Deborah Vogts's Blog, page 137

In Honor of John Wayne

In honor of John Wayne's birthday, born May 26, 1907, I thought it would be fun to take a look at some of his most memorable movie moments. I've shared here before that my family and I are huge John Wayne fans. Through the years, we've collected a good share of his movies and enjoy them often. 
He began in Hollywood as a prop man where he became close friends with John Ford. In time, he began doing small parts and his first featured film was Men Without Women in 1930. Nine years later he hit it big in the film Stagecoach. In his lifetime, he appeared in nearly 250 movies. Here are a few of our favorites:

John Wayne starred alongside Maureen O'Hara in five films including The Quiet Man (1952) and McLintock! (1963)

Best-known for his roles in Westerns, he also starred in many war movies and comedies such as North to Alaska (1960), Hatari (1962), and Donovan's Reef (1963). 

Some of his most well-known westerns are: Hondo (1953), The Searchers (1956)
True Grit (1969), Chisum (1970)




The Cowboys (1972) and Rooster Cogburn (1975).


Here's one of our favorite movie clips from Rio Bravo (1959) with Dean Martin, Walter Brennan and Ricky Nelson. 

The Duke's last film was The Shootist in 1976. He died of cancer on June 11, 1979, but still remains a film hero in many families across America. What about you? Do you have a favorite John Wayne movie? Share with us here. 

Upcoming Author Events

This week, I'm enjoying some writing time and brainstorming sessions at a private retreat with fellow Kansas writers Kim Vogel Sawyer, Deborah Raney, and Judith Miller. It's always nice to get together with other authors to build friendships and talk business. After the retreat, I'll be traveling to Canton, KS. If you live near the area, I'd love to visit you. 

Wednesday, May 25 - Immanuel Lutheran LWML, Canton, KS (6:30 - 8:30 PM) - Deborah will be giving a presentation on Researching the Seasons of the Tallgrass.  Salad Supper. Open to the public.



Thursday, June 9 - Author Book Signing, Carthage Public Library, Carthage, MO (11-noon) 

Thursday, June 9 - Author Book Signing, Books-a-Million, Joplin, MO (2-4:00 PM) 

Thursday, June 9 - Author Event, Joplin Writer's Guild, Public Library, Joplin, MO (6-8:00 PM) - Deborah will be leading a workshop Breathing Life into Your Setting. 


Saturday, June 11 - Author Event, Preaching on the Prairie, Alta Vista, KS (9:30-2:00) - Deborah will be participating in this fun event, celebrating the Kansas Circuit Riders. Stop by and visit with her as she sells and signs copies of her first two books in the Seasons of the Tallgrass series.

