Time Doesn't Stand Still by Merrillee Whren

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says,
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
time for war, and a time for peace." 

There are very few people who can ignore time. We have decisions to make regarding our time every day. How much time you will sleep. How much time you will work. How much time you spend on entertainment. This brings me to an interesting fact about today. 

On Oct 13, 1884, Greenwich was established as the universal time meridian of longitude.The International Meridian Conference was held in Washington, D.C., where delegates from twenty-five countries selected the Greenwich Meridian as the official Prime Meridian due to its popularity. However, France abstained from the vote and French maps continued to use the Paris Meridian for several decades.

This is a photo that my daughter recently took as she stood over the Prime Meridian in Greenwich, which is a borough in southeast London, England.

 

For a writer, the release of a new book is an exciting time. This week I have a new book out, A LOVE TO CALL MINE, the second book in my Front Porch Promises series. 

 

When research scientist Max Reynolds is diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, his oncology nurse is meddlesome Heather Watson, who destroyed his hope of marrying the woman he loved. Heather Watson finds a challenge in guiding her friend’s neglectful ex-boyfriend through his fight against the disease.

To their surprise, romantic sparks fly between them. But Max faces a critical health decision, and Heather must meddle one last time, risking her heart on a long shot chance to give Max a future, with or without her. Will he win his battle with cancer only to lose a chance at love?

What do you like to do with your free time?

I'll be giving away an e-book copy of A PLACE TO CALL HOME, the first book in the Front Porch Promises series, to someone who leaves a comment. I'll draw the name of the winner on October 14, 2016, at 9PM PDT.

 

 

Frustrated?

by Jean C. Gordon

According to the Calendar of Weird Holidays, today is International Moment of Frustration Day. Since we all have frustrating moments in our lives, I’m commemorating the day by sharing some ways to deal with frustration. The research I found universally recommends three core strategies.

Stay in the present

Frustration is often triggered or heightened by (1) wanting to jump to somewhere in the future and be done with the now or (2) reliving a failure in the past. What can you do to get yourself back to the present and reduce your frustration? Take stock of the things around you. Notice the sun shining through the window, the colors of the changing fall leaves, the laughter of your children playing, the smells of dinner cooking, a picture on the wall, the pattern on your bedspread, birds chirping outside, your cat chasing her tail. Taking a minute or two to ground yourself in your surroundings should get your attention back to the present.

Appreciate what you have

Once you’re back in the present, focus on what’s still positive in your life by making a list of important things you may take for granted—things like, a warm home and roof over your head, clean drinking water, food, books to read, access to the Internet, your family and friends.

Ask yourself what you can do right now

Now, that you’re calmer, you could try what you were doing one more time. Not all things in life come to you the first, second, or even third time. Or you might be able to take a small step in a different direction that will open up another way to achieve your goal. It’s also possible that you can’t do anything right now. You may have taken on too much and what you need to do is back off for a while, take the evening or a few days to relax, take care of yourself, and perhaps simplify a bit.

Turn to His Word

This one is mine. It’s what I do. I have a file on the laptop desktop with encouraging Bible versus for different situations that I can click open and read when I need encouragement. Putting this step first makes the other steps more successful. These are the versus in my file that I've found helpful for frustration.

Deuteronomy 31:6: So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.

Philippians 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:12-13: I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is t have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any an every situation, whether fed or hungry. I can do everything through him who brings me strength.

What do you do when you’re frustrated?

“Mac” Macachek and Dana VanAlstyne, the hero and heroine in my October release, are in the frustrating position of seeing what they think they want most in life just out of their reach.

Physical therapist Dana VanAlstyne’s dreams of a family were lost in the dust of a motocross racecourse. Although she’s filled her life with her work and church activities, it hasn’t filled the empty space inside her. Nor has it eased the heartache of being abandoned by a man who wasn’t ready for a wife and children. Now her dream is to open her own private practice. All she needs is the capital to make that happen.

Anton, “Mac,” Macachek may be the top professional motocross racer in the country but he still has one race that matters more to him: winning a championship at Unadilla Raceway and showing the hometown folks the bad boy did amount to something. But when a horrific accident sidelines those plans, he makes a deal with the woman he once loved with all his heart. A woman who abandoned him. If Dana will get him back in racing shape, he’ll fund her new practice. Then an even more dangerous risk is revealed. If Mac races again, he could die.

