Naming the Hero in The Christmas Child

Linda Goodnight here. Most of my characters come to me with a name, but when I began writing THE CHRISTMAS CHILD, the reticent hero wouldn’t tell me a thing! So, knowing I have brilliant readers, I hopped onto Facebook and ask for help. The hero was a seasoned undercover agent with a wounded spirit, cynical and aloof, but a good man at the core. That’s all the info I knew and all my helpers needed to come with some terrific ideas. Over the period of several days and lots of cool names that I kept for future reference, a consensus formed around the name Kade McKendrick. Perfect, I thought, for this particular hero.


So, a year later, THE CHRISTMAS CHILD, book four in the Redemption River series, is finally on the shelves. If you helped with Kade’s name, thank you! If you weren’t in on the name game, I hope you’ll check him out just the same and let me know what you think.

Thanks, friends!

Read an excerpt

One quick question: Does it bother you to see Christmas books and items this early? Or are you one of those who can’t wait to get started?

FEATURED BOOK: Building A Family by Lyn Cote

How exciting to have Eleanor Washburn, the heroine from Building a Family, written by Lyn Cote_ a October 2011 release from Love Inspired Romance .

1. Eleanor, tell me the most interesting thing about you. I've helped build 2 Habitat for Humanity houses and am working on the third. And I want to adopt a child.

2. What do you do for fun? I don't have much time for fun. Sorry.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it? I find putting things off only makes it worse when I must face it. Sorry.

4. What are you afraid of most in life? I really don't want to answer that. But being alone or being married to someone I couldn't respect. That would be awful.

5. What is the most important thing to you? Being able to give a child a home and loving that child unconditionally.

6. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book? I don't get much down time. I do read biographies (but don't tell my mom, sometimes I sneak in a mystery story.)

7. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My evident inability to inspire some good man to love me.

8. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet? I don't have a pet but would like several, mostly dogs and cats.

9. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why? I'm really happy in the 21st century where women have equal rights with men.

Ask Elnora--about WATER??? Lenora Worth

Hello, beautiful people. I’m in Florida for a few days and the weather is wonderful. Not too hot or humid and sunny. I have a view of a bay right out my door, which makes getting any work done very hard for Elnora. Big Daddy is working away, however. He’s pulled up carpet and patched spots on walls, fixed some doors here and there and will soon be buying paint and picking out carpet. I’ll help with those last two tasks. In the meantime, I got to wondering as I stared out into the blue water—what is about water that soothes the soul? Is it the gentle lapping of the water against the shore? Is it the vastness of all that blue and green? Or is it the peacefulness of an ocean breeze and a palm tree rustling in the wind? Elnora loves to look at the big water, but getting lost out there in it isn’t so hot. So … what do you think about water? Now I’m humming that Brad Paisley song “Water”. Why do we all have this love affair with water? Let’s discuss!

The Story Behind Marrying The Major

by Victoria Bylin

Hello readers!  Do you like to read books in a series?  I do.  My oldest son jokes that my characters are like my friends.  He’s right. I know them inside and out, and it’s hard to say goodbye when I get to “The End.”  It’s much nicer to look forward to seeing them again in the next book.

That’s why I wrote “The Women of Swan’s Nest” as a series. It includes four books and is about a group of women who meet in a Denver mansion in 1875. The books all stand alone, but the women are friends and they keep in touch.

Here are the titles and the order . . .

The Maverick Preacher

Wyoming Lawman

The Outlaw’s Return

Marrying the Major

All the titles are available as ebooks, and Marrying the Major is out right now in hard copy.

Here’s the back cover blurb:

He hired a governess, but what retired officer Tristan Willoughby Smith needs is a wife. Not on his behalf, but to protect little Dora and Freddie.  When Caroline Bradley arrives at his Wyoming ranch, she seems perfectly suited--capable, efficient, intelligent . . . if a trifle too appealing.

Caroline knows what a real union of heart should be, and the major’s polite, non-nonsense offer hardly qualifies. Still, she accepts for the children’s sake, little knowing the complications the marriage will bring to test her confidence and her faith. Yet in this unusual match, Caroline starts to see a glimmer of something strong and true--the makings of the family she never thought she’d find…

I hope you all enjoy the story!

