Becky Wade's Blog, page 146

From twice delayed—to cancelled—to published!

Finally! After a bumpy road to publication, Colors of Truth, a Carnton novel (book 2) is NOW AVAILABLE from Fountain Creek Press.

More about Colors of Truth

The book is available in print & eBook. And, within two weeks, in hardback and audio as well.

FIRST —

THANK YOU for the flood of support and encouragement during recent weeks. While I did not anticipate the cancellation of this book, God has certainly used the experience to draw me closer to him and I’m so grateful for that!

My prayer is that Wade and Catriona’s story in Colors of Truth will draw you closer to him, too.

SECONDLY—

While Colors of Truth should be widely available by October 6, it’s already shipping from some vendors (links here).

BUT PLEASE NOTE that an initial search for the book on your favorite vendor will likely pull up a version from the former publisher. These should have been deleted weeks ago according to our agreement, but they’re still up which is confusing when ordering, I know, and delaying the process. I apologize for that confusion. My agent and I are working to get that rectified!

So please look for the imprint (“Publisher”) FOUNTAIN CREEK PRESS when ordering. Questions? Let me know!

As always, thank you for reading and taking these journeys with me, friends.

On another note, how are things in your corner of the world? Are you part of the areas that are already open or opening up soon (be sure and include where you are)? Have you or any of your family been sick with COVID? I’d love to know how to better pray for you today!

Much love,

Tamera

Road trippin’ (and a book deal)

As I type this, Ken and I are cozied up in a charming little Airbnb in Hermann, Missouri, a German town built alongside the Missouri River. We’re here on a two-day road trip to bike the Katy Trail, a Rails to Trails biking/hiking path built along a former railroad.

This view from Stone Hill Winery overlooks the picturesque town of Hermann.

We’ve had SUCH a great time and I wanted to share just a few photos from our first day. (Be sure to scroll to the end of this post to find out how you can get a free copy of my ebook, Remember to Forget!)

Much of the trail is canopied by trees (and we were surprised how much further along the fall colors are this much farther north).



This pretty church came into view and I spotted a cemetery on the hill behind it. It seemed like a good idea to ride up there, but even with our ebikes on their highest pedal-assist setting, we couldn’t make it. We had to walk our bikes to the top.



But oh, the views from the top! So worth it!







My partner in crime. After all these years, we still have SO much fun together!



Just look at the stairway leading up to our Airbnb suite for the night!



And this is where I’m curled up working on this post! Just look at all those books!

And speaking of books, I wanted to let you know that Remember to Forget, the first in my Clayburn Novels series (and a Christy Award finalist the year it was published) is free in ebook format today only via BookBub! I hope you’ll CLICK HERE AND GRAB A COPY if you don’t already have one. And of course, whenever an author gives a book away for FREE, we’re hoping you’ll like it so much that you’ll buy the other books in the series! To do that, simply click on this image of the series below.

Inspired by Scripture

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

Puppy Love

Our family recently adopted a puppy!

We haven’t been very prolific dog owners. In the twenty-seven years that my husband and I have been married we’ve only had one dog. The extraordinarily wonderful Sam…

Sam’s a tri-color Cavalier Spaniel

Sam is now 10 and beloved by all. My 11-year-old dog-crazy youngest daughter has been asking for another dog for years, but I was reluctant. For one thing, Sam’s fabulous and I was more than content. For another thing, I hadn’t forgotten how much work a puppy demands.

Duke is a black and tan Cavalier Spaniel

But my daughter continued her campaign arguing (rightly) that she was a baby herself when we got Sam and thus has no memory of him as a puppy. Also, between you and me, Sam’s beginning to slow down a little. He has a heart murmur and though we sincerely hope he has several years left, we also know that Cavalier Spaniels are not known for long life spans.

I started to think that it might be wise to add a puppy now, so that Sam would have time to pass along his sweet characteristics to the next generation. Also, we all really needed something happy and new to enjoy during Covid. Also, the kids are doing virtual school at present, so they’re home (and able to help out with the puppy) much more than they normally would be.

I opened the “puppy possibility” door an inch and my daughter rushed through it at a sprint.

We brought Duke home in mid-August and it’s definitely been a lot of work — just as I knew it would be. Crate-training. House-training. Following him around to keep him out of trouble. The kids take turns waking early with Duke and tending to him after school when I’m working.

But it’s also been a tremendous joy. Duke is sweet, smart, playful, and adorable. His puppy snuggles instantly lower our blood pressure. All those backyard potty breaks and walks and “socialization” outings have been good for our souls — because they’ve made us get out from behind screens, go outdoors, and notice the sky, the breeze, and the flowers.

The only member of the family not enamored with Duke?

Our older dog, Sam.

