Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 168
July 11, 2016
5 Things I Learned About Being a MOG (Mother-of-the-Groom)
As Jaime updated you all, two weeks ago my son got married!
She promised a blog post, so here it is.
Our son was the first of our children to get married, so this has been uncharted territory.
Each phase and stage of family life and parenting has it's joys and challenges that have pushed me to grow beyond my imagination. For this season of letting go and emptying out, I'm finding new revelations as I navigate these waters of change. A few things stand out as I survey the days I'm in right now:
1. I've never been here before. I know what it's like to be a girl planning her own wedding--I did that once. But I've never before watched a son get engaged and married. I was also the first to get married and wasn't around to witness my own brother's transition, and if I had been I'm certain I wouldn't have been thinking that I should take notes for future reference. So I started asking my friends what is actually required of the groom's parents, and does anyone even adhere to such traditional etiquette rules? One oft repeated rule I kept in mind as it was quoted to me: "just pay up, put up, dress up, shut up, and show up." In other words, if you've truly given your blessing to this union, don't take it back again by overstepping or disapproving the small things.
2. MOG's need people. My friends and coworkers commented many times how busy and stressed I must feel getting ready for a wedding. Well, it's odd, but there's really not a ton for the mother-of-the-groom to do when she lives over an hour away from the bride. The bride is often employing her mother, sisters, cousins, and bridal party, but not always the MOG. Clue: first-time MOG's really don't know they need their "people". I didn't know. That was--until one day a small box arrived in the mail marked "#1 of 2"--it held foot-soaking salts from a writing-sister. The following day a larger box arrived packed from other writing sisters marked: "MOG survival kit"--a selfie-stick, coffee, tissues, a journal, and CHOCOLATE. I felt the love of my sisters far away, though close in spirit, as they thought and prayed over my transition. The third day, I tripped and fell down two steps and nearly broke my foot. Laying on the floor, yelping, laughing, and crying, I whined to my daughter: "I. Don't. Want. (inhale, sob) To. Walk. Down. (cough, sob) The. Aisle. (whine) On. Cruuuutches....!!! She lovingly iced my foot, prayed over me, and drove me to get an x-ray. It wasn't broken. (Thankfully. And there were no crutches, and I did get my pretty new heels onto my foot) But on day four, the Dr. Scholl's foot water-spa arrived in the mail: "#2 of 2". I promptly dissolved into tears again. I wasn't sure if it was my soul or my foot that hurt more, but somehow my sisters knew I'd need something for my soul more than I'd known or admitted.
Thank you dear sisters--you know who you are!!
3. It's about the filling, not the emptying. My daughter has been preparing to move to Ireland for two months, and left four days after my son's wedding. In the two weeks leading up to the wedding, there were many packed boxes, bags of trash thrown out, lifetime junk sorted, suitcases packed, wedding gifts stuffed into cars, and furniture moved out, leaving gaping bare spaces in bedrooms. My son was working at a church camp close to his finance's family, which was quite a drive from our home. It didn't make much sense for him to spend a "last night at home" with boring mom and dad. And though the house has grown quieter (which isn't always bad, because there's less dishes and dirty laundry!), I told the LORD to please keep my life full. I don't mean full of chaos, or dirty laundry, but the kind of full that is a life ready to welcome other hearts into our lives. Sometimes life is about pouring out and filling again, and repeating the process over and again many times.
4. You have to step aside as you bless. As a MOG, you won't have a ton of tasks to keep your hands busy and your mind off the tumult of feelings rolling through you. And oddly, no one really has the role you'll have as the MOG and often won't see or understand this transition. But the Lord knows you'll need your own soul-care as you step aside to let the love of your son's life be his number one. Because if you truly bless their union, you must do just that--step aside. That's not to say run away, get selfish, through a fit, or especially not to neglect your God-given role to pray and bless. From one step further away than before? Yes. But still making your supplications known to the holy of holies, the thrown room of our Father, who knows what it means to give His son away.
(#4 1/2: Though the wedding isn't about you, you will still have feelings that will need to be acknowledged and processed--be sure to take time to do that.)
(#4 3/4: Make sure the FOG keeps the MOG smiling!)
5. Eat, Drink, & Be Merry. When the day finally arrives, enjoy it. Breathe it in. Savor the words. Remember the cloud of witnesses. Take joy in the joining of God's chosen one with your son. This is it. She's "the one". She's the one you've wondered about, prayed for, hoped for, and waited for. Don't despair, it's a joyous time. So celebrate. Dance. Laugh. Love.
(Mother-Son Dance: You Are My Sunshine)
Readers:
First, thank you for all the congratulations that you've sent our way!
Have you married off sons or daughters?
How were they different?
How can you bless families, and your children, during seasons of transition?
What blessed you during a time of transition?
-------------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: Goodreads
She promised a blog post, so here it is.
Our son was the first of our children to get married, so this has been uncharted territory.
Each phase and stage of family life and parenting has it's joys and challenges that have pushed me to grow beyond my imagination. For this season of letting go and emptying out, I'm finding new revelations as I navigate these waters of change. A few things stand out as I survey the days I'm in right now:
1. I've never been here before. I know what it's like to be a girl planning her own wedding--I did that once. But I've never before watched a son get engaged and married. I was also the first to get married and wasn't around to witness my own brother's transition, and if I had been I'm certain I wouldn't have been thinking that I should take notes for future reference. So I started asking my friends what is actually required of the groom's parents, and does anyone even adhere to such traditional etiquette rules? One oft repeated rule I kept in mind as it was quoted to me: "just pay up, put up, dress up, shut up, and show up." In other words, if you've truly given your blessing to this union, don't take it back again by overstepping or disapproving the small things.
