Lacy Williams: We interrupt this scene

Lacy Williams here with a we interrupt this scene post.

If you've followed my Wyoming Legacy series, you know that older brothers Oscar and Maxwell have found love with some pretty spunky women. And now it's Edgar's turn...

Cowboy Edgar White has met his match in Fran Morris, who is on a mission to protect her younger sister. They've been hitched--only as a convenience--and are currently driving a bunch of cattle toward the railroad for a sale (Fran is driving the chuck wagon). It's been several days on the trail, and... well, I'll just let you peek in on what's going on:

It made for a drowsy morning, especially with the bright spring sun glaring in her eyes.
She was glad to take a mid-morning break.
Fran walked a bit away from the wagon, stretching the kinks out of her still-sore muscles.
The grass in this area was taller than her knees, and dotted with wildflowers. It smelled fresh and springy, and she felt hope for the first time in a long time.
Edgar hadn’t made any declarations. But didn’t actions speak louder than words? This morning had given her a tiny kernel of hope.
Contemplative, she sat down among the prairie grass, letting the sun warm her shoulders.
Then she thought she’d like to feel it on her face, so she laid down and spread her arms, face turned up to the sky.
It stretched, limitless and blue, like the possibilities before her.
Could she and Emma be happy on a ranch? She could. She knew it.
A shadow fell over her face.
She opened her eyes, raising up on her elbows to face the man standing over her.
“What are you doing?” Edgar’s voice revealed his curious confusion.
“Enjoying the day,” she retorted, lying back down to stare up at the puffy clouds against the blue sky. “You’ve been driving all of us so hard I thought I could take a few moments for myself.”
He settled beside her in the grass, heads tucked together, only inches apart. “Tyrant that I am, I’m only giving you two more minutes,” he said. He sat his Stetson on his chest.
He took a deep breath. She felt more than saw the motion, as his feet were pointed in the opposite direction of hers, and she couldn’t really see his chest.
“How long has it been since you stopped to smell wildflowers?” she asked, genuinely curious. “You haven’t stopped working since I met you.”
“It’s not always so bad,” he murmured. “Things around the homestead slow down in the winter months. There’s time for reading, games… But in spring there’s planting, calves being born, steers to sell…”
They were silent for a moment before he went on. “And I guess my brothers are probably right—I’ve been working more and not taking time to slow down and have fun like I used to.”
“Too afraid some eligible girl might catch your fancy?” she asked, only half teasing.
He snorted. “Didn’t stop you,” he said, reaching over to tweak her nose.
“Ha.” She swatted at his hand, and he captured her fingers. Slowly, he interlaced their fingers, surrounding her hand with the warmth of his larger one. He kept her hand, their clasp resting lightly on his shoulder.
“Just didn’t—don’t want to let my pa down. With Maxwell gone to medical school and Oscar married, more work falls on him.”
“But doesn’t your oldest brother still live on the ranch?”
“Yeah, across the valley. But he’s busy with his own family.”
“And the other brothers? Seems like they’re all of age…able to help take on more responsibility….”
He turned his head, the soft grasses beneath him rustling.

