Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 137

The Anatomy of a Kiss

 
The Anatomy of a Kiss

HELLO SEEKERVILLE! It is sooo fun to back here with you and my Seeker buds!
To those of you who’ve read my books, it’s no surprise I LOVE writing kissing scenes, so I put my heart, soul, and lips (test runs with hubby) into every kiss I write. Some readers have told me they actually use my novels as a handbook for writing love scenes and others have dubbed me, “The Kissing Queen.” Although I have no idea if that’s true, I do guarantee you’ll find more kisses in my books than most CBA romance novels!  
Why? Well, I explain it all HERE in a Seekerville blog entitled “Life on the Edge,” but suffice it to say that in a world where the likes of Fifty Shades of Gray is a runaway bestseller, it’s pretty clear that the majority of romance readers are looking for a little more POW in their WOW!
Which isn’t all that easy to do in the Christian market. Because let’s face it, anybody can warm up the pages with blatant bedroom scenes, but it takes skill to heighten the romantic tension in a book with only a look . . . a kiss . . . or even the absence of a kiss.
For me, the real secret to a great kiss and great romantic tension are the emotions surging around it like a romantic riptide that rolls in and out. However, building a scene like that takes time, so for the sake of brevity (which I know nothing about!), check out my examples on my FAVE KISSES tab of my website.
In the meantime, how do you elicit the most sighs with the least amount of body parts and graphic action? Well, I attempted to do so in each of the kissing scenes in this blog by making the most of non-graphic tools and tricks of the trade such as:
-- Incorporation of less graphic parts of the body other than lips (i.e. collarbone, earlobe, nape, etc.)--    Trigger words/phrases (i.e. eyes sheathing closed, nuzzle, explore, throb, etc.)--     Trigger scenarios (i.e. accidental closeness, unsuspecting attraction, etc.)--     Emotional triggers (anger, repentance, challenge, etc.)
So, let’s look at the scenes below, and I’ll tell you how I heightened romantic tension in each one.
NON-GRAPHIC WAYS TO ADD ROMANTIC TENSION(OR “POW” TO YOUR “WOW, WHAT A KISS!”)
THE KID-FACTOR KISS: Let’s face it—kids are cute and innocent, so when you plop them into the middle of a love scene, their “sweet” can highlight the romantic tension of a kiss in a big way.
In the following scene from A Love Surrendered, where the hero takes the heroine, Annie (whom he’s trying to avoid romantically) and her little sister, Glory, home, I tried to juxtaposition “sweet” (blue-highlighted words like “innocence, little girl, little troublemaker, angel OR actions like kissing on the tip of the nose, peck on the cheek, etc.) against the swoon and sensations of a romance (red-highlighted words like trip of the pulse, eyes sheathing closed, soft, supple, etc.) to create a kissing scene that is hopefully both sweet and salty with romantic tension.
“Wait! Aren’t you going to kiss her too?” Glory spun around, eyes wide with the innocence of a little girl who had no earthly idea what she was asking him to do.Steven blinked, heat skimming his collar.“Glory, no—” Annie whispered, turning ten kinds of pale.“Please?” The little troublemaker stared at him with those wide eyes of an angel.Heart thudding, he did the only thing he knew to do—he kissed Annie right on the tip of her nose. Clearing his throat, he stepped back. “Well, good-night, ladies.”“No, silly,” Glory said, “like this . . .” She demonstrated with a sweet little peck on her sister’s lips as if he were too stupid to understand, then tilted her head. “See? It’s easy.”Too easy, he thought with a trip of his pulse. Way, way too easy . . .“Stop it, Glory, Steven doesn’t want to—”“Sure I do,” he whispered, his words shocking him as much as Annie. Gaze holding hers, he slowly leaned in, close enough to see the long sweep of her lashes, the pale gold in eyes so green, he felt like he was in Oz, about to be granted a wish. He heard the soft hitch of her breath when she stopped breathing because it coincided with the halt of air in his own lungs. Cupping her face in his hand, his eyelids sheathed closed at the touch of her lips—soft, supple and just a hint of peppermint from the candy she’d offered him in the car. It was meant to be no more than a peck like Glory had given him, but somehow his mouth wanted to linger and explore . . . He stepped in close, body grazing hers and Glory’s till they were one. A little-girl giggle broke the trance, and Annie’s lips curved beneath his.“His whiskers are itchy, aren’t they, Annie?” Glory asked, patting his face once again. “Kinda makes you wiggly all over, doesn’t it?” Annie’s eyes glowed as she caressed her own cheek. “Very wiggly,” she whispered.
THE PET-FACTOR KISS: Like the kid factor above, a pet can also heighten romantic tension as in this scene from A Heart Revealed, where the focus and attention given to the pet suddenly switches to that between the hero and heroine. Again, notice the romantic language/movements (red-highlighted words such as snuggle time, shuttered gaze, tripping of the pulse, etc.) that set the scene for the kiss that correlates with the innocence of pet interaction (blue-highlighted words such as kneading paw, soft scrub of fur, etc.).
Kicking off her shoes, Emma spanned across the covers on her tummy, kneading Lancelot’s paw while she stroked Guinevere’s head, her mind straying to how much her life had changed since Sean had made her his wife. The bed vibrated with the purrs of her former bedmates, bringing a giggle to her lips. “So, how was your evening, your highness and your majesty?” she said with a soft scrub of their fur. “I know you’re not pleased my husband steals your snuggle time, but remember, once he closes his eyes, he’s gone for the night, so just bide your time . . .”“Are you conspiring with those cats again, Emma O’Connor?” Sean assessed her with a shuttered gaze, arms folded and hip cocked in the doorway. Sculpted chest bare, he ambled into the room in boxers and blond hair damp from his shower. A slow grin of warning stretched across wide lips as he eased onto the bed to lie beside her. Elbow cocked and head in hand, he massaged Guinevere’s ribcage, warming Emma with a dangerous smile. Leaning close, he grazed her lips, then pulled away, the blue eyes tripping her pulse. “You’re next,” he whispered.
THE ACCIDENTAL KISS: The accidental kiss is a major opportunity for romantic tension when the attraction is there, but the intent isn’t. Until, that is, something as innocent as a kiss on the cheek sets passion ablaze.
In this second-tier love story from Love at Any Cost, an innocent thank-you kiss on the cheek “accidentally” turns into more between the widowed matriarch and her rogue brother-in-law, the ex-fiancé who cheated on her before she married his brother.
Notice the romantic tension in the hero via phrases like heart seized, pulse thudded slow and hard, shallow breathing, etc. And then the acquiescence of the heroine conveyed through actions/phrases like the drop of a blanket, melding into his arms, etc. Also note that romantic tension is always heightened by romantic trigger words like bewitched, spell, explored, nuzzle, throb, etc.
His heart seized when she pressed a kiss to his cheek, and almost by accident, he turned into her silky caress, their lips so close he could smell the hint of hot chocolate they’d enjoyed around the fire. They froze in the same split second of time, and his pulse thudded slow and hard as he waited for her to pull away. Only she didn’t, and heat scorched his body when her shallow breathing warmed his skin.  “Cait,” he whispered, barely believing her lips nearly grazed his. All he could hear was the roar of blood in his ears as he waited, not willing to push for fear she would retreat, but when her eyelids flickered closed, his fate was sealed. “So help me, Cait, I love you,” he rasped, nuzzling her lips before she could retreat. The moment his mouth took hers, he was a man hopelessly lost, bewitched by her spell. He felt it the moment the winds shifted, pulse skyrocketing when her blanket dropped to the ground and she melded into his arms. His mouth explored with a vengeance, the frenzied beat of her heart throbbing beneath his lips as he grazed the hollow of her throat. He skimmed up to suckle the lobe of her ear, and his heart swelled with joy when a soft moan escaped her lips. Blood pounding in his veins, he wove fingers into her hair to cradle her face. “Marry me, Cait, please . . .”
THE PROGRESSIVE KISS: Okay, I’m sorry, but the progressive kiss is one of my faves because it’s a slow buildup of romantic tension that can culminate in a killer kissing scene. In A Heart Revealed, the hero comforts his best friend after she’s beat up by a thug, unaware of his attraction to her until his comfort escalates into passion neither of them knew they had.
Note the escalation from friendship (cupping her face, his gaze a tender caress, kiss on the forehead, etc.) to outright passion.
“Shh . . . shh . . . it’s okay, Emma . . .” He fanned his fingers through her hair, then cupped her face in his palms, his gaze a tender caress. “I’m here now,” he whispered, kissing her forehead, her temple, her cheek . . . Her pulse quickened while her weeping stilled to soft, little heaves, and as her eyelids drifted closed, her heart stuttered when he brushed them with his lips. “I’ll keep you safe, I promise,” he whispered, and a silent moan faded in her throat as his mouth trailed to her temple. “I swear no one will ever hurt you again . . .”Heat throbbed within as she lost herself in the caress of his hand, her mind dazed while his mouth explored. The soft flesh of her ear, the curve of her throat, her body humming with need as never before. She felt his shallow breaths, warm against her skin, and with a low groan, he cradled her neck to capture her mouth with his own. “Oh, Emma,” he whispered, his voice hoarse against her lips, “I want to be there always, to protect you, cherish you . . .” He deepened his kiss, and she tasted the salt of her tears.
