FEATURED BOOK: ESCAPE FROM TH BADLANDS BY DANA MENTINK

After his brother is convicted of murder, Shane Mason will do anything to clear his name. But when his investigations lead him to enter South Dakota's Desert Quest extreme race, Shane is fl oored by the surprise waiting for him. Kelly Cloudman—the woman he can't let himself love—is the race's medic…and the killer's next target. A painful memory from his past divided Shane from Kelly, but he's not going to let her out of his sight again. Even if it means revealing his secrets, Shane won't stop until he's found the truth—and kept the murderer from striking again.

Ask Elnora--About My Office??? Lenora Worth

Hello, beautiful bloggers. I'm sitting in a fold-up chair in what will soon be my new office in what will soon be my new home. I have to admit it seems a bit strange for Elnora to be in an empty room with only an old computer desk and a chair. Oh, and a few books in the closet. Had to bring some books along. I have my book bag full of research sources, flash drives and two spiral notebooks with my scribblings all over them (that's what I call research notes.)But I also have to admit I kind of like the "quietness" of this little room. I love my office back at home, even though it's a mess and needs a major overhaul. I do an overhaul every few months and straighten it between books, but alas, what with all the NEW books I buy, the catalogues I must search and the manuscripts and mailings I receive, it's hard to keep that office tidy. I'm sure once I've decorated this one and settled in, it will become the same way. But this got me to thinking. What do you require in your office? What are some of the must-have things you keep around you. I have research books, how-to books, the books of my favorite writers--some dear friends, some who don't even know I exist, I have quotes and quote books, Bibles, dictionaries and pictures of friends. I have a special card that was sent to me when I first published by my dear friend Suzannah Davis. Suzannah passed away a few years ago, but I've never quite gotten over losing her. She was a mentor and a friend and she helped me to realize my writing dream. I look at that card just about every day and say a little prayer of thanks. I have Bible verses that hold special memories for me. My office is a special place because it's my place. Elnora has to have that room with a view. And I think we all need an Upper Room, where we can go and be close to Christ without any fanfare or attention. Yes, even Elnora needs her quiet time with the Lord. Anyway, my quiet little office has a nice window where I can see the sky and it has enough space to hold me and a few books. It will take some adjusting, being in a different writing space. But luckily, my imagination can travel with me. And from where I'm sitting now, I can see new adventures on the horizon. So, let's discuss our work spaces? Do you love yours? Hate it? Or do we need to encourage you to find your own space and let your imagination run wild there? There is nothing like a blank canvas. It just begs for adventure and embellishment. Elnora so believes in those two things. Tell me about your special place!

We've got resolutions...do you?

Cara Putman here with the Ladies of Love Inspired Historicals. With a New Year come resolutions. You know, those desires we commit to in hopes of changing or improving. 


The Craftie Ladies of LI Historicals have some of the following resolutions. 


I've made three resolutions to improve my:
Body: To get back on my diet. Lost 25 lbs. last year, then let birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas sidetracked me. Have already gotten back on track.
Mind: To be more disciplined about my writing (to avoid deadline panic) and play spider solitaire less often.
Spirit: To be closer to the Lord, to know Him better, and to let Him work through me to be kinder and more thoughtful of others, especially my students.
  --Louise Gouge

I don't make resolutions, but I do set goals.  These include very specific writing goals, personal goals (like cutting back on sugar and exercising more), and spiritual goals, like spending more time listening during my prayer time.  I recently read that a relationship requires both talking and listening, and our relationship with God is no different.  To be honest, I'd been doing most of the talking, so this year I have a goal to stop, sit quietly, and listen.    --Christine Johnson My resolution this year is to focus on one thing at a time. Sometimes I get so many balls in the air it is hard to juggle everything, but if I can focus on just one thing, give that one thing my full attention, I can get it done and move on (and get everything done).    --Lacy J. Williams First and always is to dedicate myself to a deeper understanding of God and faith.  Secondly, my New Year's resolution is to choose discomfort over resentment. Instead of agreeing to tasks that I will later resent for taking my time (the usual c&c's - committees and cookies) I will choose the momentary discomfort of saying, "I can't at this time," -- rather than committing and feeling resentful later.    --Sherri Shackelford In 2012, my primary goals are to be consistent in my daily Bible reading, participate in a ladies Bible study, manage my time more efficiently, and trust God's leading. This year will bring many changes, as my husband is transitioning out of the military. Our heart's desire is to move back home to Tennessee, to live once again near family and friends, but we will have to wait and see where God leads.

