yours."

As Amelia and Colin made their way back to their table, the waiter approached, and Colin ordered two pieces of key lime pie. "They have the best pie in town here. A local specialty."

"Hmm. I've never had key lime pie. I'm game to try something new. My children insisted on me doing something new every day on this vacation."

"Maybe I can help you with that tomorrow. I have a feeling you've never done what I have in mind."

"What?"

"My lips are sealed. You'll have to wait until tomorrow morning to find out."

When he said the word, lips, Amelia's gaze riveted to his mouth--full, with a dimple to the left of it when he smiled. She blinked and pulled her attention away from him. It landed on the young couple, the man comforting the crying woman.

"Do you think we can find the real owner of this ring?" She lifted her right hand and stared at the lost engagement ring. Some woman out there was missing it tonight.

Chapter Four by Leann Harris

The open dining area on the beach came off the main restaurant from the hotel. Colin held out the chair for Amelia then took the chair beside her. The breeze smell of the ocean and softly caressed Amelia’s face.

“Look at that moon,” Colin said. “It’s almost so close you could touch it.”

Amelia felt like she was in a beautiful dream with a handsome man laughing with her. “It looks so much bigger over the water.”

“You’re a romantic,” Colin teased.

Her heart light, Amelia realized that she was enjoying herself. There was an instant of guilt, but she knew she’d loved her husband with all her heart. And now her heart and spirit were attracted to this man who knew the same kind of grief. “Andrew used to say I had a streak of romance in me a mile wide. I just haven’t seen it in a long time.” She toyed with her water glass.

Colin placed his hand over hers. He didn’t say anything, but she saw in his eyes he understood her sorrow and the new world that was unfolding. “You’ve got a great smile.”

“You don’t have a bad one yourself."

He laughed. “It’s been a while since anyone told me that.”

“Then we can start smiling together,” Amelia added.

“You’ve got yourself a deal.”

The waiter came and took their order. As Colin told her about his woodworking business, and how he’d turned his hobby into a thriving business of unique pieces of furniture for homes throughout North and South Caroline, Amelia found herself enchanted by the man. He asked about her family and she told him of her children and their adventures. He told her about his son.

As they were finishing their steaks and lobsters, a young couple walked up to the restaurant from the beach. “I so sorry, Darrel. I’ve looked in my beach tote and couldn’t find the ring. “

Darrel wrapped her in his arms. “I know, Christy. I shouldn’t have suggested you take off the engagement ring. I was afraid you might lose it in the waves.”
Christy cried harder. “It was your grandmother’s.”

Amelia looked at Colin.

He stood and walked over to the couple. “Excuse me. I couldn’t help but overhear. Could you describe the ring to me?”

“Why?” Christy asked.

“Because I think God might have sent an answer to your prayers.”

Season of Dreams Interview

How exciting to have Eva Marsh, the heroine(please delete unused pronoun) from Jenna Mindel’s Season of Dreams a February 2011 release from Love Inspired Romance .

1. (Eva), tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I grew up on a working cherry farm in Leelanau County Michigan.

2. What do you do for fun?
I love to bake and I tend to put dried cherries in just about every recipe. I also love to drive
my ATV on two tracks and back roads. It’s plain ‘ole get dirty fun.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
My finances. Seems like I’m always spending more than I bring in. But that’ll change once
I get my bed and breakfast up and running. Right now, I’m renovating my childhood
home to become a B&B.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?
Getting hurt. I experienced an abusive relationship and it really tarnished
my trust sensors. It’s not easy for me to trust men.

5. What do you want out of life?
Security. With my family spread all over, my relationship fears, and my dream of opening
a bed and breakfast, I’m hoping for stability and security. Truly, the only safe and secure
thing in life is a strong relationship with God. As long as I have that, I can face the other
stuff. Not always easy, but true.

6. What is the most important thing to you?
My relationship with God. Although I blamed Him too long for mistakes I made.
But I’m back on track and don’t ever want to give away my faith again.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
Cookbooks, of course. Specifically pastry and breakfast recipes.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
My height. I’m only 5’2 – the runt in the family. I take after my mom, who is also short.
My two older brothers got all the tall-genes in the family.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
No, not at this time. But I’m hoping to pick out a dog sometime in the near future.
A rescue that deserves a second chance. Since in many ways, I feel like God has given me several second chances.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
Hmmmmm, that’s a tough one, but I think I’m an old-fashioned kind of girl who’d do
well in the 1950’s when everything seemed safe and sweet with ice cream parlors and
drive-in burger joints.

Thank you Jenna for sharing Eva with us today.

Our Serial Will Continue on Monday! STAY TUNED. In the meantime, FEATURED BOOK: SEASONS OF DREAMS BY JENNA MINDEL

Longing for a simpler life, wealthy businessman Adam Peece buys a cherry orchard in Michigan. Problem is, he has no idea how to run it! So he asks Eva Marsh to teach him the ropes. Cherries are in Eva's blood. Her family owned the orchard for generations before selling it to Adam. But she doesn't trust people easily, especially tall, dark and handsome city slickers. However, one look into Adam's caring eyes convinces her to give the city boy a chance. Could their working relationship blossom into love before season's end?

Valentine Vacation--Chapter Three--Missy Tippens

Valentine Vacation--Chapter Three

By Missy Tippens

Amelia stood at the end of the boardwalk waiting for her “date.” Her boldness had morphed into anxiety. She’d never been so nervous in her entire life. Not even on her wedding day. Would her children be proud that she was meeting a man—a stranger—to walk on the beach? Or would they think she’d really lost it this time?

