Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 160
November 11, 2016
#Interview and #Giveaway with Lenora Worth
Today we're excited to welcome Author Lenora Worth to the blog to talk about her new release, Sleigh Bells Ring.
~ ~ ~ ~
Thank you so much for visiting us today here at the CCC blog, Lenora! Can you tell us about your latest release and what inspired you to write the story?
Sleigh Bells Ring came about when my friend Sandie Bricker asked me if I’d be interested in being part of a novella book featuring four sisters in Kentucky. I said yes immediately. In the meantime, Barbara Scott who was already involved with the project, had a chance meeting with Sue Brower who’d just joined up with Gilead Publishing. Sue asked to see the proposal. The rest is very exciting. They wanted the anthology and they wanted it soon. So Sandie Bricker, Barbara Scott, Lynette Sowell and I were soon e-mailing back and forth, working on the plots and brainstorming to make the stories concrete.
Sleigh Bells Ring is about the four Tucker sisters who’ve been estranged from their Marine Corp father. When Tuck dies, he leaves a rundown horse farm to his four grown daughters and soon they are all back home for one last Christmas before they either sell out or stay and fight to keep the home they love. I have the last story—Please Come Home for Christmas. Amy Tucker is the last hold-out but when she meets the man who wants to buy them out, he wins more than he bargained for. He wins Amy heart.
Sounds like a fun collection! Of all your characters in this story, which one did you enjoy writing the most and why?
I loved Amy and her son, Timothy but I have to admit that Dan Wentworth was my favorite character. Dan the Developer, as we like to call him, is a true Kentucky gentleman who works hard and loves to create communities out of land parcels. He’s sweet but down to earth and he falls for Amy and Timothy almost immediately.
Can you tell us about a scene that you wrote and eventually deleted? It’s always fun to know of the little details that didn’t make the cut. :)
I deleted a lot of scenes but at the end of the book, where Dan and Amy grow closer after he shows her a special surprise, I did have to delete a kiss or two. (Too many kisses, my editors warned.) I had rushed things a bit but I wanted these two to find each other. They get it all worked out and they have their HEA!
I didn't know there could be too many kisses. :) How did you decide on the setting/location for this novel?
Sandie and Barbara picked the location but I love Bluegrass Country so I did my research and tried to keep things authentic. I created a café where most of the characters go to eat good Kentucky cooking and found a great old mansion to set Dan’s company offices. I love the elegance and stateliness of horseracing country.
It sounds like a beautiful setting. What made you pick these specific names of your main two characters?
Amy came already named and Dan just seemed like a Wentworth to me. I love to research names and get a feel for them to match my characters’ personalities. Dan the Developer is a true Wentworth. He comes from a wealthy family but he’s down to earth and in spite of his career and a passion for creating beautiful estates, he appreciates perserving the land, too.
It sounds like a great Christmas read. Moving on from your story, tell us a little about yourself. We’ll help! What’s your least favorite household chore and why?
Well, I’m not very good at housework, period. I don’t like loading the dishwasher, so my husband usually does that.
I'm not good at housework, either! What are your hobbies outside of writing?
I love to cook. I enjoy walking on the beach and reading a good book. I love to shoe shop and I enjoy getting together with friends.
The holidays are upon us, and full of events. What is a special holiday tradition you celebrate with your family?
We don’t have a lot of set traditions since my two grown children are both living in other cities now but I always try to make gumbo on Christmas Eve and I love baking cookies and all sorts of Christmas treats. My husband and I have a new tradition where we don’t buy big gifts for each other. Instead, we wait until the day after Christmas and catch things we want on sale. I buy a lot. He buys a little. But it works for us. We are blessed!
After Christmas sales are the best. We talk a lot about faith and how it weaves throughout our fiction, here at the blog. How has your faith affected/or not affected your writing?
My faith is a big part of my writing whether I’m using a faith tone or a more secular tone in my work. I try to show faith, not tell people how to have faith. If my characters organically live their faith and work through their issues with God in the details, my readers will get the message. I receive letters from readers who’ve turned back to their faith or forgiven someone because of my stories. That is what it’s all about to me!
I love seeing how God uses stories to change lives. Tell us a little about a day in the life of you? Wake up time? Lounging in your jammies all day, drinking coffee, living the luxurious life of a writer ;)
My schedule has changed since my children are grown now and my husband is retired. Now I do sip my coffee and watch the morning news with my husband. Then I check e-mail and other social media. We try to walk or ride our bikes if the weather is nice. So I usually get into my office by ten or eleven and I work till around five or five-thirty. I take a quick lunch and I always have a coffee break in the afternoon and go in search of chocolate. :) The luxury is in knowing my office is about five steps from my kitchen!
We have a bit of a war going on here at the CCC blog. Anne and Jaime LOVE coffee and Erica and Gabriella enjoy a joyful cup of tea. What is your preference? Help us break this tie…
Oh, dear. I love both. I love coffee in the morning and I like a good cup of hot herbal tea at night when I finally collapse in my comfy chair and watch some television with my husband. Tea also seems to soothe me if I’m having a bad day. So—coffee for energy and tea for relaxing! I hope this helps in your … er … war!
Unfortunately, it does not. :) And a few fun and quirky questions always reveal of lot from our authors who visit. So, first, if you were to take a boat down the Amazon river, what would you be most interested in seeing?
No snakes or spiders! I’d love to see a big jungle cat. I love lions and tigers but of course, I don’t want one in the boat with me. :)
I don't know who would! :) If you had a choice of living in any era other than the present, what would you choose and why?
That’s tough. I think maybe the turn of the century from the 1800s to the 1900s. That was a time of rapid change in this country and the world. The Industrial Age has always fascinated me. I’d be a bit steampunk, I think!
My favorite time period, too. We’d love you have you share a snippet from your novel to entice us and hook us! :) Please share something below:
Okay, but first, I’d like to remind readers that the three stories ahead of mine are amazing. So I’m giving a shout-out to my companion writers Sandie Bricker, Lynette Sowell and Barbara Scott. Please read the book from start to finish. The stories are interwoven in a lovely way!
This is a scene from the end of the first chapter. My heroine Amy Tucker is struggling with whether or not she should return to the home her estranged father left to her three sisters and Amy:
Forgiveness.
She’d turn to the Scriptures. Mama had always done that, even on her darkest days.
But all of her mother’s fervent prayers hadn’t saved her own marriage.
When Amy was twenty-five, Marlena Tucker had been killed on the interstate by a drunk driver. She’d left her four daughters to struggle with the horse farm while their unyielding father was off serving his country in a war zone.
Amy didn’t want to return to the place where she had so many bad memories.
No way. She did not plan to go through that kind of pain ever again.
So she rested a hand on the unopened Bible and closed her eyes. “I need help, Lord. I need to find a way to get over all of this and let go of the past . . . and the farm.”
Then she hurried out the door to her second job.
~ ~ ~ ~Thank you for visiting us today, Lenora!
Be sure to visit Lenora on her website, Facebook and Goodreads. You can find Sleigh Bells Ring here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
~ ~ ~ ~
Thank you so much for visiting us today here at the CCC blog, Lenora! Can you tell us about your latest release and what inspired you to write the story?
Sleigh Bells Ring came about when my friend Sandie Bricker asked me if I’d be interested in being part of a novella book featuring four sisters in Kentucky. I said yes immediately. In the meantime, Barbara Scott who was already involved with the project, had a chance meeting with Sue Brower who’d just joined up with Gilead Publishing. Sue asked to see the proposal. The rest is very exciting. They wanted the anthology and they wanted it soon. So Sandie Bricker, Barbara Scott, Lynette Sowell and I were soon e-mailing back and forth, working on the plots and brainstorming to make the stories concrete.