   -- Karen Kirst


Learn how to rest and wait. I tend to fill my schedule to the max — because I know it maximizes my effectiveness. But in writing in particular I’m going to try to learn to let ideas germinate awhile. I also want to start hosting more people at our house as a way to deepen friendships beyond the surface.
  --Cara C. Putman


Now, it's your turn. We'd love to know what your resolutions are as you embrace 2012.

Treasures from the Past

Christine Johnson here to talk about journaling in the midst of a busy month. I have one Love Inspired Historical out and another due to my editor in a couple weeks. It's good to take a break with all of you today. Grab a cup of coffee, and let's settle in for a chat.

Readers often ask me why I chose to write in the post-WWI era. I love how that time had one foot in the horse-and-buggy era and one foot in the modern age of the automobile and airplane. It's also a fabulous period to research since many resources from that time are still available in print or online. As someone who used to write medieval romance, I truly appreciate that!

I'm also blessed that my grandparents grew up in the 1920s and left behind stories and journals of their experiences. My grandmother wrote about her excitement going from the farm to the big city for the first time. Her observations came in handy in All Roads Lead Home, my new release, when small-town girl Anna Simmons makes her first trip to Chicago.

Likewise, my grandfather drove across the country in the 1920s. Though his "journal" wasn't nearly as detailed as my grandmother's, he noted every breakdown - and there were many - as well as how much he spent on every little item. What a great resource for this month's book where Mariah Meeks decides to drive to Montana to rescue an orphan. My grandfather was a mechanic. Mariah is not. That means she needs to find a mechanic to go along. The only one willing is the man she jilted two years before. Add in his little sister, and it's bound to be a pretty rocky two thousand miles.

What a treasure my grandparents left for me! I've tried my hand at a lot of different journals, from travel to daily to devotional, though I'm not yet sure I want the next generation to read my meandering and often immature musings. I suspect they're not much different from prior generations. I could relate to my grandmother's feelings when she saw skyscrapers for the first time or worried over which gentleman would call on her. Some things stay very much the same.

Let's chat about journals and other memory-keepers like photographs. Did anyone in your family leave such treasures behind? If so, which do you value most and from what era? Do you keep a journal? Do you ever wonder if anyone will read it years from now?

Many blessings,

Christine

All Roads Lead Home

Love Inspired Historical, January 2012

Oh, those winter blues...

Barbara Phinney here. Recently, I noticed that some people were a little crabby. It was on a loop, and they were quite testy. Last week, a woman rammed my grocery cart and yelled at me because I was in her way. Last night, I learned that my pastor's mother was feeling a little blue, and another woman felt her mother was also.

It's a tough time of year. Regardless of the fact that most of us have enjoyed a nice winter so far, the lack of sunlight, and mounting debts can bring to a grinding halt even the most bubbly of personalities. And with flu season here, and children generously spreading their germs around us, we can succumb in more ways than one.

What can we do?  We all don't have access to light therapy, or a chance to fly off to sunnier and warmer places. Here are some tips I have gathered to help us all out.

Keep moving. Get up and exercise. Yup, I hate it too. And if you're already doing that, good for you!  But why not encourage someone else? Break out the Wii and challenge someone to bowling or golf. Did you know that Wii will kick you off a golf course if you get a high enough score? Learned that the hard way.