She smoothed a hand over her skirt. Tugged at her sweater. Finger combed her wind-tossed hair. Maybe she should—

“Amelia.” His voice carried on the wind, strong and sure. It helped calm her raging nerves as he approached.

“Hi, Colin.” The strength of her own voice surprised her.

He held out his hand. “Shall we?”

The gesture held promise of more than a mere invitation for a walk, and for a moment, she hesitated. Was she ready for this? “You know, I can’t help but wonder if God’s giving me an opportunity to move on with a new phase of my life.”

His blue eyes sparkled in the sun with humor…and warmth. “I think so. God definitely led me here.” His hand remained suspended, waiting for her to take it. He nodded, indicating she should grab on. But then she noticed his wedding ring. And thought of hers, still securely in place on her left ring finger.

Gnawing on the inside of her cheek, she could almost hear her children’s voices, fussing at her, nudging . So she took the leap—took his hand and let him lead her into the powdery white sand.

As they walked, they talked. About life back home, about their families. By the time they reached the pier a mile or so down the beach and turned around to head back to the hotel, she felt as if they’d been friends for ages.

When they reached the boardwalk, and neither of them seemed inclined to end the date, he said, “How about sitting for a while? Then maybe join me for dinner?”

Something flashed in the sand, drawing her attention away. “What’s that?”

He gave her a crooked smile. “You know, you can just tell me no, if you don’t care to join me.”

“I’m serious.” She stepped off the path and carefully picked her way between the sea oats. “It looks almost like a…no, it couldn’t be.”

He came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, stopping her. “Careful. There are also briers. Show me where it is.”

His warm hands on her shoulders, his sturdy chest behind her, and his fresh, spicy scent all drew her, making her lean into him. It had been so long since she’d craved a man’s strength like she craved his now. She couldn’t even answer him.

“Do you still see it?” His breath ticked the hair on the back of her neck.

Forcing some starch back into her spine, she leaned forward, away from him. “Right there. A ring.”

He dodged the plants and reached down to pick it up. “Well, whaday know? It is a ring.”

She gazed into his hand. “It’s a diamond solitaire. And a valuable one at that.”

“Yeah, you better appreciate it. I went to a lot of trouble to plan this surprise engagement.”

Her eyes snapped to his face. When he laughed, she let her breath out on a rush of air. “Oh, good. For a second there, I was afraid you were crazy.”

Still chuckling at her reaction, he took her right hand, placed the ring on her ring finger, for safekeeping, he said. Then he helped her out of the dunes. “Come on. Let’s have dinner together and figure out how we’re going to locate the owner of this ring.”

Her heart thrilled at the idea of dinner together. And at the fact he was honest, wanting to do the right thing. The extremely large diamond on her finger flashed in the sun, winking at her. “I can’t think of any way I’d rather spend my evening.”

VALENTINE VACATION - Chapter Two by Lisa Mondello

Amelia could hardly hide her surprise. What was it about losing a partner that made you suddenly feel like you were the only one in the world who was alone. It was one of the reasons she hadn't wanted to come to this Florida paradise, even when her children insisted. Who wanted to be reminded that they were alone, especially at a time of year that was meant to celebrate love?

What started out as an awkward moment suddenly felt freeing and made Amelia a little bolder than she normally would be.

"You lost your wife...girlfriend?"

He nodded, a hint of sadness colored blue eyes so bright they rivaled the sun sparkling off the Gulf's waters. "Wife. It's be about 18 months now."

"Two years for me. I'm sorry for your loss."

He gave her a crooked smile. "Don't you hate the standard sympathy line? I know people mean well. But after a while it makes me feel like damaged goods."

"How so?" she asked, surprised at his response.

"Most people don't know what to say directly after they've given their condolences. The conversation gets awkward and then they head for the door. I end up eating Chinese Food alone, going to the movies alone and not getting asked out to social functions unless someone knows a "nice" girl who recently became single."

"Ah." She'd experienced that exact thing herself and had to laugh. "You're right. People mean well, but they don't understand."

"No, they don't. But you do."

His eyes were warm and invited her to open up to him. "Yes, I do."

The man reached his arm over the railing and the pot filled with bright colored flowers to decorate their balcony. "My name is Colin."

His hand was rough, as if he worked with his hands for a living, and it was much bigger than hers. As he gave it a gentle squeeze, a slight shiver ran through her. It had been a long time since she'd noticed anything about a man other than Andrew.

She pushed her hair out of her eyes with her other hand and said, "I'm Amelia. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise. Say, I've been up and down this beach all by myself and I have to say..."

"It's beautiful?" she finished when he stopped.

"Not nearly as enjoyable as it could be. In fact, it was downright depressing. How about we walk the beach and see if we can carry this conversation further than the standard line?"

Amelia had to admit that while she didn't dread walking the beach alone, the idea of it hadn't held as much appeal as sharing the experience with someone. Maybe this Valentine's vacation wouldn't be so bad after all. "I'd love to, Colin. By the way, I like Chinese food, too."

Valentine Vacation--Chapter One--Lenora Worth

A Valentine Vacation—Chapter One—Lenora Worth


A crisp February wind blew over the ocean, sending Amelia Hart’s auburn hair flying out around her face. Amelia didn’t mind the cool wind. The ocean breeze felt good on her skin.

She was finally here, standing on a balcony in Florida, staring out at the Gulf of Mexico. Andrew had always promised her they’d take a trip to Florida and walk along the white sand together. But Andrew was gone and she was alone.

Was it a mistake to come here only two years after he’d died in a car accident? Her children had been adamant.

“Mom, you need a break,” twenty-year old Laura had told her.

“She’s right. Just accept this as our gift and go on the trip, please,” her brother Andrew, Jr. had insisted.

