Becky Wade's Blog, page 127

Summer Days

Summer is coming! And I’m so excited!

Now, if you know me, you know this is, frankly, a miracle. I have never loved and longed for summer, as others seem to do. Why not, you ask?

First, it’s hot here in Texas. And I don’t like to be hot. Or to sweat. Or to worry about sunburn on my extremely fair skin.

Second, summer has always been about non-scheduled days. But the truth is that I thrive on schedule. When my kids lived at home, I enjoyed the more fluid summer days for a couple of weeks. But then I itched for routine again!

Third, summer plans often mean time with people. It’s not that I don’t like time with my people. I do! But it seems in the summer that so many days include people that I can get worn out. I find it harder to hibernate and rejuvenate during the long summer days.

Of course there are things I always appreciate about summer. Things like dinner cooked by my husband on the grill, almost constant blue sky and sunshine, and green trees and grass. (Well, green grass until about July here in Texas. Then it is scorched to a more blonde hue.)

But this summer I am excited for several reasons. Here are some of them (in no particular order!):

–unmasking (Can someone shout Hallelujah?)
–attending baseball games in the Texas Rangers’ new air-conditioned stadium
–a research trip for a novel
–my first Historical Novel Society conference (even if it is virtual)
–going to my husband’s hometown to see my in-laws for the first time in several years
–hosting a summer book discussion group with my sister
–a community pool a half block from my house
–spending time with both of my sisters, who are teachers and busy during the school year
–watching fourth of July fireworks from our porch (our house is very near the park where they happen!)
–a couple of possible short trips

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And yes, I’m even looking forward to working this summer, because there are some big changes happening in my author life! I can’t wait to share those with you this fall!

So for the first time in many years, the end of May is not stirring tension in my chest. This year, I’m excited about summer and all its joy-filled days.

What are you looking forward to this summer?

Friends making French Press coffee

If you saw Deb’s blog post last week, you already know that she and Ken dropped by to see me and Joe on their grand adventure! And oh, what a sweet visit that was. Only problem…it was too quick!

We had breakfast with them at their campsite one morning, then they spent the day with us on Mother’s Day.

How I love this woman! I’m so grateful God brought us together nearly 20 years ago now.

Deb and I are both major coffee lovers!

So when she mentioned she was going to make French Press coffee for us that morning, but would have to make a couple of “pots” since hers was smaller, I scrounged around until I found mine and brought it with us. But it had been so long since I’d used it, I didn’t remember how. So…

Deb gave me a step-by-step tutorial. That is, IF you can hear it over all the cackling and good-natured sarcasm!

And here’s after waiting four minutes for all that yumminess to brew. Oh, the aroma.

Are YOU a coffee lover too? If yes, how do you take yours? Black? With cream? Sweetened? Unsweetened? With a flavored creamer? Do you like all the flavored coffees too?

Me? I love ‘regular’ coffee (unflavored) with either heavy cream or half and half, and sweetened with Stevia. And I like it HOT, baby. Around 195 degrees (which is about 40 seconds in the microwave after the cold cream is added).

I usually awaken between 4:30 and 5:00 AM, and grabbing my coffee and Bible is how I start each day. It’s a treasured time for so many reasons. And even now (it’s Monday evening as I’m typing this), I’m already looking forward to that first (and second) cup of morning coffee. Oh that first sip is heavenly.

Have you ever made French Press coffee? Did you enjoy it? How do you drink your coffee? And if coffee isn’t your “cup of tea,” tell me what is!

Happy Tuesday all!

Tammy

Together Again

I came across these wonderful black and white photographs while researching my newest novel, “Chasing Shadows,” which takes place in the Netherlands during WWII.

The pictures clearly show the joy the Dutch people felt as they celebrated the liberation of their country after six years of war and enemy occupation. The Dutch still celebrate that day, May 15, 1945, each year.

We’ve experienced just a small taste of that darkness and uncertainty and the sense of captivity to an enemy this past year during the pandemic. And while life hasn’t quite returned to normal yet—just as life in the Netherlands wasn’t normal for many months to come—most of us are already looking forward to what we hope is “the beginning of the end.” Now that my husband and I, along with our middle son, daughter, and son-in-law have all been vaccinated, we’ve decided to celebrate with a (masked) family reunion trip to our favorite cabin near Rocky Mountain National Park. I invite you to join us through these pictures.

Here are two views from our front deck.

Being able to spend time with family again seems richer and more meaningful after so much time apart. FaceTime kept me in touch with my two granddaughters, but how wonderful it is to be able to hug each other again! This is Lyla and me, hiking one of the beautiful trails together.

