Robin Gilbert Luftig's Blog, page 20

Sharable Thursdays

Sharable Thursdays bring another great find by Robby Faye, Stealing the First Mate, by Tabitha Bouldin.

Darcy Riggins dove headfirst into the online dating pool and sank. Every time.

Her lifelong dream of becoming a wife and mother becomes more elusive every year. So, taking the lack of a Mr. Right in her life as a decided “No!” from God, Darcy gives up altogether.

Single and happy is not an oxymoron. Right?

Nigel Jones has loved Darcy for ages, but her father (his boss, of course) ordered him to keep his feelings to himself, thanks to a stupid mistake that Darcy (thankfully) doesn’t know about.  Too bad her dad does.

Being single and content turns out to be tougher than Darcy imagined, and when she begins doubting everything she’s ever known, Nigel decides it’s time to admit his mistakes, tell the truth, and trust God for the outcome.

In this “forbidden-love-meets-friends-to-more” novel, Stealing the First Mate continues the Elnora Island romances of the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

Follow Robby Faye for information on more great reads.

What say you?

What do you wonder about?  Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.

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Benefit from My Mistakes

I have some mighty-fine readers. Often, they ask me about God’s Best During Your Worst and tell me about their own tragedy. I even receive notes from people I don’t know, telling me how the book helped them work through their pain to find peace. They also watch my back and tell me when they find errors. And in Ladies of the Fire, mistakes were found. The editors and I missed them. Because of this oversight, there’s a silver lining around that gray cloud. Here’s an opportunity to benefit from my mistakes.

If you already have a copy of Ladies and find the nine errors that are being corrected in the newest books, sign up for my newsletter. If you haven’t yet bought the book, at a discounted price, I will send you a signed copy from my desk. Then you can begin your search. If your corrections match my list (available to you after you submit your own list of errors), I’ll reserve a free copy of the second installment of the Ladies series, Ladies Uncover a Secret. being released Fall, 2022.

It’s just that simple.

You cannot purchase copies of Ladies of the Fire at the box stores or online because they are corrected. The newer editions will not be any help here. Here’s all you need to do:

Sign up for my newsletter and request the book at the price of $11.00 (retail $14.99).After reading Ladies of the Fire, send me what you think are the nine typos/mistakes (page, paragraph, line of the mistake, what the mistake is, and what it should be).I’ll send the list of mistakes back to you, so you can see the error of my ways.

If you come up with the correct nine mistakes, I’ll send you an early copy of Ladies Uncover a Secret.

Want to Play Along?

Are you interested? This will be fun. I’ll get a copy of Ladies of the Fire out to you as soon as I can, and you can begin reading about Lily-Rose, Fiona, Sugar, and all their antics in Applegate, Ohio. Don’t forget to read with a highlighter. It may get you a free book.

What say you?

What do you wonder about?  Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.

The post Benefit from My Mistakes appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Time Spent in Northwest Ohio

I was in several areas in Northwest Ohio last week. Watch for information on my trip.

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My Favorite Father’s Day Memory

There is never a June that comes around when I don’t think of my favorite Father’s Day memory. Nothing captivated my attention more as a child than a toy stuffed bird my dad kept in a curio cabinet in his man cave. This feathery splendor was about the size of my palm with wild ostrich feather plumage glued onto it. I imagined stories about why this fragile object was set apart and displayed only for Dad’s eyes to see. Was it a gift from a princess he had rescued from the grips of a ferocious dragon? Was it a piece of treasure he had found while hunting with Indians?

One spring, with my vast four-year-old wisdom, I decided that, since Dad liked it so much, I should give it to him again.

The perfect solution.

The Saturday before Father’s Dad I carefully snatched the stuffed bird from the case. Holding it in my tiny hands as if it were precious jewels, I fled with my stolen booty to my bedroom. Hiding my plunder, I left my room to bring back the newspaper and masking tape, certain that Dad would be thrilled with his Father’s Day present.

After dinner on Father’s Day, while Mom and Dad were having their coffee, I stood before him and ceremonially offered my carefully wrapped package. He looked at the crumpled ball of newspaper encircled with bands of masking tape and pulled me up into his lap so I could have the perfect view of the unveiling. As he carefully unwrapped the mound of tape and paper, he revealed the soft, fragile stuffed bird I had taken from his glass cabinet. He smiled his I-love-you-over-the-moon smile.

“I love it,” he said. “Thank you for the perfect present, Peaches. This is such a cute bird. I’ll keep it forever!”

He smothered me with hugs and kisses and I erupted in giggles. After taking in his perfect love, I strutted away as if I had just been awarded a national medal for being the most loving and awesome child of the year.

Later that summer, we began preparations to celebrate Dad’s birthday in September. He never wanted much of a fuss, but we enjoyed honoring him the best we could. I had no idea how to out-gift Father’s Day.

Then the answer came to me.

When Dad wasn’t watching, I returned to his room, opened the display case, and birdnapped the feathered masterpiece. And as before, I took it to my room and wrapped it with newspaper and masking tape.

When the time came for presents after Dad’s birthday dinner, I made sure I was at the front of the gift-giving pack. Dad, once again, scooped me up along with my ball of newspaper and masking tape and pulled me onto his lap.

When Dad opened his present and saw the plumage and beautiful colors, he never missed a beat. He raved on about how beautiful this present was and how he was so pleased that I knew just what he liked. He never let on that he recognized the bird from the glass case in his room or that he even knew I had taken it. Instead, he made a fuss over me and my re-re-gifted item that had belonged to him since before I could remember. He made me feel like I had offered him the moon and it was the most special gift he ever received.