Sleigh Bells Ring is about the four Tucker sisters who’ve been estranged from their Marine Corp father. When Tuck dies, he leaves a rundown horse farm to his four grown daughters and soon they are all back home for one last Christmas before they either sell out or stay and fight to keep the home they love. I have the last story—Please Come Home for Christmas. Amy Tucker is the last hold-out but when she meets the man who wants to buy them out, he wins more than he bargained for. He wins Amy heart.
Sounds like a fun collection! Of all your characters in this story, which one did you enjoy writing the most and why?
I loved Amy and her son, Timothy but I have to admit that Dan Wentworth was my favorite character. Dan the Developer, as we like to call him, is a true Kentucky gentleman who works hard and loves to create communities out of land parcels. He’s sweet but down to earth and he falls for Amy and Timothy almost immediately.
Can you tell us about a scene that you wrote and eventually deleted? It’s always fun to know of the little details that didn’t make the cut. :)
I deleted a lot of scenes but at the end of the book, where Dan and Amy grow closer after he shows her a special surprise, I did have to delete a kiss or two. (Too many kisses, my editors warned.) I had rushed things a bit but I wanted these two to find each other. They get it all worked out and they have their HEA!
I didn't know there could be too many kisses. :) How did you decide on the setting/location for this novel?
Sandie and Barbara picked the location but I love Bluegrass Country so I did my research and tried to keep things authentic. I created a café where most of the characters go to eat good Kentucky cooking and found a great old mansion to set Dan’s company offices. I love the elegance and stateliness of horseracing country.
It sounds like a beautiful setting. What made you pick these specific names of your main two characters?
Amy came already named and Dan just seemed like a Wentworth to me. I love to research names and get a feel for them to match my characters’ personalities. Dan the Developer is a true Wentworth. He comes from a wealthy family but he’s down to earth and in spite of his career and a passion for creating beautiful estates, he appreciates perserving the land, too.
It sounds like a great Christmas read. Moving on from your story, tell us a little about yourself. We’ll help! What’s your least favorite household chore and why?
Well, I’m not very good at housework, period. I don’t like loading the dishwasher, so my husband usually does that.I'm not good at housework, either! What are your hobbies outside of writing?
I love to cook. I enjoy walking on the beach and reading a good book. I love to shoe shop and I enjoy getting together with friends.
The holidays are upon us, and full of events. What is a special holiday tradition you celebrate with your family?
We don’t have a lot of set traditions since my two grown children are both living in other cities now but I always try to make gumbo on Christmas Eve and I love baking cookies and all sorts of Christmas treats. My husband and I have a new tradition where we don’t buy big gifts for each other. Instead, we wait until the day after Christmas and catch things we want on sale. I buy a lot. He buys a little. But it works for us. We are blessed!
After Christmas sales are the best. We talk a lot about faith and how it weaves throughout our fiction, here at the blog. How has your faith affected/or not affected your writing?
My faith is a big part of my writing whether I’m using a faith tone or a more secular tone in my work. I try to show faith, not tell people how to have faith. If my characters organically live their faith and work through their issues with God in the details, my readers will get the message. I receive letters from readers who’ve turned back to their faith or forgiven someone because of my stories. That is what it’s all about to me!
I love seeing how God uses stories to change lives. Tell us a little about a day in the life of you? Wake up time? Lounging in your jammies all day, drinking coffee, living the luxurious life of a writer ;)
My schedule has changed since my children are grown now and my husband is retired. Now I do sip my coffee and watch the morning news with my husband. Then I check e-mail and other social media. We try to walk or ride our bikes if the weather is nice. So I usually get into my office by ten or eleven and I work till around five or five-thirty. I take a quick lunch and I always have a coffee break in the afternoon and go in search of chocolate. :) The luxury is in knowing my office is about five steps from my kitchen!
We have a bit of a war going on here at the CCC blog. Anne and Jaime LOVE coffee and Erica and Gabriella enjoy a joyful cup of tea. What is your preference? Help us break this tie…
Oh, dear. I love both. I love coffee in the morning and I like a good cup of hot herbal tea at night when I finally collapse in my comfy chair and watch some television with my husband. Tea also seems to soothe me if I’m having a bad day. So—coffee for energy and tea for relaxing! I hope this helps in your … er … war!
Unfortunately, it does not. :) And a few fun and quirky questions always reveal of lot from our authors who visit. So, first, if you were to take a boat down the Amazon river, what would you be most interested in seeing?
No snakes or spiders! I’d love to see a big jungle cat. I love lions and tigers but of course, I don’t want one in the boat with me. :)
I don't know who would! :) If you had a choice of living in any era other than the present, what would you choose and why?
That’s tough. I think maybe the turn of the century from the 1800s to the 1900s. That was a time of rapid change in this country and the world. The Industrial Age has always fascinated me. I’d be a bit steampunk, I think!
My favorite time period, too. We’d love you have you share a snippet from your novel to entice us and hook us! :) Please share something below:
Okay, but first, I’d like to remind readers that the three stories ahead of mine are amazing. So I’m giving a shout-out to my companion writers Sandie Bricker, Lynette Sowell and Barbara Scott. Please read the book from start to finish. The stories are interwoven in a lovely way!
This is a scene from the end of the first chapter. My heroine Amy Tucker is struggling with whether or not she should return to the home her estranged father left to her three sisters and Amy:
Forgiveness.
She’d turn to the Scriptures. Mama had always done that, even on her darkest days.
But all of her mother’s fervent prayers hadn’t saved her own marriage.
When Amy was twenty-five, Marlena Tucker had been killed on the interstate by a drunk driver. She’d left her four daughters to struggle with the horse farm while their unyielding father was off serving his country in a war zone.
Amy didn’t want to return to the place where she had so many bad memories.
No way. She did not plan to go through that kind of pain ever again.
So she rested a hand on the unopened Bible and closed her eyes. “I need help, Lord. I need to find a way to get over all of this and let go of the past . . . and the farm.”
Then she hurried out the door to her second job.
~ ~ ~ ~Thank you for visiting us today, Lenora!
Be sure to visit Lenora on her website, Facebook and Goodreads. You can find Sleigh Bells Ring here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
November 10, 2016
How Do You Escape?
Gabrielle Here:
I don't know about you, but I'm in need of some good, old-fashioned joy right about now. I'm so thankful the holidays are fast approaching so we can turn our thoughts to friends and family, and focus on what truly matters in life: our faith.
Last night I just needed a little escape, so I pulled out one of my all-time favorite movies Meet Me in St. Louis with Judy Garland. I love this movie for so many reasons, one of the biggest is the excitement and anticipation of the World's Fair. There was so much pride and hope for the country and the world in that movie. It was full of Americana, family and community pride. Three things I value deeply.
With all the divisiveness and hurt right now, I just needed some reminders.
What about you? What do you do to escape from reality from time to time? What's your favorite old movie? Have you seen Meet Me in St. Louis?
Gabrielle Meyer
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Find me on Pinterest
Find me on Twitter
Find me on Amazon
Find me on Goodreads
Find me on My Website
Sign up for My Newsletter
I don't know about you, but I'm in need of some good, old-fashioned joy right about now. I'm so thankful the holidays are fast approaching so we can turn our thoughts to friends and family, and focus on what truly matters in life: our faith.
Last night I just needed a little escape, so I pulled out one of my all-time favorite movies Meet Me in St. Louis with Judy Garland. I love this movie for so many reasons, one of the biggest is the excitement and anticipation of the World's Fair. There was so much pride and hope for the country and the world in that movie. It was full of Americana, family and community pride. Three things I value deeply.
With all the divisiveness and hurt right now, I just needed some reminders.
What about you? What do you do to escape from reality from time to time? What's your favorite old movie? Have you seen Meet Me in St. Louis?