THE STOLEN KISS: Call me old-fashioned, but I love those stolen kisses from wonderful old movies like McLintock or Gone with the Wind, when John Wayne lays one on Maureen O’Hara or Rhett drags Scarlett from the wagon. I do realize kisses like those are not always politically correct in today’s world, where sexual abuse is a sad reality. Please note—in no way do I condone this type of behavior nor are my scenes meant to be perceived as such. They are written in the old-fashioned “Calgon, take me away” style of romance prevalent in the old Hollywood movies and in absolutely every case in my books, the dominant hero is called to task for his behavior and eventually learns from it.
In this scene from my historical Western, For Love of Liberty, the frustrated hero teaches the bossy heroine a lesson she won’t soon forget in classic McLintock style!
He blasted out a sigh and dropped his head, hands perched low on his hips. “Okay, lady, I’m going to ask you one more time, real nice and civil-like …” He peered up beneath hooded eyes, a near smile on his face. “Will you please move out of my way?”“Nope.” She smiled and shook her head, as if quite confident he was on the thaw. She clutched her hands behind her back like a little girl about to misbehave, green eyes issuing a dare. “And you can’t make me.” He sighed. Poor, misguided, little rich girl. “Yeah?” He pushed the brim of his hat up. “Watch me.” Hurling his satchel to the floor, he heard the catch of her breath when he struck like lightning with an arm to her waist. Jerking her close, he kissed the daylights out of her while her boots dangled in the air. Unfortunately, the moment he tasted those soft lips parted in surprise, he was struck by a little lightning of her own, electrifying every nerve in his body while his blood simmered to a dangerous boil. When a telltale mew escaped her throat, he was helpless to contain the low moan that rose deep in his belly. Butting her to the door, he cradled her face in his hands, longing pumping through his veins as he claimed the sweetest lips he’d ever known—and he’d known plenty—completely disarmed by the scent of her skin, the soft flesh of her ear. Sure, he’d dreamed of kissing Liberty O’Shea for as long as he could remember, but he never expected this—a kiss that could surely tame his taste for all other women.The very thought bucked like a thorn-saddled bull, and with a rush of icy mountain water surging through his veins, he dropped her to the floor like he’d been bit by a rattler. She teetered precariously—along with his heart—eyes glazed and mouth still open in shock. Mustering all the calm he owned—which was a mite low at the moment—he yanked his hat down low and reached for the knob. She bolted away like he was a grizzly fresh up from a nap, and Finn had to stifle a chuckle, tossing her a wink as he opened the door. “Told you.”
THE COAXING KISS: In this scene from A Hope Undaunted, the hero, Luke McGee, is hoping to coax the heroine, Katie O’Connor, into dating him, unaware she has just accepted an engagement ring from her boyfriend Jack. For me, the key to this romantically tense scene is the hero’s slow and confident approach, disarming the heroine with gentle, yet dominant, action.
Glass in hand, she paused at the sink. “Do you want ice?”His approach was achingly slow as he strolled toward her. With a casual air, he took the glass from her hand and set it on the counter while his warm gaze welded to hers. He moved in close, wedging her against the sink by just the mere threat of his presence. She swallowed hard and craned her neck up, wishing her voice hadn’t fused to her throat.Massive palms slowly grazed the side of her arms, as if he thought she might be chilled, but the heat they generated made her feel anything but. In fluid motion, they moved to her waist, the gentle caress of his thumbs all but stealing her air. His blue eyes deepened in intensity as he leaned in, and his husky voice made her mouth go dry. “Let’s face it, Katie Rose,” he whispered, “I don’t want ice, I don’t want water, and I definitely don’t want chocolate.” She caught her breath when his words melted warm in her ear. “I want you . . .”And before the air could return to her lungs, his mouth dominated hers with such gentle force, it coaxed a breathless moan from her lips, heating the blood in her veins by several degrees. “Say it, Katie Rose . . . say that you want me as much as I want you.”She could barely speak for the racing of her pulse, and her breathing was as rapid as his. Powerful arms refused to relent, drawing her close as his lips trailed her throat with an urgency that made her dizzy. “Say it,” he whispered again, “tell me you care for me too.”
THE KISS-AND-MAKE-UP KISS: There is almost nothing I would rather write than a kiss-and-make-up scene following a horrendous fight. There’s just something about those rollercoaster emotions—from anger, to apology, to love—that makes me want to swoon. A good example is this scene from A Hope Undaunted, where we have the subordinate hero Patrick O’Connor attempting to comfort his wife Marcy after a volatile argument.
He lifted her chin with his finger. “We have to present a united front, my love, and you need to learn to say ‘no.’ Or I’m afraid with Gabe, there will be a heavy price to pay.”She nodded and sniffed again.With a tight squeeze, he buried his head in her neck before pulling away with a lift of his brow. He stared at her new satin gown, then slowly fanned his hands down the sides of her waist. “And speaking of a price to pay—so you’ve taken to wearing perfume to bed, have you, Mrs. O’Connor?” He bent to caress the curve of her throat while his fingers grazed the strap of her gown. “And a new satin gown, surely not just for sleep.” With a slow sweep of his thumb, the strap slithered from her shoulder. “Oh, I’m afraid this is going to cost you, darlin’.”He kissed her full on the mouth, and heat shivered through her. “I suppose this isn’t one of those times when I need to say no,” she whispered, her breathing ragged against his jaw.“No, darlin’, it’s not.” And clutching her close, he fisted the satin gown and moved in to deepen the kiss, his husky words melting into her mouth. “For all the good it would do.”
THE MENTAL KISS: One of the most effective ways to add romantic tension is by an innocent scene that escalates into a moment of attraction so strong, the mental desire for a kiss sparks without one person’s lips ever touching the other’s. In my next book, Love’s Silver Lining, due out May 19th, the hero and heroine teeter on the threshold of a kiss when the hero threatens to toss the heroine in a lake after she pushes him in during a bet gone awry between two friends.
“All right, Nurse Mullaney.” He relaxed his hold, and she waited for him to put her down. “Two bags of peppermint candy, then.”Her breath silently seeped out. “You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Donovan, but mercy comes at a high price, I suppose.” She wriggled to get free, and he finally let her, his hands slowly guiding her down.Too slowly.Her heart drummed a traitorous beat as she slid to the ground, their bodies bonded all the way down. The dampness of his clothes bled warm into hers despite the cool of the night, kindling renegade thoughts as shallow and fast as her air. “We need to get back,” she rasped, voice breathless as she tried to step away, wondering where in the devil the boys were.“Maggie ...” The husky sound of her name on his tongue weakened the tendons at the back of her knees, and she tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let go. “The peppermint candy be dashed,” he whispered, his voice suddenly as ragged as hers. He leaned so close, she could smell mint on his breath, warm against her lips as his mouth hovered over hers. “One kiss is all the payment I need.”
GIVEAWAY: That’s it, so leave a comment, and you’ll be in the draw for your choice of a paperback copy of my writer’s workbook, Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets OR your choice of any of my indie e-books, including my upcoming release, Love’s Silver Lining.
ABOUT JULIE LESSMAN: Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion with a Purpose” underscores her intense passion for both God and romance. A lover of all things Irish, she enjoys writing close-knit Irish family sagas that evolve into 3-D love stories: the hero, the heroine, and the God that brings them together.
Author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, Heart of San Francisco, and Isle of Hope series, Julie was American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered over 18 Romance Writers of America and other awards.
Voted #1 Romance Author in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards, Julie’s novels also made Family Fiction magazine’s Best of 2015, Best of 2014, and “Essential Christian Romance Authors” 2017, as well as Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and Borders Best Fiction. Her independent novel A Light in the Window was an International Digital Awards winner, a 2013 Readers' Crown Award winner, and a 2013 Book Buyers Best Award winner.
Julie has also written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets. Contact Julie through her website and read excerpts from each of her books at www.julielessman.com