Does Dana have enough faith to risk her heart again? She loved Mac once, but feared he loved motocross racing more than he loved her. If she helps him mend his broken body, will it also mend her broken heart? Or will it all be lost again in the dust and danger of a motocross racetrack?

TEAM MACACHEK: Meet the strong women and fearless men of the motocross circuit.

Buy Links: Amazon, Nook, iBooks, and Kobo

Many Things for which to Be Thankful

Hello There, Sandra Orchard here.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving in Canada and our family has much for which to be thankful.

On Sunday, we celebrated my youngest daughter's wedding and although the temps had dropped considerably since midweek and clouds were threatening, sun shined down on the outdoor event.

Serena Jones's mom dreams of a day like this. My daughter even wore my wedding dress that I sewed almost 30 years ago!

Who is Serena Jones, you ask.

She's the FBI agent heroine of my art crime mystery series with Revell Publishing. And the only fancy dress she's getting into any time soon is the maid of honour dress for her best friend (if they live through the shopping trip).

Although...
Serena does try her hand at babysitting in Another Day Another Dali--a scene inspired by my oldest grandson Jed when he was going through his toddler stage with a three-word vocabulary coupled with two dozen intonations of "uh".

Grandchildren are something else Serena's mom longs for and I consider myself very blessed to have four and that they were all able to attend the wedding. (My youngest was born at under 2 pounds this summer and my oldest grandson was in the hospital for four months following a serious accident.)

What a blessing to have him escort me down the aisle.

With how far he's come since losing his leg, it's pretty cool that Another Day Another Dali is dedicated to him--a decision made a year ago, because of that babysitting scene I mentioned.

Goodreads Giveaway

If you enjoy light-hearted mysteries, with a bit of romance, this is the series for you. And if you're a Goodreads member, there's still one week left to hop over and enter the giveaway for 5 copies of Another Day Another Dali

About Another Day Another Dali

When Serena's grandmother asks her to investigate the switch of a valuable Salvador Dali painting, Serena hopes tracking down the original will also mean finally measuring up to Nana’s expectations. But when the evidence points to members of the owner’s own household—friends of her grandmother’s—it becomes increasingly clear that Serena won’t be winning any popularity contests.

To make matters worse, the Dali isn’t the only painting that’s fallen prey to the forgery-replacing thief, raising the specter of a sophisticated theft ring–one with links to dirty cops, an aspiring young artist, and the unsolved murder of Serena’s grandfather.

Learn more about Another Day Another Dali and buying options at: http://sandraorchard.com/books/another-day-another-dali/

Sandra Orchard is the award-winning author of 7 Love Inspired Suspense in addition to her mystery series. Her

writing has garnered several Canadian Christian Writing

Awards, a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, a National Readers’ Choice Award, a HOLT Medallion Award

of Merit, and a Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence

in Mystery/Suspense.  She lives in Ontario, Canada. Connect with Sandra at sandraorchard.com or Facebook.com/SandraOrchard

Craftie Ladies Contemporary Romance ~ September 2016 Release

Below is a new release from our talented Love Inspired Contemporary writer Linda Goodnight. To buy this wonderful book, just click the book cover. And to learn more about the author, click on her name.

Lone Star Dad 
by Linda Goodnight 

THE SECRET NEXT DOOR
Nurse Gena Satterfield knew raising her rebellious nephew, Derrick, would be tough, but moving to Gabriel's Crossing was supposed to help ease the transition into their new reality. That was before she realized her new neighbor was Quinn Buchanon—her teenage crush, the town's onetime star quarterback…and Derrick's father. Her sister's dying wish was that Gena keep this secret. Yet watching Quinn connect with the boy and penetrate his angry walls, Gena begins to see him in a whole new light. Now, torn between the truth and the promise she made, Gena has to follow her heart. And hope they can all heal together…as a family.

Christmas in October

Terri Reed here, celebrating the release of TWO books this month.  Look how pretty these covers are. I've been pleased with great art departments. 

What is your favorite holiday cookie? 

If you comment, I'll send you a bookmark with the lovely cover of A Family Under the Christmas Tree. Leave an email address for me to contact you.

