Janice Thompson's Blog, page 11

Bella’s Back!

As an author, I often hear from readers, but never more so than when I brought my Weddings by Bella series to an end back in 2010. “We want more of Bella!” my readers cried out in facebook posts and emails. “More of Aunt Rosa! More of Uncle Laz and the whole Rossi clan! More of those wacky ladies from Splendora, Texas! More of that hunky Brock Benson!”

Well, wait no longer! In January of 2013, Bella and the gang return in a spin-off series titled “Weddings by Design.” In this fun new collection of wedding based novels, readers can hang out with old friends and meet plenty of new ones, too, including four new point of view characters, who all happen to be in the wedding business and vying for Bella’s attention.

You asked for it, readers. . .and now you’re going to get it!  The only question is, can you handle more laughs? More twists and turns? More romance? If so, then grab a copy of Picture Perfect, the first book in the Weddings by Design series. This quirky love story—loaded with a strong Bing Crosby/Bob Hope theme—releases on January 1st . It’s guaranteed to grab hold of your heart and sweep you back to Galveston Island, where Bella’s story began.

Hang on for the ride, folks!  Sometimes you get what you ask for!

My Most Overlooked Books

Happy Monday, friends!

I’ve been thinking about my books a lot later because I’m working on the “Bella’s Back!” series (Weddings by Design). I’ve been at this writing thing awhile now and have now published over eighty books. Many of you have read my comedies and/or romances, but there are a few books out there that have simply been overlooked or forgotten about. In some cases, these books were released as the company was changing hands. In other cases, the books released alongside other books that got a bigger splash. In either case, I wanted to post a list of my most overlooked books, along with links to amazon where they are available. If you haven’t given any of these books a try, check them out!

#1: Catering to Disaster: This is the fifth/final book in the Annie Peterson cozy mystery series. In this book, Annie solves a fun whodunit involving wedding caterer, Janetta Mullins. There’s also a fun Food Network angle.

#2: Sleigh Belles. This is my all-time favorite historical romantic comedy. Why? Because it’s flirty and fun AND because it’s set in Missoula, Montana. If you’ve been following my personal story, you know that I have a strong link to Montana. My daughter, son-in-law and three grandbabies live there and I visit often.

#3: Fill These Empty Arms. I rarely write overly-serious books, but when I do, they touch me on the deepest level. This book, about five women with empty arms, was difficult to write because it took me to places that I didn’t want to go. I pray it ministers to women everywhere.

#4: The Backstage Pass series. Many people don’t realize that the three books in this series (Stars Collide, Hello Hollywood, and The Director’s Cut) are linked to the Bella books. That link will tighten further when the Bella spinoff books release. You’ll see a few overlapping characters. This might be a good time to catch up on those three, while you’re waiting on the Weddings by Design series to release.

That’s it for my recommended reading of the day, folks! If you haven’t read the books I’ve listed above. . .well, why not start today? I promise you will be entertained and/or ministered to.

Have a happy Monday, y’all! Great reading to all!

Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt, Stop #29

 

A big Texas “Howdy,” friends! 

Welcome to the Fall Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! Just a bit of housekeeping up front. Begin at Stop #1. Make the rounds to the 31 stops on the tour and, along the way, you will discover authors with new or soon-to-be-released novels! (Some of my faves are among them, so I hope you enjoy the journey.” At Stop #32, fill out the Rafflecopter form. Be ready to provide the completed clue quote, gathered from all 31 stops, within 24 hours of email notification or another winner will be randomly drawn. No need to email/submit it, unless you are notified on 10/29/12.

What’s In It For You?

Why, thank you for asking! The Grand Prize for one lucky reader will be a new Kindle Fire, plus 31 new novels! NOTE: Please comment at every stop that allows for comments to be eligible for the Grand Prize.

Here are some other prizes:

2nd & 3rd Prizes: $50 Amazon, B&N, CBD or BookDepository.com gift certificate

NOTE: Contest is open to international entrants. If the winner lives outside the United States, they shall win the equivalent in gift certificate funds to the prize in US dollars.

Let’s Get This Show on the Road! (Spoken like a true theater director, right?)