Had she become such a downer even her own children didn’t want her around?

“Well, no more of that,” she said into the wind, the feel of the sun on her face making her giggle. “I promised you, Andrew. I promised you I’d come here … and have a good time.”

She hoped she could live up to that promise.

“That Andrew is one lucky man.”

Startled, Amelia glanced over at the balcony next to hers and saw a dark-haired, pretty-eyed man grinning at her.

“He was a lucky man. And I was blessed to have him.”

The man leaned over the white iron railing. “But now?”

Amelia felt a sense of daring overcome her. “But now, he’s in heaven and I’m … I’m here for what my kids call a Valentine Vacation.”

The man stepped closer. “What a coincidence. I’m here for the very same thing.”

Brrrrrr!

11:40 pm:  Today is my day to post, and I'm coming in just under the wire.  What a day it has been!  I finished and sent off a book manuscript this morning, while keeping an eye on our serious weather reports.  We are in the midst of a blizzard, with winds up to 50 mph and what looks like around sixteen inches of snow so far--though lots more is coming.  My husband and I cleaned the horse barn, brought the horses in early and bedded them down--with extra blankets for the old guy is a grand old thirty-five years old.  He looks like Methuselah,  and if horses can look happy, he sure did, once he was snuggled into his jammies!  Listening to the wind howl as I type this, I know our  gravel country road will be drifted impossibly high, and we won't be going anywhere until the county plow comes through..possibly  for days.  I'm so happy that I have lots of good books to read (especially the newest Love Inspired novels!!) and a nice warm fireplace.

I hope you all are warm and cozy tonight, wherever you are.  And if you are some sunny place  instead of in this massive Midwestern blizzard,  enjoy! 

FYI- Our own Janet Tronstad & a Prize

Our own Janet Tronstad is the guest on my blog today. She's announcing a special event on eharlequin.com for February, THE LOST VALENTINE CHALLENGE. Drop by and read all about it. If you're interested in a $25 Barnes & Noble gift certificate!

4 Stars and New Book!

Hello from Lisa Mondello. I'm really excited to tell you that In a Doctor's Arms, my March 2011 Love Inspired Romance, received a 4 Star review from Romantic Times. The review itself won't be available online until March, so check back for that later. In the meantime, you can read an excerpt of In a Doctor's Arms at Amazon.com or a eHarlequin.com starting tomorrow. The book is available Feb 1st at eHarlequin and available everywhere else starting Feb 15!

Until next time, many blessings, Lisa Mondello

Some Days are Gold

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of picking Margaret Daley up from the airport and tooling her around town (along with CWOW president Ann Lee Miller).

We had a blast! After we left the airport, we went to the Arizona Historical Society Museum. We walked around absorbing Arizona's past. My favorite part was the Sandra Day O'Conner collection. Margaret, what did you enjoy the most?

After that, we headed for lunch with Steve Laube, agent extraordinairre.

Then, we went to a bookstore (come on, where do you think authors really wanna be?)

After that, many of the ladies of CWOW (Christian Writers of the West) got together for a nice meal and just talked. What a perfect day!

Speaking of the bookclubs!!!!

Valerie Hansen checking in - for the last time, I'm sorry to say.

I'm not going to kick the bucket or anything dire like that, I've just decided I'd be better off to leave the blogging to those who are more chatty and concentrate on writing fiction.

I recently received a contract for multiple books and while I'm working on those my brain pretty much refuses to do anything else - at least not well!

Speaking of bookclubs - which Missy did a few days ago - my latest LI Historical, RESCUING THE HEIRESS, was left out of the monthly bookclub shipment along with half the titles from Jan. and ALL the other Feb. releases. Marketing explained that they were just doing it to help make the change from 2 titles per month to 4 per month but those of us who happened to land in Feb. sure slipped through the cracks. It's still possible to order that book, of course, as well as the others that you missed, so please consider it. Please, please, please, not that I'd ever stoop to actually begging.

In closing, I'll leave you with this thought and my best wishes. My life has certainly been blessed by being a part of yours through my writing and through this blog.

Many future blessings,

Val

Don't Miss a Single Book!

Missy Tippens, here. How many of you know about the Love Inspired book club? It's also called the Reader Service. You can actually sign up to receive all the Love Inspired books in a line (Romance, Suspense or Historical) every single month. You won't miss a single book! And you also get them about 2 months before they're available on the shelf.

Another advantage is that they're discounted. Oh, and it's very convenient to have them delivered right to your home.

So check it out!  http://www.readerservice.com/

I'd love to know if you've ever subscribed to the book club. What are your thoughts on subscribing?

***************
Missy's next Love Inspired, A Family for Faith, is available for pre-order now!
Order on Amazon (click here)
Order on B&N (click here)

Back cover:

When Faith Hagin sees widower cop Gabe Reynolds every day in her coffee shop, she can’t help but feel for the struggling single dad. She’s raised a teenager of her own—and sadly, knows what not to do. But thanks to his matchmaking preteen daughter, Chelsea, the whole town’s praying for Gabe to find a wife!

Even though Faith thinks she’s content being just friends, spending time with him and Chelsea starts to feel like a fresh start at having a family. And their love may be the answer to everyone’s prayers.

ANNIVERSARY AND A NEW BOOK!

My son and daughter-in-law have a wedding anniversary today. I have a different kind of anniversary on January 31. That’s the date in 2000 I received “the call” from the editorial staff at Harlequin (owner of Love Inspired) offering to buy my first book. I can hardly believe it’s been eleven years and quite a few sales since that exhilarating moment. In all this time, I have been blessed to work with the same amazing editor who made that call-Allison Lyons. Maybe I should send her a cyber bouquet!

