Becky Wade's Blog, page 157

Trading Places

If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would it be? As the title of my newest novel suggests, one of the themes of “If I Were You” is envy. The novel takes place in England during World War II and, at times, each of the heroines of the story wishes that she could trade places with the other. And if I could be someone else? Well, perhaps I would trade with a British princess.

I’ve had a lifelong fascination with the British royal family. Long before I could follow them on Facebook and Instagram, I have followed them in the news. My interest intensified during my teenage years when I fell in love with the Beatles, but for five generations, my family’s story has had some interesting parallels with the royals.

The Queen Mum (Queen Elizabeth’s mother) was the same age as my grandmother. They both lived to be over 100, they both died in the same year. Their daughters (my mom and the current Queen Elizabeth) are also the same age, and are both still going strong and leading their families well into their 90s. My mom remembers becoming fascinated with the King of England’s two daughters, Princess Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret, as a young girl. At the time, the newspaper printed paper dolls of the two princesses in the Sunday comics, complete with royal costumes to dress them in.

During World War II, while my mom was studying to be a nurse in the U.S. Navy, Princess Elizabeth served her country in the A.T.S., a branch of the Women’s Royal Army Corp that drove and repaired trucks (or lorries, if you’re British).

After the war, it was time for love and marriage and children. Mom married my dad—who had served in the Navy in the Philippines—and they had my two sisters and me. Queen Elizabeth married Prince Philip—who served in the Royal British Navy—and had Prince Charles, Princess Anne, and Princes Andrew and Edward. Like many young girls, I dreamed of becoming a princess—and always hoped I would marry real-life Prince Charles.

I was able to follow the British royal family more closely during the years that my husband and I lived in Canada, a British Commonwealth nation. In fact, I waved to Queen Elizabeth when she and her motorcade drove down Portage Avenue near my home in Winnipeg. There were thousands of royal-followers like myself in Canada who watched the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana on television. I was happily married by then and had long given up hope of marrying Prince Charles. But it so happened that the new Princess Diana and I both learned that we were expecting a baby at the same time. It was a race to see who would have her baby first. Diana beat me by a mere nine days. Her son Prince William was born on June 21, and my son Ben on June 30. We raced once again when she was expecting Prince Harry and I was expecting my daughter Maya—this time I beat the princess by four months.

And now the tradition continues. My daughter has also become a fan of the British royals and eagerly followed the fairy-tale wedding of Prince William to Princess Kate. Children soon followed for this generation, too. Maya’s 4-year-old daughter Lyla is a perfect match for 5-year-old Prince George. And if that doesn’t work out, maybe her daughter Ayla, who is not quite 2 years-old, can marry Prince Louis, who recently turned 2.

We are all still avid royal-watchers, but do I still wish I could trade places with one of them? Their many lovely palaces and grand estates are very tempting. And the clothes! But as a fan of the TV series “The Crown,” I’ve seen another side of their royal lives that is less than enviable. I like my quiet life too much to ever enjoy being in the public eye the way they are. And I don’t think Prince Charles or Queen Elizabeth would approve of my writing career. Or my bike-riding hobby. Then again, maybe they would envy my life?

So, how about you? If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would it be?

Click the cover image to learn more about “If I Were You” release date June 2, 2020

Inspired by Scripture

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COVER REVEAL!!

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Today, I’m super excited to share with you more about my upcoming medieval series, The Fairest Maidens!

For those who’ve read The Lost Princesses (a novella and three-book series which released last fall), this new series takes place in the same story world, except that it’s set earlier in time involving characters and places mentioned.

Readers will get more of what they love: medieval adventure, dangerous dilemmas, and plenty of sweet romance. The heroes of this series are three brothers, princes who must undergo a period of Testing to determine which of them is worthiest to become the next king of their country. Their Testing takes them each to a different country on the Great Isle and exposes them to extreme challenges. Of course, in the process, each one meets a brave and beautiful woman who captures his heart and wins his affection.

Without further ado, here are the covers! Drumroll, please!

Beholden Releases Sept. 22, 2020
Pre-order Here: BEHOLDEN
For more information visit my website: http://jodyhedlund.com/books/beholden/

Beguiled Releases Oct. 20, 2020
Pre-order here: BEGUILED
For more information visit my website: http://jodyhedlund.com/books/beguiled/

Besotted Releases Nov. 17, 2020
Pre-order here: BESOTTED
For more information on my website go here: http://jodyhedlund.com/books/besotted/

Getting three books ready for a rapid-release this coming fall has been no easy feat! Many people have combined their time and talents into the endeavor!

