Leigh Bale Remembers 9/11

September 11, 2001, started out as a beautiful, clear day. Nothing unusual about it. Just another workday for people to go about their business. But it wasn’t just another day. It was a day of courage and valor, proven by ordinary people who didn’t care at all about the ridiculous things that seem to divide us. In the aftermath of what happened, all that mattered was helping one another and surviving the devastation caused by cruel, hateful people.

How ordinary do you think today might be? Will anything unusual happen to make us cherish our family members more? To reprioritize and value our lives? That’s what 9/11 has given me. A deeper appreciation for the sweetness of my life and all it has to offer.

In honor of those valiant people who fought for their lives and participated in the recovery effort, I’ve decided to celebrate a great victory. When the worst happened, the people of our nation rose up and met the occasion. We showed our mettle. Because we never know when an ordinary day might become extraordinary and test the very fabric of our souls.

God bless America, the land that I love.

Ask Elnora--Where were you? Lenora Worth

Hello, my dear friends. No pithy comments from Elnora today. Just remembering ten years ago. My mother-in-law had passed away over the Labor Day holiday that year. Ten years before that, my sister Glenda was involved in a car wreck with a drunk driver and she died three weeks later. And recently, I lost a young friend and I will miss her smile dearly. Elnora is beginning to not like September. But my daughter's birthday is at the end of the month, so for that reason and for the cooler weather, I shall keep September. And I will always remember.

But here's the question in my mind over this coming weekend. Where were you that day ten years ago when our lives changed forever? Okay, I'm humming that sad, sweet Alan Jackson song now. "Where were you when the world stopped turning?"

I was home and about to go for my daily walk. But for some reason I decided to stay in and watch "Good Morning America". And what I saw horrified me. I was alone. My daughter was at work in a downtown building. My husband at work in a General Motors factory. My son at school a few miles away. I wanted them all home. I cried all day. I prayed a lot. I was in shock. We writers have talked about that day and the aftermath. We didn't want to write again. We weren't sure we should write again. It seemed so frivolous, so pointless. But Elnora is tough. I knew writing would bring me some relief and hopefully help my readers to heal and laugh again, or maybe finally cry. So I wrote, one word at a time and I kept on writing. And wow, ten years have passed. Where were you? How have you changed since that day?

Let's discuss. And ... would someone please pass the chocolate and tissues. Cheesecake would be even better! We will never forget and let's hope our lives reflect the integrity and dignity shown by our heroes then, now and forever.

Here A Baby, There A Baby, Everywhere A Baby

Drum roll please! Here are the answers.

1. Merrillee Whren is thinking, “Will I always have this curl on the top of my head?”

2. Pamela Tracy is already thinking, "Someday I'll have to pose for an author photo! I'd better smile!"

3. Cara Putman is thinking, "Who Turned Out the Lights."



4. Lenora Worth is already posing so her shoes can be seen!


5. Karen Kirst



6. Barbara Phinney


7. At eight months of age, Pat Davids was already praying the baby fat would go away and stay away. No such luck.



8. At age six, Louise M. Gouge is enjoying first grade, as you can see by her toothless smile.



9.Christine Johnson started collecting story ideas right away.


10. Linda Goodnight


11. Debby Giusti


12. Margaret Daley says, "I still look the same."


13. I'm Sandra Orchard and lucky #13, two years old and so happy my parents were hoping their third child would be a boy.


14. Lacy Williams


15. Leann Harris didn't have enough hair to have more than one curl on the top of her head. Her mother was afraid she'd be bald. She had so much hair growing up that it took one hour under the hair dryer to get her hair dry.

16. Missy Tippens

17. Leigh Bale


18. Winnie Griggs



19. Naomi Rawlings________ Name the author who would have to yank a baby picture out of the beautiful scrapbook her mom put together in order to scan it, and she just doesn't have the heart to tear something out of it.

20. Jean Gordon__________ Name the author whose baby pictures are all at her brother's house in Buffalo.

21. Lyn Cote_________ Name the author whose baby pictures are in a barn.

22. Lisa Mondello______ Name the author whose baby pictures are all at her mother's house.

23. Allie Pleiter_________ Name the author who claims to have no baby photos.

24. Kim Watters__________ Name the author whose baby pictures are somewhere in a garage because she's never unpacked them from her recent move.