Host a dinner/movie/fun night. Or attend one. Bring popcorn and tissues if necessary. Plan a dinner for a few friends. We did that the other day and played that game Apples to Apples. Everyone had a blast.

Get outside. Check out the sun on your face. Take your vitamins, Eat porridge and lentils and spinach and avocado. Maybe not all at once, though. But these food help mood.

Volunteer. Anywhere, but have fun. Spend time doing something fun, smiling all the time, and just relax. And when it's all done, get plenty of sleep.

Do you have any hints on how to get through this season?

Barbara writes inspirational romantic suspense. Check out her books here.
http://www.amazon.com/Barbara-Phinney/e/B001HPFZ16/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
or
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/barbara-phinney

What's Your Story?

Jean Gordon here, having an exciting month so far as a debut Love Inspired author. I’ve been to all of my local stores to see which ones have stocked Small-Town Sweethearts and put Local Author stickers on all of the copies. An unexpected perk of my “celebrity” was a photo of me holding my book in my day job's employee newsletter. It got me lots of congratulations and a common question from many of the well-wishers: Where do you find ideas for your stories. The short answer is everywhere.

I got the idea for Small-Town Sweethearts when a family member told me she liked her new church because the members were more standoffish and private. From that conversation, the story evolved: With the help of God and the love of Drew Stacey, a down-sized Wall Street analyst turned church camp manager, NYC assistant art director and former town misfit Emily, ne Jinx, Hazard finds the thing she wants most in the place she least wants to be — Paradox Lake. Through having to be responsible for her niece, interaction with the towns’ people, and falling in love with Drew, she learns the meaning of Christian fellowship.  

The idea for the book I’m just finishing came from my daughter. She’s gone back to graduate school to become a Nurse Practitioner/Midwife, and when she started she was concerned about finishing college herself before her daughter is old enough to go to college. She’ll make it by three and a half years. So, I have a 35-year-old single-father (Emily’s brother from Small-Town Sweethearts) who’s starting college himself now that his daughter is in college. He wants to recapture the life he lost by choosing to raise his now-college-age daughter alone. But a woman from the past, Anne Howard, and a precocious toddler interfere and show him that God has another plan for them all. I’m calling the book Small-Town Dad.

My very first book Bachelor Father from Avalon Books (which I expect to have out as an ebook this year) is very loosely based on a situation another adoptive family was facing when we were adopting our son from Korea. The Korean adoption agency limited adoptions to married couples. Sadly, the mother in a local adoption died of cancer before the adoption was finalized and the father was fighting to keep his child.

The idea for my second Avalon Book Love Undercover (which I also expect to have out as an ebook this year) came from an article the The Wall Street Journal that I read while doing research at work. The article was about a financial planner who was scamming elderly people. In my story, the hero is investigating a scam against his grandmother and the heroine appears to have been involved. 

 

So, what’s your story?

The States We're Visiting in January

A Love Inspired Romance landed in Montana today, probably at a book store, grocery store, or box store near you. Hmmmm, what's not to love about Montana Match. Set in present day, Montana, Author Merrillee Whren has this to say:

Montana is the fourth largest state in the US, but it is the third least populated state. The state has seven American Indian reservations. I chose Montana for the setting of Montana Match because I lived there when I was a child, and my goal is to set at least one of my novels in every state where I have lived. I also have twin girls in the story who are part Crow Indian. One of my best friends in fourth grade was a girl named Rose who was a Crow Indian. She inspired the little girls in the story.

We have two Montana books bumping up against each other at the stores this month! Christine Johnson wanted to make sure we really understand Montana, so in her book All Roads Lead Home, she goes back in time to 1922. Here's her offering:

Since All Roads Lead Home is a road trip story, it covers states from Michigan to Montana. I chose to end the trip in northwest Montana because I love the way the Rocky Mountains rise out of the plains like a snow-dusted wall. Glacier National Park, which was founded in 1910, hugs the border with Canada and is part of the first International Peace Park with Waterton National Park in Alberta. At the time of All Roads Lead Home (1922), you could drive west to the park and drive north along the eastern edge, but much of the travel inside the park was on horseback. Backcountry chalets provided overnight accomodations along the trails. People especially loved to see the glaciers, for which the park is named, but those glaciers are rapidly melting away. In 1922, trains ran across the southern boundary of the park through Marias Pass, but a car could not drive across the park. The Going-to-the-Sun Road across the park was completed in 1933. I've driven it many times...always with white knuckles!