A special thanks to my editor, Julee Schwarzburg, who is incredibly talented. A shout out to my keen-eyed proofer, Katie Donovan. A HUGE thank you to Roseanna White Designs for putting together such stunning covers! Thanks to my daughter for her artistic talent in drawing the map for the front of the book. Many thanks to my select group of first readers for your dedication, time, and effort in giving me additional feedback! And an enormous thank you to Rel Mollet, my assistant, who is invaluable to me in more ways than I can count!

If you have enjoyed my previous medieval YA’s and want to keep informed on Launch Crew happenings for the upcoming Fairest Maiden series, please make sure to join my Facebook Reader Room where I post sign-ups for early reading/reviewing opportunities.

Question: What is your favorite thing about the medieval/fairy tale genre? What do you like best about those kinds of stories?

Ask the Librarian…& Giveaway

The libraries have been closed where we are for a number of weeks…and that’s hard for people who love books and the joy of exploring the stacks. I know I’ve discovered many authors through that process. I also know that many of you are passionate about your favorite authors and do a great job supporting them.

A wonderful way to support authors right now is to ask your library to carry the latest books from that author. With libraries being closed, there’s a delay in purchasing the latest books. Many libraries make their purchasing decisions based in part on patron requests. I love that our local library system makes it soooo easy: it’s literally a fill in form that just takes a couple minutes.

I’ve written about this before. But I attended the American Library Association meeting in Philadelphia at the end of January because I believe libraries are so important. It’s where I’ve found ideas for my books. I’ve conducted research there. I’ve discovered authors I now adore there. I’ve asked my library to buy my friends’ books in hopes that new to them readers will discover the beauty of their written words. On this blog several of us have had books release in the last five weeks. Would you ask your library to purchase them? Even if you have a copy of your own?

Becky Wade: Stay with Me (LOVED this one!)

Cara Putman: Flight Risk (Well, I wrote this one…)

Jody Hedlund: The Runaway Bride (Writes such good historicals)

Lynn Austin: If I were You (Looking forward to reading this one soon)

Dani Pettrey: The Crushing Depths (I love her books)

Karen Witemeyer: At Love’s Command (SOOOOOO Good!)

Colleen Coble: One Little Lie (I really enjoyed this start to Colleen’s new series)

Beth K. Vogt: The Best We’ve Been (I LOVED this women’s fiction)

Katherine Reay: Of Literature and Lattes

J’Nell Ciesielski: The Socialite

If you ask your library to buy any of these books, use the form below to let me know so I can say thank you!

Also, if you’ve reviewed Flight Risk, I want to send you a thank you. Just do the following. Your online reviews make such a difference! I’d love to thank you by sending you a bookmark! Here’s how to get yours:

1. Cut and paste into an email your reviews from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, cbd . com (*must have all 3 to qualify)
2. Email them to me at cara@caraputman .com
3. Be sure to include your mailing address!
4. Bonus bookmark if you provide a copy of a review on BookBub! *If you’re an International reader, provide proof of three separate reviews on your book sites to qualify. *

Bonus: three random readers will receive a surprise book from me if reviews are submitted by May 30th.

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Let Go

Hi friends,

I pray you are healthy and safe during this time of crisis. I still haven’t fully wrapped my head around it to be truthful. I can’t picture what future days might be like or if things will ever go back to ‘normal.’ I don’t know, but God does.

He’s really worked on my soul during the past two months.

I’m ashamed to admit it, especially as a Christian, but I struggle quite often with worry and fear. So, this pandemic has just stirred both up and it lies festering inside of me, but so does God. He lives in me through His Holy Spirit and He’s been using this time of quiet, of stillness to whisper love and trust to me. Here’s the thing, and any of you who know me well already know this, but I have a tendency…okay, a habitual stubborn streak. I, for what only reason God knows, can never do anything the easy way.

Even in writing. I don’t plot. I just sit down to write with a vague framework of an idea. I write all my first drafts longhand with an erasable pen and a legal pad—several legal pads, which I have to keep in order (as you might guess, organization is not my strong suit), so they can be typed in. I’m blessed to have an awesome friend who can actually read my writing and is willing to type in for me, so it saves me a bunch of time. After reading back through my horrific first draft, I do set out a revision plan, but I still go through multiple drafts, trying to find the right ‘fit,’ and it’s only with God’s help and guidance that I end up with a finished story that actually reads like a story and readers enjoy. All by His grace.

