Deborah Vogts's Blog, page 130

Birthday Celebrations

 This is a big week for our family as we will be celebrating three birthdays -- my grandma's 90th birthday, my 46th birthday, and our oldest daughter's 25th birthday.
My grandma's birthday is today, and she gets to celebrate twice! We held a huge event for her over Labor Day, with family coming in from all over the country. This week, we'll celebrate on a more intimate level with cake and ice cream in her home. 
On Sunday, I'll turn 46. Yikes! Only four more years until I hit the big 5-0. And I'm feeling every bit that old already. Aches and pains, the need for bifocals, graying hair. Ugh. Thank goodness for hair coloring. I'm not ready to be silver yet.
Then finally, our oldest daughter, Samantha, will turn a quarter century on Monday. I actually went into labor pains with her on my birthday, thinking we'd share the day of our births . . . but alas, she held out. Happy birthday, kiddo!
What about you? Anyone out there celebrating a birthday in September? If so, here's wishing you a great year of love and happiness, and an abundance of God's blessings on your life.  

Ten Free Kindle Books

Here are TEN Inspirational Kindle books for FREE now on Amazon. Hurry while the sales last. . .  (And remember, if you don't have a Kindle, you can always download the Kindle for Computer application.) Enjoy!
 My Heart Remembers by Kim Vogel Sawyer
  The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund
 The Oak Leaves by Maureen Lang
Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa by Melanie Dobson
No Place for a Lady by Maggie Brendan
Stars Collide by Janice Thompson
A Daughter's Inheritance by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller
A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman
And for some cooking fun . . . Tailgating Cookbook by Gooseberry Patch
The Everything Soup, Stew, and Chili Cookbook

Cinnamon Twists

Here is an easy recipe made from refrigerator biscuits that Deborah Raney recommended. It is so good!

1 12-oz can buttermilk biscuits
butter
brown sugar
cinnamon

Powdered Sugar Icing:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1-2 tablespoons milk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out each biscuit 3" wide. Spread each with butter. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll biscuits like cinnamon roll. Cut 4-6 slices per biscuit. Bake on greased cookie sheet for 16-20 minutes until golden brown. Drizzle with Powdered Sugar Icing.

Book Preview - The Doctor's Lady

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Doctor's Lady Bethany House (September 1, 2011) by Jody Hedlund
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jody has written novels for the last 18 years (with a hiatus when her children were young). After many years of writing and honing her skills, she finally garnered national attention with her double final in the Genesis Contest, a fiction-writing contest for unpublished writers through ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).
Her first published book, The Preacher's Bride (2010 Bethany House Publishers), hit the CBA Best Seller list on two different occasions and has won multiple awards. Her second book, The Doctor's Lady, released this September. She has completed a third book which will be released in 2012. She's currently busy researching and writing another book!
ABOUT THE BOOK Priscilla White knows she'll never be a wife or mother and feels God's call to the mission field in India. Dr. Eli Ernest is back from Oregon Country only long enough to raise awareness of missions to the natives before heading out West once more. But then Priscilla and Eli both receive news from the mission board: No longer will they send unmarried men and women into the field.
Left scrambling for options, the two realize the other might be the answer to their needs. Priscilla and Eli agree to a partnership, a marriage in name only that will allow them to follow God's leading into the mission field. But as they journey west, this decision will be tested by the hardships of the trip and by the unexpected turnings of their hearts. If you would like to read the first chapter of The Doctor's Lady, go HERE.
Watch the book trailer:

ACFW Conference Memories

This is an old post, but I thought it would be fun to return down "memory lane."  I won't be attending the conference this year, but look forward to going to Dallas in 2012.

I attended my first ACFW conference in 2002 and have been fortunate to go to all but one since then. I thought it might be fun to share the highlights from each year and also give you a glimpse of what my goals were—and how they've changed through the years.

