The Last Bridge Home Interview

How exciting to have Jillian Fairmont the heroine from THE LAST BRIDGE HOME written by Linda Goodnight a February, 2012, release from Love Inspired Romance .

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

I suppose the most interesting thing about me is my job. I grew up an animal lover and took training to be a vet assistant. I love my work.

2. What do you do for fun?

Attend baseball games. My next door neighbor, hunk-a-hunky firefighter, Zak Ashford is a baseball nut and he likes for me to come to his games. We also hang out and play catch sometimes or watch games on TV together. He even taught me Fantasy Baseball! He thinks I’m his best pal. His red-haired, freckle-faced best friend. And I am. But I’m also in love with him and he doesn’t have a clue. Go ahead and say it. I’m a complete stooge.

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

I really should put Zak out of mind forever - and I will. But first, he needs help and I can’t turn my back on his sick wife and her troubled children. It’s just too awful and too sad.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

Okay, truth here. I’m afraid of a lot of things lately. When Zak’s wife showed up on his doorstep, I was terrified because, let’s face it, God’s not too happy with a woman who covets someone else’s husband. How was I to know he had a wife? He didn’t know himself. I’m also afraid of doing the wrong thing, of letting down my values because of the way I care for Zak. I’m afraid of Zak finding out that I love him. I’m afraid of his rejection. I’m afraid that if I ignore those three helpless little kids, something terrible will happy.

5. What is the most important thing to you?

God, family, and friends. I sound like a political ad, don’t I?

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

I read lots of vet literature, but for pure enjoyment I like historical novels. The big, fat kind about knights and ladies and happy-ever-afters. Sigh.

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

My awful freckles! They’re so embarrassing. They pop out like neon signs any time I blush or get upset. How could any guy ever find me attractive?

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

Sometimes I have too many pets because I tend to take on rescues from the vet clinic. Right now, I have three rescue rabbits and two rat terriers. I love my dogs, Mugsy and Satchmo for their feisty personalities and absolute devotion to humans.

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

Most days I’d say to medieval times of knights and ladies, but right now, I’d bounce back to when Zak was in college . As his best pal, I could have talked him out of marrying Crystal. Am I awful for saying that?

FEATURED BOOK: THE LAST BRIDGE HOME BY LINDA GOODNIGHT

Doing the right thing always came easily to firefighter Zak Ashford. So he can't refuse taking in the dying wife he thought divorced him long ago—and watching over her three troubled children. The only person Zak can turn to is his cute neighbor, Jilly Fairmont, who helps him and the children through their loss. And not just because she secretly cares for Zak. Yet it isn't long before Zak realizes what this honest, compassionate woman means to him, too. Can he convince Jilly that his life would be complete if she agreed to share his future?

Ask Elnora--About Mardi Gras??? Lenora Worth

Hello, my little revelers. It's Mardi Gras season down in Louisiana. This is a time of fun and frolic before we get serious about Lent and Easter. Elnora loves Mardi Gras because we get to go to parades and catch pretty beads and bling. Upstate, Mardi Gras isn't as wild and crazy as what you might have heard about New Orleans. We are more family-oriented and not as frantic, but we still manage to have a good time. Big Daddy and I used to go to a lot of Mardi Gras balls when I worked for a local magazine and covered all the social events. That meant dressing up in our fancy duds and usually, it meant sore feet from high heels and dancing. (Or rather, I had sore feet. Big Daddy was smart and wore comfortable shoes.) Now that I'll be moving to Florida soon, I've become fascinated with Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama. It actually started there before it became so big in New Orleans. So I hope to experience Mobile's celebration one day, too. This year, I'll miss out on most of the celebration due to deadlines, the still-bad back and packing for the big move. But that's okay. I've had fun with Mardi Gras for many years now. My only complaint abou the whole thing is that it comes in the middle of winter and sometimes it's just too cold to go out and catch beads! Mardi Gras is full of tradition and mystery and good times and sometimes, a bit of over-indulgence. But the history and tradition of Mardi Gras is never boring, that's for sure. But all this Mardi Gras talk got me to thinking---what kind of celebrations do you have where you live? Festivals, mullet throws, carnivals, county fairs? What kind of fun happens in your neck of the woods? Let's discuss celebrations! I believe humans are always up for some good, clean fun and celebrations are a fun part of life. What do you enjoy when you want to have fun?

Going Back to School to Learn our Stuff...

Hi, Sandra Orchard here to tell you about the Writer’s Police Academy, one of the many ways we romantic suspense authors hone our suspense writing skills. And come home with a cool T-shirt!

The event is held annually at an actual police training facility and offers an incredible array of hands-on, interactive and educational experiences to enhance a writer’s understanding of all aspects of law enforcement and forensics.