25. Regina Scott______ Name the author whose mother thinks she isn't old enough to be responsible for her baby pictures.

26. Patty Hall Smith____ Name the author who actually considered scanning her oldest daughter's baby photo because hers are all boxed up.

27.Lynette Eason_____ Name another author whose baby pictures are boxed up at her parents' house.

Memorable Firsts

By Karen Kirst

Our lives are full of firsts. First words. First steps. First day of school. First crush. First date. And who could ever forget their first kiss?  New experiences can be thrilling, joyous, and sometimes downright intimidating! That's how I'd describe this rollercoaster ride of a first sale and now a debut book on the shelves. This year has truly been a learning experience for me-from choosing character photos for the book cover to writing that first Dear Reader letter. It's been my dream for many years to write for Love Inspired, and now God has given me the desire of my heart.  I feel so blessed!

            Here's a little background about my September release, The Reluctant Outlaw. This is the first book in my series surrounding the O'Malley family, Smoky Mountain Matches, set in 1880's East Tennessee.

A Kidnapper—and a Gentleman?
The ruthless criminal who took Juliana O’Malley hostage was a thief and an outlaw—or so she thinks. But on a perilous journey through the Smoky Mountains, he becomes her unlikely protector. And when he pledges to return her home safely, she somehow finds herself believing him.
Evan Harrison has risked everything to find the men who killed his brother. Saving spirited, strong-willed Juliana could blow his cover with a deadly gang. Yet her courage and unwavering faith make him dream of the home and family he thought he could never have. And suddenly, that future is incomplete—without Juliana in it.

Smoky Mountain Matches: Dreams of home and family come true in the Smoky Mountains

Copyright [2011] by [Karen Kirst]
Permission to reproduce text granted by Harlequin Books S.A.

            So what about you? What's your most memorable first?

What We Do For Research

What Do You Do For the Sake of Research?
By Margaret Daley

Through the years I have done many things for the sake of research. I learned to scuba dive for a book I wrote in the 1980s. I have visited jungles to get a feel for what it is like in a rain forest. I ruined a pair of pants because of the mud I walked through in a jungle (it isn’t called a rain forest for nothing). I sweated buckets and know what the humidity in a jungle feels like. One book I wrote in the Austria Alps, and of course, I had to visit. That was such a hardship. NOT! I learned to shoot a gun for a book. I had to know what it felt like. I’ve gone into caves to get what it feels like, especially in total darkness.

My newest book with Love Inspired Suspense is Hidden in the Everglades, set in a swamp. As a child I could remember going through a swamp in southern Georgia. I can still see the snake slithering away in the water, an alligator sinking below the surface. Later I had another opportunity to visit a swamp in Louisiana as an adult and a writer. This time I took notes and noticed more than the snakes and alligators. A lot of beautiful animals live in swamps. The birds alone are engrossing to watch.

I’m not sure why I think swamps are fascinating, and I certainly am afraid of snakes--even more than alligators. Which is strange since alligators are far more dangerous than snakes. In Hidden in the Everglades I give Kyra the same fear. I felt I could write that character.

It was interesting researching the Everglades, a huge swamp area in Florida. Its size has been reduced because of human development, but it still encompasses a large part of the state. One of the most interesting pieces of information I learned was that pythons are not native to the Everglades, but they are now found all over the swamp because people have release their pets into the wilderness. They are multiplying and reproducing. Of course, I had to use that bit of info for my story.

As you can see research can be fun, dangerous, scary, enlightening. Have you ever had to do something for research purposes? Did you enjoy it?

I'm giving three books away today--Christmas Bodyguard, Protecting Her Own and Hidden in the Everglades (the three books in Guardians, Inc. Series). First at two, then five and the last one seven today.

More Book giveaways today!!

Linda Goodnight here. Good morning.

 Happy Labor Day to all those in U.S. and a lovely day to everyone around the world. We're still rockin' and rollin' here at the Craftie Ladies. I'm having a giant cup of coffee after awaking to 60 degree weather! We've been having 100 plus, so this feels chilly--chilly but wonderful.

I've also brought along a platter of nice fresh melon and strawberries to share with you AND some books to give away later today.  I'll be drawing from the comments at noon and again at 6 pm central time. The winner will receive her (his?) choice of  three books-- THE NANNY'S HOMECOMING,  THE LAWMAN'S CHRISTMAS WISH, or THE WEDDING GARDEN.

So, what are you bringing to the party this morning?