So why do I doubt His sovereignty in everyday life, particularly in adversity? I trust Him with my soul, my salvation, and an eternity spent with Him. But I still worry over big things and small. It practically takes God hitting me over the head to finally catch on. I’ve spent the last two months digging into His Word, following a daily Bible study, all focused on His sovereignty. I’m finally recognizing where I’ve been falling short and it all comes down to control and trust. I like to think I’m in control. But God tells us we aren’t. He tells us to trust Him and gives us the promise that we are never alone, but that takes letting go.

Letting go of our fears, our worries, our need to be in control. It’s taking God at His Word. It’s the difference in believing in Him and believing Him. I’m quoting Renee Swope’s A Confident Heart page 24. It’s part of my Thursday night Bible study and I highly recommend it. Believing Me, I hear God whisper and this time, in the stillness, in the sound of the sparrows chirping out front, I remember Jesus’ words.

”Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. [ b ]   30  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.   31  So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

~Matthew 10: 29-31

Reader Question: What has God been teaching you during this time?

May God bless and keep you,

Dani

Love Regency? Join Us!

If you enjoy classic authors like Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, or Regency novels written by current-day authors, you’re invited to join a new Inspirational Regency Readers group on Facebook.

Not sure what “Regency fiction” is? This refers to novels set in England during the years 1811-1820 (or thereabouts). Examples of current inspirational authors writing Regency novels would include me (Julie Klassen), Sarah Ladd, Kristi Ann Hunter, Carolyn Miller, Michelle Griep, Erica Vetsch, Abigail Wilson, and no doubt a few others that are not coming to my “locked down” brain at the moment.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

This is our first spring at our Missouri house and we’ve discovered we have a lot to learn about gardening in our new state! We’re pleased to have found a great nursery here that reminds us of the one we always shopped at in Kansas.

There’s so much we’d like to do in our new yard, but it’s a slow process and we’re on a rather tight budget. Buying our flowers is always one of my favorite days of the year and it was especially fun this year because we also bought two trees to plant in the backyard—a Newport plum and a Japanese maple, which the nursery came out and planted for us. The new trees are dwarfed by the towering trees in our woods, but we’re excited for the color they add to the yard.

We probably won’t plant nearly as many annuals or flower pots here for a couple of reasons: 1. Deer! We have up to 15 deer pass through our yard almost every day and we love them. But we’re told they’d like to make a snack of any flowers we plant. And 2. We still hope to do some traveling once the country opens up again, so we won’t always be home to water our pots and our daughter will be doing that job for us when we’re away.

Last summer we moved some of our outdoor flowerpots from Kansas and the deer didn’t bother those we put up close to the house. So we tried again this year and so far, so good.

We also learned last year that the deer seem to leave certain types of plants alone. Lantana and coleus are two of my favorites so I was thankful to learn they are considered deer-resistant.

Several varieties of coleus and lantana are filling the pots in the garden cart my dad made as a housewarming gift when we moved to Wichita in 2013. I especially love that I can see the cart from my office window.

I always seem to buy more coleus than I actually need, but I love them so much and it was nice to have enough to plant up a pot for the screened porch.

Have you started planting flowers or working in a garden yet? I’ve been surprised how many different things grow here in Missouri that we didn’t have in Kansas. I’d love to know where your garden is and what are some of your favorite flowers to plant there?

Inspired by Scripture

• HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! • 

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.

Cover Model Interview (and a giveaway!)

My new book, Stay with Me, released this week, and so I reached out to the novel’s cover models to ask if they’d be willing to answer a few of my questions. They very graciously said yes! (Which made my day because my annual cover model interview post is one of my favorites of the year.)

This post will introduce you to Paul and Sami Weaver, but if you’re on Instagram and would like to keep up with their lives going forward, you’ll find them at: www.instagram.com/paulwheatthins and www.instagram.com/sami.stasia.

How did you meet?

We met at a photo-shoot, where I (Paul) was shooting and Sami was modeling. Following the shoot, Sami invited me to church. 

I then started going to the same church, and after many coffee dates, we realized we both were crazy in love with Jesus Christ. We wanted to serve Him with our lives. 

