Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 147
June 15, 2017
Tips for Hosting a Stress-Free Event
Gabrielle Here:
A couple weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about practicing hospitality. It took me some time to learn how to relax, but now that I can, I love to host events.
This week I want to share some tips I've learned over the years to lessen the burden and stress of hosting an event.
1. Ask for Help. This one seems like a given, but I've found it's very hard for people to ask for help! I don't know if it's because we want to have the control over how things turn out, or if we don't want to inconvenience people, but many hostesses don't ask for help. What I've discovered is that people love to contribute. When I'm hosting a meal, I almost always provide the meat (whether we grill, or I do something like BBQ pulled pork). Then I ask others to bring the sides to complete the meal. I send out a list of options, such as fruit, salad, veggie platter, chips, drinks, dessert, etc., and ask them to sign up for one (or more) of the items. We always have more than enough food, and the expense is shared among the group. It also allows others to bring the dish that makes them shine.
Everyone contributed to Easter Brunch!2. Use Paper Products. I love the idea of a nice, sit-down meal, with fancy china and silver (we've done a couple of those), but for the most part, we invite families with children to our house, and often have twenty to forty people here. Not only is paper easier for clean up, but it doesn't break when dropped. I often go to Costco and get the plastic cups with lids and straws, this eliminates the inevitable spills, as well.
Paper & Plastic!3. Leave the Clean-Up for Later. When I have a house full of people, the last thing I want to do is waste time cleaning up! I can do that when everyone is gone. Often, a friend will want to help, and we'll put away the food that can spoil, do a quick organization of dishes, and maybe toss the trash into the garbage can in the garage--but the rest of it can wait until later. I want to spend my time with my friends, and that's what I do. I find this helps everyone relax.
4. Invite a Good Mix of People. When I'm planning a small get-together, I usually invite my close friends. When I'm planning a little bigger event, I use the opportunity to mix up the company with a wide variety of people. Not only does this make for interesting conversation, but it also allows new friendships and connections to be made. Don't be afraid to invite someone new.
A group of friends, old and new.5. Cast a Wide Net. This is another tip I learned along the way. In the past, if I wanted a group of about ten, I'd invite just ten people--and have maybe four show up. But schedules are hectic (especially in the summer) and not everyone can come. So, I send out a larger number of invites and tend to get the number of people I feel comfortable to host. If I want to host an event with ten people, I'll probably invite about sixteen. No matter how many come, enjoy those who are there.
In April, some of my friends and family helped
me celebrate my birthday at my favorite restaurant!6. Be Felxible! No matter how well you plan an event, something usually doesn't go right. Be flexible, relax, and learn from the situation. Maybe next time you'll do something a little different, but this time, allow it to become part of the experience. Laugh it off. You never know, it might become that thing you talk about for years to come.
These are just some of the tips I've learned over the years--there are plenty more! I'd love to hear your tips for hosting events in your home.
I have a winner from last week's giveaway of a copy of Inherited: Unexpected Family! The winner is Karen Rochon. Congrats, Karen. I'll send you an email soon.
Gabrielle Meyer
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Find me on My Website
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A couple weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about practicing hospitality. It took me some time to learn how to relax, but now that I can, I love to host events.
This week I want to share some tips I've learned over the years to lessen the burden and stress of hosting an event.
1. Ask for Help. This one seems like a given, but I've found it's very hard for people to ask for help! I don't know if it's because we want to have the control over how things turn out, or if we don't want to inconvenience people, but many hostesses don't ask for help. What I've discovered is that people love to contribute. When I'm hosting a meal, I almost always provide the meat (whether we grill, or I do something like BBQ pulled pork). Then I ask others to bring the sides to complete the meal. I send out a list of options, such as fruit, salad, veggie platter, chips, drinks, dessert, etc., and ask them to sign up for one (or more) of the items. We always have more than enough food, and the expense is shared among the group. It also allows others to bring the dish that makes them shine.
Everyone contributed to Easter Brunch!2. Use Paper Products. I love the idea of a nice, sit-down meal, with fancy china and silver (we've done a couple of those), but for the most part, we invite families with children to our house, and often have twenty to forty people here. Not only is paper easier for clean up, but it doesn't break when dropped. I often go to Costco and get the plastic cups with lids and straws, this eliminates the inevitable spills, as well.
Paper & Plastic!3. Leave the Clean-Up for Later. When I have a house full of people, the last thing I want to do is waste time cleaning up! I can do that when everyone is gone. Often, a friend will want to help, and we'll put away the food that can spoil, do a quick organization of dishes, and maybe toss the trash into the garbage can in the garage--but the rest of it can wait until later. I want to spend my time with my friends, and that's what I do. I find this helps everyone relax.4. Invite a Good Mix of People. When I'm planning a small get-together, I usually invite my close friends. When I'm planning a little bigger event, I use the opportunity to mix up the company with a wide variety of people. Not only does this make for interesting conversation, but it also allows new friendships and connections to be made. Don't be afraid to invite someone new.
A group of friends, old and new.5. Cast a Wide Net. This is another tip I learned along the way. In the past, if I wanted a group of about ten, I'd invite just ten people--and have maybe four show up. But schedules are hectic (especially in the summer) and not everyone can come. So, I send out a larger number of invites and tend to get the number of people I feel comfortable to host. If I want to host an event with ten people, I'll probably invite about sixteen. No matter how many come, enjoy those who are there.
In April, some of my friends and family helpedme celebrate my birthday at my favorite restaurant!6. Be Felxible! No matter how well you plan an event, something usually doesn't go right. Be flexible, relax, and learn from the situation. Maybe next time you'll do something a little different, but this time, allow it to become part of the experience. Laugh it off. You never know, it might become that thing you talk about for years to come.
These are just some of the tips I've learned over the years--there are plenty more! I'd love to hear your tips for hosting events in your home.
I have a winner from last week's giveaway of a copy of Inherited: Unexpected Family! The winner is Karen Rochon. Congrats, Karen. I'll send you an email soon.
Gabrielle Meyer
Find me on Facebook
Find me on Amazon
Find me on Goodreads
Find me on My Website
Sign up for My Newsletter
June 14, 2017
How to Have a Productive Working Vacation
Erica here:
I am on vacation visiting my folks in Florida, and I am also on deadline for a project. While I'm having a wonderful time visiting with my parents, shopping, and seeing people, I also have to work. I don't know if you've ever had a working vacation before, but they're tricky to balance!
This isn't my first working vacay, and I've come up with some things that have made things easier that I would love to share with you.
1. Communicate: tell the people you're with what you need to do. Get them on board with the project so that they can be helpful, or at the very least, not distracting.
My parents are the most adorable thing ever
2. Commit: set aside blocks of time when everyone else can be occupied. This might mean you get up early to put in some time on your project before everyone else wakes up. It might mean you're the last one to go to bed so you can have some quiet. Or, it might mean you stay behind on an activity to work when everyone else is out of the house. It might mean you need to sneak away to a coffee shop to minimize family distractions.
Sometimes you need writer-fuel.
3. Reward: when you reach a milestone or finish your project, reward yourself with an outing, shopping, time with your family. For me, today, when I finish this chapter, I get to watch a rugby match and go to a fabric store with my mom. It doesn't have to be something elaborate. In this case, it helps me have a goal, and it helps my folks know what I need to accomplish as well as allowing them to cheer me on to something tangible.
REWARD! A fabric store!
Have you ever had a working vacation? Was it a good experience for you?
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I am on vacation visiting my folks in Florida, and I am also on deadline for a project. While I'm having a wonderful time visiting with my parents, shopping, and seeing people, I also have to work. I don't know if you've ever had a working vacation before, but they're tricky to balance!
This isn't my first working vacay, and I've come up with some things that have made things easier that I would love to share with you.
