Amy R. Anguish's Blog, page 2
August 28, 2025
Short Story--Keeping Secrets--Day 4
It's my actual birthday today and I hope you're enjoying celebrating with me this week by reading my free short story. We're on to Day 4, which means only one left after this one. If you missed the previous days, they're here: Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3. 
“What’s wrong with you?”
Lindsey looked up to see her best friend standing in the door of her Sunday school classroom. “What are you talking about?”
“Something’s up. Besides the new hairdo, which I love, by the way.” Heather lowered herself into one of the tiny chairs around the table.
“It was time for a change.” Or two. Lindsey didn’t add that part, though. “Mm.” Heather narrowed her eyes. “You’re hiding something.”
“What on earth? Don’t I tell you everything?” Lindsey straightened her stack of pictures depicting the story of Noah’s ark.
“Usually.” Heather tapped a finger against her chin. “But I don’t think you are right now.”
“That’s very skeptical of you.”
“And yet, you’re not denying it outright, either.”
For the love! Lindsey huffed. “It’s nothing bad. I just can’t figure out how to tell Rob something. And I need to let him know soon.”
Heather narrowed her eyes. “Are you pregnant?”
The question seemed to echo around the small room despite it being a whisper.
“You’re just full of crazy questions today.” Lindsey smiled as Miles walked in, his bowtie slightly crooked. “Good morning! Are you ready for Bible class?”
Heather raised an eyebrow that said the conversation wasn’t over but rose and exited the room. Lindsey focused her attention on the four- and five-year-olds coming in. But she also made a note to avoid Heather for the next week or so.
Lindsey obviously needed to figure things out sooner rather than later. Rob deserved to be the first to know her news. And apparently, Lindsey was terrible at keeping secrets from her friends.
Though if things were so obvious to Heather, why hadn’t Rob already figured them out?
Only one more day to go! How do you think Lindsey and Rob's story will end? Come back tomorrow to find out.
“What’s wrong with you?”Lindsey looked up to see her best friend standing in the door of her Sunday school classroom. “What are you talking about?”
“Something’s up. Besides the new hairdo, which I love, by the way.” Heather lowered herself into one of the tiny chairs around the table.
“It was time for a change.” Or two. Lindsey didn’t add that part, though. “Mm.” Heather narrowed her eyes. “You’re hiding something.”
“What on earth? Don’t I tell you everything?” Lindsey straightened her stack of pictures depicting the story of Noah’s ark.
“Usually.” Heather tapped a finger against her chin. “But I don’t think you are right now.”
“That’s very skeptical of you.”
“And yet, you’re not denying it outright, either.”
For the love! Lindsey huffed. “It’s nothing bad. I just can’t figure out how to tell Rob something. And I need to let him know soon.”
Heather narrowed her eyes. “Are you pregnant?”
The question seemed to echo around the small room despite it being a whisper.
“You’re just full of crazy questions today.” Lindsey smiled as Miles walked in, his bowtie slightly crooked. “Good morning! Are you ready for Bible class?”
Heather raised an eyebrow that said the conversation wasn’t over but rose and exited the room. Lindsey focused her attention on the four- and five-year-olds coming in. But she also made a note to avoid Heather for the next week or so.
Lindsey obviously needed to figure things out sooner rather than later. Rob deserved to be the first to know her news. And apparently, Lindsey was terrible at keeping secrets from her friends.
Though if things were so obvious to Heather, why hadn’t Rob already figured them out?
Only one more day to go! How do you think Lindsey and Rob's story will end? Come back tomorrow to find out.
August 27, 2025
Short Story--Keeping Secrets--Day 3
Welcome to day 3 of my annual short story. Time for more fun with Lindsey and Rob. If you missed the previous days, you can find them here: Day 1 or Day 2. 
The clock was against him. When Rob planned this escapade, he hadn’t taken into account school traffic. Or a salesperson who couldn’t find his order for half an hour. Now, Rob would be cutting it close to get home and hide this box before Lindsey came in. No time at all for him to actually set the thing up.
The best laid plans weren’t laid out that well after all. He pulled into the garage and hit the door button practically before he was clear. Ten minutes to finagle the ridiculously large box out of the back of his pick-up and somehow get it into the guest room closet. Here went nothing.
He examined the shape, considered a couple different methods, and then ended up mostly dragging the package in a push-pull method through the kitchen and down the hallway. Opening the closet, he groaned. Lindsey had stuffed the area full of random boxes sometime in the last few years. No room for a box this size.
“Hello? Rob?” Lindsey’s voice floated down the hallway.
He dropped the box on its side and shoved it under the bed. Evidently, she didn’t have as much squirreled away under there as it slid in easily. Good news since it hopefully meant she wouldn’t be looking there anytime soon. It would have to work until he had another chance to hide it better. He straightened the bed skirt just as Lindsey opened the door.
“Rob?” She peeked around the frame. “What are you doing in here?”
He straightened and dusted his hands off. “Looking for my old cowboy hat.”
Stupid answer, but it was the first thing that came to his head.
“Your cowboy hat?” Lindsey frowned. “Under the bed?”
“I already tried the closet. Thought maybe it had been stored somewhere else.” He shrugged as he stood and gently steered her out of the room. “No big deal, though.”
“Why do you need a cowboy hat? Wouldn’t it be in your closet?” She looked back into the guest room right before he shut the door.
“We may have gotten rid of it and I just forgot. Don’t worry about it.”
“I can help you look more later.”