Featured Book: The Doctor's Family by Lenora Worth

Raising four-year-old triplets and an abandoned teenager, single mother Arabella Clayton Michaels has her hands full. She loves everything about her big family in tiny Clayton, Colorado. But when a Denver surgeon arrives with the news that her beloved teenager is his long-lost niece, Arabella worries she'll lose the girl—and much more. Jonathan Turner's harrowing past makes her want to open her heart to him. But will the handsome doctor accept a bigger ready-made family than either dreamed was possible? Today we have the hero from The Doctor's Family visiting us.




1. Jonathan, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I'm not really that interesting but I am a good doctor. I get in, get the job done and get the patient well.

2. What do you do for fun? Fun? Hmmm. I work all the time, so I don't do much for fun. I guess that's why I haven't found someone to share my life with. They run screaming since I am more committed to my work than having a life.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it? Having a family. I want a family but I had a bad childhood with an alcoholic father. I decided I'd get away from that life and work hard to find security. But now that I've met Arabella and her adorable triplet girls, I'm thinking more and more about what it would mean to have a real family.

4. What are you afraid of most in life? Go back to question number three! I'm afraid I'll make a big mistake if I give in to my growing feelings for Arabella. I'm a big city guy. Can I actually be happy in a small town? I guess I'm afraid of accepting happiness.

5. What do you want out of life? I want security and the fulfillment of doing a good job. I want to truly become a family man.

6. What is the most important thing to you? Before I met Arabella, it was my work. Now I'm not so sure. She has a real family. It's loud and chaotic and confusing, but ... I like that.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book? I read medical mysteries and suspense, of course. Lately, I've been reading the Bible more. I don't have a lot of time to read, but ... if I become a small town doctor I might be able to read a lot more. Or not!

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My ambitions. I always wanted security and status and I've worked hard to achieve that. Now those things don't seem so important.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet? I've never had a pet. Not so good at my house growing up. I guess I'd want a dog. A big fluffy, friendly dog.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why? I'd go back to when I was younger and Arabella was in high school. I'd try to win her heart so we could be high school sweethearts and then I could marry her and we'd have a family. That would save me from being so terrified of making that happen now! Any suggestions???

Ask Elnora--Who's that lady?? Lenora Worth

Hello, my darlings! We’re having all sorts of fun around here! We have bunches of prizes, games to play and books to give away. I’m sure by now you’re heard of the Big Merge. Our Love Inspired, Love Inspired Suspense and Love Inspired Historical blogs have become one big Happy Blog. No grumpy people allowed! But lots of chatter and book talk always.

So yesterday, in our infinite confusion and chaos—this is what happens when you put three or more women in charge—we announced the Big Prize—a $135 gift card—perfect for books, boots, bags, or groceries, gadgets and a good BoGo! Or chocolate! Or cheesecake!!! But there is an itty-bitty catch. You see at one time, we were all babies. And if you scroll around or down—somewhere on our fabulous new blog, we have baby pictures. And young girl pictures. We thought it would be such fun if you could try guessing which baby goes with which author. (It sounded like a brilliant idea at the time!) Still is. But we realized it’s really hard. I couldn’t even find myself on there, but I am on there. I’ll give you a hint about my picture. It was taken in Georgia! There, that ought to clue you in!
Anyway, we’re hoping someone will guess and get one or two right. The posters who guess one or more right will get their names entered into a big basket and we will draw for the grand prize winner—SOON!!! Hopefully this weekend or early next week. We want to give everyone a chance to work hard on this! We were so excited about our merge and a contest, we didn’t bother with figuring out all the other stuff! (Personally, I wanted to give away a Louis Vuitton handbag and a matching sportscar but for some strange reason, that idea got shot down.)


Okay, so now that we’re all confused, I’ll give you another hint about one of the pictures—let’s start with # 3. This author covertly whispered in my ear “I’m not the oldest and I’m not the youngest in my photo.” Another hint—she’s wearing yellow. And I know who she is! I also know that she is smart and has gorgeous children just like her. And her husband is adorable. Another hint--There ought to be a law---!
Oh, and this just in. This cutie grew up on her granddad’s farm in Oklahoma. I wonder if she had lacy curtains in her bedroom??? Can you guess which baby she is?? I’ll give you her number later. And more to come---.
We will have a book giveaway at noon. And again at 6 PM. So come by and say hello during those times. I’ll try to have more baby hints for you, too. Elnora just loves a good guessing game!

We're So Glad You're Here

Recognize these cuties?

