Something New by Merrillee Whren

Several days ago, Sandra Orchard blogged about renovating a very old house. Our current remodeling project pales in comparison, but I thought I would still show you a few before and after photos. Here is a before photo of our kitchen.

 

Here is a photo of the kitchen as it looks today. Of course, it isn't done, but I am looking forward to the finished product. That white wall outlet has to go.

 

This photo shows a portion of my new wood flooring. Today they are supposed to finish, and we can actually put our furniture back into the room. We still have to wait two more weeks for our counter tops. 

Throughout this project I have constantly been reminded of the following verse from 2 Corinthians 5:17. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

Besides my new kitchen, baths and floor, I've journeyed into a new writing adventure. I have an indie book available either as an e-book or in trade paperback. You can learn more about it here.

What is something new in your life?

Merrillee Whren is an award-winning author who has written eleven books for Harlequin Love Inspired. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of thirty plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas and Chicago, and Florida but now makes her home in the Arizona desert. When she’s not writing or working for her husband’s recruiting firm, she spends her free time playing tennis or walking while she does the plotting for her novels. Please visit her Web site at http://www.merrilleewhren.com connect with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MerrilleeWhren.Author

In Pursuit of a Princess Interview

Today we're welcoming Princess Lara Barrington Kincade, the heroine in In Pursuit of a Princess, written by Lenora Worth, a September 2013 release by Love Inspired Suspense. 

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.   

1.  Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense. I’m a widow now. My deceased husband Theodore died in a tragic hunting accident on a compound in Louisiana, near New Orleans. We own a home in the Garden District, thanks to my parents. I’m back here to host a fundraising event to support the building of Kincade houses in hurricane ravaged areas of the city. But someone is harassing me and trying to drive me mad.

2.  So, during the book you met photo-journalist Gabriel Murdock .  Tell us a bit about him/her.  What was your first impression?  When did you know it was love? Gabriel is an interesting man. He’s traveled the world documenting historic and important events with his camera and his essays. He’s talented but he’s also a bit of a rogue. He got his hand slapped so his magazine editor assigned him to follow me around for a while. My first impression was that he’d rather be anywhere else in the world. But when I started to get to know him, I saw an honest, determined, kind man who wants to fight the world. He took on some very dangerous people in order to save me.   

3.  What strengths/skills do you have?  What is your greatest weakness? I have a very strong faith and I’m committed to honoring my late husband’s dream. I’m good at organizing such events. My greatest weakness is my need for revenge against the man I’m pretty sure killed my husband.     

4.  What scares you? That I might have become even more dangerous to myself than my enemies.       

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I’d go back and try to find another way to confront the people I hold responsible for Theo’s death and I’d find a better means of justice. But I have to follow through on my plan for now.

6.  Where are you in your faith at the start of your story? My faith is strong. That will never change.    

7.  Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?  Even more solid because I have Gabriel on my side now and I thank God for that. Gabriel saved me from myself.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story.  Tell us why this scripture is significant.     Genesis 31:36 “What is my trespass? What is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?” I think this is significant because I thought my quest for revenge for justified and yet, I’m the one who has forgotten that God will give judgment. That is not mine to designate. I’ve pursued the wrong things for all the right reasons.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why? Well, since I live in New Orleans part time, I’d have to be bread pudding. A bit tough but saturated in sweetness and with a depth that is pleasing but substantial.

FEATURED BOOK: In Pursuit of a Princess by Lenora Worth

A PICTURE-PERFECT CRIME 

Princess Lara Kincade returned home to New Orleans to continue her late husband's humanitarian work. She also hopes to force his killer out of hiding. But a priceless painting has put her plans—and life—at risk. Embroiled in a deadly art scandal, Lara must depend on handsome photojournalist Gabriel Murdock to help her expose a murderer. Gabriel's determination to keep her safe has softened her heart to love's possibilities again. Somewhere among his photos lies the identity of the murderer, but can they uncover the killer before this heist turns deadly?

ONE GOOD THING FRIDAY

The Craftie Ladies would like to set aside Fridays to acknowledge and celebrate the good things that are happening in our lives and we hope that you will join in and tell us about the blessings you have encountered as well.

Here comes Hercule Poirot...again!