We wave goodbye to Montana and head clear across the U.S. (Really, we can go no farther) to New York. Jean C. Gordon's comtemporary romance Small Town Sweethearts is an eye opening for those of you who can only imagine Manhattan. Really, New York is so much more. Go ahead, Jean, tell us how much more:

For the many people who think New York State is New York City: Upstate NY, where Small-Town Sweethearts is set, is quite different from the Downstate New York City area. Upstate we have dairy farms, mountains, lakes, orchards, and lots of villages and hamlets with fewer than 5,000 people that aren’t near any major cities. Wyoming County in Western New York, where I grew up, is the number one diary county in the state and has about the same number of milk cows as people (40,000).

If you're still in the mood for states, you can drop down to Mississippe and read Terri Reed's January release. In Mississippi, there's a taste of suspense.

The Fifty States and the Craftie Ladies

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona - LI, And Father Makes Three, by Kim Watters, July 2012
Arkansas
California
Colorado - LIS Christmas Stalking, Margaret Daley, Nov. 2012
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia - LIH, Hearts in Hiding by Patty Smith Hall, July 2012; LIS The Colonel’s Daughter by Debby Giusti, Aug; LI, A House Full of Hope by Missy Tippens, Feb. 2012.
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois –LI, Falling for the Fireman, by Allie Pleiter, Feb 2012; LIS The Doctor's Defender, by Terri Reed, Oct 2012
Indiana
Iowa - LI, Once Upon a Christmas, by Pamela Tracy, December 2012
Kansas - LIH, Winning the Widow's Heart by Sherri Shackelford June 2012
Kentucky
Louisiana – LI Sweetheart Reunion-,April, LIS The Diamond Secret—September, byLenora Worth
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts - LIH, A Baby Between Them, by Winnie Griggs, June 2012; LIS The Deputy' s Duty by Terri Reed Jun 2012 ; LIS The Black Sheep's Redemption by Lynette Eason
Michigan - LIH, Legacy of Love by Christine Johnson, Nov 2012
Minnesota
Mississippi - LI, A Love Rekindled, by Margaret Daley, April 2012; LIS The Secret Heiress by Terri Reed Jan 2012
Missouri
Montana – LI Montana Match, by Merrillee Whren, Jan. 2012
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico – LI Redemption Ranch, April & LI Fresh Start Ranch, October by Leann Harris
New York – LI Small-town Sweethearts by Jean C. Gordon
North Carolina - LIS - Danger on the Mountain by Lynette Eason, Oct 2012
North Dakota
Ohio - LI, A Home for Hannah, by Patricia Davids, August 2012
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina - LIH Homefront Hero by Allie Pleiter, May 2012
South Dakota - LIH, All Roads Lead Home by Christine Johnson, Jan 2012
Tennessee - LIH The Bridal Swap (Smoky Mountain Matches) March 2012by Karen Kirst; LIH novella Smoky Mountain Christmas 2012 Karen Kirst
Texas - Her Rodeo Cowboy-April, Her Homecoming Cowboy-August Debra Clopton
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin - LIH Their Frontier Family Nov 2012 Lyn Cote
Wyoming - LIH, The Homesteader’s Secret, May 2012, by Lacy Williams