“No!” He forced himself to not grab her shoulders any tighter. “No. Seriously. I had a photo pop up in my memories and it made me wonder where it is. I don’t actually need it.”
“O-kay.” She stretched out her answer, obviously still not completely sure what he was up to.
“Want to go out for dinner tonight? With it being extension season, I’m sure you’re beat.”
“It was a long day.” She pulled her cardigan closer and nodded. “That sounds good. What are you in the mood for?”
Trying not to show his relief at her allowance of the subject change, he smiled. “How about you pick tonight?”
“Oh, good. I’ve been craving burgers from Juicy’s. Sound okay?”
“Sounds great.” He stopped near their bedroom. “Let me clean up a bit and we can head that way.”
“Sure.” She headed back toward the kitchen.
As his gaze followed her, he noticed the tale-tell trail down the hallway carpet where he’d drug the box through the house earlier. Had she noticed? He hadn’t even considered all the signs around to give him away. A good spy he would never be.
On his way back to the kitchen, he mussed the carpet with his foot. This might be trickier than he’d first thought.
Have you figured out the secrets yet? What do you think Rob and Lindsey will try next? Come back tomorrow to find out!
The clock was against him. When Rob planned this escapade, he hadn’t taken into account school traffic. Or a salesperson who couldn’t find his order for half an hour. Now, Rob would be cutting it close to get home and hide this box before Lindsey came in. No time at all for him to actually set the thing up.
The best laid plans weren’t laid out that well after all. He pulled into the garage and hit the door button practically before he was clear. Ten minutes to finagle the ridiculously large box out of the back of his pick-up and somehow get it into the guest room closet. Here went nothing.
He examined the shape, considered a couple different methods, and then ended up mostly dragging the package in a push-pull method through the kitchen and down the hallway. Opening the closet, he groaned. Lindsey had stuffed the area full of random boxes sometime in the last few years. No room for a box this size.
“Hello? Rob?” Lindsey’s voice floated down the hallway.
He dropped the box on its side and shoved it under the bed. Evidently, she didn’t have as much squirreled away under there as it slid in easily. Good news since it hopefully meant she wouldn’t be looking there anytime soon. It would have to work until he had another chance to hide it better. He straightened the bed skirt just as Lindsey opened the door.
“Rob?” She peeked around the frame. “What are you doing in here?”
He straightened and dusted his hands off. “Looking for my old cowboy hat.”
Stupid answer, but it was the first thing that came to his head.
“Your cowboy hat?” Lindsey frowned. “Under the bed?”
“I already tried the closet. Thought maybe it had been stored somewhere else.” He shrugged as he stood and gently steered her out of the room. “No big deal, though.”
“Why do you need a cowboy hat? Wouldn’t it be in your closet?” She looked back into the guest room right before he shut the door.
“We may have gotten rid of it and I just forgot. Don’t worry about it.”
“I can help you look more later.”
“No!” He forced himself to not grab her shoulders any tighter. “No. Seriously. I had a photo pop up in my memories and it made me wonder where it is. I don’t actually need it.”
“O-kay.” She stretched out her answer, obviously still not completely sure what he was up to.
“Want to go out for dinner tonight? With it being extension season, I’m sure you’re beat.”
“It was a long day.” She pulled her cardigan closer and nodded. “That sounds good. What are you in the mood for?”
Trying not to show his relief at her allowance of the subject change, he smiled. “How about you pick tonight?”
“Oh, good. I’ve been craving burgers from Juicy’s. Sound okay?”
“Sounds great.” He stopped near their bedroom. “Let me clean up a bit and we can head that way.”
“Sure.” She headed back toward the kitchen.
As his gaze followed her, he noticed the tale-tell trail down the hallway carpet where he’d drug the box through the house earlier. Had she noticed? He hadn’t even considered all the signs around to give him away. A good spy he would never be.
On his way back to the kitchen, he mussed the carpet with his foot. This might be trickier than he’d first thought.
Have you figured out the secrets yet? What do you think Rob and Lindsey will try next? Come back tomorrow to find out!
August 26, 2025
Short Story--Keeping Secrets--Day 2
Ready for Day 2 of my annual short story? If you missed Day 1, you can catch up here. If you're ready to find out what happens next between Rob and Lindsey, read on. 
“You just looked so shocked.”
“It’s a lot shorter than I’m used to.” That was the other thing. When she’d warned of cutting off her hair, he’d figured it would end up around her shoulders. This style didn’t even cover her neck.
His fingers missed weaving through the strands normally covering her back as he held her. But he wouldn’t complain. He hadn’t married her for her hair.
“You know what this means, right?” She leaned back and grinned at him, her eyes practically twinkling. "We won’t spend so much money on shampoo?” He waggled his eyebrows.
She opened her mouth as if to protest and then blinked a few times. “Um, I guess.”
“Sounds good.” He kissed her once more. “You’re beautiful. If this makes you happy, I’m happy too.”
The crestfallen expression on her face almost had him repenting and admitting he knew her secret. But he wanted to hear her say it. Why wasn’t she coming right out with it?
Two could play this game. Because she didn’t know he knew, either. Which meant he could surprise her with something. Or at least, he hoped so.
***
That hadn’t gone as planned. Lindsey sat at her office desk, fingers on the keys, but mind miles away. Instead of the spreadsheet she was supposed to be updating, her thoughts ran back to a few days before when she’d cut her hair off.
Why hadn’t Rob started jumping up and down for joy? Why hadn’t he remembered? And now how was she going to let him know? This was her big original idea to spill the beans.