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Writing What You Know...and What You Don't Know

Missy Tippens and Guest Connie Mann


Missy: I’m excited to welcome my friend Connie Mann today to help me with this post. When I started considering writing a post about how I’ve recently written on a subject I don’t know much about, I decided to balance that with input from someone who writes what she knows. I could think of no better example of that than author and boat captain Connie Mann. We’re going to have a “chat” today for our post. A fun back and forth as we discuss writing what we know…and what we don’t know.
Connie: Prevailing wisdom says you should write what you know. And that can be good advice. Especially if you’re just starting out on the writing journey, and there is so much to learn, so many moving parts to navigate and coordinate, that not having to worry about major research into, say, microbiology, makes sense. But at any stage of the journey, this tactic helps streamline the process, allowing you to focus more on the other parts of the story.
[Missy: Wait! You just happened to name my former career. And I’ve written a character who is a microbiologist!]
Connie: Of course, you did! If that was my background (insert wide-eyed fascination), I would have, too! But writing what you know comes with its own pitfalls. I’ve been a USCG-licensed boat captain for over 12 years and when I’m not writing romantic suspense, I pilot a pontoon boat for the Silver River Museum and take local schoolchildren on the River Silver. 
If I’m not paying attention, I could easily spend the day on the River and never really notice the wildlife around me. “Oh, another alligator.” Yawn. 
  (photo credit: Canva)

Connie: You wouldn’t think so, but it can happen. I never want to lose my joy in introducing children to nature and watching them get excited about the world around them. And that largely stems from my attitude—and from consciously seeing the world through their eyes.
We can slip into that same familiarity blindness with our writing. If your story is set in your hometown, or involves your career or hobby, what are the quirky, unique, or cool details about it that will appeal to readers and make it come alive? Or is it so familiar that it doesn’t register anymore?
This happened to me several weeks ago. I walked out by the lake and saw about a bazillion tadpoles. They looked like a dark cloud in two inches of water. I whipped out my cell phone and took a video. After I’d posted it on social media, someone commented how much they also enjoyed hearing all the birds. Wait, birds? I didn’t hear any birds. I replayed the video, and sure as shooting, there they were, singing their little hearts out. I hadn’t heard them. They’d become part of the background wallpaper of my life. And that made me more determined than ever to pay attention.
So, if you ‘write what you know,’ make sure you think through the telling details that make whatever it is unique and interesting and memorable.
Missy: Connie, I love these tips! I tend to write small southern towns. In creating my fictional towns, I envision small towns I’ve lived in or near—with the central courthouse and shops around a town square. Here's one I often picture...
Photo by Missy Tippens-- Dahlonega, GA courthouse
But I haven’t thought much about the sounds. Now that you made me close my eyes and consider what I may have heard in the past, I realized there have sometimes been trains! I need to add this detail next time…the whistle of a train late at night in the distance.
Connie: Oh, I love that detail. There is something very lonely about a train whistle at night. Great way to set a mood. 
But on the flip side, sometimes we write what we don’t know, and it can be a scary place. I am doing this now and I’m constantly worried I’m going to get everything wrong. (Anyone?)
[Missy raises hand.]
Connie: My new series with Sourcebooks comes out next year and centers around Florida Fish & Wildlife Officers. I had met several officers through my job and thought it would be a cool series—cops, with a bit of a different, more outdoorsy twist.
But after I spent hours and hours watching videos and doing online research, I realized I still didn’t know enough to portray them even close to accurately. So, enter the scary part: accepting that I needed to get out of my writing cave and go talk to an actual FWC officer. Gulp. Instead of cold calling the office, I employed my favorite (i.e. less scary) research tactic. I called a few guys I know and asked, “Do you know someone in FWC who might be able to help me?”
A friend connected me with the public relations officer at our regional FWC office. 
He was so gracious and gave me all kinds of information. Anything I get right in the series will be thanks to him and his fellow officer, who also arranged for a ride-along on the Silver River. They let me toss out possible scenarios and then ask, “Does that work? What would you do next?” They could not have been nicer and have been very patient with my follow-up questions, too.
Once I got past my fear—and the feeling that I was imposing (which they assured me I wasn’t)—I had a great time.
Bottom line: Don’t be afraid to ask. People are most often delighted to help. Sometimes they can’t, but in that case, employ the same tactic. “Who do you know who might be able to help me?” Keep asking until you get what you need.
Missy: Kudos to you for stepping out of your comfort zone to research your upcoming series. I really look forward to reading it!
I had similar fears with my newly released boxed set of contemporary novellas, Cowboys of Summer. I was thrilled when I was invited to participate with Sherri Shackelford, Cheryl St. John, Mary Connealy, Tina Radcliffe, and Lorna Seilstad. But then I immediately panicked. How could I ever write a cowboy story? Sure, I’ve ridden horses. I’ve even taken my daughter to “horse camp” and watched as she learned to care for horses. But the running of a ranch? Still, I felt God had provided me the opportunity. So, with knees knocking, I accepted the invitation. Then I did what all authors do who feel out of their wheelhouse… I hollered for help from some of my best writer friends. :)
[Connie: I love that you took that risk! Phone-a-friend is always my first and favorite strategy, too—and waaay less scary than cold-calling experts.]
Missy: You regular blog readers can probably guess who I called on for help. I immediately emailed Pam Hillman and Mary Connealy, whose husbands are ranchers—their very own real-life cowboys! They both assured me they would help. And boy did they! They offered website links and personal experiences. They answered my crazy emails and texts about fencing and birthing calves. And then, bless them, they even read a scene or two to make sure I didn’t embarrass myself. Now, this is where I have to add: ANY MISTAKES IN MY NOVELLA ARE MY OWN. If you see that I got something wrong, please don’t blame them. :)
[Connie: They were the perfect sources. How fun! By the way, I’ll have a similar disclaimer in my upcoming book. J]
Missy: What I’d like for you to take away today is that it actually is possible to write what you don’t know—with lots of research and the help of others. Like Connie said, don’t be afraid to ask.