Gabrielle Meyer
Find me on Facebook
Find me on Pinterest
Find me on Twitter
Find me on Amazon
Find me on Goodreads
Find me on My Website
Sign up for My Newsletter
November 9, 2016
New Scrapbook Pages
Erica Here:
Today is the aftermath...maybe. (I'm writing this early and I well remember the protests and 'hanging chads' of previous elections, so maybe we're not done yet, but I pray we are.)
But rather than talk about the election and the fall-out, I'm going to share something fun. :)
It's time for new scrapbook pages for my writing journey scrapbook!!! Yay!
It had been awhile since my daughter, Heather, and I had pulled out the paper and glue and stickers, so we had several pages to create. New releases, news, an award...squee! I love to share the new pages with you all here. And I love leafing through my scrapbook, remembering the journey God has brought me on through fiction writing.
So, without further ado, here are the SEVEN new pages we added this weekend:
1. This one is "News and Reviews." We used a 'newsprint' style paper, and included reviews from Publisher's Weekly (For My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss, TX) and Romantic Times Book Reviews. (RT gave His Prairie Sweetheart 4.5 Stars and made it a TOP PICK!) This page also includes the press release from Barbour for their new My Heart Belongs series of titles, and in the lower right hand corner a small picture of cover model and actor Samy Osman, who modeled the hero on the cover of His Prairie Sweetheart.
News and Reviews. With stickers! :)
2. The 2016 Carol Awards! Green and white figured paper, the program from that night and a photo of all the Carol Award Winners from that night. I also included a photo of my agent and one of my editor, as well as a little note Barbour Publishing wrote about the novella category sweep. :)
Photos and the program from the dinner.
Three pins hold the program in place. Two silver for
finals and one gold for winning!
A photo I took at the gala table of my brand
new Carol Award. And the listing of the three
novellas that finaled. (* by the winner.) 3. The Bounty Hunter's Baby, which releases in February of 2017. We had so much fun cutting 'clothes' out of scraps of fabric, and hanging them on the little clothesline. My heroine in this story is a laundress, and she has a goat who loves to chew on the heroes shirts hanging on the line. :) We used a vintage print paper, floral embellishments, and a sticker of my 'bad guy' in the story. Simple overall, but the fun is in the textures and details of the clothesline, including the blue baby gown and a couple of 'diapers.'
I love the cover of this one. That baby is sooooooo
adorable, I just want to snatch him up and
cover him with kisses!
The very naughty Daisylu chewing on Thomas's shirt! 4-5. Okay, so this next one was so epic, it needed a two-page spread. On the left hand page, we have the cover of the 7 Brides for 7 Texans collection (releasing in just over 3 weeks!!!!!) We also have a photograph of El Regalo, the Hart family home, as well as a 7 in a Heart, which is the ranch brand, and two hearts at the top with GW and Victoria's names, the patriarch and his late wife. We used a green paper with a pink rose to pick up the pink in the cover as well as the pink hearts, and the gold metallic scroll work matches the gold foil hearts.
I am SO ready for this one to get out into the world!!!
The right hand page has all the names of the heroines and heroes of this collection along with the photographs that the authors used as their inspirations. The characters are listed oldest to youngest, though they don't appear in the book in that order. (FYI, we've got some amazing things coming up to celebrate this release, so stay tuned!) We used a tan paper that also picks up some of the colors of the book cover, as well as a few Texas-themed stickers.
Heather designed this page, and I just LOVE it!!! It makes
me want to re-read all the stories!
There's a little bonus on this page just for Gabrielle Meyer,
and a little hint of a surprise in the book!
A closeup of the guys' side.
I drew an eye-patch on
Bowie. :)
The lovely Hart ladies. They're
each so perfect for their Hart man!
6. An updated agent page. When I first signed with Rachelle Gardner, she was working for WordServe Literary. Now she is an agent with Books & Such Literary Management, and I wanted to create a page to represent that change. Using a 'book stack' paper, we included a photo of Rachelle, the company logo, a photo of all the agents from B&S Literary, and a hand-written note Rachelle sent me.
7. Of Rags and Riches novella collection (This is the one that all four of the CC&C girls are in together!!!) My novella is called Win, Place, or Show, and it's set against the background of the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden. The hero and heroine are from different social spheres, and they must decide if they are willing to risk losing everything to be together. We used a tan paper covered in lace flowers, and I love the polka-dot square to show off the title of my novella. Edwardian and horse-themed stickers, and a romantic quote complete the page.
This collection releases next summer!
So there you have it. Seven new pages for the scrapbook. The exciting news is that I will need a couple more in the near future, as I have a couple new novella collections in the works, as well as some other projects brewing.
Are you a scrapbooker? Which of these pages are your favorites? Which of these releases are you most looking forward to reading?
SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER
Find me on AMAZON.COM
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Today is the aftermath...maybe. (I'm writing this early and I well remember the protests and 'hanging chads' of previous elections, so maybe we're not done yet, but I pray we are.)
But rather than talk about the election and the fall-out, I'm going to share something fun. :)
It's time for new scrapbook pages for my writing journey scrapbook!!! Yay!
It had been awhile since my daughter, Heather, and I had pulled out the paper and glue and stickers, so we had several pages to create. New releases, news, an award...squee! I love to share the new pages with you all here. And I love leafing through my scrapbook, remembering the journey God has brought me on through fiction writing.
So, without further ado, here are the SEVEN new pages we added this weekend:
1. This one is "News and Reviews." We used a 'newsprint' style paper, and included reviews from Publisher's Weekly (For My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss, TX) and Romantic Times Book Reviews. (RT gave His Prairie Sweetheart 4.5 Stars and made it a TOP PICK!) This page also includes the press release from Barbour for their new My Heart Belongs series of titles, and in the lower right hand corner a small picture of cover model and actor Samy Osman, who modeled the hero on the cover of His Prairie Sweetheart.
News and Reviews. With stickers! :)2. The 2016 Carol Awards! Green and white figured paper, the program from that night and a photo of all the Carol Award Winners from that night. I also included a photo of my agent and one of my editor, as well as a little note Barbour Publishing wrote about the novella category sweep. :)
Photos and the program from the dinner. 
Three pins hold the program in place. Two silver for finals and one gold for winning!
A photo I took at the gala table of my brandnew Carol Award. And the listing of the three
novellas that finaled. (* by the winner.) 3. The Bounty Hunter's Baby, which releases in February of 2017. We had so much fun cutting 'clothes' out of scraps of fabric, and hanging them on the little clothesline. My heroine in this story is a laundress, and she has a goat who loves to chew on the heroes shirts hanging on the line. :) We used a vintage print paper, floral embellishments, and a sticker of my 'bad guy' in the story. Simple overall, but the fun is in the textures and details of the clothesline, including the blue baby gown and a couple of 'diapers.'
I love the cover of this one. That baby is soooooooadorable, I just want to snatch him up and
cover him with kisses!
The very naughty Daisylu chewing on Thomas's shirt! 4-5. Okay, so this next one was so epic, it needed a two-page spread. On the left hand page, we have the cover of the 7 Brides for 7 Texans collection (releasing in just over 3 weeks!!!!!) We also have a photograph of El Regalo, the Hart family home, as well as a 7 in a Heart, which is the ranch brand, and two hearts at the top with GW and Victoria's names, the patriarch and his late wife. We used a green paper with a pink rose to pick up the pink in the cover as well as the pink hearts, and the gold metallic scroll work matches the gold foil hearts.
I am SO ready for this one to get out into the world!!!The right hand page has all the names of the heroines and heroes of this collection along with the photographs that the authors used as their inspirations. The characters are listed oldest to youngest, though they don't appear in the book in that order. (FYI, we've got some amazing things coming up to celebrate this release, so stay tuned!) We used a tan paper that also picks up some of the colors of the book cover, as well as a few Texas-themed stickers.