Photo courtesy www.scx.hu #1212249

She turned to meet his gaze straight on. From only inches away, the intensity of his blue eyes caught her breath.
“And what of Ricky?” she asked softly. “Maybe he could bear a little more of the load?”
“You’re not going to let my excuses stand, are you?” he asked.
“Should I?”
That one corner of his mouth kicked up. “You’re intent on turning every cranny of my life inside-out, aren’t you? The only one who challenges me.”
==We interrupt this scene==
Lacy: Edgar, I've got to grab you for a quick interview for this blog post.
Edgar: (sighs) Fine. But I was enjoying a private moment with Fran there...
Lacy: Yes, I saw. You seem like you're getting along pretty well.
Edgar: (neck turns red) She's something, isn't she?
Lacy: Are you starting to trust her yet? Because you've had trust issues all throughout this book.
Edgar: I... don't know. She's different than the other gals of my acquaintance. Pushes me. But there is the fact that she was in the middle of a deception when we met.
Lacy: She didn't really have a choice.
Edgar: (he shrugs, looks off in the distance)
Lacy: Don't you think you could forgive that one little untruth about her age, since she was really protecting her sister?
Edgar: I guess I would do the same for one of my brothers. If I was really stuck and there was no other choice.
Lacy: See.
Edgar: Doesn't mean I like being lied to.
Lacy: You got stuck in this marriage of inconvenience--
Edgar: Who came up with that tagline anyway?
Lacy: Marketing.
Edgar: Figures.
Lacy: Ssh. You're hijacking my interview. So you got stuck in this marriage. Any chance it could turn into a real love match?
Edgar: I guess we'll have to see what happens with Fran and me. Can I get back to the meadow now?
Lacy: Sure.

The Wrangler's Inconvenient Wife is an August 1 release and available for pre-order now. Click here to grab a copy.

Book blurb:

With no family to watch over them, it's up to Fran Morris to take care of her younger sister, even if it means marrying a total stranger. Gruff, strong and silent, her new husband is a cowboy down to the bone. He wed Fran to protect her, not to love her, but her heart has never felt so vulnerable. 

Trail boss Edgar White already has all the responsibility he needs at his family's ranch in Bear Creek, Wyoming. He had intended to remain a bachelor forever, but he can't leave Fran and her sister in danger. And as they work on the trail together, Edgar starts to soften toward his unwanted wife. He already gave Fran his name…can he trust her with his heart? 

And don't miss, A Cowboy for Christmas (Ricky's story), a December 2014 release!

Redeeming the Rancher Interview

How exciting to have Alexis Grainger, the heroine from Redeeming the Rancher ,written by Deb Kastner, a July 2014 release from Love Inspired Romance.

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

I run a ministry for delinquent teenagers who would otherwise be wearing reflective vests and collecting trash by the side of the road. Many of these young people haven’t had much love in their lives. Here at Redemption Ranch they experience both God’s love and mine. Sometimes it’s tough love, but hopefully the kids benefit from it.

2.  What do you do for fun?

I hang out with my two best friends, Samantha Davenport and Mary Bishop. We’re known in small-town Serendipity, Texas as the Little Chicks. However, now that both of them are married I see less of them than I once did, but that’s okay, because I’m super busy at the ranch.

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

Oh, that one’s easy. As much as I love running my ranch, I can’t stand anything that has to do with accounting. Crunching numbers is so not my thing.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

That I’ll lose the ranch. Like I said, numbers aren’t my thing and I can’t figure out how to make ends meet on the funds I have. Second to that would be that my meddling twin sister is going to try her hand at matchmaking—just what I don’t need right now.

5.  What is the most important thing to you?

After my faith, it is my ministry. I enjoy the challenges each the kids of that come through Redemption Ranch presents. Love all of those kids.

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

I don’t have much time to read, but when I do, it’s romantic suspense, so when I met Griff Haddon, well, let’s just say I was a little bit freaked out.

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

My pride. I know I tend to rely too much on my own gifts and abilities and tend not to ask for help when I need it—or at least, that’s what Griff tells me.

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

I have all kinds of animals at Redemption Ranch, everything from chickens and goats to horses and cattle. Part of the teenagers’ journeys here is learning how to care for the animals.

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

Hmm. That’s a difficult one. I’m not sure I’d want to go back. I’ve got my plate full with the present.

FEATURED BOOK:REDEEMING THE RANCHER BY DEB KASTNER

Her Perfect Match  

Successful businessman Griffin Haddon just wants a quiet place to start over again…alone. Griff doesn't realize that in a small town like Serendipity, Texas, solitude's hard to come by. Especially at Redemption Ranch, where the stunning Alexis Grainger struggles to keep her ministry for troubled teens afloat. The last thing Alexis needs is a distraction like slick city-boy Griff with his designer jeans and boots. But her meddling, matchmaking twin has other plans. As Alexis and Griff work to save the ranch, can they also heal his broken heart? 