A different slant on romantic suspense, here...

Tuesdays are now our days to feature  Love Inspired Romantic Suspense authors.  My own schedule is a little different this fall--thanks to a busy year of deadlines!

I've got a Love Inspired romance in November (The Loner's Thanksgiving Wish, the fifth installment of the Rocky Mountain Heirs series) and a Love Inspired Suspense in December (Duty to Protect)  but this month something different is out--a romantic suspense for the Harlequin Heartwarming Collection called  A Home in Hill Country. It's a romantic suspense that  I wrote some years ago for a different line,  now revised to  hopefully appeal to readers  looking for nice clean story, though one that doesn't have the usual faith elements in Love Inspired books.


I would love to hear some feedback on what y'all think of this new line--if you've enjoyed having this additional choice,  and if you would come back for more!

Blessings to you all,
Roxanne Rustand
www.roxannerustand.com

Lyn Cote here-Final book in her New Friends Street series

Lyn Cote here again! Hope you're not tired of me. I was just here on Thursday. But Missy asked me if I wanted to promote my new Love Inspired, Building a Family. Silly question!

I set this series in a fictitious town near my home in the far north of Wisconsin. I also featured a charity that I admire, Habitat for Humanity. And I enjoyed highlighting what I like best about living in the northwoods.



The beautiful forests and lakes.

Take a walk in the woods.

And the food is good too in America's Dairyland.

And here's a link to a free WI cheese recipe collection.
http://www.eatwisconsincheese.com/recipes/the_perfect_recipe_cookbook_1.aspx

So what do you like about where you live? And what food is associated with your hometown or state? Let's talk about our HOME!

Featured Book:The Christmas Child by Linda Goodnight

How exciting to have the heroine from THE CHRISTMAS CHILD written by Linda Goodnight an October, 2011 release from Love Inspired Romance .

1. Sophie Bartholomew, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

I’m just an ordinary person, a teacher, a small town girl who loves life, God, and people. Sorry, I’m not all that interesting. But something interesting, and rather heartrending, did happen to me the other day. Some friends and I found a scared little boy in a trash Dumpster! Isn’t that awful?

2. What do you do for fun?

Christmas and cookies are my two absolute most favorite things. Well, those and kids. My fifth grade students bake and sell Christmas cookies every year for charity. Being a total Christmas nut, I have a blast with this. I also hang out with friends and spend time with my terrific dad. Since I’m on just about every civic, school, and church committee known to man—all of which I love doing--I stay pretty busy.

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

Calling or visiting my mother and her husband. I just don’t fit in with her new family, a fact that makes me sad and uncomfortable.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

Right now, my biggest fear is for Davey, the little boy we found. I’m afraid of what’s happened to him and of why he won’t talk. I’m afraid of what Kade McKendrick will discover in his investigation.

5. What is the most important thing to you?

If I say, “my faith”, that will sound too clichéd, but it’s true.

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

I’m a teacher. I love to read! Mostly, I read children’s literature for my students but I also love cozy, romantic historicals and sappy Christmas books. My hometown is a beautiful old 19^th century town and I really enjoy reading about that time period.

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

All in all, I’m a content, happy woman. My life is good. But I guess if I could change one thing, I’d try to have feelings for the man who’s interested in me instead of for the aloof new guy in town.

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

No, I don’t, but a friend of mine, Kade McKendrick (who is oo-la-la cute, but so, so cynical) has the sweetest golden retriever. Her name is Sheba and she absolutely adores kids, especially a voiceless little boy named Davey.

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

Kade is harboring some sort of big, ugly heartache. I wish I could go back in time and stop it from happening. I wish I could mend his brokenness.