Maybe she’d find more inspiration on Pinterest.
But she didn’t want to do something other people had done. She wanted it to be something just between the two of them.
“You look lost in thought.” Harriet leaned against Lindsey’s cubical. “Numbers not adding up?”
“Oh, no. I got distracted.” She automatically hit ‘save’ even though she hadn’t actually made any changes. “Sorry about that.”
“Everything okay?”
“Yes. Just a situation that has me … stumped. Nothing to do with work. I’ll just take a quick restroom break and then be able to focus better.”
“Sure. Let me know if you need a listening ear.” Harriet tapped the metal frame of her “wall.” “I’ve been told I’m a good one.”
“Thanks, Harriet. It’s not even anything really serious. Just something I was expecting to go a different way.”
The older woman nodded and stepped out of Lindsey’s way. Thing was, even if Lindsey wanted to tell her, she couldn’t. No one else needed to know before Rob. And her plan to tell him had backfired. He’d seemed completely oblivious and shocked when she came home with her hair chopped off.
Normally, this time of day required a second cup of coffee, but she was trying to cut out some of her caffeine. She refilled her water jug instead. The aroma of the freshly brewed java gave her pause, but she straightened her back and resisted. She needed to be good.
Back at her desk, she returned her attention to the spreadsheet. This needed to be done by the end of the workday whether she cared about it or not. Time to review who already had their taxes done and who was still waiting. Not to mention those who simply needed to sign and submit. Extension season was too busy to be riddled with distractions.
Not that it kept Lindsey’s mind from wandering anyway as she reviewed files and messages. There had to be something she could do that wasn’t the same as anyone else. And she needed to figure it out soon. She had a doctor appointment in two weeks.
Have you figured out the secret yet? Come back tomorrow to find out what happens next with Lindsey and Rob.
“You just looked so shocked.”“It’s a lot shorter than I’m used to.” That was the other thing. When she’d warned of cutting off her hair, he’d figured it would end up around her shoulders. This style didn’t even cover her neck.
His fingers missed weaving through the strands normally covering her back as he held her. But he wouldn’t complain. He hadn’t married her for her hair.
“You know what this means, right?” She leaned back and grinned at him, her eyes practically twinkling. "We won’t spend so much money on shampoo?” He waggled his eyebrows.
She opened her mouth as if to protest and then blinked a few times. “Um, I guess.”
“Sounds good.” He kissed her once more. “You’re beautiful. If this makes you happy, I’m happy too.”
The crestfallen expression on her face almost had him repenting and admitting he knew her secret. But he wanted to hear her say it. Why wasn’t she coming right out with it?
Two could play this game. Because she didn’t know he knew, either. Which meant he could surprise her with something. Or at least, he hoped so.
***
That hadn’t gone as planned. Lindsey sat at her office desk, fingers on the keys, but mind miles away. Instead of the spreadsheet she was supposed to be updating, her thoughts ran back to a few days before when she’d cut her hair off.
Why hadn’t Rob started jumping up and down for joy? Why hadn’t he remembered? And now how was she going to let him know? This was her big original idea to spill the beans.
Maybe she’d find more inspiration on Pinterest.
But she didn’t want to do something other people had done. She wanted it to be something just between the two of them.
“You look lost in thought.” Harriet leaned against Lindsey’s cubical. “Numbers not adding up?”
“Oh, no. I got distracted.” She automatically hit ‘save’ even though she hadn’t actually made any changes. “Sorry about that.”
“Everything okay?”
“Yes. Just a situation that has me … stumped. Nothing to do with work. I’ll just take a quick restroom break and then be able to focus better.”
“Sure. Let me know if you need a listening ear.” Harriet tapped the metal frame of her “wall.” “I’ve been told I’m a good one.”
“Thanks, Harriet. It’s not even anything really serious. Just something I was expecting to go a different way.”
The older woman nodded and stepped out of Lindsey’s way. Thing was, even if Lindsey wanted to tell her, she couldn’t. No one else needed to know before Rob. And her plan to tell him had backfired. He’d seemed completely oblivious and shocked when she came home with her hair chopped off.
Normally, this time of day required a second cup of coffee, but she was trying to cut out some of her caffeine. She refilled her water jug instead. The aroma of the freshly brewed java gave her pause, but she straightened her back and resisted. She needed to be good.
Back at her desk, she returned her attention to the spreadsheet. This needed to be done by the end of the workday whether she cared about it or not. Time to review who already had their taxes done and who was still waiting. Not to mention those who simply needed to sign and submit. Extension season was too busy to be riddled with distractions.
Not that it kept Lindsey’s mind from wandering anyway as she reviewed files and messages. There had to be something she could do that wasn’t the same as anyone else. And she needed to figure it out soon. She had a doctor appointment in two weeks.
Have you figured out the secret yet? Come back tomorrow to find out what happens next with Lindsey and Rob.
August 25, 2025
Short Story--Keeping Secrets--Day 1
It's my birthday week! That means a free short story. It's my gift to my readers to celebrate another year around the sun. This year, I've got a couple keep secrets from each other. I'll post a piece of the story every day this week through Friday, so make sure you come back all week for the next scene.
All the other stories from the last five years are still on my blog under the link "Short Stories." Feel free to go back and read them. And in the meantime, here's the new one. Enjoy!
“Off.” Lindsey indicated the spot next to her chin where she wanted her hair to hit.