Have You Met Rita

The RITA, an award presented by Romance Writers of America, is the Oscar of romance writers-and this year’s presentation is coming up very soon! Most authors would love to have one of these golden girls perched on her/his desk. Just finaling in this contest is a huge honor. 

 During the next two weeks, you'll meet the ladies who finaled this year.

But, in the meantime, here's our Craftie Ladie roll call.

2013 - Missy Tippens finaled with A House Full of Hope.  

2008 - Pamela Tracy finaled with her Love Inspired Suspense Pursuit of Justice. Pamela says, "I knew when I started this book that it was different. The story had been hammering at me for years, begging me to give it a turn. From the first page, it felt right. When it finaled in the RITA, I felt like someone had just whispered in my ear, 'Hey, you really can write.' I felt like Cinderella the entire conference.

2007 - Allie Pleiter finaled with My So-Called Love Life

2006 - Terri Reed finaled  with her second Love Inspired Romance A Sheltering Love.

1993 - Carolyn Greene finaled with a Silhouette Romance A Lovin' Spoonful 

1992 - Carolyn Greene finalized with a Silhouette Romance Kiss of Bliss 

Linda Goodnight has finaled 5 times, including a win in 2008. The books are:

2012 – The Christmas Child

2011 - Finding Her Way Home

2011 – The Wedding Garden
2010 – The Snow-kissed Bride
2008 – A Touch of Grace – RITA winner

Hello, Jolene Navarro here. I hope summer is treating you well.

Tonight I was thinking about creating the perfect ending for my current characters. I love endings.

Everyone talks about the "hook". That opening scene that grabs the reader and won't let go. Building conflict and tension into each scene so they have to turn the page.

All with the purpose of getting the reader to the end of the story. The End.

I have to say a breathtaking ending is what drives me to look for the author's other books.

An ending that makes me want to linger with the characters and truly enjoy thier happy ever after. When you realize the pages are gone and you have to return to "real" life.

If the writer has done their job, you have fallen in love the the characters, you care about what happens to them, you want to be satisfied with an ending that everyone deserves.

It's the new way of life your characters have earned through their trails and growth.

One of my favorite romantic ending is from Shrek. Yes, Shrek.

He faces his greatest fear in front of the whole kingdom. He holds his heart out for all to see and risks a public rejection.  He earns that kiss. What I love is she thought she would permanently  become the "beautiful" princess, but instead she is the green orge.
She whispers. "I thought I'd be beautiful."
He smiles. "You are."

And of course they return to the swamp for the new way of life with all the happy other characters. That my friend is a happy ending. The hero ends up, not with what he wanted, but with what he needed to have a full life friendships and joy.

Romancing the Stone is one of my all time favorites. How can you beat a yacht parked in a crowed Manhattan street? Of course you have Jack in his alligator boots, waiting for Joan. He didn't just take her down to the harbor to see the boat - he brought it to her. A grand extravagant gesture that shows us their new way of life. So different than the opening scene.

Another on of my favorites is The Proposal.  She leaves, learning that marriage was a family affair and a true union not to be taken lightly. As we know he follows and in a space full of people that had hated her, he gives up his pride to ask her to date him for the rest of their lives. How can you not love him? In the picture it is the first proposal and it is her begging.

I work very hard to give each of my character a special ending just for them, an ending that reflects their personal journey.

What are some ending that have made you sigh? That made you want to start the story all over again?


May you have many happy ending that take you to new and exciting beginnings.

Jolene Navarro

http://jolenenavarrowriter.com/


My lastest book come out August 1st

Single mom Vickie Lawson is back in her Texas hometown, intent on making a better life for her children. But when her son's troubles lead childhood sweetheart Jake Torres to her door, she realizes her feelings for him never went away. Now a State Trooper, Jake vows not to be distracted by the beautiful woman who once held his heart. He's never revealed to her the secret that tore them apart. Jake fears if he does, she—and the whole town—will never forgive him. But if Vickie and Jake can untangle the past, they may have another chance at forever.
And a very happy ending....