Author Nancy Moser

I’m always tickled to introduce my readers to new authors. Today I’m hosting my friend, author Nancy Moser.

Want to know more about Nancy? Here’s what she has to say about her writing:

In general, the journeys of my characters are based on my own struggles, stubbornness, missteps, and victories. I may not have experienced exactly the same situations that plague them (ah, the benefits of imagination!) but the emotions and angst they confront are universal and common to many of life’s challenges. And though we don’t like to admit it, we do gain the most growth through the hard times. Easy, it’s not. But rewarding? There is no measure. Being a survivor, whether it be regarding a death in the family, lost love, career detours, or merely getting through today so we can tackle tomorrow, is the heady and harrowing substance of life.  And novels.

Gotta Love That!

A Patchwork Christmas

Now I want to introduce you to Nancy’s featured novel: A Patchwork Christmas. Here’s a little teaser about the three-in-one collection, which also features authors Judith Miller and Stephanie Grace Whitson:

Join three of today’s bestselling inspirational fiction authors in a collection of Christmas stories from Victorian-era America that are full of second-chance romances. Jilted by her fiancé, Karla packs away her wedding quilts and her plans for marriage. Widow Jane travels to marry a prosperous man she barely knows in order to give her daughter a better life—then is stranded in a winter storm. Ada, a wealthy ingénue, inadvertently causes grave injury to a poor man she once considered quite a catch. Each must search her heart, change her plans. . .and patch together a tender, unexpected life filled with love.

And now, a little “Gilded Age Fashion Sense” from author Nancy Moser: 

My novella The Bridal Quilt is one of three novellas that involve quilts and Christmas in A Patchwork Christmas by Nancy Moser, Stephanie Grace Whitson, and Judith Miller.  My story is set in my favorite era, the Gilded Age—which loosely encompasses the last thirty years of the 1800’s.  My heroine is Ada Wallace.  She’s an heiress who has her whole life figured out:  she’s going to marry the love of her life, Samuel Alcott, and live happily ever after.  She is shocked when things don’t work out the way she plans.  God has a few detours for her to take that give her the chance to mature and find her true purpose.

One reason I love the Gilded Age is the fashion.  Bustles and trims and trains.  Gorgeous gowns!  And so, as a bonus, I’m going to show you a few of the ensembles that Ava wears during the story.  The first four are from “Harper’s Bazar” magazines in 1887-89. The descriptions are below the pictures.  Enjoy!

On the left is the dress Ada wears when the story opens.  It’s a light golden brown Bengaline (a type of silk) over a lampas (woven taffeta and silk) skirt that has green, yellow, and dull red figures on it. The stripes and bows on the bodice are red velvet. This is a day dress for wearing around the house when you might expect a visitor to call.

The dress on the right is what she wore to Delmonico’s for dinner with her beau. Here’s a description from the novella:  “Her apple green and cream evening dress boasted a heavily embroidered front, edged with soutache braid. The short sleeves and side panels of the dress were decorated with rows of tasseled loops of Venetian pearl beads. She wore a rose and white aigrette of ostrich feathers in her hair and carried a matching feather fan. Her neck was adorned with the string of pearls her parents had given her for her coming-out, three years ago.”

The dress on the left was for a dinner evening at the Astors (of the Waldorf-Astoria wealth).  It’s a Nile green China crepe, with a sash of black watered ribbon and a garniture of pink blossoms.  The double-ruffled tablier in front is of green gauze.  Narrow green ribbon is gathered at the head of the ruffles and around their border. The fan is of rose-pink gauze mounted on black sticks. She wears green slippers and stockings.

On the right is the day dress she wears when her beau comes to call, bringing a special visitor.  It’s a black silk, brocaded with clusters of gold barley spikes and trimmed with gold pleatings and a corselet of silk crepon.

This is the dress she wears at Christmas.  It alternates red velvet and red moiré strips, and is accented with Christmas green satin bows. Doesn’t she look like a pretty present!

I hope you enjoyed this Gilded Age fashion show. You can enjoy more of these fashions offered in the back-matter of my novels Masquerade and An Unlikely Suitor.

Intrigued, readers? I know I am!

Perhaps you’re wondering where you can purchase A Patchwork Christmas. It is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD, or at your local bookstore.

