Becky Wade's Blog, page 117

Inspired by Scripture

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A Romance Novel With All the Feels

I admit. I like a really good romance story full of LOTS of romantic moments filled with LOTS of toe-tingling, stomach-flipping sizzle. Those are the stories I’m drawn to READ.

Those are also the stories I’m drawn to WRITE.

However, as a writer of inspirational fiction I want my novels to remain clean and sweet (without any sex scenes). So how do I balance keeping a novel clean while including the romance that causes all the feels?

My main objective is to light a low flame and slowly fan it with lots of different techniques. I like to showcase how the hero and heroine react to each other. I also like to make the most of those first touches, the hand-holding, the accidental brushes, the simmering looks, the smiles. It’s not the physical action itself that’s so important as much as what’s going on in the character’s heads while it’s happening. Put that together with the wondering and waiting . . . it all adds to the romance, especially when woven organically with the couple’s conflict and growth.

My style of romance doesn’t appeal to all readers of inspirational fiction. That’s easy to see in one of my recent releases, Come Back to Me.

Here are a few negative comments about the type of romance:

“Not what I expected at all from Christian fiction. The romance was far too graphic for my taste.”

“Heavy focus on emotions and actions of a sexual nature, though not at all graphic. It’s basically emotion pornography.”

“The interactions between the main characters were very sensual in the way they touched, kissed and thought about each other, to the point it bordered on lustful side.”

The comments are interesting, to say the least! Here are a few of the positive comments about the romance in the book:

“There are Christian elements without things getting awkward or too preachy. There are dreamy romantic elements without things getting too overly steamy. Well balanced and very enjoyable.”

“This book had drama, suspense, action, medieval elegance and hardship, and sweet romance that will knock your socks off.”

“I could spend a lot of time discussing Marian and Sir William, so I think it’s just safe to say that their romance is beautiful, sweet, passionate, and just overall well done. “

Over the years, I’ve learned a couple of important lessons about writing romances. One, I won’t please everyone who reads my books, and that’s okay. Thankfully, there are other authors who don’t write quite as passionately and don’t focus so heavily on the romance. That means readers who don’t like my books have plenty of other options.

Two, I plan to keep writing the kind of books I enjoy reading—clean, sweet romance that doesn’t shy away from the sizzles and sighs and swoons. Life is too short to write (and read) what you don’t enjoy!

With that in mind, for readers who like a clean romance with all the feels, then add these books to your Goodreads shelves! Here’s my upcoming release schedule, four books over the next four months:

The Heart of a Cowboy (Releases Oct. 5, 2021)

Enamored (Releases Nov. 9, 2021)

Entwined (Releases Dec. 7, 2021)

Never Leave Me (Releases Jan. 4, 2022)

What about YOU? Do you like reading romances? What is your favorite aspect of a romance novel?

Patience or Procrastination?

I am a very task-oriented person by nature. If I start something, I’m going to finish. I have to finish, otherwise it will drive me crazy. But sometimes, it’s the starting that trips me up.

Last week, I finally got around to starting a project I’ve had on hold for over 30 years. That’s right . . . 30 YEARS! Thirty-two to be precise.

The summer after I graduated from high school, I got a job working in a little tourist town called Solvang about 30 minutes away from where I grew up in California. This is Danish community with fun little shops that harken back to their forebears in Copenhagen. Having picked up cross-stitching a few years before, I was excited to get a part-time job in a needlework store. This family-owned store was wonderful. I worked mostly with the grandmother of the family who was eager to give me tips and tricks to put to use in my own stitching. She taught me how to separate my threads so they would lay smooth, how to stich over two threads on linen, and how to use two hands instead of one. Because of working with her, my girlish hobby became a lifetime passion.

While working there, I enjoyed looking through all the patterns and kits the shop offered for sale. But there was one kit that captured my heart the first moment I laid eyes on it. It was from the imported section. The expensive kits. All summer I looked at that kit, dreaming of making it mine. So I saved up my money, and before I left for college, I bought it.

Sweethearts – by Eva Rosenstand.

Can you tell I’ve loved historical romance my entire life? Even at age 18, I couldn’t resist a pair of young Victorian sweethearts.

