Road Trip

This is Merrillee ready to tell you about a road trip I took before cell phones were in wide use. What does a road trip have to do with heroes? Here is my story. Back in the early 90's (that's 1990's) when we lived near Boston, I took a cross-country road trip with my two teenage daughters. Here's a photo of a vehicle very similar to the one I drove.

My husband would fly to join us when we reached Spokane, Washington, where one of my brothers lives. (What was I thinking?) I wanted to show my girls some of the sights in our wonderful country and parts of Canada. During our month-long trip, we visited four national parks and saw several national monuments besides a myriad of other sights that are too numerous to mention. Here are some of these places.


The Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota


The Badlands National Park in the western part of South Dakota


Mt. Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota


Little Big Horn Battlefield National Monument

As we drove along route 212 in Montana toward the Little Big Horn Battlefield the minivan started to shimmy, and then one of the back tires blew. I had a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, Montana. You can see from the photo above that there isn't much out there except grass and a few trees. I could change a tire, couldn't I? After all, I was a modern woman. So I got out the jack and started the process while cars I had passed earlier went whizzing by. When I was finding it difficult to lower the spare tire from its perch beneath the minivan, two families of migrant farm workers stopped. The two gentlemen pulled out their heavy duty jack and had my tire changed in five minutes. My heroes! That trip took place nearly twenty years ago, but I still remember how thankful I was for those two men who changed my tire.


Part of the rain forest in Olympic National Park


Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC, Canada


Mount Rainier National Park


Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park


Here is Mount Spokane. The day we arrived in Spokane the temperature was 106 degrees F. When we returned a week later after a whirlwind tour of the western part of Washington State and parts of British Columbia, Canada, it snowed on Mount Spokane.

We saw a lot a fabulous sights on this trip, and besides the heroes that changed my tire, this trip reminds me of all the men and women who heroically crossed this nation in covered wagons and faced dangers of all sorts to settle our country from coast to coast.

Please share with us the story of a road trip you have taken.

Reunited Hearts Interview

How exciting to have Trent the hero from Reunited Hearts Ruth Logan Herne an April, 2011 release from Love Inspired Romance!

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

I’ve never found myself all that interesting, but if you ask the residents of Jamison, New York, they’d tell you that finding me in a field, lost and alone, a four-year-old little boy dumped by his parents, well… I kind of became the town mascot. The town child. I had a nice foster family, but the whole town watched over me. Looked out for me. And that was great, but I never felt normal. What’s normal about parents trashing their kid along an Interstate? Nothing. But the worst of it was they dumped my little brother Clay a couple of counties east. Clay didn’t make it. I did.

2. What do you do for fun?

Well, this one takes some thought. I don’t do fun. I should, but I have fun working. Helping others. Developing opportunities for others, just like the town did for me as a kid. I love the army. West Point. Serving. But I knew I couldn’t stay there, not when I heard Jamison was in trouble. The town fell on rough times financially, and well… With a smack upside the head by the Holy Spirit, I KNEW I could help. It meant coming back. Setting the wheels in motion. Getting a job with Walker Electronics, a great small company I believed would do well with military contracts. And military contracts mean more jobs to the whole area. A win/win.

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

Nothing. Ever. That would be wrong.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

Being alone. Living alone. Dying alone. I want a family. I want the dream. I want to belong to someone, some time.

5. What do you want out of life?

Nothing physical. Well, I like to drive a decent car. And I like the sweet old house I bought on McCallister Street, it’s one of those old colonials and I knew it was meant for me the minute I saw it. Of course Cory was excited about it… Oh, wait, you don’t know Cory. She’s Alyssa’s daughter, probably the cutest little thing known to mankind, all big blue eyes and mops of curls and the cutest little speech issues going on. I hate to correct them because, well… they’re that cute. Like her.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

My faith. Living it, not just talking it. Walking the walk. Helping others be the best they can be. But ultimately it’s my love of God and country, knowing I’m here for a purpose. A goal. Even if I’m not sure what that is all the time, I know God drives me toward it.

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

I love edge of your seat books. Thrillers. Espionage. Nothing tame, unless it’s something I’m reading to Cory. She likes things like Goodnight Moon. And stories about dogs.

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

I’d relax more. Slow down. Smell the proverbial roses. Take a walk. Play on the swings. I love playing football with Jaden. Oh, yeah, that’s right, you haven’t met Jay. He’s the son I didn’t know I had. He was born twelve years ago, when I was in my first year at West Point and when you’re at West Point you cannot be married or responsible for a child.

So yeah, Alyssa and I, we went too far. We were young. In love. And then she dumped me, and I didn’t get it because she loved me. I knew it.

But she walked, headed off to college, and never told me about the baby because she knew I’d give up my appointment to West Point to take care of her and our baby. Because nothing’s more important than family. Family is a gift to be loved. Cherished. Held close to your heart. I guess when you have family, you might not understand what a miracle that is. It amazes me to think I have a son. And it angers me to imagine what I missed, but I’m trying to understand Alyssa’s reasoning.

