Three reasons why I could really use a leprechaun!

I'm in the market for a personal assistant. Hi, all. Dana Mentink, here! Having a book out in May, June and two in July, has left me...well..slightly nutty. Hence, I could use a little helper who wouldn't mind working for nothing and doing all manner of weird jobs for me. I'm thinking a leprechaun might fit the bill quite nicely for three reasons.

1. They're already rich. We wouldn't have to bicker about the lack of salary, right? Leppy the Leprechaun would happily prepare book review mailings, send out FB party prizes, maintain my Twitter and Pinterest accounts for a minimal fee, since he's already got a pot of gold and all.

2. Leprechauns are stealthy and cunning which makes them the perfect assistants to advise on those twisty, turny suspense plots. The villian is smuggling stolen loot across state lines? Leppy ought to be able to devise a plan for that. Another needs to sneak into a house undetected and plant evidence to frame someone else? Well who's sneakier than a leprechaun?

3.  Leprechauns know how to have a good time. Leppy would be the life of the FB party, the laugh riot at the book signing, the jovial guest speaker at any Rotary luncheon. He'd sure get more laughs than I do, that's certain!

Well Leppy's got the job as my personal assistant, but he's got plenty of employment seeking relatives! What jobs would you have a leprechaun do for you? 

 Click here to preorder Seaside Secrets

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Linda Goodnight here. It’s that time of year again. Spring has come to Oklahoma, and I have a yearning to be out in the garden playing in the dirt. Below is a photo I took near our pond, an old "home place" where flowers grow untended. Can anyone tell me what that white bush is?

I normally grow little tiny tomato gardens but this year Mr. G. plowed up a huge garden spot. I hope I can follow through with this grand idea of growing and preserving my own corn, okra,  tomatoes and so on. One thing I know about gardening. It takes work. Even on days when the sun is too hot or my body is too tired, a garden won’t wait. Weeds take over. The plants dry out. The fruit over-ripens and dies. I have to persevere.

Writing a book is a lot like growing a garden. It takes perseverance-from plowing the fertile ground of the imagination to the seed of an idea that, with careful tending, can take root on the page. Once the story seed blooms, I must dig out the pesky weeds of too much back story, overused adverbs and stilted dialogue. Yes, writing a book takes lots of work, but like the garden harvest, the end result is worth all the sweat and effort.(Remind me I said this in August when it’s 100 degrees!)

Are you planting a garden this spring? Have you ever? And please somebody, identify that white bush!

Linda Goodnight’s latest writing “fruit” is The Rain Sparrow, available now anywhere books are sold. 

The Library Journal says: Tender, haunting, and soul-satisfying, this story of hope, redemption, and justice skillfully blends romances in two separate time periods.

www.lindagoodnight.com

Today in History and a Free Love Inspired Book

Jean C. Gordon here. As all you other Latin scholars know—I have four years of high school Latin—March 15 is the Ides of March, the day in 44 BC that conspirators led by Marcus Junius Brutus stabbed dictator-for-life Julius Caesar to death in the Roman Senate. But did you also know that on this date:

In 1889, a cyclone wrecked six warships—three US and three German—in the harbor at Apia, Samoa, leaving more than 200 sailors dead. It disrupted a competition to see who would annex the Samoan islands. The disaster averted a likely war.

In 1917, Czar Nicholas II of Russia signs his abdication papers, ending a 304-year-old royal dynasty and ushering in Bolshevik rule. He and his family were taken captive and, in July 1918, and executed before a firing squad.

In 1939, just six months after Czechoslovak leaders ceded the Sudetenland, Nazi troops seized the provinces of Bohemia and Moravia, effectively wiping Czechoslovakia off the map.

In 1952, the world record 24-hour rainfall occurred on the Indian Ocean island of La Réunion: 73.62 inches.

In 1971, word leaked that CBS-TV was canceling “The Ed Sullivan Show” after 23 years on the network.

In 2016, the eBook version of Love Undercover, Book 2 in my sweet romance series, Upstate NY ... where love is a little sweeter released.

Private investigator Devon O'Neill is out to find and prosecute the person who bilked his grandmother out of her savings. Financial planner Tina Canon is his number one suspect. So, why does he seem so intent on proving Tina innocent instead of guilty?

