Novels Set Near Home: What Do You Think of Them?

Have you ever read a novel set near where you live? While I really liked the exotic feel of Sanctuary for a Lady, my novel set during the French Revolution, I’m enjoying the ease of researching and writing a new story set a couple hours away from me.

Here’s some facts I’ve learned:

Northern Michigan’s copper mining boom produced more wealth than the California Gold Rush. Can you believe that? I nearly fell over when I  read it. I mean, everyone learns about the California Gold Rush in history class, but who’s ever heard of Michigan’s Copper Boom?

 

The railroad came to northern Michigan nearly forty years after the completion of the transcontinental railroad. That’s right. In 1869, you could take a train from the Atlantic to Pacific, but you couldn’t take a train from the Gulf of Mexico to Lake Superior until 1907.

Many towns along the Lake Superior coastline could only be reached by boat.

The Northwestern portion of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula gets over 200 inches of snow per winter.

 

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was originally settled by loggers and miners who came to work in logging and mining camps in the 1840’s through 1890’s. This led to a large population of men and few women, similar to how the West had an overabundance of men and a small number of women.

One of the other great things about reading or writing a book set near you is you can take road trips. The story I’m currently working on is set in the small coastal town of Eagle Harbor, Michigan during the 1880s. Eagle Harbor is located on a little slip of land jutting out into Lake Superior. It had no train or telegraph, and due to the ice on the big lake and in the harbor, was only accessible to ships from April through November. The town was completely cut off from the rest of the country from December to March every year, when it got buried under several hundred inches of snow.

So naturally I took a road trip and found some pictures.

Now that I’ve told you about an interesting place for a novel around me, I’m curious about you. Where do you live? And what historical things occurred in your home area that would make for an interesting book?

*****

A mother of two young boys, Naomi Rawlings spends her days picking up, cleaning, playing and, of course, writing. Her husband pastors a small church in Michigan's rugged Upper Peninsula, where her family shares its ten wooded acres with black bears, wolves, coyotes, deer and bald eagles. Naomi and her family live only three miles from Lake Superior, where the scenery is beautiful and they average 200 inches of snow per winter. Naomi writes bold, dramatic stories containing passionate words and powerful journeys.

 

Countdown to the ACFW Conference!

By Debby Giusti

I’m flying to Dallas tomorrow for the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference. This past week has been busy, which always seems the norm before a conference. Probably because I’m cutting into my work time while away and have to double-up on my production schedule before I leave home.

Although busy, it’s been a fun seven days. Last Tuesday, I met with a local book club that selected my current release, THE COLONEL’S DAUGHTER, the third book in my Military Investigations series, for their monthly selection. The ladies—Carroll Pellegrinelli, Teri Sauer, Suzie Luciano and Aileen Friedlein—were so welcoming and had such kind things to say about my story.  Thank you, ladies!  Thank you, too, for the yummy dinner of chicken quesadillas, green salad, fruit kabobs and key lime pie.

For wonderful baked recipes, check out Carroll’s guide to desserts and baking at baking.about.com.

L to R: Teri Sauer, Debby Giusti, Aileen Friedlein, Carrol
Pellegrinelli, and seated, Susan Luciano. 

Wednesday evening, I joined my own book club for delicious finger food and great discussion about our own monthly selection.  All of us attended a church retreat a number of years ago and have been meeting monthly since then.  Our upcoming selection is THE ALCHEMIST, by Paulo Coelho.

L to R front row: Elfi, Debby, Ginger, Gerry, Terry, Judy.
Back row: Dee, Tammy, Mary, Rita, and Joan.

 Thursday, I blogged about Travel Tips for those attending ACFW. Check it out at http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2012/09/travel-tips.html.

The rest of the week, I worked on the first three chapters and synopsis of the fifth book in my series. This story deals with the army’s Wounded Warrior Program and has been rewarding for me to write. I mailed the pages late yesterday afternoon and posted this blog last night.

Today, I’m packing and attaching labels to small composition books that I’ll give away at the conference. If you’re heading to Dallas, be sure to say hello.  The best part of any writers’ event is meeting friends old and new.

Safe travel! Happy reading and happy writing.