Connie: I agree. It is definitely possible. Just don’t let fear of making a mistake paralyze you. Whether you’re writing what you know, or what you don’t, remember that stories hinge on those telling details, the things that make places like say, Florida and Arizona totally different, just like your story will be completely different from anyone else’s.
Happy writing!
We have giveaways! Missy is giving away 2 Kindle copies of Cowboys of Summer and Connie is giving away two print copies of  Deadly Melody ! (U.S. winners only this time.) Please let us know in the comments that you’d like to be entered.
Writers, have you tried writing what you don’t know? Readers, what do you think about writers creating stories about something that’s new to them?
P.S. Be sure to read below about Connie's special promotion: She'll be donating profits from preorders and this week's sales of Deadly Melody to help street children from the Philippines!
 **************
Connie Mann is a licensed boat captain and the author of the Safe Harbor romantic suspense series, as well as Angel Falls and Trapped. When she’s not dreaming up plotlines, you’ll find “Captain Connie” on Central Florida’s waterways, introducing boats full of schoolchildren to their first alligator. She’s also passionate about helping women and children in developing countries break the poverty cycle. She and her hubby love traveling and spending time on the water with their grown children and extended family. (Hubby says they are good at fishing, but lousy at catching.) Visit Connie online at www.conniemann.com


Home is where the heart is. The danger, too . . .
The Martinellis were the closest thing to family Cat Johnson ever had. That’s why she ran—to protect them from her threatening past. The orphaned child of classical musicians, she’s been lying low in Nashville, and performing at the No Name Café. When Cat reluctantly agrees to attend the wedding of her beloved foster sister, the plan is simple: make a quick appearance at the Martinellis and then disappear again. Instead she’s thrust headlong into a nightmare.
After a wedding guest is murdered, Cat’s past descends with a vengeance. So does handsome and inquisitive Safe Harbor cop, Nick Stanton, who will stop at nothing to uncover the town’s secrets. That means exposing Cat’s as well. The more intimate Nick’s feelings for Cat become, the more driven he is to find out what she’s hiding. 
As things in Safe Harbor take a terrifying turn, Cat realizes that the man she’s afraid to trust might be the only one she can turn to. 
Special Promotion
Since the heroine of DEADLY MELODY is a musician, I’ve teamed up with the School in a Cart in Manila, Philippines, to support their street children’s band. Being part of something and learning to play an instrument is really helping these street children stay in school and get an education--their best hope to break the poverty cycle. I’m donating all my pre-order and first week’s royalties (via www.Lift-the-Lid.org) to make a difference in the lives of these children. Will you help me help them?

**************
As the summer weather sizzles, relax by the pool with stirring tales of handsome cowboys and the spirited ladies who wrangle them into romance. Six of Christian fiction's most beloved authors join forces to bring you a collection of humorous, romantic and heartfelt novellas set against the sultry heat of summer.

In "His Lone Star Heart" by Missy Tippens, rancher Zeb West tries hard not to fall for Beecher Brown, the feisty but off-limits sister of his best friend. As she tries to prove she's capable of running her family's ranch--the one he's trying to buy--he might just find he's met his match...for life.



After more than 10 years of pursuing her dream of publication, Missy Tippens, a pastor’s wife and mom of three from near Atlanta, Georgia, made her first sale to Harlequin Love Inspired in 2007. Her books have since been nominated for the Booksellers Best, Holt Medallion, ACFW Carol Award, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, Maggie Award, Beacon Contest, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award, and the Romance Writers of America RITA® Award. Visit Missy at www.missytippens.com, https://twitter.com/MissyTippens and http://www.facebook.com/missy.tippens.readers.

Weekend Edition

  



   If you are not familiar with our giveaway rules, take a minute to read them here. It keeps us all happy! All winners should send their name, address, and phone number to claim prizes.  Note our new email address and please send your emails to Seekerville2@gmail.com







Monday:  Mary Connealy was talking about creating table of contents on a word document which she then loaded to Amazon as part of an indie pubbed cookbook. To celebrate a week where she had FOUR BOOKS RELEASE she is giving away four booksThe winner of Cowboys of Summer is CatMom
The winner of Faster Than Fast Food is Kathryn Barker
The winner of The Tangle Ties That Bind is Valri
The winner of All For Love is Kaybee

Tuesday: Heidi Chiavaroli led a great discussion on three reasons we should allow our characters to struggle with faith questions. The winner of her new book The Hidden Side and It Is Well With My Soul wall art is Sandy Smith!

Wednesday: Ruthy rolled into town with a thought-provoking post on adversity... not for our characters. Because we're supposed to do that! But for us, as people. Parents, children, leaders, followers, sisters... the adversity that hits all of us. How to punch through... and how to work through times of trouble. Winner of Ruthy's beautiful story "More Than a Promise" is Amy Pine!
Thursday: Beth Vogt joined us in Seekerville today and shared stories of the real people who populate her fiction. The winner of her book, Things I Never Told You, is Jill Weatherholt!!
Friday: Beth Erin shared a few Review Dos and Do nots while strongly encouraging readers to write those reviews! Annie and Carrie also joined in to answer author questions about their own book reviewing endeavors.


Monday:  Join Missy Tippens and Connie Mann as they have a fun back-and-forth chat on "Writing What You Know...And What You Don't Know." Both will be doing giveaways!
Tuesday:  Julie Lessman  will be here talking about KISSING!!! Yay! Stop by and leave a comment to get your name in a drawing for your choice of a paperback copy of my writer’s workbook, Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets OR your choice of any of my indie e-books, including my upcoming release, Love’s Silver Lining.
Wednesday:  Stop by the blog to see what Debby Giusti says about "The Writing Process." Prizes and lots of fun. Coffee too and virtual breakfast. See you on Wednesday!   Friday: Join Winnie Griggs as she discusses the importance of layering texture and emotion into you writing.







Mary Connealy's The Accidental Guardian is on tour with JustRead Publicity Tours next week. Be sure to follow the Blog Tour for interviews, guest posts and review stops, all with extra entries to the tour-wide giveaway!



Ruth Logan Herne's More Than a Promise re-release celebration continues with a Bookstagram Tour on Instagram! Just 2 more days with a giveaway ending on May 13, 2018 at 11:59 PM. Check it out!



Debby Giusti found AMISH RESCUE, the third book in her Amish Protectors series, at Walmart on Friday. She also found a two-in-one with AMISH REFUGE, the first book in her Amish Protectors series.

Review Dos and Do nots

Hello again, friends! It’s me, Beth! *waving enthusiastically* Since I haven’t gotten myself kicked out of Seekerville yet (that’s mostly my irrational fear and insecurity showing), we get to hang out and chat about reviews! YAY! 
As we established last time, I am not, nor do I desire to be, a writer (#ratherbereading)… however, I am (or at least I strive to be) an encourager! A few years ago, I (like many readers) simply didn’t realize the significant role reviews play in the successful launch of a book.
Listen up, readers! Reviews play a significant role in the successful launch of a book!
Authors need YOU, the reader, to play an active role in book marketing! Maybe I’m the only one around here with a hyperactive need to be needed but that got my attention. Books NEED reviews to increase visibility on retail sites and attract the “right” readers.


I am asking you to join me in this endeavor, reader friends, but I will resort to forcible conscription if need be. We’re going to break this down and keep it simple, here are some things to remember as you embark on your new mission as reader reviewers:
Do...
Write the reviews! Be they short and sweet or even quirky (example food swoof), find your own voice and embrace it. You are the very best you there ever was or will be, after all!
What you include in your review is up to you. Simply share what you liked (or didn’t like) about the story or characters or share who you would recommend this book to. What makes a reader (or consumer) review unique is YOUR experience of the story.
Disclose when you receive a copy of the book from the publisher or author! This is non-negotiable. You MUST “clearly and conspicuously disclose” that you received the book free of charge according to FTC rules. Those are the big dogs, y’all… they are not playing!
go the extra mile...
Post your review on multiple sites from goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Christianbook.com, to Walmart, Target, Kobo, Google Play, BookBub, and more!
Share your review on social media! Include a cover photo, tag the author and/or publisher, and pop a goodreads or retail link in the comments!
Do not...
Spoil the story for other readers!!!! Not even a hint or smidgen of spoileriness shall dare taint thy reviews or great will be the weeping and gnashing of teeth thou whilst surely deserve!!! (If in doubt, restrain yourself with the spoiler feature on goodreads.)
Summarize the story, this is what book blurbs are for (also refer to our first “do not”), focus on sharing your opinions. Your review doesn’t need to be lengthy, a few sentences will suffice, I have also seen recommendations of anywhere from 150 to 250 words as an ideal length for consumer sites.
Attack or question the author’s personal values, or beliefs. It’s okay to disagree or dislike the story but let’s keep it classy, friends!
Remember...
To review on Amazon, your account must have purchases totaling at least $50 for each 12 month period (excluding Prime membership fees) and your review must not be a requirement in exchange for the book or influenced by the author or publisher. 
Here's an example disclosure: "I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own."
Authors and reader reviewers can connect through Facebook groups (for example, search “Christian reviewer” then click on the groups tab), publicity groups (such as JustRead Publicity Tours), or individual author or publisher influencer groups (aka street teams). Readers, know the difference between reviewing and influencing. Author friends, please take the time to remind your reviewers about the FTC disclosure when you request reviews.