Book Giveaway and Interview with Debut Author Cathy West

Getting to Know Catherine: Educated in Bermuda, England and Canada, Catherine holds a degree in English from the University of Toronto. When she's not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or tending to her roses and orchids. Catherine and her husband live on the beautiful island of Bermuda, with their two college-aged children. Catherine is a member of Romance Writers of America, and American Christian Fiction Writers, and is a founding member of International Christian Fiction Writers. Catherine's debut novel Yesterday's Tomorrow, released March 15th, through OakTara Publishers. Visit Cathy at her website or her blog. Learn more about Yesterday's Tomorrow at this blog post.
OUR INTERVIEW: Nice to have you with us, today, Cathy. Congratulations on your debut release with OakTara Publishers! How long have you wanted to be a writer, and how does it feel to see this "dream" fulfilled?
Thanks, Deb! Well, my road to getting published was a very long one! I've been at this on and off for about twenty years, but only really seriously pursuing publication for the last ten. About three years ago I landed my agent, Rachelle Gardner – you know that feeling! She's really been such a blessing and it's great to have the encouragement from someone who knows their stuff! This particular story was a very hard sell and we shelved it for a couple of years while I worked on other books, but then sent it out again last year to a few smaller publishers and OakTara contracted it in November. How does it feel? Pretty amazing!!
Please tell us what inspired you to write Yesterday'sTomorrow.
I'm not really sure! I think I've always been fascinated with the era of the '60's somehow, and I think I'd probably seen a few movies come out about Vietnam by the time the idea for the book began to take root. There are so many fascinating elements that I wanted to explore! Most of all I was intrigued by the thought of these young women dropping everything and heading into a warzone to report on one of the bloodiest battles of our time.
Do you have a favorite hobby?
Writing? Oh, wait, that's not a hobby is it?? LOL! I love to garden. I used to crochet a lot too, but haven't found time for that lately. Reading is probably what I do the most of when I'm not writing.
What are three things you'd like readers to know about you?
I'm quite shy but I'm open to meeting new people so don't be afraid to contact me!  I hate to fly but I have to do it because I live on an island! I am the most impatient person in the world! So you can get a pretty good idea how hard it was for me to wait for that final email saying, "We love your book!"
Please share with us what you're working on next.  
I'm working on a family saga novel that involves five siblings who have to come together to decide what to do about their ailing father and the family estate. They're pretty dysfunctional, so it's been a fun story to write and I can't wait until it's finished! I'm also starting a contemporary romance that takes place in a Vineyard! And I may be mulling over some ideas for a sequel to Yesterday's Tomorrow, but don't tell anybody! 
Thanks so much for being with us today, Cathy. Readers, if you'd like a chance to win Cathy's debut book, please leave a comment below. A winner will be selected on Sunday, May 29. 
*Void where prohibited. Open only to US residents. Odds of winning depend on number of entrants. Facebook readers must leave a comment on Deborah's blog. Comments left on Social networks are not valid. 

Cranberry Orange Scones

This is such an easy recipe to enjoy with a warm cup of tea in the morning or afternoon.

2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup butter
1 cup dried cranberries (chopped)
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup milk
1 egg


Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, orange peel, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Cut in butter until coarse crumbs form. Add chopped cranberries, orange juice, milk, and egg. Knead 6-8 times. Pat out and place in ungreased round cake pan. Cut into 10 wedges. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly browned. If desired, drizzle with glaze: 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon orange juice. Makes 10 scones.

Graduations and Hoop Skirts

I know this is a strange title for this post, but it fits. You'll see why below. This month, we are celebrating many graduations. Our church at Good Shepherd had five graduates from junior college, high school, and 8th grade.



Last week, we attended our middle daughter's graduation from junior college. She worked hard and graduated with honors ~ Summa Cum Laude. Next stop Pittsburg State University. Fly, Maggie, Fly. 


Tomorrow, we'll attend our youngest daughter's 8th grade promotion. Next comes driver's ed, her confirmation in our church, and oh my . . . high school. So, why did I include Hoop Skirts in the title? 


This past week, our youngest gave a presentation at school on a person from the Civil War. The person she chose to represent and learn about was Rose O'Neal Greenhow, a Confederate spy! Part of the presentation was to dress up as the person, so our daughter decided she wanted to wear a ball gown. 



She decided to wear my high school prom dress. We only had to adjust the sleeves, so it was a pretty good fit! Then we borrowed the hoop skirt from her Grandma Judi, and also the long gloves and cameo brooch. We all had a lot of fun dressing her up. 

Book Drawing ~ Finally a Bride

Finally a Bride by Vickie McDonough(Book #3 in the Texas Boardinghouse Bride Series)
Keep your eyes wide open for romance in Lookout, Texas. Noah Jeffers enters town determined to make up for past misdeeds. Reporter Jacqueline Davis is determined to nail her story. Will she uncover Noah's secret before he can capture her heart? With nowhere else to go, ex-con Carly Payton returns to the Lookout boardinghouse. Garrett Corbett is looking for an upstanding wife, not some jailbird. What will he do when overpowered by Carly's unassuming appeal? Does love deserve a second look?