“You sure, Linds? That’s a big change.” Marcie fingered Lindsey’s long golden strands. “Have you ever gone that short before?”
“Not since I was a little girl. My dad preferred my hair long so I never cut it off again after that one awful bob.” Lindsey tilted her head, a smile playing on her lips. “But it’s time. Let’s do this.” “What’s Rob going to say?” Marcie spread the drape over Lindsey and snapped it behind her neck. “You’ve had long hair as long as he’s known you.”
“I warned him this would happen one day.” Lindsey stifled the giggle building inside of her. She’d warned him, all right. But she’d also told him what day it would happen. Did he remember? Would he automatically guess the secret deep inside?
“Let’s get you washed up.” Marcie led her over to the sink and worked her magic with hot water and flowery shampoo.
Towel wrapped around her head, Lindsey returned to the chair. Marcie spun her away from the mirror and snapped the scissors a few times.
“Ready?”
Lindsey took a deep breath and then let it leak through her nose. “Do it.”
Her world was about to change in so many ways. Why not start with something like a new hairdo?
***
Rob’s jaw hung open like a fish, but he couldn’t seem to get it to close. He should’ve known this was coming when he took out the trash earlier in the week, but somehow this particular promise had slipped his mind in the fog caused by the other discovery.
Lindsey’s beam began to fade and he finally forced his lips shut.
“You don’t like it?” She patted her hair, now swinging no longer than her ears on either side of her pretty face.
“I just didn’t expect it.” Though he should have. She’d been telling him for years it was going to happen one day. Maybe he anticipated her telling him the news before demolishing her gorgeous hair. Not that she wasn’t beautiful this way too. And he needed to keep all these thoughts to himself because they wouldn’t help him in this situation. Not unless he wanted to end up in the doghouse.
“Oh.” Her normally smooth brow wrinkled as she frowned. “So you do like it?”
“You look gorgeous no matter how long your hair is.” He pecked a kiss on her lips and cradled her close for a second. Sounds like Lindsey and Rob have some things to figure out, doesn't it? Come back tomorrow to see what happens next!
All the other stories from the last five years are still on my blog under the link "Short Stories." Feel free to go back and read them. And in the meantime, here's the new one. Enjoy!
“Off.” Lindsey indicated the spot next to her chin where she wanted her hair to hit.“You sure, Linds? That’s a big change.” Marcie fingered Lindsey’s long golden strands. “Have you ever gone that short before?”
“Not since I was a little girl. My dad preferred my hair long so I never cut it off again after that one awful bob.” Lindsey tilted her head, a smile playing on her lips. “But it’s time. Let’s do this.” “What’s Rob going to say?” Marcie spread the drape over Lindsey and snapped it behind her neck. “You’ve had long hair as long as he’s known you.”
“I warned him this would happen one day.” Lindsey stifled the giggle building inside of her. She’d warned him, all right. But she’d also told him what day it would happen. Did he remember? Would he automatically guess the secret deep inside?
“Let’s get you washed up.” Marcie led her over to the sink and worked her magic with hot water and flowery shampoo.
Towel wrapped around her head, Lindsey returned to the chair. Marcie spun her away from the mirror and snapped the scissors a few times.
“Ready?”
Lindsey took a deep breath and then let it leak through her nose. “Do it.”
Her world was about to change in so many ways. Why not start with something like a new hairdo?
***
Rob’s jaw hung open like a fish, but he couldn’t seem to get it to close. He should’ve known this was coming when he took out the trash earlier in the week, but somehow this particular promise had slipped his mind in the fog caused by the other discovery.
Lindsey’s beam began to fade and he finally forced his lips shut.
“You don’t like it?” She patted her hair, now swinging no longer than her ears on either side of her pretty face.
“I just didn’t expect it.” Though he should have. She’d been telling him for years it was going to happen one day. Maybe he anticipated her telling him the news before demolishing her gorgeous hair. Not that she wasn’t beautiful this way too. And he needed to keep all these thoughts to himself because they wouldn’t help him in this situation. Not unless he wanted to end up in the doghouse.
“Oh.” Her normally smooth brow wrinkled as she frowned. “So you do like it?”
“You look gorgeous no matter how long your hair is.” He pecked a kiss on her lips and cradled her close for a second. Sounds like Lindsey and Rob have some things to figure out, doesn't it? Come back tomorrow to see what happens next!
August 21, 2025
Breaking My Own Rules
It is not Christmas.Honestly, I'd much rather start decorating with pumpkins and all things fall right now, but am forcing myself to wait a few more weeks. You know, until the temps are under 100.
Also, I am not a girl who listens to Christmas music before Thanksgiving (if I can help it--we all know commercials and stores tend to start playing it much earlier than that) or after January 1st.
But I've been listening to Christmas music. I'm trying to listen to Pandora stations that I don't normally stream so that at least it sounds a bit different than my usual playlist. But it's still the songs that run nonstop from Halloween to Christmas. The ones that get stuck in your head until you replace them with another. And baby, it definitely ain't cold outside right now.
So, why am I torturing myself?
Because I'm writing a Christmas novella. I meant to do it later this year, when it was actually Christmas-y and I could be in the right mood. But our deadline was moved up earlier than we thought it was. So, this story needs to be turned in by the end of November. And that means writing it when it's not Christmas-y.
So, jazzy Christmas music is playing on my computer so that I can be in the heads of Holly and Robert. She loves Christmas. He doesn't hate it, but doesn't love it nearly as much as she does. And they live on each side of a duplex.