Wishing you abundant blessings,

Debby Giusti

www.DebbyGiusti.com

www.seekerville.blogspot.com

www.craftieladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com

Unusual Place Names

Jean C. Gordon here to talk about unusual place names. When we travel, I like to note unusual place names. That’s how I came up with the Paradox Lake setting for my Love Inspired books, Small-Town Sweethearts (January 2012) and Small-Town Dad (January 2013). In the first book, Emily Hazard faces a paradox when she comes home to Paradox Lake in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York to stay with her teenage niece while Emily’s brother is deployed to Afghanistan with his Reserve unit.  

Paradox Lake gets its name from a unique occurrence which happens every spring. Melting snow in the eastern Adirondack Mountains flows into the Schroon (not Loon) River. Paradox Lake's outlet also flows into the Schroon River, but due to the sudden increase in water, the outflow is forced back, causing it to flow in reverse.  In addition to the Schroon River, there’s also a Schroon Lake. From what I could find, the origin of that name is unknown. But it’s stuck in my mind because, on one vacation in the Adirondacks, our then-small daughter kept looking for “schroons” after hearing me mention the name of the lake to my husband.

The Village of Ticonderoga is also near Paradox Lake. Home of Fort Ticonderoga, which played a role in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, Ticonderoga comes from the Iroquois word tekontaró:ken, meaning "it is at the junction of two waterways" (Lake Champlain and Lake George, joined by the La Chute River).

Closer to home, we have Hannicroix, Coxsackie, and Catskill. Hannicroix takes its name from the nearby Hannicroix Creek. According to an old story, early Dutch settlers saw a rooster floating down the creek on a block of ice, so the creek became known as the Hannekraai, meaning "cock-crowing" creek.

From what I could find, Coxsackie (pronounced coke-sah-key) is from a native word mak-kachs-hack-ing, which Dutch settlers wrote as Koxhackung. It is generally translated as "Hoot-owl place” or "place of many owls.” As for Catskill (the village and mountain range), the name has nothing to do with killing cats or, most likely. cats at all. The actual origin is murky, but “kill” is Dutch for creek. We have numerous “kills” in the area. A 1656 map of New Netherland located the 'Landt van Kats Kill' at the mouth of the Kats Kill. 

Finally, we come to my township, Coeymans. I’m going to randomly give away a copy of Small-Town Sweethearts to one person who posts how they think my town is pronounced — I had it totally wrong when we moved here — and one person who posts an unusual place name. I’ll stop back tomorrow with the pronunciation and the winners.

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 town's people, and falling in love with Drew, she learns the meaning of Christian fellowship. 

www.JeanCGordon.com
www.Facebook.com/JeanCGordon.Author
@JeanCGordon on Twitter

Handpicked Husband Interview

How exciting to have Adam Barr, the hero from Handpicked Husband,  a September 2012 release written Winnie Griggs from Love Inspired Romance.

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

I’m a lawyer and an ex-con.  I spent six year in prison for a crime I didn’t commit and I aim to find the person who framed me.

2.  What do you do for fun?

I haven’t had any fun in my life in a very long time

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

I don’t believe in putting things off - avoidance is for weaklings.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

That I’ll never get my good name back

5.  What do you want out of life?

To be respected.

6.  What is the most important thing to you?

Clearing my name

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

I would be less trusting of those around me - that’s how I ended up in prison.

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

Do horses count?  My horse Trib is a fine animal and my one constant companion since I was released from prison.

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

The Columbian Exposition opened up in Chicago back in May of this year.  I haven’t been there myself but it’s been in the news quite a bit and I hear there are some fascinating exhibits.

Ask Elnora--About Multi-tasking?? Lenora Worth

Elnora only has two hands. I'm counting them both right now. So how is it possible that I'm juggling so many plates in the air? Oops, just about dropped one. It was a lovely old china plate, too. Let me review my week. Started out in Florida, trying to finish one book and trying to do revisions for another. While the dolphins played in the bay, I sat in my office, looking out the window to the front where the view is a street and the townhouses behind ours. This is not as fun as watching the dolphins playing in the bay. But I soldiered on and fixed the weak spots in the revision book then wrote a chapter for the book that's due like NOW!! (October 1)My bad back protested a lot, so I did take breaks which required me to go downstairs in search of coffee and chocolate and to glimpse longingly at that beautiful bay. Especially since the weather had turned nice and it was actually rather pleasant outside.