My mother was an avid romance reader, too, and I was sad she didn’t live to see her daughter write a book. But when “the call” finally came, I wondered if maybe somehow she knew. After all, January 31 was her birthday. (Love you, Mom!!)

On March 1, A Place To Belong continues the “Redemption River” series. Hope you’ll keep an eye out!



RSS-What does that mean?

Today I posted a new topic on my new blog on my website home page at http://www.booksbylyncote.com.

Do you know what this orange button with what looks like sound waves is? If not, drop by my blog and read the explanation. There will be a test!

In fact if you leave a comment (with email address using at and dot) on my blog, telling me whether this is new to you or not--I'll enter you into a drawing for an autographed copy of one of my books! You can't beat that, can you?

Confessions of a Spaced-out Writer

Janet Tronstad here and I'm ready to confess. I am at my parent's home for a few months in Montana and deep into writing a book. We have two phones in the house. My parent's line (they are gone and no one calls that number but telemarketers) and the line I have in the back bedroom I use (which is a cordless). Anyway, I decided to take a break and call my sister who lives very close to them. So I go out to stand by the fireplace and dial her number. When I do so, my parent's phone rings and I hang-up so I can go answer their phone in case it's not a telemarketer. When I get to the phone, there is no one there. I do this three times, getting increasingly frustrated with the telemarketer and muttering to myself about them -- until I realize I've been dialing the wrong number and I am the one tormenting me!! My only excuse is that when I'm really deep into a book, my brain doesn't work the same. I've talked to other writers who don't function so well in the outer world when they are deep in the world of their book. One of my writer friends says she tries not to even drive when she's close to the end of a book because her mind is just not too aware. I know this kind of absorption in something isn't only true when writing a book. Is there something you do that makes you a little spacey because you're so involved in it in your mind? Please tell me there is and that I'm not alone!

His Country Girl Interview

Tucker Granger, from His Country Girl a January 2011 release by Jillian Hart.
　
1. Tucker, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I'm recovering from being trampled by a bucking bronco. I've made a name for myself on the rodeo circuit, but now I'm mostly glad I'm up and walking with a cane. It was touch and go for awhile there, and I gave my dad quite a scare. My dad, Frank Granger, is a good man, and I don't want to give him more grief. That's why I've moved home to Wyoming to recuperate. Will I head back to riding broncs and bulls for a living? Well, I'm not sure about that just yet.

2. What do you do for fun?
When I'm not on the back of a bronc, I like to spend my time with my best buddy, Jack. Jack's my horse. Lately I've been hanging out with little Owen Baker, I was his charity wish when he was in the hospital for heart surgery. I'm teaching him to mutton bust, that's riding sheep. His mom is named Sierra. Don't tell anyone this, but I've had a crush on her for as long as I can remember.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
Being serious. I like to avoid those mushy talks families have that involve a lot of feelings and end in "I love you." Which is probably why I'm still a bachelor.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?
Disappointing the people I love, mostly my dad, and I miss him. I've spent a lot of time away from home competing, partly because I like doing it but also because it helps me keep distance from those serious issues I don't like to face.

5. What do you want out of life?
I used to think it was to stay carefree and unattached, to let nothing and no one tie me down. But spending time with Sierra has changed all that. I'm falling in love and I can see a different future with marriage and putting down roots that last.

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, cowboy and rodeo tales, suspense and mystery. I read a lot when I'm on the road. Jack likes me to read aloud to him. He enjoys mysteries the best.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
That I dealt with my issues long ago and married Sierra when I had the chance.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
I'm not sure Jack qualifies as a pet. In his opinion, he's far too important to be just a pet. So out of respect to him, I'll have to pick another animal. Buttercup is my family's pet cow. She's one sweet talking heifer. She's got me wrapped around her hoof. What a cutie.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I used to think I would go back to the point in time right before I got trampled by that bucking bronco so I could land on the other side of the horse and avoid dying on the arena floor for almost three minutes. But now I see that moment changed my life. I never would have been home to reconnect with Sierra or to come to love her son. I guess that means I would stay right where I am since my present is and my future looks like everything I could want.

One blessed commenter will recieve a book. Please leave an email address for Jillian to contact you.

Jillian grew up on her family's homestead in Washington state, where she raised cattle to pay for her college tuition, rode horses through the pristine foothills of the Cascade Mountain range and scribbled stories in her spare time. After earning an English degree from Whitman College (what better way to go through college than to constantly read books?), she traveled, worked in advertising, taught Sunday school and volunteered before becoming a writer. When she's not hard at work on her next story, Jill can be found chatting with a friend, stopping for a café mocha with a book in hand and spending evenings at home with her family.

FEATURED BOOK: HIS COUNTRY GIRL BY JILLIAN HART

To fulfill a sick boy's wish, rodeo star Tucker Granger surprises little Owen in the hospital. But no one is more surprised than single mother Sierra Baker. She figures the carefree champion for a different kind of man. One who doesn't spend hours talking "cowboy code" with a hospital-bound child. One who can't have her dreaming of a second chance at love. Somehow, Tucker ropes her heart and fills it with hope. Hope that this country girl and her son can lasso the roaming bronc rider into their family forever.

Montana Match Interview

How exciting to have Parker Watson the hero from Montana Match written by Merrillee Whren a January 2012 release from Love Inspired Romance.

1. Parker Watson, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

I like to invent stuff. My current project involves turning the waste from my ranch into

fuel. It’s a work in progress. I’ve been studying some of the methods used by other people

and trying to make something that will operate on my ranch.