2. MOG's need people. My friends and coworkers commented many times how busy and stressed I must feel getting ready for a wedding. Well, it's odd, but there's really not a ton for the mother-of-the-groom to do when she lives over an hour away from the bride. The bride is often employing her mother, sisters, cousins, and bridal party, but not always the MOG. Clue: first-time MOG's really don't know they need their "people". I didn't know. That was--until one day a small box arrived in the mail marked "#1 of 2"--it held foot-soaking salts from a writing-sister. The following day a larger box arrived packed from other writing sisters marked: "MOG survival kit"--a selfie-stick, coffee, tissues, a journal, and CHOCOLATE. I felt the love of my sisters far away, though close in spirit, as they thought and prayed over my transition. The third day, I tripped and fell down two steps and nearly broke my foot. Laying on the floor, yelping, laughing, and crying, I whined to my daughter: "I. Don't. Want. (inhale, sob) To. Walk. Down. (cough, sob) The. Aisle. (whine) On. Cruuuutches....!!! She lovingly iced my foot, prayed over me, and drove me to get an x-ray. It wasn't broken. (Thankfully. And there were no crutches, and I did get my pretty new heels onto my foot) But on day four, the Dr. Scholl's foot water-spa arrived in the mail: "#2 of 2". I promptly dissolved into tears again. I wasn't sure if it was my soul or my foot that hurt more, but somehow my sisters knew I'd need something for my soul more than I'd known or admitted.
Thank you dear sisters--you know who you are!!3. It's about the filling, not the emptying. My daughter has been preparing to move to Ireland for two months, and left four days after my son's wedding. In the two weeks leading up to the wedding, there were many packed boxes, bags of trash thrown out, lifetime junk sorted, suitcases packed, wedding gifts stuffed into cars, and furniture moved out, leaving gaping bare spaces in bedrooms. My son was working at a church camp close to his finance's family, which was quite a drive from our home. It didn't make much sense for him to spend a "last night at home" with boring mom and dad. And though the house has grown quieter (which isn't always bad, because there's less dishes and dirty laundry!), I told the LORD to please keep my life full. I don't mean full of chaos, or dirty laundry, but the kind of full that is a life ready to welcome other hearts into our lives. Sometimes life is about pouring out and filling again, and repeating the process over and again many times.
4. You have to step aside as you bless. As a MOG, you won't have a ton of tasks to keep your hands busy and your mind off the tumult of feelings rolling through you. And oddly, no one really has the role you'll have as the MOG and often won't see or understand this transition. But the Lord knows you'll need your own soul-care as you step aside to let the love of your son's life be his number one. Because if you truly bless their union, you must do just that--step aside. That's not to say run away, get selfish, through a fit, or especially not to neglect your God-given role to pray and bless. From one step further away than before? Yes. But still making your supplications known to the holy of holies, the thrown room of our Father, who knows what it means to give His son away.
(#4 1/2: Though the wedding isn't about you, you will still have feelings that will need to be acknowledged and processed--be sure to take time to do that.)
(#4 3/4: Make sure the FOG keeps the MOG smiling!)
5. Eat, Drink, & Be Merry. When the day finally arrives, enjoy it. Breathe it in. Savor the words. Remember the cloud of witnesses. Take joy in the joining of God's chosen one with your son. This is it. She's "the one". She's the one you've wondered about, prayed for, hoped for, and waited for. Don't despair, it's a joyous time. So celebrate. Dance. Laugh. Love.
(Mother-Son Dance: You Are My Sunshine)
Readers:
First, thank you for all the congratulations that you've sent our way!
Have you married off sons or daughters?
How were they different?
How can you bless families, and your children, during seasons of transition?
What blessed you during a time of transition?
-------------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: Goodreads
July 9, 2016
#BookReview & #Giveaway - Murder Mezzo Forte, by Donn Taylor
It's Jaime Jo here! My turn today to report on a recent read by an author I am very not familiar with :). But it had "murder" in the title, and you all know me. While, I love some history and romance, a few murder mysteries sprinkled in is always a bonus!
This novel's first line definitely caught my attention: "In that first week of February, we didn't know that Overton University was about to exceed its annual quota of murders."
Right? If you're not into murder mysteries, stop here. But if you enjoy a good mystery without the wordy, 500+ page plot so layered with a zillion characters that you lose track, please continue.
Things I wasn't sure about:
The book is in first person. That is always iffy for me. Some books are done ridiculously well in first person perspective and others, I feel as if I'm reading a diary, and frankly, I never wrote a diary in my life. 'Nuf said. But with this novel I was able to forget about the perspective within the first page (That's a good thing). So if you're not a fan of first person but love mysteries, this is worth a read.
The main character is fifty years old. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not insinuating that is old, by any means, but most novel characters in books like these average to be in their 30's and maybe 40's. So, an older MC was new for me. The good thing? It worked, and it worked well.
It's from a small publisher. Ok. Don't skewer me. The publishing industry is very competitive right now and large publishers aren't necessarily signing the mid-list amazing authors. But still, with the reputation of the big hit authors, sometimes the small publishers aren't as .... picky as I'd personally prefer them to be. Let's just say, a small publisher has to gain my trust. It was pleasantly earned. And, I must say, I'm thrilled to see a smaller publisher like Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas giving authors like Donn Taylor the exposure and shelf-space they deserve.
It seemed a tad wordy. Ok. Hear me out. I read a lot of mysteries and suspense. So I expect the chapters to end with hooks that keep me reading. Murder Mezzo Forte does this. In almost every chapter. Here's where I tripped up just a little (but not enough to eliminate a star from my rating): the main character is a professor. There are numerous references to classical music (which I enjoy from my own high-school course on the maestros of true form art). There are also some areas where the professor's class is described, as in what he was teaching. It doesn't tend to urge the mystery forward, but yet it does set the stage to learn who the main character is. There are references to Renaissance and Western Civilization and I will credit the author that, while you can tell it is very much a passion of his, he stops himself right before the reader becomes distracted. So. It COULD seem a tad wordy to some, but to others, they may read on without hesitation. So Mr. Taylor keeps a solid balance, but to a younger reader, this verges on sometimes being distracting. (But we're also the ones who are part of the social media frenzy with rapidly changing screens, so it's probably good for us to slow it down a bit!)