His love

Dad has been gone for over forty years now, and sometimes I forget what was so special about him. Then I revisit my favorite Father’s Day memory … and I smile. I can close my eyes and still see that look of complete love for me on his face. And, that’s a memory of why he was so special to me.

 

What say you?

What do you wonder about?  Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.

The post My Favorite Father’s Day Memory appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Faith Always Acts

It’s a challenge to always get things right, but through seeking God’s plans, faith always acts.

Do you believe God has a plan for you? Then act on that.

Are you afraid you’ll be laughed at? Well, maybe you will. But consider this: are they laughing at you because they think you’re out of your league, or could they be laughing to cover up their own insecurities?

Lives will change, but faith always acts first.

 

 

What say you?

What do you wonder about?  Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.

The post Faith Always Acts appeared first on Robin Luftig.

I Hope to See You in Van Wert, Ohio

If you’re in the Van Wert Ohio area, stop by. I’ll be will also be at the Brewed Expressions Café for a meet and greet, 11:00 AM, Friday, June 18th, and at 6:30 in the Gazebo at Fountain Park. Both weather-permitting. I’d love to see you.

It’s always good to come home and see familiar faces. Eat some of the same foods and visits some of the same haunts.

And you can tell me about the changes in the area. No more Penguin Point? And when did all those wind turbines show up?

No more Penguin Point? And when did all those wind turbines show up?

Books will be available for those interested.

 

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Desiring God

For sharable Thursday, I’ve found John Piper’s site, DesiringGod.org. Here’s a highlight of the Desiring God website. Let me know what you think.

 

What say you?

What do you wonder about?  Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.

The post Desiring God appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Sharing Tears with God

I woke this morning with this message on my heart.

Sometimes we have the tendency to project a life that looks perfect, but in truth, we are riddled with imperfections. When we need to cry, we hide our tears.

If that’s the case in your world, step back … take a breath … and know God loves you.

Visit Scott Hubbard’s article in Desiringgod.org, What God Says to Your Tears.

I hope you find comfort there.

“The God of all comfort keeps watch over your weeping.” Revelation 21:4

What say you?

What do you wonder about?  Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.

The post Sharing Tears with God appeared first on Robin Luftig.

So Many Gifted Writers

I’m still floating in the clouds over the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers conference I attended last week. There were so many gifted writers there … and their primary goal was to help writers like me.

I’ve been replaying conversations I had with other conferees as well as faculty members in my mind. They all offered great feedback and advice.

And we all need that, right? The more I write the more I know I need help. That sounds pretty pathetic, but it’s true.

After the Whoopla

After arriving home and fighting my way through exhaustion, I finally hunkered down with my laptop and started applying some of the suggestions of what I had learned to my Work in progress. I knew this would include deleting and rewriting large sections of text. Many hours of editing were applied. After my first marathon writing session and I finally closed the top of my laptop. I was blown away. It looks better … my writing is stronger!

Scripture rings true. “If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.” Proverbs 15:31-32.

“If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.” Proverbs 15:31-32.

Huh. Ain’t that the way. Because I opened my heart to the input of so many gifted writers, my craft improved.

If you weren’t at the conference, do your best to get to the next one. Check your area for other writers’ conferences. I can’t promise you they’re all as good as BRMCWC, but it’s my hope that they are.

What say you?

What do you wonder about?  Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.

The post So Many Gifted Writers appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Tabitha Bouldin’s newest, Stealing the First Mate

We learn in Tabitha Bouldin’s newest, Stealing the First Mate, sometimes happily ever after is as elusive as a pirate’s treasure. 

Darcy Riggins dove headfirst into the online dating pool and sank. Every time.

Her lifelong dream of becoming a wife and mother becomes more elusive every year. So, taking the lack of a Mr. Right in her life as a decided “No!” from God, Darcy gives up altogether.

Single and happy is not an oxymoron. Right?

Nigel Jones has loved Darcy for ages, but her father (his boss, of course) ordered him to keep his feelings to himself, thanks to a stupid mistake that Darcy (thankfully) doesn’t know about.  Too bad her dad does.

Being single and content turns out to be tougher than Darcy imagined, and when she begins doubting everything she’s ever known, Nigel decides it’s time to admit his mistakes, tell the truth, and trust God for the outcome.

In this “forbidden-love-meets-friends-to-more” novel, Stealing the First Mate continues the Elnora Island romances of the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

Want more from Tabitha? Follow her at https://tabithabouldinauthor.home.blog/my-books/

 

 

While we’re talking fiction …

Do you know my own the Ladies of the Fire? Here’s a tease.

Can a woman on the run find herself again?

The late 1960s sets the newly-widowed Lily-Rose Pembrick reeling as she flees Lincoln, Nebraska, with her children. Only taking the cash from the house safe and what she can get her hands on at the family bank, she leaves the recently-inherited and successful Pembrick Transportation company behind.

Exhausted from driving all night, she stops in Applegate, Ohio, and decides to start a new life on Norwood Street. There, she meets Fiona Kasey, an African-American no-nonsense housekeeper/companion to an elderly white woman, and Sugar Bowersox, a Southern spitfire who has lost herself in motherhood.

Together, they enjoy Lily-Rose’s backyard fire pit, where dreams are spoken and secrets revealed. As they embrace a kinship they never would have sought, Lily-Rose begins to think her past can finally be laid to rest—until someone ends up dead.

When Lily-Rose’s past catches up with her, who will be left standing?

 

And watch for chapter giveaways for the sequel, Ladies Uncover a Secret. Coming soon!

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