Falling for a Fireman Interview

How exciting to have Jeannie Nelworth the heroine from Falling for the Fireman written by Allie Pleiter a February 2012 release from Love Inspired Romance .

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

I don’t know about interesting, but my job is certainly tasty--I make candy and run a candy shop in Gordon Falls. Or did run one, until it burned down recently.

2. What do you do for fun?

I think my job is great fun, and it’s been hard to be “on hold” while we get ready to open a new store. Thinking and dreaming about that new store is the most fun I have right now. I also enjoy playing with my 13 year old son--but I’m not very good at his video games.

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

Dealing with all the aftermath of the fire. I dread the paperwork, documenting all Nicky and I have lost, the boring apartment where we have to live now until the new store (and our home above it) is finished.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

I fear that Nicky has been hurt by the fire--not physically wounded, but damaged on the inside. It’s not fair that he lost his father when he was six and now he has this other enormous loss to endure. I know I can cope--even though it’s hard--but I worry so much about him.

5. What is the most important thing to you?

Nicky. He’s all I have right now.

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

Well, candy recipe books and decorating books are my favorite ones at the moment, but I like biographies of people who have done great things, too.

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

I need to be more patient right now, but it’s so hard. I need to be in my new store doing what I love, but it seems to be taking so very long.

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

Nicky wants a pet badly, but the apartment complex we’re renting in right now only allows goldfish, which Nicky says are “lame.” That’s why I’m so grateful Chad Owens hired Nicky to be the fire department’s official dog walker. Plug is one portly hound, and Nicky adores him--it’s a good thing for both of them.

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

To own a chocolate shop in Paris in the 1920’s would be such an amazing adventure. So glamorous!

FEATURED BOOK: FALLING FOR A FIREMAN BY ALLIE PLEITER

There's something achingly familiar about the look in fire marshal Chad Owens's eyes. Widowed mom Jeannie Nelworth knows firsthand what it is: loss, hurt and yes—bitterness. Ever since the fire that changed their lives, Jeannie's young son has borne that same look, pushing everyone away. So she's grateful when Chad tries to get through to the boy with the help of his trusty fire station dog.But the man who's all about safety and prevention keeps himself protected—from loving and losing again. Seems as if Jeannie will have to add his kind, guarded heart to her rebuilding efforts.

Ask Elnora--about closet space??? Lenora Worth

Hello, beautiful bloggers! Can you see Elnora limbing in, wearing my bright red bathroom with the pretty black flowers all over it? Even Big Daddy was surprised I had it on, since my standard outfit is a big sweater and yoga pants. No time to suffer through dragging on yoga pants today. The long trek from the far bedroom upstairs to my comfy chair in the den usally leaves me pale with pain these days. However, I am here and accounted for and happy to report the nagging back is much better. Elnora had another visit with the doctor yesterday and we came to a new understanding. He and my husband both have finally figured out that I am in great pain and drama queen that I am, I convinced them both that you can't fake this kind of agony. But I'm not here today to talk about my back pain. That's because yesterday as I "rested" (after finally, finally finishing the work in progress which is due like NOW) I took a day and surrounded by books and my Nook, idled away dozing and reading and listening to one of the sweetest sounds know to woman--a man rebuilding a closet to make room for her stuff. Yes, Big D added more bars and racks and figured out a nice shoe space and painted and measured and every now and then, mumbled words that burned Elnora's delicate ears. But ... the path to a woman's heart is as Carrie Bradshaw said "A really big closet." Not that mine is as big as Carrie's but we can certainly work with it! Of course, I'm pretty sure, alas, I shall have to give up some of my treasured killer shoes since they might actually kill my back. But that's okay. I've discovered Tom's shoe and they are extremely comfortable and adorable in a casual, flower-child way. I used to be a flower child and now I'm just a wilted daisy. But I'm determined that when we finally make this big move to our "retirement condo"-- (Read--Big Daddy's retirement condo and Elnora's new workspace, because let's face it, writers never retires. We just keep rebooting)--I will be working here until they pry my bony fingers away from this laptop. So I must go through my overstuffed closet with a keen eye and set it up with everyday yoga pants and long sweaters, going to Wal-Mart yoga pants and better sweaters to going to a conference dresses and comfy outfits to ... what shall Elnora wear to the awards banquet bling??? What a challenge! But that does beg the question--How can we find more closet space?? And before you say Elnora is too much of a material girl, think about what I'm asking. How can we find more closet space in our faith journey and where do we store our spiritual armor? We all need that Upper Room but what if that room is cluttered and messy? What if that quiet space is too full of angst and fear to let in love and contentment? That is the question of the day. Now I'm humming "If I had a hammer..." Let's discuss.