Ask Elnora--About Words??? Lenora Worth

Hello, beautiful friends. We've been talking about words. That makes sense, because we are writers. Writers love words. Elnora discovered words at a young age. I learned how to spell my name because my older sister kept drilling it into my head. Then I learned I could actually make up stories in my head and talk to people who weren't really there. I learned I had a vivid imagination that was filled with words. Then one of my older sisters (Glenda, who died in 1991 because of a drunk driver) took me to the library and got me a library card. I'll never forget the smell of the Carnegie Library. It smelled a bit old and musty but it also smelled pleasant and safe. It smelled like words--fresh and stuffy, new and old, tired and energized, happy and sad. The rows and rows of books looked like rows and rows of all things bright and exciting. I couldn't decide which books to pick first. I attended story hour each Saturday and we got to take home books and bring them back the next week. I couldn't believe I could actually take the books home and hold them and read them. It was such a gift. Somewhere in all of that excitement, I found a certain comfort in having books around me. Elnora learned so much from all those books--how to dream, how to express myself, how to dress, and how to act (or not act). I cried with "Charlotte's Web" and "Ol' Yellow" and "Sounder". I became an amateur detective with "The Hardy Boys" and "Nancy Drew". I went back in time with "Anne of Green Gables." And ... wonder of wonders ... I survived the war with Scarlett in "Gone With the Wind." So the word comfort always comes to mind when I think of books. I have books all over my office. On shelves, in cubbyholes and corners, stacked high against the wall. I have books on my nightstand and on the floor by my bed. Sometimes, I just hold a book and marvel that I actually know the writer. Then I giggle because I have books with my name on the cover. It's a delightful joy that never gets old. I have a closet full of clothes and shoes, and I enjoy shopping. But my books--those are my true treasures. Elnora learned as the youngest of seven, you are never really alone when you have a book in your hand. My word for this year is LOVE. But the one true word that makes me feel safe and happy and loved is ... comfort. Books bring me comfort. So that's the question. Why do we love books so much? Why do we love words so much? And aren't we blessed to be able to sit underneath a tree and read? Or sit by the fire and read? Or ride a bus and read? Or to hold a slim electronic contraption in our hands and hit buy and wait a few minutes and then, like magic, have a book right there in our hand? Words bring me comfort. How about you?

What's Your Word for the Year?

It's a New Year...and with it thoughts turn to resolutions and desires to change.


Today the CRAFTIE ladies of historical fiction offer a few thoughts of a different nature. You see, one of the things I (Cara) have done in recent years was to ask God for a word for the year. That then becomes something of a direction for the year. One year that word was TRUST. Boy, did God have some healing He needed to do in my life in that area. Another year it was BELIEVE. 

Now the historical (not hysterical) gals share a few of their words with you. And let us know what your word or verse is! We'd love to know.

My word for this year is "in His time."  I've been too focused on rushing forward without taking time to dwell, to listen, and to hear His voice.  This year, I need to slow down and let go of my time-table so I'm not getting in His way.  

Christine Johnson 

   All Roads Lead Home - Love Inspired Historical (Jan 2012)

   The Matrimony Plan - Love Inspired Historical (Aug 2011)

God has given me the word "connect" this year.  Connecting is a level beyond communicating.  I'm a good communicator, but I could be a better connector.  I could benefit from staying more connected to friends and family.  It's a year to see the connections between each of the things I do--how they could work together, support each other--and to see where connections are broken.  I also need to stay a vine on the branch...connected to my God as the source of strength and purpose.

Allie Pleiter

My word for the year is Relationship. I know God is calling me to focus on a deeper walk/relationship with Him. I also want to deepen my relationship with my spouse and with the people around me. Too many of my close friends are people I only see a couple times a year at most. I feel a challenge from God to maintain those but also add an emphasis to friendships that have depth in my local community.

Cara Putman

"Rejoice! Again I say rejoice!"  REJOICE is my word for the year (x2).  I can't say it just once, and neither did the Apostle Paul when he wrote to the Philipians. I chose "rejoice" when a particular Christmas carol got stuck in my head and wouldn't leave. The peculiar thing about "Rejoice" is that it's just as much of a challenge as a word like "Serve" or "Obey." I don't know what 2012 holds, but it's a safe guess that it will have challenges, losses, and some heartache . . . as well as blessings, adventure and triumphs.  In the midst of it all, I'm going to be saying, "Rejoice! Again I say rejoice!"