I won’t pretend that’s easy.

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

No time for pets in the military, but I like dogs. And Cory’s been pestering for a dog, so maybe if I have one, she’ll come visit me. And bring her mother. Did I mention that Alyssa is even more beautiful (if that’s possible) now than she was in high school? That dark hair that gets just a little auburn in the sun?

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

World War II. I’d have a go at Hitler. Probably on a European offensive. But I like the here and now, being back home in Jamison, seeing the hills deepen with summer green. Watching the kids play on the Park Round playground. Stopping in to see Reverend Hannity and his wife. She sent me cookies all the years I was gone, a taste of home, she called them. Coming back here was as close to a home as I’ve got and every now and again… Well, I guess, every now and again I wonder if this could be home. A real home. Clay’s here. His little body is in a sunny corner of the town cemetery, just south of the gnarled oak. The town marked his grave with a beautiful carved stone, a stone engraved with twining ivy beneath a ball and a bat. Clay loved to play ball. Someday we’ll have a catch again, him and me. But right now my days are filled with football and Jaden. He’s amazing. A natural. And a born leader. And Cory likes to be in on everything, always laughing. Smiling. And grabbing my hand, tugging me places.

After so many years of leading in the military, I had no idea how good it would feel to have a little kid lead me along. I could get used to this.

FEATURED BOOK: REUNITED HEARTS BY RUTH LOGAN HERNE

Back in his hometown, military hero Trent Michaels comes face-to-face with a twelve-year-old boy who looks just like him. Same dark curly hair. Same blue eyes. And the boy calls Trent's old flame, Alyssa Langley, mom. Trent was a foster kid from the wrong side of the tracks when he fell in love with Alyssa. But she cast him aside because he wasn't good enough—or so he thought. Now Trent is determined to connect with his newfound son. And to get the truth from the woman he never stopped loving….

Elnora is both joyous and depressed. This Sunday I will turn 55! Yes, offically middle-aged and getting older by the minute. I don't mind the number so much as the aches and pains and wrinkles. Old age isn't for sissies, after all. But I plan to embrace this milestone. I'm thowing myself a party! A big backyard picnic to also celebrate the release of my 45th book "Hometown Sweetheart." And yes, all cyber gifts are welcome. Elnora loves presents. Especially your presence here on our blog.

How do you handle old age?

Here are some old age adages:

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you was? Satchel Paige

Adults are obsolete children. Dr. Seuss

Just remember when you're over the hill, you pick up speed. Charles Schulz

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. Mae West

I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond. Mae West

Men become much more attractive when they start looking older. But it doesn't do much for women, though we do have an advantage: make-up. Bette Davis

I married an archaeologist because the older I grow, the more he appreciates me.
Agatha Christie

Leigh Bale Muses About Her Daughter's Wedding

You might recall my daughter is getting married soon. Planning everything for this great event has continued to proceed amidst meeting my new book deadlines and a new book coming out next week: The Forest Ranger’s Promise. This book is dedicated to my father, who is my first greatest hero. Check for it in Wal Mart, K-Mart, grocery stores or your local bookstore after the 19th. It’s officially a May release, but Wal Mart always gets them in earlier. This is the first book in a new series and the second book titled The Forest Ranger’s Husband will be available the end of October. Both books have page-turning scenes I think you’ll enjoy. To find out more info, visit my website at: www.LeighBale.com

We will be holding our daughter’s wedding reception in our back yard. To get the yard as beautiful as possible, we needed to complete a barren back hill area. You know those useless hills your home builder sticks in your back yard and then includes it into the overall acreage? What can you do with them? Nothing! So we decided to wait until we could afford to do something constructive with our hill. We’ve lived in our home for a number of years, but had put off doing anything to this back hill area for want of time, energy and financial resources to do what we really wanted. Which is to terrace it with rock walls for a couple of reasons. First, I want to be able to climb that hill in my older age to weed up there without being in danger of taking a serious fall. Second, I want to be able to plant bushes, trees and flowers up there that will look attractive with the rest of the yard.



This past week, we finally put in the rock walls to terrace the hill. What do you think? My husband and I are over the moon. It is just what we envisioned. In fact, the terracing has made it so we have basically almost doubled the plantable area of our yard. Last weekend, we picked up a variety of lilac bushes, honeysuckle and Lydia broom plants. We’re planning to plant a variety of perennial and annual flowers on the bottom row. The bushes are small now, but they’ll grow and we’ll get to watch them morph into large, fragrant flowering bushes over the years. I’m also planning to put in a weeping mulberry tree. The weather where we live promises to be in the 70’s this weekend, so we’re going to be out there planting and putting water up on the hill. I can’t wait! I think our daughter’s wedding reception is going to be beautiful. Now I better get back to work writing my next book, right? :)

Lyn Cote's December book-Her Healing Ways RT

I caught up with Lyn Cote yesterday and asked her to share a few thoughts with us on being the Romantic Times Winner of the Best Love Inspired Historical of 2010 for her book, Her Healing Ways. Here is what she had to say...