2. What do you do for fun?

I love to snow ski, but I don’t do it very often because my work keeps me too busy. At

home, I like to watch movies with my girls.

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

I dread leaving the ranch and going into town because the people there don’t like me much.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

I’m most afraid of confronting the people who believed the worst about me when I was

falsely accused of misconduct with one of my students.

5. What is the most important thing to you?

The most important thing to me is giving my girls the best life possible. They mean

everything to me. They keep me going, even when life doesn’t seem fair.

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

Most of the books I read are non-fiction. I work as a medical writer, and I do a lot of scientific

research for my work and my inventions. I don’t do much pleasure reading.

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

I would learn how to better deal with the people who hurt me. I don’t know what to say to

them anymore.

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

I don’t have a pet myself, but there are lots of animals on the ranch. I recently gave our nanny

a dog for her birthday. It was my girls’ idea, and I thought it would be a great gift since she

has always wanted a dog of her own.

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

Sometimes, I wish I could go back to the time when my life was simple and I was a respected

teacher in my community rather than an outcast. But then, my girls, Rose and Jasmine,

wouldn’t be a part of my life. There is no going back, so I have to accept the way things are.

Inspiration by Leann Harris

I like to have a inspirational book to read, with daily devotions. I am reading INSPIRATION FOR GIRLFRIENDS by Ellen Miller. These last few day, Ellen has been talking about cocooning. In other words, spending a few days away from your busy life and read, pray, calm your spirit so you can hear God. (She took a month.)

That hit me hard. I knew she was talking to me. I need to spend several days just being quiet and talking to God. When we quiet our spirit, then we can hear. Remember when Elijah was running from Jezebel and complained he'd been zealous for God and look what happened. The Lord told Elijah to stand on the mountain because the Lord would pass by. God wasn't in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in the gentle whisper afterward. How can we hear if we're filled with all sorts of noise?

We can't all take a long week or month as Ellen, but each of us can come aside, be quiet before God and hear His voice. This retreat isn't a daily thing, but maybe a once a year thing to practice. Think about it.

Leigh Bale's First Blog

This is my first blog. Yes, it is The First. So here goes….

My daughter recently got engaged. We’re planning a June wedding. In spite of my husband’s encouragement not to panic, I have a lot on my mind.

Like other moms, I could remember every story I had read to my daughter, every box of macaroni and cheese I'd prepared ad nauseam when she was so sick with chemotherapy (because that's all I could get her to eat). Fighting over practicing the piano. Untying Mrs. Beasley after my daughter’s Elder Brother had tied and gagged the doll. Trying to teach my daughter to clean her room and do chores so she grew up with a good work ethic. (I say "trying" because admittedly tidiness is not my daughter's strong suit, although she does work hard.) Teaching her to love God, family and country. (She got all of that, thank goodness.)

But as I raised this sweet little girl into womanhood, something annoying happened. Other than our family and religion, we had very little in common. Our taste in clothing is completely opposite. Our choice in her friends differs substantially. Our ideas on how things should be done sits on two complete ends of the spectrum.

Enter the wedding planning stage. In spite of the grand hopes and dreams I know my girl has for her special day, my husband and I gave her a reasonable budget we can afford. Gasp! But other things haven't been so hard. I learned we aren't so different after all. This epiphany came to me when I went into the floral shop yesterday where my daughter has already chosen the flowers she wants for her bridal bouquet. Blue Dendrobium orchids, white roses and white lilies. (Her colors are periwinkle and a light turquoise and I thought they’d be horrible together.) But then I saw the orchids. They are stunning! And seeing what she had chosen made me cry. Because they were beautiful like her. I looked at the person I had raised to be a good, loving woman and realized I had succeeded. And that was the greatest compliment she could ever pay me. Nothing could be greater than that, except my unconditional love for her.

That said, I have a new series coming out soon with the first book titled THE FOREST RANGER'S PROMISE available May 2011 and the second book titled THE FOREST RANGER'S HUSBAND available November 2011. I think you can guess what the series is about. For more information, check out my website at www.LeighBale.com Enjoy! :)

P is for Priorities

Betsy here...

I had a wake up call this past week! Last Tuesday I went to the dermotologist for the first time since I was a small child, because of three reasons - one, a tiny skin tag under my eye I was vain about, two, because of a moley-freckle thing on my leg I thought might need to be checked out, and third, we finally had insurance through my husband's new job to allow me to do all this cheaply.

The doctor agreed the mole needed to be removed though he didn't suspect anything "bad'. He zapped the skin tag from under my eye (which burned, FYI! maybe not worth it! ha!) and sent the mole for a biopsy. Said he'd let me know if anything came from it but if I never heard from him throughout the next week, to consider no news as good news. Easy enough. I went about my way.

Until Friday morning when he called me and said the biopsy results came back as melanoma. Granted, it was the earliest stages possible, and was surface level only and hadn't spread, but he needed to go back as a precaution and cut a bigger area off. I heartily agreed we couldn't be too careful.

I was a wreck all weekend. Kept thinking what if he was wrong, what if he had spread, what if it was consuming me right now...it changed my thinking. We always think "that won't happen to me" but this time it did. And in God's mercy, it was the mildest of wake up calls. I'd already committed to avoid tanning beds in the future before this incident, but oh honey, let me tell you how convinced I am of that now! I will happily embrace my pasty-whiteness from now on, I can assure you...

So today I had to go back for my incision. The 2-3 stitches turned out to be 4 under the skin and 7 on top. I'm writing this now on my laptop (Tuesday night) and the area is starting to burn and get uncomfortable. But I can't help praising God for the pain, because this was such a blessing. What if we hadn't gotten insurance and I hadn't gone to check it out? What if I'd blown off my appointment as I almost did that morning becaues of the hassle of missing work to go? What if.....