I’m also savoring the freedom of being outside in the wonders of God’s creation after a year of at-home quarantine. I hope I won’t ever take the freedom to travel for granted again.

The mountains are reminding me of God’s awesome power and might. The God who created the Rockies holds all things under His sovereign control. Including pandemics. Including my life, and my loved ones’ lives.

He also knows what the future holds. Like my granddaughter, Ayla, we can set off down that road to the future, safe and secure in His love.

As I look back at this past year, I’m searching for more ways to celebrate what I’ve learned and how I’ve grown and changed. Like the Dutch people will do on May 15, we also need to reflect and remember our own challenging times. What are some of the ways you plan to remember and commemorate the pandemic year?

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.

Behind the Scenes of My Cover Shoot (and a giveaway!)

The cover shoot for my new release, Let It Be Me, took place eight months ago. Today, I’m excited to share behind-the-scenes photos of that day + runner-up covers that the team considered for the novel + a fun giveaway!

Cover designer Jennifer Parker (seated on right) told me that the cover creation process has been extremely challenging this last year because Covid. Like so many of us, the cover designers, models, make-up artists, and photographers had to find ways to adapt and accomplish their work while keeping everyone healthy.

Cover couple Spencer and Lissa are adorable together! They’re married in real life. You can learn more about them and their relationship by reading my interview with them here.

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As you can see, they photographed them in studio against a white wall. The dress Lissa’s wearing was purchased by the cover design team. When they were out shopping for her wardrobe, they emailed me a few different choices. I picked this dress immediately, because Leah wears polka dots a few times in the book.

Lissa was hired through a modeling agency to pose for this cover. When her agent asked, “Would your husband be willing to take part in the photo shoot, too?” she immediately said yes. Spencer’s a mechanical engineer and was such a good sport to come along for the ride!

Once Jennifer received the photos from the shoot, she went to work preparing several different cover possibilities (called mock-ups). She then shared those with a team of people from Bethany House Publishers that includes staff from design, editorial, marketing, and sales. Here are some of the covers they considered….

And here’s the finished cover….

You’ll notice that they changed the title font to dark pink and made the wash of color along the bottom more turquoise than green. Many thanks to everyone at Bethany House who worked so hard under challenging conditions to bring the characters of Sebastian and Leah to life on this cover!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the cover shoot and runner-up covers!

I’m truly grateful for my readers! To thank you for supporting my books and following me on this blog and via social media, I’ve put together a giveaway. One of you will receive an 11.5 oz jug of sea salt caramels and a fun Jane Austen mug. Simply enter via the form below. USA only please. Best of luck!

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Christmas already? + Giveaway

This week I turned in final grades for my day job — professor at a Big Ten University. I have to say the big exhale I felt as the last one was entered was fantastic. This summer I’ll do a little research and developing new classes, but I plan to read and write. A lot.

First up on the writing front is a Christmas novella for a collection with my friends Pepper Basham, Janine Rosche, and Teresa Tysinger. Don’t you just love this cover?

I’m excited to write with these gals. There is something so fun that happens when I get to collaborate with friends. And these ladies are so fun! I’m going to have to learn how to write funny. We’re creating a town in the Blue Ridge Mountains and I cannot wait to dig in. In fact today is the day I’m moving past photos of my hero and heroine and into motivations and what will happen (aka plotting). Brainstorm! Hmmm, I’m thinking the Inspired by Fiction ladies should do a collection together at some point!

So here’s a question for you (be sure to leave a comment and use the rafflecopter form to be entered for a giveaway as a thank you):

What do you love to see in a Christmas collection? Do you like reading Christmas books to get you in the mood for the season? Anything you don’t like? It’s always helpful to know what you as a reader love to see or are over in your books.

The other thing I’m excited about is that I’m FINALLY rereleasing my former Love Inspired Suspense novel Trial by Fire. It will release on June 11, and is on preorder special for $2.99 in ebook formats if you buy it before then. It will also be available in paperback.

I just finished rereading/editing it last week. I’d forgotten how much I loved this story and these characters. Here’s more about Trial by Fire:

Her mother’s house was first. Then her brother’s. County prosecutor Tricia Jamison is sure she’s next on the arsonist’s list. But who is after her family? And why does every fire throw her in Noah Brust’s path?
Noah can’t forgive Tricia. Her failure to protect him on the stand the previous year meant his father’s reputation was ruined. Yet every time the firefighter is near her, he’s drawn to her again. The vulnerability she hides under her confident veneer surprises and moves him. Torn between Tricia’s safety and his own bitterness, Noah belatedly remembers the first rule of firefighting: don’t get burned.