The Plot Thickens

Sandra Orchard here to help kick off romantic suspense month.

Ahh, February…romance is in the air!

Once friends find out I write for “Harlequin”, they like to tease my hubby with questions such as: So what’s it like to be married to a romance writer? ~Elbow. Elbow. Wink. Wink.~

Well, let me tell you. It’s not all fun and games. Sure hubby’s happy to help inspire me when I need to experiment with a kiss to get all the details right.

But I’m an inspirational writer so it never gets any further than that, much to my hubby’s disappointment I’m sure.

Besides, I’m not really a romance writer. I’m a romantic suspense writer.

So more often than not, I’m contemplating means of killing people, and more importantly, how to get away with it.

This can be quite uncomfortable for my family. Especially if they happen to notice my book of poisons sitting on the counter as they sit down to dinner.

Did you know that too much…?

Hmm, never mind, I’d better not reveal that. I’m planning to use the tidbit in my next book.

My family has learned to take my quirky ways in stride. My hubby is quick to assure people that it’s not him I’m planning to do away with when after I ask, “How could someone in your profession get away with murder?”

Most of the time, people warm right up to the subject. After all, be honest, how many of you have never contemplated how you might kill someone?

I’ve had a lot of fun with this line of questioning.

One time on the way to the airport following a writer’s conference, I shared a cab with a forensic pathologist. I was working on a mystery in which I killed someone by… hmm, won’t give that one away either.

Let’s just say by an ingenious means.

So I asked him, “If I killed someone by such and such a means, would you be able to detect that?”

The cabbie’s gaze shot to the rearview mirror. After the pathologist said, “No,” and I rubbed my hands in glee, I think the cabbie spent more time eyeing the rearview mirror than the road.

We made it to the airport in record time.

Then in the plane, I sat beside an aviation inspector. This was a divine meeting since I’d written a plane crash story that I wanted to tweak, and I had a two-hour flight to pick this guy’s brain about the myriad of reasons a plane might go down, and how.

Let me tell you, if you knew this stuff, you’d think twice before you got on a plane. I’m pretty sure the woman in front of us clutching her armrests was.

I could go and on with examples of ideas that have blossomed from the most innocuous situations.

Of course, there are drawbacks to having such an active imagination. It makes relaxing difficult.

This past summer while kayaking with the family, I couldn’t help but notice how easy it would be to sneak up on someone’s house from the water. My daughter who is also a writer locked right onto the idea and before you knew it we were spinning a tale of mystery and mayhem, and eyeing suspiciously every person who paddled by.

Of course, while I have a lot of fun writing my heroes and heroines into the worst situations imaginable, in the end, with the love of God and a good woman, the good guys triumph.

Check out how much trouble I get my characters into in my March LIS release now available on Harlequin.


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Do You Love Weddings?

Victoria Bylin here . . . I thought I’d share a little bit about the LIH Spring Wedding anthology that’s coming out in April. Novellas are a blast to write.  They’re short and sweet, but they offer all the fun of a full novel.  Here’s the back cover blurb . . .

Josie's Wedding Dress by Victoria Bylin

Desperate for someone to help her save her ranch, Josie Bright makes a deal with Ty Donner. Now the man who'd left her waiting at the altar is making her hope for things she had long stopped wishing for.

Last Minute Bride by Janet Dean

Elise Langley was stung to the quick when her would-be suitor suddenly left town. But when David Wellman returns and they are thrown together organizing their friends' wedding, can she open her heart again?