1. Communicate: tell the people you're with what you need to do. Get them on board with the project so that they can be helpful, or at the very least, not distracting.
My parents are the most adorable thing ever2. Commit: set aside blocks of time when everyone else can be occupied. This might mean you get up early to put in some time on your project before everyone else wakes up. It might mean you're the last one to go to bed so you can have some quiet. Or, it might mean you stay behind on an activity to work when everyone else is out of the house. It might mean you need to sneak away to a coffee shop to minimize family distractions.
Sometimes you need writer-fuel.3. Reward: when you reach a milestone or finish your project, reward yourself with an outing, shopping, time with your family. For me, today, when I finish this chapter, I get to watch a rugby match and go to a fabric store with my mom. It doesn't have to be something elaborate. In this case, it helps me have a goal, and it helps my folks know what I need to accomplish as well as allowing them to cheer me on to something tangible.
REWARD! A fabric store!Have you ever had a working vacation? Was it a good experience for you?
SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER
Find me on AMAZON.COM
Find me on FACEBOOK
June 13, 2017
#June New Releases in the #CBA! PLUS a #GIVEAWAY
I love new release time, don't you?! There's nothing better than a new book winging its way to my mailbox (I usually order paper copies over e-copies, if I can). Take a look at the list below!! As usual, the ones I'm looking forward to reading have the book cover thumbnail beside them. And, don't forget to read all the way through. I'm having a giveaway at the bottom for something special made for you from my mother-in-love!!!
___________________________________________
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.
Contemporary Romance:
Engaged by Julie Arduini -- Trish Maxwell returns to Speculator Falls with egg on her face and apologies to make as she tries to determine what's next, especially when around paramedic Wayne Peterson. (Contemporary Romance from Surrendered Scribe Media)
Sweetbriar Cottage
by Denise Hunter -- When Noah and Josephine Mitchell discover their divorce was never actually finalized, their lives are turned upside down. But when Josephine drives out to Noah's North Georgia cottage to deliver the corrected papers, they are trapped there during a snowstorm. Things couldn't get worse…until they are forced out into the storm and must rely on one another to survive. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Zondervan])
Then There Was You by Kara Isaac -- Would you give up everything for a life you hate with the person you love? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
*Jaime insert here: I've already this! It's soooooooo good!!!*
An Encore for Estelle by Kimberly Rose Johnson -- A former A-list actress seeks to redeem herself in the most unlikely of places—a children's theater. The writer/director didn't anticipate a famous actress would ever show interest in his musical much less him. Will their pasts pull them apart or join them together? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
The Cowboy's Baby Blessing by Deb Kastner -- When Ex-soldier Seth Howell suddenly becomes guardian of a two-year-old, he needs Rachel Perez's help. Though she is gun-shy about relationships, this handsome cowboy and his adorable son break through. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Finding Love by Toni Shiloh -- Delaney Jones is putting her life back together after widowhood when in walks Army soldier, Luke Robinson. Luke had a part in the death of Delaney's husband--will his secrets widen the gulf in their relationship or will he finally find absolution? (Contemporary Romance from Celebrate Lit)
Cozy Mystery:
The Copper Box by Suzanne Bratcher -- When antiques expert Marty Greenlaw comes to Jerome, Arizona to search for a copper box she believes will unlock the secrets of her past, deadly accidents begin to happen: someone else wants the copper box, someone willing to kill for it. (Cozy Mystery from Mantle Rock Publishing)
General Contemporary:
Coming Home – A Tiny House Collection
by Yvonne Anderson, Michael Ehret, Kimberli S. McKay, Pamela S. Meyers, Ane Mulligan, Chandra Lynn Smith, Linda W. Yezak -- Tiny houses are all the rage these days, but what can you do with something so small? Here are seven stories about people chasing their dreams, making fresh starts, finding love, stumbling upon forgiveness, and embarking upon new adventures in tiny houses. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)
Katie's Quest by Lee Carver -- Katie Dennis hopes for fulfillment as a single missionary nurse after the death of her fiancé. She trusts God for a new direction, but she'll never fall for a pilot again. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)
Historical Romance:
A Sweetwater River Romance by Misty M. Beller -- Rocky Ridge Stage Stop Manager Ezra Reid is put in a difficult situation when two ladies show up on his remote doorstep seeking refuge, one of them being Tori Boyd, the mysterious correspondence partner writing him letters for over a year now. Tori refuses the most proper solution to their circumstance—marriage. But when danger follows, it will take a lot more than luck to ensure Ezra's heart is the sole casualty. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
High as the Heavens
by Kate Breslin -- In German-occupied Brussels, a WWI nurse struggles to keep two life-threatening secrets. She's in league with the British Secret Service, and she's harboring a wounded British pilot. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])
Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands Romance Collection
by Susan Page Davis, Susanne Dietze, Darlene Franklin, Patty Smith Hall, Cynthia Hickey, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Gina Welborn -- Meet seven of Turtle Springs, Kansas', finest women who are determined to revive their small town after the War Between the States took most of its men. . .and didn't return them. The ladies decide to advertise for husbands and devise a plan for weeding out the riff raff. But how can they make the best practical choices when their hearts cry out to be loved? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
The Captain's Daughter
by Jennifer Delamere -- When a series of circumstances beyond her control leave Rosalyn Bernay alone and penniless in London, she chances upon a job backstage at a theater that is presenting the most popular show in London. A talented musician and singer, she feels immediately at home and soon becomes enthralled with the idea of pursuing a career on the stage. A hand injury during a skirmish in India has forced Nate Moran out of the army until he recovers. Filling his time at a stable of horses for hire in London, he has also spent the past two months working nights as a stagehand, filling in for his injured brother. Although he's glad he can help his family through a tough time, he is counting the days until he can rejoin his regiment. London holds bitter memories for him that he is anxious to escape. But then he meets the beautiful woman who has found a new lease on life in the very place Nate can't wait to leave behind. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing)
Grounded Hearts by Jeanne M. Dickson -- Set in WWII, an Irish woman must choose between her heart and her freedom when she finds a downed combatant pilot. (Historical Romance from Waterfall Press)
Mail Order Sweetheart by Christine Johnson -- Singer Fiona O'Keefe must make a wealthy match to support her orphaned niece. Musically talented Sawyer Evans is a self-made, but not wealthy, sawmill-manager. Unwilling to live off his father's railroad fortune, can Sawyer prove to Fiona he's the man she needs when she's already determined to mail-order a rich husband? (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Freedom's Price by Christine Johnson -- On a quest to find her mother's family in Louisiana, Englishwoman Catherine Haynes enlists a dashing Key West man seeking revenge for his own family. When an incredible secret comes to light, she and Tom will face a choice. Can they relinquish their dreams to step forward in faith? (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker])
Sutter's Landing by Betty Thomason Owens -- Still reeling from tragic losses, Connie and Annabelle Cross face life with their signature humor and grace, until fresh hope arrives on their doorstep. (Historical Romance from Write Integrity Press)
Romantic Suspense:
Hidden Legacy by Lynn Huggins Blackburn -- When someone threatens the baby she's adopting, Caroline Harrison must rely on Detective Jason Drake, the man who once broke her heart, to figure out why. If Jason wants a chance at a future with with Caroline and her son, he'll first have to help them outrun a hit man. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Weaver's Needle
by Robin Caroll -- Pitted against each other to recover a map to the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine, two recovery specialists follow the trail to Arizona. But someone doesn't want them to find the map. . .or the mine. They must work together despite their mistrust and growing attraction, to save themselves. (Romantic Suspense from Barbour Publishing)
Speculative:
The Revisionary by Kristen Hogrefe -- Revisionary or Rogue? To rescue her brother, Portia might have to break every rule in the book she set out to rewrite. (Speculative from Write Integrity Press)
Women's Contemporary:
Redemption's Whisper by Kathleen Friesen -- Desperate to escape her past, a suicidal young woman flies from Toronto to a Saskatoon pastor's home, the only people who may be able to help her. If only someone could love her, in spite of all she's done. On the flight, she meets a young man torn between seeking affirmation in the big city and helping his parents in Saskatoon. Can these two troubled souls gain the peace they need—and in the process, find love? (Women's Contemporary from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])
Young Adult:
All Things Now Living by Rondi Bauer Olson -- Her whole life Amy has been taught the people of New Lithisle deserve to die, but when she falls for Daniel, she determines to save him. (Young Adult from Written World Communications)
_________________________
Boy, did my TBR pile just get taller! What about yours? Which book above are you most interested in reading, if you could only pick one? Answer that in the blog comments below and take part in the rafflecopter and you'll be eligible to win a BOOK POCKET, handmade by one of my favorite people in the world: my mother-in-love!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
___________________________________________
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.