But back upstair and work for me. Then neither my flash-drive nor my external hard drive would work since my laptop was protesting and didn't want to acknowledge them. Arrgh. Sent a copy of the revised book to myself and my editor, so I wouldn't lose the whole thing. Which would have made Elnora jump in the bay!!! Then Big Daddy got that fixed and we soldiered on. Wednesday, packed up for the eight hour drive back to Louisiana. Today, did my Love Inspired Authors blog (which I forgot in all the excitement), worked on an upcoming RT ad (which is going to be so cool!)worked on a plot point that I figured out on the revision book at three a.m. this morning when my eyes opened and I suddenly realized I needed to tweak the ending a bit. Sent that FINAL copy to my editor. Finished the next chapter on the book that's due like NOW! Worked on another project that has a local flavor, worked some more on the RT ad. Stumbled downstairs and fell into my easy chair and begged Big Daddy to find me some food. He ordered pizza. Collapsed and watched back-to-back episodes of "Army Wives." Came upstairs to write this blog! And there is more to be done, of course. So that got me thinking about all the things writers do besides write. Let's discuss. How many plates are you juggling? Or do you toss balls in the air? Or do you throw ideas against the wall to see if they'll stick? Do you have a long row to hoe? Too many irons in the fire? Bigger fish to fry? Can you think of any cliches I've missed??? Let's discuss the busyness of life!

A Carol Award Call

I’d missed a call from somewhere in Texas. That’s all my phone told me, so I assumed it was another political candidate or customer survey. I’d been getting a lot of them, so I didn’t mind ignoring this one either. I went about my day until about four in the afternoon when my phone rang again. This time I heard it, so I answered.

“Hi, Liz, this is Mindy.”

I knew her name well. After all, I’d sent her copies of all of my books over the years to enter them into the ACFW Carol Award contest. If you’re not familiar with the Carol Awards, think Screen Actors Guild Awards of Christian fiction. Once upon a time they were called simply the ACFW Book of the Year Awards. ACFW members get to enter their books published during the calendar year and other ACFW members read and judge them.

So why was Mindy calling me? I was stumped. The ACFW conference was almost three months away, and she’d long ago confirmed that my books for this year’s contest had arrived with the right paperwork. Had there been a problem?

“I’m just calling to let you know that A Star in the Night, which is part of A Log Cabin Christmas Collection”—She was sure to specify this either because it was on the information sheet in front of her or because she thought I might have forgotten what book it was in.—“is a finalist for the ACFW Carol Award in the novella category.”

I subdued a little shriek. After all, I was at my day job, and it wouldn’t do to create a ruckus. I think I managed to thank her before she added, “Now, you can’t tell anyone until the finalists are officially announced in two weeks. Only your spouse.”

Well, I’m not married, so that left me with two weeks of biting my tongue. And plenty of time to really think about what this meant. After the news settled in, I seriously considered canceling my registration for the September ACFW Conference and staying at home that weekend. In fact, if I hadn’t already bought my plane ticket, I might have done just that.

It’s exciting to get that call. It’s such an honor to be named by my peers as an example of excellence in Christian fiction. It’s sweet recognition for working so hard on a story that I love.

And it’s downright terrifying.

You see, being a finalist for any award is a double edged sword. Sure, it’s fun to put on a pretty dress, do up your hair, and take pictures with your friends, also in their finest.  But then, you have to sit through a three-course meal. Sure, it’s always tasty, but that doesn’t make up for the wait. Every bite takes an hour when you really, really just want to know who won your category so you can relax for the rest of the evening. 

Just when you think the anxiety might get you, they finally announce the beginning of the awards. And this is the perfect time to crawl under the table because, if you lose, you have to sit at a semi-formal banquet and not only be gracious to the winner but also appear gracious, lest you become an internet meme. Take for example McKayla Maroney, who upon winning the Olympic silver medal in the women’s gymnastics individual vault competition, was caught with a pained expression. This one picture prompted an entire tumblr called McKayla is Not Impressed. Heaven forbid if you have even a flicker of a less than gracious expression that’s caught and posted online for the world to see. You can’t let your smile drop at all the rest of the night, or you’ll be pegged as a sore loser.

But is winning really any better? Writers are notorious introverts, so hearing your name called to walk up on stage, accept your award, and say a few words is no less daunting than writing a book in a weekend.  You’re sucking in your stomach, wishing you’d gone to the gym at least a few more times leading up to the conference and praying that your Spanx don’t roll down to your knees. And that chocolate-y goodness you gobbled down for dessert? It isn’t sitting quite right anymore.