Ask Elnora--About being a Superhero??? Lenora Worth

Elnora loves the television show "Castle." But then, most writers do. This week's episode was all about comic book heroes and people who try to emulate them. Of course, we all know that when it involves Richard Castle, it also involves murder. This one was really gruesome. Elnora is far too delicate for such graphics. And Elnora is far too smart to actually believe a human being could split a man in half with a sword in one fell swoop. But ... this is Castle after all. We have to just go with it and enjoy the ride. After I downloaded the Marvel Comics app on my phone so I could read the new Derek Storm comic book story (written by Richard Castle of course) and alas, couldn't find the new Derek Storm anywhere on the app, I got to wondering--Don't we all have a bit of Super Hero in us? I attended a workshop at ACFW where super heroes and heroines were used as part of the program and I've been pondering this since. Writers are told to be themselves, but I think readers sometimes see us as these rock star super beings who travel with an entourage and stop on a dime to get our pictures taken. Okay, so Elnora loves to pose for a picture with a friend and reader, but let's get back to that Super Hero image. I do believe we have duel personalities like Spider Man and Super Man and we're definitely multi-taskers like Wonder Woman. (And she does it with fabulous hair and kicking boots!) I also believe we have to keep a little bit of ourselves secret just to stay calm and sane. We have to find that upper room and center ourselves before we go out and hang by a thread during booksignings, or leap over tall buildings to make it to an interview. And we certainly have to put on our protective armor when meeting the public or reading reviews. Even Elnora, with pearls and pumps and a boa (hopefully knitted by Camy Tang or Allie Pleiter), likes to find a quiet place and kick off her shoes and just stare into space. We are labeled introverts when really we just want to write our books and have fun and later .... much later, have a private conversation with our Maker. We enter laughing and we leave doubting but we love our jobs and our readers. But hey, even Cat Woman had her doubts, right? So..... what super hero traits do we need to survive? Do we all have a bit of Super Heroine or Hero in us? Let's discuss.

Lyn Takes a Bow or Should that be a Curtsey?

I want you to know that Pamela Tracy told me to BRAG about myself. Now I'm not perfect but I do know Christians are never supposed to BRAG about themselves. However this is a blog and on this blog we celebrate Love Inspired romance and the authors and the readers. So I guess it's okay to take a bow, curtsey, or blow my own horn.

As Pamela has posted to the right, I won the Carol Award for Short Historical in this year's American Fiction Writers published award, named for Carol Johnson. (I wrote about that on the 22nd.)

This win was an encouragement to me. I will have written and published 36 books as of this October. I have finaled in several (not many) contests. But I hadn't won since 2001. That's a long time!

So I don't think I'll get the big head. :-) Especially since I broke part of my plaque for the award on the way home. Why do these things happen to me? (I have managed to glue the little piece back on!)

I'm really happy that my heroine Mercy and her hero Lon touched hearts in Her Healing Ways, the final book in my Gabriel Sisters series.

Here's a list of the other winners. You might like their books! Have you read any by any of the other winners?
http://www.acfw.com/carol/2011_winners

God's Dreams for Us!

Patty here and I’m facing a problem that I’m sure most parents deal with some time or another. My twenty-year-old daughter plopped down in a chair in my office and asked the question everyone ask at one time or another:

“Mom, I don’t know what to do with the rest of my life.”

Such a profound question! And one I couldn’t answer until about ten years ago so if you’re one of those blessed few who knew exactly what you wanted to be with you grew up, this blog post isn’t for you.

You see, I was too ADD to make a career choice. The truth was you name it, I wanted to at least give it a try. In elementary school, I read every book I could find on the presidents because I was determined to occupy the Oval Office. But by the time sixth grade rolled around, I scratched public office off my list, instead taking a serious interest in writing romantic poetry and roller derby.

My middle school years were spent discovering the artist inside. While playing music wasn’t in the cards, I found my talent on the dance floor. So for the next five years, I twirled my way into the local dance company, spending six days a week at the studio and searching for colleges with good dance programs.

Did I tell you that I had ADD?

After college, I worked as a registered nurse for six years until I got a better job, that of a stay-at-home mom. When the girls started school, I put out magazines at Wal-mart, hung wallpaper for contractors, taught autistic kids and was named one of the top sales people in the country at both a well known candle shop and a office supply store.

My dad called me his Jackie of all trades.