1. Where were you when you got the RT call and what were you doing?

I was sitting at my laptop as usual. And it wasn't a "call" but an email. RT wanted to know if I'd be attending the RT Convention in LA in April because I was the winner of.... I emailed them back my regrets and the kicker is--since I'm not going I don't get a plaque. Which is fine with me because I'm not a "plaque-displaying" kind of person. :-)

2. Who was the first person you called/emailed?

No one actually. They didn't tell me to keep my trap shut but for once, I thought it would be better if I did. :-)

3.Does this book have a special meaning to you? If so, tell us about it.

I've always been fascinated by the Quakers and by the changes brought by the Civil War.

Her Healing Ways is the third in my "Gabriel Sisters" series, about three Quaker sisters who try to help heal the nation after the horrible war. The first was Her Captain's Heart, and featured Verity who went south to open a Freedman's School to teach former slaves how to read and write and prepare them for citizenship. The second was Her Patchwork Family and featured Felicity who moved to an Illinois Mississippi River town to set up an orphanage to care for children--black and white--orphaned by the war. (This book also finaled for American Christian Fiction Writer's Carol Award last year.) Each of these fictional women had a passion for doing what God had called them to do. I think that is what makes them special to me. I hope to follow their example. :-)

4. Did you celebrate in any special way with your family and friends?

No, it's really business as usual around here though my dh was impressed with me. He's such a dear. While I have the chance, I'd like to thank my editor, Tina James. She made my book better which is the mark of a good editor. And I'd like to say that this award could easily have gone to any one of the other finalists:

ROCKY MOUNTAIN MATCH
Pamela Nissen, STEEPLE HILL, (June 2010)

DANGEROUS ALLIES
Renee Ryan, STEEPLE HILL, (September 2010)

THE OUTLAW'S BRIDE
Catherine Palmer, STEEPLE HILL, (September 2010)

PRAIRIE COURTSHIP
Dorothy Clark, STEEPLE HILL, (October 2010)

If you'd like to see the finalists for the other Love Inspired lines, scroll down till you find Love Inspired at http://www.rtbookreviews.com/rt-awards/nominees-and-winners?award_type=book

Thanks so much Lyn! From all of us at the CRAFTIE LADIES of Love Inspired Romance, CONGRATULATIONS!

Many blessings, Lisa Mondello

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Story Mastery with Michael Hauge

Terri Reed here and I’m starting a new book, as of yet untitled, but will be a June 2012 release. My book will be the sixth book in a new Love Inspired Suspense continuity series about an Irish Christian family with a long history of public service. The setting will be a fictional town in Massachusetts called Fitzgerald Bay. Already, this is a place I'd like to visit with a wonderful cast of characters. So keep an eye out next January for the first book in the series by Shirlee McCoy.

So back to my new project, before I ever sit down at the computer I do a lot of pre-writing. Mostly done by hand in a spiral notebook. Yes, I’m a plotter, through and through. I have to have my road map, or in other words, a detailed synopsis. But before I even write that, I have to develop my characters. To me, this is the most important part of writing since so much of story comes out of the characters. I use several methods, gleaning various processes from many different brilliant authors and teachers.

The most recent tool I have added to my pre-writing comes from story master, Michael Hauge. http://storymastery.com/

Last year I attended a workshop where Michael shared his expertise with us and helped me to delve deeper into my characters. I was stuck in the middle of a book at the time, my January 2011 release Daughter of Texas, book one of Texas Ranger Justice from Love Inspired Suspense. My heroine wasn't working. There was something about her that was eluding me. By the time the workshop was over, my heroine was a fully developed, sympathetic character that readers could root for. Thank you, Michael!

For those of you who will be in NYC this summer for Romance Writers of America’s national conference www.rwanational.org , look for Michael’s workshops. You won’t be disappointed!

California Girls!

Here we are! Six Love Inspired authors at the Romantic Times convention in LA. Oh, you can count? There's eight in the photo. Yup, you're correct! So, go ahead, see if you can figure out who we - plus two editors from Harlequin - are. I'll give you a hint. I'm in the photo.

Hometown Sweetheart Interview

How exciting to have _Simon Adams the hero from Hometown Sweetheart by Lenora Worth, an April release from Love Inspired Romance .

1. Simon, tell me the most interesting thing about you. I’m not that interesting. I don’t want to draw attention to myself. I like to work. I’m a boot-maker. I like solitude.

2. What do you do for fun? Ah, nothing. I listen to my country music and go for long walks near the Chattahoochee River. Usually my brother’s dog, Shiloh, is with me.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it? Going out in public. I like my privacy. My clients come to my workshop to have their boots hand made. That’s about as public as I get.