Now that y’all are equipped with the nuts and bolts of reviewing, Annie, Carrie, and I will share our answers to a few questions generously provided by some author friends.
How do you decide how many and which books to review?
Annie: It all depends on my schedule and if I've committed to it. I have a horrible habit of judging a book by its cover and can never say no to a pretty book. The only conundrum is when I'll be able to review, unless I've already scheduled it on my calendar.  I also like to jump around genres, so that has an impact on what I read.
Carrie: I have no self-discipline when it comes to books. I see a pretty cover or a great synopsis and I add it to my 'must review soon' stack. Which is actually threatening to take over my house. But realistically, I don't do more than one review a day - or try not to. That discipline thing again. ;)
Beth: How much time I can devote to reading determines how many books I review (about 2-3 books a week for this year) and I try to choose books in a variety of genres and settings.

How far in advance do you fill your calendar or do you just make a big stack and pick a book randomly?
Annie: My calendar fills up fairly quickly and far in advance, but I do leave a good amount of "free time" for the books I'd love to read but haven't had the chance, or for author friends that sends me last minute requests. I'm also a big stack kind of gal.
Carrie: My calendar basically fills up four months out. So, in other words, I'm 'booked' through September right now. But that doesn't mean that I won't squeeze in another one because of a pretty cover or a great synopsis or a favorite author. I do a lot of blog tours and that keeps me on a schedule - otherwise i get overwhelmed with all the options to read next lol.
Beth: I tried the stack but that didn’t work out so well. Google calendar and Trello are my BFFs so I am scheduled out about 6 months in advance with only a little wiggle room.

Suzie's summer cut left her chilly. What aspects of the story or reading experience do you tend to cover in your reviews?
Annie: I'm more of an emotion-based reviewer. I don't do story paraphrases, but rather how it made me felt, what I thought about the storyline and the characters. Did they evoke some level of emotion from me? I might also touch on the writing aspect too. For difficult or negative reviews, I often pray about it since I want to be constructive in my criticism, but also being kind and showing grace in the process.
Beth: I tend to be character focused and share my experience (for example, kept me up all night or made me laugh out loud) because it helps me avoid spoilers (I also use the book blurb as a sort of spoiler-proofing guide).

Do you review immediately after reading?
Annie: Most of the time I do, but there are instances where I couldn't even go there yet. That has more to do with the book and the storyline, but at times, it's just because I don't have the time to sit and contemplate my review. I'm not one to write my reviews on my phone. I need my laptop for that, and I don't always get to my laptop right after.
Carrie: Mostly. I like to review the book while everything is still fresh in my mind.
Beth: That approach would probably work best but I tend to read more than one book at a time and then have a blogging binge.

What reviewers are eagle-eyed about? Do you look for discrepancies or are you more of a character driven/story driven reviewer who forgives a small error?
Annie: I'm more emotion-based and love a good balance of both character/story driven.  I'm not picky on mistakes, but if a book is supposed to be edited and proof prior to release, I'd expect a rather clean copy. Formatting is also big too, especially if it hinders the reading experience. A typo here or there won't be an issue, but if it's throughout, along with grammatical errors, then I do tend to point it out. That said, I also will notify the publisher/author if a second printing or a digital fix can be done. 
Carrie: What Annie said.
Beth: Although there are eagle-eyed reviewers, I’m here to enjoy the stories not nitpick so unless there are so many errors that it takes away from the story, yeah… what Annie said.



Are YOU a reviewer?  All reader reviewers get a big hug from me today! Y'all play an invaluable role in the publishing industry! 
What reviewing dos or do nots would YOU add to our list?

Speaking of do nots... don't forget to pick up a donut or two (these are super tasty, zero-calorie virtual donuts so don't be shy!) while we visit and chat!!! Let me know what flavor you want!


I feel obligated to leave this here, just in case... Beth Erin is a Christian fiction enthusiast, book reviewer, and blogger. She is passionate about promoting authors and their entertaining, encouraging, and redemptive stories. Beth strives to edify and connect with readers and authors at Faithfully Bookish and on social media. She also contributes to the Hoarding Books & Diversity Between the Pages blogs. Beth is a Christian Fiction Readers Retreat associate and reviewer for RT Book Review's inspy category.

The Real People Populating My Fiction

Jan here, privileged to welcome Beth Vogt to Seekerville today!

Beth's new release, Things I Never Told You, is a fascinating book filled with unforgettable characters. As the story unfolds we learn the depth of the tragedy that happened the night Pepper Thatcher died. I won't give away the ending for you, but this book will have you examining your own family relationships and how one person's faith can make all the difference in the world.

So let's give Beth a warm Seekerville welcome!

The Real People Populating My Fiction

by Beth Vogt

I often joke about hanging out with imaginary characters. I’m a novelist—it comes with the job description. I write books filled with made-up people.But sometimes real people end up in my novels—and I’m not referring to my main characters crossing paths with a well-known public figure, either. No, I take someone I know and add them to my cast of characters.Sometimes I may be fast drafting and come across a nameless secondary character. I pause and mentally scroll through my friends . . . and within minutes, my character is named. Sometimes I ask my friend ahead of time, “Is it okay if I use your name in my novel?” (I’ve never had anyone say no. Of course, I never use their names for villains.) And sometimes—especially if the friend is a writer, too—I let them discover their name tucked away in my book when they read it for the first time. It’s always fun to get that “I found it!” text or instant message. The most recent one went like this:P. 144 Read. Reread. Wait. Awww!!! Tears in eyes. JBut in Things I Never Told You, which just released from Tyndale House on May 8, I did something a little different. My main character, Payton Thatcher, played volleyball with her identical twin sister, Pepper, in high school. And when I bring now-adult Payton back to the volleyball court, I needed a coach and a team.Hmmmm. It just so happens my seventeen-year-old daughter, Christa, plays year-round volleyball. (Wonder no more why Payton played volleyball.) Katelyn getting ready to serveA couple of the girls whom readers meet on the team? They were named after some of my daughter’s closest friends on the volleyball court: Chandler and Katelyn. Chandler and Christa on the Volleyball CourtAnd the coach in Things I Never Told You? I named her Sydney—after the young woman who coached my daughter for three years in club volleyball. Yes, I needed a name for my imaginary volleyball coach, but I also intentionally modeled the fictional coach Sydney after the real-life coach, Sydney Nelson. Daughter Christa and Coach SydneyMy coach in Things I Never Told You had tremendous influence in Payton Thatcher’s life—so much so that it shaped who Payton became as an adult and reaches across the heartache that has shut Payton away from her dreams. Fictional Sydney is the kind of coach who doesn’t just teach girls volleyball—she sees them as individuals and mentors them, both on and off the court. She believes in competing . . . and she believes in caring about them, through volleyball seasons and the seasons of life—for years to come. The girls are always “her girls.” Coach Sydney with the club teamAnd I didn’t have to make any of that up because I’d seen it all lived out in Sydney Nelson as she coached my daughter.
About the AuthorBeth K. Vogt is a nonfiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. Now Beth believes God’s best often waits behind doors marked Never. Things I Never Told You, releasing May 2018, is Beth’s first novel in her women’s fiction series for Tyndale House Publishers.Beth is a 2016 Christy Award winner, a 2016 ACFW Carol Award winner, and a 2015 RITA Award finalist. Her 2014 novel, Somebody Like You, was one of Publishers Weekly’s Best Books of 2014. Having authored nine contemporary romance novels or novellas, Beth believes there’s more to happily ever after than the fairy tales tell us.An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Novel Rocket and also enjoys speaking to writers’ groups and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband, Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people, and their youngest daughter, Christa, who loves to play volleyball and enjoys writing her own stories. Connect with Beth at bethvogt.com.