Thirty eight years later and Harper Collins is poised to release a NEW (yes, you read that right) Hercule Poirot mystery! The fictional, Belgian detective who appeared in 33 Agatha Christie novels,a play and more than 50 short stories is coming to life again. Author Sophie Hannah is nervously putting pen to paper to create this novel, carrying on the incredible legacy of Dame Agatha. I can't imagine the pressure! "I hope to create a puzzle that will confound and frustrate the incomparable Hercule Poirot for at least a good few chapters,” she said in a statement. We can expect to see the results in September, 2014. Can you imagine that? What do you think about this project? Are there any defunct series that you would like to see brought back to life by a modern day author?

Soups On by Terri Reed

Fall is here, along with cooler weather and refreshing rain.  I love this time of year.  I love the way the leaves change color.  I love hot tea in the morning and hot soup at night.  
This is my favorite soup recipe.  I thought I'd share it with you.  Enjoy.

Tomato Basil Soup

3 Tablespoons butter
1 large onion, sliced
1 large carrot, peeled and grated
4 ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup lightly packed chopped fresh basil
3/4 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
salt to taste
thin slices of lemon
fresh basil leaves
shaved parmesan

In 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.  Add onion and carrot and cook until onion is transparent, stirring frequently.  Stir in tomatoes, basil, sugar, and white pepper.  Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.  Reduce heat and simmer covered for 10 minutes.  Cool slightly.  Pour into food processor or blender and puree until smooth.  Return to pan and stir in broth and salt.  Heat until steaming.  Ladle into individual bowls and float 1 thin lemon slice topped with a basil leaf and parmesan in each bowl.  Serves 6-8

ONE GOOD THING FRIDAY

The Craftie Ladies would like to set aside Fridays to acknowledge and celebrate the good things that are happening in our lives and we hope that you will join in and tell us about the blessings you have encountered as well.

Margaret Daley: A CAROL Finalist!

We're so excited to have a CAROL finalist among us. Margaret Daley has been a member of the Craftie Ladies since the beginning.

 

So, Margaret, what first made you pick up your pen (keyboard) and write a romance?

I love to read romances and was sure I could write one. I was naive when I thought that, but I've learned and grown as a writer.

 

What led you to Harlequin's Love Inspired?

I sold my first LI in 2000 and knew I found my home.

 

How many books have you published?

84

 

How many times have you entered the CAROL?

Probably about 9 times.

 

What made this book stand out?

For me, it's a book of my heart about a subject that means a lot to me: human trafficking.

 

What is your writing day like?

I write throughout the day with breaks in between. I often write 6 or 7 days a week.

 

What can we expect to see next?

Saving Hope was the first book in the Men of the Texas Rangers Series from Abingdon Press. The fourth and last book will be out in October called Severed Trust. Each one of these books is a stand alone but they all are about a different Texas Ranger in a different town in Texas.

Also for Love Inspired I have started a new series called Caring Canines Series (1st book in August called Healing Hearts and 2nd book in December called Her Holiday Hero).

Thanks,

Margaret

September Excitement

I love this month. I love fall and am looking forward to seeing the change of season begin. We've moved to a more wooded area and I can't wait to see what color the leaves on the trees change to in the coming weeks.

Spring along our walking trail

Summer out our front door

I usually go to the ACFW Conference this time of year, but replacing an air conditioner  a few weeks ago put that out this time. I'll miss not getting together with other Craftie Ladies, but I'll hope for next year.

Still, this September is an exciting one for me. My second book, A Place of Refuge, in the LIH series Boardinghouse Betrothals, is out and I'm working on a deadline for the third book in the series. I love writing these stories. I love Heaton House where all stories connect and I love the characters. It's fun to write about their lives, see them grow and fall in love. It was an exciting time for women in the late 1800s as many joined the workforce for the first time. So far we've had a seamstress for Butterick Patterns, a matron at Ellis Island, a writer for the Delineator, a women's magazine, and a former Tiffany girl now working for a charity who tries to help those living in the tenements. A new character is a photographer who wants to open her own business. But women were working at many other professions.  I'll be bringing in a few new characters in the fourth book and am not sure what jobs they might working at.  What others would you like to see written about?  A sales clerk? Teacher? Telephone operator? I'd love to hear your suggestions.

The Rest of the Story...