Contemporary Romance:
Engaged by Julie Arduini -- Trish Maxwell returns to Speculator Falls with egg on her face and apologies to make as she tries to determine what's next, especially when around paramedic Wayne Peterson. (Contemporary Romance from Surrendered Scribe Media)
Sweetbriar Cottage
by Denise Hunter -- When Noah and Josephine Mitchell discover their divorce was never actually finalized, their lives are turned upside down. But when Josephine drives out to Noah's North Georgia cottage to deliver the corrected papers, they are trapped there during a snowstorm. Things couldn't get worse…until they are forced out into the storm and must rely on one another to survive. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Zondervan])
Then There Was You by Kara Isaac -- Would you give up everything for a life you hate with the person you love? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
*Jaime insert here: I've already this! It's soooooooo good!!!*
An Encore for Estelle by Kimberly Rose Johnson -- A former A-list actress seeks to redeem herself in the most unlikely of places—a children's theater. The writer/director didn't anticipate a famous actress would ever show interest in his musical much less him. Will their pasts pull them apart or join them together? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
The Cowboy's Baby Blessing by Deb Kastner -- When Ex-soldier Seth Howell suddenly becomes guardian of a two-year-old, he needs Rachel Perez's help. Though she is gun-shy about relationships, this handsome cowboy and his adorable son break through. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Finding Love by Toni Shiloh -- Delaney Jones is putting her life back together after widowhood when in walks Army soldier, Luke Robinson. Luke had a part in the death of Delaney's husband--will his secrets widen the gulf in their relationship or will he finally find absolution? (Contemporary Romance from Celebrate Lit) Cozy Mystery:
The Copper Box by Suzanne Bratcher -- When antiques expert Marty Greenlaw comes to Jerome, Arizona to search for a copper box she believes will unlock the secrets of her past, deadly accidents begin to happen: someone else wants the copper box, someone willing to kill for it. (Cozy Mystery from Mantle Rock Publishing) General Contemporary:
Coming Home – A Tiny House Collection
by Yvonne Anderson, Michael Ehret, Kimberli S. McKay, Pamela S. Meyers, Ane Mulligan, Chandra Lynn Smith, Linda W. Yezak -- Tiny houses are all the rage these days, but what can you do with something so small? Here are seven stories about people chasing their dreams, making fresh starts, finding love, stumbling upon forgiveness, and embarking upon new adventures in tiny houses. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)Katie's Quest by Lee Carver -- Katie Dennis hopes for fulfillment as a single missionary nurse after the death of her fiancé. She trusts God for a new direction, but she'll never fall for a pilot again. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)
Historical Romance:
A Sweetwater River Romance by Misty M. Beller -- Rocky Ridge Stage Stop Manager Ezra Reid is put in a difficult situation when two ladies show up on his remote doorstep seeking refuge, one of them being Tori Boyd, the mysterious correspondence partner writing him letters for over a year now. Tori refuses the most proper solution to their circumstance—marriage. But when danger follows, it will take a lot more than luck to ensure Ezra's heart is the sole casualty. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
High as the Heavens
by Kate Breslin -- In German-occupied Brussels, a WWI nurse struggles to keep two life-threatening secrets. She's in league with the British Secret Service, and she's harboring a wounded British pilot. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])
Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands Romance Collection
by Susan Page Davis, Susanne Dietze, Darlene Franklin, Patty Smith Hall, Cynthia Hickey, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Gina Welborn -- Meet seven of Turtle Springs, Kansas', finest women who are determined to revive their small town after the War Between the States took most of its men. . .and didn't return them. The ladies decide to advertise for husbands and devise a plan for weeding out the riff raff. But how can they make the best practical choices when their hearts cry out to be loved? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
The Captain's Daughter
by Jennifer Delamere -- When a series of circumstances beyond her control leave Rosalyn Bernay alone and penniless in London, she chances upon a job backstage at a theater that is presenting the most popular show in London. A talented musician and singer, she feels immediately at home and soon becomes enthralled with the idea of pursuing a career on the stage. A hand injury during a skirmish in India has forced Nate Moran out of the army until he recovers. Filling his time at a stable of horses for hire in London, he has also spent the past two months working nights as a stagehand, filling in for his injured brother. Although he's glad he can help his family through a tough time, he is counting the days until he can rejoin his regiment. London holds bitter memories for him that he is anxious to escape. But then he meets the beautiful woman who has found a new lease on life in the very place Nate can't wait to leave behind. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing)Grounded Hearts by Jeanne M. Dickson -- Set in WWII, an Irish woman must choose between her heart and her freedom when she finds a downed combatant pilot. (Historical Romance from Waterfall Press)
Mail Order Sweetheart by Christine Johnson -- Singer Fiona O'Keefe must make a wealthy match to support her orphaned niece. Musically talented Sawyer Evans is a self-made, but not wealthy, sawmill-manager. Unwilling to live off his father's railroad fortune, can Sawyer prove to Fiona he's the man she needs when she's already determined to mail-order a rich husband? (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Freedom's Price by Christine Johnson -- On a quest to find her mother's family in Louisiana, Englishwoman Catherine Haynes enlists a dashing Key West man seeking revenge for his own family. When an incredible secret comes to light, she and Tom will face a choice. Can they relinquish their dreams to step forward in faith? (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker])
Sutter's Landing by Betty Thomason Owens -- Still reeling from tragic losses, Connie and Annabelle Cross face life with their signature humor and grace, until fresh hope arrives on their doorstep. (Historical Romance from Write Integrity Press)
Romantic Suspense:
Hidden Legacy by Lynn Huggins Blackburn -- When someone threatens the baby she's adopting, Caroline Harrison must rely on Detective Jason Drake, the man who once broke her heart, to figure out why. If Jason wants a chance at a future with with Caroline and her son, he'll first have to help them outrun a hit man. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Weaver's Needle
by Robin Caroll -- Pitted against each other to recover a map to the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine, two recovery specialists follow the trail to Arizona. But someone doesn't want them to find the map. . .or the mine. They must work together despite their mistrust and growing attraction, to save themselves. (Romantic Suspense from Barbour Publishing) Speculative:
The Revisionary by Kristen Hogrefe -- Revisionary or Rogue? To rescue her brother, Portia might have to break every rule in the book she set out to rewrite. (Speculative from Write Integrity Press)
Women's Contemporary:
Redemption's Whisper by Kathleen Friesen -- Desperate to escape her past, a suicidal young woman flies from Toronto to a Saskatoon pastor's home, the only people who may be able to help her. If only someone could love her, in spite of all she's done. On the flight, she meets a young man torn between seeking affirmation in the big city and helping his parents in Saskatoon. Can these two troubled souls gain the peace they need—and in the process, find love? (Women's Contemporary from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])
Young Adult:
All Things Now Living by Rondi Bauer Olson -- Her whole life Amy has been taught the people of New Lithisle deserve to die, but when she falls for Daniel, she determines to save him. (Young Adult from Written World Communications)
_________________________
Boy, did my TBR pile just get taller! What about yours? Which book above are you most interested in reading, if you could only pick one? Answer that in the blog comments below and take part in the rafflecopter and you'll be eligible to win a BOOK POCKET, handmade by one of my favorite people in the world: my mother-in-love!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
June 12, 2017
Facing Fears & Nervous Jitters
Anne here.