"Duplexicity" is coming along. I passed 15k words this week. The other girls are working on their stories for Lighting up Christmas. And we're discussing ideas for a cover, even though it won't release for over a year. Still, isn't it exciting?
Think it's worth listening to these songs that get so stuck in my head when I am definitely not in the mood to have them stuck in my head? Here's hoping.
Do you try to keep Christmas music within a certain parameter? Can you imagine a valid reason to listen to it another time?
August 18, 2025
Book Spotlight: Melody of Life
Did you know that authors sometimes live vicariously through their characters? Gotta use our imaginations for good, right? Beth Westcott chats with us today about a scene in her new book that she thinks is very romantic. See if you agree. 
Have you ever taken a ride in a hot air balloon? I haven’t, but I think it might be fun. That’s why I wove a balloon “adventure” into the plot of Melody of Life.
Mark is looking for something special to do with Alana, to create a fun and memorable adventure. He finds a website advertising a hot air balloon festival and invites her to go up in a balloon with him, something he really wants to do.
When I researched hot air balloons on the Internet, I discovered the balloon itself is called an envelope and is made of nylon or polyester fabric panels sewn together. The wicker basket that holds riders is a gondola. Hot air makes the balloon buoyant and able to rise above the heavier air around it. The pilot, the person at the controls, adjusts the flame created by liquid propane needed to heat the air going into the envelope. By opening and closing the vent at the top of the envelop, the pilot changes the altitude. Although the pilot has some control over the direction of the balloon in flight, it is mostly guided by the wind. After landing, the balloon must be packed up and carried back to the launch site because it cannot fly against the wind.
At the time I wrote the balloon scene, my husband and I attended a local balloon festival. We didn’t go for a ride, but I enjoyed the atmosphere of the festival and seeing the balloons. What a variety of balloon colors and styles!
Does a balloon ride seem romantic to you?
Melody of Life
Alana Somers returns home to Millvale on medical furlough to heal from malaria. She loves her work with refugees although it’s emotionally and physically draining. She must fulfill her present contract with the International Aid Society and decide whether to renew her contract for another five years. A nursing degree will open new ways for her to help people, and her growing attraction for Mark Chambers unlocks other new possibilities for the future.
Widower Mark still grieves the death of his daughter fourteen months ago when he is blindsided by unexpected job loss. Reeling from his losses, he questions God’s purpose. God gives him a new calling and new direction, which may include a second chance for marriage and a family of his own.
Will their commitments keep them apart, or does God have something more than friendship in store for them?
A life-long lover of books and reading, Beth has four previously published contemporary romance novels: Meadow Song (Love’s Refrain Book 1), Heart’s Desire, A Heart’s Journey, and Her Heart’s Longing, comprising The Three Sisters Series, and a rom-com novella, Snowflakes and Puppy Love, included in the Pets Amore collection. Her short story “Sadie and the Princess” appeared in Heart-warming Horse Stories on Amazon.
After graduating from Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY, she married Frank Westcott. They raised three children and have five granddaughters and one grandson who is in heaven. First with Child Evangelism Fellowship and then in pastoral ministry in several churches, Beth worked alongside Frank for 38 years. She became a 4-H leader when her children belonged to 4-H, and she home schooled her children for twelve years.
She enjoys reading, music, gardening, sewing, and photography and now resides with her husband in Otego, New York.
Website
www.bethewestcott.com
Social Media
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/beth-e-westcott
https://www.facebook.com/bethewestcott
https://x.com/BethWAuthor
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/29201094-beth-westcott
Have you ever taken a ride in a hot air balloon? I haven’t, but I think it might be fun. That’s why I wove a balloon “adventure” into the plot of Melody of Life.Mark is looking for something special to do with Alana, to create a fun and memorable adventure. He finds a website advertising a hot air balloon festival and invites her to go up in a balloon with him, something he really wants to do.
When I researched hot air balloons on the Internet, I discovered the balloon itself is called an envelope and is made of nylon or polyester fabric panels sewn together. The wicker basket that holds riders is a gondola. Hot air makes the balloon buoyant and able to rise above the heavier air around it. The pilot, the person at the controls, adjusts the flame created by liquid propane needed to heat the air going into the envelope. By opening and closing the vent at the top of the envelop, the pilot changes the altitude. Although the pilot has some control over the direction of the balloon in flight, it is mostly guided by the wind. After landing, the balloon must be packed up and carried back to the launch site because it cannot fly against the wind.
At the time I wrote the balloon scene, my husband and I attended a local balloon festival. We didn’t go for a ride, but I enjoyed the atmosphere of the festival and seeing the balloons. What a variety of balloon colors and styles!
Does a balloon ride seem romantic to you?
Melody of Life
Alana Somers returns home to Millvale on medical furlough to heal from malaria. She loves her work with refugees although it’s emotionally and physically draining. She must fulfill her present contract with the International Aid Society and decide whether to renew her contract for another five years. A nursing degree will open new ways for her to help people, and her growing attraction for Mark Chambers unlocks other new possibilities for the future.
Widower Mark still grieves the death of his daughter fourteen months ago when he is blindsided by unexpected job loss. Reeling from his losses, he questions God’s purpose. God gives him a new calling and new direction, which may include a second chance for marriage and a family of his own.
Will their commitments keep them apart, or does God have something more than friendship in store for them?