Vickie McDonough is an award-winning author of 20 books and novellas. Vickie's books have won the Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest, Texas Gold, and the ACFW Noble Theme contest, and she has been a multi-year finalist in ACFW's BOTY/Carol Awards contest. The Anonymous Bride, book one in her Texas Boardinghouse Brides series, released in April, and the sequel, Second Chance Brides, released in September. Vickie's books promise An Adventure into Romance.


Vickie and her husband live in Oklahoma. She is a wife of thirty-five years, mother of four grown sons and grandma to a feisty four-year-old girl. When she's not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, gardening, watching movies, and traveling. To learn more about Vickie's books, visit her website.


It's time for another book drawing. If you'd like to enter a chance to win Finally a Bride, leave a comment below. A winner will be selected on Sunday, May 22. 
*Void where prohibited. Open only to US residents. Odds of winning depend on number of entrants. Must leave a comment on Deborah's blog. Comments left on social networks are not valid.

Book Preview ~ The Lightkeeper's Ball

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!


You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today's Wild Card author is:

Colleen Coble

and the book:

The Lightkeeper's Ball Thomas Nelson; 1 edition (April 19, 2011)***Special thanks to Audra Jennings, Senior Media Specialist, The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Colleen Coble's thirty-five novels and novellas have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA, the Holt Medallion, the ACFW Book of the Year, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, the Booksellers Best, and the 2009 Best Books of Indiana-Fiction award. She writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail and love begin with a happy ending. Visit the author's website.


SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION: Olivia seems to have it all, but her heart yearns for more.


Olivia Stewart's family is one of the Four Hundred—the highest echelon of society in 1910. When her sister dies under mysterious circumstances, Olivia leaves their New York City home for Mercy Falls, California, to determine what befell Eleanor. She suspects Harrison Bennett, the man Eleanor planned to marry. But the more Olivia gets to know him, the more she doubts his guilt—and the more she is drawn to him herself.


When several attempts are made on her life, Olivia turns to Harrison for help. He takes her on a ride in his aeroplane, but then crashes, and they're forced to spend two days alone together. With her reputation hanging by a thread, Harrison offers to marry her to make the situation right. As a charity ball to rebuild the Mercy Falls lighthouse draws near, she realizes she wants more than a sham engagement—she wants Harrison in her life forever. But her enemy plans to shatter the happiness she is ready to grasp. If Olivia dares to drop her masquerade, she just might see the path to true happiness.





Product Details:


List Price: $14.99
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson; 1 edition (April 19, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 159554268X
ISBN-13: 978-1595542687


AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:


The New York brownstone was just half a block down from the Astor mansion on Fifth Avenue, the most prestigious address in the country. The carriage, monogrammed with the Stewart emblem, rattled through the iron gates and came to a halt in front of the ornate doors. Assisted by the doorman, Olivia Stewart descended and rushed for the steps of her home. She was late for tea, and her mother would be furious. Mrs. Astor herself had agreed to join them today.


Olivia handed her hat to the maid, who opened the door. "They're in the drawing room, Miss Olivia," Goldia whispered. "Your mama is ready to pace the floor."


Olivia patted at her hair, straightened her shoulders, and pinned a smile in place as she forced her stride to a ladylike stroll to join the other women. Two women turned to face her as she entered: her mother and Mrs. Astor. They wore identical expressions of disapproval.


"Olivia, there you are," her mother said. "Sit down before your tea gets cold."


Olivia pulled off her gloves as she settled into the Queen Anne chair beside Mrs. Astor. "I apologize for my tardiness," she said. "A lorry filled with tomatoes overturned in the street, and my driver couldn't get around it."


Mrs. Astor's face cleared. "Of course, my dear." She sipped her tea from the delicate blue-and-white china. "Your dear mother and I were just discussing your prospects. It's time you married."


Oh dear. She'd hoped to engage in light conversation that had nothing to do with the fact that she was twenty-five and still unmarried. Her unmarried state distressed her if she let it, but every man her father brought to her wanted only her status. She doubted any of them had ever looked into her soul. "I'm honored you would care about my marital status, Mrs. Astor," Olivia said.