Heather designed this page, and I just LOVE it!!! It makesme want to re-read all the stories!
There's a little bonus on this page just for Gabrielle Meyer,and a little hint of a surprise in the book!
A closeup of the guys' side.I drew an eye-patch on
Bowie. :)
The lovely Hart ladies. They'reeach so perfect for their Hart man!
6. An updated agent page. When I first signed with Rachelle Gardner, she was working for WordServe Literary. Now she is an agent with Books & Such Literary Management, and I wanted to create a page to represent that change. Using a 'book stack' paper, we included a photo of Rachelle, the company logo, a photo of all the agents from B&S Literary, and a hand-written note Rachelle sent me.
7. Of Rags and Riches novella collection (This is the one that all four of the CC&C girls are in together!!!) My novella is called Win, Place, or Show, and it's set against the background of the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden. The hero and heroine are from different social spheres, and they must decide if they are willing to risk losing everything to be together. We used a tan paper covered in lace flowers, and I love the polka-dot square to show off the title of my novella. Edwardian and horse-themed stickers, and a romantic quote complete the page.
This collection releases next summer!So there you have it. Seven new pages for the scrapbook. The exciting news is that I will need a couple more in the near future, as I have a couple new novella collections in the works, as well as some other projects brewing.
Are you a scrapbooker? Which of these pages are your favorites? Which of these releases are you most looking forward to reading?
SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER
Find me on AMAZON.COM
Find me on FACEBOOK
November 8, 2016
November #NewReleases in #InspirationalFiction!
Hey ya'll! I'm (Jaime) excited to bring you a fun list of November reads. Here at the CCC blog, we can't ignore what brings us all together: COFFEE! Ok. Maybe not coffee, but books :). LOL!
When Anne and I started the CCC way back when, we always said we wanted it to be a place where you came and felt like you were chatting around coffee in a coffee shop. Our only agenda was to have good, healthy conversation and share in all things readerly/writerly too.
So nothing makes a good convo than a good list of upcoming reads! I've put pics of the books covers of the descriptions that interest me or are already on my TBR list!
Leave a comment and let us know which book you're interested in and I'll draw a lucky commentor's name to win some coffee to go along with your future reads! :)
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website
Biblical:
Slender Reeds: Jochebed's Hope by Texie Susan Gregory -- In a deadly race to save her son, a young slave woman dares defy the most powerful man in the world. (Biblical from Barbour Publishing)
Contemporary Romance:
Crazy Woman Christmas by Renee Blare -- A quiet cowboy whisks Bianca to his ranch to ride out the Christmas blizzard where she discovers life is cold but also beautiful in the “Cowboy” state. (Contemporary Romance from Inspired [Prism Book Group])
Other Than a Halo by Valerie Comer -- Even though she’s a new woman in Christ, single mom Bren Haddock was no angel as a teen. Now managing the Hiller Farm for a CSA, life is good until a friend offers to enter her daughter into the Little Miss Snowflake Pageant. Old insecurities flare when she meets the intriguing head of marketing the pageant. Rob Santoro isn’t so sure about handling the pageant portfolio until he meets Bren. Soon he’s fallen for her and her two kids. When a Thanksgiving adventure goes awry, he’s left wondering how to love a woman who refuses to be loved. What will it take for Bren to retire her tarnished halo and move into the future God has for her? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Do You Know What I Know? by Becky Melby -- What if a phone call from the obstetrician’s office went to the wrong person? Elizabeth Schmidt can’t figure out why her husband doesn’t seem excited about the news she’s sure he heard. Is he unhappy? Or is James cheating on her? Pastor Jay Davidson is in shock. Bethany Schmidt, the woman he’s in love with, is pregnant. Should he walk away, or is God asking him to play the part of Joseph in real life and not just in the church Christmas program? Bethany can’t figure out why Jay is acting so weird. Has he figured out one of the two secrets she’s keeping until after Christmas? Can a ponytailed itinerant carpenter with a pet chicken help unravel the confusion? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
How to Charm a Beekeeper's Heart by Candice Sue Patterson -- Weddings are the last thing beekeeper Huck Anderson wants to be associated with, considering his past. So when he inherits a building occupied by a bridal boutique, he aims to evict the failing business and open a sporting goods store. That is until his tenant ends up being Arianne Winters, a woman he’s indebted to from a mistake made years ago. When a life-threatening injury derails Huck entirely, Arianne offers to aid in his lengthy recovery if he’ll allow her to remain in his building. But nursing her adversary proves challenging when her adolescent crush resurfaces. (Contemporary Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])
A Portrait of Emily Price
by Katherine Reay -- After a whirlwind romance and marriage, Emily Price returns home to Italy with her new husband and learns that life at its richest is only found when she accepts its chaotic beauty. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan])
Contemporary Women's Fiction:
Forgiveness by Marianne Evans -- Country music bad boy, Chase Bradington is on the comeback trail. Fresh from rehab for alcohol addiction and transformed by the power of Christ, Chase is battling to rediscover the music he loves and a career he nearly ruined. Then he meets up-and-comer, Pyper Brock and instantly sparks ignite. Despite her rampant attraction to the handsome and talented icon, Pyper knows of Chase’s reputation and soundly dismisses his romantic overtures. No way will Pyper repeat the mistake of trusting a man whose done battle with the bottle. Can a sin-damaged past be released in favor of forgiveness? (Women’s Fiction from Harbourlight Books [Pelican])
Historical:
Beneath a Golden Veil
by Melanie Dobson -- As elegant as the Sacramento residence she operates, Isabelle Labrie keeps her past concealed, like the treasure she hides under the Golden Hotel. Then, unexpected guests—fugitive slaves seeking safe passage to the North—force her to confront her past and reconsider her path. (Historical from Waterfall Press)
Forest Child by Heather Day Gilbert -- Historically based on the Icelandic Sagas, Forest Child brings the memorable, conflicted persona of Freydis Eiriksdottir to life. (Historical from Elk Lake Publishing Inc.)
The Lost Generation by Erica Marie Hogan -- On August 5th 1914, the world changed forever. For John and Beth Young, it meant the happiness they finally achieved was snatched out from under them. For Emma Cote, it meant that her husband Jared would do his duty, despite her feelings. For Christy Simmons it meant an uncertain future with the boy she loved. The lives of six people, spread across the British Empire to America were changed forever. (Historical from Elk Lake Publishing Inc.)