A life-long lover of books and reading, Beth has four previously published contemporary romance novels: Meadow Song (Love’s Refrain Book 1), Heart’s Desire, A Heart’s Journey, and Her Heart’s Longing, comprising The Three Sisters Series, and a rom-com novella, Snowflakes and Puppy Love, included in the Pets Amore collection. Her short story “Sadie and the Princess” appeared in Heart-warming Horse Stories on Amazon. After graduating from Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY, she married Frank Westcott. They raised three children and have five granddaughters and one grandson who is in heaven. First with Child Evangelism Fellowship and then in pastoral ministry in several churches, Beth worked alongside Frank for 38 years. She became a 4-H leader when her children belonged to 4-H, and she home schooled her children for twelve years.
She enjoys reading, music, gardening, sewing, and photography and now resides with her husband in Otego, New York.
Website
www.bethewestcott.com
Social Media
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/beth-e-westcott
https://www.facebook.com/bethewestcott
https://x.com/BethWAuthor
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/29201094-beth-westcott
August 14, 2025
A Very Bookish Vacation
As an author, I love learning about other authors. Especially ones I've read for my whole life.Since I was a little girl, I knew about Laura Ingalls Wilder. My mom read the books to my sister and me when we were little girls. And I always wondered about what those places she described looked like in real life.
Fast forward to me reading the books to my children. We've read all but The First Four Years together. So, when I suggested we take a trip to see where she really lived, everyone was on board (except maybe my husband who knew how many miles of road trip that actually was).
We live in Tennessee, so no matter which place we chose to visit, it was going to be a long drive. We chose to head north to Wisconsin, where she was born. Along the way, we discovered a different part of the Mississippi River than we'd ever crossed before and added some states to our list of ones we'd never visited before.
We explored the little town of Pepin, ate cheese curds, and waded in Lake Pepin, which is part of the river. We also checked out the museum and the little cabin built just north of town that is where the original was.
From there, it was on to Minnesota. This is where Laura lived in the dugout on the banks of Plum Creek and then had the house outside of town when the locusts came and ate everything. The museum there had lots of fun rooms and props to explore, like the jail cells we shut our children into for a minute. ;)Just outside of town, you can actually see where the dugout was on the creek. It was so peaceful and pretty out there, though there were quite a few mosquitoes. And not much shade. It was still amazing to me to be able to see it.
Onward to South Dakota. This is where the majority of Laura's books take place and you can tell by how much they have to do and see. The museum in town includes the original surveyor's house, an original school they moved there, and Pa's house that he built in town after Laura married.Down on the homestead, there's tons to do. We attended school, my kids drove a covered wagon and rode a horse, pet kittens, washed clothes on a wash board and hung them on the line, made rope and a corn cob doll, played on old-fashioned playground equipment, and tried to pump water, among other things. That night, we actually slept in a covered wagon (they have several for rent, but warning--there's no AC). It was an amazing experience. I stayed up late to see the sunset (it doesn't go down until around 10pm!) and we were up early enough to see the sunrise. Gorgeous.
We ended in Mansfield, Missouri, where Laura settled with Almonzo. We got to go through the museum, where they have Pa's fiddle. They also have both houses Laura lived in there. The picture at the top of this post is me next to the desk where Laura wrote her books. It was so neat to see the handwritten manuscripts and letters, to learn more of the history, to experience it.Our favorite part of the trip was definitely South Dakota. If you only go one place, that's the one I recommend. She also lived in Burr Oak, Iowa for nine months and in Independence, Kansas for a year, but we couldn't squeeze any more into our trip this time.
This vacation was a lifetime in the making. I definitely checked off a bucket list item this summer. My whole family enjoyed feeling like they were stepping into the books at each place, and seeing history come to life.
Now, where do we want to go next? Think I can talk my husband into Prince Edward Island? :)
Have you ever vacationed somewhere bookish? If you were to choose a bookish place to visit, where would you go?
August 11, 2025
Book Spotlight: Gazing into Darkness
Write what you know. That's what authors are told over and over again. Good thing author Heidi Glick knew about the EPA and CID agents, huh? Want to know more? Keep reading as she tells us about how she used her college experience to write her newest book. 
In 1999, I graduated from Cedarville University with a biology degree. I taught science to secondary students for a while, and later, I took a job working for a government contractor to the EPA and worked onsite at the Cincinnati EPA. There, I learned about EPA CID agents, and one year for NaNoWriMo, I started a story about an environmental crime. After my children were born in 2013 and 2014, I put the story aside for several years. I never forgot about the story and my ideas for sequels. The main characters have been my favorite to write about. Later, I edited the story and reworked it and submitted it for publication.
The story is set in Cincinnati, where I lived and worked for ten years. In fact, I worked in one of the buildings mentioned in the book. Like the heroine, I enjoy reading, especially suspense and thrillers. Also, the heroine’s dad has ALS, just like my dad (who passed away in 2010). The most interesting part of my research was calling Cincinnati SWAT and asking an officer about evacuating a building, discussing a fake scenario, and hoping he believed my call was just for research. The officer I spoke to was kind and helpful. In fact, everyone who I’ve spoken to who has helped with research has been friendly.
Like my other stories, I incorporate hope into the book through a redemption thread. I believe the Gospel offers forgiveness and freedom from sin and shame, and I hope readers benefit from that message and take it to heart.
While the story is about EPA agents, the theme is not political. In college, I was a member of the Earth Stewardship Organization, and we worked on a pilot recycling program. Like my heroine, I believe in being a good steward of God’s creation, but at the same time, I feel we are to worship God rather than His creation.