The Start of a Story

Debby Giusti here!

Readers often ask where writers find ideas for their stories. The answers are as varied and unique as the folks responding to the question. Some might say their stories took hold with a snippet of conversation or a news article in the daily paper. Others may have enhanced a what-if situation sparked from their imagination. Still others could have taken a personal experience and twisted it into a fictional tale.

I’m beginning a new story and pulling from a very different place, at least for me. Some years ago, I happened upon a television crime documentary about a murder. As the program began to unfold, I had an eerie sense of déjà vu and soon realized the alleged murderer was a man I knew.

Actually I was good friends with his younger brother during my high school years. Our parents were close, and my family and I attended the older brother's wedding. Since that time both sets of parents have passed away. I lost track of the “other” family and, thus, had no knowledge of the brutal act shown that night on TV.

The docudrama was difficult to watch, but it planted the seed of a story that begged to be written. Now, years later, I’m excited about using that documentary as the starting point for the next book in my Military Investigation series. Although completely different from the real-life case, my story will spring from an actual crime that struck too close to home.

Where do you get your ideas?

Waving to the wonderful readers who visit our blog: What unique situations have you experienced that could be developed into a story?

Wishing you abundant blessings,

Debby Giusti

www.DebbyGiusti.com

www.seekerville.blogspot.com

THE AGENT’S SECRET PAST

By Debby Giusti

THREAT FROM HER AMISH PAST 

Eight years ago, a drifter destroyed Becca Miller's ties to her Amish community—and murdered her family. Now a special agent with Fort Rickman's criminal investigation department, Becca knows her past has caught up with her and doesn't want to relive it. She's convinced that the killer, who supposedly died years ago, is very much alive and after her. Special agent Colby Voss agrees to help her investigate. Yet the closer they get to the truth, the closer the killer gets to silencing her permanently. 

Click here to order. 

Goodreads Giveaway for Danger at the Border by Terri Reed

Terri Reed here popping in late in the day to tell you I found out this morning that Harlequin is doing a Goodreads Giveaway through the month of July for 15 copies of my upcoming September release!  Yes, you heard me.
My September release.  That means if you enter to win you'll receive a copy before it actually hits the shelves.

Here's the URL for the giveaway
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/97279-danger-at-the-border

UNSAFE TERRITORY

When a mysterious toxin threatens lives and livelihoods near the border between the U.S. and Canada, Dr. Tessa Cleary is called to trace the source. But when the no-nonsense doctor is forced to work with border patrol agent Jeff Steele, she finds the lone wolf's dedication to his job--and country--chipping away at the walls around her heart. Just as Tessa and Jeff are about to uncover the toxin's deadly source, armed thugs kidnap them in the forest. Now they must trust each other to survive before time runs out for everyone.

Groom by Design Interview

How exciting to have here with us today Ruth Fox, the heroine from Groom by Design written by Christine Johnson, a July 2014 release from Love Inspired Historical Romance .

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

            Oh dear, I’m not terribly interesting—just a small town girl. I do enjoy creating beautiful dresses, though, and I hope one day to make them for the ladies in town.

2.  What do you do for fun?

            I do enjoy the moving picture show from time to time. My younger sisters adore Rudolph Valentino, but I prefer Douglas Fairbanks.

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

            Talking to potential customers for the family’s dress shop. Daddy is so good at speaking to people, but I didn’t inherit that talent. Now that he’s no longer able to work in the shop, I have to work with customers. Some are perfectly cordial, but others are so persnickety that I dread dealing with them. With orders dwindling, I really ought to drum up more business, but the thought of speaking in front of a group makes me nauseous.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

            Oh dear. You do ask rather probing questions, don’t you? I suppose it’s the same as everyone else—getting rejected by someone you care for.