4. What are you afraid of most in life? Giving my heart to someone again.

5. What do you want out of life? Mostly, to be left alone.

6. What is the most important thing to you? My work. I love what I do. I like creating a perfect pair of hand-crafted cowboy boots. It’s a lost art.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book? I read a lot since I’m alone most of the time. I like westerns, mysteries and anything to do with my craft.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I need to reach out to my family more. They mean well, always checking on me and trying to set me up with women. But … I’m still not over my wife. She died a few years ago. Cancer.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet? I have a pet, but Shiloh is my brother’s dog. Somehow, I got stuck with the big mutt because he’s like a bull in a China shop, so he can’t go to town and stay at the General Store anymore. I think my brother Rick leaves that dog with me just so I won’t be alone.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why? The wild west, of course. I’d probably get in trouble and wind up in jail, but that sure would be fun. And … it would be a good place to hide away.

FEATURED BOOK: HOMETOWN SWEETHEART BY LENORA WORTH

Seven unruly kids have moved next door to Simon Adams's mountain cabin. On a church retreat, these rambunctious rascals and their perky teacher, Shanna White, prove to be too much for one reclusive craftsman to handle. Plus, they're a big reminder of everything Simon lost, especially his chance for marriage and family. All he wants is to be left alone, but soon he's drawn in by the kids' shenanigans—and by Shanna herself. Can a brooding mountain man and a sweet lady live happily ever after?

Ask Elnora--About remodeling your kitchen???

Yes, we're renovating. Well, Elnora is staying up in her office while Big Daddy renovates. My darling husband is a do-it-yourself kind of guy. Things get colorful around my house whenever a renovation is going on. Loud snarling noises drift up the stairs to my office. The cat runs and hides under the bed. Hammers fly, nails sail and sooner or later, I hear a burly voice from the bottom of the stairs.

"I have to go to Lowe's. Or maybe Home Depot. I need ......" He always needs a part, or more grout or a new measuring tape. The house is quiet for a while then I hear saws cranking up, tiles being cut, the cat's dreadful meow of protest. White sheets of dust start floating up the staircase like the ghosts of projects past. But sometimes, even Big Daddy hires out the job.

Then I get to wait for even more burly men to appear at the door, usually carrying tool belts and water bottles and kitchen counters! Then more sawing and colorful language and dust flying through the air. So ... what's to be done about renovations? Is there an easy way to remodel a room without all the nasty stuff such as cluttered closets and cabinets having to be straightened or 25 different sets of placemats having to be sorted???How do I get rid of all that carpenter dust?? Somebody tell me? Or ask me what I've learned watching HGTV????

And by the way, if you have a question for Elnora or any of our lovely ladies, please send it to me through my website: www.lenoraworth.com. We want YOU to ask for our advice!!!!!We'll post your question here on the next Friday and give you a proper answer. And I'll even throw in a book or two. I'll draw a name from the questions sent to me and YOU might win a prize. (No, not a gift card to Home Depot or Lowe's--or maybe that is a good one!)

Spring Fever

Hi, this is Margaret Daley. I have got spring fever bad. I don't want to do anything but play and yet I have a lot of work to do. What do you do when you have spring fever? Do you give into it and play and play? Or do you do something to get yourself back on track? Outside it is gorgeous today. Sunny and the high will be in the low 70s. Flowers and trees are coming out. The brown landscape is greening up. I even have the urge to go outside and work in the yard. If you know me--that is radical thinking on my part. I don't do yard work. Of course, it could be worse. I could live on a tropical island and have the ocean calling me. Now that would be hard to resist when I have work to do. So what do you do when you have spring fever?

Allie Pleiter on Keeping Track

With the release of YUKON WEDDING today, I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about treasures.  I’ve been pondering what makes them, why we hide them, what happens when we lose them or when we grab the wrong ones.  There’s a lot to ponder.

Some of the best treasures are tokens, or milestones. Wedding rings, my first valentine from my husband, the signed bat White Sox baseball star AJ Pierzynski gave my son this past summer--objects that call up a host of happy or significant memories.  We are a tactile species; things around us can spur memories when we interact with them.

In my book, Lana has a brooch she wears every day to remind her of the woman she believed she could have been (and still is, somewhere inside).  Her life changes when the brooch is damaged, and it spurs her to take drastic new steps.  I have something close to that:  I have a bracelet--two of them, in fact, that I wear everyday.  Each bead represents something specific and positive in my life.  It is a celebration of sorts--our generation’s version of the charm bracelet.  Pandora and Trollbeads were the first to market these, but there have been many versions in recent years.  I buy a bead to celebrate an achievement or a milestone, and I deliberately never buy them to memorialize sad occasions. It’s like wearing a timeline of optimism around my wrist, my life’s blessings in baubles.

How to you collect your blessings?  Do you mark them at all?  Would you like to? 

Daddy in the Making Interview

How exciting to have Jeannie Broussard the heroine from Daddy in the Making, an April 2011 release by Lyn Cote from Love Inspired Romance.

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

I don't know that I'm much of an interesting person. I just work hard to provide a home for my sweet nieces, Mimi and Cindy. They'll be eight years old later this year.

2. What do you do for fun?

I love taking the girls to a Disney movie occasionally and maybe out for ice cream.