First Friday Fun and a giveaway--Lenora Worth

It's October! How did that happen? I must find some mums and pumpkins and throw them on my front porch! Meantime, I have two new releases coming out this month so I'm in a good mood and I'm willing to give away a copy of each to one of our lovely posting people.

Post here and answer this question. I'll pick a winner and announce at here at the end of the day! Here's the question:

What is the one thing you must have in a good book? What makes you grab a book and immediately start reading it? Okay, that's two questions since I'm giving away two book to one person!

Let the discussion begin! Here are my two new releases (available for pre-order, too):

A Family for the Holidays by Sherri Shackelford

I'm really excited about my October release, A Family for the Holidays. I had a fabulous time writing this book, and the early reviews are encouraging.

Here's one of my favorite quotes from Maggie Boyd of All About Romance:

"Growing up I can remember summers spent watching F-Troop, Here Come the Brides and Maverick. These bastions of comedic capers weren’t exactly accurate portrayals of life in the American West but they were fun representations of the Western legends; tales of handsome, brave sheriffs; pretty, plucky maidens and sweet kids. If you miss shows like that and movies like Disney’s Apple Dumpling Gang you’re in for a real treat with Ms. Shackelford’s A Family for the Holidays; it perfectly captures the spirit of Old West cinema."

As a child, I too looked forward to The Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights, and I've tried to capture the wholesome fun of those nostalgic movies! 

From Books & Spoons:

Here's the inspiration for the cover:

Pretty good, huh? I really like how they took my inspiration photo and created the cover!

Do you have a favorite family movie from your childhood? I have two paperback copies available to folks who comment!

Visit my website for other books and information! http://sherrishackelford.com/

Favorite Book Season

It’s October. Already? Is it just me or did the summer come and go so fast that I missed it? Well, here we are and in just a short while it’ll be Christmas. The Love Inspired Christmas books will be hitting the shelves soon so be on the lookout.

 Christmas books are hot. (not that way) People will buy Christmas themed books when they might not buy any other time of year. Maybe it’s the nostalgic aspect of the stories or the deep sense of family and togetherness. Those who have good memories of Christmas Past want to relive them and those who didn’t want to dream about them.

There are so many parts of the holiday that stir emotions. The lights, the tree, the music, the food and family. But mostly the children. Nothing tugs at the heart like watching small children in a Christmas pageant or play. My grandchildren participate in a huge musical production put on by their Christian school. Grades 1-5 take part and the event is so big it’s now held in the local civic center. Watching those kids singing and praising the Lord – many of the lyrics of popular songs have been adjusted to reflect Christian values – is inspiring.

Who doesn’t like a Christmas pageant or a Christmas play? They are like the star on top of all the other celebrations. Especially when children are involved. Nothing tugs at the heart as toddlers singing Away in the Manger or Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Or how about children dressed as shepherds and angels. How can you resist little ones dressed as lambs, or Joseph and Mary in the nativity?

I wanted to bring a little of that to A Mom for Christmas. This holiday story is all about dreams and for Beth Montgomery her dreams have been destroyed. Her career as a principle ballerina with a New York ballet company ends when she sustains a debilitating injury. She’s had only one dream her entire life and that was to dance. Now she is forced to come home to Dover and start a new life. But how do you move on when a dream dies?

Noah Carlisle has his dreams crushed too. Since losing his parents at a young age he longed to have a family of his own to reflect the happy life he had growing up. But the woman he married had bigger ideas and left him to raise their daughter alone.

It’s takes a Christmas play to help Beth and Noah renew their old relationship and discover new dreams – ones that will prove just as satisfying as the old ones.

I’ve had a dream die and it’s a painful, aching sensation that threatens to tear you apart. I dreamed of being published and I was. Four books with a big publisher but the dream suddenly ended. I assumed I wasn’t supposed to write any more so I quite. But God will accomplish his purpose and after a few years I tried again. It took a long while but I finally made it.

 Sometimes our dreams aren’t the best for us, sometimes we’re told “not yet” or “I have something better for you.”