We talked about the great love and grace of our Heavenly Father. 

No matter what we did together our conversations, actions, our passions, and dreams pointed back to Jesus. We began attending church together, and a few months later started officially dating. The rest is… well about to unfold!

Can you each tell me a little bit about yourself?

Paul:

I grew up in Maple Grove, MN with my two brothers and incredible parents. I am now a professional Photographer running my own local media company. I absolutely love traveling, and spending time with family and friends. 

Sami:

I grew up in Edina, MN with my two sisters, two brothers, and incredible parents. I am now a Content Producer working at Target.

How did you become the cover models for Stay with Me?

We were lucky enough to connect with the publisher who had an incredible vision for how to bring it to life.

When you think back to the day of the cover shoot, what memories stick out? 

The shoot was extremely fun! It was a beautiful day out, so we were able to step outside of the studio and shoot as well. 

What do you think of the finished cover?

We absolutely love it! The colors and finished product are so beautiful.

And now (just for fun) a quiz to see how similar you each are to the hero and heroine of Stay with Me….

Paul:

Are you half Australian? “Nope!”

Do you prefer clothes lines or clothes dryers? “Clothes Dryers”

Are you talented at either farming or cooking? “Nope!”

Do you eat super healthy? “Yes.” [Yay! THIS is like Sam.]

Have any women ever house-crashed a property that you owned? “Nope!”

Sami:

Do you love coffee or jellybeans? “Coffee.” [Yay! THIS is like Genevieve.]

Have you ever considered a career as a Bible study author and speaker? “Nope!”

Have you ever experienced an earthquake? “Nope!”

Have you been to Georgia? “Yes.” [Yay! THIS is like Genevieve.]

Are you a fan of hip hop music? “Yes” [Yay! THIS is like Genevieve.]

Jennifer Parker, who designed Stay with Me’s cover, told me that Paul and Sami were fantastic and she views this cover shoot as one of the best they’ve ever had. That’s saying a lot because Bethany House organizes a large number of cover shoots each year. The success of the shoot is evidenced in these runner-up covers….

To celebrate Stay with Me’s release, I’ve created a giveaway that includes a few of my favorite things — chocolate, a set of my favorite notecards, and a set of my favorite pens. This giveaway is open to residents of the USA and I’ll randomly select a winner when the giveaway closes. Enter via the entry box below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Before I go, I wanted to invite you to Stay with Me’s virtual launch party! This Tuesday night, I’ll be interacting with readers via a live Facebook video, and giving out numerous prizes. I’d love to see you at my Facebook page then!

Sincere thanks to Paul and Sami for making this post possible and for doing such an amazing job on the cover!

Baker Book House is currently offering print copies of Stay with Me for $11.19 (that’s 30% off the list price) + free shipping. To snag the deal, click here. It’s wonderful to support our brick-and-mortar bookstores during this time!

Readers, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the interview and the runner-up covers!

Cover Replications

Book covers are fun pieces of art, but they can also serve as artistic inspiration. Over the weekend, I challenged my FB group, The Posse, to try their hand at replicating one or more of my covers. It seemed like a fun idea, especially for those who are still sheltering at home. The response was wonderful! Readers are such creative people. I just had to share the fun results with you.

These first two served as the inspiration for this game. This one was done by Amy Green, fiction publicist at Bethany House, as part of a cover replication challenge last fall. The one below is by a reader in the Netherlands who recruited her dad to assist as our hero. Her dad reads my books, too, so he already has his hero spurs as far as I’m concerned.

Head in the Clouds proved to be the most popular cover replication. So many lovely ladies taking their lives in their hands by reading while walking down steps.

These next two ladies captured banker heroine Emma Chandler perfectly!

The next two readers got their husbands to fill in as the manly blacksmith Levi Grant. That’s true love, right there. So heroic!

More hero action with Short-Straw Bride!

These are some of my favorite fashion matches.

This reader’s 12 year-old brother made the LEGO church that is perfect in the background. Love it!

These had clever twists involved.

Who says you can’t be your own hero? Especially with your own horse!



A modern upgrade from wagon to truck.



A retired nurse ready to save the day!



Look carefully . . . there’s a train approaching in that picture on the wall.




This reader’s teenage son not only Photoshopped her onto the cover, but he even gave her one blue eye!

This was so much fun!

Which photos are your favorites?
If you were going to replicate a book cover, which would you select?