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

I hate to ask people for help. I like to do for myself and my girls.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

That something will happen to me and my girls will lose me like they lost their mother like Carrie and I lost our mother. The twins were only a week old when my sister Carrie left and never came back.

5. What do you want out of life?

I want a good life for my girls.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

My girls and being a good Mom to them. My own mother wasn't able to take care of Carrie and my sister. I've always believed that was part of why Carrie disappeared. I don't know if I'll ever see her again.

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

I really don't have much time, but I did read a Love Inspired romance recently Winter Reunion by Roxanne Rustand and it was just lovely, about a Marine coming home and falling in love with his ex-wife. I love happy endings.

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

I'd like to be smarter and have done better in school.

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

We just got kittens! The girls named them Peanut Butter and Twinkie. We found them in the snow and rescued them. That's how I met the vet Jake McClure, he's such a kind man. And he has this great basset hound, named Bummer that the girls just love and he loves them back. In fact, Bummer preferring the girls has been a bit embarrassing.

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

I have enough to keep me busy here and now. I don't have time for such. When I do daydream, it's about the real house the girls and I will have in the spring through Habitat for Humanity. And sometimes I imagine Bummer and Jake McClure stopping by and us cooking out this summer. That would be so much fun!

FEATURED BOOK: DADDY IN THE MAKING BY LYN COTE

Dr. Jake McClure's basset hound has fallen in love. With a single mom, her adorable twins and the orphaned kittens they rescued. Man's best friend suddenly won't budge from Jeannie Broussard's home—and Jake can understand why. Jeannie's place is full of love, laughter and everything Jake has been missing in his life lately. As Jake spends time with Jeannie and her girls, a bond forges between them, and soon Jake is wondering if he's the perfect fit in this fatherless family….

Ask Elnora--About Rude People--Lenora Worth

Darlings, Elnora is a bit frazzled. I've had a busy week watching my husband (Big Daddy) remodeling our kitchen. Elnora was forced to put my coffee pot in the powder room since I was not allowed in the kitchen while the new tile was drying. A small sacrifice to finally get the kitchen I've been dreaming about since we bought this house. Our refrigerator is in the front foyer, which makes for interesting conversation when we have visitors. And of course we always have visitors when I have on no make-up and am nursing a migraine.

Today, Elnora and Big Daddy went to pick out the new counters. Mark the counter man was very interesting and decisive. I've never seen Big Daddy write a check so fast! We picked out a lovely golden and cream marble with shots of red running through it. I'm designing my kitchen around a picture of a feisty rooster standing in front of a fleur-de-lis and wearing Mardi Gras beads. It was created by local artist Ron Atwood.
But I digress. After all that decision making, we needed some refreshment so we stopped at that place with the golden arches. The people behind the counter didn't seem to realize they had customers. In fact, they kind of ignored us. Elnora ordered a skinny vanilla latte and never got it because no one seemed to know how to make it.
This was not good. With a huff, I demanded my money back and Big Daddy stomped and stewed and we left. Now normally I don't have a hissy fit waiting for a cup of coffee. Okay, maybe I've had a few. But ... this is the question of the day--

Why are people so rude? This is no April Fooling!!! Why can't people just smile and do their jobs? Or at least ask someone to help them do their jobs? Do you have an answer or a question to add? Can we discuss? What is the problem? Why can't everyone be as nice and helpful as Mark the counter man????

Book Club Friends

This last Saturday I was asked to come to my friend’s book club and speak to them about my latest book, Second Chance Ranch. They had selected it to read and were going to discuss the book.

This was a first for me and so exciting to hear readers talk about how the book affected them and how they related to the situations in the book. One lady identified with my foreman, Ollie. He had cancer, but didn’t want the heroine to know about it since her situation was so dire. The hero discovered the man’s cancer (he was throwing up behind the barn), but Ollie asked him to keep the secret from the heroine. This woman at the reader group had also survived cancer. She understood Ollie’s reasons, but thought he should’ve told the heroine.

It thrilled me to hear to how the readers connected with the characters and story. The healing our books provide shouldn’t be discounted. And our readers identify with our characters in ways we can never imagine.

Home Sweet Home Cover

Hi Everyone. I just got a peak at my newest cover and blurb for Home Sweet Home. Beautiful, isn't it? Harlequin does such a great job. Somewhere to belong.... Finally ready to settle down, Abby Bancroft has just inherited a place to put down roots. But her hopes for a successful bed-and breakfast are placed on hold when she learns that her grandparents’ run-down inn is in serious need of TLC. So is Cole Preston, the handsome contractor who offers to help make her dream a reality. His past mistakes won’t let him consider settling in the close knit town. Yet as he and Abby work together to repair the house, they also begin to mend each other’s hearts. And they just may find that consulting their hearts is what creating a home is all about.

Keeping track of....