(Jeanne Leach, myself, Lisa Harris, Tammy Alexander, and Beth Goddard) 
2002 (Kansas City) – My first big conference. I looked forward to meeting fellow critique partners pictured above. Carefully planned every aspect of my conference experience, down to what I would wear each day, what classes I would attend, who I would sit with at each meal and how many hours I might allow for sleep. Planned to pitch Sending You a Valentine . Printed my own business cards, prepared a one sheets and had my first chapters—should anyone want them.


( Pictured here with Rhonda Gibson)
Drove to conference with Rhonda Gibson, Jeanie Cash and Jean Kincade. At the conference, was in awe to see Deborah Raney and Brandilyn Collins at the hotel registration desk. They looked larger than life to me. Met fellow Kansan, Kim Sawyer at the meet and greet and discovered she felt just as scared and out of place as I. Tossed and turned the first night with hardly any sleep. The second night I slept like a baby but the next day cried my eyes out, missing my family.


(Pictured here with Kim Vogel Sawyer)
Asked fellow attendees to sign ACRW t-shirt with colored markers. Managed to get through my first editor meeting with a compliment that I was one of his most relaxed meetings yet. In reality, I was scared to death. Took pictures of my plate at the banquet meal as I'd never seen such a beautiful display of food! Had a paid critique from Pamela Griffin, and she had nice comments about my writing. Met Karen Kingsbury. While gone, my oldest daughter went on her first date.


(Pictured here with Tamera Alexander)
2004 ( Denver) –Went to conference on scholarship. Again, every detail planned. Upon registering at the hotel, gave hugs to Lena Nelson Dooley, Rhonda Gibson and others. Still in awe of the big authors. Roomed with Beth Goddard and stayed up giggling. Helped as a meal greeter and class monitor for Kathleen Morgan. Had a paid critique with Steve Laube and he ripped my newest project, Quarterback Cowboy to shreds. Pitched a rework of Sending You a Valentine to editors & received no more enthusiasm than before. Had a mentor meeting with Brandilyn Collins and she warned me to enjoy the journey. Met Francine Rivers. Cried my eyes out Friday missing family. Mentored two new authors. Had friends sign my canvas bag with colored markers.

(Pictured here with Beth Goddard and Lisa Harris)
2005 (Nashville) – Third time's the charm. I again reworked Sending You a Valentine, sure this would be the year someone would pick it up. Had synopsis and first chapters of a reworked Quarterback Cowboy to pitch. Went to conference on a special Steeple Hill scholarship and had meetings with 4 agents and 4 editors. Ordered business cards from Vista Print and had my one-sheets. First night woke to fire alarms going off and scared roommates Beth Goddard and Lisa Harris, and me to death. Met Karen Ball and listened to tales about fishbowls and southern accents. At my final agent meeting, met Beth Jusino and had a request to see more. Mentored two new authors. First year to fly to conference.


(Pictured here with Carole Brown and Christina Miller)
2006 (Dallas) - Went to Dallas as an agented author with nothing to pitch because my series proposal for Seasons of the Tallgrass was currently being shopped to publishers. Sat back and enjoyed this conference without stress of pitching. Went to workshops and visited with other authors. Again roomed with Beth Goddard on ACFW scholarship. Helped as meal greeter and at registration. Met Liz Curtis Higgs. Enjoyed time with mentoring friends, Carole Brown and Christina Miller.

(Pictured here with Elizabeth Curtis)
2007 (Dallas) - Went to conference as unagented author after my first agent let me go, unable to sell my series. Again on scholarship. Drove and roomed with friend, Elizabeth Curtis. Helped with registration and as meal greeter. Humbly begged agents to give me a chance. After one horrible agent meeting, went directly to prayer room sobbing in tears and was comforted by now best-selling author Kim Sawyer.


 (Pictured again with Kim Vogel Sawyer)
Deborah Raney and Tamera Alexander also prayed with me. Couldn't sleep that night and got up early to sit in prayer room. Had encouraging meeting with agent Steve Laube about new project I had in mind. Met James Scott Bell. Sat with Bethany house authors at awards banquet and felt so blessed. Brandilyn Collins prayed over me before going home.