Hi Everyone, Sandra Orchard here. I had so much fun writing my newest release, Fatal Inheritance (August), in which a young woman inherits her grandparents' old farmhouse and their 1914 Cadillac. The idea for the house was inspired by our own 100+ year old place.

Moving into an old place can be quite an adventure. We had a collapsed barn on the property and my kids thought it was great fun to explore through the debris. At one point they staked out an area and excavated it like an archeological dig, and were over-the-moon excited when they unearthed DINOSAUR bones!

Of course, we had to tell them they were probably cow bones. ~grin~

My son was not to be deterred. He plowed through rubble for weeks and was eventually rewarded with finding a cement floor, perfect for a basketball court. (Well, almost perfect. Actually far from perfect, but it worked!)

Meanwhile, in the house, I was hoping to unbury treasure of my own. You know, something like glass jars filled with money hidden in the walls. ~wink~ No such luck.

However, stripping wallpaper proved to be an intriguing walk through history! The previous two owners never stripped wallpaper before putting up new stuff. So I traveled back to the flower power of the psychedelic sixties, through various other interesting designs, right down to a beautiful, gilt-edged Victorian style.

 Of course, what I hadn't counted on was that the wallpaper was what was holding up the plaster! Yikes!!

Then there was the very ugly corner fireplace in the living room whose opening we blocked off with a big hunk of Styrofoam our first night in the house to ward off the draft that swooped down it. It had to go, so I got myself a sledge hammer and went to work. Good thing I did, too, because look what I found behind it:

 See all that black at the top of the brick. That's charred wooden beams around the chimney that clearly wasn't working properly. If we'd used the fireplace, I might not be here to write this blog!

Of course, there are many more stories I could tell. You can read about our creature encounters on a blog I wrote last month. (click here)

To read about Becki Graw's adventures in the house she inherits, check out Fatal Inheritance. You might even find it on store shelves for a few more days.

“YOU DON’T BELONG HERE.”

Someone wants to stop Becki Graw from claiming her inheritance. Police officer Joshua Rayne is just as determined to keep his beautiful neighbor safe. She may not be the tomboy Josh remembers, but she’s just as stubborn. Becki is intent on keeping her grandparents’ remote farmhouse-no matter the danger. Becki’s feelings for her childhood crush may be rekindled, but she’s seen too much to risk opening her heart. As the threats against Becki escalate, the list of suspects grows longer. Josh must convince Becki to trust him with her heart-and her life-before a madman ends their chance at happiness…permanently.

Find fun bonus features such as deleted scenes, recipes, location pics etc. by clicking here.

Your Turn: What kind of adventures have you had moving into a new place?

A two time Canadian Christian Writing Award winner and RT Reviewers' Choice Award winner, Sandra Orchard writes for Love Inspired Suspense as well as mysteries for Revell Publishing. Learn more about Sandra and her novels at SandraOrchard.com. To be notified of new releases, subscribe to her newsletter and/or connect on Facebook.

The Places Behind the Story - Ouray, Colorado

Hello! My name is Mindy Obenhaus and I'm the new kid here at The Craftie Ladies. My debut novel The Doctor's Family Reunion just released! The story takes place in Ouray, Colorado, one of my most favorite places in the world, so I thought I'd take you on a little tour to some of the real places in the book.

 

They say the best place to start is at the beginning, so that's where we'll begin.

The book cover is an artist's rendering of Ouray's Main Street.

These are some snapshots I took of the actual Main Street.

 

 

I think the artist did a fabulous job of capturing the essence of Ouray, don't you?

 

In the story, my heroine owns a Jeep tour company. That might seem like an odd business to a flatlander like myself, but Ouray is the jeeping Capital of the World. Why? Well, this former gold and silver mining town is surrounded by thirteen and fourteen thousand foot peaks rich with history and beauty. So if you want to go exploring...

 

This is the "little blue building on Seventh Avenue" where my heroine's business, Adventures In Pink, is based. In reality, it's Switzerland of America Jeep Tours and Rentals. This was a big tour day, so the Jeeps and tour trucks that are normally parked out front are carrying folks through the mountains, over some of the most gorgeous, yet rugged terrain you'll ever experience.