Most of you know I'm debuting my first book release on July 1st. It's a bit surreal and odd to "go public" because the other public part of my professional life is working full-time as a Family Nurse Practitioner. In that role I have to work in terms of reality and concrete science, while in this new experience I'll be basically making public the stories grown entirely of my imagination--which is intimidating. While I admit it feels like I'll be putting my heart out there for public opinion, I completely believe that God intended for our nonfictional stories of life to be impacted by truths from all sorts of stories, including fictional ones. Still......it was a wee bit scary last week when hopped in my car to head to my hometown library and bookstore:
But alas, it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be:
So, from there I headed to the local bookstore and I'm so excited I was able to set up my first book signing. This should be fun!
#ConqueringFear
Readers:
What things have you done in your life that made you nervous?
When you've had to seriously buck up your courage and just do it?
-------------Blog post by Anne Love-
Writer of Historical Romance inspired by her family roots.
Nurse Practitioner by day.
Wife, mother, writer by night.
Coffee drinker--any time.
Find me at: www.anneloveauthor.com
Find me on:FacebookFind me on: PinterestFind me on: GoodreadsFind me on: TwitterFind me on: Instagram
Most of you know I'm debuting my first book release on July 1st. It's a bit surreal and odd to "go public" because the other public part of my professional life is working full-time as a Family Nurse Practitioner. In that role I have to work in terms of reality and concrete science, while in this new experience I'll be basically making public the stories grown entirely of my imagination--which is intimidating. While I admit it feels like I'll be putting my heart out there for public opinion, I completely believe that God intended for our nonfictional stories of life to be impacted by truths from all sorts of stories, including fictional ones. Still......it was a wee bit scary last week when hopped in my car to head to my hometown library and bookstore:
But alas, it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be:
So, from there I headed to the local bookstore and I'm so excited I was able to set up my first book signing. This should be fun!
#ConqueringFear
Readers:
What things have you done in your life that made you nervous?
When you've had to seriously buck up your courage and just do it?
-------------Blog post by Anne Love-
Writer of Historical Romance inspired by her family roots.
Nurse Practitioner by day.
Wife, mother, writer by night.
Coffee drinker--any time.
Find me at: www.anneloveauthor.com
Find me on:FacebookFind me on: PinterestFind me on: GoodreadsFind me on: TwitterFind me on: Instagram
June 8, 2017
Updates, Changes, and Celebrations
Gabrielle Here:
This past month has been a whirlwind for many reasons. I've received a couple surprising announcements, signed a couple contracts, and received advanced reader copies of my book releasing in August. I thought I'd share some of the news here on the blog to keep you up to date.
1. Harlequin announced they are closing their Love Inspired Historical (LIH) line, effective June 2018. Erica shared the news on a blog post two weeks ago. This closing affects both of us, because we've been writing for LIH for the past couple of years. While this news is sad and unexpected, I'm thankful I have four books with LIH. Writing the Little Falls Legacy series was a dream come true and I'm grateful I had the opportunity. Two of the four books have yet to be released (I don't even have a cover for the fourth!). One releases in August and the other in December.
2. I've signed two new contracts for Barbour novella collections. One will release in February 2018 and the other will release in May 2018. I'm excited to write these stories (one is already underway!) and share them with my readers next year. I'll share more information in the coming months.
3. My agent, Mary Keeley, announced today that she is leaving Books & Such Literary Agency to spend more time with her family. This was a big surprise to all of us and I will miss working with her. The good news is that Wendy Lawton of Books & Such has offered to represent my writing. Wendy and I had a wonderful phone conversation today and I'm thrilled to work with her.
4. I received copies of my next Love Inspired Historical in the mail this week!
Inherited: Unexpected Family is the second book in the Little Falls Legacy series. It's set in Little Falls, Minnesota in 1858 and centers around an event called the Little Falls War. Here's the backcover copy:
An Unexpected Partnership
After arriving in Minnesota Territory with her sisters to claim their late father's hotel, Elizabeth Bell is shocked to learn her inheritance comes with a handsome co-owner. After too long working for a domineering boss, Elizabeth yearns to be in control—of the hotel and her life. But Jude Allen won't sell his share, and Elizabeth refuses to leave.
Rescuing soiled doves and giving them hotel jobs is Jude's way of redeeming his past. He's counting on rough frontier life driving his new business partner away before she learns the scandalous truth and demands he stop his mission. But he may have underestimated Elizabeth…and the power of love to turn a complication into a bright new beginning.
To celebrate the arrival of the books, I'm giving away a copy of Inherited: Unexpected Family. Please fill in the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win. (US Residents only.)
Your Turn: What news do you have to share? What are your plans for summer?
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Gabrielle Meyer
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June 7, 2017
It's time to Pack!
Erica Here:
A few weeks ago, I remarked to my husband about how much I missed my parents, about how sometimes, life seems like a lot, and a girl just needs to spend a little time with her mama.
That wonderful man said, "Let's get you a ticket to Florida then."
Isn't he amazing? Wonderful? Caring? All-the-best-words-in-the-world-aren't-enough-to-describe-him? Yep, he really is. :)
So this week, I'm heading to Florida to spend some time with my parents, Jim and Esther.
Aren't they the cutest? Here they are on the shores of Lake Superior last September. Married for more than fifty years now, still in love, still hilarious good friends.
One of the things I am looking forward to the most is spending time in my mom's knitting room just talking while we do handwork. She'll be knitting, I'll be cross-stitching, and we'll talk. About life, about kids/grandkids, and about Jesus.
My mama is a wise woman. Probably the wisest woman I have ever met. Spiritually discerning, so smart she's scary, and never afraid to tell me the truth.
I need some of that right now.
Another thing I'm looking forward to is hanging out with my dad in his home office. A self-taught computer genius, woodworker, gardener...he can do anything. And he always has fun things to show me when I visit. He takes me to all his favorite places, and we just spend time together doing things we like.
I'm blessed to have amazing parents, parents that are unfailing in their love for each other and for their children and grandchildren. Parents that are so easy to be with.
This will be a bit of a working holiday for me, as I have some writing things to tidy up, but for the most part, it will be rest and rejuvenation.
How about you? Are you planning a summer vacation? Will it involve visiting family?
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A few weeks ago, I remarked to my husband about how much I missed my parents, about how sometimes, life seems like a lot, and a girl just needs to spend a little time with her mama.
That wonderful man said, "Let's get you a ticket to Florida then."
Isn't he amazing? Wonderful? Caring? All-the-best-words-in-the-world-aren't-enough-to-describe-him? Yep, he really is. :)
So this week, I'm heading to Florida to spend some time with my parents, Jim and Esther.
Aren't they the cutest? Here they are on the shores of Lake Superior last September. Married for more than fifty years now, still in love, still hilarious good friends.
One of the things I am looking forward to the most is spending time in my mom's knitting room just talking while we do handwork. She'll be knitting, I'll be cross-stitching, and we'll talk. About life, about kids/grandkids, and about Jesus.
My mama is a wise woman. Probably the wisest woman I have ever met. Spiritually discerning, so smart she's scary, and never afraid to tell me the truth.
I need some of that right now.
Another thing I'm looking forward to is hanging out with my dad in his home office. A self-taught computer genius, woodworker, gardener...he can do anything. And he always has fun things to show me when I visit. He takes me to all his favorite places, and we just spend time together doing things we like.