Thankfully, I don't have to wonder anymore because I know I'm securely in God's hands. Not every story turns out this well but I can assure you that every time I see the scar that will surely remain forever on my thigh, I will be grateful that this time, God used a feather to get my attention and not a 2 x 4.

Another silver lining is that I'm suddenly an example to my friends. I've had at least 5 people since last Friday tell me I have convinced them to either stop tanning or go to the dermotologist themselves to check out a suspicious spot. I hope my example can help save a life. I'm just so fortunate God is choosing to use me without making this a bigger ordeal than it was.

What are you dealing with today that has changed your priorities? What new developments, good or bad, are you handling this week that could give you a better mindset toward your life, your writing, your family, etc. ? How can you find the silver lining?

For Parents Only

Terri Reed here. I'm in the midst of raising two teenagers. For the older one, we're on the college track. Sifting through the various programs and locations and all the other variables that go into the desicion. For the younger one, we're closing out the elementary years and leaping into high school. (I say leaping because kid is waaaaay excited about the move to the different school.) A couple of years ago I found this great little book that helps to navigate these tuberulant waters and have since reread it several times.

For Parents Only by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa A. Rice. http://www.shaunti.com/BooksStudies/ForParentsOnly/tabid/139/Default.aspx

I've recommended it to all my friends and thought someone out there might need to read this book. The authors interviewed over a 1000 teens of various backgrounds and genders and they share the results with you.
This book has helped me to understand my kids and helped me to be a better parent.

Also look for my latest release ON SALE NOW

Your Horoscope: NOT

Pamela Tracy here, and no, I'm don't read my horoscope and I'm not convinced that just because I'm Libra, I am easy to get along with. Still, a news story at the New Year did pique my interest. The zodiac has changed.

How does that affect me? Not at all. Still, when I meet newpeople, and they ask me my sign (I usually give them the peace sign) I'll have to think and say, "Either Libra or Virgo, not sure."

It should make for good conversation. Either way, I'm happy because whichever sign I choose, I know how to spell it. The new sign, Ophiuchus, isn't so phonetic.

I guess the reason I'm thinking about it is because of a writers' talk I went to last year on characterization. The speaker used the zodiac to help model her characters' journey. I actually liked the method. See, if I make my heroine patterned after libra traits, then I have an easy-going heroine who is a bit vain, who is very social, and who avoids arguments. I don't need to look a the signs (unless I'm blocked) for my hero. I make him moody, a jeans-and-Tshirt type, who is a loner and who has somewhat of a temper.

Oh, ack, I just described my husband!

So, did you even know about the change? Whatya think?

NEW ZODIAC SIGN CHART
Capricorn January 20- to February 16

Aquarius February 16 to March 11

Pisces March 11 to April 18.

Aries April 18 to May 13

Taurus May 13 to June 21.

Gemini June 21 to July 20

Cancer July 20 to August 10

Leo August 10 to September 16

Virgo September 16 to October 30

Libra October 30 to November 23

Scorpio November 23 to November 29

Ophiuchus November 29 to December 17

Sagittarius December 17 to January 20

The Rancher's Reunion Interview

How exciting to have Will Sullivan the hero from The Rancher’s Reunion, by Tina Radcliffe, a January 2011 release from Love Inspired Romance.

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

Interesting? I’m not exactly sure there’s anything about me that’s all that interesting. I run Sullivan Ranch, which is now online at http://www.thesullivanranch.com/
and this is our first year doing business as sort of a Christian dude ranch with KidCare.

2. What do you do for fun?
Mostly give Ryan Jones a hard time. I’ve been known to ride the roller coaster at Frontier City, in OKC with Annie Harris. Oh, and I’m partial to eating Killer Oatmeal cookies.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
I’d like to skip this question because it’s sure to get me in trouble and to tell you the truth I’ve stepped in so many cow pies lately I’m pretty much a cow pie magnet.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?
A life without Annie.

5. What do you want out of life?
I want Sullivan Ranch to prosper, Annie Harris by my side, Rose O’Shea in the kitchen and good friends on the front porch sharing lemonade.

6. What is the most important thing to you?
Family. Family is everything and it doesn’t matter if it’s your biological family or the rag-tag family the good Lord put in your life. Family comes first.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
Does the tractor manual count?

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Maybe I’d be a little less controlling and stubborn. Maybe.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
A horse is a cowboy’s best friend and Okie is my horse.

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

Why would I want to do that? I can’t see the past as a way to the future. I concentrate on today and turning things over to God, day by day, moment by moment.

Tina Radcliffe has been dreaming and scribbling for years. Originally from Western, N.Y., she left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency stationed in Augsburg, Germany and ended up in Tulsa Oklahoma. While living in Tulsa she spent ten years as a Certified Oncology R.N. A former library cataloger, she now works for a large mail order pharmacy. Tina currently resides in the foothills of Colorado where she writes heart warming romance. You can reach her at http://www.tinaradcliffe.com

Tina will be giving away a copy of her debut release from Love Inspired, The Rancher’s Reunion to one commenter. Please leave an email address for Tina to contact you.

FEATURED BOOK: THE RANCHER'S REUNION BY TINA RADCLIFF

Will Sullivan's reason for refusing marriage is his biggest secret. To Will, it's part of his legacy, like the family's ranch. But then the woman he has secretly loved since childhood returns home after two years. Abandoned as a child the way he was, Annie Harris understands him. But she doesn't know the real reason keeping him a bachelor. A missionary nurse, Annie is planning to leave soon. Especially when a senseless scandal involving her threatens the ranch—and Will's future. But can he trust in rekindled love to see that Annie just might be his future?