You stumble up the steps to the stage then through a few remarks, rushing down the wrong set of stairs. It’s not until they’re taking a picture of you holding your award that you realize that you’ve thanked a husband you don’t have and completely forgotten to thank your agent who got your book picked up in the first place. You accept pats on the back as you make your way to your table, but all you really want is to go back to your hotel room and hide from all the attention.

All right. Both edges of that sword are more than a little extreme. Awards are wonderful, and if I win in a couple weeks, I’ll know that I have a lot of people to thank. I couldn’t have written A Star in the Night without the support and feedback of many. And if I lose, I’ll take heart knowing that the other finalists in my category are incredibly talented writers. (I’ve read their books, too.) It really is an honor just to be named among them.

But for me, my favorite awards are the letters from readers who were moved by something I wrote. The ones who tell me how God used my book in their lives.

And I can enjoy those in the privacy of my own home.

Have you won any awards? Have you lost an award? How did you respond? What’s your tip for being gracious in either situation?

Liz Johnson

Girl's Just Want To Have Fun

Hi!  Winnie Griggs here.  This week two of my sisters, my mom and I are taking a girl’s getaway trip.  We have no particular agenda - we plan to just relax and have fun.  The place where we’ll be staying is right on the beach and we’re taking along board games and DVDs of the unashamedly escapist variety.  I’m truly looking forward to it since we haven’t ever done this sort of thing before.

But I think as females we especially need these kind of connections and memory builders in our lives, these times to just enjoy and drink in each others company and refill the wells in our lives that sometimes get drained by our drive to be the nurturers, encouragers and peacemakers for our families.

So what about you?  Do you have a group of close friends are family that you ‘get away’ with on a regular basis?  Is there a favorite spot or activity you like to do when you get away?

And by the way, in honr of this month’s release of my latest book, Handpicked Husband, I’d like to give away a copy to one of today’s posters.

Can she drive away not one, but three suitors?

Free-spirited photographer Regina Nash is ready to try.  But unless she marries one of the gentlemen her grandfather has sent for her inspection, she’ll lose custody of her nephew.  So she must persuade them - and Adam Barr, her grandfather’s envoy - that she’d make a thoroughly unsuitable wife.

Adam isn’t convinced.  Regina might be unconventional, but she has wit, spirit and warmth - why can’t the three bachelors he escorted here to Texas see that?  He not only sees it, but is drawn to it.   His job, though, is to make sure Regina chooses from one of those men - not to marry her himself!

Can Reggie and Adam overcome the secrets in her past, and the shadows in his, to find a perfect future together?

Where were you?

Terri Reed here.  Today is 9/11/2012.  A day I'm sure we all know the significance of.
A day to remember.  A day to say,  "We will never forget".

When I was young my grandparents talked about where they were when they heard the news that Pearl Harbor had been attacked.  My mother would talk about where she was when she heard the news that JFK was assassinated.  One day I will tell my grandchildren where I was the day the twin towers came down.
I was at home with my then three year old son getting him ready for his first day of preschool.  My husband called me and told me to turn on the news.  I watched in horror, along with rest of the world, as the images flashed across the screen.  I remember sinking to my knees with tears streaming down my face and praying.  
Even now I find myself with tears in my eyes...remembering.

Back in the saddle....

Hi everyone!

What a beautiful morning this is!  Sunshine, fifty degrees, a touch of fog misting the low valley out in our pasture, which I can see from our deck.  I'm sitting here with my coffee and Cheerios, our two dogs at my feet begging for my toast, and I'm thinking about what a miracle the seasons are in the upper Midwest.  About the time one tires of the heat,  or the cold, there's a lovely change to enjoy.

 It was so hot this summer that I didn't ride our mares much at all. Now, with the cool weather, it's so much fun to get outside again and saddle up.  But after a long semi-vacation, they sure are rusty!  It has always seemed to me that horses--which aren't very high on the intelligence scale, or they'd never let us ride them in the first place--take a long time to learn what we want them to, but some of them forget the good stuff and learn the bad habits pretty fast.   Maybe it's the equine version of selective hearing.  :) 

It's funny, though...I  think I've gotten rusty over the summer, too.  We traveled some, we had several family weddings (including our daughter's, which was like a full-time job for the month of June!), and we had other things going on.  And because of it all, I ended up putting my writing on the back burner far too much and didn't get nearly enough done.  So I'm now trying to get back in the saddle in that regard, too.  And just like those mares, it's taking me a while to get back into the groove.