First there’s the equipment

On opening day, almost every imaginable law enforcement and rescue vehicle was assembled in the parking lot, and officers were on hand to answer our questions about the equipment. In addition to the sheriff and police command-post trucks pictured, there were motorcycles, cruisers, a fire engine, ambulance, bomb retrieval (that’s little R-2D-2 in the picture), dive team equipment, riot gear, and more weapons than an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie.

Nothing like handling the equipment, and talking to the officers who use it to add realism to your descriptions.

Second came the classes:

We could choose from a vast array of classes such as handcuffing techniques, fingerprinting, forensics, jail search, arson investigation, pepper spray demonstration—yes, one brave officer let himself be sprayed, crash investigation, tools of the trade, sprinkler demonstrations, the list goes on, and… my favorite, undercover work. Considering that I had just signed a contract for the first book in my “Undercover Cops” series with Love Inspired Suspense, I was anxious to glean all that I could from this class. Not only did Marco Conelli, former undercover cop turned writer, share many of his experiences, he gave us glimpses of what went on in his head and heart during that time, which is where the real meat of my heroes’ stories lie.

On Day Two…

We arrived at the academy not knowing what to expect. It was kept very hush, hush. We were divided into two groups and ushered into the school one group at a time and stationed in the hall. You need to understand that this is an actual college and students were in classes. Suddenly an armed gunman, wearing a conference ID tag just like the rest of us came charging down the hall.

Within minutes police swarmed the hall, took down the gunman, waited for the paramedics to assess him as others secured the building. One officer kept his weapon trained on the downed gunman until the paramedics ran a strip and confirmed he was dead. Officers then escorted the hostages out of the school to be interrogated separately.

You’ll notice in the picture that the hostages are escorted with their hands on their heads because they have no way of knowing if the gunman had an armed partner. Then we observed the paramedics treating a bullet wound in one of the victims.

Afterward, we were told that we’d observed a “Rapid Deployment Demonstration” provided by local law enforcement & GTCC students.

As a writer, being in the middle of it, hearing the shouts, gunshots, crying students, tasting the fear and panic and desperation, feeling the cloying atomosphere, I was able to absorb much that I can now write into scenes in my novels.

FATS

Fire Arms Simulation Training was an added bonus for attending the academy.

We were given Glocks and faced with a floor to ceiling screen that showed videos of shoot and don’t shoot situations like the one pictured above in which the driver jumped out of the car and grabbed the officer from behind. Obviously, I (the partner back in the cruiser) can barely see the suspect, let alone take him down.

When we took a shot, the hit would show on the screen. We were surprised more than once by the post-simulation explanation of why we should have, or shouldn’t have, taken a shot.

For example, in one depiction a man held a baby in a car seat and was wielding a knife yelling at us to stay back. We’re calmly telling him to drop the weapon, unwilling to shoot because the guy might drop the baby! He’s not listening so our shouts grow more urgent. I don’t recall if a single one of us took a shot, because of the danger to the baby. The officer conducting the training told us after the scenario that any officer unable to take that shot would be kicked out of the academy. The man was a serious threat to the life of the baby and the officers and was not responding to instructions.

The most adrenaline-pumping moment for me was when I had to face a hostage taker alone in an office (as depicted on screen). A disgruntled employee had his boss in an arm lock and was waving a gun. I was telling him to put down the weapon, that he really didn’t want to do this etc. But to no avail. All the while, I trained my own weapon at the guy’s head—the only part of his body visible past the hostage. The instant he lifted his gun, I took the shot.

The guy’s brains splattered on the wall behind (yes, it looked as gross as it sounds). The officer in charge of the simulation turned to me and said, “Great shot.”

I pretty much freaked out on him, saying that I could have hit the hostage. I was shaking, heart pounding. It was unbelievable. It gave me a whole new perspective on the split second decisions officers are called upon to make and the emotional havoc it can wreak afterward.

The emotional havoc of being an undercover officer is what I explore in my Undercover Cops series, for which I found lots of fodder at the academy.

Who have you kissed lately?

In honor of Valentine's Day let's acknowledge the people who are important in our lives. I'm grateful to my friends and family--to my husband, son, daughter-in-law and four grandchildren. Maybe you don't appreciate what my granddaughter does, but who (or what) have you showed your appreciation to today?