So how did I end up on the Craftie Ladies of Romance? It was a total God thing as in God called me to write and I listened to Him. Where as most of my jobs lasted a couple of years or so, I've been writing for ten years now and I've never been happier. Isn't that just like God? In Jeremiah, He tells us that He knows the plans He has for us. Just like our earthly parents, God has big dreams for us!

And He has one for my darling girl as I’ve reminded her over and over again. So today, let’s talk about the dream God has laid on your heart for your life. I'd love to hear about your journey to find God's dream for your life.

Contests by Merrillee Whren

Isn't it fun to win a contest? Winning a prize is thrilling. This past week we've been talking about awards and contests. I have just returned from the American Fiction Writers Conference held in St. Louis this year. Lyn Cote, one of the Craftie Ladies, won a Carol Award for her short historical romance, Her Healing Ways.



Two other Love Inspired authors also won Carol Awards this year. Irene Hannon's book, A Father for Zach, won in the short contemporary category, and Sharon Dunn's book, Night Prey, won in the short romantic suspense category.

Since we're talking about contests, I'm going to give away copies of all three books in my Kellerville series to someone who comments on today's post. I recently learned that the first two books in the series have won first and second place in the Published Beacon Contest.






Tell us about any contests you have won.

Featured Book: Her Rodeo Cowboy by Debra Clopton

Everything accountant Montana Brown thought she knew about love and marriage goes topsy-turvy when her parents split up. Shaken, she heads to Mule Hollow, Texas, to stay with family and take a chance on an old dream: being a cowgirl. With all her might, she tries to resist the charms of a too-handsome cowboy. Luke Holden is going after his own dream of expanding his ranch. A wife isn't on his wish list. But the Mule Hollow matchmakers are fixin' to lasso Luke and Montana together—with a little faith and love.

Today we're interviewing the hero from HER RODEO COWBOY by Debra Clopton. Sit down and enjoy!

Luke, tell us the most interesting thing about you.

“I’m not much on talking about myself, but, well, I promised Norma Sue Jenkins I would do it. This interview is a kind of promotion for the three Mule Hollow Homecoming Rodeos her and the other ladies are planning for the summer. Since I got the contract to supply the livestock for the rodeos I want them to do good and I feel an obligation — Excuse me, you want to know what’s my passion, what makes me tick? Well, when you put it that way it’s easy. Building a legacy for future Holden’s is what I’m all about…that’s what makes me tick.”

What do you do for fun?

“I like to ride out and check the fence line. Sunsets from the saddle are something to see. I date a pretty good bit--I’m not looking for serious though. Not ready for that and even the matchmaking posse of Mule Hollow—you know, Norma Sue and her two partners in crime Esther Mae Wilcox and Adela Ledbetter Green. They “tinkered” with my love life a time or two, but even they realized I was a lost cause until I’m ready. Sunsets, diner and a movie. That’s what I do for fun. Marriage—nope.”


What do you put off doing because you dread it?
“Doing this interview. (chuckle) Talking about myself—yup, that’d be it right there.”


What are you afraid of most in life?
“I’m afraid of not being the man God wants me to be. You know my dad let me and my brothers down and the heartache from it cuts deep. But, I see parents letting their kids down, in different ways all the time, so I don’t feel sorry for myself. You know that spunky, barrel racer, Montana Brown—her dad let her down too. She has major hurt going on in her heart because of it. I feel for her and want to help her heal from the pain she’s feeling. Something about that cowgirl gets me in the center of my heart. I…I guess I’m kind of afraid of that too, you know, really opening my heart to someone.”


What do you want out of life?
“I want my brothers to have a family and feel the love that they never knew as kids. I sometimes think about finding someone special for myself…but, again, I’m not sure I could risk opening my heart. It’s just easier not to go there.”

What is the most important thing to you?
“Me and my two younger brothers, Jess and Colt, have recently bought a ranch. I’ve worked hard on other folk’s ranches ever since I was fourteen and the responsibility of raising my brothers fell on my shoulders. Putting solid roots down in God’s green earth, that will hold and flourish for Colt and Jess’s future kids--when they get around to getting married...that’s what’s important to me. And then there’s Montana—I can’t get her off my mind and helping her has become real important to me.”

Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
“I read the Bible...and everything I can find about ranching.”

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
“I think I would change my looks—I know that sounds weird for a guy, but I look a lot like my dad…women tend to like the way I look and that would make most men happy I guess. But when I look in the mirror I see my dad, the man who hurt my family in the worst way by loving the bottle more than us. Sometimes I think it would be nice to just see me when I look in the mirror. But, God sees my heart so that’s what I try to see too. I’m starting to hope that’s what Montana Brown sees…”

Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
“Just my cow dogs and my horse.”

If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
If I could go back in time as an adult man to when my dad was first beginning to start drinking then I’d go in a heartbeat. I’d go tell him about the man I’ve become despite him. I’d tell him about Colt and Jess and how proud I am of my brothers—I’d tell him he really missed out when he checked out on us. But mostly, I’d tell him about the Lord…because if he’d have had a relationship with the Lord then my family’s history would have been rewritten. Of course, God’s in control of all that and I’m not looking back…now, if I could go to the future and see where this thing with Montana Brown is going—that’s what I’m curious about.

Featured Book: The Reluctant Outlaw by Karen Kirst

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.

Today, we welcome Evan, from Karen Kirst's debut novel The Reluctant Outlaw.

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

I'm not who people think I am.


2. What do you do for fun?

I've been living a nightmare the past year, so I don't remember what fun is.

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

I dread telling Juliana, the young woman I've been protecting, who I really am.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

I've already lost everyone important in my life. I can't go through that pain again, so I'm afraid of letting people get too close.

5. What do you want out of life?

Revenge. My brother was gunned down in cold blood, and I've vowed to track down his killers.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

I'm not sure anymore. I've been driven by the need to avenge my brother's death for so long, but now I have Juliana to think of. Right now, getting her to safety is my first priority.


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

Don't read much. I'd rather be working my land.

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

I wish I could let go of my anger and forgive the men who killed my brother, but I can't.


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

I don't have a pet, but my horse Lucky is mighty important to me. He's loyal. Intelligent. Trustworthy. That's why I was steamed when Juliana stole him from me.

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

I like 1880 just fine. Have you seen some of the clothes men used to wear? I wouldn't be caught dead in a powdered wig!

Ask Elnora--About the ACFW conference??Lenora Worth

Hello, beautiful people. I am at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in St. Louis. Big Daddy drove me and sweet Betsy St. Amant up here. Wasn't that nice of him? I'll tell you about our escapades as the day goes on. I hope to post happenings here all day long. Not that Elnora would gossip, but just think of me as Entertainment Tonight or Access Hollywood, except today is Access ACFW! Did you know our own Margaret Daley is Madame President of ACFW??? Yes. Elnora is so proud of her. And I'm even more proud of her upcoming book from Summerside "From This Day Forward." I'm reading it right now. I also have my friend Cheryl Hodde's upcoming book on my nightstand. "The Wedding Kiss" looks like a winner to me! The cover is exquisite and I know the writing will be the same. Watch for these books. They should be on the shelves soon. Of course, Elnora loves seeing what kind of shoes everyone is wearing. I only packed five pairs! And two purses. Okay, Betsy and I both have extra shoe bags. What can I say? I get bored wearing the same pair of shoes! I'll try to post some shots to facebook. But the next best thing to shoes at this conference is ... books!!! Lots and lots of books in the bookstore. I brought an extra bag just for books, but Big Daddy thinks it's my "business bag." I shall fill it with books and more books. Where I will put them, I have no idea! So ... I only have my iphone here so things might get sketchy. But I will try to post as often as I can. Friday is my busy day. Breakfast with our editors Melissa Endlich and Elizabeth Mazer. Then a panel discussion about "seat-of-the-pants" writing with Karen Ball and several other writers. We're winging that one! Then a lovely dinner with all the LI writers! Lots of hugs and chatter at that, no doubt. Saturday I get to visit with my wonderful editor Pam Hopkins. This is her first time at ACFW. I'm so glad she's here. While I'm busy here, if there are any questions you want to ask, let us know. If I don't know the answer, I will hunt someone down and find out! What would you like to know about LI writers, Christian fiction and what goes on at this wonderful conference? As a reader or as a writer?? Or both??? Now's the time to ask. We'll all be checking in and we'll be glad to answer your questions. Okay, my feet hurt already!