5.  What do you want out of life?

            I would dearly love to have a family, but that isn’t going to happen. My sisters inherited all the beauty and intelligence. They have no difficulty speaking with gentlemen, whereas I can’t seem to find a thing to say. And then there is the problem of my weak eyesight. I have to wear glasses, and that is not at all appealing to gentlemen.

6.  What is the most important thing to you?

            Family. I would do anything for Mother and Daddy and my sisters.

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

            This sounds terribly vain, and is, of course, completely impossible, but I would dearly love to see clearly.

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

            No. None of us have a pet now. When I was little, we had a puppy named Spark, but he ran off and fell through the ice in the river and drowned. All of us girls were so heartbroken that Mother put her foot down and said we couldn’t have any more pets.

9. Can you tell us a little interesting tidbit about the time period you live in?

            I am amazed by all the new products every time I go to the grocer. Why, you can buy factory-made bread that’s more light and airy than that from the bakery. It’s called Wonder bread. They now make breakfast cereals, like Bran Flakes, and all manner of candy bars, like Baby Ruth (which was named for President Cleveland’s daughter), Milky Way and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. There seems to be something new all the time.

FEATURED BOOK:GROOM BY DESIGN BY CHRISTINE JOHNSON

Her Heart and Her Business Are on the Line 

Dressmaker Ruth Fox gave up her dream of a husband and children long ago. Her family's floundering dress shop, her ailing father and her two younger sisters require Ruth's full attention. Though the handsome new stranger in town is intriguing, Ruth is certain he wouldn't look twice at a plain spinster of twenty-six. 

Sam Rothenburg's connection with the shy young woman next door is immediate, but he knows Ruth will be crushed when she discovers his real purpose in town. Sam is secretly working to open one of his father's large department stores in Pearlman, Michigan, which will surely put Ruth out of business. How much is Sam willing to sacrifice to claim Ruth's heart? 

Friday Sisterhood with Deb Kastner

Family Status: I’ve been blessed to be married for 27 years with 3 grown daughters and 2 adorable grandchildren.

What Is Your Favorite Beverage: Plain black dark-roast coffee—and the occasional Mountain Dew. Had to cut out that soda habit.

What Is Your Favorite Food: Mexican

What Is Your Favorite Thing to do During Free Time: What is free time? There is no such thing in my life. On the rare times I’m able to do something for myself I enjoy going on dates with hubby Joe to dinner theater see a musical.

Who Has Been the Most Influential Person in Your Life: After Jesus, my husband Joe. He’s been there through all my highs and lows.

First Book You Fell in Love With: The whole Chronicles of Narnia series. I got them as a set one Christmas and read them all straight through. I also remember my first Harlequin book. I think I was about twelve and was on vacation to a very small town in Oregon where my relatives live. There was a small circular rack of books in the drugstore. I picked out a Harlequin Historical called Sophie and the Prince, which was set in Russia. It was the beginning of my journey into a love of romance novels.

A Book You Wish You’d Written: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.

First Book Published: Beloved from Multnomah Palisades was my very first book published. My first book for Love Inspired was A Holiday Prayer, which received a 4 ½ star Top Pick from Romantic Times magazine.

Most Recent Book: Her Valentine Sheriff was a February release for Love Inspired.

Out Next: Redeeming the Rancher in July.

How Many Have You Written: 27 

What Do You Know Now That You Wish You’d Known Then: To enjoy the process of writing and the joy that comes with it. While I’m incredibly blessed to be writing for Harlequin, writing on deadline is not always fun. I sometimes look back to my prepublished days with a bit of nostalgia, simply writing for writing’s sake.

 What is Your Favorite Bible Story: The Last Supper

What is Your Favorite Bible Verse: Psalm 37:4&5

What is Your Favorite Hymn: I’m a long-time member of the church choir. Music is such an integral part of my life that I simply can’t pick one song. I love the old hymns like, “How Great Thou Art” and newer ones such as, “In the Breaking of the Bread,” plus a lot of newer praise and worship music.