Her Ideal Husband by Pamela Nissen

As a girl, Lydia Townsend hoped to marry Jebediah Gentry—until his rejection spoiled her dreams. When family duty brings her home, it's Jeb's chance to show Lydia that now is the time for her wedding dreams to come true.

We have three weddings for the price of one . . .  How awesome is that?  Hope you all enjoy!

Films Celebrate the Human Spirit

I’m a huge movie buff. Talk for me for five minutes and you’d pretty much figure that out. With all the awards shows cramming our TV schedules, I thought I’d share an observation that really makes me smile.

As I looked at the list of movies up for awards this year, it struck me how most of the movies are celebratory in nature. They celebrate the human spirit.

For instance, in The Help, The Artist, The Descendants, Hugo, Midnight in Paris, and Moneyball, the protagonists are struggling with a major conflict regarding personal survival. They’re headed into a battle and hope to come out the other side as better people. They do. And we get to join them on this journey, feel their pain, their passion, their loss, and their victory.

I especially loved The Artist. I know, I know, you’re thinking, “You didn’t pick Midnight in Paris as your number one? A writer gets to go back in time and meet his novelist heroes!” Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed Midnight in Paris very much. But The Artist demanded I participate in the movie-going experience in a different, and deeper way.

At first the lack of sound freaked me out. I’m sitting there thinking, “My kid (23) is going to hate it! My husband is fidgeting. Why is that lady’s popcorn bag so loud?” Then something amazing happened: I fell headlong into story in a way I never have before. I was captivated. It was a lovely, entertaining story, without sex or violence. How refreshing!

I think that’s one of the reasons the Love Inspired line is so popular. I enjoy a bit of mystery and suspense with my reading, so I’m really excited about upcoming titles: Dangerous Imposter by Virginia Smith, Protecting the Princess by Rachelle McCalla, The Rookie’s Assignment by Valerie Hansen, and Shattered Identity by Sandra Robbins.

Between making a dent in my TBR pile, and writing my own books, I’ll keep busy until Oscar night, Sunday, February 26^th. What are you reading these days? And which film do you think will win the coveted Best Picture honor?

Peace,

Hope White

www.hopewhiteauthor.com

Hanging in there...

Missy Tippens, here. For many of us, the weather has been extremely cold. Here in Georgia, we've had a bit of really cold weather--in the 20's. So I've been amazed at some flowers that have hung in there in pots on my porch. They got planted really late.


 Late in the summer, my daughter found some little bulbs she'd bought for a fundraiser, and my husband decided to just toss them in the pots to see what happened. Well, they've been blooming since about November! And they've survived the frost, I guess because they're on the edge of the porch.



Those cute little flowers (I don't even know what kind they are) have taught me about persistence. I thought I'd share. :)

Small-Town Sweethearts Interview

How exciting to have Emily Hazard the heroine from Small-Town Sweethearts by Jean C. Gordon a January release from Love Inspired Romance.

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

You might find this interesting. Everyone here in Hazardtown seems to. I’m somewhat of a jinx. Although since I left my Adirondack Mountains hometown on Paradox Lake, NY, for college and my job in New York City, I’ve been able to control this interesting thing.

2. What do you do for fun?

Between trying to handle my work as an assistant art director for an agency in New York City from here on Paradox Lake and supervising my 17-year-old niece while her father is deployed in Afghanistan, I don’t have a lot of time for fun. I do enjoy the little family tradition my niece and I have of going out for soft ice cream to celebrate our various triumphs large and small. And I love the annual Essex County Fair, although I haven’t been there since high school.

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

Although I love them dearly, I put off visiting my family or, more specifically, returning to Paradox Lake because of unpleasant memories I have of being a misfit there. But since my brother asked me to be my niece’s guardian while he’s out of country so she can finish her senior year of high school with her friends at Schroon Lake Central — my alma mater — I’m back here for the next few months.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

Being pulled into the everybody-knows-everybody’s-business, small-town atmosphere of Paradox Lake and Hazardtown Community Church while I’m here with my niece and turning back into the Jinx Hazard I was growing up. That person who never fit in anywhere. A lot of people here still even call me Jinx. I’ve worked hard to develop a distanced professional persona. In fact, one of the reasons I like my church in New York is that the people in the congregation let each other worship privately. None of that touchy feely, we’re all in this together stuff that makes you feel guilty if you don’t volunteer for everything like Mom and Dad. Not that they don’t really seem to enjoy it. It’s just not for me.