The Weather

This is Merrillee, who is trying to stay warm. Why is the weather a favorite topic of conversation? Maybe it is because the weather affects our lives in so many ways. If it is raining, a trip to the beach, the planned picnic or the scheduled tennis match will probably be called off. So we are always checking the weather to see how it will affect our plans.

Recently, the weather has been in the news a lot. In Australia they are having horrendous floods that have taken many lives. Here in the United States the reports of unseasonable tornadoes and big snowstorms, which have canceled many airline flights, have dominated the weather news. Right now there is snow in forty-nine of the fifty states. I happen to live in the only state with no snow, Florida, but that doesn't mean we've been spared some weather woes. The temperatures here in the past few days have been twenty degrees below normal.

The photo below shows the fountain in my yard filled with ice.



The following photos show a number of the plants in my yard that have died above the ground. Hopefully, they will come back from the roots.


Above, you see my poor hydrangea.


This photo shows what is left of my hibiscus.


This is the typical state of the oleanders in my yard.


And finally, these are a few of the potted plants I have dragged inside. These will go back outside at my front door as soon as the night time temperatures are above thirty-five. I have found a place for a few of my tropical plants inside the house until spring comes. However, many of my tropical plants have found a winter time home in my garage this year. I'm ready for hot and humid.

What about you? How has the weather affected you lately?

Grandkids

Patricia Davids, here. My daughter and my granddaughter stopped in today. It's always a treat to see them. Fortunately they don't live far away and I see fairly often. As my granddaughter was showing me her "best Christmas gift ever!" I thought, little girl, you don't know the half of it. Grandkids are truly the best gift ever.

Those of you who have them know exactly what I mean. Those of you who are young parents have an inkling, but you can't appreciate the power of the word, grandchild. Not yet. Hopefully, you will one day.

I've got two grandchildren. They are seven years apart in age and while they don't always agree with each other, they do love each other. I pray they stay the best of friends.

I love my daughter but it wasn't until I held my grandson that I discovered this very special, sweet bond could exist. What an eyeopening experience. What a wonderful reward for not strangling my own kid when she was a mouthy teenager bent on making my life...well, difficult. I wasn't the best wife or the best mother. I'm not ashamed to admit it. I gave it everything I had. I'm still married to the same guy and my daughter speaks to me so I must not have done too badly, but let me tell you being a grandmother has been my best job.

Do you know how I can tell? Well, for one, my seventeen-year-old grandson cooked a log roll cake for Christmas dinner. By himself. When I said I was surprised by his cooking skill, he looked at me with a big smile and said, "I learned it from you. From all the times you pulled a stool up beside the stove and let me help you cook when I was little."

Ha! I thought I was the one having fun. Yup, grandkids are the greatest gift. Tell me about your grandkids if you have them. What are they like? If you don't have grandchildren, what are some of your happy memories with your grandmother?

The Usual Topic

Hi, this is Margaret Daley, popping in to say hello and happy New Year. I am frantically working to reach one of my goals I have set for myself.

The usual topic for January are New Year resolutions. Did you make one? If so, have you stuck with it? If you didn't, why not? So did you make one? What was it? Have you kept the resolution?

I didn't make a resolution. I haven't for years. Probably because I set goals for myself all the time. To me that is what a resolution is. When I write I have a word count goal for the week. I strive to make that goal so that I make the goal of turning my book in on time. Personally I think resolutions have gotten a bad rap. So instead of setting a resolution in January, look at setting goals through the year. Realistic goals. Ones you think you can make. You will feel so much better.

Sometimes words are hard to find--Lenora Worth

This is my fourth blog in the last two weeks. I'd like to post something pithy and profound but all I can think about today is the horrible tragedy in Arizona. A Congress woman has been shot and six others have died. When such events happen, it tends to paralyze us. The news is constant and always updating. If we sit and watch, we have to relive this tragedy over and over. I can't imagine how the family members must feel.

But in times such as this, writers need to remember that our words can help people escape for a little while. Sometimes, we might think what we do is frivilous but our stories have a place, even in times of national tragedy. We saw this with the horrors of 9/11. I remember a lot of us in the tight-knit writing community found it hard to get back to our stories. What was the point?

The point of course is that we have to keep moving. We have to continue with our work, great or small. Because if we give into the pain, then the bad guys win. We can't let them win. Our job is to give our readers a means to get away from all the ugliest in the world for just a little while. Right now, words are hard to find. How can we express our pain, our sympathy and our sadness. It's not easy. But we all get those letters that tell us what we do matters. Our readers depend on us to deliver our stories. And that has to be the focus during these times of sadness and disbelief. My heart goes out to all those who lost loved ones in this tragedy. And we will not forget. As much as we believe in happy endings, we know that is not alway the case in real life. And yet, we will not give up hope. Ever.

Debra Clopton's Thoughts on the Hump--Gotta Love It!

It's me--Debra Clopton, sticking my head up from deadline crunch :) to say hi.

In writing a book there is a time when the book hits a wall or a hump that frustrates me and stalls my process. I've learned that I'm going to encounter this hump in each book and that it is just a part of my process. What I've learned about this hump is that while frustrating as it is, it has stalled me out for a reason. I've learned to spend more time with God during this time and ask Him to guide me and help me see what it is that He might be trying to tell me. This is the hardest moment I have in each and every book. It is ususally the moment that I realize something extremely important to my story that was never there before. I usually have an ah-Ha moment when I realize what it is that God was trying to tell me and I push forward over the hump to the other side. Most of the time I've found that my favorite part of a book, after it is written is the section where I encountered the hump... In life I think it is the same way. Have you ever encountered a hump (there are small humps and humps of huge despair) Moments when you thought God had turned his back on you and left you to flounder on your own? I have! But I know if I turn and look at my life trailing out behind me that it is the momets during the hump and afterwards that I see God's glory as I see exactly how He was guiding me or helping me navigate over that hump. Or using it to draw me back to HIM.