"Mrs. Astor wants to hold a ball in your honor, Olivia," her mother gushed. "She has a distant cousin coming to town whom she wants you to meet."


Mrs. Astor nodded. "I believe you and Matthew would suit. He owns property just down the street."


Olivia didn't mistake the reference to the man's money. Wealth would be sure to impact her mother. She opened her mouth to ask if the man was her age, then closed it at the warning glint in her mother's eyes.


"He's been widowed for fifteen years and is long overdue for a suitable wife," Mrs. Astor said.


Olivia barely suppressed a sigh. So he was another of the decrepit gentlemen who showed up from time to time. "You're very kind," she said.


"He's most suitable," her mother said. "Most suitable."


Olivia caught the implication. They spent the next half an hour discussing the date and the location. She tried to enter into the conversation with interest, but all she could do was imagine some gray-whiskered blue blood dancing her around the ballroom. She stifled a sigh of relief when Mrs. Astor took her leave and called for her carriage.


"I'll be happy when you're settled, Olivia," her mother said when they returned to the drawing room. "Mrs. Astor is most kind."


"She is indeed." Olivia pleated her skirt with her fingers. "Do you ever wish you could go somewhere incognito, Mother? Where no one has expectations of you because you are a Stewart?"


Her mother put down her saucer with a clatter. "Whatever are you babbling about, my dear?"


"Haven't you noticed that people look at us differently because we're Stewarts? How is a man ever to love me for myself when all he sees is what my name can gain him? Men never see inside to the real me. They notice only that I'm a Stewart."


"Have you been reading those novels again?" Her mother sniffed and narrowed her gaze on Olivia. "Marriage is about making suitable connections. You owe it to your future children to consider the life you give them. Love comes from respect. I would find it quite difficult to respect someone who didn't have the gumption to make his way in the world. Besides, we need you to marry well. You're twenty-five years old and I've indulged your romantic notions long enough. Heaven knows your sister's marriage isn't what I had in mind, essential though it may be. Someone has to keep the family name in good standing."


Olivia knew what her duty demanded, but she didn't have to like it. "Do all the suitable men have to be in their dotage?"


Her mother's eyes sparked fire but before she spoke, Goldia appeared in the doorway. "Mr. Bennett is here, Mrs. Stewart."


Olivia straightened in her chair. "Show him in. He'll have news of Eleanor."


Bennett appeared in the doorway moments later. He shouldn't have been imposing. He stood only five-foot-three in his shoes, which were always freshly polished. He was slim, nearly gaunt, with a patrician nose and obsidian eyes. He'd always reminded Olivia of a snake about to strike. His expression never betrayed any emotion, and today was no exception. She'd never understood why her father entertained an acquaintance with the man let alone desired their families to be joined.


"Mr. Bennett." She rose and extended her hand and tried not to flinch as he brushed his lips across it.


"Miss Olivia," he said, releasing her hand. He moved to her mother's chair and bowed over her extended hand.


Olivia sank back into her chair. "What do you hear of my sister? I have received no answer to any of my letters."


He took a seat, steepled his fingers, and leaned forward. "That's the reason for our meeting today. I fear I have bad news to impart."


Her pulse thumped erratically against her ribcage. She wetted her lips and drew in a deep breath. "What news of Eleanor?" How bad could it be? Eleanor had gone to marry Harrison, a man she hardly knew. But she was in love with the idea of the Wild West, and therefore more than happy to marry the son of her father's business partner.


He never blinked. "I shall just have to blurt it out then. I'm sorry to inform you that Eleanor is dead."


Her mother moaned. Olivia stared at him. "I don't believe it," she said.


"I know, it's a shock."


There must have been some mistake. She searched his face for some clue that this was a jest. "What happened?"


He didn't hold her gaze. "She drowned."


"How?"


"No one knows. I'm sorry."