5. What do you want out of life?

I thought what I wanted out of life was to become art director at a large New York City ad agency. My plan was that, once I’d achieved that, I could think about other things like marriage and kids. Now that Drew Stacey has arrived on my scene, I’m not so sure what I want, except it’s not to settle down permanently on Paradox Lake.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

I know it shouldn’t matter, but I’d like to fit in and to have people like me for myself, not for what I can do for them, like my boss and everyone else at the agency where I work do. And, don’t let this out, but I’d like to find a man who will love me just as I am, even if I slip into Jinx mode.

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

I like coffee table books, the ones that have lots of photography. I get good ideas for work from them. But, that’s not really reading. If I had more time, I’d indulge myself in historical novels, with or without romance.

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

To be more graceful and athletic.

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

I don’t have a pet. My apartment in New York is too small, and I work too many hours to give a pet the attention it should have.

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

I’d go back to the early nineteenth century when my ancestors were settling the hamlet of Hazardtown, here on Paradox Lake. It would be fun to see where I came from, if I maybe take after one of them since I’m so different from the rest of my family. Of course, being early settlers and loggers, they were probably all rugged outdoor types like my family.

FEATURED BOOK: SMALL-TOWN SWEETHEARTS BY JEAN C. GORDON

Summoned as temporary guardian for her teenage niece, Emily Hazard returns to Paradox Lake. On one condition—she won't let herself think about staying. Emily always felt like a misfit in her tiny hometown.But she doesn't count on falling for handsome Drew Stacey, a former Wall Streeter who's getting the town church camp ready. Though he surprises Emily with his handiness with tools, understanding of teenagers and his steady faith, she'll soon head back to New York. Unless her small-town sweetheart asks her to stay forever.

Ask Elnora--About Pain??? Lenora Worth

Hello, my darlings. Elnora is grumpy today. My bad back is not happy. Not sure what I did (no high heels, no late night dancing, not even a shopping spree) but my back has slipped its dripper, so to speak. I'm in agony. I can't get my much-needed beauty sleep and sitting at my desk is not pleasant, either. Actually, it's a temporary desk until my real one can be installed at our "retirement condo". But Elnora isn't ready to retire just yet and Bad Back, take warning. I will fight you!! Sigh. Anyway, after another sleepless night I got to wondering--how do you cope with pain? Pills, acupuncture, massages??? All of those sound divine to me right about now. And do you find that doctors tend to pat you on the head and tell you to learn how to deal with stress??? I'll show them stress! Elnora with a bad back is not pretty. So ... let's talk about coping with physcial pain even when we have to (as Elvis, bless his heart, would say) take care of business. No pity party here. Just a discussion on how it seems to me a lot of writers suffer from back problems and other physical ailments. But you know what Elnora says-- "As long as my fingers can walk me through a plot, I will stay with this keyboard!" Even if I'm in a hunka, hunka burning pain!

Ready for some fun? Word Search with the Historical Ladies

The oh-so-creative Winnie Griggs put together this word search for your playing enjoyment. Below there are 16 Love Inspired Historical Authors listed. Look through the Wednesday posts to see if you can find us all. I'll post the answer later today. If you find the names, post in the comments and I'll pull one commenter for a copy of my new book Cherry Blossom Capers (non-LI). Have fun! Cara

Give it up for the Redheads!

Patty Smith Hall here, and I was tickled to get a sneak peek at the cover of my July 2012 release, Hearts in Hiding, last week. It’s always a thrill to get a look at the art department’s conception of your book and trust me when I say, the artists at Love Inspired Historical out did themselves!

I’m particularly thrilled with my hero, Beau Daniels and his mane of dark auburn hair. A lot of folks asked me after my last book, Hearts in Flight, why I chose to feature a family made of predominately redheads in my story. I guess the answer would be I love uniqueness, and titan hair is as unique as they come, making up on 1-2% of the population. People with red hair usually have fair skin, light colored eyes and a smattering of freckles--the perfect start for any hero or heroine!