Here's what I liked:
The story kept moving. I know that sounds simplistic in a review, but many mysteries don't. They just plod along until you're reader to murder the main character yourself.The main character was a father. I liked this element. It made him very human. While I don't have college-aged children by any means, I'm catching glimpses into what it will be like in my future. Seeing the MC's relationship to his child was a good angle for this character.
Older romance. Ok. So, you CAN fall in love in your 50's! :) ;) Seriously, there is some light romance in the novel, but so light it's allowable in a murder mystery. And, it's refreshing to have a romance that is realistic and set in the older years and not just the butterfly-romance of the 20's.
The mystery was solid. At least the author knows who he is. Some mysteries I read it seems as though the author is wanting to write in various genres so they mash them all together and call it a mystery. This is first, and very foremost, a murder mystery. There is suspense, explosions, life threatening situations and plots with threads. They all tie together and are satisfactory and really, male or female will enjoy this novel.
Wrap Up:
So I give Murder Mezzo Forte four stars. It's well-written, a solid plot, enjoyable characters. It's worth a read. Male readers will enjoy it probably a tad more than female, but then that's stereotyping, which I abhor, so let me rephrase. Readers who enjoy a good murder/suspense plot with light romance that is definitely not the focus, will enjoy this novel. Readers looking for that 50/50 split of suspense and romance will not find that in this novel. It's worth the read, the buy, and inevitably deserves a solid cup of black coffee to go along with it!
ENTER TO WIN A COPY!
He is a reclusive history professor
with musical hallucinations...
She a headstrong professor of religion, a converted Wiccan. Earlier, they solved a campus murder, but now police say they formed two-thirds of an illicit love triangle with a newly-murdered female colleague and they're probably guilty of her murder.
Earlier, they solved a campus murder, but now police say they formed two-thirds of an illicit love triangle with a newly-murdered female colleague and they're probably guilty of her murder. A leak of the alleged scandal to the college administration threatens their jobs.
Their desperate attempt to prove themselves innocent of the triangle and the murder plunges them into a tangle of unsavory corporate relationships among college trustees. And it puts their lives in danger from a mysterious criminal organization that seems to have tentacles everywhere.
Can this ill-matched pair's stumbling efforts succeed against the entrenched forces of the police, the college's incompetent administration, and that powerful but unseen criminal organization? If not, they may end up unemployed, in prison, or suffering a fate much worse .
Published by: Lamplighter Mysteries
Format: paperback (298 pp.)
Release Date: June 9, 2016
eBook available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble
a Rafflecopter giveaway
__________________________________________
Professional coffee drinker and best-selling author, Jaime Jo Wright, resides in the hills of Wisconsin writing spirited and gritty turn-of- the-century romance stained with suspense. Her day job finds her working as a Director of Sales & Associate Relations. She’s wife to a rock climbing, bow-hunting Pre-K teacher, mom to a coffee-drinking little girl and a little boy she fondly refers to as her mischievous “Peter Pan.” Jaime completes her persona by being an admitted social media junkie and a coffee snob. She is a member of ACFW, has seen her work on both the ECPA and Publisher’s Weekly top ten best-sellers list for inspirational fiction, and has the best writing sisters ever!www.jaimejowright.comwww.facebook.com/jaimejowrighttwitter.com/jaimejowrightpinterest.co... @jaimejowright
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13916081.Jaime_Jo_Wright
July 7, 2016
Book Winner!! And Summer Camp
Last week we celebrated Erica's spectacular announcement (a three-time finalist for a Carol Award in the novella category). The ladies of Coffee Cups & Camisoles are so proud of her!! She's been in several novella collections and she's a rock star writer. This December she's the lead author in Seven Brides for Seven Texans, a novella collection with seven authors that each feature a different brother from the Hart family. I can't wait for you to meet Erica's hero Bowie. :) He's one of my favorite Hart brothers.
To celebrate, I offered two novella collections (that Erica and I are in together) to one commenter. And the winner from last week is Susan P! Susan, please leave me a message at my Author Facebook Page (www.Facebook.com/AuthorGabrielleMeyer) with your postal address and I'll get those books sent right away.
In other news, my first child went to Bible Camp this week! I dropped her off yesterday with three other friends. It was her first night away from home without a family member. I won't get a chance to talk to her until Saturday afternoon, so my thoughts and prayers are with her. I'm sure she'll have a blast!
I never went to camp as a child, so this is a brand new experience for our family. My oldest will go in a couple weeks. I have a feeling camp will be a huge part of our lives in the coming years. Living in the heart of Minnesota's lake country, we have dozens of camps in a hundred mile radius of us. Our church is affiliated with one, but I know of several others that friends and family attend and work at.
I'd love to know, did you go to camp? Did you work at one? What is your favorite memory from camp?
Gabrielle Meyer
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To celebrate, I offered two novella collections (that Erica and I are in together) to one commenter. And the winner from last week is Susan P! Susan, please leave me a message at my Author Facebook Page (www.Facebook.com/AuthorGabrielleMeyer) with your postal address and I'll get those books sent right away.
In other news, my first child went to Bible Camp this week! I dropped her off yesterday with three other friends. It was her first night away from home without a family member. I won't get a chance to talk to her until Saturday afternoon, so my thoughts and prayers are with her. I'm sure she'll have a blast!
I never went to camp as a child, so this is a brand new experience for our family. My oldest will go in a couple weeks. I have a feeling camp will be a huge part of our lives in the coming years. Living in the heart of Minnesota's lake country, we have dozens of camps in a hundred mile radius of us. Our church is affiliated with one, but I know of several others that friends and family attend and work at.
I'd love to know, did you go to camp? Did you work at one? What is your favorite memory from camp?
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
July 6, 2016
Stagecoach Days 2016
Erica here:
Stagecoach Days in Mantorville, MN was wonderful this year! The Dodge County Historical Society put on a quilt show, featuring a 1918 Red Cross Signature Quilt, and the 2012 Red Cross Signature Quilt created by my sister-in-law and myself.
The weather was blistering hot, so lots of folks were happy to come into the museum to take advantage of the air conditioning. :) In the meantime, they got to see some wonderful quilts and learn about the World War I vets of Dodge County.
