Deborah Vogts's Blog, page 102

Flint Hills Wild Horses

On a recent trip to the Flint Hills we were fortunate to see a couple herds of wild mustangs. 
These were seen on our drive NE of Rosalia on Ivanpah-Salyard Road.

 The wild horses pasture on this ranch, also known as long-term holding facitilies, when older mustangs are shipped to large, privately-owned pastures to live out their days. The BLM does this as a way to control the heavily populated mustang herds in the West as well as manage the forage for them there. 
It seems like a great way to live out their days. Green pasture. Blue sky.
 This drive reminded me of a Colorado mountain plateau, without the altitude. So peaceful and beautiful.
 The horses grazed undisturbed while our cameras zoomed in as close as possible.
This fellow gazed at us while we quickly captured his snapshot.

June Book Drawing Winner

Congratulations to Heather Hart on winning last month's book drawing for SIX books. Thanks to all those who entered. Watch for my July Book Drawing for another SIX books to be announced in a couple of weeks. 

Book Preview ~ Unrivaled

Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell

Lucy Kendall always assumed she'd help her father in his candy-making business, creating recipes and aiding him in their shared passion. But after a year traveling in Europe, Lucy returns to 1910 St. Louis to find her father unwell and her mother planning to sell the struggling candy company. Determined to help, Lucy vows to create a candy that will reverse their fortunes. 

St. Louis newcomer Charlie Clarke is determined to help his father dominate the nation's candy industry. Compromise is not an option when the prize is a father's approval, and falling in love with a business rival is a recipe for disaster when only one company can win. Will these two star-crossed lovers let a competition that turns less than friendly sour their dreams? Purchase the book HERE.

Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder. Learn more about Siri and her books at www.sirimitchell.com

This Week's Recipes

Here are this week's new additions at Country at Heart Recipes. Have a great weekend! 
Cinnamon Bread
Spice Pancakes
Rice and Barley Pilaf with Mixed Vegetables

Performance in Pretty Prairie

Many of you know that our daughters have been performing music this past year. This weekend, The Vogts Sisters will be singing at the Civic Theatre in Pretty Prairie, KS (isn't that a sweet name for a town?)

The Civic Theatre opened in 1936 and reopened in 1981, and still features its original wooden-backed seats. Programs are varied and include classic films and live stage performances. 
Movie Trivia: The community of Pretty Prairie was featured in the 1952 film "Wait Till The Sun Shines, Nellie".

More Movie Trivia: In 1956, Carl Switzer and his wife Diantha Collingwood, moved to Pretty Prairie to live on her father's farm for a short time. Carl Switzer is best known as "Alfalfa" from Our Gang. Our Gang episodes are very popular at the Civic Theatre. 
Doors open at 7:00 PM on Saturday, with the concert beginning at 7:30. Hope you can join us! 

Book Preview ~ Stealing the Preacher

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can scarcely believe it when he's forced off the train by a retired outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the minister she requested for her birthday. Worried this unfortunate detour will ruin his chances of finally serving a congregation of his own, Crockett is determined to escape. But when he finally gets away, he's haunted by the memory of the young woman he left behind--a woman whose dreams now hinge on him.

For months, Joanna Robbins prayed for a preacher. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. A man to help her discover answers to the questions that have been on her heart for so long. But just when it seems God has answered her prayers, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett to stay in her little backwoods community? And does the attraction between them have any chance of blossoming when Joanna's outlaw father is dead set against his daughter courting a preacher? Order the book HERE.

Two-time RITA® Finalist and winner of the coveted HOLT Medallion and ACFW Carol Award, CBA bestselling author, Karen Witemeyer, writes historical romance fiction for Bethany House, believing that the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.

This Week's Recipes

Here are this week's additions at Country at Heart Recipes. Enjoy your weekend!
Broiled Lemon Pepper Salmon
Skillet Fried Morels
Menu Ideas for Father's Day (or any summer day...)
Summer Chicken Salsa by Featured Author Carol Cox

Another Book Drawing

It's time for another Book Drawing! As mentioned a few months back, I am cleaning off my bookshelves and plan to give Great Christian Fiction away all summer! Here are the SIX books I'm giving away in June to one lucky winner. 

Click on the links below to learn more about the books:
A Passion Redeemed, by Julie LessmanValley of Dreams, by Lauraine SnellingA Sound Among the Trees, by Susan MeissnerSeeds of Summer, by Deborah VogtsA Wild Goose Chase Christmas, by Jennifer AlLeeMy Sister Dilly, by Maureen Lang
To enter your chance to win, leave a note in the comments below naming your Favorite Summer Activity. A winner will be drawn on Sunday, June 30. All of the books above have been recommended here as a Book Preview. You may scroll through the list to learn more about them. Thanks again for your friendship and support! 
  *Void where prohibited. Open only to US residents. Odds of winning depend on number of entrants. Comments must be made on this blog. Social network comments are not valid.

Book Preview ~ Sweet Sanctuary

SWEET SANCTUARY by Kim Vogel Sawyer


Lydia Eldredge longs to provide a sanctuary for her son, Nicky. But a constant threat comes from Nicky's drug-addicted father, who wants the boy and seems willing to do whatever it takes to get him. Dr. Micah Hatcher serves the immigrant population in Queens, but under cover of darkness he provides another service that must not be discovered lest his and his brother's lives be in danger.
When Lydia and Micah's paths cross, they are suddenly wrapped up in each other's callings. Through unforeseen twists and turns, they seek a refuge of safety--for Nicky, for themselves, and for the needy people God unexpectedly puts in their lives.

ABOUT KIM:  Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of nineteen novels, including several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women's fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in central Kansas, and have three daughters and six grandchildren. She invites you to visit her Web site at www.kimvogelsawyer.com for more information.

This Week's Recipes

Here are this week's new additions at Country at Heart Recipes. Enjoy your weekend and to all the fathers out there, Happy Father's Day!
Macaroni Salad
Italian Herb Cheese Ring
Frozen Peanut Butter Pie