Historical Romance:
The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection by Jennifer AlLee, Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Amber Stockton, Niki Turner, Gina Welborn, and Becca Whitham -- Meet nine men and women whose competitive goals take them to state and county fairs between 1889 and 1930. From baking pie to polishing pigs, from sculpting butter to stitching quilts, everyone has something to prove to themselves and their communities. But in going for the blue ribbon, will nine women miss the greatest prize of all—the devoted heart of a godly man? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Left at the Altar
by Margaret Brownley -- In the wild and untamed West, time is set by the local jeweler...but Two-Time Texas has two: two feuding jewelers and two wildly conflicting time zones. Meg Lockwood's marriage was supposed to unite the families and finally bring peace until she's left at the altar by her no-good fiancé. Hired to defend the groom against a breach of promise lawsuit, Grant Garrison quickly realizes that the only thing worse than small-town trouble is falling for the jilted bride. But there's something about Meg's sweet smile and determined grit that draws him in...even as the whole crazy town seems set on keeping them apart. (Historical Romance from Sourcebooks)
Mail Order Mommy by Christine Johnson -- Nursing a broken heart, Amanda Porter had answered a frontier mail-order bride ad placed by Garrett Decker's children—only to find the groom-to-be didn't want a wife. But his adorable children are determined she'll be their mother by Christmas… His wife's betrayal and tragic death demolished Garrett's life. Now he can't even look at another woman, let alone marry Amanda, who resembles his first love. But with his daughter convinced Amanda is the perfect mother, will Garrett realize she's also his perfect match? (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Hope's Design by Dawn Kinzer -- An independent city girl aspiring to be a fashion designer falls for a stubborn artist from the country who wants to keep his talent a secret. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
Brides of Wyoming by S. Dionne Moore -- Roam the Wyoming range alongside three couples who meet under danger from bands of outlaws. Renee escapes a gang of outlaws and lands in the arms of a sheepherder. Olivia’s sleuthing upturns secrets key to solving the murder of a reluctant rancher’s father. Maira is trying to keep her ranch running alone when a drifting cowboy offers a hand. Can love develop where suspicion and greed roam the range? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
The Negotiated Marriage by Christina Rich -- When the railroad pushes to buy her land, orphaned Cameron Sims will do anything to keep the only home she and her sisters have ever known. Even if she must marry a stranger. Duncan Murray doesn’t want a wife. He wants Sims Creek, a sanctuary that can help him forget a troubled childhood. But his reluctant, and captivating, bride-to-be is key to making his dreams a reality. And despite their business arrangement, Camy and Duncan might be signing on the dotted line for true love… (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Love in the Seams by Jodie Wolfe -- A little girl on a quest for a new mama has the local seamstress in her sights. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
Romantic Suspense:
His Perfect Love by Sharon K. Connell -- On the run from a hit man, Patricia Campbell is unaware of the FBI’s search for her to learn what information she might hold, so she continues to hide out. Then she meets a persistent computer technician, a charming philanthropist, and a handsome, wealthy businessman who wants to marry her. But her fears resurface, and she wonders if she can trust any of them. Can she survive long enough to find peace…and perfect love? (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)
Counter Point by Marji Laine -- Her dad's gone, her diner's closing, and her car's in the lake. Cat McPherson has nothing left to lose ... except her life. And a madman, bent on revenge, is determined to take that, as well. Her former boyfriend, Ray Alexander, returns as a hero from his foreign mission, bringing back souvenirs in the form of death-threats. When several attempts are made on Cat’s life, she must find a way to trust Ray, the man who broke her heart. (Romantic Suspense from Write Integrity Press)
Speculative:
The Flaming Sword by Heather L.L. FitzGerald -- When evil joins forces in the Tethered World, Sadie Larcen must risk all to protect the Flaming Sword and her family...even if it takes her life. (Speculative Young Adult from Mountain Brook Ink)
When Anne and I started the CCC way back when, we always said we wanted it to be a place where you came and felt like you were chatting around coffee in a coffee shop. Our only agenda was to have good, healthy conversation and share in all things readerly/writerly too.
So nothing makes a good convo than a good list of upcoming reads! I've put pics of the books covers of the descriptions that interest me or are already on my TBR list!
Leave a comment and let us know which book you're interested in and I'll draw a lucky commentor's name to win some coffee to go along with your future reads! :)
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website
Biblical:
Slender Reeds: Jochebed's Hope by Texie Susan Gregory -- In a deadly race to save her son, a young slave woman dares defy the most powerful man in the world. (Biblical from Barbour Publishing)
Contemporary Romance:
Crazy Woman Christmas by Renee Blare -- A quiet cowboy whisks Bianca to his ranch to ride out the Christmas blizzard where she discovers life is cold but also beautiful in the “Cowboy” state. (Contemporary Romance from Inspired [Prism Book Group])
Other Than a Halo by Valerie Comer -- Even though she’s a new woman in Christ, single mom Bren Haddock was no angel as a teen. Now managing the Hiller Farm for a CSA, life is good until a friend offers to enter her daughter into the Little Miss Snowflake Pageant. Old insecurities flare when she meets the intriguing head of marketing the pageant. Rob Santoro isn’t so sure about handling the pageant portfolio until he meets Bren. Soon he’s fallen for her and her two kids. When a Thanksgiving adventure goes awry, he’s left wondering how to love a woman who refuses to be loved. What will it take for Bren to retire her tarnished halo and move into the future God has for her? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Do You Know What I Know? by Becky Melby -- What if a phone call from the obstetrician’s office went to the wrong person? Elizabeth Schmidt can’t figure out why her husband doesn’t seem excited about the news she’s sure he heard. Is he unhappy? Or is James cheating on her? Pastor Jay Davidson is in shock. Bethany Schmidt, the woman he’s in love with, is pregnant. Should he walk away, or is God asking him to play the part of Joseph in real life and not just in the church Christmas program? Bethany can’t figure out why Jay is acting so weird. Has he figured out one of the two secrets she’s keeping until after Christmas? Can a ponytailed itinerant carpenter with a pet chicken help unravel the confusion? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
How to Charm a Beekeeper's Heart by Candice Sue Patterson -- Weddings are the last thing beekeeper Huck Anderson wants to be associated with, considering his past. So when he inherits a building occupied by a bridal boutique, he aims to evict the failing business and open a sporting goods store. That is until his tenant ends up being Arianne Winters, a woman he’s indebted to from a mistake made years ago. When a life-threatening injury derails Huck entirely, Arianne offers to aid in his lengthy recovery if he’ll allow her to remain in his building. But nursing her adversary proves challenging when her adolescent crush resurfaces. (Contemporary Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])
A Portrait of Emily Price
by Katherine Reay -- After a whirlwind romance and marriage, Emily Price returns home to Italy with her new husband and learns that life at its richest is only found when she accepts its chaotic beauty. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan])Contemporary Women's Fiction:
Forgiveness by Marianne Evans -- Country music bad boy, Chase Bradington is on the comeback trail. Fresh from rehab for alcohol addiction and transformed by the power of Christ, Chase is battling to rediscover the music he loves and a career he nearly ruined. Then he meets up-and-comer, Pyper Brock and instantly sparks ignite. Despite her rampant attraction to the handsome and talented icon, Pyper knows of Chase’s reputation and soundly dismisses his romantic overtures. No way will Pyper repeat the mistake of trusting a man whose done battle with the bottle. Can a sin-damaged past be released in favor of forgiveness? (Women’s Fiction from Harbourlight Books [Pelican])
Historical:
Beneath a Golden Veil
by Melanie Dobson -- As elegant as the Sacramento residence she operates, Isabelle Labrie keeps her past concealed, like the treasure she hides under the Golden Hotel. Then, unexpected guests—fugitive slaves seeking safe passage to the North—force her to confront her past and reconsider her path. (Historical from Waterfall Press)Forest Child by Heather Day Gilbert -- Historically based on the Icelandic Sagas, Forest Child brings the memorable, conflicted persona of Freydis Eiriksdottir to life. (Historical from Elk Lake Publishing Inc.)
The Lost Generation by Erica Marie Hogan -- On August 5th 1914, the world changed forever. For John and Beth Young, it meant the happiness they finally achieved was snatched out from under them. For Emma Cote, it meant that her husband Jared would do his duty, despite her feelings. For Christy Simmons it meant an uncertain future with the boy she loved. The lives of six people, spread across the British Empire to America were changed forever. (Historical from Elk Lake Publishing Inc.)