We sold lots of books, and it was my great joy to help a woman named Gloria find her father's name on the 2012 quilt that lists all the WWI vets of Dodge County, MN.
Here are some photos from that day!
World War One Nurse's Uniform
On the near side is the 1918 signature quilt.
The 2012 signature quilt with the names of the Dodge Count
World War One Veterans.
Nurse's cap, Red Cross membership card, list of Dodge County WWI vets, and
A Bride Sews with Love in Needles, CA.
Gloria posing with the quilt, pointing to her father's name.
Searching for Gloria's dad and Mary Ann's dad and uncle's names.
The Dodge County Historical Society Museum.
Beautiful stained glass windows.Executive Assistant
Earl Grey Aficionado
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Stagecoach Days in Mantorville, MN was wonderful this year! The Dodge County Historical Society put on a quilt show, featuring a 1918 Red Cross Signature Quilt, and the 2012 Red Cross Signature Quilt created by my sister-in-law and myself.
The weather was blistering hot, so lots of folks were happy to come into the museum to take advantage of the air conditioning. :) In the meantime, they got to see some wonderful quilts and learn about the World War I vets of Dodge County.
We sold lots of books, and it was my great joy to help a woman named Gloria find her father's name on the 2012 quilt that lists all the WWI vets of Dodge County, MN.
Here are some photos from that day!
World War One Nurse's Uniform
On the near side is the 1918 signature quilt.
The 2012 signature quilt with the names of the Dodge CountWorld War One Veterans.
Nurse's cap, Red Cross membership card, list of Dodge County WWI vets, andA Bride Sews with Love in Needles, CA.
Gloria posing with the quilt, pointing to her father's name.
Searching for Gloria's dad and Mary Ann's dad and uncle's names.
The Dodge County Historical Society Museum.
Beautiful stained glass windows.Executive AssistantEarl Grey Aficionado
Find me on PINTEREST
Find me on GOODREADS
Find me on AMAZON.COM
Find me on FACEBOOK
July 5, 2016
You Asked, I Answered
A few weeks ago, you all asked me some questions you'd like to know. LOL! Boy, was that fun. Some of you had some creative questions. So, interested or not, here's my answers:What author/book would you recommend for someone that is currently away from the Lord?
Hmmmm... that is a great question! I think so much of it depends on the person only because people will drift away from Jesus for different reasons and in different ways. There is always the go-to Francine Rivers book, Redeeming Love. But, honestly, that isn't going to reach everyone. Sometimes, I honestly believe that just offering them different inspirational fiction can softly send messages without being preachy. But then, there's those who don't identify with fiction too. Some solid C.S. Lewis is always a good choice, or Wayne Grudem, if they're struggling with the apologetic side of faith. So, I think a lot of books would need to be tailored to what that individual is open to. Does that make sense?
If you could pick any baby animal in the world to be your house pet, what would you pick? Pretending that every baby animal has no life-threatening qualities to it. ;)
That's a toss! Do I have to pick one? I've ALWAYS wanted a lion cub. I was made to be a cat lover, and they're the king of cats. But, I also love elephants. I mean, I live in a circus town so it's only natural. Besides, elephants are so lovable and fun-loving.
Do you think you could live anywhere else, not in the USA? Where would you pick to live?
Hands down, Rome. It is my heart. I love that city. The time I spent there was brief but it made an indelible print on my soul. It personifies my personality. The culture, the coffee, the art, the passion, and even the flat I stayed in . . . sigh. I want to retire to sit on a piazza with my espresso and dream.
Do you ever not want to write? Did you ever have writers block?
Totally. Some days or weeks I'm just not in the mood. This doesn't mean I lose the passion to write, but usually means I need refreshment of another sort. Writer's block isn't something I've had. I always have something to write. I may get "stuck" on a chapter, but I can switch to a different story and reignite my imagination for that evening.
As you were writing The Cowgirl's Lasso, did your characters challenge or surprise you in any way?
Challenge, not really. The characters were all modeled after people I knew, (lol) so it was rather easy to draw out their characteristics. They surprised me, for sure. They always do. For one, (SPOILER ALERT), Charlie actually died in the original draft. But then he argued with me, and saved his own life. And, CJ wasn't really going to have a real weakness, because I wanted to write a strong woman who loved Jonah because she chose to, not because she needed to. But then that tarantula came along and yeah . . .
What is your favorite board or card game to play?
Well, currently I play a LOT of Go Fish and Old Maid. But I've always been a huge fan of Clue (shocking) and Monopoly. I also love Risk although I can't find anyone willing to play it with me, and I married a man who has no desire to play a board game for hours. :)
As a writer, do you use Goodreads or Amazon or anywhere besides this blog to review books that YOU read?
Absolutely! Reviews for authors are HUGE and while blogs certainly help spread the word, reviews on other sites help the book climb in the rankings and get more exposure! I'm big on reviewing books at Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes and Noble, and also linking them to Facebook and Twitter.
Do you know of any sites where I can get books for a reasonable price?
This depends on what a reasonable price is for you, although I will say, watching Amazon like a hawk can often garner you some good deals on paperback copies. You can also watch eBay, or browse Amazon's used books. Hit public library book sales and often they'll be clearing out older inspirational novels too.
FUN STUFF!! Thanks for all the questions. Now! Pick one of the questions above and leave me YOUR answer!
__________________________________________
Professional coffee drinker and best-selling author, Jaime Jo Wright, resides in the hills of Wisconsin writing spirited and gritty turn-of- the-century romance stained with suspense. Her day job finds her working as a Director of Sales & Associate Relations. She’s wife to a rock climbing, bow-hunting Pre-K teacher, mom to a coffee-drinking little girl and a little boy she fondly refers to as her mischievous “Peter Pan.” Jaime completes her persona by being an admitted social media junkie and a coffee snob. She is a member of ACFW, has seen her work on both the ECPA and Publisher’s Weekly top ten best-sellers list for inspirational fiction, and has the best writing sisters ever!www.jaimejowright.comwww.facebook.com/jaimejowrighttwitter.com/jaimejowrightpinterest.co... @jaimejowright
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13916081.Jaime_Jo_Wright
July 4, 2016
Happy Independence Day!