Things I Never Told You by Beth K. Vogt
ISBNs: 978-1-4964-2723-6 & 978-1-4964-2724-3Hardcover: $24.99 & Softcover: $15.99May 2018Tyndale.com
You can order Things I Never Told You Here!

What Adversity Teaches Us

ad·ver·si·tyədˈvərsədē/nounnoun: adversity; plural noun: adversitiesdifficulties; misfortune."resilience in the face of adversity"synonyms:misfortune, ill luck, bad luck, trouble, difficulty, hardship, distress, disaster, suffering, affliction, sorrow, misery, tribulation, woe, pain, trauma...



Ben White, UnsplashOddly, the list ends with this single word:  "More..." And you can click on that four-letter word to find even more synonyms for this one single word.

Great. More adversity! Let's PARTY!!!! ;)

But here's the good side of this.

Adversity is universal.

It affects everyone.

No one is immune.

You're probably thinking "What the heck? What's the use? What's the point? WHY ME????"

Okay, before you go all "Eeyore" on me (and you probably have guessed I'm not a big Eeyore fan, I'd have shipped that critter off to the glue factory long ago but he's fictional and I can simply avoid him... and I do! In a house loaded with kids' books, you will not find whiny old Eeyore even though I think Classic Pooh kids bedding is adorable. I'm fickle that way)

Think roller coaster. Picture mountains. Sing "God Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts.

Andrew Neel, Unsplash.com



Broken roads happen.

Life kinda sucks sometimes. Grief lives among us. And it's heartbreaking and gut-wrenching... but it's also real and if nothing else, all stories should have a grain of real embedded in them. This crosses genre. Comedy without reality is usually weak and um... stupid.

Strife not rooted in reality has a weak cornerstone and readers will pick up on that pretty quick.

Courtesy of Samuel Martins, Unsplash.com
But this isn't about adversity in stories.

This is about adversity in life.

Our lives.

Ben White, Unsplash

If you're born with the "worry gene" is that a bad thing? Or does it help you to be more aware of potential disaster than your more devil-may-care counterparts?

I don't know. I don't know if this is better or worse for introverts because it shouldn't be a contest, right?

Ben White, Unsplash
People get sick. They die. Mortgages get defaulted on. Children leave. Children come back with children of their own. Parents age. Parents die. Businesses fail. Jobs are lost. New jobs might be a shadow of the old job's wages. People lose children. They lose babies. Babies are born with grave health issues. Mental health issues crop up. Children fail out of school. Fall in with a bad sort. Get hooked on drugs or crash a car or a motorcycle.

Kyle Broad, Unsplash
Life isn't a smooth plane. It's not a level playing field. It's not always fair and not always good and not always wholesome.

We write fictional stories and we fix things but the reality is that we can't wave a keyboard and fix those things in real life.

It doesn't happen.

In real life we slog through the good, the bad and the ugly.

We forge ahead with whatever wherewithal we can muster.

We put our shoulders to the wheel or the grindstone or whatever we're supposed to put our shoulders to.

We don't quit.

We don't whine.

We don't give up.


Believe me on this: All jobs are tough when you're stressed. All jobs are a drain on mind and time and substance when you're worried. But if you're working a time-clock job, you can't just take six months off and wallow in despair.

I don't honestly know if that's good or bad. 

I'd love to hear what you think because you've all suffered. You've all lost loved ones or been thwarted in careers or jobs or marriage or parenthood.

I think adversity teaches us to be stronger people. Better Christians. (Generally I compare my adversity to third-world countries and then realize I'm about the biggest whiner in the world. Perspective being a great teaching tool!)

Fischer Twins, UnsplashBut what do you think? Has climbing mountains and fording rivers helped you? Or left you broken?

I've got a fresh copy of "More Than a Promise" my newest re-release, and it's a book you're going to love because no one can read this book... and see the antics of these naughty boys.... and witness the pain the adults have gone through without outright cheering for a happy ending!

Before the boys blow themselves up, the little darlings! :)


Leave a comment below.... join in the dance!... and tell us what you think about adversity and how it's helped or hindered you.

No one here will judge you.

But we just might be able to help.



 Multi-published, bestselling and award-winning author Ruth Logan Herne loves to share her opinions with anyone who'll listen, and she's willing to bribe them with giveaways to make that happen! Clearly her family has had enough of her loving lectures to last a good long while!

Find her on facebook where she loves to chat and pray with others, follow her on Amazon or Bookbub (which makes her editors SO HAPPY! or stop by her website ruthloganherne.com 

She loves to meet readers, writers and has a great love for small and sometimes naughty people! And dogs... and chocolate and coffee. All of which make her smile a lot!

Three Reasons to Allow Your Characters to Have Questions about Their Faith

Welcome (and Happy Release Day to) guest blogger, Heidi Chiavaroli! 

(and ten bonus points to me - Carrie - for spelling her last name right in one try. I have no proof. You just have to believe me) ;)


3 Reasons to Allow Your Characters to Have Questions about Their Faith
by Heidi Chiavaroli
  
I remember the moment clearly, as if it were yesterday instead of eleven years ago. The kids were taking naps and I lay on my bed, sobbing, thinking of the conversation I just had with a person I respected. In the last hour, this person had seemed to effectively disprove the evidence of my faith. I was a new Christian and I couldn’t deny the hope my recent faith in Jesus had given me. Now, though, looking at what appeared to be true evidence that discredited the crux of my faith, I wondered if it had all been a lie. I wondered if I’d been fooled, duped. If I’d only conjured up this sense of peace and light and hope enveloping my being. Doubts gained entrance to my soul, and there, I plummeted into a pit of darkness. 


I remembered crying out to God.
“If you are who you say you are, then show me!”
It wasn’t that hour, but very soon after He did just that. With a lot of seeking, a lot of counsel, a lot of prayer, God did indeed show up.
After coming out of that spiritual battle, I felt I had scars aplenty. And yet I knew I was stronger. God had not abandoned me. Instead, He not only proved Himself, but He shone His light and hope into a deeper place in my soul.
That battle, that time of doubt, was not pleasant, but it was real. As an author, I can’t imagine portraying characters—portraying what it means to be human—without exploring what it also means to doubt. I think it’s important in our stories to allow our characters to have questions about their faith. Here are three reasons why: 
Our characters and our stories should speak truth and authenticity.  I think if we’re honest, we all struggle with doubts and questions once in a while. It’s that in-between dilemma—that place between the now and the will-be promise that God has given us, where our real selves are hidden with Him. If we ignore this truth in our fiction, then we are not creating true-to-life characters, but merely neat cardboard cutouts. Yes, many people in real life have amazing faith and they are to be admired, but how did they obtain that faith? More than likely, it was through trial and perhaps times of doubt and questioning. 
To reach more readers for what truly matters. I consider my stories far from preachy, and yet I hope they gently weave the message of the gospel in between their pages. In my sophomore novel, The Hidden Side, the Abbott family tries to come to terms with the unspeakable actions of one of their family members. Quite honestly, as a mother, I can’t think of a circumstance that would be worse than the one the Abbotts face. And yet they are a family of faith.
I wanted to explore, with authenticity, how this would play out for them. While I would like to think my faith is strong enough to stand against anything, I know from experience how liable it is to be shaken. If I want my stories to touch readers, I can’t pretend my characters won’t go through the same when trials come. Yet so often, in my experience, doubt has been a threshold to a deepened faith. That’s what I want to show in my stories.  
Our God doesn’t need a fake faith—in our lives or in those of our characters.If we ignore our questions and doubts (and if we allow our characters to do so as well), we’re not being real with ourselves or with God. Our God doesn’t need a fake faith. He’s the Almighty, the Creator of all things. He can handle our doubts and questions. Really. And I absolutely believe He will use them to strengthen us as He did for Thomas, Abraham, and many others in Scripture. 
As an author, I don’t want to discredit God’s power and ability to work through any and all situations. Our world is rife with places that many consider dark and hopeless, and yet this is where Jesus went. He never ignored the ugly. He never ignored the doubt. Instead, He shone His light into it. And always—always—it held up, because always—always—Jesus holds up.
That, more than anything, is the goal and responsibility I charge myself with when writing a book: to go to the dark places. Those places of hopelessness and evil and doubt and disbelief. Go there, and shine light and truth.
Have you ever struggled in your faith? If so, how has it affected your journey and your fiction? What do you think of the importance of allowing your characters to have questions about their faith?
*images from Heidi Chiavaroli and Unsplash.com

New York, 2016 Natalie Abbott offers answers for hurting listeners on her popular radio program. But she struggles to connect with her teenagers, with her daughter in an unhealthy relationship and her son uncommunicative and isolated. When one member of the family commits an unspeakable act, Natalie is forced to uncover who she truly is under the façade of her radio persona.