This kit came with imported linen fabric and was larger than any project I’d worked on before. The finished design would be roughly 24″ x 18″. I worried my novice needle skills wouldn’t do it justice. So I packed it away, promising myself to stitch it when my skills had matured.

As I went through life, I would occasionally think about this kit, languishing away at the top of my closet. I knew exactly where I would hang it in my house when it was finished. But I still didn’t start it.

Then a month ago I finally pulled it out. I had several large projects that I was looking forward to starting, but they could take years to finish, and I worried that if I didn’t start my Sweethearts pattern now, I might loose my eyesight before I got around to it. And I couldn’t break my younger self’s heart like that. Not after all she had sacrificed to buy it.

The price tag was still on the kit – $87.90. A king’s ransom for an 18 year old back in 1989. Shoot, it’s still a lot of money today.

Well, I’m excited to tell you that my patience has paid off or my procrastination has finally come to an end. I’m not sure which is more accurate. The kit has been opened, the linen ironed and edged, the floss organized onto bobbins, and the first stitches placed.

Because this kit is over 30 years old, I discovered that the white thread that had been included had yellowed in several places. Thankfully, I had a stock of white thread from my own supply ready to substitute.

I have now officially begun, so hopefully my task-oriented spirit will carry me through to completion.

Do you have a project waiting for your attention that you are having a hard time starting?

From Anne to D’Ann

Ten years ago this month my first novel released. It was a time of dreams come true in so many ways. But there was one dream I didn’t see realized in that moment—my true name on a book cover.

When I received that first publishing contract from Bethany House, they had one request of me: a pen name. Why? A couple of reasons. First, they had historical author Deeanne Gist under contract. For whatever reason, they determined they didn’t want to have two D’Ann’s (Deeanne) writing historical fiction for them. Also, my apostrophe was deemed problematic. And I understood that. I dealt with it every day. I agreed to tweak my name mostly because my introvert self was relieved to publish and promote under a different persona. With a bit of background in acting, I was able to to play the part of an author when I was Anne, whether in public or online, instead of just being forgettable me.

After a few years, my contracts ceased. By then I’d been Anne online for so long it felt odd to change. And I worried if I did get another publishing contract, they’d want me to stay Anne to capture those readers who still lingered with me. But few years ago, my feelings about a pen name started to change. Maybe it was turning 50 and realizing I was comfortable in my own skin. Maybe it was the Lord pushing me to take a risk and trust Him. Whatever the motivation, I woke up one morning and secured the web address dmateer.com in hopes that one day I would write under my given name.

I had no idea that a couple of years later it would happen!

come visit me at www.dmateer.com

All of a sudden I’m right back in the thick of things. Today, I am officially launching my new website—www.dmateer.com—as well as Wings of a Dream by D’Ann Mateer! (The content is the same, only the cover is different!) It is now available for purchase again—kindle pre-order is .99 until Sept. 22! Print will be available as well. And isn’t the cover gorgeous?

Over the course of the next few months I will relaunch my three other novels, all with new covers and my real name. I also intend to do audiobooks of all four novels, which has never been done before. And my Guideposts mystery novel, which will be part contemporary, part historical, will release in November 2022 and will have my name on the cover as well.

And so after a decade as Anne, I return to my real self. And I’m only happy to do so, I’m ecstatic! And so very grateful to the Lord for continuing to this I never imagined possible. I stand humbled and amazed.

P.S. If you want to help me spread the news, run over and take a peek at the new website then share something from its or pre-order and/or share the book. Or find the new me on social media (some accounts simply changed the name, others required new.) But most of all, just keep joining me here as we talk about life and fiction.

Traveling with Mark Twain

My husband and I have long enjoyed the travel writing of authors like Bill Bryson (A Walk in the Woods, Notes From A Small Island, etc.), and we were recently surprised to learn that more than 100 years before Bryson wrote, the famous Mark Twain wrote humorous travel books of his own.