Sam: “I’m dignified and stately. Why would I want to spend my time passing along my sweet characteristics to this ill-mannered tot with an excess of energy? I especially dislike it when he gambols through MY kitchen when I’m waiting for scraps to drop during the cooking or the eating of meals.”

It’s taken time, but now the dogs get along great during walks, cuddles, and playtime in the backyard.

We’re still working on friendliness in the kitchen.

I’d love to hear about your own adventures with puppies!

Creating a town and other brainstorming fun

I’m in the midst of planning and scheming my next book series. In fact that’s what I’ll be spending the bulk of today doing.

There is so much that goes into that process. I have to create characters. Heroes. Heroines. Supporting characters. Pets. Churches. Jobs. Places they work. And towns.

Sometimes I use real places. Other times I’ve used fictional. Both work and can be fun. But for this new series I want to create a new small, bedroom community outside Washington, D.C. Think of it as a commuter community. That means I need a name, and a couple weeks ago on Facebook I got my readers involved in generating ideas. It was so much fun reading their 80+ ideas. Now I wanted to give you a chance to join the fun!

Below you can vote for your favorite of my eight favorite names. I’d also love to know what businesses you think should be in this community. Feel free to elaborate on what it should be called. I’m imagining a picturesque small town courthouse square that has its own flair that attracts outsiders (anyone not from around there). Want to play along?

I’ll be mailing some books to randomly selected folks, and your vote is your entry. I’d love to have you join in the fun!

I’d also love to know: what’s one thing you love to see in new series? What draws you to opening the first book?

Loading…

What’s in Your Writer’s Sandbox?

I’m so excited to have DiAnn Mills guest posting today. She’s a talented writer, has a heart for helping new writers, and is an absolute joy to be around.

~Dani

What’s in Your Writer’s Sandbox?

Sometimes it’s a challenge for a writer to stay creative and engaged in a project. We want to avoid boredom and ho-hum writing at all costs. That’s why writers need a sandbox full of favorite toys to help dig into unforgettable fiction.

Space
Our excitement for a project doesn’t always occur with our fingers placed on a keyboard. The perfect spot to write is where our mind leads each individual writer. Our imaginations should never exist within the confines of our sandbox. If our space is cramped and dull, we need to dribble some of the sand outside the boundaries and see what develops.

Explore new places to write and at various times during the day. Add music, trickling water, or a change of scenery to build a mobile sandbox that can travel anywhere.

Sand
The erosion of rocks and minerals forms sand. We find it on beaches, in landscaping, in the manufacture of glass, and in an ingredient for concrete. It’s fine or coarse, different colors, and sizes. The person using the sand chooses its purpose and destination … like words strung together in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

Our hearts and minds fill with ideas. While one grain of sand means little, adding more allows the expressive person to compile interesting stories and information pieces. Start a file of “grains of sand” to keep the writing muse energized.

Shovel
Shovels move things around. In our unique sandbox, we scoop up our treasures. Sometimes we let the jewels sift through our fingers to see where they fall. Other times we place them back in the sandbox for a burst of imagination on another day. But as we watch the concepts trickle and fall, we find the unexpected. Those surprising moments of inspiration carry us forward. We place the nuggets aside and thrust our shovel again into the sand to see where our artistry takes us.

Bucket
No sandbox is complete without a bucket. The bucket is our storehouse of writing prompts—topical phrases or text to take us on an adventure. These tools get us in the mood to play and they vary depending on what needs to be written. Prompts can be as simple as reading poetry, getting lost in another book, or a special meet-up with writing buds.

Our bucket is filled with innovation. We can take it anywhere to find writing ideas. I once chose to pick blueberries when my plot refused to come together. Four hours later, I had my storyline and enough berries for two pies. Consider a trip to the grocery, shop for something new, plant flowers, yank out weeds, host a party, bake, visit the beach, hike in the mountains, organize closets, work on a hobby, or other sources of activity.

The equipment in a writer’s sandbox depends on the genre, time restraints, personality, and a twist of whim. Whatever sparks the writer’s creative soul and helps to build an exciting project should be sprinkled with gems of sand and enthusiasm.

What is in your writer’s sandbox?

Thanks so much, DiAnn, for being here today!

DiAnn’s new release, Airborne, is available now. Be sure to grab your copy here.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller and creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is the director of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Retreats: Marketing, Speakers, Nonfiction and Novelist with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion for helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

Connect with DiAnn here: www.diannmills.com

Photoshoot: An Ivy Hill Christmas

I always think it’s fun to get a behind-the-scenes look at how book covers are created, and hopefully you do, too. Here are a few photos taken by my Managing Editor, Raela, during the photoshoot for An Ivy Hill Christmas. Enjoy!

Stylist tying model’s cravat (left). Photographer and model listening as designer, Jennifer Parker, directs the shoot (right).



The model in 3 different states of dress. (Notice the snacks, far left, for a long day of shooting.)