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To celebrate this historic date, I’m going to give one lucky commentator her (or his) choice of any available print or Kindle copy of any Love Inspired Historical, Romance, or Suspense written by any Craftie Ladies author. Just tell me either something of note that happened to you on March 15 or what foreign language(s) you’ve studied. I'll randomly draw the winner at 2 pm tomorrow and post in the comments.

FEATURED BOOK AND INTERVIEW: A Home of Her Own by Keli Gwyn

A Blossoming Love 

Becky Martin knows that she can't stay at James O'Brien's apple farm forever, but she wishes she could. After her brother framed her for arson, she flees Chicago, traveling cross-country to California and finding work caring for James's ailing mother. Beneath the apple blossoms, it's almost as if she has a real family…but her secret won't stay buried forever. 

James, scarred from an explosion, didn't expect to connect to the pretty young traveler. Could she really love someone damaged like him? He knows she's hiding something. If only she'd trust him. Can she let go of her past and believe in the possibility of a future amid the apple trees?

INTERVIEW: 

How exciting to have Becky Martin, the heroine from A Home of Her Own by Keli Gwyn, a March 2016 release from Love Inspired Historical, pay us a visit.

1. Becky, tell us the most interesting thing about you.

I don’t think I’m all that interesting, but I do have a fondness for words. My most prized possession is my dearly departed mother’s dictionary. I read it all the time and love adding new words to my vocabulary.

2. What do you do for fun?

I spend much of my time caring for James’s ailing mother, but when I get a few minutes to myself, I love to visit James’s apple orchard and learn more about the trees and what goes into caring for them. I enjoy reading, too, and am delighted that he said I could read any of his books.

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

I dread telling James about my brother and why I ran away from my only living relative. Dillon accused me of starting a fire at the small factory where we both worked back in Chicago, even though he’s the one who set it. When I stood up to him, he said awful things and tried to hurt me, but I escaped before he did too much damage. I don’t know why he dislikes me so much. I’ve tried hard to be a good sister to him, but for some reason he feels a great deal of rancor toward me.

I just learned that fancy word for bitterness or resentfulness when I was reading Mutter’s dictionary this morning, and I wanted to use it right away so I remember it. I used it correctly, didn’t I?

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

I’m terrified Dillon will find me. I didn’t tell him where I was going and took steps to keep my destination from him, but I know my brother. If he wants to find me, he’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.

5. What do you want out of life?

That’s easy. I want a home of my own where I’m safe and loved. Since I will have to keep moving from town to town so Dillon can’t find me, I will never have that, though.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

Education. I had to drop out of school when Mutter’s consumption got so bad. Caring for her was a labor of love, but I had hoped to resume my education one day. That never happened.

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

Dillon says I’m slow. I don’t think I am, but I wish I were smart like James. He’s a college man and sounds so intelligent when he speaks. Don’t tell him I said so, but I love listening to him talk. And looking at him. He’s quite handsome.

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

When I met James, I was chasing after a stray dog. The poor fellow was a mess, and I felt sorry for him. Spitz—that’s what I call him—followed me to James’s place, but my new employer doesn’t want another animal to care for. I save the table scraps, though, and take them out to Spitz when no one’s around, but I have to send him away after he’s eaten. James is kind, though, so I like to think he’ll change his mind and let Spitz stay.

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

We have a railroad in place now that can take a person all the way across this wonderful country of ours. I rode the train from Chicago to California and loved watching the changing scenery out the window.

What We're Reading

Cate Nolan:

I JUST FINISHED: The last of my books for a contest I was judging.

I’M CURRENTLY READING: Dana Mentink's Dangerous Tidings.  (I had to set this aside to do all my contest books, so I'm excited to get to finish - finally!)

I NEXT PLAN TO READ: Liz Johnson's The Red Door Inn. I started reading on my Kindle App, but I want the print copy so I can keep the fabulous cover!

Jolene Navarro

I just finished my last Rita book (top secret)so now I get to attack my own sky high stack of stories

Right now I'm reading Alaskan Reunion by the fabulous Belle Calhoune. I'm hooked. I'm also reading The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook. I love exploring the world with watercolor.

Next on my list is Rustler's Moon by Jodi Thomas. It is the second in a new series called Ransom Canyon.

Christine Johnson:

I just finished reading: Several books as a judge in the Rita contest. Sorry, I can't reveal any titles.

I'm currently reading: The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate. This book was chosen by my book club, and I'm loving it. Like all engaging stories, I'd rather spend the day reading than doing my work. Uh-oh.