I'd love to hear about what you did over the summer!  What made those months memorable, meaningful or just plain fun? And if you've ever had trouble "getting back into your groove" with whatever you do, do you have suggestions for making that happen?

Blessings to you all!
Roxanne Rustand

A Mom's New Start Interview

How exciting to have Maggie Sommerfield, the heroine from A Mom's New Start, September 2012 release from Love Inspired Romance.

1.  Maggie Sommerfield, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

I don't know if it's interesting, but the thing I like to do the best and is most interesting to me is gardening. Taking a plot of land and turning it into a beautiful work of art.

2.  What do you do for fun?

Read and gardening--lately most of my free time, however, has been spent putting a house damaged by the hurricane back to its original condition.

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

Dusting. That is one chore I hate. Not long after you dust, more settles and you just need to dust again.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

Being abandoned again--first my fiance and then my parents. I don't put myself out there because I don't want another to walk away from me.

5.  What is the most important thing to you?

My son--he is everything to me.

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

I read romances--love is what makes the world go around. I was fortunate to love one man, even though he was taken from me before we could marry.

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

Not to be afraid to let myself love again.

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

Yes, I got a two legged dog (injured in the hurricane) from my cousin, Nathan, a vet. She is amazing and doesn't let her disability stop her from doing anything.

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

I wouldn't want to go anywhere because the Lord put me where I am for a reason. I am content for living in the present.

FEATURED BOOK: A MOM'S FRESH START BY MARGARET DALEY

Years ago, the death of her soldier fiancé left pregnant Maggie Sommerfield devastated and angry. Now she needs help with her troubled preteen son. Enter counselor Cody Weston, who is in town to help the community deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Naomi. He also happens to bring just the comfort and support Maggie needs. But it turns out he has a few secrets of his own.


Will Cody and Maggie be able to open their guarded hearts to find a new beginning?

Ask Elnora--About Fall???Lenora Worth

Elnora is back at the bay today. This morning while I sat out on our deck with Big Daddy and Boston Bob (one of our new neighbors), I saw four dolphins, about a dozen pelicans, several jumping fish, a few seagulls and something else ... something we all look forward to this time of year. Fall. Fall is in the air, even though it's still very muggy and humid by the bay. But I felt that little nip, that something extra. It was like a contented sigh rising out over the water. It glistened in the first morning rays coming across the sky. It laughed in the breeze tickling the trees. I saw a few yellowed leaves drifting down to the water. Yes, fall is definitely in the air in the South, in the USA. I know some of you live far away in other places so you might not have the same kind of fall as we do, or it might be a completely different season for you.

But having a new season in life is certainly noteworthy and nice! Fall means turning over a new leaf, letting go of the last of summer, getting in a new mood, shifting to a cozy pace that involves warm socks, boots and maybe a nice, worn sweater. So that is the question of the day. What does fall mean to you? Is it a time to change and shift gears, or do you get even more busy in the fall (football, school events, getting ready for the holiday season). Why do we love fall? Let's discuss!

The Carol Award for Short Contemporary Suspense Goes To...

Debby Giusti here!

I'm excited about this year's ACFW Conference in Dallas, and I'm especially looking forward to the Awards Ceremony on Saturday night.  Three Love Inspired Suspense novels are in the running for the short contemporary suspense award. All three authors are friends and winners in my book.

Join me in congratulating our finalists!

DOUBLE IDENTITY

By 

Diane Burke

Sophie Clarkston is shocked to learn that she isn't who she thinks. Her birth certificate is forged. Her name—made up. And her widowed "father" is suddenly missing, leaving behind a heartbreaking letter asking forgiveness. Desperate for answers, Sophie turns to private investigator Cain Garrison in tiny Promise, Virginia. But the moment they leave his office, her life is threatened and her home ransacked. Who is after her? And who, exactly, is she? With questions about his own past, Cain vows to help Sophie uncover the truth. Before someone comes out of the shadows to keep it hidden forever.

Diane has this to say about being nominated for the Carol Award, "I am so appreciative and excited! The other two author's stories are awesome and I am honored to be in their company."

NIGHTWATCH 

By 

Valerie Hansen

"The Defenders: Protecting children in need."