 

To the left there, you can catch a glimpse of the historic Western Hotel. Built in the late 1800's, the hotel/restaurant/saloon is still open today, with some of the most wonderful food in town. And believe me when I tell you, this town has some fantastic food. :)

If you're a history buff, or simply appreciate Victorian architecture, you'll like the fact that two-thirds of Ouray's Victorian structures are still in use today.

 

Aside from jeeping, another favorite is Ouray is hiking. You can explore one of the many mountain trails or simply trek up Eighth Avenue to Cascade Falls like my hero.

 

Because Ouray is surrounded by such high peaks, it's light in the town long before the sun's rays actually reach it. But, oh, what a sight when the sun finally tops the Amphitheater.

 

But of all the sights in Ouray, this has to be one of my favorites.

 

Welcome to Mouse's Chocolates and Coffee.

(It's the shorter building on the right)

Best Belgian chocolate anywhere, hands down. And it's my hero's favorite morning stop.

 

I hope you enjoyed this little tour around Ouray. There's so much more I could share, but I'm afraid we'd be here all day. However, if you'd like to know more, you can go to the Ouray page on my website, mindyobenhaus.com.

 

And I hope you'll check out my debut release, The Doctor's Family Reunion, available now on Amazon (click here to order).

 

 

Family means everything to Dr. Trent Lockridge. Growing up without a father, he always yearned for a family of his own. One long-ago  summer in Ouray, Colorado, he thought  he might build a future with beautiful  Blakely Daniels. But when he abruptly fled town, he broke her heart and left behind more than memories. Years later, Trent is shocked—and overjoyed—to learn he’s a father. He’d like to earn back Blakely’s love and trust— but it won’t be easy. And the clock is ticking. He’s got only a few weeks to prove that, this time, he’s here to stay…forever.

 

 

 

 

 

A Place of Refuge Interview

How exciting to have Kathleen O'Bryan from A PLACE OF REFUGE written by Janet Lee Barton  a September 2013 release from Love Inspired Romance .

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

I'm not sure there's all that much interesting about me. I'm an immigrant from Ireland and I lived with my sister and her husband until recently. Now I want to do all I can to help her and her boys out of the tenements and on to a better life.

2.  What do you do for fun?

Before moving to Heaton House, the only fun I had was taking my nephews to Central Park. Life hasn't been much fun up until now. But I love living here and I've gone on several outings with the other boarders--to Ladies Mile, on picnics and even to Coney Island. That's all been a lot of fun.  And I love spending time with the boarders. I feel like they are part of my family now. Well, all except for Luke. He's . . . special. I've never had a man friend like him before. He came to my aide in the park last year when my brother-in-law was threatening me. And he was here the night I was brought to Heaton House  beaten and . . . he'll always be special to me.

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

Going back to the tenements. I'm afraid I might see my sister bruised like I was. I'd love to have her out of there so none of us have to go back.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

That my brother-in-law will hurt my sister or the boys now that I'm not there to protect them.

5.  What do you want out of life?

I want to get my sister and nephews out of the tenements so that we can all have a chance to have a good life, one where we don't have to worry where our next meal comes from. And I want my sister to be able to know people like Mrs. Heaton who has been so kind to me.

6.  What is the most important thing to you?

My faith and my family.

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

I don't know. The Lord made me the way I am, and He must have had a reason for doing so. Who am I to second guess him? I suppose I'd like to have more patience and not jump to conclusions so quickly. Maybe not find it so hard to trust others.

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

I don't have a pet. It's been all we could do to take care of ourselves since we came to America. No need making a pet suffer along with us. Maybe someday my nephews will be able to have a pet.

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

Oh, my, it's a time of much change. Especially for women. So many are entering the workforce and there are all kinds of jobs for them. Why, Mrs. Heaton's daughter-in-law works at Butterick and Julia works at Ellis Island. Elizabeth works at the Delineator magazine and Millicent is a photographer who wants to open her own business. Mrs. Heaton says we all have so many more choices on what to do than women did when she was our age. Women don't have to depend on a man to take care of them--they don't have to settle for anything but love now. And after watching the way my brother-in-law had treated my sister--I don't think I'd ever be able to trust my heart to any man. Well maybe one. I believe Luke is the kind of man one could trust . . . but he'd never think of me that way . . . no matter how much I might wish he did.