Some of my friends think it's quite a hoot that I'm a Tuesday gal on this blog, which means my theme is "keeping track of..." They laugh, because they seem to think I'm just a bit left-brained. I seem to be known for keeping graphs, charts, and lists for just about everything. All of that was mostly in the past, though, when I was a beginning writer. If there was ever a chart devised for any part of the writing life, I found it and put it my overflowing notebooks. Savored it. And used it. Those charts were like a safety net, lest I wander off into the vast nothingness that can exist in the middle of a manuscript when you lose your way. :) Over time, I revised. Consolidated. Tweaked. And now I use just a few charts to help keep my thoughts straight while working on a book--predominantly a calendar, a plot spine, and a subplot tracker. Since I still have a great fondness for such writers' tools, I would love to hear about what y'all like to use! Wishing you all the best, Roxanne www.roxannerustand.com

Interview with DOUBLE RITA Finalist Linda Goodnight by Lisa Mondello

Last Friday was a day of celebration for the Craftie Ladies...well, really all of RWA but the CRAFTIE LADIES of Love Inspired Romance really know how to celebrate when one of our own gets good news.

That's what happened last Friday when the RWA RITA Award finalists were announced. Our very own Linda Goodnight finaled with not only 1 book, but 2!

I may be speaking out of line here, but I'm fairly sure that there wasn't a Love Inspired Author who was still sitting in her chair when word got out that Linda Goodnight was a double finalist. (I know my chair few back, I scared the cat and the dog ran out of the room. Of course, it could have been from the Yippee! I hollered, too.) I caught up with Linda Goodnight over the weekend and asked her to share a few thoughts with us on being a DOUBLE RITA finalist. Here is what she had to say...

1. Where were you when you got the RITA call and what were you doing?

After going to the gym with my husband and home-schooled daughter, I had just opened my computer to get to work. Turns out, the gym was the only productive thing I accomplished all day. But that's a good thing!

2. Who was the first person you called/emailed?

My awesome, supportive editor, Allison Lyons. She was beyond excited, too, as I knew she would be. We laughed and squealed together.

3. Did you hear about both books in one phone call? Or two different phone calls? And what was the first thing that went through your mind?

I heard in two separate calls which made the news twice as thrilling. When the first call came, I wasn't even thinking about RWA. The caller ID was unfamiliar and I usually don't answer my phone when I'm sitting down to write but for some reason, I picked it up. SO glad I did. It was Terri McLaughlin with RWA. Instantly, a chill went up my back. I asked if she was calling for the reason I thought. When she said yes, I started laughing and crying like a baby. Poor woman almost never got me shut up long enough to read the official spiel, of which I remember absolutely nothing. Good thing they send a back-up email.

As soon as I hung up, I bolted from my office in search of family to squeal and jump around with. I made it as far as the living room when the phone rang again. My first thought? "Uh-oh, they made a mistake. I'm not really a finalist. " When the caller told me why she was calling I screamed, "No way!" I hope she doesn't sue me for rupturing her eardrum.

4. Do either of the books (or both) have a special meaning to you? If so, tell us about it.

Both these books in my Redemption River series are really special to me. The first, FINDING HER WAY HOME, is about a rape victim, fighting her way out of the darkness and depression, distrust and guilt. I received so many wonderful letters from readers who had suffered abuse, and those letters mean the world to me.

THE WEDDING GARDEN is one of those books in which the hero lived in my heart and I had to give him a story. Having spent my entire life in a small town, I understand the way people you've known forever can surprise you, hurt you, and heal you. Besides, I'm just plain in love with Sloan Hawkins!

5. Did you celebrate in any special way with your family and friends?

My family took me out for dinner last night. I really want to lose some weight before conference but who can resist food, especially chocolate, during a celebration?! And all my amazing friends Facebooked and emailed all day. It was wonderful, encouraging, and joyous.

6. Can you give us a little rundown of what each of the books is about?

Since I've already discussed a little about FINDING HER WAY HOME, I'll tell you about THE WEDDING GARDEN.

Sloan Hawkins grew up as the bad seed, the abandoned son of Redemption's only convicted murderer. Falling in love with the police chief's daughter cost him more than he ever knew when he was run out of town at eighteen. Now he's reluctantly back, attitude and all, because of a dying aunt who gave him hope and a home when he had nothing else. Chief Dooley Crawford isn't happy to see him. Neither is his daughter. Both hide secrets that will shake Redemption and change Sloan's life forever.

A little mystery, a dab of murder, family turmoil, and lots of love on many levels. I LOVE this book! lol

Thanks so much Linda! From all of us at the CRAFTIE LADIES of Love Inspired Romance, CONGRATULATIONS!

Many blessings, Lisa Mondello

http://www.lisamondello.blogspot.com/

And the Winner Is?

2011 RITA Finalists for Inspirational Romance
Look! Look!
Look!

From the Craftie Ladies of Romance, our own Linda Goodnight is a finalist with not one BUT TWO books.