Finally I’m trying to decide what novel to write next while I wait on news of my latest proposal. I’m considering writing a WWII romantic suspense novel I plotted years ago that involve the WASP pilots. Or I could write the third book in the series that Trial by Fire is part of. Any thoughts on what you’d like to see? It’s been a while since I’ve written WWII, and I miss it. All my research books are calling out to me. So many options!

I’m eager to see what you love about Christmas stories. And if you have thoughts on whether I should write a WWII or a contemporary, I’d love to know that as well!

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Beach Reads

Hi friends,

It’s no secret my favorite season is Summer, and my favorite place to be with my family is at the beach. Being so close to God’s majestic creation makes me feel both at home and a sense of awe and wonder. It stills my mind (which anyone who knows me can tell you that’s a miracle in and of itself) and quiets my soul. A sweet author friend has a beach house in the Outerbanks that we’ll be visiting multiple times this year, and I can’t wait.  Not only because this is the first year that I’ve scheduled my writing time around my vacations so I won’t be writing during vacation, but because it means lots of binge reading for me!

There are so many great books to choose from, but for our first trip, I’ll be bringing these two with me.

My friend and longtime prayer partner, Becky Wade, is always at the top of my beach read list.

The one woman he wants is the one he cannot have.
beckywade.com

I’m loving Colleen’s Pelican Harbor series!

It all started with one little lie. But the gripping truth is finally coming out.
colleencoble.com

You can find both at your favorite retailer or hop over to my website www.danipettrey.com and sign up for my newsletter.

I’m running a Sun, Fun, and Books A Ton! Giveaway in my upcoming May newsletter, where I’ll be giving away some summer goodies and a handful of books including both Becky and Denise’s new releases. 

Question for you: What books are on your summer reading list?

Blessings,

Dani

Silhouettes: The “Snapshots” of the Regency Era

Photography began to develop (pun unintended) in the 1830s and 40s. Before that, likenesses were captured in other ways. This past Saturday, I attended an online class about one of the most popular methods. The class was called “Shades, Shadows, and Profiles: Silhouettes during the time of Jane Austen.” It was taught by Candice Hern, a well-known and respected Regency author and collector.

Candice gave a short history of silhouettes (known as “shades” or “profiles” during the Regency era), and the various techniques used to create them. She shared many examples, including several from her own collection. And, she also talked about some of the famous profile miniature artists.

Of course, having your portraited painted by a professional artist was another (and more colorful) option. But the multiple sittings were long and the expense far beyond what most (except the wealthy) could afford. Silhouettes, on the other hand, were a relatively quick, inexpensive alternative, and therefore accessible to far more people.

Lady’s Monthly Museum, 1799

In their most basic form, silhouettes required a person to sit before a light, while a second person traced their profile on paper and then cut it out with scissors. (There were also various contraptions to aid in this process.) Silhouette-making was a craft many amateurs enjoyed doing themselves, as shown in this brief excerpt from The Bride of Ivy Green:

“Oh, I would love to have my silhouette drawn,” Miss Bingley enthused. “Excellent idea, Justina.”

To prepare for the “shade party,” Justina and Rachel hung a large piece of white paper on the wall and set a chair before it, positioning a candle lamp nearby to cast the shadow of the subject’s silhouette onto the paper….

Candice Hern went on to describe other methods, like hollow-cut and painted silhouettes, in which fine details and embellishments were added by the artist later, after the subject’s profile was captured. These were sometimes made into jewelry, while others were framed to display.

I learned a lot from Candice Hern’s talk. (I always do!) I won’t try to summarize all she said here, but I refer you to her very informative WEBSITE, which, as a Regency author, I often visit myself. And if you ever have a chance to hear Candice speak, don’t miss it!

Do you possess any silhouettes, new or old?

Silhouettes: The “Snapshot” of the Regency Era

Photography began to develop (pun unintended) in the 1830s and 40s. Before that, likenesses were captured in other ways. This past Saturday, I attended an online class about one of the most popular methods. The class was called “Shades, Shadows, and Profiles: Silhouettes during the time of Jane Austen.” It was taught by Candice Hern, a well-known and respected Regency author and collector.

Candice gave a short history of silhouettes (known as “shades” or “profiles” during the Regency era), and the various techniques used to create them. She shared many examples, including several from her own collection. And, she also talked about some of the famous profile miniature artists.