Talented photographer, Mike Habermann, working his magic.



Model from behind. (Note the fan to make his coat tails flutter. Also note that Jennifer changed the color of the coat digitally after the shoot.)

I hope you enjoyed seeing these few photos, and I especially hope you will enjoy the stand-alone novella, An Ivy Hill Christmas. Available now!

Answered Prayer

In my last blog, I asked for prayer for my mom who recently fell and broke her hip, just before her 95th birthday. I want to thank everyone who prayed for her, and to tell you that she is doing very well. The surgery went well, she’s in a rehab hospital, and she’s in good spirits. She’s starting to walk again, and hopes to be able to return home soon. I’m so thankful that I can now praise God for this wonderful answer to prayer. What an amazing privilege it is to be able to bring all of our needs and fears to God!

Lately, I’ve been almost afraid to watch the news or read the headlines with all of the tragedies that seem to be happening daily. The terrible forest fires and hurricanes. The latest Covid statistics. The social unrest and injustice. The political divisions. I think we all dislike change, and things seem to be changing faster than we can even process them. It helps me to remind myself that our Heavenly Father is unchanging. His love and mercy are the same yesterday, today and forever. His salvation in Christ is unchanging. And His Word is unchanging.

In my non-fiction devotional, Sightings, I offered three exercises that I’ve used over the years to keep me centered on Christ’s promises when the changes start happening too quickly, and life seems overwhelming. These three ideas have also helped me grow closer to God over the years.

First, I keep a prayer journal to write down people and circumstances I’m praying for. The journal helps remind me of them when I sit down to pray during my quiet times. But I also leave space after each request to record how and when God answers those prayers. My mother’s surgery will certainly go into my book. I’m always amazed to see how the things I prayed for were perfectly resolved in God’s time and according to His plan. The journal serves as a reminder of His faithfulness, especially during the hard times when I don’t even know how to pray.

The second thing I recommend is that you take note of all the “God sightings” in your life. These are the moments and places where you saw God’s hand, or little reminders of His love. It might be as simple as noticing His boundless creativity in the flowers in your garden. It could be a kind word someone offered just when you needed it. In my devotional, Sightings, I describe some of the “God sightings” in my own life. Recording these little moments will provide you with an account of His goodness to remind you when He seems far away.

Finally, I encourage you to write down scripture verses that build your faith. Keep them in a handy place where you can read them regularly and commit them to memory. The Bible says, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). It offers guidance and wisdom when we need it. Scripture is also part of every Christian’s armor to battle the enemy. The Word of God is our “sword” (see Ephesians 6:10-18). We need to be well-armed.

Yes, there are a multitude of things we need to pray for in our country right now. But I want to remember to take time to praise God and to thank Him every single day for one of His blessings. Today I’m thanking Him for my mom, and for every one of you who took time to pray for her and wish her well. God bless you!

Inspired by Scripture

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

The Fairest Maidens Medieval Series Releases! (And a Giveaway!)

The Fairest Maidens is HERE!

[image error]

After months of planning and preparation, I’m super excited that The Fairest Maidens, my newest medieval YA romance series, will hit shelves next Tuesday (Sept. 20)!

I had a lot of fun writing this series for many reasons!

One reason I loved creating this series is that I used the same fictional world that I used in last year’s The Lost Princesses series. I loved being able to go back into the same place, develop it more, and introduce in greater detail some of the characters mentioned.

Another reason I had fun writing this series is because for the first time I’ve based the books off real fairy tales. Beholden is loosely tied to Cinderella. Beguiled is developed around Snow White. And Besotted is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty.

I wasn’t sure how well readers would like the connection to the original fairy tales. After all, there have been so many retellings over the years, that it’s difficult to make one more version unique. However, so far, readers seem to like my recreation!

One reader said: “With sweet romance, powerful sacrifice, and amazing inspirational characters and lessons, Beholden is a wonderfully unique take on the classic Cinderella story.”

Another said: “Containing many elements from the classic fairytale Cinderella, Beholden goes above and beyond, adding adventure and plot twists while keeping the love conquers all theme that we all love.”

If you love fairy tales, I invite you to give the series a try and let me know how you think my retellings compare!

A final reason I enjoyed writing The Fairest Maidens series is because I wrote them all in close succession. I enjoyed each one so much that I was eager to move on to the next. While the books are stand-alones, the series culminates in the third book with readers learning which prince wins the Testing and becomes king. And of course, the third book has the epic battle with the antagonist!

To celebrate the release of The Fairest Maidens, I’m having a giveaway! I’ll be giving away a copy of Beholden here on the blog to one lucky winner! Enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

To pre-order your copy of Beholden go HERE!

Have you read or watched any fairy tale retellings? If so, which one? If not, which fairy tale would you like to see made into a retelling?

a Rafflecopter giveaway