When Did You Read Your First Christian Romance?

If you read Author Linda Goodnight's blog on Tuesday, you know something about the Carol Award and the past and present finalists. This Saturday night the awards will be announced. Since I write historicals, I wanted to give you some really important history FOR READER of Christian romane. Here goes:

I am very honored to be a Carol Award finalist. I have had the pleasure of interviewing the lady who is the namesake of this award, Carol Johnson, formerly VP at Bethany House Publishers and now a literary agent. (That's her photo above.) Carol (while at Bethany) was the person who was instrumental in getting Author Janette Oke's first book into print in 1979.

Janette Oke's books led the way in the birth of modern Christian fiction. Carol Johnson was also the woman who was a big part of establishing the prestigious Christy Award. The Christy is another award, focusing on the best in Christian fiction. Have you read Christy by Catherine Marshall? That of course is the namesake of this award. For more about the Christy's, drop by http://www.christyawards.com/about.html

Two years ago, American Christian Fiction Writers http://www.acfw.com decided to honor Carol by changing the name of their Book of the Year award to the Carol. From what I've just written, I think you will agree that Carol Johnson is a woman who deserves recognition for her achievements and what they have given all of us who enjoy Christian fiction. Love Inspired books wouldn't have come about without Carol's efforts to open the door for Christian fiction. So thank you, Carol!

BTW, I will give away a copy of my Carol finalist book, Her Healing Ways to someone who leaves a comment today. 2nd BTW, Renee Ryan, another LIH author is guesting on my blog today. For another chance to win her current LIH, drop by and leave a comment there too. http://www.LynCote.net

The questions to comment on are--what was the first Christian novel or romance you read and how did you find it? And have you read Christy or one of Janette Oke's classic romances?

Babies on the brain

I missed the awesome giveaway weekend earlier this month, but I have a good excuse—my son was born on August 28 and we’ve still been adjusting to life going from a family of three to a family of four. Because I wasn’t able to participate then, I’d like to give away two copies of my debut book, MARRYING MISS MARSHAL from today’s commenters. I’ll choose the winners at the end of the day and post the names in the comments, so check back tomorrow to see if you’ve won!
–also just a note to say that I’ll try to check comments as often as I can today but with two little ones underfoot (one of them brand new!) I may not be here as often as I’d like.

Since this is my first post as a CRAFTIE Lady, I thought I’d share a little about myself. I’m a mom with a toddler and a newborn. I’ve been married for nine years to a wonderful man I met in college. I was born and raised in Oklahoma, spending several years of my childhood on a family farm. I graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2006, which was the same year I started writing for publication. I was contracted with Love Inspired Historical in 2010 and my first book with them was published just over a month ago, in August.

I wrote most of MARRYING MISS MARSHAL while trying to get pregnant with my daughter (although some of it was written/rewritten after she came along). My second book, THE HOMESTEADER’S SWEETHEART (May 2012), was written while I was pregnant with my son. I think because I had babies on the brain, that’s why both books feature babies in different ways.

In MARRYING MISS MARSHAL, the heroine (a town marshal) really wants a family of her own. During the story, she has to help deliver her best friend’s baby and it is a very poignant moment for both women. In THE HOMESTEADER’S SWEETHEART, hero Jonas White was forced to leave Philadelphia to care for his infant daughter. The book is focused on the hero and his family five years after that fact, but Jonas’s past is important to the story.

I think one reason I like writing babies into my stories is because most people have a reaction to them. As parents, we keep memories of our kids close to our hearts and can relate to what the characters we’re reading about are feeling and experiencing—like staying up late with a colicky baby or that scary moment when they seem to choke on their bottle. Aunts, uncles, friends, grandparents… most of us have a collection of moments stored up in our memory banks and when we read about something similar in a good book, that memory surfaces.