Before You Go…

Before you go, write down this STOP #29 clue: David

Your next stop is Nancy Moser’s own blog! Mosey on over to see who she’s featuring. And while you’re at it, here are some other ways to stay in touch with Nancy:

website: www.nancymoser.com

historical blog: http://footnotesfromhistory.blogspot.com/

author blog: http://authornancymoser.blogspot.com
twitter:  @MoserNancy
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/nancymoser.author

But Wait. . .There’s More!

The Queen’s Necklace

Oh, but we’re not done yet! One lucky reader will have an opportunity to win a little something extra from yours truly!

Take a look at the photo of a necklace I won at a recent auction. Lovely, right? It just sings, “Titanic,” which is the theme of my book, Queen of the Waves. One reader will win this lovely piece of jewelry. How? Travel over to my Facebook reader page and “like” the page then leave a comment ON THAT PAGE with a note about the necklace from the movie Titanic to be entered in my personal drawing to win this necklace!

Drawing will take place this Sunday, October 28th, and the winner will be announced on Monday morning.

Thanks for joining the hunt!

Keep the Home Fires Burning

Happy mid-October, friends! It’s been awhile since I posted, but I thought you might enjoy hearing about my friend’s new book.

Eleanor Clark is a wonderful woman that I met about seven years ago. I was contacted by her publisher and asked to help her put together a series of books loosely based on her family’s rich American history. Together, we worked until “The Eleanor Series” was born.

That was then; this is now! The books came out in hard copy, starting around 2006. To learn more, follow this link.

Recently, Eleanor and I decided to put the books up on kindle, so that folks with e-readers could enjoy them, too. We’ve been publishing one per month. THIS month I get to share one of my favorites in the series: Eleanor Jo, the Farmer’s Daughter.

Here’s the blurb about the book:

Set in the 1930′s

Rachel Ann is having a hard time balancing her schoolwork, basketball, and chores. She loves everything she is doing but is discouraged about being so busy. Her grandmother, Eleanor Jo, shares her own childhood story of how balancing work and play was even tougher during World War II. Through hearing her grandmother’s real-life story, Rachel Ann discovers that she can work hard and still have plenty of time to enjoy life. For little Eleanor Jo, every day on the farm was the same. Each morning, her father would wake her up with a song, and each day, she faced hard work, with countless chores to be done in addition to keeping up with schoolwork. Times were difficult, but when World War II came, Eleanor Jo had to face many new challenges. One of those challenges was doing her part for the “war effort.” Join Eleanor Jo as she learns from watching her parents’ love of life that hard work can also be fun and that as Christians, we are called by God to work hard and never give up.

The Book’s Release:

This book will release in e-book format (on kindle) on October 15th. It will run free for five days, so grab a copy while you can. In the meantime, I asked Eleanor a few questions about what it was like to grow up during the WWII era.

Eleanor, can you share a few life lessons that you learned while growing up on the farm in Mexia Texas during the WWII years? 

First I have to say that I that I was so fortunate to have Christian parents who taught me not only Christian principles but how to work and make it fun! We were able to plant our own little flower garden and grow flowers. We also learned how to shuck and can corn. I was taught how to slaughter a pig and hang the meat in the smokehouse. Best of all, we learned how to be prudent and see the value in everything. Why, I even learned how to milk a cow!

These days, everything seems to come so easily to people. We live in an “entitlement” culture. In my opinion, we need to go back to basics and learn to appreciate what we have. Why? Because we might not have tomorrow! We need to know to learn how to work hard. That’s what got us through back then, and that’s what will get us through today.

Thanks so much, Eleanor. Great advice from one who’s walked the road before us.

Here’s a list of the books that have released in e-book format thus-far:

Mary Elizabeth, Welcome to America (.99)

Victoria Grace, Courageous Patriot (3.99)

Katie Sue: Heading West (3.99)

Sarah Jane: Liberty’s Torch (3.99)

Eleanor Jo: The Farmer’s Daughter (free for five days)

Here’s how you can stay in touch with Eleanor and learn about her upcoming releases:

Website: www.eleanorseries.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/eleanor.clark.50

Eleanor Series facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheEleanorSeries

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Eleanor_Clark

Queen of the Waves Video Trailer

Enjoy this new video trailer for my American Tapestries historical Queen of the Waves (from Summerside Press).