Historical Romance:
The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection by Jennifer AlLee, Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Amber Stockton, Niki Turner, Gina Welborn, and Becca Whitham -- Meet nine men and women whose competitive goals take them to state and county fairs between 1889 and 1930. From baking pie to polishing pigs, from sculpting butter to stitching quilts, everyone has something to prove to themselves and their communities. But in going for the blue ribbon, will nine women miss the greatest prize of all—the devoted heart of a godly man? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Left at the Altar
by Margaret Brownley -- In the wild and untamed West, time is set by the local jeweler...but Two-Time Texas has two: two feuding jewelers and two wildly conflicting time zones. Meg Lockwood's marriage was supposed to unite the families and finally bring peace until she's left at the altar by her no-good fiancé. Hired to defend the groom against a breach of promise lawsuit, Grant Garrison quickly realizes that the only thing worse than small-town trouble is falling for the jilted bride. But there's something about Meg's sweet smile and determined grit that draws him in...even as the whole crazy town seems set on keeping them apart. (Historical Romance from Sourcebooks)Mail Order Mommy by Christine Johnson -- Nursing a broken heart, Amanda Porter had answered a frontier mail-order bride ad placed by Garrett Decker's children—only to find the groom-to-be didn't want a wife. But his adorable children are determined she'll be their mother by Christmas… His wife's betrayal and tragic death demolished Garrett's life. Now he can't even look at another woman, let alone marry Amanda, who resembles his first love. But with his daughter convinced Amanda is the perfect mother, will Garrett realize she's also his perfect match? (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Hope's Design by Dawn Kinzer -- An independent city girl aspiring to be a fashion designer falls for a stubborn artist from the country who wants to keep his talent a secret. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
Brides of Wyoming by S. Dionne Moore -- Roam the Wyoming range alongside three couples who meet under danger from bands of outlaws. Renee escapes a gang of outlaws and lands in the arms of a sheepherder. Olivia’s sleuthing upturns secrets key to solving the murder of a reluctant rancher’s father. Maira is trying to keep her ranch running alone when a drifting cowboy offers a hand. Can love develop where suspicion and greed roam the range? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
The Negotiated Marriage by Christina Rich -- When the railroad pushes to buy her land, orphaned Cameron Sims will do anything to keep the only home she and her sisters have ever known. Even if she must marry a stranger. Duncan Murray doesn’t want a wife. He wants Sims Creek, a sanctuary that can help him forget a troubled childhood. But his reluctant, and captivating, bride-to-be is key to making his dreams a reality. And despite their business arrangement, Camy and Duncan might be signing on the dotted line for true love… (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Love in the Seams by Jodie Wolfe -- A little girl on a quest for a new mama has the local seamstress in her sights. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
Romantic Suspense:
His Perfect Love by Sharon K. Connell -- On the run from a hit man, Patricia Campbell is unaware of the FBI’s search for her to learn what information she might hold, so she continues to hide out. Then she meets a persistent computer technician, a charming philanthropist, and a handsome, wealthy businessman who wants to marry her. But her fears resurface, and she wonders if she can trust any of them. Can she survive long enough to find peace…and perfect love? (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)
Counter Point by Marji Laine -- Her dad's gone, her diner's closing, and her car's in the lake. Cat McPherson has nothing left to lose ... except her life. And a madman, bent on revenge, is determined to take that, as well. Her former boyfriend, Ray Alexander, returns as a hero from his foreign mission, bringing back souvenirs in the form of death-threats. When several attempts are made on Cat’s life, she must find a way to trust Ray, the man who broke her heart. (Romantic Suspense from Write Integrity Press)
Speculative:
The Flaming Sword by Heather L.L. FitzGerald -- When evil joins forces in the Tethered World, Sadie Larcen must risk all to protect the Flaming Sword and her family...even if it takes her life. (Speculative Young Adult from Mountain Brook Ink)
November 7, 2016
My Vintage Heart
Why a person loves pinks, purples, or bold geographic designs--the reasons are as many as there are different people in this old world.
I was made to love vintage things for as long as I can recall.
It might have started with Laura Ingalls. It might have just started with the turn of the autumn leaves when I was riding the bus home in first grade while mom was up in the apple tree picking when I got home. Or it might have started while I played under the quilting frame while my grandmother and mom quilted over holiday breaks. Or when Laura Ashley was a revival phase in fashion. Or when I sat on my parents bed and dumped a box of old black and white photos and looked at them for hours.
If it wasn't then, surely it was when I was ten and spent the night at my Great Aunt Mattie's house in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where she led us up winding stairs by lamplight to sleep on a hay tick bed with an old fashioned foot warmer beneath the covers. When she made us breakfast on her wrought iron black stove.
By the time I was thirteen and helping my mother research our family history at the genealogy library, I was a goner when I sat in the microfilm room scrolling through pages of census records. It was like I'd fallen down a rabbit hole, or stepped through the back of a wardrobe to see into the lives of real historical people.
That was the year mom and I wallpapered my bedroom and I picked a flowered vintage smoky blue pattern with the feel of 1895.
I must have an old soul. But something in my spirit lights up when I see vintage, when I notice legacy, or when I feel the touch of history. History is who we all are. It's depth. It's real. It has meaning. That rocks me. And if you don't get that, then just watch an episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, when the person researching their family roots can't even name their grandparents but moves on to find generations of identity that came before them.
It's always moving.
It always touches something.
And that something to me is rich, deep, and real.
It's the best part of why I have a vintage heart.
Readers:
What's your heart look like?
What draws you?
Why?
-------------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: Goodreads
Find me on: Twitter
Find me on: Instagram
I was made to love vintage things for as long as I can recall.
It might have started with Laura Ingalls. It might have just started with the turn of the autumn leaves when I was riding the bus home in first grade while mom was up in the apple tree picking when I got home. Or it might have started while I played under the quilting frame while my grandmother and mom quilted over holiday breaks. Or when Laura Ashley was a revival phase in fashion. Or when I sat on my parents bed and dumped a box of old black and white photos and looked at them for hours.
If it wasn't then, surely it was when I was ten and spent the night at my Great Aunt Mattie's house in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where she led us up winding stairs by lamplight to sleep on a hay tick bed with an old fashioned foot warmer beneath the covers. When she made us breakfast on her wrought iron black stove.
By the time I was thirteen and helping my mother research our family history at the genealogy library, I was a goner when I sat in the microfilm room scrolling through pages of census records. It was like I'd fallen down a rabbit hole, or stepped through the back of a wardrobe to see into the lives of real historical people.
That was the year mom and I wallpapered my bedroom and I picked a flowered vintage smoky blue pattern with the feel of 1895.
I must have an old soul. But something in my spirit lights up when I see vintage, when I notice legacy, or when I feel the touch of history. History is who we all are. It's depth. It's real. It has meaning. That rocks me. And if you don't get that, then just watch an episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, when the person researching their family roots can't even name their grandparents but moves on to find generations of identity that came before them.
It's always moving.
It always touches something.
And that something to me is rich, deep, and real.
It's the best part of why I have a vintage heart.
Readers:
What's your heart look like?
What draws you?
Why?
-------------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: Goodreads
Find me on: Twitter
Find me on: Instagram
November 4, 2016
Faith Examination Kit Giveaway with J. Warner Wallace
Jaime here! One of the things I'm loving about this upcoming holiday season and having kids? BUYING BOOKS for presents! My daughter just gave me a page long list of books she wants, and by gum, if I didn't go order them all almost instantaneously! :) I was super excited to read this book and it didn't disappoint. Cold-Case Christianity for Kids is a fabulous book to start helping your child understand the evidence that has been given to us to support our faith. It's early apologetics for pre-teens and in this day and age, so important too! Consider adding this one to your Christmas list for your readers :)
At the crucial age between 8 and 12, many kids begin to wonder if Christianity and the Bible are true. Help your kids become truth-seeking detectives with the help of J. Warner and Susie Wallace's Cold-Case Christianity for Kids. Detective Wallace gets kids excited about testing witnesses, examining the evidence, and investigating the case for Christianity. The book includes author illustrations and links to a website where kids can download activities, fill in case notes, and earn a certificate of merit.
