Hi this is Jolene Navarro coming in a bit late today. I was in my first day back to school mode and wanted to share my inspiration to Say Yes! Yes, yourself.... yes to something new....yes to dreams...yes to joy! Proverbs 17:22

Proverbs 17:22 - "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (NIV)

Don't let the cycle of negative thoughts suck you down and dry you up. Life is a journey of ups and downs Yes can be a power word but so can  No.
Say NO to fears, no to doubt...No No NO to not being good enough. I don't know about you, but I allow so many voices in my head. Some come with great stories some not so much, They are full of doubt and shame.
Words have the power to change your mood. As a start a new school year, I take the time to refelct on the past one. One story stood out.
Middle of the year I was introducing a new a project to my art class I noticed a girl standing outside my door. She would leave then come back.
Once I finished I went over to see if she needed help. She was a new student and said they made a mistake putting her in art. She said she was terrible at drawing. I asked if she had already had a fine art class, because in Texas you needed a credit in fine art in order to gradate. She said no and I explained at our small school Visual Art was the only fine art we offered so she needed my class to graduate.
I think she stopped breathing and said she couldn't do it. There was such a fear in her eyes, my heart melted for her.
I went on to reassure her that I grade heavy on effort not product. Went on to explain that mistakes are the best way to learn and there are many forms of art and some of the most famous artist could not draw either. Van Gogh is my favorite example. I promised her if she gave it her best effort it would be good enough. She left but found her way back to next day.

I started her on a radial design with her name. I showed her how to tracing her own name that I helped her design. I showed her some simple techniques with watercolor pencils and it was amazing to see her shine. She started coming to the studio before school and after so she could work on her project. This is why I teach. To have a student full of fear and failure end up experiencing joy at something they created all own their own. Nothing is better.

Radial design with Name in Reflection - Hope

Radial design with Name in Reflection - Tiago

Radial design with Name in Reflection - Rudy N Sonia

“Joy is the serious business of Heaven.” ~ C. S. Lewis 

In A Texas Christmas Wish that will be out in print September 15 and ebook on October 1 my heroine has had a life of being used and abandoned. She is determined to make a difference, with the love of God on her side she takes on life and finds the joy in the little things and she builds a better future for herself and her son. The hero needs a little help finding his joy. With her help he does, just in time for Christmas.

Have you tried something new that scared you? Have you ever found joy in the middle of a storm? 

Coming Together by Jean C. Gordon

I love it when a community comes together for the good of all, whether it's picking up after a disaster, pulling together to save an historical building, or, like the village and hamlets in our township, finding a creative way to fund a community project. Keying off the fact that the village is a former rail hub, three years ago, our town started an annual summer exhibition of train sculptures.

Local businesses and individuals contribute to buy the forms and other supplies to create the sculptures. Potential artists submit sketches of their designs on a photocopy of what the undecorated train engine forms will look like. This year 20 designs were chosen and, since Memorial Day, the completed sculptures have been displayed along the streets of Ravena, Coeymans, Coeymans Hollow, and Alcove (the village and hamlets in our township). The week after Labor Day, the sculptures will be auctioned off at the Coeymans Marina and the proceeds will go toward youth programming for the community. Last year's auction funded a movie projector for the town's summer movie nights. The sculptures pictured are the ones I drive by on my way to the grocery store and church.

My next Love Inspired romance Holiday Homecoming (available now for preorder) features a community event, too, an ecumenical Christmas Pageant on Christmas Eve. Pastor Connor Donnelly is done with romance. After proposing to his high school sweetheart, Natalie Delacroix, five years ago—and being turned down—he’s putting all his time and energy into his community. He’s determined to make the Christmas pageant he’s directing a success. But family and friends are set on fixing up the good-looking bachelor in time for the holidays. And now that Natalie is back in Paradox Lake—and helping with the pageant—they might just succeed. Because working so closely with Natalie stirs up old feelings…and Connor starts to hope for a second chance with the one who got away.

Happy Monday everyone!

I've been enjoying the vacation photos that people have been sharing. They got me to thinking of one of my favorite vacation spots - the southern coast of Maine.

I remember years ago watching Angela Lansbury on Murder She Wrote and deciding I wanted to live in Cabot Cove, ME. 

Apparently Cabot Cove wasn't real, and the TV series was actually filmed on the West Coast in Mendocino, CA, but the fictional town was named after an inlet in Kennebunkport, ME.


We've been coming to Maine ever since my daughter chose a college here and I've found the real towns of Kennebunk/Kennebunkport and Ogunquit to be just as wonderful as Cabot Cove. They've also inspired quite a few stories that I'm working on.

I thought I'd share some of my pictures today and then maybe we can chat about what vacation spots you've been to that have inspired your stories.