Her mother stood and swayed. "What are you saying?" Her voice rose in a shriek. "Eleanor can't be dead! Are you quite mad?"


He stood and took her arm. "I suggest you lie down, Mrs. Stewart. You're quite pale."


Her mother put her hands to her cheeks. "Tell me it isn't true," she begged. Then she keeled over in a dead faint.


#
Harrison Bennett tugged on his tie, glanced at his shoes to make sure no speck of dirt marred their perfection, then disembarked from his motorcar in front of the mansion. The cab had rolled up Nob Hill much too quickly for him to gather his courage to face the party. Electric lights pushed back the darkness from the curving brick driveway to the porch with its impressive white pillars. Doormen flanked the double doors at the entry. Through the large windows, he saw the ballroom. Ladies in luxurious gowns and gentlemen in tuxedos danced under glittering chandeliers, and their laughter tinkled on the wind.


His valet, Eugene, exited behind him. "I'll wait in the kitchen, sir."


Harrison adjusted his hat and strode with all the confidence he could muster to the front door. "Mr. Harrison Bennett," he said to the doorman.


The man scanned the paper in his hand. "Welcome, Mr. Bennett. Mr. Rothschild is in the ballroom."


Harrison thanked him and stepped into the opulent hall papered in gold foil. He went in the direction of the voices with a sense of purpose. This night could change his future. He glanced around the enormous ballroom, and he recognized no one among the glittering gowns and expensive suits. In subtle ways, these nobs would try to keep him in his place. It would take all his gumption not to let them. It was a miracle he'd received an invitation. Only the very wealthy or titled were invited to the Rothschilds' annual ball in San Francisco. Harrison was determined to do whatever was necessary to secure the contract inside his coat pocket.


A young woman in an evening gown fluttered her lashes at him over the top of her fan. When she lowered it, she approached with a coaxing smile on her lips. "Mr. Bennett, I'd hoped to see you here tonight."


He struggled to remember her name. Miss Kessler. She'd made her interest in him known at Eleanor's funeral. Hardly a suitable time. He took her gloved hand and bowed over it. "Miss Kessler. I wasn't expecting to see you here."


"I came when I heard you were on the guest list."


He ignored her brazen remark. "It's good to see you again. I have some business to attend to. Perhaps later?"


Her eyes darkened and she withdrew her hand. "I shall watch for you," she said.


And he'd do the same, with the intent to avoid her. "If you'll excuse me." He didn't wait for an answer but strolled through the crowd. He finally spied his host standing in front of a marble fireplace. A flame danced in the eight-foot hearth. Harrison stepped through the crowd to join the four men clustered around the wealthy Rothschild.


The man closest to Harrison was in his fifties and had a curling mustache. "They'll never get that amendment ratified," he said. "An income tax! It's quite ridiculous to expect us to pay something so outrageous."


A younger man in a gray suit shook his head. "If it means better roads, I'll gladly write them a check. The potholes outside of town ruined my front axels."


"We can take care of our own roads," Rothschild said. "I have no need of the government in my affairs. At least until we're all using flying machines." He snickered, then glanced at Harrison. "You look familiar, young man. Have we met?"


Flying machines. Maybe this meeting was something God had arranged. Harrison thrust out his hand. "Harrison Bennett."


"Claude's son?"'


Was that distaste in the twist of Rothschild's mouth? Harrison put confidence into his grip. "Yes, sir."


"How is your father?"


"Quite well. He's back in New York by now."


"I heard about your fiancée's death. I'm sorry for your loss."


Harrison managed not to wince. "Thank you." He pushed away his memories of that terrible day, the day he'd seen Eleanor Stewart for what she really was.


"Your father was most insistent I meet you. He seems to think you have a business proposition I might be interested in."


Harrison smiled and began to tell the men of the new diamond mines that Bennett and Bennett had found in Africa. A mere week after Mr. Stewart's passing, Mr. Bennett had renamed the venture to include Harrison. An hour later, he had appointments set up with three of the men as possible investors. His father would be pleased.