(Here with agent Rachelle Gardner) 2008 (Minneapolis) - Attended as agented author and newly contracted author for Zondervan. Rode to conference with Susan Mires. Helped with registration. Helped Beth Goddard when she had a broken ankle. Attended workshops and enjoyed visiting with good friends. Became better acquainted with agent, Rachelle Gardner. Went to dinner with Zondervan authors on Friday night and felt so out of my league. Went to book signing at Mall of America, dreaming what it would be like next year when I would sign my new book at the conference. Met Angela Hunt.

  (Pictured here with Camy Tang, fellow Zondervan author)
2009 (Denver) – Drove to conference with good friend and first time attendee, Julane Hiebert and had book signing in Hays, KS along the way. Attended workshops and early bird with Donald Maass. Visited with good friends and had Friday evening dinner with Zondervan authors. Sat with agent and fellow WordServe clients at banquet. Got homesick on Friday and called family. Signed books at my first ACFW author book signing. Roomed with Beth Goddard and giggled into the night. Met Debbie Macomber.

(Pictured here with Deborah Raney and others dressed in purple!)
2010 (Indianapolis) - Last year I rode to Indy with three other ladies and giggled the entire way! Attended workshops and the Early Bird Workshop with speaker James Scott Bell. Visited with good friends and had Friday night dinner with my editor and other Zondervan authors, and met my marketing director, Alicia Mey. Sat beside Terri Blackstock and signed books at my second ACFW book signing. Roomed with Beth Goddard and giggled and talked into the night. On the way home, threw my phone into the back seat (inside joke for those who rode with me.)
(Pictured here with fellow Kansans and travel buddies, Julane Hiebert and Sara Meisinger.)
In looking back through the years, you can see how my agenda has changed. I'm no longer stressed about what I'll wear or who I'll meet or what I'll pitch to the editors. My prefered mode of transportation is still by car. I continue to get homesick for family about midway through the conference. With each new year, I now look forward to meeting new friends and visiting old ones, of furthering my knowledge of the craft and of helping new conference attendees feel comfortable and have a good experience. I cannot imagine a better organization or writing conference than ACFW.

Book Drawing - Wings of a Dream

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Wings of A Dream Bethany House (September 1, 2011) by Anne Mateer
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: While I have been writing for what feels like my whole life, I began seriously studying the craft in 2000. Since then I have completed five novels, had several pieces published in local periodicals, attended six writing conferences and managed to final in ACFW's Genesis contest in 2006, 2008, and 2009. My first historical novel, Wings of a Dream, will be released in September 2011, with another historical novel to follow in 2012. But writing is only a piece of my life.
I am mostly just a woman trying to live her life in a manner pleasing to the Lord. That involves being a wife to Jeff and a mother to my three teenagers--neither role coming easily but both roles stretching me, requiring me to press in closer to Jesus. And because of this, Jesus has taken an insecure, fearful, sometimes angry girl and is turning her into a more trusting, peaceful, grace-filled woman. At least some of the time. There is still such a long way to go!
ABOUT THE BOOK Rebekah Hendricks dreams of a life far beyond her family's farm in Oklahoma, and when dashing aviator Arthur Samson promised adventure in the big city, she is quick to believe he's the man she's meant to marry. While she waits for the Great War to end and Arthur to return to her so they can pursue all their plans, her mother's sister falls ill. Rebekah seizes the opportunity to travel to Texas to care for Aunt Adabelle, seeing this chance to be closer to Arthur's training camp as God's approval of her plans.
But the Spanish flue epidemic changes everything. Faced with her aunt's death, Arthur's indecisiveness, and four children who have no one else to care for them, Rebekah is torn between the desire to escape the type of life she's always led and the unexpected love that just might change the dream of her heart. If you would like to read the first chapter of Wings of A Dream, go HERE.
Leave a comment to win this week's book drawing. A winner will be selected on Sunday, 9/18. 
*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.  