Fire captain Mitch Andrews can't forget the three young children he saved from a fire. A suspicious fire that left them orphans. In the care of foster mother Jill Kirkpatrick, he knows the little ones will be loved. Even if the sweet, strong widow won't let Mitch close to her. But suddenly the kids—and Jill—are in terrible danger…and one of the children is missing. Mitch and Jill will risk everything to find the stolen girl and keep a makeshift family of five together forever.

Valerie had this to say about the Carol nomination: "I was overjoyed to hear that NIGHTWATCH was a finalist for the Carol Award from ACFW. This book, and the two that follow from the same "Defenders" series, are favorites of mine, partly because they acquaint readers with the CASA program; "Court Appointed Special Advocates" for children. It's a very worthy cause."

A DEADLY GAME

By 

Virginia Smith

After discovering her boss's dead body, Susanna Trent receives an unusual package from him filled with strange metal tokens and odd clues. Then Susanna, who is the guardian of her three-year-old niece, starts getting anonymous phone calls taunting her with thinly veiled threats. Worried for her life and that of her sister's child, Susanna struggles to trust the one man who can help: wealthy executive Jack Townsend. As they work together to solve the mysterious puzzle, Jack and Susanna are led into a dangerous game neither knows how to play. But they do know the stakes—life or death.

Good luck to three wonderful writers and three great stories!  We're proud of you and excited about the conference.  

What do you look for in a good read?  Suspense, romance, faith?  As we all know, you'll find all three in every Love Inspired Suspense.

Happy reading!

Wishing you abundant blessings,

Debby Giusti

www.DebbyGiusti.com

www.seekerville.blogspot.com

God works in mischievious and humorous ways

By Barbara Phinney

At church this past Sunday, I realized once again how God works in mysterious and yes, humorous ways.
But, first, it starts Saturday night. My daughter and her husband came over for supper. Her husband, Andrew, was a little under the weather, so he laid around on the chaise in our living room for quite a while. When it was time to leave, he accidentally left his cell phone on it, but I didn't learn that fact until the next morning. I received a text from my daughter asking that we bring the cell phone to church.
I scooped it up, and was overwhelmed with a wash of mischief. You see, my son-in-law, you remember Andrew, had grabbed my phone earlier in the evening and text my son who is in basic training with those old unforgettable words, "poop poop poop". Yes, although these men are in their 20s, they are really just 11-year-old boys at heart.
Well, I sat down at the breakfast table clutching my son-in-law's cell phone, wanting so badly to text "poop poop poop" to everyone he knows, until I realized that those words wouldn't embarrass Andrew in any way. That wouldn't work!
Another plan is needed. I have an hour before we need to leave for church, my son-in-law's cell phone in my hand, I had to do something.
Well, half an hour later, I only just figured out how actually to unlock the cell phone and begin to text, so I did what any brilliant mother-in-law would do. I text everyone that I knew that famous line, "my mother-in-law is awesome!"
Suddenly the phone actually began to ring. It was his mother! I had already text her, you see. Well the only thing I could do was ignore it. Actually, I did have to leave for church now, anyway. Fun and frolics were over.
At the last minute, still thinking along the lines of technology, I decided, actually felt an urge to bring my Kindle to church. I don't do it every Sunday, but this Sunday I just felt the need to.
As soon as we walked into the sanctuary, my son-in-law's father approached me. "I tried to get a hold of Andrew, but he wasn't answering his phone this morning." (I wonder why?) "I was going to ask him this. I have to ask you instead. Will you help me with communion today? And I'll need you to pray or say something appropriate beforehand."
Oops.
Oh wait! What's that Bible verse appropriate to the Last Supper…? The one that says occasionally someone may die for a good man…
Thankfully, my Kindle, the one I rarely bring to church, has a search engine, and I found that excellent paragraph in Romans 5.  
Jesus died for our sins, even while we were still sinning…
Isn't it mysterious, and yet very humorous, how God allowed me to have a little fun, whispered quietly for me to take my Kindle, and then, yes, got in the last chuckle?

Meeting My Favorite Author

Hi, this is Margaret Daley (in the picture above is James Rollins, me and Laura Marie Altom). I recently went to RWA in Anaheim and had a great time. I saw a lot of friends I don't get to see but once or twice a year. I went to Disneyland and I received my 50th book pin from Harlequin.