 

I’m back this week with country artist Bud Harmon to talk...

I’m back this week with country artist Bud Harmon to talk about the musical styles that influenced him. I hope you enjoy our chat.

Bud, I’ve so enjoyed your CD project, Workin’ Man. Congratulations on your success. Can you tell me a little about your musical style?



I think my style is a product of what I was hearing in the 5o’s and 60′s. My favorites were Eddy Arnold, Andy Williams, Marty Robins, Tennessee Ernie Ford, the MaGuire Sisters, Bob Wills, Glen Miller and Artie Shaw. I like music with a clean sound, where

you can hear the vocals, or the instruments, and recognize the talent.


Does your style have anything to do with your upbringing or the region where you grew up?



I was born in a town called Mexia (pronounced Muh-hay-uh)—deep

in the heart of Texas. My mom gave me a guitar when I was fourteen years old. I was also given piano lessons. However, when I heard Chet Atkins play guitar, I lost interest in the piano. My piano teacher had a very Large Eskimo dog, (snow white). Truth be told, I played with the dog more than the piano. That is something my mom never knew. No one had to make me practice guitar, though. I pursued it because I loved it.

Who are your musical heroes?



My heroes would be Eddy Arnold, George Strait and Merle Haggard. I really appreciate Merle because he writes all his songs. Plus, he has a good voice .





If you could have dinner with one particular recording artist

(past or present) who would it be, and why?



I would enjoy having dinner with Keith Urban. He plays guitar, makes good music, and is married to an actress, (Nicole Kidman). Dinner with Keith and Nicole would be very

interesting.


What other musicians have influenced you over

the years?



One artist I really liked was Red Foley. He had a good voice and hits like Peace in the Valley and Chattanooga Shoe-Shine Boy. Today I like

Vince Gill, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, and Martina McBride.

Thanks for visiting with me, Bud. Where can folks find your CD? 



Workin’ Man is available from amazon and can also be found at Reverb Nation. Listeners can sample the songs and buy them one at a time, or purchase the entire CD.

Bella is Back!

Hi friends,

Such exciting news!

Bella and DJ are returning in a whole new series! Yep, you read that right! The “Weddings by Design” series will debut in a couple of months, starting with book one, Picture Perfect. Here’s the blurb:

Feisty wedding photographer Hannah McDermott has dealt with her share of difficult brides. But none can compare to the ultimate Bridezilla she’s dealing with now. Still, she’s trying desperately to impress Bella Neeley, Galveston Island’s most sought-after wedding planner, so she can take the top spot in Bella’s list of recommended photographers–a spot currently occupied by her arch-rival, Drew Kincaid. What she doesn’t count on, however, is falling head over heels for the competition.??With her contagious humor and cast of quirky characters, Janice Thompson gives readers more of the bridal business drama they want in a brand-new series all about those long-suffering people who make beautiful weddings happen. Readers are desperately waiting for more of Bella and this new series brings her back in a big way, while introducing new characters fans will love. Fans will laugh out loud as they experience this breezy and entertaining novel from a great storyteller.

The reason I’m posting so early is to share one very important fact that readers might not know. Bella’s story is tied to my Hollywood (Backstage Pass) series, and the characters from both series merge in this new/third series. So, IF you enjoy the “Weddings by Bella” series, and if you’re looking forward to the new “Weddings by Design” series, you might want to go back and read the “Backstage Pass” series while you’re waiting. You’ll learn a LOT more about Brock Benson (and his love life) in The Director’s Cut (book three in the “Backstage Pass” series). You’ll see a lot more of Brock in this new series, too! (In fact, he’s going to appear on “Dancing with the Stars” in Picture Perfect). To entice you even more, the first book of the “Backstage Pass” series is currently free on kindle. That book, Stars Collide, is one of my favorites.