Victoria Bylin
Author of "The Women of Swan's Nest" series



My word is Time. God wants more of my time. Time in His word, time in prayer and time focusing on what He wants me to accomplish in this next coming year. I plan to focus on being a better steward of my time this year.

Rhonda Gibson

New Year...New Tagline

I always find myself pretty introspective this time of year, with all the talk of resolutions and diets and self-improvement. You too?

One of the changes I’ve decided to make this year is my tagline. What I’m going with is:

Love that overcomes.

What do you think?

I chose this phrase because I really *really* love reading and writing stories where one of the main characters has to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It can be something from their past, or an obstacle that comes up during the book, but the bigger or deeper the problem, the more I love the story. Especially if it involves a big sacrifice at the end.

Here are some of my favorites:

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Austen): Darcy has to overcome Lizzie’s objections, save her family’s reputation and conquer his pride to win her heart.

THE TWILIGHT SAGE (Stephenie Meyers): Bella has to overcome her bad luck and clumsiness along with Edward’s need to control everything.

LONGING FOR HOME (Kathryn Springer): Alex has to overcome his need to be in charge of everything and the deeper fears of abandonment to be able to accept Kate’s love.

THE CHRISTMAS CHILD (Linda Goodnight): Kade has to overcome the demons of his past before he can allow himself to trust Sophie’s love.

And in my upcoming release THE HOMESTEADER’S SWEETHEART (May), hero Jonas White has already overcome big obstacles, including his past, a scandal, and making a home out on the harsh Wyoming plains. But can he conquer Penny’s heart when they come from such different worlds?

I’m going to do a drawing from all the commenters today. The winner will receive an advance reader copy of THE HOMESTEADER’S SWEETHEART in PDF format. I’ll notify the winner by email so make sure your email is in your comment!

Are You Having a Holiday Today?

Missy, here. I know a good many people have today off for the new year since it fell on a Sunday. Happy 2012 to all of you, our wonderful readers! Are you off today? If so, do you have anything special you usually do for New Year's Day?

In our family, we usually spend the day doing a budget. Yeah, I know. NOT FUN! But alas, it has to be done. :) We also usually take down the Christmas tree. This year, our tree is still fresh and beautiful. I just hate to take it down! I'm thinking of putting it off for just a few days, maybe until we celebrate Epiphany.

Here's a somewhat blurry photo of our tree. I was trying to catch the beauty of the lights, but they just look kind of strange. :)

So, what are you doing today??? :) Any resolutions you'd like to share with us?

Hello 2012

The Craftie Ladies wish you a blessed New Year.

Wishing everyone a blessed time with family and friends, and great things in the year ahead. Naomi Rawlings.

Happy New Year. May you all have many blessings in 2012.

Merrillee Whren

To everyone reading this, I wish you a new year filled with unexpected blessing, challenges that stretch but not defeat you and joy in the knowledge that you are loved.

Winnie Griggs Small Towns, Big Hearts, Amazing Grace

I wish all of you a wonderful, blessed 2012!! May God fill your lives with love and happiness.

Missy Tippens

In 2012, may all your needs be met and all your dreams take wing. Blessings!Regina Scott

Last year was all the things it should have been: brilliant, tragic, spiritual, heartbreaking, exhausting, exhilarating, surprising, bewildering, dazzling and wondrous. I can only hope this year will be the same.

Sherri Shackelford, Winning the Widow's Heart, June 2012

Terri Reed here on this new day of 2012. I wish you all a wonderful and blessed new year. I have a new release out this month, the second book in my Protecting the Specialists series. The Secret Heiress hits the shelves on January 3rd. I'm doing a blog tour to celebrate the new release. Click here if you'd like the dates and links to the blogs. One commenter during the tour will be drawn to receive a ten dollar gift card.