New York, 1776
Mercy Howard is shocked when her fiancé, Nathan Hale, is arrested and hanged as a spy. When she’s asked to join the revolutionary spy ring in Manhattan, she sees an opportunity to avenge Nathan’s death. But keeping her true loyalties hidden grows increasingly harder as the charming Major John Andre of the King’s Army becomes more to her than a target for intelligence.

Mercy’s journals comfort Natalie from across the centuries as both women struggle with their own secrets and shame, wondering how deep God’s mercy extends. 
Goodreads | Amazon
3 out of our 4 family members researching for The Hidden Side in Setauket, NY. Here we are at Patriot’s Rock, which makes several appearances in The Hidden Side.
Heidi Chiavaroli began writing eleven years ago, just after Jesus grabbed hold of her heart. She used her two small boys’ nap times to pursue what she thought at the time was a foolish dream. Despite a long road to publication, she hasn’t stopped writing since! Heidi won the 2014 ACFW Genesis contest in the historical category. Her debut novel, Freedom’s Ring , was a 4½-star Romantic Times Top Pick and a Booklist Top Ten Romance Debut, and her latest novel, The Hidden Side , is scheduled to release in May 2018. Heidi loves exploring places that whisper of historical secrets, especially with her family. She loves running, hiking, baking, and dates with her high-school sweetheart and husband of fourteen years. Heidi makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Howie, her standard poodle. Giveaway!

Heidi is offering a copy of The Hidden Side and this lovely 'It is Well with my Soul' wall art to one of our commenters today (US only).  
I'm including her questions down here again, just for convenience :)
Have you ever struggled in your faith? If so, how has it affected your journey and your fiction? What do you think of the importance of allowing your characters to have questions about their faith? 
 

Today you are all guinea pigs......thank you

It's HEADING not HEADER!!! I did the whole thing saying HEADER!! Arg!
And one step I skipped, when you get to the step where you open the table of contents window, pick a format, then SHAZAM click on it and all your previously selected headings turn into a Table of Contents.......BEFORE YOU SELECT A HEADINGS FORMAT YOU MUST SELECT A BLANK LINE IN THE WORD DOC WHERE YOU WANT THE TABLE OF CONTENTS. That's where it will go, just aim your cursor arrow at the spot you want the TOC, click on it, and then go select the TOC formatting style.
PS this is really useful if anyone wants to publish a non-fiction book. Those usually need a Table of Contents.
Below are the images I used in the above video if you want a longer look at them.
The word Easy Sweets is highlighted, then I clicked on Heading 1.
The words below it: ex. Connealy Crunch are highlighted then I click on Heading 2. That makes them indented from Heading 1.
PS Connealy Crunch is so delicious you will all want to come after me with pick forks and torches for addicting you to it!!!!! HAH! But you'll be too busy munching to light the torch! So I am SAFE!


Above is the finished Product
The table of Contents from Faster Than Fast Food! Isn't it CUTE???!!! Perfect and tidy...soooooo not like me life!
Each one of these words is CLICKABLE and will zip you to the recipe.

Now the steps.
First the top of a word document, note the yellow arrow.
The word HEADING is key. I've never known what that is, but turns out it is SOMETHING. And to make a Table of Contents, it's important. Don't you wonder what other things a computer will do that we have no notion of???
Second Step....turn each thing you want to be in the table of contents by highlighting it, then clicking on Heading 1 or if it's a subsection pick heading 2.

Look again at my final table of contents. The sections and subsections. So since I made a cookbook I wanted general sections, like soups and sweets and main dishes, and I also wanted a subsection for each specific recipe. (I can feel the vibrations of how proud Ruthy is of me! It gives me the strength to go on!)
Page numbers appear, too.

Next step once all your headings 1 and headings 2 are chosen, click on REFERENCE

Then click on Table of Contents (look for the yellow arrows in my image)The image below will appear.


Select the format you want and, I am sorry to say, I see NO DIFFERENCE between the two. Maybe the words TABLE OF CONTENTS in the second and only the word CONTENTS in the first? Okay. Is that it? Weird.If anyone sees anything else, tell me.
And now I will list for you the FOUR BOOKS I had release last week.Yes, I know, I should have probably timed my cookbook release more....ahem...strategically?WHICH BOOK SHOULD I GIVE AWAY!!!How about one of each? Four books to four different winners!RememberFaster than Fast Food is ebook onlyandThe Tangled Ties that Bind is an ebook only and available in print in Hearts Entwined.
Faster Than Fast Food Mary "Not-A-Chef" Connealy favorites, using every shortcut in the books. (that has a double meaning! I just realized that! I should have used it on Amazon in the description--Ruthy? Can I change stuff after it's published?)
Cowboys of Summer
This is CONTEMPORARY COWBOYS! LETTING THEM USE A CELL PHONE WAS A THRILL BEYOND BELIEF!!!As the summer weather sizzles, relax by the pool with stirring tales of handsome cowboys and the spirited ladies who wrangle them into romance. Six of Christian fiction's most beloved authors (< EXCUSE ME, IMMODEST!) join forces to bring you a collection of humorous, romantic and heartfelt novellas set against the sultry heat of summer.In Mary Connealy's, "Dr. Tess and the Cowboy", sparks fly when Dr. Tessa Rhoades discovers dinosaur bones on Joe Holt's ranch and decides to excavate-even if that means kicking Joe off his own land.
In "Hometown Girl" by Cheryl St.John, injured rodeo champion Justin Cooper returns to the sleepy Oklahoma town he escaped for fame and fortune--and takes his biggest tumble yet--straight into the arms of Stevie Marshall, his first love who soon has him questioning his life choices.
In Tina Radcliffe's, "Lake Effect", cynical cowboy Tucker Jackson knows he's in trouble when he starts counting the days until the end of summer and praying 'summer girl' Jessica Richards will find a home for her heart in Paradise.
In "His Lone Star Heart" by Missy Tippens, rancher Zeb West tries hard not to fall for Beecher Brown, the feisty but off-limits sister of his best friend. As she tries to prove she's capable of running her family's ranch--the one he's trying to buy--he might just find he's met his match...for life.
Will Lorna Seilstad's characters make "Great Strides" when Dana Etherton, the owner of a horse therapy ranch, must choose between the kids she serves and Adam Malone, the embezzler who's been assigned to do community service there?
When Paige Monroe agrees to draw the press away from a country star's wedding by pretending to be the look-alike bride, she wasn't counting on having very real feeling for her decoy fiancé, Sterling Tanner. Sherri Shackelford's, "The Decoy Bride", shows what happens when two people feigning love forget they're acting.