I'm blessed to have amazing parents, parents that are unfailing in their love for each other and for their children and grandchildren. Parents that are so easy to be with.
This will be a bit of a working holiday for me, as I have some writing things to tidy up, but for the most part, it will be rest and rejuvenation.
How about you? Are you planning a summer vacation? Will it involve visiting family?
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June 6, 2017
Upcoming Release!
Jaime here! I know, I know. It's been awhile since I actually posted here myself and didn't have a guest. :) My book 2 for Bethany House Publishers (yet untitled), is finished! Minus some read-thru and editing. HUGE thanks to the authors and friends who guested for me, and no worries, there's more to come in the future.Today, I wanted to mention briefly how excited I am for July! YES! July! I'm not wishing away June, by any means, but you're going to want to hang around this blog in July for one primary reason. What you have asked for is coming true! A collaboration of stories from the GIRLS at COFFEE CUPS AND CAMISOLES!
YES! Of Rags & Riches Romance Collection, from Barbour Publishing, is releasing July 1st and is a series of 9 novellas (all individual stand-a-lone stories), four of which, are from Erica, Gabrielle, Anne and myself.
Trust me when I say, not only are we excited, but we are PROUD AS A BASKET OF PEACHES (whatever that means), to launch Anne Love into the hemisphere of published authors as this is her FIRST PUBLISHED WORK!
So, there's a ton more to say about all of this, but I'm not going to steal anyone's thunder. I just wanted to give you all a heads up that in about three weeks, this place is gonna explode with excitement!
DON'T MISS OUT!
________________________________________
Professional coffee drinker & ECPA/Publisher's Weekly best-selling author, Jaime Jo Wright resides in the hills of Wisconsin writing spirited turn-of-the-century romance stained with suspense. Coffee fuels her snarky personality. She lives in Neverland with her Cap’n Hook who stole her heart and will not give it back, their little fairy TinkerBell, and a very mischievous Peter Pan. The foursome embark on scores of adventure that only make her fall more wildly in love with romance and intrigue.Jaime lives in dreamland, exists in reality, and invites you to join her adventures atjaimejowright.com.
Web site: www.jaimejowright.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jaimejowright
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jaimejowright
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/jaimejowright
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/jaimejowright
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/13916081.Jaime_Jo_Wright
June 5, 2017
Mystery Photo: My Small Town
Anne here.
You might be a history nerd if you decide to purchase some old photos from your home town antique store just to see if you can find them on Ancestry.com.
You might be from a small town if said old photos from your town's antique store turn out to be your distant cousin!
This weekend's project was in the garden, finding something from the antique store to let our Clematis climb on. So while my husband was digging out this old picket fence, I was digging through other treasure at our town's remodeled Coppes Kitchen Cabinet factory established in 1870, now Coppes Commons.
If you've ever browsed through antique stores, you know there are all sorts of cast offs from decades past. There's only so much stuff that can get passed down through families before the leftovers end up in an estate sale. Some of those cast offs unfortunately end up being family photos. Often it's because none of them are identified on the back.
One of my treasured finds while researching family history is the discovery of an old family photo. So when I found a basket of old pics with a few names on them, all inscribed "To: Maggie" I decided to buy them for a dollar and have some fun. Among the stack, was one photo marked "Miller's Studio, Nappanee, Indiana" so I had a hunch the whole stack was from a local estate.
Once home, I couldn't wait to see if I could find these old folks on Ancestry.com. I found out that this lovely girl is Gladys Hepler:
And it turns out she grew into an accomplished young lady who became the editor-in-chief and Valedictorian of her class at Nappanee High School. And a quick internet search finds her two years later working as Coppes in the offices. I was able to post an email through Ancestry to a few family members who might be interested in getting these originals back. It would be fun to mail them!
But the best find is this photo of Grace Evans (right) who turns out to be my great grandfather Earl Reed's (left) 3rd cousin!
I found that she married Clayton A. Reed, whose death certificate states he was a foster child--so she didn't marry her cousin! Phew. But another interesting tidbit found on Find-A-Grave states that Grace was Clayton's second wife, the first being an "arranged marriage" to the niece of prominent Coppes Kitchens owners, but apparently that didn't work out (that tidbit was not verified, but was researched by another researcher). In another photo, she's pictured (upper left) with friends: Myrtle Eby (lower left) and Pearl & Grace Alexander (right).
Another quick search and I found that Grace & Pearl Alexander are sisters who never married, and Myrtle Eby married Norman Stump who is first cousins with Gladys Hepler. All of the photos from the basket are addressed to "Maggie" who I believe is a grandmother, or friend. The 1920 Census finds Myrtle working as a "stenciler" at a factory, which I suspect is Coppes factory.
It looks like Coppes Kitchens served not only as a major industry in Nappanee at the turn of the century, but a social hub that may have been the central connection for these girls. Don't they sport a great quintessential Gibson Girl look?! Ah, life in my small town....
Oh, and the garden project we started out with? That white picket fence worked out pretty cool! I always joked with my husband that we'd have a white picket fence someday....
Readers:Please mark the backs of your family photos!Have you ever discovered old family treasures like that?-------------Blog post by Anne Love-
Writer of Historical Romance inspired by her family roots.
Nurse Practitioner by day.
Wife, mother, writer by night.
Coffee drinker--any time.
Find me at: www.anneloveauthor.com
Find me on:FacebookFind me on: PinterestFind me on: GoodreadsFind me on: TwitterFind me on: Instagram
You might be a history nerd if you decide to purchase some old photos from your home town antique store just to see if you can find them on Ancestry.com.
You might be from a small town if said old photos from your town's antique store turn out to be your distant cousin!
This weekend's project was in the garden, finding something from the antique store to let our Clematis climb on. So while my husband was digging out this old picket fence, I was digging through other treasure at our town's remodeled Coppes Kitchen Cabinet factory established in 1870, now Coppes Commons.
If you've ever browsed through antique stores, you know there are all sorts of cast offs from decades past. There's only so much stuff that can get passed down through families before the leftovers end up in an estate sale. Some of those cast offs unfortunately end up being family photos. Often it's because none of them are identified on the back.
One of my treasured finds while researching family history is the discovery of an old family photo. So when I found a basket of old pics with a few names on them, all inscribed "To: Maggie" I decided to buy them for a dollar and have some fun. Among the stack, was one photo marked "Miller's Studio, Nappanee, Indiana" so I had a hunch the whole stack was from a local estate.
Once home, I couldn't wait to see if I could find these old folks on Ancestry.com. I found out that this lovely girl is Gladys Hepler:
And it turns out she grew into an accomplished young lady who became the editor-in-chief and Valedictorian of her class at Nappanee High School. And a quick internet search finds her two years later working as Coppes in the offices. I was able to post an email through Ancestry to a few family members who might be interested in getting these originals back. It would be fun to mail them!
But the best find is this photo of Grace Evans (right) who turns out to be my great grandfather Earl Reed's (left) 3rd cousin!
I found that she married Clayton A. Reed, whose death certificate states he was a foster child--so she didn't marry her cousin! Phew. But another interesting tidbit found on Find-A-Grave states that Grace was Clayton's second wife, the first being an "arranged marriage" to the niece of prominent Coppes Kitchens owners, but apparently that didn't work out (that tidbit was not verified, but was researched by another researcher). In another photo, she's pictured (upper left) with friends: Myrtle Eby (lower left) and Pearl & Grace Alexander (right).
Another quick search and I found that Grace & Pearl Alexander are sisters who never married, and Myrtle Eby married Norman Stump who is first cousins with Gladys Hepler. All of the photos from the basket are addressed to "Maggie" who I believe is a grandmother, or friend. The 1920 Census finds Myrtle working as a "stenciler" at a factory, which I suspect is Coppes factory.