Happy Independence Day!
May we all take time to remember the sacrifices of others for the freedom we enjoy.
May we make choices that don't squander blessings.
May we steward the land we live in.
May we live that others may also be free.-------------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:Facebook
Find me on: PinterestFind me on: Goodreads
July 1, 2016
Interview & #Giveaway with #ChristyAward Winning Author, @BethVogt
SO excited to have Beth Vogt, a recent Christy Award winning author, and an all around beautiful person! We love seeing her at writer's conferences, and being blessed by her smiles and encouraging heart. Beth K. Vogt is a non-fiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. Now Beth believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” As a contemporary romance novelist, Beth is a 2016 Christy Award winner, a 2015 RITA® Finalist and a three-time Carol Award finalist. Her 2014 novel, Somebody Like You, was one of Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Books of 2014. In 2015, Beth introduced her destination wedding series with both an e-novella, Can’t Buy Me Love, and a novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love. She continues the series in 2016 with the e-novella You Can’t Hurry Love (May) and the novel Almost Like Being in Love(June). A November Bride, was part of the Year of Wedding Series by Zondervan. Beth enjoys writing contemporary romance because she believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us. Find out more about her books at bethvogt.com. An established magazine writer and former editor of Connections, the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth is also part of the leadership team for My Book Therapy, the writing community founded by best-selling author Susan May Warren. She lives in Colorado with her husband Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people, and their youngest daughter, Christa, who loves to play volleyball and enjoys writing her own stories.
We know you'll be blessed by her today too...
_________________________________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?
Crazy Little Thing Called Love is the first novel in my destination wedding series. Logan Hollister, the hero, is the older brother of Caron Hollister, who is the heroine in my second destination wedding novel, Almost Like Being in Love, which just released on June 28th. All of my novels are sparked by real life events, and with Crazy Little Thing Called Love, I went all the way back to choices we make as teenagers and how those can affect us one year later, five years later, even ten years later. The Story Question for Crazy Little Thing Called Love is: What if what you thought was your worst mistake was actually the right choice? Of all your characters in this story, which one did you enjoy writing the most and why?
This is always a hard question for a writer to answer because you feel like your picking a favorite child. But this is a fun question for Crazy Little Thing Called Love because I had the chance to write my hero’s and heroine’s story from two different viewpoints: one storyline was their adult lives and the other was their romance as teens. I pitched the idea of writing the teen storyline to my editor because I thought it was important for readers to see how and why Logan and Vanessa fell in love – and what happened to break them apart. It was challenging – and so much fun – to write from both a male and female teenage POV.
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 :)
Hmmmm … (pause while I scroll through my Deleted Scenes folder) …This is a great question! For Crazy Little Thing Called Love, I wrote a number of scenes that told Logan and Vanessa’s high school romance. Then I had to figure out which scenes were the most vital to the story and which ones were just important for me to know so I could understand my characters. Sometimes we write backstory that’s just author information, you know? Now for Almost Like Being in Love, my just-released novel, I turned the manuscript in on time and then called my editor two weeks later and suggested a major rewrite. So, I have lots and lots of deleted scenes! One scene I had to cut involved Caron running in the Emerald Coast Mud Run, which is an actual event that sponsored by Heart of the Bride, a ministry that benefits orphans in 5 different countries around the world. Good friends of mine, Tony and Faith Gibson, started Heart of the Bride. I’m considering sharing that scene as an extra for my readers at some point.
How did you decide on the setting/location for this novel?
All of my novels have been at least partially set in Colorado, which is where I live. It’s such a beautiful state and has so many wonderful locations to use as a backdrop for a novel. And Florida is one of the places that my family lived when my husband was in the military.
What made you pick these specific names of your main two characters?
Sometimes I borrow friends’ names for my characters, and I did know a couple back in our church in Florida and the husband’s name was Logan. I always thought I’d use that name sometime – Crazy Little Thing Called Love was the time! As far as the name Vanessa … well, it’s a feminine yet strong name and it just seemed to fit my heroine.
Moving on from your story, tell us a little about yourself. We’ll help! What’s your least favorite household chore and why?
I hate to vacuum. I just don’t like lugging the vacuum up and downstairs. I’m very thankful that my husband doesn’t mind vacuuming.
What are your hobbies outside of writing?
I love to read books and magazines – and yes, I know that’s so closely related to writing. And I love to walk – I have a walking buddy, Mary, who I meet up with early each morning for a one-hour walk/talk/prayer session. My family likes to grill all year round – yes, even when it’s snowing outside. And my husband and I like to go to the theater to see some of the Broadways shows. Oh! My husband and teen daughter are huge fans of the TV show The Flash. That is our one must-watch TV program.
Summer is upon us, and full of events. Are you doing anything special this summer season?
We’re taking a breather from our youngest daughter’s volleyball season. She competes from August through May. And we’re taking her and her best friend to California; we’re all looking forward to some time at the beach and a few days at Disneyland.
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?
When I write, I try to weave my faith into my novels in a natural way, so that you don’t hear “We now interrupt your regularly scheduled reading for the faith message.” I often ask myself, “If these imaginary characters were real people, what would they need to learn about God?” And then I write those truths into the story.
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 ;)
Um … very little lounging, although you might find me taking a nap in the afternoon to recharge. And I’m a tea drinker, although I do like Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes! I’m usually up between 5-6 a.m. and out the door walking – and yes, I’ll walk in the cold and rain, too. I’m still doing the “mom” thing with my teenage daughter, so writing life happens around real life. I always say I write in between the interruptions, which can include running errands, Skyping with other writers that I mentor, doing laundry, meeting a friend for lunch, or brainstorming with Rachel Hauck via FaceTime.
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, tie broken! Tea! My favorite tea is Bigelow’s Constant Comment. It’s good both hot and as iced tea.
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?