I’m sure you can tell I’ve still got babies on the brain—and probably will for awhile! I wouldn’t trade these precious moments with my little ones for anything. So tell me, what’s your favorite memory involving a baby or toddler?

BUY MARRYING MISS MARSHAL IN PAPERBACK
BUY MARRYING MISS MARSHAL FOR YOUR KINDLE

Craftie Ladies Rock the Carol Awards!

Linda Goodnight here. No, I’m not a suspense author but in the spirit of suspense I’ve high-jacked Pamela Tracy’s posting day! I have a motive for my crime. Really. See if you agree.

Each year ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) holds a contest, now called The Carol, for published authors. I thought it would be fun to find out how many of our Craftie Ladies had been finalists or had won that award. (Actually, it was Pamela’s great idea.) Guess what? The number is phenomenal! Though I may have missed someone along the way, I counted 12 authors with a total of 34 finals and 4 wins.

Here’s a list of those 12 Craftie Ladies:

Allie Pleiter

Cara Putman

Dana Mentink

Debby Guisti

Debra Clopton

Lenora Worth

Linda Goodnight

Louise Gouge

Lynette Eason

Margaret Daley

Missy Tippens
Pamela Tracy
Terri Reed

WOW! What a lineup of my favorite authors! Which have you read? Any favorites in there? Any favorite books?

Three of our Craftie Ladies are up for the award this year-Lyn Cote, Lynette Eason, and Linda Goodnight. Thank goodness, we’re each in a different category. Wish us luck!

(Special thanks to Pamela Tracy for allowing me to ‘steal’ her blog today since I’ll be gone the rest of the week to ACFW.)

Our Very Own Carol Award Finalists!

Missy Tippens, here. We're so thrilled to have three 2011 Carol Award finalists among our group of bloggers! Linda Goodnight (LI Romance), Lyn Cote (LI Historical) and Lynette Eason (LI Suspense) are all finalists this year in the contest sponsored by the American Christian Fiction Writers. Since Mondays are our days to focus on Love Inspired Romance, I wanted to tell you a bit about Linda Goodnight's book, The Wedding Garden.


I've read this wonderful book and wanted to share a blurb with you:




"Are You My Dad?"

The young boy's question shocks Sloan Hawkins. Until Sloan realizes he is this child's father. Years ago, the former bad boy was run out of Redemption, Oklahoma, where, ironically, he was thought unredeemable. The only people who believed in him were his beloved aunt and Annie Markham, the girl he loved and left behind. Now Sloan is back to face his past and help keep his aunt's cherished garden thriving. But when he discovers his secret child--and that single mother Annie never stopped loving him--he's determined that a wedding will take place in the garden nurtured by faith and love.




I asked Linda how this book was special to her. She said this:


"The Wedding Garden" is very near and dear to my heart, perhaps one of very favorites.  I love a redeemed bad boy, and Sloan Hawkins is exactly that. Plus he has some extra trouble waiting for him when he roars into the hometown he promised never to set foot in again. Not only do we see his convulted love story and personal brokeness,  but there is also the bittersweet love of an older couple AND a twist I hope readers don't see coming.  I was thrilled and honored to have this special book be both a RITA finalist and a Carol finalist.


Linda, Lyn and Lynette, we're thrilled for all of you and are so proud! The winners will be announced this Saturday night at the American Christian Fiction Writers conference in St. Louis.

Featured Book: Deep Cover by Sandra Orchard

Maintaining his cover cost undercover cop Rick Gray the woman he loved. Sweet Ginny Bryson never really knew Rick—he never gave her the chance. Not then, and not now, when he's back with a new alias to gather evidence against Ginny's uncle. The man's crimes led to Rick's partner's death, and Rick wants justice to be served. But his investigation is stirring up trouble, and Ginny is smack-dab in the middle. Someone wants Ginny to pay the price for what her uncle has done. But how can Rick protect her without blowing his cover, jeopardizing his assignment…and risking both their lives?

Today, we're interview Rick Gray, the undercover cop hero from Deep Cover by Sandra Orchard

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

I’m an undercover cop. I’ve worked a lot of different cases, some in which the paperwork took longer to do than the actual operation, and some, like my current case, that require me to become another person for weeks at a time. At the moment, I’m posing as a foreman on a construction project to gather evidence against the developer who torches buildings for the insurance money. Unfortunately, he’s also the uncle of a woman I care about, and the construction project is a group home for her mentally challenged sister.