It looks like Coppes Kitchens served not only as a major industry in Nappanee at the turn of the century, but a social hub that may have been the central connection for these girls. Don't they sport a great quintessential Gibson Girl look?! Ah, life in my small town....
Oh, and the garden project we started out with? That white picket fence worked out pretty cool! I always joked with my husband that we'd have a white picket fence someday....
Readers:Please mark the backs of your family photos!Have you ever discovered old family treasures like that?-------------Blog post by Anne Love-
Writer of Historical Romance inspired by her family roots.
Nurse Practitioner by day.
Wife, mother, writer by night.
Coffee drinker--any time.
Find me at: www.anneloveauthor.com
Find me on:FacebookFind me on: PinterestFind me on: GoodreadsFind me on: TwitterFind me on: Instagram
June 2, 2017
Interview and #Giveaway with Karen Witemeyer
Can ya'll just stand up and scream with me? Serious fan-girling going on over here. We have the illustrious KAREN WITEMEYER here on the blog today, AND she's giving away a copy of her latest release!
Join me in welcoming Karen!
__________________________________________
Thank you so much for visiting us today here at the CCC blog! Can you tell us about your latest release and what inspired you to write the story?
The inspiration for Heart on the Line came way back in 2011 when I was doing research on telegraph communication for another book. I stumbled upon a novel written in 1879 by female telegraph operator Ella Cheever called Wired Love.
Apparently many operators were women in the late 19th century, and they were often identified as such by the delicacy of their “sounding” on the wires. The hero in Miss Thayer’s novel, Clem Stanwood, knows right away that the operator at the “B m” station is female.
Nattie Rogers is intrigued by the mysterious “C” at the “X n” station and seeks out conversations that soon turn flirtatious. These two telegraph operators fall in love over the wire without ever laying eyes on one another.
There is one scene about halfway through the book that served as my inspiration for Heart on the Line. A case of mistaken identity had scared Nattie off, but Mr. Stanwood arranges a visit to her boarding house, and while sitting amongst others in the parlor, he begins tapping out code with his pencil against a marble table top. Nattie recognizes her call name, takes up a pair of scissors, and drums out her answer. They carry on an entire conversation this way with no one else in the parlor suspecting their actions were anything more than idle tapping. Until, that is, Mr. Stanwood reveals himself to be the real “C”.
Nattie jumps to her feet and exclaims aloud, “What do you mean? It cannot be possible!”Hysterical!
Of course, everyone else in the room thinks she’s lost her mind except the hero who crosses the room to take her hand. Awww…
In Heart on the Line, I had a great deal of fun creating situations where my two telegraph operators communicated through coded tapping without anyone else being able to understand the significance of their private conversations. It just goes to show that you never know when a random research trail will lead to the perfect plot for a new book.
What is the primary spiritual theme of your book, and if that’s not applicable, what do you hope readers take away from reading your novel?
The theme verse for this novel is 1 Samuel 16:7 – For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. I've been a romance reader since my teen years, and I love swoon-worthy, alpha-male heroes. Yet I think the romance genre as a whole skews the ideal man a little too much in that direction. I have an 18-year old daughter away at college, and when I think of what I want her to look for in a potential mate, good looks and swagger doesn't make the top of the list. It's so much more important to look for deeper character traits like godliness, kindness, a sense of humor, and steadfast dedication even when times get tough. So in this story, I turn the usual romance ingredients on their heads. The hero prefers bicycles to horses, wears spectacles, and is a 19th century technology nerd (hmmm…rather like my husband, come to think of it). He doesn't match the fantasy my heroine has built up in her mind about the man on the other end of the telegraph wire, but she soon learns that looks can be deceiving, and a mad of godly character is one to be treasured.
How did you determine what names to give your characters?
Naming characters is one of my favorite things to do at the beginning of a book, though it is always difficult. To find a name that is historical yet also conveys the personality and arc of the character is a definite challenge. I love using biblical names, and in this story, both of my main characters have names from the Bible. Amos Bledsoe is my hero, a man often overlooked by the ladies of his acquaintance because he doesn't fit the mold of the typical western hero. It seemed appropriate to name him after a minor prophet and biblical book often overlooked as inconsequential when it truth it carries great significance. Grace Mallory is a shy woman who despises the spotlight. She's been hiding for nearly a year from the man who killed her father, using the women's colony of Harper's Station as a sanctuary from danger. Yet when danger finds her, the community extends grace to her by insisting she stay and let them help her defeat her enemy instead of sending her away to protect themselves. It is a picture of how the community of God rallies around each other to overcome our common enemy.
What hobby do you enjoy in your “free” time (‘cause we know you have tons of free time!)
Free time? What's that? (Grin) One of my favorite activities is cross-stitching. I enjoy doing counted cross-stitch in the evenings while I watch a show or two on television with my husband. I've been stitching since high school and have many pieces on display around my house. I taught my daughter, and while she doesn't do large projects like I do, she still enjoys stitching small projects for gifts. I'm working on a set of medieval maidens right now that will be a gift to my daughter whenever I get them done (hopefully before another year goes by). One maiden is reading a book and the other is playing a flute. Both she and I played flute and are avid readers, so it just seemed like the perfect set of patterns. I've nearly finished the musician. It still needs backstitching and beads for the finishing touches. Then on to the reader.
Because Jaime has some darker elements to her split-time historical and contemporary romantic suspense coming out this year, she likes to ask weird questions. So, if you were to find yourself stranded in a creepy old house at night, who would you want with you to keep you company?
Definitely my husband. He's not a navy seal or anything, but when I'm afraid, no one can comfort me like he can. Besides he has a very sensible head on his shoulders, and I have every confidence that working together, we could overcome any creepy elements that house threw at us.
Anne, Erica, and Gabrielle both write sweet historical romances. How does romance influence your own writing?
I am as sappy as they come. I've been a romance addict for my entire adult life. Well, even from childhood, I suppose. All those wonderful Disney fairy tales. Can't forget those! In my own writing, there is always romance. I insist on happy endings and love the thrill of two people discovering the blessing of true love in their lives. One of my favorite romantic verses in the Bible is Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor; If either of them falls down, one can help the other up… Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. This is my pattern for writing romance. Two people bound by love are stronger than either one alone. They help each other overcome whatever obstacles are in their path. And most important, that cord of three strands. God must be at the core with the two lovers woven around Him. No one can put that relationship asunder.
And for some extra fun . . .
If you could pick one superhero to save you from impending doom, who would it be and why?
Captain America – He's just such a good guy. My favorite line from him: "There's only one God, ma'am, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't dress like that." Love it!
Name one significant heirloom or keepsake you have and why it’s important to you:
After my grandmother passed away, my cousin offer to set aside some things of hers if I would like some keepsakes. I immediately asked for her antique washstand. With my love of historical things, it just seemed the perfect piece to remember her by. I have an ewer and basin, shaving mug complete with brush and soap cake, as well as a few other items. It's one of my favorite pieces of furniture in my house.
We’d love you have you share a snippet from your novel to entice us and hook us! J Please share something below:
It was him. Mr. A. She'd recognize his quick touch at the key anywhere. So crisp and precise. A metronome couldn't create spaces any more rhythmic. She'd long admired his deft hand at the key. Setting her tea on the table, Grace slid into her office chair, a giddy tickle in her stomach despite her best efforts to maintain a sense of detachment.
Yes, Station Dn. I'm here.
Excellent! I worried I had waited too long to call. Dinner at my sister's took longer than expected.
I hope you didn't rush away on my account, Grace tapped.
I was eager to escape. Believe me.