Spinach Quiche

This recipe is delicious to serve for a brunch or anytime you want something special. 1 pie pastry4 strips bacon, diced
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 package (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 cups eggs
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon each salt, pepper, paprika


On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry. Transfer to 9-in pie plate. Trim pastry and flute edges. Line unpricked pastry with double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Bake at 450 degrees for 8 minutes. Remove foil and cool on a wire rack. Reduce heat to 350 degrees.
In a medium skillet, cook bacon, onion and pepper until tender; drain. Stir in spinach. Spoon mixture into pastry. In small bowl, combine eggs, cottage cheese, Swiss cheese and seasonings; pour over spinach mixture. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand for ten minutes before cutting. May serve with sour cream. Serves 6-8. So good!

Book Drawing - To Have and to Hold

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing To Have and to Hold Bethany House (September 1, 2011) by Tracie Peterson
and
Judith Miller
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels. She received her first book contract in November, 1992 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row. In 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers. She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests. Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max.
Judith Miller's first novel, Threads of Love, was conceived when she was commuting sixty miles to work each day. She wanted to tell the story of a pioneer girl coming to Kansas and the faith that sustained her as she adjusted to a new life. Through a co-worker, she was directed to Tracie Peterson who, at that time, worked down the hall from her. Having never met Tracie, Judith was totally unaware of her writing career, but God intervened. The rest is, as they say, history. Since that first encounter many years ago, Judith has been blessed with the publication of numerous books, novellas and a juvenile fiction book. Joyously, she and Tracie had the opportunity to develop a blessed friendship. In fact, they have co-authored several series together, including The Bells of Lowell, the Lights of Lowell and The Broadmoor Legacy.
ABOUT THE BOOK When Audrey Cunningham's father proposes that they move to Bridal Veil Island, where he grew up, she agrees, thinking this will help keep him sober and close to God. But they arrive to find wealthy investors buying up land to build a grand resort on the secluded island--and they want the Cunninghams' acreage.
Contractor Marshall Graham can't imagine why the former drinking buddy of his deceased father would beckon him to Bridal Veil Island. And when Boyd Cunningham asks him to watch over Audrey, Marshall is even more confused. He has no desire to be saddled with caring for this fiery young woman who is openly hostile toward him. But when Audrey seems to be falling for another man--one who has two little girls Audrey adores--Marshall realizes she holds more of his heart than he realized. Which man will Audrey choose? And can she hold on to her ancestral property in the face of overwhelming odds? If you would like to read the first chapter of To Have and to Hold, go HERE.
To enter your chance to win To Have and to Hold, please leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen on Sunday, 9/11.  
*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 Drawing - A Whisper of Peace

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Whisper of Peace Bethany House (September 1, 2011) by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of fifteen 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 numerous grandchildren.

ABOUT THE BOOK Ostracized by her tribe because of her white father, Lizzie Dawson lives alone in the mountains of Alaska, practicing the ways of her people even as she resides in the small cabin her father built for her mother. She dreams of reconciling with her grandparents to fulfill her mother's dying request, but she has not yet found a way to bridge the gap that separate her from her tribe.
Clay Selby has always wanted to be like his father, a missionary who holds a great love for the native people and has brought many to God. Clay and his stepsister, Vivian, arrive in Alaska to set up a church and school among the Athbascan people. Clay is totally focused on this goal...until he meets a young, independent Indian woman with the most striking blue eyes he's ever seen.
But Lizzie is clearly not part of the tribe, and befriending her might have dire consequences for his mission. Will Clay be forced to choose between his desire to minister to the natives and the quiet nudging of his heart? If you would like to read the first chapter of A Whisper of Peace, go HERE.
To enter your chance to win Kim's latest book, please leave a comment below. A winner will be drawn on Sunday, 9/11. 
*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. 

Antipasto Salad

Here's an easy recipe to enjoy this summer!

12 oz. Veggie Rotini
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 cucumber, peeled and diced
1/2 cup black olives, sliced
1/2 green pepper, diced
8 oz. medium cheddar cheese, cubed
seasoning salt and pepper, to taste
16 oz. creamy Italian dressing


In large bowl, combine vegetables and cheese with dressing. Set aside. Cook rotini as directed; rinse in cold water. Drain. Toss rotini with vegetables and cheese. Sprinkle with seasoning salt and pepper. Refrigerate one hour before serving. Yum!