 These are from the coast along The Marginal Way. (click to enlarge)

I took this short video along The Marginal Way.

These stretches of wild, rocky coast give way on one side to Perkins Cove with it's lobster boats and cute shops --

and on the other side to smooth sandy beaches in Ogunquit and Wells.

I was lucky enough to catch sunrise over the ocean back in April.

and snap this shot of the ocean just before twilight last summer

If you haven't guessed by now, this is one of my most favorite places on earth. Even my dog loves it here!

Summer

or winter

So do you have a special place that you love to write about? Or if you're not a writer, what is your favorite place to visit?

FEATURED BOOK AND INTERVIEW: Nursing the Soldier's Heart by Merrillee Whren

Loving the Soldier 

Nurse Kirsten Bailey places her family above all else. She refuses to give former army medic Brady Hewitt any leeway for being weeks late in visiting his ill grandmother. But Brady has a good excuse, and he's eager to show the pretty nurse that first impressions aren't always right. While working with Brady to care for his grandmother and two orphaned boys, Kirsten realizes that his charm and kindness aren't an act. But Kirsten plans on doing missionary work abroad, and she's determined not to fall for the engaging soldier. Could the man she once dismissed be the one to make her stay forever? 

Interview:

How exciting to have Brady Hewitt the hero from Nursing the Soldier’s Heart written by Merrillee Whren an August 2015 release from Love Inspired Romance .

1. Brady Hewitt, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

    I’ve had some dangerous jobs. I’ve been an army medic, an oil rig worker, and I also worked on a fishing boat off the coast of Alaska.

2.  What do you do for fun?

     I’ve always enjoyed playing soccer, and I’m getting the chance to teach the game to some of the kids at the Village of Hope.

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

     Talking about my dad because he basically abandoned me after my mother died.

    

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

     I fear being like my dad, who let difficult times ruin his life.

5.  What is the most important thing to you?

     Right now the most important thing is making sure my grandmother Cora has a good life in her remaining years.

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

     I’ve never been much of a reader, but lately I’ve been reading books to Zach and Tyler, two boys from the children’s home at the Village of Hope. I’m enjoying these books as much as the kids.

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

     I’d like to learn to trust God more and seek his guidance before I make plans.    

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

     I’ve never had a pet because my employment didn’t fit well with caring for a pet.

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

      I’m not sure I would like to go back in time. These days I’m trying to look forward and not back. But if I have to choose a time and place, I’d go back to the oil wildcatter days in west Texas. I enjoyed my job in the oil fields, and it would be interesting to see how the early oilmen worked.

This won't happen again ever--Lenora Worth :)

Something is about to happen in my writing career that will probably never happen again. From August through November, maybe December I will have a book out every month. Don't ask me how things lined up this way. I write them and send them in and wait to hear when they will be released. But somehow, this year I only had two books out in the spring and now--wham!!! It's like Christmas in August!!!

When you write category commercial fiction, you learn to write steadily and hope to have at least two books out per year. Some years that balances out through the year. And some years it just looks like you must write all the time! Okay, I do write all the time. I eat, sleep, dream, scream, writing because I love it that much. But people are usually surprised when I tell them I only work about five or six hours a day, sometimes less. I like having my own schedule, on my own time. At times,  I finish way ahead of time and at other times, I skid into SEND at one minute before midnight. Whew!

So before you ask, I do not know how this happened but I'm happy about it. I love Christmas stories so this is my year, baby! And of course I have to show off my gorgeous covers! (I share one of these books with Shirlee McCoy! How cool is that?)

Now, dear craftie ladies, tell me about your schedules. It's interesting to hear how we each handle deadlines, schedules, books out per year, and having some down time. Let's discuss while you admire my pretties:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Question for readers...whaddya want?

I've been perusing sales numbers recently for my 20 Harlequin novels. The fact is, they haven't all sold the same number of copies. Some have amazed me with their popularity, and some have disappointed, but all of them confound me. When I am whacking away at those keys, I'm completely convinced this is my BEST novel ever, one that really speaks to the readers, a pulse pounding thriller that will fly off the shelves. Trouble is, sometimes I'm wrong. Gasp! Sometimes, for reasons which I can't explain, my book just isn't what people want to read. Go figure! Was it the theme? The cover? The timing? A dull premise? Tired prose? No idea.

So tell me readers and writers...when faced with a shelf full of romantic suspense novels, what makes you pick one over the other? What themes really trip your trigger? Do this confused writer a favor and share! 

My Summer Vacation(s)

Hi everyone - Winnie Griggs here.  July was a crazy busy month for me, but in a good way.  At the beginning of the month we took a six day family vacation to Hawaii.  It was my first time there but I hope it's not my last!  The scenery was breathtaking, the beaches were beautiful and the food was wonderful.  We visited Pearl Harbor, went to a luau, toured volcano formations, visited secluded waterfalls and saw amazing foliage.