What dastardly plague did they set upon you? Grace grinned to herself as she tapped out the words. Mr. A always seemed to have a humorous story to tell about his family, his life so wonderfully normal that whenever she listened to him, she managed to forget all about danger and unseen foes. For a few blessed minutes, she was simply a girl talking to a young man, no worries in sight.
I dare not tell you, for fear of spreading the contagion. It seems to strike the women around me with alarming regularity.
Intrigued, Grace leaned forward. Surely the distance between us will serve as adequate protection.
My mother and sister have both been afflicted for some time, I'm sorry to say, but tonight their symptoms worsened.
That sounds dire, indeed. Did you call a physician?
No point. There is only one cure to their ailment. And apparently I am the one who must distribute the healing dose.
Then you should do so at once, Grace replied, grinning as she reached for her tea. Mr. A never failed to entertain.
I would, of course, he said, but I find the key ingredient in the required elixir to be frustratingly elusive.
Can you not simply visit a druggist?
I'm afraid not. You see, the item I must find in order to cure this plague of interference is . . . a wife.
The tea Grace had just sipped spewed from her mouth to splatter over the table in front of her. Coughs spasmed in her throat.
A wife?
A strange fluttery sensation danced through her belly. So, he wasn't married. Why did that particular piece of knowledge please her so well? Her hand trembled as she reached for the key. She had to make some kind of response to that. But what exactly should she say?
I'm sure they only have your best interests at heart.
They do. But a twenty-eight year-old man doesn't really want his personal life dictated by his female relations.
Twenty-eight. A man in his prime. A man who was suddenly sharing more personal details with her than he ever had before.
Grace dabbed at the spilled tea with a handkerchief fetched from her skirt pocket, her mind spinning. Was he fishing for details in return? She wanted to reciprocate. It was what a friend would do. Yet she couldn't afford to say too much.
I can't claim as many years of experience dealing with meddling relations as you can, but a couple friends of mine have recently decided that marriage is not without its advantages. Thankfully, they have as yet avoided seeing me as a matchmaking prospect.
Grace yanked her hand from the telegraph key and made a fist, her heart pumping in a wild rhythm. Details cloaked in vagueness. Would he understand what she'd just revealed? The wire remained silent for an eternally long moment.
Count your blessings, he finally sent, his usually metronome-like precision stuttering slightly. Perhaps we could meet sometime to commiserate. I would—
Clear the line, a brash staccato tapping interrupted. I need to break in. This is an emergency.
Grace nearly jumped from her chair at the pounding intrusion. It exploded across the wire like cannon fire in a still forest.
Proceed, came the answer from Mr. A. Immediate. Meticulous. All hint of personal vulnerability gone.
Grace replied in kind, though she feared her touch on the key had yet to reassert its professional tone.
Hs. Dv station has a message to relay. Are you on the wire?
A message from the Denver station? Grace shivered even as she lurched forward to answer. Yes. This is Hs station. G on the wire. Go ahead.
Message relayed from R as follows: He knows where you are. Coming for you. Sorry.
Everything in Grace stilled. Numbness spread from her mind to her limbs and finally to her heart. Her day of reckoning had arrived. Chaucer Haversham had found her.
__________________________________________
WOW! I'm hooked! Are you??? :) Buy it here and don't forget to enter to win!!Website: http://karenwitemeyer.com/
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Join me in welcoming Karen!
__________________________________________
Thank you so much for visiting us today here at the CCC blog! Can you tell us about your latest release and what inspired you to write the story?
The inspiration for Heart on the Line came way back in 2011 when I was doing research on telegraph communication for another book. I stumbled upon a novel written in 1879 by female telegraph operator Ella Cheever called Wired Love.
Apparently many operators were women in the late 19th century, and they were often identified as such by the delicacy of their “sounding” on the wires. The hero in Miss Thayer’s novel, Clem Stanwood, knows right away that the operator at the “B m” station is female.
Nattie Rogers is intrigued by the mysterious “C” at the “X n” station and seeks out conversations that soon turn flirtatious. These two telegraph operators fall in love over the wire without ever laying eyes on one another.
There is one scene about halfway through the book that served as my inspiration for Heart on the Line. A case of mistaken identity had scared Nattie off, but Mr. Stanwood arranges a visit to her boarding house, and while sitting amongst others in the parlor, he begins tapping out code with his pencil against a marble table top. Nattie recognizes her call name, takes up a pair of scissors, and drums out her answer. They carry on an entire conversation this way with no one else in the parlor suspecting their actions were anything more than idle tapping. Until, that is, Mr. Stanwood reveals himself to be the real “C”.
Nattie jumps to her feet and exclaims aloud, “What do you mean? It cannot be possible!”Hysterical!
Of course, everyone else in the room thinks she’s lost her mind except the hero who crosses the room to take her hand. Awww…
In Heart on the Line, I had a great deal of fun creating situations where my two telegraph operators communicated through coded tapping without anyone else being able to understand the significance of their private conversations. It just goes to show that you never know when a random research trail will lead to the perfect plot for a new book.
What is the primary spiritual theme of your book, and if that’s not applicable, what do you hope readers take away from reading your novel?
The theme verse for this novel is 1 Samuel 16:7 – For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. I've been a romance reader since my teen years, and I love swoon-worthy, alpha-male heroes. Yet I think the romance genre as a whole skews the ideal man a little too much in that direction. I have an 18-year old daughter away at college, and when I think of what I want her to look for in a potential mate, good looks and swagger doesn't make the top of the list. It's so much more important to look for deeper character traits like godliness, kindness, a sense of humor, and steadfast dedication even when times get tough. So in this story, I turn the usual romance ingredients on their heads. The hero prefers bicycles to horses, wears spectacles, and is a 19th century technology nerd (hmmm…rather like my husband, come to think of it). He doesn't match the fantasy my heroine has built up in her mind about the man on the other end of the telegraph wire, but she soon learns that looks can be deceiving, and a mad of godly character is one to be treasured.
How did you determine what names to give your characters?
Naming characters is one of my favorite things to do at the beginning of a book, though it is always difficult. To find a name that is historical yet also conveys the personality and arc of the character is a definite challenge. I love using biblical names, and in this story, both of my main characters have names from the Bible. Amos Bledsoe is my hero, a man often overlooked by the ladies of his acquaintance because he doesn't fit the mold of the typical western hero. It seemed appropriate to name him after a minor prophet and biblical book often overlooked as inconsequential when it truth it carries great significance. Grace Mallory is a shy woman who despises the spotlight. She's been hiding for nearly a year from the man who killed her father, using the women's colony of Harper's Station as a sanctuary from danger. Yet when danger finds her, the community extends grace to her by insisting she stay and let them help her defeat her enemy instead of sending her away to protect themselves. It is a picture of how the community of God rallies around each other to overcome our common enemy.What hobby do you enjoy in your “free” time (‘cause we know you have tons of free time!)
Free time? What's that? (Grin) One of my favorite activities is cross-stitching. I enjoy doing counted cross-stitch in the evenings while I watch a show or two on television with my husband. I've been stitching since high school and have many pieces on display around my house. I taught my daughter, and while she doesn't do large projects like I do, she still enjoys stitching small projects for gifts. I'm working on a set of medieval maidens right now that will be a gift to my daughter whenever I get them done (hopefully before another year goes by). One maiden is reading a book and the other is playing a flute. Both she and I played flute and are avid readers, so it just seemed like the perfect set of patterns. I've nearly finished the musician. It still needs backstitching and beads for the finishing touches. Then on to the reader. Because Jaime has some darker elements to her split-time historical and contemporary romantic suspense coming out this year, she likes to ask weird questions. So, if you were to find yourself stranded in a creepy old house at night, who would you want with you to keep you company?
Definitely my husband. He's not a navy seal or anything, but when I'm afraid, no one can comfort me like he can. Besides he has a very sensible head on his shoulders, and I have every confidence that working together, we could overcome any creepy elements that house threw at us.