Here are all of the books in order:

 

?WEDDINGS BY BELLA:

Fools Rush In (free on kindle)

Swinging on a Star

It Had to be You

BACKSTAGE PASS: 

Stars Collide (free on kindle) 

Hello Hollywood

The Director’s Cut (with LOTS of references to Brock Benson)

WEDDINGS BY DESIGN:

Picture Perfect

The Icing on the Cake (in editing stages/see blurb below)

“Thompson has a deft hand with dialogue and fantastic comic timing.”—Crosswalk.com

Scarlet Lindsey is making a name as the best wedding cake designer in Texas, but will a handsome guy derail her dreams?

Readers will be swept up in the world of weddings and the unexpected moments that make them memorable

Scarlet Lindsey’s aunt Wilhelmina may be Galveston’s most popular cake baker extraordinaire, but she’s also getting on in years. But when Scarlet decides to take on the role of cake decorator to help her eccentric aunt out, it’s just the beginning of a series of misunderstandings and mishaps that will lead her to compete in a cake challenge on national television—and might even lead her to finding her true love.

Fan-favorite Janice Thompson is back with more wit, more weddings, and more of what her readers love best: bridal business drama. Bella and the gang are all here and readers will fall in love with the newest quirky characters straight from the creative mind of a fantastic storyteller.

 

 

There you have it, folks. Bella is on her way back. You’ll see her through the eyes of brand new characters and will revisit people you’ve loved from my prior series. Go ahead and pick up a free copy of Stars Collide today and finish up the “Backstage Pass” series before Picture Perfect releases in a couple of months. Then you’ll be ready to roll with the new characters!

From Sweets. . .to Sweet Music!

Country artist, Bud Harmon, is rediscovering his passion for great music well into his golden years. His time in the studio offered a great opportunity to transition from his day job—owner of El Bolillo bakery—to singer. His new CD, “Workin’ Man,” is being played at stations across the country. We stopped by to ask Bud a few question about the transition from sweets. . .to sweet music.

Bud, it’s clear you love the sweet stuff. Can you tell us about your favorite sweets as a kid? Anything you’re still addicted to?

BUD: I love coconut cream merengue pie. Still do!  I enjoy German chocolate cake, too. Currently at the bakery I love bolillitos stuffed with cream cheese & jalapenos. Here are a few other things I can’t resist: Pineapple empanadas, Tres Leches cake with fresh strawberries as the filling. Mmm!

Why are people drawn to sweets?

BUD: People love sweets because they make you happy!!  Chocolate works to calm you when you’re having a rough day. I enjoy offering folks sweets to brighten up their day and I feel the same way about my music. Through the songs on my Workin’ Man CD I hope they find a quick escape from the chaos of life—basically, the same thing they get when they bite into one of my bolillitos!

Why are people drawn to music?

BUD: Music is very powerful. Some songs with the proper background can really affect your mood. A great song can make you happy, sad, relaxed, or bring back some of your best memories.

Any last words for music lovers out there?

I think my cd is up lifting and easy to listen to. We sure tried to produce that sound.  

“Try it you will like it!”

There you have it, folks: “Sweet” advice from singer Bud Harmon. In closing, I would like to leave you with a note from Brenda White, pianist on Bud’s “Workin’ Man” project:

Like every kid, sweets are treats! Music is to the soul like cotton candy is to the taste buds…. irresistible!  A sweet sound just lingers in the memory long after the music has stopped.  Think about the last time you had cotton candy.  It was probably at the rodeo or the circus or amusement park.  It made whatever you were up to that much more enjoyable.  So let the music is what I say.  You’ll enjoy life a lot more with a sweet song playing in the background.

 

Sarah Jane, Liberty’s Torch

I’m excited to welcome author Eleanor Clark. She is celebrating the release of her e-book, Sarah Jane: Liberty’s Torch, which will fun free on kindle from September 15th – 17th. The resounding theme in this book is, “Let Your Light Shine.” Young readers learn to be a good witness in this exciting story, which focuses on the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty. Through the character of Sarah Jane, readers learn to shine brightly.

With that in mind, author Eleanor Clark offers her top five tips for how children can be great witnesses for the Lord.

Let Your Light Shine Tips:

1). Obey your parents. There’s truly no greater way to be a good witness than to be obedient. Letting your light shine begins at home.  When you disobey, it hurts God’s heart and also sets a really bad example for your brothers and sisters. It also sets a really bad example for your friends.