Finding Her Way Home by Linda Goodnight (Steeple Hill Love Inspired; Allison Lyons, editor)
The Wedding Garden by Linda Goodnight (Steeple Hill Love Inspired; Allison Lyons, editor)

Then, there’s a Love Inspired Suspense in the running, not in the inspy category, but in the Best First Book.
Firestorm by Kelly Ann Riley (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense; Tina James, editor)

To make sure that every Love Inspired series is covered, we also have a historical.
A Convenient Wife by Anna Schmidt (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical; Tina James, editor)

Our competition is steep. Here are the rest of the inspy finalists.
Doctor in Petticoats by Mary Connealy (Barbour Publishing; Rebecca Germany, editor)
In Harm's Way by Irene Hannon (Revell; Jennifer Leep, editor)
Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist (Bethany House Publishers; David Long and Julie Klassen, editors)
Shades of Morning by Marlo M. Schalesky (WaterBrook Multnomah; Shannon Marchese, editor)

Whisper on the Wind by Maureen Lang (Tyndale House Publishers; Stephanie Broene, editor)
Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House Publishers; Karen Schurrer and Charlene Patterson, editors)

Good luck all!

Ask Elnora--about diamonds and pearls?????

We were all sad to hear that Ellizabeth Taylor died this week. She lived a very colorful and full life and Elnora has always admired her beauty and her jewelry. Let's face it, the lady knew her diamonds. And she had some very big jewelry. But then, Elnora believes in having wonderful shiny bling. There is something about sparkly things that just brightens the day. Now Elnora prefers pearls, lots and lots of pearls. I think Southern girls are practically born wearing pearls. I've seen babies with little pearls in their tiny ears. Elnora doesn't go that far, but I do recall wearing baubles and those feathered Barbie shoes around the house when I was a tiny tot. And I always had a handbag on my arm.

What is it about bling that makes women happy? Marilyn Monroe sang "Diamonds are a girl's best friend" and maybe she was onto something. It might seem frivolous to some, but size doesn't matter when it comes to jewelry. I still have the simple pearl earrings my darling Big Daddy gave me over twenty-five years ago and I love them. He gave me the matching necklace one Christmas, early, so I could wear my pearls with a little black dress to a party. One year, he gave me tiny diamond stud earrings and I wear those a lot. He hid the matching darling tiny diamond necklace inside a book like a shiny bookmark. The man does have his moments. So, let's talk, ladies and Vince. Why do we love jewelry, small or large??

And thank you, Elizabeth Taylor, for your timeless beauty.

The "Birthing" of a Book!

Missy Tippens, here. With our new daily themes, today is a day we'll be talking about books and new authors. I'm thrilled to have another book releasing with Love Inspired which should be on the shelves now! While I was at choir practice last night at church, and we were sharing praises and prayer concerns, a woman in the choir said she had a praise. She's a librarian and shared that yesterday, she had received the box of books that had my book, A Family for Faith, in it! I was tickled they'd ordered it. And tickled that she was excited about it. :)

So I hope you'll share the excitement with me. It's kind of like seeing another child born. Something that started as an idea, a one liner, I call it. That grows into a proposal that my editor buys. That then grows into a full book that I turn in by a certain deadline. That gets revised and edited several times. That gets a title and cover. And that then gets shipped to book club subscribers and stores.

Wow, I'm tired from giving birth again! LOL I hope you'll enjoy the story. :)

Here's a blurb:

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.

A Family for Faith should be in stores any day now.
Available online as well:
e-Harlequin (click here)
Amazon (click here)
B&N (click here)
Christian Book (click here)

ZHU-ZHU PETS???

Linda Goodnight here. Remember when Cabbage Patch Dolls were the rage? Or when parents tackled each other in toy stores to get the last Tickle Me Elmo? It seems every few years a toy becomes "the thing". I’m not sure if Zhu-Zhu pets qualify as the big thing today, but if you have a child under the age of 12, you know about them. You probably even own some. A Zhu-Zhu puppy was the only toy my 11 year old requested for her birthday.

So I got to thinking about Jace and Kitty, main characters in my current Love Inspired, A PLACE TO BELONG. What toys would they have played with as kids? For Kitty, a child of the 80’s, the answer was easy: Strawberry Shortcake and all her assorted items. As for Jace, he’d have begged his mom for a Big Wheel Hot Cycle. Remember those?

So how about you? What was the popular toy from your childhood? Or one your child just had to have?

Lyn Cote here-Soap or Body Wash? And Maybe a Bit of Old Spice or Ivory?

Lyn Cote's here tackling Keeping Track of "what you keep clean with."
I know, I know--how does she come up with this stuff???

Well, it's the way my mind works.

Have you ever noticed how "THEY" keep coming up with new ways of doing things--
like reading books on a Kindle or Nook instead of paper?
Or using a handful of ruffled plastic instead of a washcloth?
Or liquid soap from a bottle instead of a bar of soap?

The topic of this blog post is not who THEY are but that THEY change the way we do things.

I remember going to a talk when my son was in boy scouts and listening to a leader who had visited Russia during the days of Communist government. The one thing I remember (this was a long time ago!) is that the Russians had only one kind of soap--period. I mean they had one soap to wash their clothes, the floor and themselves.