Anne, Erica, and Gabrielle both write sweet historical romances. How does romance influence your own writing?
I am as sappy as they come. I've been a romance addict for my entire adult life. Well, even from childhood, I suppose. All those wonderful Disney fairy tales. Can't forget those! In my own writing, there is always romance. I insist on happy endings and love the thrill of two people discovering the blessing of true love in their lives. One of my favorite romantic verses in the Bible is Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor; If either of them falls down, one can help the other up… Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. This is my pattern for writing romance. Two people bound by love are stronger than either one alone. They help each other overcome whatever obstacles are in their path. And most important, that cord of three strands. God must be at the core with the two lovers woven around Him. No one can put that relationship asunder.
And for some extra fun . . .
If you could pick one superhero to save you from impending doom, who would it be and why?
Captain America – He's just such a good guy. My favorite line from him: "There's only one God, ma'am, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't dress like that." Love it!
Name one significant heirloom or keepsake you have and why it’s important to you:
After my grandmother passed away, my cousin offer to set aside some things of hers if I would like some keepsakes. I immediately asked for her antique washstand. With my love of historical things, it just seemed the perfect piece to remember her by. I have an ewer and basin, shaving mug complete with brush and soap cake, as well as a few other items. It's one of my favorite pieces of furniture in my house.We’d love you have you share a snippet from your novel to entice us and hook us! J Please share something below:
It was him. Mr. A. She'd recognize his quick touch at the key anywhere. So crisp and precise. A metronome couldn't create spaces any more rhythmic. She'd long admired his deft hand at the key. Setting her tea on the table, Grace slid into her office chair, a giddy tickle in her stomach despite her best efforts to maintain a sense of detachment.
Yes, Station Dn. I'm here.
Excellent! I worried I had waited too long to call. Dinner at my sister's took longer than expected.
I hope you didn't rush away on my account, Grace tapped.
I was eager to escape. Believe me.
What dastardly plague did they set upon you? Grace grinned to herself as she tapped out the words. Mr. A always seemed to have a humorous story to tell about his family, his life so wonderfully normal that whenever she listened to him, she managed to forget all about danger and unseen foes. For a few blessed minutes, she was simply a girl talking to a young man, no worries in sight.
I dare not tell you, for fear of spreading the contagion. It seems to strike the women around me with alarming regularity.
Intrigued, Grace leaned forward. Surely the distance between us will serve as adequate protection.
My mother and sister have both been afflicted for some time, I'm sorry to say, but tonight their symptoms worsened.
That sounds dire, indeed. Did you call a physician?
No point. There is only one cure to their ailment. And apparently I am the one who must distribute the healing dose.
Then you should do so at once, Grace replied, grinning as she reached for her tea. Mr. A never failed to entertain.
I would, of course, he said, but I find the key ingredient in the required elixir to be frustratingly elusive.
Can you not simply visit a druggist?
I'm afraid not. You see, the item I must find in order to cure this plague of interference is . . . a wife.
The tea Grace had just sipped spewed from her mouth to splatter over the table in front of her. Coughs spasmed in her throat.
A wife?
A strange fluttery sensation danced through her belly. So, he wasn't married. Why did that particular piece of knowledge please her so well? Her hand trembled as she reached for the key. She had to make some kind of response to that. But what exactly should she say?
I'm sure they only have your best interests at heart.
They do. But a twenty-eight year-old man doesn't really want his personal life dictated by his female relations.
Twenty-eight. A man in his prime. A man who was suddenly sharing more personal details with her than he ever had before.
Grace dabbed at the spilled tea with a handkerchief fetched from her skirt pocket, her mind spinning. Was he fishing for details in return? She wanted to reciprocate. It was what a friend would do. Yet she couldn't afford to say too much.
I can't claim as many years of experience dealing with meddling relations as you can, but a couple friends of mine have recently decided that marriage is not without its advantages. Thankfully, they have as yet avoided seeing me as a matchmaking prospect.
Grace yanked her hand from the telegraph key and made a fist, her heart pumping in a wild rhythm. Details cloaked in vagueness. Would he understand what she'd just revealed? The wire remained silent for an eternally long moment.
Count your blessings, he finally sent, his usually metronome-like precision stuttering slightly. Perhaps we could meet sometime to commiserate. I would—
Clear the line, a brash staccato tapping interrupted. I need to break in. This is an emergency.
Grace nearly jumped from her chair at the pounding intrusion. It exploded across the wire like cannon fire in a still forest.
Proceed, came the answer from Mr. A. Immediate. Meticulous. All hint of personal vulnerability gone.
Grace replied in kind, though she feared her touch on the key had yet to reassert its professional tone.
Hs. Dv station has a message to relay. Are you on the wire?
A message from the Denver station? Grace shivered even as she lurched forward to answer. Yes. This is Hs station. G on the wire. Go ahead.
Message relayed from R as follows: He knows where you are. Coming for you. Sorry.
Everything in Grace stilled. Numbness spread from her mind to her limbs and finally to her heart. Her day of reckoning had arrived. Chaucer Haversham had found her.
__________________________________________
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May 31, 2017
The Betty Crocker Proving Grounds
Erica Here:
I'll be the first to admit it: I am not much of a cook. Cooking isn't something I enjoy, and for me, the quicker the meal prep, the better. My dad used to say, when I cooked at home, that the kitchen was my Betty Crocker Proving Ground. :)
And I'm a messy cook. I use every bowl, pan, plate, and spoon I own when I get into the kitchen.
Yesterday, I was prepping some food to take to a friend who had recently suffered a bereavement and had lots of family in town, so my kitchen looked like culinary Chernobyl.
I made a pasta bake, a dish so easy it barely needs a recipe...my favorite kind! So, here's my recipe for Easy Pasta Bake:
1 lb Italian Sausage
1 box Pasta Noodles (I use Rotini)
1 jar Pasta Sauce
1 pkg. Kraft Shredded Italian Blend Cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan and Romano Cheese
Brown and drain the sausage. Boil the noodles as per the box instructions for al dente pasta and drain. In a big bowl, mix the sausage, noodles, pasta sauce, half the shredded cheese, and half the grated cheese. Dump into a baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheeses over the top. Spray a piece of aluminum foil with non-stick spray and cover the dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, uncover and bake 10 additional minutes or until the cheese on top begins to brown slightly.
So, are you a messy cook or a neat cook? Do you like cooking?
SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER
Find me on AMAZON.COM
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I'll be the first to admit it: I am not much of a cook. Cooking isn't something I enjoy, and for me, the quicker the meal prep, the better. My dad used to say, when I cooked at home, that the kitchen was my Betty Crocker Proving Ground. :)
And I'm a messy cook. I use every bowl, pan, plate, and spoon I own when I get into the kitchen.
Yesterday, I was prepping some food to take to a friend who had recently suffered a bereavement and had lots of family in town, so my kitchen looked like culinary Chernobyl.
I made a pasta bake, a dish so easy it barely needs a recipe...my favorite kind! So, here's my recipe for Easy Pasta Bake:
1 lb Italian Sausage
1 box Pasta Noodles (I use Rotini)
1 jar Pasta Sauce
1 pkg. Kraft Shredded Italian Blend Cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan and Romano Cheese
Brown and drain the sausage. Boil the noodles as per the box instructions for al dente pasta and drain. In a big bowl, mix the sausage, noodles, pasta sauce, half the shredded cheese, and half the grated cheese. Dump into a baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheeses over the top. Spray a piece of aluminum foil with non-stick spray and cover the dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, uncover and bake 10 additional minutes or until the cheese on top begins to brown slightly.
So, are you a messy cook or a neat cook? Do you like cooking?
SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER
Find me on AMAZON.COM
Find me on FACEBOOK