What Are You Doing Today

Pamela Tracy here on the last day of 2011. It's a Saturday, early, and we're loading up the quads to go on a ride :) We'll be home in time to join the neighborhood block party.

What are you doing today, the last day of 2011, a Saturday?

Ask Elnora--About Starting Over? Lenora Worth

Hello, lovely end-of-the-year friends. Elnora doesn't make New Year's Resolutions. Elnora is resolved on a lot of things already. But I do so believe in starting over. I think the hip term these days is a "do-over." Sometimes, it's the only way to make things right, right?? For example, Elnora loves pie. Chocolate pie, coconut pie, pecan pie, and sweet potato pie. In fact, I've had sweet potato pie for breakfast all week long (and yes, I know it's off the charts on Weight Watchers points.) But ... there is something so comforting about a piece of pie and a good cup of coffee. Comfort food--it wraps us in memories like an old quilt. With each bite I take, I remember my mother making home-made pies. She'd stand at an actual pie safe (does anyone else know what one of those is??) and roll out the pie dough on the big enamel counter. The smell of a home-made sweet potato pie is like nectar from heaven. So I kind of feel that with each bite of that sweet pie, I get a nice do-over of some good childhood memories. Now, Elnora trying to bake her own--that might turn into a nightmare. I attempted gingerbread cookies last week, as some might recall. I have a big container of them sitting on my counter. They turned out pretty good, except one must dip the little brats in coffee in order to soften them for proper eating. I call them my biscotti gingerbread cookies. Not bad with a latte, let me tell you. I might need a do-over on how to bake cookies, too. But I digress. On to the new year and fresh, new perspectives. There is something enchanting and enticing about a blank calendar. There are no mistakes to white out. We have a whole new twelve months to get things right or discover something new and challenging. We'll have plenty of time to explore all the possibilities that stretch over months and months of pure white just begging us to pencil something in. Some people pick a new word for each new year. Some people decide they will finally do that one thing they've secretly wanted to do and oh, joy, they have a whole year to follow their bliss. A new year offers everyone a second chance or a first adventure. So let's discuss. What will you do with the next twelve months? I hope we can all fill that white space with lots of notes and exclamation points so when those twelve months are up, we can look back and nod and say "That was a good day" or "I'm so glad I tried that and succeeded." Are you ready for new beginnings and a few do-overs? After all, it should be as easy as pie, right?

So What Did You Get?

What books did you get for Christmas? Anyone get a book they'd been longing for?

Before Christmas, I was wanting to read another Christmas themed book and found at Walmart Mail Order Christmas Brides by Jillian Hart and Janet Tronstad. It was a wonderful book and I enjoyed both stories. I think that book made the USA today extended list. Ladies, am I right?

Musings on the matter of New Year’s resolutions

The presents are all unwrapped and put away (or returned to the store for a better fit), the leftovers are eaten, and all the relatives have headed home. Now my thoughts turn to the New Year and the resolutions I should make.

What is it about this season that makes us think of improving ourselves? I know I’m not the only one to feel that this is the perfect time to stop some bad habits and start some good habits. I guess January 1, or any given Monday in the year, is a great time for new beginnings. We say “This will be my year/week to: start my diet, be more disciplined at (fill in the blank here), be kinder to coworkers/children/spouse” or, in my case, my students. And did I mention … start my diet.

According to a news report I heard (can’t recall the particulars of when or where), dieting is the number one resolution people make every January 1. I did it last year and for the first time in my life kept going until my birthday in October. Then came Thanksgiving and Christmas. (Okay, let’s talk about holiday overeating. Is it a worse mistake/error/sin to overeat on these special days OR to refuse a second helping of old Aunt Sally’s special, delicious mincemeat pie that she made with arthritic hands and love in her heart? I generally opt for showing love back to Aunt Sally.) So it’s back to the old treadmill for me.