Your First Crush

Linda Goodnight here. Do you remember your first crush? The first boy who made your heart flutter and had you hoping, hoping he’d give you a really truly special Valentine instead of the usual tiny punch-out card from a box of 36? I remember. I was in second grade and there was the cutest boy ever. Brown hair, brown eyes, tall and dark, a regular romance hero in the making. And he wrote left handed which my seven year old brain considered absolutely magical. The day of our little class party, I opened my Valentine mailbox to discover not one, but two tiny punch-out cards from my crush. I never found out if he actually liked me or had made a mistake, because, after all, second graders don’t act on crushes, they just have them. But my fluttery little heart was happy just the same.

So how about you? Do you remember your first crush? Come on, you know you do...

And while we're chatting, I have a question: Which kind of Valentine would you rather have? Flowers, Chocolates, or jewelry?

Please share--and pass the box of chocolates....

A House Full of Hope Interview

How exciting to have Hannah Hughes the heroine from A House Full of Hope, written by Missy Tippens, a February 2012 release from Love Inspired Romance .

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

I guess the best, and most interesting, thing about me is that I have four beautiful children. They're my pride and joy!

2. What do you do for fun?

I love to play hide-and-go-seek with the kids. And to read to them. I don't have much time for free time, but if I did, I'd love to spend a day at the beach.

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

I always dread dealing with issues with my mother. We sometimes don't see eye to eye! :)

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

I fear not being able to provide well for my children. Since I'm a widow, it's tough to provide for them in the way I'd like. I want them to have a nice home and security. I'm working toward owning a home to help give them a place to feel secure.

5. What is the most important thing to you?

Feeling secure and loved. Feeling like I'm important to someone.

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

Who has time to read?! :) Right now, my favorite type is the books I read to my children.

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

I'd worry less and trust God more.

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

We have a pet on our rental property that the kids have pretty much adopted. A black labrador retriever named Blue. He's into everything and about drives me crazy! But I'm growing more and more attached to him.

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

I would travel back to early elementary school--before my parents started having trouble and my sister got involved in the wrong crowd--because I had no idea at that time how good things were.

FEATURED BOOK: A HOUSE FULL OF HOPE BY MISSY TIPPENS

Before becoming a Christian, Mark Ryker ran with a bad crowd and broke hearts. Including his father's. Now a successful businessman, Mark has come home to Corinthia, Georgia, to make amends. But no one will forgive him. So when the widowed mother of four renting his dad's run-down house needs help fixing up the place, Mark gets to work. Pretty Hannah Hughes and her sweet kids have him longing to be part of the clan, but Hannah isn't ready to let go of the past. Still, they are working together on a house full of hope—and that's all Mark needs.

Ask Elnora--About Valentine's Day??? Lenora Worth

Hello, my funny Valentines. It's that time of year--time to go red for our hearts and to go find some chocolate for our souls. Valentine's Day is one of the best days for a writer, especially a romance writer. Don't you just love romance? I know some people frown on all the sappiness of the day, but honestly where would we be without romance? Falling in love is natural in life, and celebrating that love long after the flowers and candy are gone is what makes romance count. Of course, as romance writers we love Valentne's Day and those happy endings. Romance starts with a relationship but it's what happens AFTER the romance that makes a lasting love. And that involves all the ups and downs of life, the little things that mean so much. As many of you know, I traveled to Florida to our "retirement condo". I planned to work while Big Daddy renovated all around me. But my bad back decided to mess with my plans. I whined about it here already, but I could barely function. But here is where romance goes into overtime and turns into love. My husband took care of me by putting my desk near the only chair I could be comfortable in, by bringing me coffee and cooking for me, by helping me with my medicine and trips to the doctor.When I got cabin fever, he drove me out the beach and let me listen to the waves. That is the kind of romance that will last a lifetime, the kind that involves messiness and multi-tasking. That is the kind of romance that lasts long after the sigh and the closing of the book. Love begins with romance but it continues with grace and understanding and compromise and perservance. It takes the good and the bad and the happy and the sad and wraps all of it up in a pretty bow of commitment. So let's discuss Valentine's Day??? What do you love about it? What do you think about it? And remember, giving out hearts and flowers isn't all about couples. Friends sometime need a nice Valentine reminder that they are loved. Family members need a little bit of encouragement on a day that can sometimes be lonely. We all need a little romance. Flowers, hearts, chocolate--they all became wrapped up in this unique day, but we can carry a little bit of Valentine's Day with us every day. What do you think??

Weekend Fun with Mystery/Suspense Writers and Readers

Debby (L) with Murder in the Magic City
Chairman Margaret Fenton (R)

Debby Giusti here!

I spent last weekend in Alabama with a group of mystery and suspense writers.  We were the guest authors at Mystery in the Magic City on Saturday and at Murder on the Menu on Sunday.