One of my favorite things that we did though, was take a helicopter tour with the doors off.  It was so exhilarating and the views were fantastic.

After a week back at home I took off again, this time for New York with my three daughters.  I'd been there before but it was the girls first trip and we determined to fit as much into the three full days they'd be there as we could.  And I must say we made a pretty good run at it.

Once they headed home it was time for me to turn my focus to the Romance Writers of America annual conference, which had me spending another six and a half days in New York.

And there you have it - my busy, fun, exhausting, exhilarating July!  So how about you - did you have the opportunity to do much travelling this summer?  What is your favorite or dream destination?

Craftie Ladies - Love Inspired Romance August 2015 Releases

Listed below are the upcoming releases from our talented Love Inspired Romance writers here at Craftie Ladies of Romance.  To purchase any of these wonderful books, just click on the book covers.  And to learn more about the authors, click on their names.

Family Wanted
by Renee Andrews

Isabella Gray has always longed for a small town to call home. Newly arrived to Claremont, Alabama, she might finally have the chance to find that—and more. Handsome Titus Jameson and his daughter, Savannah, immediately capture Isabella’s attention. The motherless child reminds Isabella of herself growing up, and she’s determined to help bring the little girl out of her shell. But Isabella has been keeping a secret from the man she’s fallen for—and she’s torn. She knows telling him the real reason she came to Claremont is the right thing to do—but revealing the truth could break everyone’s hearts.

The Cowboy's Surprise Baby

by Deb Kastner

Hometown Reunion 

After years away serving his country, Cole Bishop finally returns home—with a newborn baby in tow. As a single dad, Cole needs help. But the last thing he expects to encounter at his new job is his high school sweetheart—all grown up and more beautiful than ever. Tessa Applewhite might have broken Cole's heart years before, but she's never forgotten him. And he can wrangleher heart like no one else ever has. But Tessa rejected him when the stakes weren't nearly as high. Can Cole trust her again—and in the process, form a forever family?

A Father's Second Chance

by Mindy Obenhaus

Repairing Her Heart 

Businesswoman Celeste Thompson has one goal: to make her restaurant and hotel a success. She doesn't need any distractions, even from handsome contractor Gage Purcell and his two adorable little girls. Besides, single dad Gage is just biding his time before a big job at the mines comes through. But as Celeste's project springs to life, their arguments transform into attraction. Gage isn't looking for romance, especially not with another career-driven woman like his ex-wife. But openhearted Celeste is more than just another work-consumed client. She might just be his happily-ever-after.

Nursing the Soldier's Heart

by Merrillee Whren

Loving the Soldier 

Nurse Kirsten Bailey places her family above all else. She refuses to give former army medic Brady Hewitt any leeway for being weeks late in visiting his ill grandmother. But Brady has a good excuse, and he's eager to show the pretty nurse that first impressions aren't always right. While working with Brady to care for his grandmother and two orphaned boys, Kirsten realizes that his charm and kindness aren't an act. But Kirsten plans on doing missionary work abroad, and she's determined not to fall for the engaging soldier. Could the man she once dismissed be the one to make her stay forever?

FEATURED BOOK AND INTERVIEW: A Father's Second Chance by Mindy Obenhaus

Repairing Her Heart 

Businesswoman Celeste Thompson has one goal: to make her restaurant and hotel a success. She doesn't need any distractions, even from handsome contractor Gage Purcell and his two adorable little girls. Besides, single dad Gage is just biding his time before a big job at the mines comes through. But as Celeste's project springs to life, their arguments transform into attraction. Gage isn't looking for romance, especially not with another career-driven woman like his ex-wife. But openhearted Celeste is more than just another work-consumed client. She might just be his happily-ever-after. 

Interview:

How exciting to have Celeste Thompson the heroine from A Father’s Second Chance written by Mindy Obenhaus an August release from Love Inspired Romance .

                                       

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

I doubt there’s all that much about me that people would find real interesting, however I did give up a very lucrative job in Ft. Worth, Texas to reopen my grandmother’s restaurant in the tiny town of Ouray, Colorado.

2.  What do you do for fun?

Cook. Yes, it’s what I do for a living, but only because I love it so much.

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

There aren’t a lot of things that I procrastinate on. I tend to be a woman of action.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

Being abandoned by someone that I love.

5.  What is the most important thing to you?

Family and faith

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

Cookbooks, naturally. And the Bible. Being so busy at the diner, there’s not room for anything else.

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

I’m very untrusting when it comes to matters of the heart. I wish I could learn to open up more.

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

I do not have a pet. And please don’t count that bear that was in my garage.

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

I would go back to the day my father left and beg him to stay.