I next plan to read: A.D. 33 by Ted Dekker. All right, I'll admit that I haven't read any of his books. The genre scares me a bit, but it's the next book selected by my book club, so I'm plunging in...with the lights on all night if necessary.

Jean C. Gordon

I just finished reading: Rock Her by Inglath Cooper, a woman's fiction/marriage crisis, sweet romance.

I'm currently reading: Always With You, my long-time friend Elaine Stock's debut novel. My best description is that it's a Christian psychological suspense with strong romantic elements, not what I usually read. It's the kind of book people love or hate.

Next I plan to read: I'll probably finish How to Manage the Time of Your Life by James Scott Bell, which I've been reading a little at a time for the past couple of weeks.

Deb Kastner: 

I just finished reading: The Centurion's Wife by Davis Bunn and Janette Oke.

I am currently reading: The Lamb' Supper by Scott Hahn (nonfiction) and Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon.

Next up for me: Reunion by Sharon Sala

Pamela Tracy:

What I just finished reading:  Nine Rita books.  Yup, got my scores in at 10 p.m. the day they were due.

What I'm reading now:  John by Cynthia Lennon - so far, I'm liking it.

 What I'm reading next:  Judging YA for the Desert Quill contest.

Rhonda Gibson

Just Finished: The Blessed Life by Robert Morris 


Currently Reading: First Quest Rogues to Riches by J. Robert King


Plan To Read Next: Conveniently Wed by Angel Moore

Terri Reed:

I’M CURRENTLY READING: I just picked up When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare. So far its a verra good read, funny and touching.


I NEXT PLAN TO READ:Next I think I’ll read Find Her by Lisa Gardner

I JUST FINISHED: I can’t say the title of the one I just finished because it was an entry in the RWA RITA contest. But it was well done and a fun read.

Linda Goodnight:

Just finished:  I've been reading RITA books for judging so I can't discuss. But I want to!!

What I'm reading now:  Bombpops, Blow Dryers, and Butterfly Kisses by Angelia Waite, a nonfiction Christian book for those dealing with the loss of a child.

What I'll read next:  probably  Stardust, by Carla

Stewart. Carla writes nostalgia from a Christian perspective that's always emotive and touching, so I'm looking forward to this one.

Barbara Phinney
Just finished:  The Martian. Bad language, but good story.

What I'm reading now:  Cadfael: The Raven at the Foregate. Slow to start. It’s helping me sleep. And several of my own short stories in order to edit.

What I'll read next:  I have a number of books given to me, but haven’t decided yet. Some sci-fi, some short stories, and one biography.

Missy Tippens:


I JUST FINISHED: Judging books for a contest so can't share. :)


I’M CURRENTLY READING: Just started The Nanny's New Family by Margaret Daley.


I NEXT PLAN TO READ: The Christmas Child by Linda Goodnight. I guess it'll be Christmas in March! :)


Teri Wilson:


Just finished: If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins. I love Kristan Higgins, and I read everything she writes. This is her first trade paperback women's fiction book, and it was amazing. I devoured it. 

What I'm reading now: Losing the Light by Andrea Dunlop. I'm going to a book festival in Paris next month, and this book takes place in France, so that was the draw. It's also gotten loads of great reviews. I think it's a thriller, but I'm only on page 10. So we'll see.

What I'll read next: I'm really eager to read After You by Jojo Moyes, the sequel to Me Before You, which I adored. It's sitting on my nightstand, ready to go.

Carolyne Aarsen:


I just finished reading: As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of the Princess Bride by Cary Elwes


I am currently reading: One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp


Next up: Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard


Mary Alford:

I just finished reading: Lethal Action (Danger in the Deep South Book 1) by Rachel Dylan. I loved it. A great legal suspense.

Next I'm planning to read: A Rush Of Wings by Kristen Heitzman. Can't wait. Kristen is one of my favorites.

Allie Pleiter:


Just finished: Rising Strong by Brene Brown is a thoughtful look at how we react to and learn from life's challenges


What I'm reading now: The Iron King by Judy Kagawa is an engrossing young adult novel with another world drawn from Shakespeare's faery characters


What I'll read next: probably The Days of Noah by Virginia Smith.  Ginny is a good friend of mine and I've been meaning to read her inventive take on how the world was before the great flood.

So, everyone else… what are you reading?