But the best thing that happened to me is that I met James Rollins, my favorite author, in person. I went to the Avon booksigning to support one of my friends. When I walked in, I glanced at the front table and did a double take. There stacked to give away was James Rollins' most recent paperback book. And even better, he was sitting there signing the books. I got an autographed book of a book I already had at home, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity. He has written some of the best books I've read. I love adventure/suspense books, and he is great at writing them. My favorite book of his is Amazonia. Fantastic! Meeting and talking to him was one of those moments that took me by surprise and made my day.

What has happened to you that has done that to you?

Carol Award Finalist Tina Radcliffe

Missy, here. I'm thrilled to introduce my good friend and fellow Love Inspired author, Tina Radcliffe. And this year, she's a Carol Award finalist! It's so fun when a close friend receives an honor like this. I feel like I get to live vicariously. :)

Today, I wanted to tell you a little about Tina's book, Oklahoma Reunion.

Here's a little about the story:

Facing her past Single mother Kait Field is back home in the small Oklahoma town she left eight years ago. It’s time to empty the family home, close the door on the past and introduce her daughter, Jenna, to her daddy. Ryan Jones hasn’t quite forgiven his teenage sweetheart, who left him with unanswered questions and a broken heart. But Kait was never accepted by his controlling family, and they don’t seem any more welcoming this time around. Yet now Ryan and Kait are resolved that nothing will come between renewed promises of faith, forever—and the second chance that neither expected.

This book has rave reviews on Amazon and other sites. I know Tina is a fantastic writer and can't wait to read this one myself.

Bio:

 Tina's  been scribbling for years. She has sold dozens of short stories to magazines such as the Trues and Woman's World. In 2010 she achieved her goal of selling her novel length fiction to Harlequin Love Inspired.  Originally from Western New York, she left home for a tour with the Army Security Agency stationed in Augsburg, Germany.  While living in Tulsa, Oklahoma she spent ten years as a Certified Oncology R.N. Since  moving to  Colorado she has spent six years as a library assistant and cataloger.
     Tina's manuscripts finaled in the Golden Heart twice. She's won the Maggies twice, the Heart of the Rockies three times and has also won Fire and Ice, Desert Dreams, Touched By Love, The Lauries,  Put Your Heart in a Book , Ticket to Write, Winter Rose,Beacon,Tara,  Golden Acorn, and the Linda Howard Award of Excellence.

       She continues to write fiction and non-fiction and works for a large, national mail-order pharmacy. Tina divides her time between her home in the foothills of Colorado and Seekerville.   She is represented by Meredith Bernstein of theMeredith Bernstein Literary Agency.

Ask Elnora--About Storms--Again??? Lenora Worth

This has been a strange week for Elnora. Full of storms and those things that make you want to stay in bed under the covers. I can't even muster up anything sassy to say, except "Hold on to your pearls, girls." It started with worrying about our townhouse in Florida. Isaac was making a path right toward the Panhandle. A few days later, Isaac changed his mind and moved a little more Northwest, right toward the state of Louisiana. Which is where Elnora lives, too! Now instead of worrying about my favorite dishes down in Florida, I had to worry about making sure I had my flash drive with me at all times in Louisiana. (As every writer knows, that flash drive goes with us, no matter wind, rain, sleet or snow!)We have a pantry underneath the stairs or as I call it, The Harry Potter room. I used to grab children and my flash drive and the cat and pull all into that pantry each time a tornado threat hovered over us. But all this talk about storms, and all the graphics and live shots I saw on The Weather Channel and CNN, got me to thinking about South Louisiana. I just happened to be reading over AAs for the second book in my LI Cajun series, Sweetheart Bride, which is due out next February. In that book, a hurricane comes through the little town of Fleur, located on a bayou near the Gulf of Mexico. As I proofed those pages, they read with an eerie similarity of what was going on in real life. I didn't plan it that way, but all the emotions I'd poured into that story were now swirling in my own head as I thought about yet another flood down South and many displaced people moving into shelters here where I live. I hated to see that happen again and on the seventh anniversary of Katrina, at that. But this is life. This is a world where anything can happen. When we decided to settle in Florida, some people fussed at us and reminded us about the storms. I told those people that I couldn't worry about things I couldn't predict or change. We live in a beautiful world, but there is no completely safe place to live. You just have to go out there and enjoy life and get through the bad stuff with the help and kindness of strangers, with the love of family and with God's grace covering you. Isaac was a massive storm, full of wind and rain and a dangerous majesty. I'm blessed that I'm safe and dry. What kind of weather do you have where you live? Let's discuss life in an unpredictable world. What do you do to calm youself in a storm?