Of course, having your portraited painted by a professional artist was another (and more colorful) option. But the multiple sittings were long and the expense far beyond what most (except the wealthy) could afford. Silhouettes, on the other hand, were a relatively quick, inexpensive alternative, and therefore accessible to far more people.

Lady’s Monthly Museum, 1799

In their most basic form, silhouettes required a person to sit before a light, while a second person traced their profile on paper and then cut it out with scissors. (There were also various contraptions to aid in this process.) Silhouette-making was a craft many amateurs enjoyed doing themselves, as shown in this brief excerpt from The Bride of Ivy Green:

“Oh, I would love to have my silhouette drawn,” Miss Bingley enthused. “Excellent idea, Justina.”

To prepare for the “shade party,” Justina and Rachel hung a large piece of white paper on the wall and set a chair before it, positioning a candle lamp nearby to cast the shadow of the subject’s silhouette onto the paper….

Candice Hern went on to describe other methods, like hollow-cut and painted silhouettes, in which fine details and embellishments were added by the artist later, after the subject’s profile was captured. These were sometimes made into jewelry, while others were framed to display.

I learned a lot from Candice Hern’s talk. (I always do!) I won’t try to summarize all she said here, but I refer you to her very informative WEBSITE, which, as a Regency author, I often visit myself. And if you ever have a chance to hear Candice speak, don’t miss it!

Do you possess any silhouettes, new or old?

A happy meeting (and a giveaway!)

Ken and I have been traveling for the last three weeks and at the end of our time, I had a happy, happy get-together with my dear friend and writing critique partner, our own Tamera Alexander! It had been almost exactly two years since we got to see each other face-to-face and I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to make breakfast for Tammy and Joe at our campground, and then yesterday, to spend Mother’s Day at their beautiful lake home and eat steaks Joe grilled and all the yummy fixin’s Tammy made to go with our steaks. (And to shower in a “real” shower where you can leave the hot water running the whole time! )

We had the picnic table all set up and then it started to sprinkle, so we moved the table and put out the awning and had such a pleasant place to have breakfast!Tammy was so sweet to bring me a bouquet of wildflowers after hearing that one of my goals for this trip was to always have fresh flowers in our “house” (aka the camper).

And speaking of Tammy, she and I, Robin Lee Hatcher, and Cara Putman from Inspired by Life…and Fiction, along with several other wonderful authors are offering a summer book giveaway! Who’s ready for summer reading? Learn about our books below and enter to win!

One lucky winner will receive all of these autographed novels from some of your favorite authors! Follow this link to enter: https://robinleehatcher.com/hello-summer-book-giveaway/ (US addresses only please.) 

SOME KIND OF HERO by Hannah Alexander
Ian returns to Laine after three months  of being some kind of hero, but is he still her hero?

COLORS OF TRUTH by Tamera Alexander 
In a town battered and bruised by war, one woman embarks upon an impossible search—and one man must face the past in the very place that almost destroyed him.

THREE MISSING DAYS by Colleen Coble
It all started with one little lie. But the gripping truth is finally coming out.

MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE by Robin Lee Hatcher
A century apart, two women start new lives—and two unlikely love stories prove powerful enough to conquer fear.

TO SAVE A KING by Rachel Hauck
His happily ever after ended in grief. Hers ended in shame. But after an unexpected meet-cute, Prince John and Gemma Stone will soon discover their happily ever after is just beginning.

BOOKSHOP BY THE SEA by Denise Hunter
Following a destination wedding, a hurricane strands the maid of honor with the best man, who broke her heart years ago.

A WING AND A PRAYER by Julie Lessman
From WASP to war correspondent, a charismatic troublemaker flies high in the war effort of WWII until a no-nonsense flight officer clips both her wings and her heart.

LETHAL INTENT by Cara Putman
“Putman seamlessly blends the story with a wonderfully inspiring romance, too. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Lethal Intent!” –Lisa Scottoline

BRIDGES by Deborah Raney
Sometimes you have to build some bridges for a chance at love the second time around.

THE PRINTED LETTER BOOKSHOP by Katherine Reay
Books. Love. Friendship. Second chances. All can be found at the Printed Letter Bookshop in the small charming town of Winsome.

CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE Beth Vogt 
Wedding bells and storm clouds collide in this award-winning destination wedding novel about the possible mishaps and missteps that happen on a couple’s journey down the aisle to “I do.” 

One final note: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our wonderful Robin Lee Hatcher, who is the brains behind this blog. We love and appreciate you SO much, Robin! May God bless you with another year of living for His glory.