The sad part is that there are a great many misconceptions about redheads or ‘gingers,‘ and different cultures look at them with anything from admiration to scorn. Their hair often coupled

with a fiery temper and a sharp tongue as noted in Anne of Green Gables when Anne was said to have a ‘temper to match her (red) hair.' In the Medieval Age, people thought red hair was a sign of moral degeneration and went so far as to kill them for being witches, werewolves or vampires. In the modern age, gingers have been targeted by cartoons and comedians alike, and in Great Britain, ‘Gingerism‘ is compared in the same vein as racism.

All this fuss over of two recessive genes!

An yet, history provides us with a number of redheads who have and continue to influence art, literature, history and science even hundreds of years after their deaths:

Thomas Jefferson--one of our founding fathers and third president of the United States.

Ron Howard--I mean, come on! Who in their right mind would have a problem with little Opie, not to mention good guy Richie Cuninngham from ‘Happy Days!’

Prince Harry--one of the world’s most eligible men and a cutie pie to boot!

Galileo--one of the fathers of the Scientific Revolution, he introduced the idea of earth revolving around the sun.

Emma Stone--I first noticed how beautiful this talent actress was in Zombieland but she blew me away with her turn as a writer opening the door to Civil Rights in 1950's Mississippi in The Help.

Emily Dickerson--American poet who’s works, not released until after her death, are considered some of the most significant poetry in American Literature.

Queen Elizabeth the First--after surviving four stepmothers, she fought off death at the hands of a couple of Marys(one queen of England, the other, queen of the Scots) to rule over forty years during one of the most prolific times in English history.

Carol Burnett--A master comedian. I still think her take on Gone with the Wind is one of the funniest skits I’ve ever seen.

Vincent Van Gogh--Dutch post-impressionist painter who’s work influenced the world of art throughout the Twentieth century.

King David--Writer, Warrior, King of Israel and one of God’s most beloved.

And the list goes on.

Of course, I’ve always known how adventurous and fun gingers are because God blessed me with a family full of redheads, including my husband of 28 years and my youngest daughter! So now it's your turn--tell me about any of the wonderful redheads in your life!

Research in Rome!

Debby at the Colosseum.  The Forum is to the right.  The Arch
of Constantine to the left.

Debby Giusti here! Hubby and I had a wonderful time visiting Italy earlier this month.  We went with a group of folks from our church, which was such a blessing.  We took the prayer intentions from our congregation and prayed for all their needs at the churches we visited. All of you were covered in prayer, as well.

Folks asked if this trip would appear in a future book.  I’m not sure at this point, but I do know that being in Italy helped me see beyond my own life and embrace another culture and the wonderful people we met in Italy. 

Saint Peter's Basilica

My husband and I had lived in Germany for three years and traveled to Italy during that time.  This tour brought back so many memories, and seeing everything anew, after all these years, made the sights even more meaningful.

Florence

I’m ready to travel again, but first, I need to finish the next book in my Military Investigations series, THE GENERAL’S SECRETARY.   In my spare time, I’ll brainstorm new ideas about a military CID agent who goes to Italy.  Wonder what type of suspense story he’ll uncover during his travels?

Assisi

Wishing you abundant blessings!

Debby throws a coin in the Trevi Fountain so she'll
return to Rome.

Ciao!

Debby Giusti

www.DebbyGiusti.com

www.seekerville.blogspot.com

Not So Secret Sisters

See if you can guess and name the following famous sisters.

1. These Two Solve Mysteries in Children’s Books

2. These Two Wrote Books

3. These Three Are Cartoon Characters

4. These Two Play Tennis

5. This One Sings; This One Acts

6. These Two Wrote Advice Columns

7. These Three Were Harmony Singing Group Whose Career Spanned the 1920s through the 1960’s.

8. These Two Sisters Lived in a Full House on Television

Ashley
LaVerne
Brittany
Charlotte
Ann
Mary-Kate
Maxene
Patty
Eleanor
Nan
Wynonna
Venus
Abby
Jeanette
Ashley
Serena
Flossie
Emily

Pamela Tracy put together this game for the Secret Sister unveiling party at her church. See if you can guess the pairs. I'll be checking in and out through-out the day and will let you know when someone gets them correct :)

BTW, I have one sister. Her name is Roxanne.