The Best Places to Fall in Love

Hi, everyone! I'm Teri Wilson, a brand new Craftie Lady. Alaskan Hearts, my first book for Love Inspired, was released in June this year and the follow-up, Alaskan Hero will hit the shelves in May 2013. I suspect you've already spotted the connection...both books are set in Alaska, one of my favorite places on earth.

I wrote Alaskan Hearts after my first trip to Alaska a little over two years ago. Alaska is like no place I've ever been before and I was very inspired by the time I spent there. The snow, the mountains...it was magical. Once, when I thought I heard someone's cell phone vibrating in church, it turned out to be a moose call! Someone pointed to the window and I turned to see a moose peeking in the church window during the worship service. I also learned how to mush a team of sled dogs while I was there, something I'd obviously never done in my hometown in south Texas.

Full moon over Alaska, March 2012

I took this photo while standing on a frozen lake,

awaiting a ski plane full of dogs 

To me, settings are crucial for writing romance. There's a fantastical quality to a story set in a place that's unique. Readers feel as though they've been on an exciting vacation, perhaps just like the characters in your book. I also think it lends a sense of legitimacy to the romance of the hero and heroine. How can your heroine not fall in love when she's holding hands with a handsome stranger and watching the Northern Lights dancing over their heads?

As I write this blog post, I'm sitting in a hotel room in Napa Valley, California. I'm here with friends for a 3-day weekend. Yesterday we went on a 20-mile bicycling tour through the wine country. (Take a moment to think about that. 20 miles. On a bike. Yes, I'm sitting on a pillow right now.) Not only had I never seen the wine country before, but I'd also never, ever ridden a "real" bicycle with gears and hand brakes. What can I say? I'm a very girly girl. My bike at home is baby blue and pink, and it has foot brakes.

Me (on the left), with my friend April, standing in a vineyard,

getting ready to hop on our bicycles.

Don't let the smile fool you. I was terrified.

Despite the fact that I kept forgetting how to stop and I was worried I would crash into the person in front of me, I had a great time. The vineyards we visited were breathtakingly beautiful. We ate warm grapes, fresh off the vine and saw a jack rabbit darting through a field of sunflowers. I'm pretty sure I've found a perfect setting for a new romance. What do you think?

Excitment is in the air!

Rhonda Gibson, that's me, is going to the American Christian Fiction Writer's conference this year as ... drum roll.... a Love Inspired author!! 

Going to the American Christian Fiction Writer's Conference (ACFW) is an event that I look forward to every year. This year I think I am more excited than ever before.

Why?

1. Because I will get to spend some time with my new Love Inspired family! I can't wait to meet so many of the craftie ladies for the first time in person!!!!! Big Squeal!!!!

2. I am also looking forward to seeing Margaret Daley again. She has been a real inspiration to me as I worked toward becoming an LIH author. I've know Margaret for years and I always feel it is a blessing to get to spend time with her.

3. My good buddy, Janet Lee Barton will be there and she and I will get to attend the Love Inspired party together as newbies, I'm way excited about that!

And last but far from least, I get to spend time with my editor, Tina James. I met Tina a few years ago at an ACFW conference and she encouraged me to submit to her. I'm so grateful she sees potential in me. Thanks, Tina.

So, if you are going to the ACFW conference what are you looking forward to?

Aping My Words

Pamela Tracy here and I'm thinking about the power of words.

Sunday afternoon my family - extended plus friends, sixteen of us - went to a baseball game.  The Diamondbacks against the Padres.  Alas, the Padres won .

After the game, we were heading for the parking garage and up ahead was a homeless man.  He was leaning against a wall, his bicycle there too, both scruffy.  He had a sign saying he was homeless.  He pinpointed my seven-year-old and his ten-year-old friend. 

"Got any change?"

The ten-year-old walked over and handed him the five dollar bill he'd brought to the game but not spent.

I'm walking behind them and not sure how I feel about the ten-year-old handing over money.

When we got into the car, my seven-year-old said, "Why did you give him money?  He might use it for drugs."

My son is aping my words.  He's been with me when people have asked for money and I've offered food - even going into a store to get it or driving through Mickey D's and coming back.

Yet, there was something poignant about the ten-year-old just giving without a thought.