Okay … this is an unexpected question. How about a toucan? They are such funny, bright-colored birds. And maybe a sloth? Yeah, I just watched Zootopia with my daughter, so I’ve got a thing for sloths right now. Monkeys, of course … but no snakes. Nope.
If you had a choice of living in any era other than the present, what would you choose and why?
Regency England – think the time period written about by Georgette Heyer. Have you read any of her books?
We’d love you have you share a snippet from your novel to entice us and hook us! J Please share something below:
Chapter 1
Thousands—even millions—of women had routine choose-a-church, select-a-dress, plan-a-reception kinds of weddings. For some unknown reason, she was not one of those women. Vanessa scanned the brochures spread out across the scarred top of her mission-style coffee table, her plate of Chinese beef and broccoli shoved to one corner. Photographs of white sandy beaches curving around sparkling oceans presented an enticing mirage for a destination wedding. And then she reread the list of medical workshops her husband-to-be would be attending two days after they exchanged I do’s. TIAs AND STROKES: STATE OF THE ART APPROACH ADVANCED AIRWAY ENDOSCOPY COURSE HOT TOPICS IN PEDIATRIC EMERGENCIES Not the typical themes for a honeymoon following a romantic destination wedding. She’d be lounging on a tropical beach, sipping a refreshing drink flavored with pineapple and coconut, adorned with a tiny paper umbrella. Meanwhile, Ted would be safe from the sun’s rays, watching PowerPoint presentations, and earning Continuing Medical Education credits.
If you go to my website, you can read the entire first chapter of Crazy Little Thing Called Love!
____________________________________________
Win a copy of the Christy Award Winning novel and a beautiful hummingbird bookmark to hold your place!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Website/blog: http://www.bethvogt.com/Blog: http://www.bethvogt.com/blog/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethkvogt/?ref=badgePinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/beth_vogt/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5042181.Beth_K_Vogt
Buying Links:Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Little-Thing-Called-Love-ebook/dp/B00P42WX2W?ie=UTF8&keywords=crazy%20little%20thing%20called%20love%20by%20vogt&qid=1423192266&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crazy-little-thing-called-love-beth-k-vogt/1120678798?ean=9781476789781&st=AFF&SID=BNB_DRS_Evergreen_20150928&2sid=VigLink_6157437_NA&sourceId=AFFVigLinkM000003
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ChristianBook.com: http://www.christianbook.com/crazy-little-thing-called-love/beth-vogt/9781476789781/pd/789781?kw=789781&en=shopping&p=1012505
June 30, 2016
Book Giveaways!!
Gabrielle Here:
This hasn't been a stellar week. On Monday, I had a second surgery on my sinuses (the first was in April), to correct a deviated septum. While in surgery, the doctor located a couple other issues that needed to be dealt with...which means I've been in a lot of pain this week. I was hoping to be on my feet by yesterday, at the very least, but I wasn't.
Today is the first day I actually woke up and felt like doing something...anything...so I loaded the dishwasher. Thankfully my husband has been keeping up with the chores, and my children have been with my mom, mother-in-law, and a friend, so the house is still in one piece.
As you can imagine, I've been watching a lot of television. I would love to read, but the pain has prevented me from straining my eyes too much. I'm an oldies kind of girl, so I've watched several classics, some comedies, some dramas, and some musicals. Yesterday I watched four Andy Hardy Movies (in between naps), starring Mickey Rooney. I've also watched the original Parent Trap, starring Hayley Mills, and several early 1930's films.
Because of the surgery, and the subsequent bed rest, I don't have much to offer today, so I thought it would be fun to ask a question and have a giveaway. And since Erica had some exceptional news this week, I'm offering one copy each of the novella collections we're in together (The Most Eligible Bachelor Collection and The Convenient Bride Collection) to celebrate her awesome achievement.
Here are my questions: When you're sick in bed, how do you prefer to pass the time? Reading, watching movies, playing games, sleeping, or a little of everything? Do you have any go-to movies or books that make you feel better?
To enter, please comment below. Next Wednesday, July 6th, I'll pick one random winner to receive both books and I'll announce the winner on my post next Thursday. To be eligible, you must live within the United States.
Gabrielle Meyer
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This hasn't been a stellar week. On Monday, I had a second surgery on my sinuses (the first was in April), to correct a deviated septum. While in surgery, the doctor located a couple other issues that needed to be dealt with...which means I've been in a lot of pain this week. I was hoping to be on my feet by yesterday, at the very least, but I wasn't.
Today is the first day I actually woke up and felt like doing something...anything...so I loaded the dishwasher. Thankfully my husband has been keeping up with the chores, and my children have been with my mom, mother-in-law, and a friend, so the house is still in one piece.
As you can imagine, I've been watching a lot of television. I would love to read, but the pain has prevented me from straining my eyes too much. I'm an oldies kind of girl, so I've watched several classics, some comedies, some dramas, and some musicals. Yesterday I watched four Andy Hardy Movies (in between naps), starring Mickey Rooney. I've also watched the original Parent Trap, starring Hayley Mills, and several early 1930's films.
Because of the surgery, and the subsequent bed rest, I don't have much to offer today, so I thought it would be fun to ask a question and have a giveaway. And since Erica had some exceptional news this week, I'm offering one copy each of the novella collections we're in together (The Most Eligible Bachelor Collection and The Convenient Bride Collection) to celebrate her awesome achievement.
Here are my questions: When you're sick in bed, how do you prefer to pass the time? Reading, watching movies, playing games, sleeping, or a little of everything? Do you have any go-to movies or books that make you feel better?
To enter, please comment below. Next Wednesday, July 6th, I'll pick one random winner to receive both books and I'll announce the winner on my post next Thursday. To be eligible, you must live within the United States.
Gabrielle Meyer
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Find me on My Website
June 28, 2016
WOW!
Erica Here: So, something very cool happened to me recently. While I was at Gabrielle's retreat in Little Falls, I got a phone call. It was one of the contests coordinators of the ACFW Carol Awards to tell me that not one of my novellas but THREE of them had finaled in the contest. Color me blown away. That had never happened in the history of the Carols. I am so thrilled and excited and blessed!!!