My next book, Love Finds You in Sunflower, Kansas, has a heroine with two sisters, one younger and one older.

BTW, I put two games together for the Secret Sister revealing party at my church. The other one is Famous Secrets. It over of the LI blog, today. Try that one, too. http://www.loveinspiredauthors.com/

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.

FEATURED BOOK: MONTANA MATCH MERRILLEE WHREN

Nanny to six-year-old twin girls isn't exactly the position Brittany Gorman is looking for. But she needs a job. And the twins' struggling single dad, rancher Parker Watson, needs all the help he can get. Soon Brittany is not only assisting with the girls, but also helping Parker make peace with his past. It seems Brittany's finally found a place to belong. And with two little matchmakers on the loose, there's no telling what the future holds. As her time on the ranch runs out, can Brittany and Parker find the strength to face that future—together?

Let's Discuss Elnora Today!

I'm sorry to say Elnora isn't feeling well and couldn't post today. So I thought we could all take a lesson from her book and practice going into diva mode. Let's talk about how we deserve to be pampered when we're sick!

I imagine Big Daddy takes good care of Elnora when she's under the weather. Can't you just imagine her demanding it? :) What do y'all think? And are you lucky enough to have someone to give you all the sympathy and TLC you need when you get a migraine or the flu or even a pesky cold?

Let's chat!

Prayers for Our Readers

This week we wanted to share some prayers for our readers in the New Year. Many blessings to all of you.

To our wonderful readers I wish the most blessed 2012.  Without you, our stories don't come alive and our characters don't have the chance to tell their stories. May this new year bring you much joy, much love, and the perfect happy ending.

Christine Johnson

My prayer for my readers is simple.  May God bless you with health, peace of mind, and prosperity.  That covers just about everything, especially "peace of mind."  It's a joy to write Christian fiction, and I hope others are as blessed as I've been by the wealth of inspiring stories.

Victoria Bylin 

I pray that each reader gets exactly what she needs from my books.  I ask God to open her eyes and heart to the message He has prepared individually for her, and that it will bear much fruit.  I thank God for the many readers who have been blessings to me...encouragers, grateful hearts, and uplifters who have gone out of their way to let me know my work blesses them.
--Allie Pleiter

Handling Disappointment -- how do you do it?

Cara Putman here. We had an interesting week at the beginning of the month in the Putman household. First, I had disappointing news from a publisher, then my eldest had a disappointing gymnastics meet.

Disappointment is terrible. Especially when you've worked as hard as you know how to work and hear that your efforts aren't quite there. They don't reach the level needed. Yet there's no clear direction on how to improve.

I cried out to God that I would do the work, I just don't know what that work is. For my daughter she can't feel the pike on her vault. How can you fix something you can't feel?

I'm such a doer. I want the four step plan, so we can take action, do something to move closer to the goal. Yet I get the sense that's not really an option this go around. I'm trying to pray. To circle the dreams with prayer and praise as Mark Batterson puts it in his new book The Circle Maker. I appreciate how God prepared me to handle these disappointments by reading this book and other things.

And as I've prayed about these disappointments, God has met me. First through a friend. He kept dropping her name in my mind, so I emailed her asking for help. She gave me an amazing gift of her time and talent by going through my synopsis and helping me identify all the good pieces I had in there and digging deeper to the elements that were missing. Then at practice I've watched my daughter put together elements and skills that have eluded her all year. She has to do the work, but that effort is being honored.

Here's what I know. Disappointment can push me to work harder, to go deeper as I chase my dreams. Disappointment can also push me away from my dreams. It's a choice I make. So I'm pushing deeper, checking that my dreams are the right ones, and committing to the extra work. What about you? What happens when you face disappointment? Do you have strategies for handling it?