Harrison smiled and retraced his steps to toward the front door but was waylaid by four women in brightly colored silk. They swooped around him, and Miss Kessler took him by the hand and led him to a quiet corner.


"Let's not talk about anything boring like work," she said, her blue eyes sparkling. "Tell me what you love to do most."


He glanced at the other women clustered around. "I'm building an aeroplane. I'd like to have it in the air by the time Earth passes through the tail of Halley's Comet."


She gasped. "Do you have a death wish, Mr. Bennett? You would be breathing the poisonous fumes directly. No one even knows if the Earth will survive this."


He'd heard this before. "The scientists I've discussed this with believe we shall be just fine," Harrison said.


"I assume you've purchased comet pills?" the blonde closest to him said.


"I have no fear."


The brunette in red silk smiled. "If man were meant to fly, God would have given him wings. Or so I've heard the minister say."


He finally placed the brunette. Her uncle was Rothschild. No wonder she had such contempt for Harrison's tone. All the nobs cared for were trains and ships. "It's just a matter of perfecting the machine," Harrison said. "Someday aeroplanes will be the main mode of transcontinental transportation."


The brunette laughed. "Transcontinental? My uncle would call it balderdash."


He glanced at his pocket watch without replying. "I fear I must leave you lovely ladies. Thank you for the conversation."


He found Eugene in the kitchen and beckoned to his valet.


Eugene put down his coffee cup and followed. "You didn't stay long, sir," he said. "Is everything all right?"


Harrison stalked out the door and toward the car. "Are there no visionaries left in the country?"


Eugene followed a step behind. "You spoke of your flying machine?"


"The world is changing, Eugene, right under their noses—and they don't see it."


Eugene opened the door for Harrison. "You will show them the future, sir."


He set his jaw. "I shall indeed."


"I have a small savings set aside, Mr. Bennett. I'd like to invest in your company. With your permission, of course."


Eugene's trust bolstered Harrison's determination. "I'd be honored to partner with you, Eugene. We are going to change the world."

Quick and Easy Lasagna

This is such an easy recipe. I served this at a local writer's retreat and they asked me to share it with them. I hope you'll enjoy making it for your family!

9 strips ribbed lasagna
1 lb. bulk sausage
48 oz. jar of favorite spaghetti sauce
15 oz. cottage cheese, small curd
12 oz. grated Mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese


In medium skillet, brown sausage until fully cooked. Add spaghetti sauce and cook for 7-10 minutes. Remove from heat. In greased 9X13 baking dish, pour 1/4 cup spaghetti sauce to cover bottom of pan. Place three strips of uncooked lasagna, lengthwise. Spread in layers, 1/3 spaghetti sauce, 1/3 cottage cheese, and 1/3 mozzarella cheese. Repeat layering process twice. Sprinkle top layer with Parmesan cheese. Cover and bake in 375 degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove cover and continue baking an additional 20-30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. Delicious! Serve with salad and French bread.

ACFW WIN and Mother's Day

This past weekend my youngest daughter and I traveled to Tulsa, where I taught a writing workshop to the ACFW~WIN group. What a great bunch of people! So thoughtful and caring, and the host treated me like a queen by setting up my book table and PowerPoint presentation! Thank you! Thank you!
Pictured here with my mom, our two youngest daughters, and my grandma (who will be 90 in September)
Sunday afternoon, we celebrated Mother's Day with family. It's always great to get together with those you love and hold dear to your heart. How did you spend your weekend?

Broccoli Cheese Soup

 
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, shredded
2 tablespoons butter
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 cup water
1 10-oz package frozen broccoli
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3 thick slices Velvetta
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

In a large saucepan, saute onion and carrot in melted butter until tender. Add water and bouillon cubes and bring to boil. Add broccoli and cook until tender. In a small bowl, make paste with flour and 1/3 cup milk. Add to soup along with remaining milk, lemon juice, and slices of Velvetta. Season with salt and pepper. Serves 4-6