In the picture above my husband and I were driving up the Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of Kauai) which was beautiful and lush for the most part then this area of red rock shows up. Chuck stopped so I could explore. I climbed down off the road and looked down, just over one of the red dirt humps and there beside the stream hidden from view were three beautiful stems of purple orchids! I was so astonished and thrilled. LOL I didn't have my camera with me :( so I don't have a picture. But when I was thinking of this post I immediatly thought of the orchids. If I'd stayed on the other side of the hump and not put forth the extra effort I'd have missed one of the most memorable moments of my honeymoon. This second picture is Chuck and I standing at the top of the mountain behind us is the Na Pali Coast. We're so high up that it is almost impossible to distinguish between the ocean and the sky. Again, we reached a spot where we thought we were at the top of the mountain, but someone had told us that when we thought we were at the last stop to keep on going because we weren't. They were right. The road got rougher and full of pot holes and not many traveled up that far...but oh what a beautiful sight it was to be there. I'm praying that when you are feeling like you can't go any further that you refresh yourself with time with God then push forward.

God has something beautiful in store for you.
Until next time Live, Laugh and Seek God with all your Heart.

Debra Clopton--I hope you'll be watching for the reissue of THE TROUBLE WITH LACY BROWN AND, AND BABY MAKES FIVE coming out as a Classic in March.

Second Chance Interview

How exciting to have Sophie Powell the heroine from Second Chance by Leann Harris Ranch a January 2011 release from Love Inspired Romance .

1. Sophie, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I was an Army medic and served in Iraq. When I can home, I planned to go back to school to be a doctor, but after seeing the benefits of equine therapy on some of the wounded soldiers I treated, I knew that was the call on my life.

2. What do you do for fun?
I take my horse out and ride. There is nothing I love more than riding. Zach (the hero and most stubborn male in New Mexico) goes with me and we spend the day on horseback. I knew him when my college roommate took me home with her one weekend and I met him. I had a terrible crush on him.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
Cooking. I’d rather clean out stalls than cook. What I need a is wife.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?
Confronting my parents. When I was a teen, my older brother died in an accident. I overheard a conversation between my parents blaming me for his death. I carried that wound with me for many years. Eventually, I confronted my parents with what I heard, and learned what my parents really said.

5. What do you want out of life?
To own my own an equine therapy ranch, helping others overcome their physical weaknesses by riding and caring for horses. It is an incredible blessing and gives me peace.

6. What is the most important thing to you?
To laugh and celebrate life. For so long my life was filled with sadness and guilt, but I have found joy with my parents, my new husband, Zach, and his wonderful, noisy family.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
I love who-done-it books. Also I read a lot of journals and books on equine therapy.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would like to be able to sing. I can’t carry a tune worth spit. I enjoy singing and the horses don’t complain, but if there’s someone else in the stables, they do.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
My horses are my babies particularly one gelding named Prince Charming. Charmin’ is a character. I spent more time talking to him about Zach. He really is a wonderful listener. Gives good advice, too.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why? How far back?
If we are talking about centuries, I would love to go back to medieval England to see the wonderful steeds the knights rode. They had to be incredible animals to carry all that weight. I also would’ve loved to have seen how Comanche worked with their mounts here in New Mexico and Texas.

Thank you Leann for sharing Sophie with us.

FEATURED BOOK: SECOND CHANCE RANCH BY LEANN HARRIS

Former soldier and rodeo rider Zachary McClure's war injuries are far deeper than physical. Skeptical that anyone can reach the dark place in his soul, he visits an Albuquerque equine therapy ranch with no expectations. How can horses possibly mend his physical and emotional injuries when nothing—and no one—else has? He finds the answer when he meets Sophie Powell, an ex-army medic with a sunny smile, gentle touch and a determination to help others through horse therapy. But behind her big hopes and cheerful attitude lurks pain—and Zachary is just the man to change that. He can make Sophie's dreams a reality…and she may be the woman to heal this wounded hero's heart.

Allie Pleiter on Ten Thousand Hours

I just finished Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers.  While the book has loads of interesting information on what makes success and what doesn’t, one fact stuck with me:  10,000 hours.

It’s been scientifically and anecdotally documented that the point of mastery for most given skills and techniques comes at the 10,000 hour mark.  Be it cooking or music or computer programming or calculus--the mastery mark seems to universally rest at around 10,000 hours.  Talent may be a launching pad, but it is still no short cut to excellence.  Gladwell presents the theory that opportunity and cultural environment fuel success just as much as--in fact more so--than intellect or talent.  The person closest to their 10,000 hours will be the person “in the right place at the right time” to achieve greatness.

As a person who views the world with the eyes of faith, I found this fascinating...and challenging. Not because I believe in “luck,” but because I believe it’s God’s providence that gives us opportunity and environment and talent.  Which also means that it’s my job to put in those 10,000 hours to be ready to use the gifts He’s given me when my time comes.  In writing, in life, in whatever I pursue.  

It’s why the hero in my story MISSION OF HOPE is a favorite of mine.  Quinn Freeman's life--his “10,000 hours”--led up to God’s unique invitation for him to make a difference.

Where are you on this road?  Can the concept of “10,000 hours to mastery” fuel a goal for this new year?  Where is God calling you to be ready and working?