The Tangled Ties that BindPS I Love this little novella. Such a fun one! You are all gonna love the stage coach accident!!!Formerly in a novella collection called Hearts Entwined, so you may have read it already. While running from an angry buffalo, two friends, who always wanted more, reunite. Connor has returned home determined to pursue the woman he never stopped caring about. But Maggie wants to be a city doctor, and he is a rancher through and through. Will either be willing to give up their dream? Or will they both have to give up the love of a lifetime?
All for Love

Three of Christian historical fiction's beloved authors ( <<<there's that ego again! I did NOT write this. I copied and pasted ) come together in this romantic and humorous collection of novellas featuring prequels to their latest series. New and loyal fans alike will enjoy these novellas previously released only as ebooks. Connealy's "The Boden Birthright" journeys to the Old West, where ranch hand Chance Boden's determination to be his own boss is challenged by his employer's pretty daughter. Hunter's "A Lady of Esteem" follows a Regency-era young lady whose chance at love and reputation in society are threatened by a nasty rumor. Turano's "At Your Request" tells of a young woman who is humbled at her newly lowered status in society when she is reunited with the very man whose proposal she rejected.
Formerly available separately as ebooks, so you may have read them already
Mary Connealy

Weekend Edition

  



If you are not familiar with our giveaway rules, take a minute to read them here. It keeps us all happy! All winners should send their name, address, and phone number to claim prizes.  Note our new email address and please send your emails to Seekerville2@gmail.com





Monday:  We had a wonderful day with author and Publisher at Mountain Brook Ink, Miralee Ferrell, talking about "When God Closes a Door".  The winner of a signed copy of Runaway Romance is Barbara Fox!
Tuesday: We enjoyed an inspirational discussion on Faith with Tracey Lyons. The winner of  a copy of The Heart of an Agent is Winnie Thomas.
Wednesday: Mindy Obenhaus brought setting alive for us with her tour of Ouray, Colorado, the fictionalized home to 6 of her novels.
Friday: Sometimes the story is all in the journey. Donna Wichelman shared inspiration and encouragement and what she learned as she wrote her newest book, Undaunted Valor.



Monday:  Mary Connealy had FOUR BOOKS RELEASE LAST WEEK. Okay, yes, she's crazy. And why shouldn't she share that crazy with all of YOU!? I made a video. Maybe turn the sound down if you're checking Seekerville at the office. I'm giving away one copy of EACH OF LAST WEEK'S RELEASES. 
Tuesday: Heidi Chiavaroli is our guest today to share with us why it's important to let your characters have questions about their faith! She'll be giving away a copy of her new book The Hidden Side and a bonus wall art gift!
Wednesday:  Wise Words Wednesday with Ruth Logan Herne!
Thursday: Come share the fun with Beth Vogt!  
Friday: Beth Erin will be sharing review writing dos and do nots (did someone say donuts??? Oh... never mind.) for street teams, influencers, and readers in general.





Mary Connealy is on Lena Nelson Dooley's blog talking about Cowboys of Summer. Go there and leave a comment to get your name in a drawing for a copy of the ebook Cowboys of Summer novella collection.

Cowboys of Summer by Mary Conealy, Cheryl St.John, Tina Radcliffe, Lorna Seilstad, Missy Tippens and Sherri Shackelford, is now live on Amazon.


Missy Tippens will be a guest on the Seriously Write Blog on Wednesday May 9th. Be sure to come visit to hear more about pursuing all types of writing opportunities!

Ruth Logan Herne's More Than a Promise re-released with a new cover! Celebrate with a Takeover Tour & an Instagram Tour with JustRead Publicity Tours starting Monday, May 7th! Be sure to check out all the stops for giveaways!







Publishers Weekly Bestseller AMISH REFUGE, by Debby Giusti is now available in a two-in-one with Jo Ann Brown's A Ready-Made Amish Family.
If you missed the first story in Debby's Amish Protectors series, get this double dose of reading pleasure at your local big box store or book store. Or orderhere on Amazon.

The Unpublished Maggie Award, sponsored by Georgia Romance Writers, has extended the deadline until May 6th at 10 pm.  The final judge for the Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements category will be Becky Durost Fish of Barbour, so don't miss this opportunity! More info here.

As always, Writer Unboxed offers incredible advice for writers. Donald Maass intrigues through his topic, Authenticity vs Outline . (Thank you, JeanneT!!)

Fae Rowen challenges writers to view our storyworld differently through World Building Using POV. Thank you, Writers In The Storm!

The new Indie Author Support Network, For Indies, By Indies, is forming now. More info here.

Finding the Story Within the Story

Welcome guest blogger, Donna Wichelman

As a fiction novelist, you may have experienced a very disconcerting sensation. You’ve got a an amazing story—maybe even a killer idea. You’ve written the synopsis to what looks like a best seller, and you’re ready to take off on the journey.
Each day, you’re typing away, making great strides, seeing the plot fleshed out, your protagonist getting into all the right kinds of trouble. You’ve managed to advance the story perhaps a third of the way into the novel.
Then bam! Writer’s block sets in big time or your writers’ critique group doesn’t get your vibe, and the universal sentiment is the story just isn’t working for them. You feel like you’ve just been booted off the bus and your coat thrown out the window for good measure.
My new release, Undaunted Valor, was that book for me. It went through three iterations before it found the right plot for the characters to bring depth and meaning to the story. Then I listened to a couple of my beta readers about how to fix some of the loopholes I’d left open along the way.
The phenomenon of heading in the wrong direction isn’t new for God’s chosen emissaries. Paul experienced a roadblock on his second missionary journey through present day Turkey. He’d passed through the region, strengthening the churches in their faith, their numbers increasing. Then bam! The Holy Spirit forbade them to enter Asia. Moreover, when they tried to go into Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them.
The Scriptures don’t tell us how the Spirit prevented Paul from going the direction he had planned. We just know God closed the door. Yet He opened the door into new territory—Greece and Macedonia—where the people were ripe and ready to hear the message.
I know the discouragement, the utter feeling of failure. For a little while, I want to find a deserted island somewhere in the South Pacific where no one can find me and I can wallow in the deep waters of despair.
Yet if we look back at Paul’s journey, we notice he didn’t crawl under the nearest rock like Jonah under a tree pouting about rival in Ninevah. He moved on to Troas and set sail for Greece.
I think we writers can learn a lesson from Paul’s missionary journey. When we hit that roadblock in our work, perhaps it’s time to listen to where God’s leading us rather than trying to ram the locked door with a log or sitting down on the road and throwing a temper tantrum. God may be opening the door to new territory that hasn’t been explored yet, and He’s ready and waiting to show you the way.



Blurb for Undaunted Valor, Book 2, The Waldensian Series
For nature lovers, ski aficionados, travel enthusiasts and history scholars, the French Alps offer some of the most spectacular scenery and outdoor recreation in all Europe with its majestic mountain peaks, cascading waterfalls, unspoiled forests and quaint mountain villages. People come to get away from the daily grind and rejuvenate their spirits.
But when Alessandro Marianni’s grandmother Luciana is kidnapped during a church conference in Chamonix, the same landscape becomes an ominous height to scale, and Jamie Holbrooke and her fiancé Alessandro have difficulty distinguishing between friend and foe on the race to find her. They will have to weather a rainstorm on a mountain trail, negotiate a dangerous waterfall, outmaneuver a car chase, and defy an assassin’s gun in their search.
Will they find their beloved Luciana before it’s too late? Who will die on the way to the finish line? Who can they trust? And where will Jamie find the courage to confront her adversaries?In this sequel to Light Out of Darkness, the answers will lie in unanticipated places and with unexpected allies and require Jamie to discover what it means to trust God with undaunted valor.
Buy Links: Amazon.com
Social Media Links:www.donnawichelman.comwww.donnawichleman.blogspot.comwww.facebook.com/DonnaWichelmanAuthorwww.twitter.com/DonnaWichelmanwww.pinterest.com/writeforlifewicwww.linkedin.com/in/donna-wichelman

Donna Wichelman was a communications professional before writing full-time. She has authored short stories, essays and articles in various inspirational publications and lives her dream writing novels and screenplays. She and her husband work with teens at their local church in Fort Collins, Colorado. They travel, bike and kayak whenever their schedules allows.