Encourage your kids to investigate the case for Christianity by entering to win a faith examination kit and a copy of J. Warner and Susie's new book.
One grand prize winner will receive:
A copy of Cold-Case Christianity for KidsA Kindle Fire so your kids can visit the Cold-Case Christianity for Kids website and explore its many activitiesA shock-proof, kid-friendly, convertible Kindle Fire case (your kids' choice of color)Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on November 4. The winner will be announced November 7 on the Litfuse blog .
At the crucial age between 8 and 12, many kids begin to wonder if Christianity and the Bible are true. Help your kids become truth-seeking detectives with the help of J. Warner and Susie Wallace's Cold-Case Christianity for Kids. Detective Wallace gets kids excited about testing witnesses, examining the evidence, and investigating the case for Christianity. The book includes author illustrations and links to a website where kids can download activities, fill in case notes, and earn a certificate of merit.
Encourage your kids to investigate the case for Christianity by entering to win a faith examination kit and a copy of J. Warner and Susie's new book.
One grand prize winner will receive:
A copy of Cold-Case Christianity for KidsA Kindle Fire so your kids can visit the Cold-Case Christianity for Kids website and explore its many activitiesA shock-proof, kid-friendly, convertible Kindle Fire case (your kids' choice of color)Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on November 4. The winner will be announced November 7 on the Litfuse blog .
November 3, 2016
Why the World Cheered for the Cubs
I don't know about you, but I followed this World Series like none other. I stayed up late last night with my husband through the ups and the downs of Game 7 to cheer on the Cubs to victory. I clapped when they got the first run, I moaned when the Indians tied in the eight inning and I jumped so high after the final out, I jammed my finger into our basement ceiling.
Facebook was lit up last night with people rooting for the Cubs. Even self-proclaimed anti-sports fans. Every time I turned on the radio today, someone was talking about the Cubs' win. The one talk show I watched on televisions today was all about those Cubs.
So why did the world cheer for the Cubs? Why do we care so much? Here are a few reasons I think we rooted for them all the way.
1. Everyone loves to see the underdog win. Especially when they've been the underdog for over a century. Seriously, when I watched some of those 80 and 90 year old Cubs fans in interviews, I hoped and prayed all the harder, because not only are the Cubs players underdogs, so are their faithful fans.
2. Baseball is an American pastime. I don't know a single person who doesn't have a great memory of baseball from their youth. Even if it's not a Cubs memory, we all recall a time when we gathered with friends and family and went to a game, watched one on the television, or listened on the radio. It's as Americana as you can get. So when one of the most iconic teams in baseball was finally up for the World Series, we all cheered.
3. We needed a breath of fresh air. Despite our many differences, we are all Americans and we were ready to band together to see something good accomplished. Everyone is tired of this political season. We're tired of the divisive ads, the controversial issues and the lack of quality leadership in our nation. We're embarrassed and wish the world wasn't watching right now. We needed something to be proud of again. We needed something to remind us that yes, we are one nation, whether we can all get along or not.
4. We wanted to be a part of history. Good history. The kind we can look back fondly and say: "I remember that night like it was yesterday." There are moments in time when we don't realize how historic they are...but this was not one of those moments. Every person watching knew they were watching history in the making. How great is that?
I'm sure each person had their own reasons for watching the World Series last night, but I think it's safe to say we all wanted those Cubs to win (unless you live in Ohio...but even then, I think there were some Indians fan who nodded in deference to a team worthy of the World Champion title).
What about you? Did you watch the Cubs game last night? Why did you watch?
Gabrielle Meyer
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Facebook was lit up last night with people rooting for the Cubs. Even self-proclaimed anti-sports fans. Every time I turned on the radio today, someone was talking about the Cubs' win. The one talk show I watched on televisions today was all about those Cubs.
So why did the world cheer for the Cubs? Why do we care so much? Here are a few reasons I think we rooted for them all the way.
1. Everyone loves to see the underdog win. Especially when they've been the underdog for over a century. Seriously, when I watched some of those 80 and 90 year old Cubs fans in interviews, I hoped and prayed all the harder, because not only are the Cubs players underdogs, so are their faithful fans.
2. Baseball is an American pastime. I don't know a single person who doesn't have a great memory of baseball from their youth. Even if it's not a Cubs memory, we all recall a time when we gathered with friends and family and went to a game, watched one on the television, or listened on the radio. It's as Americana as you can get. So when one of the most iconic teams in baseball was finally up for the World Series, we all cheered.
3. We needed a breath of fresh air. Despite our many differences, we are all Americans and we were ready to band together to see something good accomplished. Everyone is tired of this political season. We're tired of the divisive ads, the controversial issues and the lack of quality leadership in our nation. We're embarrassed and wish the world wasn't watching right now. We needed something to be proud of again. We needed something to remind us that yes, we are one nation, whether we can all get along or not.
4. We wanted to be a part of history. Good history. The kind we can look back fondly and say: "I remember that night like it was yesterday." There are moments in time when we don't realize how historic they are...but this was not one of those moments. Every person watching knew they were watching history in the making. How great is that?
I'm sure each person had their own reasons for watching the World Series last night, but I think it's safe to say we all wanted those Cubs to win (unless you live in Ohio...but even then, I think there were some Indians fan who nodded in deference to a team worthy of the World Champion title).
What about you? Did you watch the Cubs game last night? Why did you watch?
Gabrielle Meyer
Find me on Facebook
Find me on Pinterest
Find me on Twitter
Find me on Amazon
Find me on Goodreads
Find me on My Website
Sign up for My Newsletter
November 2, 2016
Favorite Artists
Erica Here:
I love beautiful art. Art that doesn't need to be explained to me. If it takes a docent to tell me why something is art, I pass.
But I do love beautiful paintings and sculptures of moments in time, of emotions, of real life, that speak to me. I love color and the use of light in paintings. I love art that is accessible. And I love when I discover a new artist to whose work I can relate, so I thought I would share some of my favorite artists with you today.
I am a fan of the work of Charles Burton Barber:
This one is entitled "A Special Pleader." A copy of this
print hangs in my living room.
This one is entitled "Monster" and I love the make
believe and the cat trying to escape. :)I love the work of Terry Redlin.
This one is called "Almost Home." I love the light
coming through the trees, and the little girls on the creek bank.
"God Shed His Grace on Thee" is a favorite as well. The detail
of the town in the background and the warmth of the light
coming through the church windows...and the mix of cars and
wagons and buggies. So cool.I love sculptures full of action and passion, like this one from James Muir:
This one is called "Saving the Flag." My husband took
a photo of this in the museum, but this angle shows the
movement and the dire situation so well.Who are some of your favorite artists? What makes their work appealing to you?
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I love beautiful art. Art that doesn't need to be explained to me. If it takes a docent to tell me why something is art, I pass.
But I do love beautiful paintings and sculptures of moments in time, of emotions, of real life, that speak to me. I love color and the use of light in paintings. I love art that is accessible. And I love when I discover a new artist to whose work I can relate, so I thought I would share some of my favorite artists with you today.
I am a fan of the work of Charles Burton Barber:
This one is entitled "A Special Pleader." A copy of thisprint hangs in my living room.
This one is entitled "Monster" and I love the makebelieve and the cat trying to escape. :)I love the work of Terry Redlin.
This one is called "Almost Home." I love the lightcoming through the trees, and the little girls on the creek bank.
"God Shed His Grace on Thee" is a favorite as well. The detailof the town in the background and the warmth of the light
coming through the church windows...and the mix of cars and
wagons and buggies. So cool.I love sculptures full of action and passion, like this one from James Muir:
This one is called "Saving the Flag." My husband tooka photo of this in the museum, but this angle shows the
movement and the dire situation so well.Who are some of your favorite artists? What makes their work appealing to you?
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November 1, 2016
Where's Your Reader Spot?