Identify them and you just might be a big winner!

See, here at the Craftie Ladies we've combined the suspense writers with the contemporary writers, and invited the historical writers to join in!

So, to celebrate such an adventure, we're having a contest.

The prize is $135 gift certificate. That's not a typo.

Here's what you do.

Look at the baby or very young photo and figure out which future Love Inspired Author you see? Go ahead and try. Here are the authors participating: Linda Goodnight, Karen Kirst, Winnie Griggs, Pamela Tracy, Leigh Bale, Missy Tippens, Lenora Worth, Merrillee Whren, Cara Putman, Louise Gouge, Leann Harris, Patricia Davids, Lacy Williams, Sandra Orchard, Barbara Phinney, Margaret Daley, Debby Giusti, Christine Johnson.

Whoever identifies the authors correctly will have a chance at the gift certificate.

Contest ends Sunday night at midnight

1. ________________
2. _________________
3. _______________



4. ___________________



5. __________________



6. ________________


7. _________________



8. ___________________



9. ___________________


10. _______________


11. ________________



12. ___________________



13. ______________________


14. ___________________


15. _________________


16. ____________________

17. _________________


18. ___________________

We also have a few camera shy Love Inspired Authors
Go ahead, try, if you get any of these right, they count as bonus points and/or a tie breaker!

Jean Gordon, Allie Pleiter, Naomi Rawlings, Regina Scott, Lyn Cote, Kim Watters, Lynette Eason, Lisa Mondello, Patty Smith Hall.

19. __________________________ Name the author who would have to yank a baby picture out of the beautiful scrapbook her mom put together in order to scan it, and she just doesn't have the heart to tear something out of it.

20. ___________________________ Name the author whose baby pictures are all at her brother's house in Buffalo.

21. ____________________________ Name the author whose baby pictures are in a barn.

22. ____________________________ Name the author whose baby pictures are all at her mother's house.

23. ___________________________ Name the author who claims to have no baby photos.

24. ____________________________ Name the author whose baby pictures are somewhere in a garage because she's never unpacked them from her recent move.

25. ____________________________ Name the author whose mother thinks she isn't old enough to be responsible for her baby pictures.

26. ____________________________ Name the author who actually considered scanning her oldest daughter's baby photo because hers are all boxed up.

27. ____________________________ Name another author whose baby pictures are boxed up at her parents' house.

Who Reads Pamela Tracy Love Inspired Romances?

I'll tell you who

Kid in Bed

Man with nodding head

Woman with a pup

A grandpa who needs to turn it right side up

Who reads Pamela Tracy Love Inspired romances?

Why, my whole family

Wyoming Sweethearts Interview

Please welcome Eloise Tipple from Wyoming Sweethearts by Jillian Hart, an August 2012 Love Inspired Romance.

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

Okay, I have a confession to make. I'm not Eloise. I'm her grandmother, Edie Tipple. Eloise is not one to wax on about herself, so I've taken over the job. Let me tell you about my wonderful granddaughter. She thinks the chance for love has passed her by and all because her ex-fiancé dumped her when she was seriously injured in a car accident. Now she thinks because of her cane (she's recovered from a spinal cord injury) no man is going to fall in love with her. Well, between you and me, I have a plan. I'm going to fix her up with eligible young men until romance happens. I have a lot of friends, and they all have grandsons who need to get married. Problem solved, right?

2. What do you do for fun?

Eloise loves her job managing Cady's country inn. She loves riding her horse. And lately she seems to be having a whole lot of fun hanging out with that Granger boy come to work on Frank's ranch.

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

My granddaughter keeps trying to talk me out of fixing her up on dates. Can you imagine? How is she going to find a nice man to marry if she doesn't? And what could be unpleasant about meeting a nice young man over dinner? Unless this has something to do with that dashing young Sean Granger. Hmm. I'll have to keep an eye on those two. Maybe romance is blooming!

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

I think Eloise is afraid of getting her hopes up and falling in love with someone who might reject her because of her spinal cord injury. It breaks my heart because I think she's pretending to be just friends with Sean instead of letting her true feelings show.

5. What do you want out of life?

Well, I want all my grandchildren to be settled and happy, but I think Eloise especially deserves a great love and a happy family. She's such a good person. Then again, I'm her grandmother. I could be just a tad bit biased.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

Family. Eloise has been visiting me since she was a wee thing, and through the years we have remained close. Even now she comes over to check on me most evenings. When we aren't working in the garden, we share lemonade on my shady porch.