2. What do you do for fun?

I shoot hoops with my fellow police officers. We work hard and then play hard. It helps relieve the stress of the job.

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

I don’t usually put off anything I’m at liberty to do. Telling Ginny who and what I really am is the one exception. For her own protection, fifteen months ago, I let Ginny walk out of my life believing I was the gang member I appeared to be. When that case was over, I could’ve told her the truth, and tried to win her back, but I convinced myself she was better off without me. I wish I could say the same for myself.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

I have a dangerous job. I make enemies. That’s one of the reasons I tend to avoid relationships. I’m afraid someone close to me will be killed because of my work.

5. What do you want out of life?

I want to get criminals off the street. As my dad lay dying at the hand of a criminal he’d been scheduled to testify against, I made him a promise that I wouldn’t let the bad guys win. For that reason, and another that I’d rather not talk about, justice is really important to me. Let’s just say I owe it to my family to do everything I can to keep criminals off the street.

That said, when I’m not working I enjoy coaching kids’ sports teams at the local community center, trying to help them find something better than crime to invest their time in. It was enough, until I met Ginny. Now…I want the whole wife and kids and white picket fence thing. But it’s just not meant to be.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

Lies are part of my job. A character I play, like an actor. But sometimes to safeguard my cover for the sake of my case, I have to pretend I’m something I’m not to people I’ve grown to care about. It’s important to me that when they learn the truth, they see I’m a man of honor. I’m probably the only man alive who embraces the scripture verse, “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.” I long for the day that I can disclose my true life to Ginny. The day she’ll finally understand I work for a greater good. The day she’ll know I’m honorable.

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

I read my Bible most days, but other than that, I don’t read much.

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

If I could walk away from my job, I would. But I can’t. And Ginny deserves a better life than I can give her.

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

No, as an undercover cop, my schedule is too unpredictable to allow me to care for an animal. I have a fish tank screensaver on my laptop. Does that count?

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

I’d go to the backyard of my parents’ house—the day my older brother died. And I’d stay there, just as I’d been told. Remembering that day still rips through me as viciously as the bullets that ripped through my brother. I’d been too young to understand that gang members get a kick out of daring probies to take pot shots at a cop’s house. If I’d obeyed my parents and stayed in the back yard, Bobby never would’ve chased after me to keep me off the road…and run straight into the spray of gang bullets.

Featured Book: Hidden in the Everglades by Margaret Daley

"I need your help"Bodyguarding is Kyra Morgan's business—but this was supposed to be a vacation! Still, she can't refuse the request from childhood friend and neighbor Michael Hunt. Michael's sister Amy ran away after witnessing a murder. Michael needs Kyra's help to find her and keep her safe. Yet as Kyra and Michael follow the trail along the Florida coast, their search grows more dangerous by the day. Terrorists are at work, and the stakes are perilously high. It will take everything they have—including trust they're both reluctant to give—to escape the Everglades alive…


Today we're interviewing Kyra, the heroine from Hidden in the Everglades. Settle back and get to know this amazing woman.


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



I own and run the Guardians, Inc., a company of female bodyguards.




2. What do you do for fun?



I enjoy a quiet uneventful evening at home--I'm usually working so when I don't have to it is nice.




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



Housework--I like order but I hate to clean. Good thing I can hire someone to come clean once a week.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?



Snakes--no question about it, which wasn't very good since I lived a few yards away from a swamp as a child.




5. What do you want out of life?



To keep people safe. That's why I started Guardians, Inc.




6. What is the most important thing to you?



My faith--my belief in Christ is what has kept me going when the ugly side of life has overwhelmed me.




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



Non-fiction when I have time which isn't often. Too busy working.




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



Nothing. I don't regret my life--well, except that I haven't had time for many relationships.




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



No, I don't. I'm not home that much to be a good owner.




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



To the signing of the Declaration of Independence. That event started it all.