My husband and I visited Mark Twain’s Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal, Missouri about a week ago. In preparation, we began listening to an audiobook we had not even heard of before: The Innocents Abroad. Most of us are familiar with Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a satirical exposé of slavery, which is widely considered one of the great American novels (although often banned since its publication in 1884). But did you know that in his day, Twain was better known for the travel books he wrote? The Innocents Abroad became the bestselling of Twain’s works during his lifetime, as well as one of the bestselling travel books of all time. Published in 1869, it humorously chronicles Twain’s five-month voyage by chartered steamship through Europe and the Middle East with a group of Americans, including many side trips by land.

My husband and I have listened to most of the audiobook now and enjoyed many laugh-out-loud moments. You have to listen carefully to catch all of Twain’s dry, acerbic wit and satire. If you like humorous travel books, you might enjoy this one as well. Be forewarned, however, that it is not at all politically correct. Mark Twain’s language and his endowing of entire ethnic groups with certain negative traits is often cringe-worthy to modern ears. But like many comedians, he lampoons pretty much everyone (including himself and his fellow pilgrims), so I think he can be forgiven.

A few of Mark Twain’s travel books.

Twain went on to write six travel books—5 published during his lifetime: The Innocents Abroad, Roughing It, Life on the Mississippi, A Tramp Abroad, and Following the Equator, while his Letters from Hawaii (a collection of 25 letters he wrote while a special correspondent for the Sacramento Union newspaper), were not published in book form until 1947.

Here are just a few quotes:

We wish to learn all the curious, outlandish ways of all the different countries, so that we can “show off” and astonish people when we get home. We wish to excite the envy of our untraveled friends with our strange foreign fashions which we can’t shake off.”

—Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad

We do not get ice-cream everywhere, and so, when we do, we are apt to dissipate to excess. We never cared anything about ice-cream at home, but we look upon it with a sort of idolatry now that it is so scarce in these red-hot climates of the East.”

—Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad

Did you know Mark Twain was a travel writer? Have you read any of his travel books?

It has come to my attention…

It has come to my attention that one Deborah Raney was scheduled to share a post today. However, the day has come (and nearly gone) and—

I see no post.

I see no pictures.

I see no apology.

I see nothing!

And you know why??

Because Deb and her husband Ken are currently traipsing all around the country on a grand national park adventure! Now seriously, is that any excuse to not post? To not invite us with her on that trip?

Frankly, I’m appalled and not just a little miffed. So here’s my suggestion…

Let’s all go pile in with them virtually into their lovely little RV. Let’s crowd ’em up and go along with them to see these glorious sights. And they ARE glorious!

If you haven’t seen any of their pictures yet, here’s a sampling…

And I’m sorry, but sunglasses or no, I’m not seeing a single ounce of remorse on her pretty little face! Unbelievable.

So join me and let’s go right now and knock on the door of their RV before they turn in for the night, the little-happy-national-park-traipsing-stinkers! ; )

Join Ken and Deb’s National Park Grand Adventure (whether we were invited or not!)

Tammy

Inspired by Scripture

This Sunday feature is brought to you by ClashVerseoftheDay.com. You may sign up to receive a beautiful photo with Scripture in your inbox each morning or view the verse each day online.

Cover Reveal (+ enter to win bookish gifts!)

For the the past few weeks, I’ve been working on a Christmas novella!

I wrote a Christmas novella for my Bradford Sisters series and had so much fun doing so, that I always hoped to include a Christmas novella for my Misty River series, too. However, I wasn’t certain my schedule would allow for that. Turns out, I was able to make it happen! I’m so glad I carved out time. I love penning stories that feature cold weather, Christmas trees, live nativities, hot chocolate, and more during this time of year. It’s still very hot and sunny here in Texas, but I’ve been able to escape to the Blue Ridge mountains at Christmastime each day in my imagination.

Those of you who’ve read Let It Be Me might remember Connor — high school art teacher and Leah’s friend. He’s the hero of the novella! He’s handsome (but doesn’t know it). Laid-back. An incredibly talented painter. Sacrificial.

If you’ve read the other stories in this series, hooray! You’ll get to catch up with some familiar characters in this novella. But if you haven’t read the other stories, no problem. You and Me can also be read as a stand-alone.

Here’s a glimpse at the plot….