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

I read romances and when I'm done, I hand them to Eloise. I'm hoping she'll get the hint!

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

Not one thing--my Eloise is just perfect they way she is, cane and all.

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

Eloise's beloved horse Pixie is pastured on my land. That pretty white horse has been her friend since she was a girl.

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

I would go back in time and take the keys away from the drunk driver who hurt my Eloise. She lost more than her fiancé that night; she also lost her skating career. She was an accomplished ice dancer and won many international competitions. I'm proud of the way she's rebuilt her life. I know God has a way of turning sadness into joy. I keep thinking maybe Sean might be Eloise's joy. It's about killing me waiting to see what is going to happen between those two!

FEATURED BOOK: WYOMING HEARTS BY JILLIAN HART

Where Do Lonely Hearts Go?The chance to rescue abandoned horses has given Eloise Tipple the fresh start she needs. After losing her skating career and fiancé, she returns home to Wild Horse, Wyoming, to work at a beautiful inn and man the stables. Sean Granger has also come home to nurse some emotional wounds and would like nothing more than to pursue life as a lone wolf. Both say they want nothing more than friendship. But while saving homeless horses, can Sean and Eloise save each other and heal their wounds?

Ask Elnora--About Changes--Lenora Worth

I'm a bit late getting started. All week long my Internet has been misbehaving. But considering earthquakes, storms and that each time I sneeze something goes out around her, Elnora is blessed to be safe and awake this morning.

Which brings me to the question I pondered last night in the wee hours. Do we like change or does change drives us a bit nut?

Elnora will have big changes coming up when Big Daddy carts her away to Florida next year, to live in, gasp, a condo half the size of our current home. Of course, all of the shoes have to go with us! And the purses! And the books, of course. And a few clothes. But what will I give up, sell or leave behind? Ball gowns from too much Mardi Gras fun? Jeans that will never fit these hips again? Chairs that are comfortable but not beachy enough? What to take, what to leave behind? Why does change make us run around in circles like a mouse chasing his tail?

And speaking of changes, you can expect a few right here on this blog. Fall is in the air and with the changing leaves comes the changing blog for our dear Love Inspired Ladies. But one thing won't change. We will continue writing the books we love to write for you, our fabulous readers. So let's discuss-change. Do you like it, hate it or just go with it? Or maybe you wouldn't change a thing? The answer my friend, is blowin' in the wind!!!

Birthdays. The Good the Bad and the Ugly

Birthdays.
Today, someone I love turned sixty. The big 6-0. I’m not up there yet, but that number is looming on the horizon unless the world really does end in 2012.

Thinking back on all the birthdays I’ve seen is kind of fun. When I was ten, my mother had a birthday party for me. I invited all my girlfriends from school and my mother made a beautiful angel food cake with a Barbie doll in the center and decorated the cake like the skirt of a ball gown. I loved it.

Twenty was okay. I was in college and I really wanted to be twenty-one instead. It seems that when we’re young we always want to be older. Why is that?

Thirty, the big 3-0, was a breeze. I didn’t mind it at all. Thirty-one was much..more...painful. Yikes, it meant I was getting old. Ha! I had no idea what old was.

Forty, now that one stung a little. 4-0. The number makes a girl start thinking about age-spots and wrinkle cream. It’s best, on birthdays like forty, to go shoe shopping. A great pair of shoes can make anyone feel younger.

By the time I hit fifty I was a grandmother and loving every minute of life except for those first ten minutes after getting out of bed in the morning. Ah, the aches and pains of getting older. How they enjoy reminding me that I’m not as young as I used to be. For my birthday that year my son-in-law gave me a stuffed yellow chicken with red, coiled spring legs. The stupid thing sang, “You’re no spring chicken, you’re no spring chicken.” My grandkids played with it all evening. Every five minutes it was warbling, “You’re no spring chicken. You’re no spring chicken.” Tony, I haven’t quite forgiven you for that one.

It wasn’t until I was fifty-two that I sold my first book. Goodness, I’ve sold 15 since then. No wonder my fingers ache. I type too much.

6-0. When it's my turn, I'll celebrate that one with bells on. Every year is a gift and I thank God for each and every one I reach. Getting older isn't so bad when I think of my only alternative.

Birthdays, happy days, ugly days, they are gentle reminders that no one is getting any younger. What was your best or worst birthday?