My publisher, Barbour, made this cool deal and posted it on twitter and Facebook to congratulate me. I am truly blessed to work with the wonderful team at Barbour.
Then my sweet agent made this picture to congratulate all her Carol Award Finalists. I am honored to be among such excellent company.
And in a stunning turn of events, my husband is going to attend the ACFW Gala Awards Dinner this year!
Here is a list of all the finalists:
2016 Carol Award Finalists
Contemporary:
Finding Me by Kathryn Cushman, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors David Long, Charlene Patterson
The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert, Waterbrook/Multnomah (Random House), editors Shannon Marchese, Lissa Halls-Johnson
As Waters Gone By by Cynthia Ruchti, Abingdon Press, editors Ramona Richards, Jamie Chavez
Historical:
Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor by Melanie Dobson, Howard (Simon & Schuster), editors Beth Adams, Jenny Baumgartner
Secrets She Kept by Cathy Gohlke, Tyndale House, editors Stephanie Broene, Sarah Riche
Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund, Waterbrook/Multnomah (Random House), editor Shannon Marchese
Historical Romance:
Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Raela Schoenherr
Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Vicki Crumpton
A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer, Bethany House (Baker ) Publishing, editors Dave Long, Charlene Patterson
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller:
The Aleppo Code by Terry Brennan, Kregel Publications, editors Dawn Anderson, Jannelle Tromp
Blessings in Disguise by Nancy Mehl, Guideposts Publications, editors Susan Downs, JoAnne Simmons
Finding Amanda by Robin Patchen, ACFW QIP (Independently Published), editor Holly Lorincz
Novella:
A Bride for Bear from The Convenient Bride Collection by Erica Vetsch, Barbour Publishing, editor Rebecca Germany
A Palace on the Plains from The Most Eligible Bachelor Romance Collection by Erica Vetsch, Barbour Publishing, editor Rebecca Germany
The Archaeologist’s Find from The Homestead Brides Collection by Erica Vetsch, Barbour Publishing, editor Rebecca Germany
Romance:
The Beekeeper’s Son by Kelly Irvin, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Becky Monds
Until the Harvest by Sarah Loudin Thomas, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor David Long
Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Beth K. Vogt, Howard (Simon & Schuster), editors Jessica Wong, Beth Adams
Romantic Suspense:
No Place to Hide by Lynette Eason, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Andrea Doering
Submerged by Elizabeth Goddard, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Elizabeth Mazer
Miracle Drug by Richard L. Mabry, M.D., Abingdon Press, editor Ramona Richards
Short Novel:
Covert Justice by Lynn Huggins Blackburn, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Elizabeth Mazer
The Christmas Family by Linda Goodnight, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Allison Lyons
The Doctor’s Second Chance by Missy Tippens, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Emily Rodmell
Speculative:
Vinnie’s Diner by Jennifer AlLee, Abingdon Press, editors Ramona Richards, Katherine Johnson
Heir of Hope by Morgan L. Busse, Enclave Publishing, editor Karen Ball
The Five Times I Met Myself by James L. Rubart, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Amanda Bostic, Erin Healy
Young Adult:
Angelhood by A.J. Cattapan, Vinspire Publishing, editor Jessica Damien
The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Becky Monds
Dauntless by Dina L. Sleiman, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Karen Schurrer
Debut:
The Thornbearer by Pepper Basham, Vinspire Publishing, editor Jessica Damien
The Calling of Ella McFarland by Linda Brooks Davis, Mountainview Books LLC, editor Carol Kurtz Darlington
The First Principle by Marissa Shrock, Kregel Publications, editor Dawn Anderson
AND!!!!
Happy birthday to my girl, Heather! I Heart You and I Heart Being Your Mama!
Heather at 2, helping grandma pick out flowers.
Heather, fourth grade. What a cutiepie!
My girl. I am so blessed.
Executive AssistantEarl Grey Aficionado
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My publisher, Barbour, made this cool deal and posted it on twitter and Facebook to congratulate me. I am truly blessed to work with the wonderful team at Barbour.
Then my sweet agent made this picture to congratulate all her Carol Award Finalists. I am honored to be among such excellent company.
And in a stunning turn of events, my husband is going to attend the ACFW Gala Awards Dinner this year!
Here is a list of all the finalists:
2016 Carol Award Finalists
Contemporary:
Finding Me by Kathryn Cushman, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors David Long, Charlene Patterson
The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert, Waterbrook/Multnomah (Random House), editors Shannon Marchese, Lissa Halls-Johnson
As Waters Gone By by Cynthia Ruchti, Abingdon Press, editors Ramona Richards, Jamie Chavez
Historical:
Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor by Melanie Dobson, Howard (Simon & Schuster), editors Beth Adams, Jenny Baumgartner
Secrets She Kept by Cathy Gohlke, Tyndale House, editors Stephanie Broene, Sarah Riche
Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund, Waterbrook/Multnomah (Random House), editor Shannon Marchese
Historical Romance:
Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Raela Schoenherr
Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Vicki Crumpton
A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer, Bethany House (Baker ) Publishing, editors Dave Long, Charlene Patterson
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller:
The Aleppo Code by Terry Brennan, Kregel Publications, editors Dawn Anderson, Jannelle Tromp
Blessings in Disguise by Nancy Mehl, Guideposts Publications, editors Susan Downs, JoAnne Simmons
Finding Amanda by Robin Patchen, ACFW QIP (Independently Published), editor Holly Lorincz
Novella:
A Bride for Bear from The Convenient Bride Collection by Erica Vetsch, Barbour Publishing, editor Rebecca Germany
A Palace on the Plains from The Most Eligible Bachelor Romance Collection by Erica Vetsch, Barbour Publishing, editor Rebecca Germany
The Archaeologist’s Find from The Homestead Brides Collection by Erica Vetsch, Barbour Publishing, editor Rebecca Germany
Romance:
The Beekeeper’s Son by Kelly Irvin, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Becky Monds
Until the Harvest by Sarah Loudin Thomas, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor David Long
Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Beth K. Vogt, Howard (Simon & Schuster), editors Jessica Wong, Beth Adams
Romantic Suspense:
No Place to Hide by Lynette Eason, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Andrea Doering
Submerged by Elizabeth Goddard, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Elizabeth Mazer
Miracle Drug by Richard L. Mabry, M.D., Abingdon Press, editor Ramona Richards
Short Novel:
Covert Justice by Lynn Huggins Blackburn, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Elizabeth Mazer
The Christmas Family by Linda Goodnight, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Allison Lyons
The Doctor’s Second Chance by Missy Tippens, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Emily Rodmell
Speculative:
Vinnie’s Diner by Jennifer AlLee, Abingdon Press, editors Ramona Richards, Katherine Johnson
Heir of Hope by Morgan L. Busse, Enclave Publishing, editor Karen Ball
The Five Times I Met Myself by James L. Rubart, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Amanda Bostic, Erin Healy
Young Adult:
Angelhood by A.J. Cattapan, Vinspire Publishing, editor Jessica Damien
The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Becky Monds
Dauntless by Dina L. Sleiman, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Karen Schurrer
Debut:
The Thornbearer by Pepper Basham, Vinspire Publishing, editor Jessica Damien
The Calling of Ella McFarland by Linda Brooks Davis, Mountainview Books LLC, editor Carol Kurtz Darlington
The First Principle by Marissa Shrock, Kregel Publications, editor Dawn Anderson
AND!!!!