Granny and Anthony

What is an Ongoing Prayer Request You Have: For the Lord’s protective covering over me and my family and that my words would be honoring to God and edifying to others. 

New Beginnings with Sherri Shackelford

Sherri Shackelford here today! I'm working on a new book this month, and it's such a delight. Some people dread the start of a new project, for me, the beginning is my favorite part. There's always something in a story that an author falls in love with initially.

The process of writing a book can be long and arduous. Losing track of that spark can easily happen when an author is immersed in the middle of the book.

The same is true while brainstorming. These days an author needs a backlist of books in order to build an audience. When writing two or three books a year, it's often good to brainstorm with other authors.

Here I am at a retreat with Cheryl St.John and author Ann Stephens. I'm always amazed at the incredible creative process that happens when authors get together!

This was the luggage THREE of us brought! I know, but a lot of those bags are filled with notebooks and writing books. Cheryl St.John put together a folder of popular writing worksheets for us as well. 

*lizzie Starr, Cheryl St.John, Ann Stephens

One of the things Cheryl taught me earlier on in my career was that an author should always cling to the idea that made them excited about writing the book in the first place. Which is why it's so important to find excellent brainstorming partners who respect the process.

Sometimes I think people assume that a story is all in an author's head, fully formed, and we simply sit down and write out the narrative. (I'm sure that's even true for some authors!) But for those of us with more enthusiasm than talent, plotting a book can be an exacting process.

I do a little of both. Books follow a three act structure with the second act separated into two parts. There are natural points of escalating conflict. I make notes on those points which gives me something to aim for while I'm writing each day.

It's a combination of writing by the seat of your pants, 'pantsing' and plotting. Sometimes I fill in the chapter cards ahead of time, sometimes after. That way I can see if my conflict is escalating, if I'm challenging my characters' emotional growth and maintaining the story structure. I can also check my POV scenes because they are summarized in different colors for the Heroine/Hero.

When I started out, this process was completely overwhelming - now I find the idea of structure comforting. Some authors have a better natural rhythm and abhor this kind of organization. Not me! Now that I've gained some knowledge as a writer, I'm much more comfortable and less overwhelmed by the process.

Check out the book I'm using: Cheryl St.John's, Writing with Emotion, Tension and Conflict. Working with the author who actually 'Wrote the Book on Writing', it doesn't get much better than that. Cheryl even used an excerpt from my book, The Marshal's Ready-Made Family, as an example.

I'm also excited to announce that The Cattleman Meets His Match is coming in August!

GALAHAD IN A STETSON 

Cowboy John Elder needs a replacement crew of cattle hands to drive his longhorns to Kansas—he just never figured they'd be wearing petticoats. Traveling with Moira O'Mara and the orphan girls in her care is a mutually beneficial arrangement. Yet despite Moira's declaration of independence, the feisty beauty evokes John's every masculine instinct to protect, defend…marry? 

Moira is grateful for John's help when he rescues her—and she can't deny that his calm, in-control manner proves comforting. But she is determined not to let anything get in the way of her plans to search for her long-lost brother at journey's end. However, can John show her a new future—one perfect for them to share?

Susan Mobley of Romantic Times Magazine gives The Cattleman Meets His Match 4 1/2 stars, saying: The characters are delightful and play well off one another.

Sherri Shackelford is an award-winning author of inspirational, Christian romance. A wife and mother of three, Sherri’s hobbies include collecting mismatched socks, discovering new ways to avoid cleaning, and standing in the middle of the room while thinking, “Why did I just come in here?” A reformed pessimist and recent hopeful romantic, Sherri has a passion for writing. Her books are fun and fast-paced, with plenty of heart and soul. You can email her at sherri@sherrishackelford.com, visit her website at sherrishackelford.com, or if you're feeling nostalgic, send a letter to: PO Box 116, Elkhorn, NE 688022.

Sherri is currently working on three more books for her Prairie Courtship series. Her current books include Winning the Widow’s Heart and The Marshal’s Ready-Made Family. The Cattleman Meets His Match releases in August of 2014.