Saturday's event was held in Birmingham and hosted by the local Sisters in Crime Chapter.  Margaret Fenton was the overall coordinator and organized the activities on Saturday.  She's a delightful gal who made everything look so easy.  Margaret greeted us at the hotel on Friday night with snacks and sodas, arranged for our transportation and had a delicious meal catered for us after Murder in the Magic City.

We spent Saturday with about 100 readers who came to hear the various panel discussions, enjoy a yummy lunch and buy books at the signing, following the talks.  Everyone was so warm and welcoming, and I felt right at home.

At the book signing following Saturday's event.

Sunday, we traveled to Wetumpka, Alabama, near Montgomery, for Murder on the Menu.  Tammy Lynn was the go-to gal and bookseller for the day.  More than 130 readers enjoyed a lovely luncheon, and the proceeds benefited the Wetumpka Library.  The authors ate early and then rotated tables during the actual luncheon and chatted with the folks attending the event.  

The authors had lunch with the Mayor of Wetumpka
and the Chief of Police and Deputy Chief prior to Murder on the Menu.

Both days allowed me to meet wonderful Alabamans and see more of that beautiful state.  I also enjoyed getting to know the other authors.  As you can guess, we spent most of our free time talking about writing.

Some of the wonderful folks I got to meet at
Murder on the Menu.

Thanks, Margaret and Tammy and all those who worked with them, for making the weekend so much fun.

What reader events have you attended?  Did you have fun?  What was the best part?

Wishing you abundant blessings!
Debby Giusti
www.DebbyGiusti.com
www.seekerville.blogspot.com

The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz

Sherri Shackelford here today! One of the greatest books on writing I've ever received - has nothing to do with writing. Elizabeth Wells gave me this book the first year I joined RWA (Way back in late 2007), and I've referred to it often

Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements

agreement 1

Be impeccable with your word - Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

agreement 2

Don’t take anything personally - Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

agreement 3

Don’t make assumptions - Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

agreement 4

Always do your best - Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

Staying Sane in a Crazy World

Let's face it...life moves at an insane pace. As a writer, I have to look for ways to manage my stress, because sitting at a keyboard for hours at a time doesn't do it for me. So a few years ago the gal who hated sweating started running mini-marathons. Before you become too impressed, this spring I'll run my third. Having a couple babies got in the way of the other two I'd signed up for...I can live with that.

I love the dedication it takes to train. And talk about a deadline! Knowing there's a day I'll have to run 13.1 miles is a huge motivator.

The first weekend in May, Eric and I will run the Indy 500 mini-marathon. This will be my third time, Eric's fourth. While I'm by no means the fastest runner, I actually enjoy the way training forces me to do something those dreary winter months when it's easy to keep my posterior planted on the couch. So how do I get ready?

I'm so glad you asked. This month (January) I've tried to get on the treadmill three times a week...if for nothing more than to remind my body how to move. I quickly learned I needed new shoes and then had to take the week to break those in. But now I'm ready to move to the next level. Official training.

But starting Sunday, I'm pulling out a three-month training program that has worked great for me.

Allie Pleiter: this girl IS crazy 'bout a Sharp-Dressed Man

Today, I took my husband shopping for clothes.  Like most engineers, he’s more concerned with function than form, and while no one would call him “nerdy,” no one would call him “stylish,” either.   

He’s his own man, but we all know there’s a universal truth at work here:  when a married man dresses well everyone credits him, but when he dresses poorly they blame the wife.  Fair?  Hardly, but there you have it.  Certain standards must be kept if we’re both to keep our heads held high.  He’s got a basic sense--but honestly, how wrong can a sentient man go in a closet full of Dockers in neutrals and button-down oxfords?  It’s essentially “choose one from column A (being Dockers) and one from column B (being shirts).”

Funny thing is, all manner of things can go wrong when my 15 year old son applies the same formula--column A being “nerd shirts” (which are any t-shirt advertising a computer game, science concept, sci-fi movie or tv show) and column B being jeans.  

In twenty-three years of marriage, I can count the number of times I’ve sent my husband back his closet one one hand.  I send my son back at least once a week.

Sigh.  I love the males in my life, but there’s a reason I drool over James Bond.  An impeccably dressed man is my favorite fantasy.  Cowboys are okay, muscles have their place, but a man in a perfectly cut Italian suit with a gazillion-dollar watch would send my pulse racing.  Is that shallow?  Absolutely, but we are talking fantasy here.  

I spend a lot of time thinking about what the men in my books are wearing.  FALLING FOR THE FIREMAN’s Chad Owens had to have the stiff feel of a uniform without every being seen in one.  In my upcoming book HOMEFRONT HERO, WWI Army Captain John Gallows is all about the uniform.  All this attention to male dress has me wondering--do you notice the wardrobes of heroes in books?  How would you dress your ultimate man?

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!