Gazing into Darkness is a romantic suspense involving a perfectionist Christian agent paired with an unconventional agent who isn’t on speaking terms with God. The heroine worked on a case several years prior, and now, others who worked on the case are being targeted. She and the hero must discover who is killing federal employees before it’s too late.
Gazing into Darkness is the first book in the Queen City Heroes series and is published by Scrivenings Press. The book is available through Amazon and is available through Kindle Unlimited.
Gazing Into Darkness
Instead of moving closer to his girlfriend, Chance McPherson gets dumped and relocated to Cincinnati—farther from his dreams and closer to his shameful past. Stacey Sanderson is excited to finally secure a role in law enforcement, like the rest of her family, especially as an EPA CID agent, where she can protect God’s creation.
On the job, Stacey’s perfectionism and faith rub Chance the wrong way, while his antics and wisecracks irritate Stacey. When federal employees who worked an old case with Stacey start dying, Chance becomes concerned, and not just because Stacey is his partner. Stacey senses a closeness between them but has vowed not to get involved with men in law enforcement and especially not someone who doesn’t share her faith.
The anniversary of the case is creeping closer. Time is running out. Can Chance and Stacey stop the person who is out to kill her before it’s too late?
Heidi Glick writes romantic suspense and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers. She has an eye for detail and includes law enforcement particulars in her stories, grounding the reader in scenes. She’s attended Writers’ Police Academy and the Hancock County (Ohio) Sheriff Citizen’s Academy to ensure accuracy of story details. Though she grew up in Southern California, Heidi now considers rural Northwest Ohio her home. Readers can learn more about Heidi on her Website,
https://authorheidiglick.com/
Social Media Links and Website:
https://authorheidiglick.com/
http://www.facebook.com/authorheidiglick
https://twitter.com/HeidiGlick1
https://sleuthsandsuspects.blogspot.com/
In 1999, I graduated from Cedarville University with a biology degree. I taught science to secondary students for a while, and later, I took a job working for a government contractor to the EPA and worked onsite at the Cincinnati EPA. There, I learned about EPA CID agents, and one year for NaNoWriMo, I started a story about an environmental crime. After my children were born in 2013 and 2014, I put the story aside for several years. I never forgot about the story and my ideas for sequels. The main characters have been my favorite to write about. Later, I edited the story and reworked it and submitted it for publication. The story is set in Cincinnati, where I lived and worked for ten years. In fact, I worked in one of the buildings mentioned in the book. Like the heroine, I enjoy reading, especially suspense and thrillers. Also, the heroine’s dad has ALS, just like my dad (who passed away in 2010). The most interesting part of my research was calling Cincinnati SWAT and asking an officer about evacuating a building, discussing a fake scenario, and hoping he believed my call was just for research. The officer I spoke to was kind and helpful. In fact, everyone who I’ve spoken to who has helped with research has been friendly.
Like my other stories, I incorporate hope into the book through a redemption thread. I believe the Gospel offers forgiveness and freedom from sin and shame, and I hope readers benefit from that message and take it to heart.
While the story is about EPA agents, the theme is not political. In college, I was a member of the Earth Stewardship Organization, and we worked on a pilot recycling program. Like my heroine, I believe in being a good steward of God’s creation, but at the same time, I feel we are to worship God rather than His creation.
Gazing into Darkness is a romantic suspense involving a perfectionist Christian agent paired with an unconventional agent who isn’t on speaking terms with God. The heroine worked on a case several years prior, and now, others who worked on the case are being targeted. She and the hero must discover who is killing federal employees before it’s too late.
Gazing into Darkness is the first book in the Queen City Heroes series and is published by Scrivenings Press. The book is available through Amazon and is available through Kindle Unlimited.
Gazing Into DarknessInstead of moving closer to his girlfriend, Chance McPherson gets dumped and relocated to Cincinnati—farther from his dreams and closer to his shameful past. Stacey Sanderson is excited to finally secure a role in law enforcement, like the rest of her family, especially as an EPA CID agent, where she can protect God’s creation.
On the job, Stacey’s perfectionism and faith rub Chance the wrong way, while his antics and wisecracks irritate Stacey. When federal employees who worked an old case with Stacey start dying, Chance becomes concerned, and not just because Stacey is his partner. Stacey senses a closeness between them but has vowed not to get involved with men in law enforcement and especially not someone who doesn’t share her faith.
The anniversary of the case is creeping closer. Time is running out. Can Chance and Stacey stop the person who is out to kill her before it’s too late?
Heidi Glick writes romantic suspense and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers. She has an eye for detail and includes law enforcement particulars in her stories, grounding the reader in scenes. She’s attended Writers’ Police Academy and the Hancock County (Ohio) Sheriff Citizen’s Academy to ensure accuracy of story details. Though she grew up in Southern California, Heidi now considers rural Northwest Ohio her home. Readers can learn more about Heidi on her Website,
https://authorheidiglick.com/
Social Media Links and Website:
https://authorheidiglick.com/
http://www.facebook.com/authorheidiglick
https://twitter.com/HeidiGlick1
https://sleuthsandsuspects.blogspot.com/
August 7, 2025
Behind the Story: Woodland Creatures
One of the things the movies added to the classic fairytale stories is the adorable little wild animals who end up helping the princesses. And if you're like me, you love that part. But I needed something a bit more realistic than birds and mice helping my Cinderella character. I honestly wasn't sure how I was going to handle her wild animals.Then, I remembered what we saw when we were in West Virginia.