2). Care for others. When your light is shining bright, you will care even more about others than you do yourself. That means you will care when they get sick, when they have a need, when they’re hurting. You will go out of your way to show them how much you care by praying for them and offering to help.

3). Develop a friendship with those who are unfriendly. It’s not always easy, especially when people treat you rudely. Make a decision to be a good witness to them. Go out of your way to be kind, no matter how difficult it might be.

4). When you’re in a tough situation, ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” If you follow His example, you will always be a good witness.

5). Don’t hide your light under a bushel. In other words, don’t be afraid to let people know that you have a relationship with the Lord. They might make fun of you when they find out you’re a Christian, but if you stand your ground, they will learn to respect you. And who knows. . .you might just lead them to the Lord by setting a good example.

Shine bright for Jesus!

About Sarah Jane: Liberty’s Torch

Set in 1886 when the Statue of Liberty was dedicated. Ten-year-old Kimberly Dawn is trying to figure out what it means to “be a good witness,” but is quickly discovering it’s not as easy as she’d hoped. Her grandmother shares the story of Sara Jane, a youngster from their family who traveled from Pennsylvania to New York to see the Statue of Liberty in the late 1800′s. Through the life of this remarkable little girl, Kimberly learns what it means to “let your light shine.”

Sarah Jane, Liberty’s Torch is the fourth book in The Eleanor Series. You can find the other three books by following these links:

Mary Elizabeth, Welcome to America (.99)

Victoria Grace, Courageous Patriot (3.99)

Katie Sue: Heading West (3.99)

Here’s how you can stay in touch with Eleanor and learn about her upcoming releases:

Website: www.eleanorseries.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/eleanor.clark.50

Eleanor Series facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheEleanorSeries

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Eleanor_Clark

 

NOTE: One lucky person will have an opportunity to win a hardback copy of Sarah Jane, Liberty’s Torch when they leave a comment at the end of this blog!

 

An Interview With Country Music Recording Artist, Bud Harmon

Bud Harmon, Country Artist

Bud Harmon is a Texas boy, through and through. His ties to Houston go way back. As the owner of the much-loved El Bolillo bakery, he interacts with hundreds of Houstonians a week. Why, then, would he take on a music project when he’s already so busy? After all, Bud is well into his golden years. Shouldn’t he be taking it easy? Kicking his feet up in a recliner?

I recently visited with Bud to ask him this very thing and to pose a few questions about his CD project, “Workin’ Man.”

Bud, I know that your ties to the city of Houston are strong. I understand your family ties are strong, as well. Can you tell me your thoughts on leaving a legacy to your children and grandchildren? How does your CD project, “Workin’ Man” help you achieve that goal?  

BUD: My legacy, I would hope, will be that a loving family, good friends, and faith in a higher Power are the best way to live. This is reflected in the songs I’ve chosen for the CD.

What a precious gift you’re instilling in those your love! Can you share a little bit about the things you love—as an individual and as a family?

BUD: I have always loved music and golf. And the whole family enjoys a lot of music. I know my children love music, and their children as well. Our love of music stirred up the desire to record the Workin’ Man CD. Through that project, I can leave something tangible in the hands of my family and friends, long after I’m gone.

Bud, you’ll be an octogenarian in a couple of years. Quite an achievement in and or itself. You’re so active—in your business at El Bolillo bakery, in your music project, and with your family. What an inspiration you are to others in their golden years! You’re still “dreaming,” which is a delight to witness. What advice would you give to other seniors?

BUD: Seniors, if you enjoy your work do not retire. Keep those checks coming. You will feel more independent.  Exercise! It is the fountain of youth. (But don’t overdo it.) Don’t ever be afraid to keep your hopes and dreams alive. What does age have to do with dreaming, anyway? Nothing!

What age-related obstacles, if any, have you had to overcome?

BUD: I have enjoyed good health; however, my wife fell and broke her hip. That is the reason you need to stay in shape. If you cannot go through rehab, then you are not moving or keeping your circulation going. Not good!

Any final advice for folks who are reading this interview?

BUD: Love and respect everyone you meet, and know in your heart that you reap what you sow.