Happy birthday to my girl, Heather! I Heart You and I Heart Being Your Mama!
Heather at 2, helping grandma pick out flowers.
Heather, fourth grade. What a cutiepie!
My girl. I am so blessed.
Executive AssistantEarl Grey Aficionado
Find me on PINTEREST
Find me on GOODREADS
Find me on AMAZON.COM
Find me on FACEBOOK
10 Signs Your Baby Has Grown Up
The one thing that I love about summertime is having my kiddos all to myself. Well, fine. My daughter CoCo has only had one year of school through which I could moan about having to share her with others, but still . . . I'm enjoying this summer because she's home.But now that she's home, I'm noticing something . . . my baby has grown up. Oh, she's not 18 and she's certainly not striking out on her own, but look at that pic! LOOK AT IT!?! My little graduate, from Kindergarten, sure, but still. Cap. Gown. I remember: Diaper. Bottle. My mom said to hold my breath 'cause the moments go fast. She wasn't kidding. I know when she is 18, I'll return to this post and scorn my amazement at how she's "grown up", but for now, this is what I know.
Ten Signs Your Baby Has Grown Up
They can read. This is that moment you change the notifications on your cell phone so they don't flash on the lock screen. No need for my ever-ready-reading daughter to announce to the whole room those private, albeit most likely harmless texts that I'd rather just keep private. They start asking what particular concepts mean. "Mommy, what is a four-letter word?", "Mommy, how come so-and-so's mommy and daddy don't live together?", and "Mommy, how come you have a tummy ache every month?"They can get their own dinner. She can heat up a tortilla and fill it with taco meat leftovers and have her dinner and her brother's made before I sit down.They ask you to make coffee. Case in point, this Saturday I decided to skip coffee (don't ask). The conversation when sort of like: "Momma? Aren't you going to make coffee?", Me: "No" Her: "Well, I need some. Can you brew it please?" Me: "Uh....sure?"They tell you they're ready to date. We had THE conversation about dating and I hastily explained she needed to wait for several years yet. Which incurred the onslaught of impending tears until she clarified she meant she wanted a playdate not a date with "Hayden". OH! Yeah. We can do playdates at 6 years old, and sure, "Aria" can come too. But still, she's growing up. She didn't have friends over when she was 2.They can go pee on their own -- in the middle of the flipping night! 'Nuf said.They know they can do chores and frankly refuse with much teenage-angst in a Kindergartner's body.They freely handover their dress-up Princess clothes because "I'm pretty much done with dress-up now." *sobThey can tuck their brother in bed. Sorta weird for me, but sometimes she likes to play "momma".And the worst? She's not going to marry Daddy anymore. She doesn't know who she's going to marry, and sweet thang isn't even sure she's going to get married, but she knows, if she does, it won't be Daddy. But she was sure to clarify "I'll visit him when he's old in the nursing home. Don't worry, Momma." K. Thanks, honey.Anne watched her baby get married this last weekend. I'm sure she has an entirely different list of top 10 signs her baby has grown up. I believe as mothers, we have a new Top 10 every year.
But there's a few Top 10's that I failed to mention, that I believe, as mothers, we don't grieve but rather, cheer.They embrace their faith as their own.They develop their own independence.They develop their own self-confidence.They know their foundation.They garner their strength from the Lord and not from others.They dream giant dreams and believe with God, anything is possible.They learn that caution is good, but fear is disabling, and they learn to charge through it.They begin the life-long journey to conquer self-control, kindness, love, and the other fruits of the spirit.They cease to notice differences like color, disability, and education and instead see inside to the valuable soul.They choose to believe in a Savior and follow Him regardless of the cost.This Top 10 may come through various times of their life. But it is these that make me sit back and perhaps like Mary did, ponder all of these things in my heart. This is when I see that my baby is growing up. And, it is good.
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Professional coffee drinker and best-selling author, Jaime Jo Wright, resides in the hills of Wisconsin writing spirited and gritty turn-of- the-century romance stained with suspense. Her day job finds her working as a Director of Sales & Associate Relations. She’s wife to a rock climbing, bow-hunting Pre-K teacher, mom to a coffee-drinking little girl and a little boy she fondly refers to as her mischievous “Peter Pan.” Jaime completes her persona by being an admitted social media junkie and a coffee snob. She is a member of ACFW, has seen her work on both the ECPA and Publisher’s Weekly top ten best-sellers list for inspirational fiction, and has the best writing sisters ever!www.jaimejowright.comwww.facebook.com/jaimejowrighttwitter.com/jaimejowrightpinterest.co... @jaimejowrightGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13916081.Jaime_Jo_Wright