Our hotel room was about three floors up and directly behind the hotel was a cliff where they had cut into the mountain to make room to build the hotel. And as we looked out our window, there were deer. The top of the cliff still had some trees and plants and the deer had wandered up for their breakfast. I snapped the photo above because we thought it was so cool.
The other wild animals that showed up in my book are wild turkeys, believe it or not. Why? Because our neighborhood has its own rafter (or gaggle) of turkeys. Every group of animals has it's own name for the group. Turkeys can be rafters, gaggles, gangs, flocks, or even broods. These are the fun kinds of things this author researches for her books. LOL.
Anyway, I see turkeys all the time. And they're really sort of fun to watch. The pictures below are from my backyard.
When I discovered that one of my side characters was majorly into hunting, I had to figure out what was eligible to be hunted during the season my book was set in. Hello, turkeys. In case you're wondering, my next research was how to use a turkey call. Ha!
The animals don't end up helping Ella with any housework or sewing, but they do help her with the goals she's set herself in her artwork.
What do you think? Do turkeys and deer sound like great animals for a Cinderella retelling? What's another animal you might not expect to find in a fairy tale retelling?
RendersellaElla dreams of her artwork on display in the famous Prince Gallery, but working for her stepmother leaves her eking out sporadic minutes to draw or paint. When her stepsister steals her drawing and claims it as her own, Ella fears she’s lost her chance.
Chaz Prince wants more responsibility at his family’s gallery, but first he must prove he can handle it. Chaz talks his dad into a contest to bring in some new artists, sure this will be exactly what the gallery needs. When he stumbles across Ella’s piece, he not only wants the artwork, but wishes to know the artist.
At the gala to celebrate the contest winners, Ella is determined to let them know the artwork is hers, but time is against her. And where did her shoe end up?
August 4, 2025
Author Interview: Mary Pat Johns
I've been blessed to know Mary Pat Johns for a couple of years now online. And last November, we finally got to meet in person. She's just as lovely in real life as she is behind the screen. And I'm thrilled to help you get to know her a little better today too. Not to mention learn more about her super cute romances.
Mary Pat, congrats on the release of your fourth book. How does it feel to have your series complete now?
It’s a mixed bag! I’m thrilled to have completed a whole series. Each book brought tears of anguish and joy, and I miss the daily interaction with familiar characters. It’s daunting to think of writing another series. That said, I’m writing a short, fun Christmas novella. It’s helped me come up for air between mammoth projects.
We've grown to love these characters through the first three stories. Was it harder or easier to write their story? Why?
The male point of view is usually easier to write for me. Maybe because the males in my life aren’t complicated. What you see is what you get, without drama. Women are different. Brenna, the main character in Book 1, Countin’ On Jesse, was a total head-banger to write. It took me a long time to figure out what she was all about and longer to know what motivated her. Do you think you'll ever come back to the gym in Valiant, TX for future books? Why or why not?
My next series may include a passing reference to Valiant, but it mostly takes place in other cities. After that, I’d love to go back to Valiant. This first series was all about romance, but I enjoy mystery and suspense too. Future Valiant books may contain more of those elements.
With the series finished, what's up next? Can you give us a sneak peek?
I’ve mentioned the Christmas novella. It’s part of a collection of novellas that will be released in 2026. Next, my husband is a retired diving instructor, so a series about a dive team sounds adventurous. I’ll be stepping into romantic suspense, which has also been a long term goal.
What's something you've learned in the process of writing your first series?
I’ve learned a whole lot about the fiction writing craft for starters. And having a series bible, so to speak, is a great idea. You think it will never happen to you, but it’s easy to forget the spelling of names and physical characteristics without some kind of record to refer back to.
Last but not least, what's one thing about yourself that very few people already know about you?
When I was in middle school and high school, I was in band and played the bassoon. It’s an odd-looking wind instrument that requires a seat strap to keep it upright when played. But it was heavy to carry in the case, and I didn’t practice much because I didn’t like lugging it around. Being in the band, though, gave me a lifelong love of music for which I’m grateful.
Thanks so much for sharing, Mary Pat! And readers, please continue to scroll because Mary Pat's next book sounds amazing.
He’s back. And he’s never stopped loving her. Tavo Morales has returned to Valiant, Texas, to stir the embers of a relationship with the woman he has never stopped loving, but hidden reefs from his past threaten to destroy his future.
Paige Munoz wants her new event planning business to be a success and won’t let anything stand in her way. But the path she’s on to make her dreams come true proves dangerous.
Is the love Tavo and Paige once shared strong enough to survive their secrets?
Mary Pat Johns’ writing career began once she retired from teaching speech and writing. She has written devotions for an online publication, had short stories published by Chicken Soup for the Soul, and wrote a column for the Victoria Advocate, a local newspaper.
Countin’ On Jesse, her first novel debuted in 2023. Books 2 & 3 of the Valiant series, Lovin’ On Red and Glitter and the Grouch released in 2024. God put it in her heart to tell stories of brave veterans and their reintegration into civilian life after suffering the traumas of war.
She writes Christian romance because when we view life through the hope of Christ’s sacrifice, we find that happily ever after is God’s idea.
Links:
Waitin' On Paige purchase link: https://scrivenings.link/waitinonpaige FB link: https://www.facebook.com/marypatjohnsauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marypatjohnsauthor/
Website: https://www.marypatjohns.com
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-pat-johns
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/marypatjohnspin/_saved/