I love to read! Right? Surprise huh?
But to me, reading comes with some ideals that are rarely achieved in this life of writing, working, and raising children who seem to panic when I leave the room.
In an ideal room? I love a big quilt, as I snuggle on the couch on an Autumn day with the windows cracked to bring in just enough of the crisp fall air. A cup of coffee, and a few hours of silence and alone time.
Like I said, this doesn't happen frequently, but on occasion reading-nirvana comes my way and it's awesome!
What's your reader spot? You know, the one that makes you the most happy?
______________________________________________
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
Periscope: @jaimejowright
But to me, reading comes with some ideals that are rarely achieved in this life of writing, working, and raising children who seem to panic when I leave the room.
In an ideal room? I love a big quilt, as I snuggle on the couch on an Autumn day with the windows cracked to bring in just enough of the crisp fall air. A cup of coffee, and a few hours of silence and alone time.
Like I said, this doesn't happen frequently, but on occasion reading-nirvana comes my way and it's awesome!
What's your reader spot? You know, the one that makes you the most happy?
______________________________________________
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
Periscope: @jaimejowright
October 31, 2016
Monday's Devo: The Things We Do
This weekend I took a rest.
I booted my to-do list.Somehow it made me feel guilty a little.And that made me rethink "rest"--it's not laziness!It's actively refueling.It's recommended at least once a week. Resting.
So, in effort to refuel and rest. I'm reposting this devo from last year that fits my refueling...Enjoy....And refuel.
The things we do.......to find beauty....
Beauty in the extraordinary. In the ordinary.
What have you done to look for beauty?
Last month my friend, Sarah Varland, moved to Alaska. Last night she was bummed no one wanted to accompany her to drive around in the dark looking for a show of Northern Lights. I would have gone in a heartbeat! That little conversation triggered wonderful memories of my Dad and Mom waking me in the middle of the night, wrapping me up in my p.j.'s and a huge blanket. I was carried outdoors in the dead of night to watch amazing shimmering red-orange lights dance across the sky. It was a holy family moment. Me in Dad's arms. Mom beside him, holding my brother. In silence we gazed at God's handiwork.
Sarah's quest for beauty made me think of other things I've done to find beauty.
God's beauty in the extraordinary...
...seeing the Rocky Mountains for the first time, rising up from the horizon of the prairie as we rode in Dad's red '76 Chevy truck, pulling an old '67 Starcraft pop up camper.
...driving into a pitch dark wheat field in Kansas to see Halley's Comet in 1986.
...laying on the warm hood of my then fiancé's '76 yellow Chevette counting shooting stars.
...dragging blankets out to the back yard in October, laying on our backs, waiting for a meteor shower with Ted and Emily.
...sitting at the top of Cascade Mountain range on a clear day. Getting alone with God there, seeing Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Adams.
...riding on a four wheeler with Ted, down an old two-track logging road in the UP, Michigan, into the cedar swamp to find a lovely blooming Lady Slipper.
...standing on a tree stump, at the top of a hill, with my 1985 Sony Walkman cranking out Amy Grant, in the middle of the dense Black Forest of Germany.
...parking in the middle of a country road with Ted, at the top of a hill to watch a fantastical lightning show. We clapped and cheered for the best displays.
God's beauty in the ordinary...
...slicing open a juicy red garden tomato, taking time to stand in awe.
...watching my children sleep.
...pulling into my driveway after a long day.
...hearing my children sing together when they didn't know I was listening.
...cranking music up in the van and singing at the top or my lungs, alone, or with my kids.
...laughing with Dad, listening to his stories.
...coffee and homemade jam toast with Mom.
...picking wild huckleberries with Grandma Emma.
...riding in Grandpa John's truck to get a piece of pie.
...standing in a prayer circle with dear friends from Sunday School Class.
...watching Ted working over his bee hives in the back yard amidst all the flowers he's planted.
...the call of the Red-Winged Black Bird in springtime.
...dancing in the kitchen.
Holy moments.
Let me count them.
He delights in me. In you. In us.
He not only contends and disciplines us,
He delights to share Holy Moments with us.
Don't miss the moments.
Zephaniah 3:17New International Version (NIV)17 The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Lady SlipperReaders:What holy moments stand out in your memory?
When have you most experienced God's delight?
What visions of grandeur have you been graced with?
Please share. Let's make the list longer!
-------------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 on:FacebookFind me on: PinterestFind me on: GoodreadsFind me on: TwitterRepresented by Sarah Freese, WordServe Literary
I booted my to-do list.Somehow it made me feel guilty a little.And that made me rethink "rest"--it's not laziness!It's actively refueling.It's recommended at least once a week. Resting.
So, in effort to refuel and rest. I'm reposting this devo from last year that fits my refueling...Enjoy....And refuel.
The things we do.......to find beauty....
Beauty in the extraordinary. In the ordinary.
What have you done to look for beauty?
Last month my friend, Sarah Varland, moved to Alaska. Last night she was bummed no one wanted to accompany her to drive around in the dark looking for a show of Northern Lights. I would have gone in a heartbeat! That little conversation triggered wonderful memories of my Dad and Mom waking me in the middle of the night, wrapping me up in my p.j.'s and a huge blanket. I was carried outdoors in the dead of night to watch amazing shimmering red-orange lights dance across the sky. It was a holy family moment. Me in Dad's arms. Mom beside him, holding my brother. In silence we gazed at God's handiwork.
Sarah's quest for beauty made me think of other things I've done to find beauty.
God's beauty in the extraordinary...
...seeing the Rocky Mountains for the first time, rising up from the horizon of the prairie as we rode in Dad's red '76 Chevy truck, pulling an old '67 Starcraft pop up camper.
...driving into a pitch dark wheat field in Kansas to see Halley's Comet in 1986.
...laying on the warm hood of my then fiancé's '76 yellow Chevette counting shooting stars.
...dragging blankets out to the back yard in October, laying on our backs, waiting for a meteor shower with Ted and Emily.
...sitting at the top of Cascade Mountain range on a clear day. Getting alone with God there, seeing Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Adams.
...riding on a four wheeler with Ted, down an old two-track logging road in the UP, Michigan, into the cedar swamp to find a lovely blooming Lady Slipper.
...standing on a tree stump, at the top of a hill, with my 1985 Sony Walkman cranking out Amy Grant, in the middle of the dense Black Forest of Germany.
...parking in the middle of a country road with Ted, at the top of a hill to watch a fantastical lightning show. We clapped and cheered for the best displays.
God's beauty in the ordinary...
...slicing open a juicy red garden tomato, taking time to stand in awe.
...watching my children sleep.
...pulling into my driveway after a long day.
...hearing my children sing together when they didn't know I was listening.
...cranking music up in the van and singing at the top or my lungs, alone, or with my kids.
...laughing with Dad, listening to his stories.
...coffee and homemade jam toast with Mom.
...picking wild huckleberries with Grandma Emma.
...riding in Grandpa John's truck to get a piece of pie.
...standing in a prayer circle with dear friends from Sunday School Class.
...watching Ted working over his bee hives in the back yard amidst all the flowers he's planted.
...the call of the Red-Winged Black Bird in springtime.
...dancing in the kitchen.
Holy moments.
Let me count them.
He delights in me. In you. In us.
He not only contends and disciplines us,
He delights to share Holy Moments with us.
Don't miss the moments.
Zephaniah 3:17New International Version (NIV)17 The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Lady SlipperReaders:What holy moments stand out in your memory?When have you most experienced God's delight?
What visions of grandeur have you been graced with?
Please share. Let's make the list longer!
-------------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 on:FacebookFind me on: PinterestFind me on: GoodreadsFind me on: TwitterRepresented by Sarah Freese, WordServe Literary