Beth and Noah find that God does make a way. Losing their dreams was difficult but it brought them together and their love creates a new dream. The ballerina finds teaching little girls to love ballet can be as fulfilling as performing. Noah learns to overcome his fear of abandonment by trusting his heart

 Have you had a dream die? Did you find something new that was even better? I hope so. But just like Beth and Noah, you have to give the old dreams to the Lord and he’ll create a new dream that will be better than you could have imagined. 

Love Inspired Romance ~ New Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch Continity Series

Craftie Ladies Jessica Keller, Margaret Daley, Debra Kastner, and Allie Pleiter have a treat for you: Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch, a new Love Inspired Romance six-book continuity series. Jessica Keller, the author of the second book in the series is here to tell us about it.

The Long Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch series centers around The Lone Star Cowboy League (LSCL), which is a service organization made up of cowboys and cattle ranchers. The organization spearheads efforts to help area ranchers, educate the community, preserve their history, and participate in ceremonial events. The Lone Star Cowboy League Boys Ranch is residential working ranch for troubled boys ages 6-17 in Haven, Texas. During the first book, The Rancher's Texas Match by Brenda Minton, we learn that the Boys Ranch has been left land and money in a will but there are conditions - the ranch has to throw a 70-year reunion, and all the original residents (4 boys) from 1947 must be present for the Boys Ranch to get the land and money. Each book follows someone who is involved in the ranch and each one moves the whole group one step forward toward locating all the original residents, but it's not without it's hiccups. There is a challenger to the will who will stop at nothing to take the land and money away from the Boys Ranch and a string of crime around the Boys Ranch has the town of Haven questioning if they should stay open.

The Ranger's Texas Proposal
Book 2 November
by Jessica Keller

A WIFE FOR THE RANGER
When Texas Ranger Heath Grayson agrees to investigate thefts at the boys ranch, he's also hoping to solve a decades-old murder case: his father's. Getting involved with pretty, pregnant widow and boys ranch volunteer Josie Markham is not on Heath's agenda. But the more time he spends with Josie, the harder it is to ignore their growing attraction. The somber ranger is convinced a wife and child are not in his future. But with a little help from the boys at the ranch, he may just realize a family is what he needs most of all.

The Cowboy's Texas Family 
Book 4 January 2017
by Margaret Daley

FROM COWBOY TO FATHER FIGURE
Rancher Nick McGarrett wants to help orphaned ten-year-old Corey Phillips, the brother of his late comrade. But he's not fit to be a father—not with his troubled past. Thankfully, the child finds a home at the Lone Star Cowboy League Boys Ranch, where Nick volunteers. When wealthy newcomer Darcy Hill discovers she's Corey's cousin, she hopes to eventually take him in. Nick and Darcy couldn't be more opposite—or more drawn to each other. But for Darcy, raising Corey in her hometown means leaving Texas…and Nick. It'll take a special little boy to show these two grown-ups that the key to forging a new future is being together.

The Doctor's Texas Baby 
Book 5  February 2017
by Debra Kastner

A SURPRISE DADDY
When Carolina Mason shows up in Haven, Texas, after a three-year absence, no one is more surprised than town veterinarian Wyatt Harrow. Especially when he sees Carolina's two-year-old son, Matty. Their son. How could she have kept his child a secret? Carolina doesn't deny the boy is his. She thought she was doing what was best for everyone when she left, but she realizes she was wrong. Though Wyatt is eager to make up for lost time with Matty, Carolina's not so sure that extends to her. Can these former sweethearts navigate their complicated past to make a family for their son?

The Rancher's Texas Twins  
Book 6  March 2017 by Allie Pleiter

DOUBLE TROUBLE
Rancher Gabe Everett will do whatever it takes to keep Avery Culpepper in Texas until the end of the month. Even if it means inviting the beautiful single mom and her mischievous twin girls to stay on his property. Avery holds the key to saving Haven's boys ranch, but Gabe won't let his interest go beyond business. He's not a family man, and Avery needs someone who will be there for her and her daughters. Yet as the girls overrun his orderly ranch with their tea parties and girlie cuteness, Gabe finds himself softening just a little. Could a family to love be exactly what this solitary rancher needs?  

Jessica, Margaret, Debra, and Allie are joined in the series by:

Book 1 October The Rancher's Texas Match Brenda Minton
Book 3 December The Nanny's Texas Christmas Lee Tobin McClain