THE MIND BOGGLES. Just thing of all the brands of cleaning products and soap we have in even a small store like Dollar General. Anyway, the idea of only one soap is ghastly but on the other extreme, did we really need liquid soap in the shower?

I mean wasn't soap on a rope enough?? GRIN

Anyway, which do you use? Soap or body wash? And why--I want to know.

Also I asked my latest heroine Jeannie and her hero Jake (from Daddy in the Making) what they used --soap or body wash. Both were definitely soap people. Jeannie used Ivory because it was gentle on her skin and her twin nieces. Jake used whatever he found in the shower. He's a busy vet and his late grandfather's best friend keeps house for him so he doesn't have time to bother about such stuff.

BTW, if you drop over to my blog today, you can find out how to win a copy of Daddy in the Making that will hit your local Walmart. BTW, if you leave a comment HERE with your email address (using dot and at), I'll put your name in the hat and draw a winner for one autographed copy! What a deal!

So what's your choice--soap or body wash? And what brand? (Yes, I am nosey.)
And what about the Old Spice Man video????

Heroes Large and Small

Merrillee here, who has been thinking about heroic acts in light of recent events around the world. As I was thinking about my blog post for today, I was looking for photos that might suit my topic. When I did a search for photos of heroes, a lot of photos of sports figures, cartoon and movie heroes of the super hero type came up in the list of photos. Another site featured firefighters, police officers and soldiers. As the slogan says, ordinary people can be heroes. In recent days, there have been many heroes who have helped the people of Japan deal with the earthquake and tsunami. When difficult times emerge, ordinary people step forward and become heroes.

Have you ever been a hero, or do you know someone who has been a hero? Please share your story with us.

A Colorado Match Interview

How exciting to have Vince Morningway, the hero from A COLORADO MATCH, by Deb Kastner, a March release from Love Inspired Romance.

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

I don’t know if it’s interesting, but I’m in charge of running Morningway Lodge. Our ministry offers reasonably priced housing for families of paralyzed patients recovering in the nearby Rocky Mountain Rehabilitation Hospital.

2. What do you do for fun?

I use every waking hour to keep the Lodge going. I eat at my desk and don’t stop working until it’s bedtime.

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

I try to avoid having confrontations with my brother Nate. We can’t seem to have a civil conversation, no matter how hard we try. Everything comes so easy to him and he just coasts along, doing his own thing. He doesn’t consider the consequences of his actions--how his actions will affect the lodge, and me.

Can you believe Nate hired a business consultant—whatever that is—without even telling me first. She’s messing with my office, trying to organize it, like I have time for that. Just what I need—a woman underfoot. Even if she’s attractive.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

I’m afraid I won’t be able to maintain the legacy my father built in Morningway Lodge. God always provides, but sometimes I find my own faith is weak, especially after the resident daycare center burned down. I’m not sure how we’re going to make it out of this one. If we go under, I don’t know where the patient’s families are going to stay. Most of them are putting their money into hospital bills. They don’t have a lot left over for housing.

5. What do you want out of life?

Honestly? I really don’t know. I’ve always had to take care of the lodge. My brother Nate went and joined the Marines when he was eighteen and left me alone to keep the ministry going. I’ve never had the opportunity to explore my own goals and dreams. I don’t even know what they are.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

Serving God. Taking care of my family’s legacy. Serving people. I take care of the guests’ needs at the lodge and often visit patients at the hospital, but all I can really do for them is pray.

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

I haven’t picked up a book other than the Bible since high school. I was never much of a reader and I don’t have time anyway.

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

I wish I had more faith. I know God’s there and that He’s in control and has a plan, but sometimes I’m still afraid of the future. I know the truth in my head, but I don’t always feel it in my heart.

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

There are lots of wild animals in the woods around the lodge, but I don’t have a pet, mostly because I don’t have any time to spend with one. I suppose that’s the same reason I’ve never had a serious relationship with a woman, either.

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

I would go back to the time just after my mother passed away from cancer. I’m the elder brother, and think if I would have stepped up more for Nate, maybe our relationship would have been different, and maybe he wouldn’t have felt the need to leave the moment he turned eighteen. Deep down, I guess I’ve always dreamed that Nate and I would run the lodge together.

He’s back and has a family now, but things are still strained between us. I don’t know how to bridge the gap. I guess all I can do is pray.

FEATURED BOOK: A COLORADO MATCH BY DEB KASTNER

Vince Morningway has always run the family ministry alone—and his way. Until his big-deal brother hires a business consultant to bring him—and the ministry—into this century. Suddenly Melanie Frazer, in her pastel suits and clicking heels, is organizing papers and talking computers. And she's too interested in sorting the dreams Vince has for his life. But those old dreams—to leave town and see the world instead of taking care of everyone and everything—passed him by long ago. Unless Melanie can show him how much he's always been needed, right here in Colorado…where an unexpected match is in the making.