Easy-going, artistic Connor Bryant fell hard for his friend Shay Seaver when they were both in the seventh grade. Now, sixteen years later, he’s returned to Misty River. She’s finally between boyfriends. And his crush on her hasn’t wavered. Now’s his chance.

He tells Shay that he’s found someone he wants to date and is in need of a makeover when it comes to his appearance and dating strategies. He asks if she’ll serve as his consultant — in hopes that he’ll learn how he can become her ideal man. What he doesn’t tell her? That she’s the one he wants to date.

Sporty stationery shop owner Shay immediately agrees to Connor’s request because he’s one of the best guys she knows. However, she quickly realizes she’s in over her head. She’s pledged to help him win the affection of another woman — even though she dearly wants to claim his heart.

And here’s the cover….

My talented writer friend Courtney Walsh designed this cover! Didn’t she do a great job?

You and Me will release on November 23rd, but the e-book is already available for pre-order at Amazon! (The paperback will be available shortly after release, but I’m unable to make it available for pre-order.) You can also add You and Me to your “Want to Read” shelf on Goodreads.

In celebration of this cover reveal, I’ve put together a fun giveaway, open to residents of the USA. To me, a set of adorable bookmarks and a pair of fuzzy socks is a recipe for a great night in with a book. Enter via the box below!

a Rafflecopter giveawayWhat are your thoughts on the cover and plot? Any questions for me?

A Writing Life…Missing ACFW!

This weekend is the ACFW national conference. This year we are online, and oh how I miss seeing my writing buddies. It’s one of the reasons I started Book Talk with Cara. It was a good excuse for me to get to spend time talking with the writing friends I’ve missed catching up with at ACFW. On Friday, I’ll open the conference and then on Saturday I’m teaching a workshop on writing proposals. It’s my least favorite part of writing, but with 35 books out, I’ve written a number for many publishers. I’ll also have a couple appointments with editors with houses that are considering a proposal currently. Ah, the irony!

This week I’ve been missing my writing friends even more as I prepared the next season of Book Talks. Look at this line-up:

If you haven’t read these ladies books, I’d love to have you join us. There’s a little something for every reader from contemporary romance to gothic split time to rom com and everything in between. And don’t forget you can catch up on earlier Book Talks either on YouTube, podcast, Instagram, or Facebook.

I also could tell that I’m missing my friends because I went on a pre-order, book-buying binge. Here are the books I bought this week from Baker Book House (Love their preorder prices!). My biggest challenge will be making sure I don’t buy a second or third copy. There are so many good books coming in the next months! Are you looking forward to any of these books?

Which books would you add to my TBR pile? I’d love to know what you’re reading and loving!

Where would you live?

Hi friends,

Happy Wednesday! Always glad to spend a day with you.

A friend asked if I could live in any book, which story world would I choose. This is a writer and reader’s delight—at least for me. Books started racing through my mind. Stories I’ve treasured and the world they’re set in.

I immediately thought of Dee Henderson’s O’Malley family and how I’d love to meet each member of their family. Then my mind went to Karen Witemeyer’s historical romances and her endearing heroes.

I thought of Narnia and how awesome it would be to climb through the wardrobe and pet Aslan’s mane. Or solving a mystery with Nancy Drew. But my heart settled on Jane Austen’s world. My favorite book is Pride and Prejudice, but if I had to pick a specific book’s world to live in, I’d choose that of Emma. I just watched the version with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremey Northam last week for the umpteenth time and I loved it just as much as I always have.

I love the carriages, the women’s elegant dresses, and the men’s dashing apparel.

I adore how they spent their social time at picnics, or gorgeous balls dancing to lovely music. But of every aspect of their world, I love how they spent their private time most. I think of the movie Emma, which brought the book even more alive for me, and how she had tea with Mr. Knightley at a table set up under a canopy out on the lawn. The strolls they’d take along winding paths surrounding by trees and by ponds. Time reading books and handwritten letters. I admire the beauty of a less rushed life. I know I could use more of that in my life. More time of quiet reflection, more time with family and, dear friends, even strolls without any plans of how fast I’ll walk or how far but simply seeing where the path takes me.

Reader Question: How about you? If you could live in any book world, which would you pick?

Blessings,

Dani