And since I did so well on last year’s resolution, I think I’ll add another couple of things to my list of self-improvements. I have a writing deadline, so being more disciplined in my writing habits is a must. Must stop playing spider solitaire and watching television talk shows. Must instead sit myself in the desk chair and write my book. One of my creative writing teachers used to say “Few people like to write. Many people like to have written.” I think he had something there. So I resolve to shut off the television and maybe even delete the spider solitaire program from my computer so I won’t be scrambling the week before my deadline.

But while these are both important resolutions, I think the one thing the Lord seems to be challenging me with these days is to be kinder to others: The Walmart checkout girl, the harried postal clerk, other drivers, that certain someone with whom I have a private grievance. I’m sure you have your own list.

And maybe, just maybe, in 2012, I can go beyond my birthday and Thanksgiving and Christmas … and have fewer regrets next year at this time.

What resolutions are you making this year? Please share with us and maybe add a word or two about successes of the past. Or ways you hope to improve.

Blessings to you all in 2012!
Louise M. Gouge

Recuperating!

Missy, here. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! And I hope you're not experiencing post-holiday letdown. Sometimes it can be tough after all the build up and the excitement. But now it's time to move on and look toward the new year!

So what did you get for Christmas? Did you receive any books? We'd love to hear about your holiday!

Merry Christmas to all our readers!

Like many of you, The Craftie Ladies are at home with family and friends celebrating this joyous Christmas day. We want to thank all our readers for giving us your time and participation on this blog and by reading our books. We've put together a Christmas "card" of wishes for all of you. Enjoy your holiday. Many wishes for a blessed Christmas and New Years. Lisa Mondello


Linda Goodnight with her two youngest daughters wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.



Merry Christmas to all our readers. Louise Gouge



Wishing all of our readers a blessed and joyous day. And prayers for a prosperous New Year. Leann Harris



Since my husband and I travel a great deal to see family over the holidays, we seldom have a Christmas tree, but we always have our Swedish Christmas tree. My father-in-law made this for our first Christmas, and it holds a special place in our hearts. I wish you the deep joy of Our Savior's birth wherever you may be. Christine Johnson




Merry Christmas and a Joyous and Prosperous New Years to you and yours. Jean Gordon



Missy Tippens: Greetings from the Tippens's house to yours! We pray you have a very merry, love-filled Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior.

May Christmas fill you with wonder, for like the shepherds in the fields, you have received tidings of great joy. Unto us the Son of God has been born. Patricia Davids

And I wish for everyone--Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year and Peach on Earth !!!!! Lenora Worth





Wishing you a Merry Christmas from the wintery world of Northern Michigan.
Naomi Rawlings


Merry Christmas to all our readers! I hope you enjoy the season and eat lots of great food and spend time with those you love. God bless. -Lacy Williams

Lisa Mondello: May the season of Christmas remind you all of the importance of family and good friends. May you be rich in both.

Wishing all our readers a blessed Christmas time, filled with family and friends, as we celebrate God's most precious gift to us. May you experience His love in a special way this season. Sandra Orchard

Merry Christmas and have a Blessed New Year. Kim Watters

Hi, Terri Reed here. I hope this finds you wrapped in the love of our savior, surrounded by family and friends and full of the spirit of the season. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

"I wish our readers a very blessed holiday and a new year filled with true love." Lyn Cote

As of the date I sent this in I hadn't put up my 'big tree' yet, so I thought I'd send a picture of this tabletop version. It's very pretty, especially in a darkened room, and was made for me many years ago by a very dear friend so I have a special attachment to it.
To each of you who visit here, I wish you a very joy-filled and blessed Christmas, surrounded by family, friends and warm memories.

Merry Christmas to all the Craftie Ladies and our readers. May the joy of Christ be in your hearts today and in the coming New Year. Merrillee Whren

This Christmas Eve

We're writers

We're readers

We're bloggers

We're friends

Bookworms of the world UNITE.

Merry Christmas.