Becky Wade's Blog, page 169

Visiting Bethlehem

The first time I visited Bethlehem more than 25 years ago, I
expected to feel a sense of the beauty and simplicity of the much-loved
Christmas story: a crude stable, the holy family, shepherds, wise men,
and the Son of God in the manger.  I was sadly disappointed. The
traditional site of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is inside the Church of
the Nativity—a truly ancient church built in 565 AD.  It has survived
enemy invasions, the Crusaders, restorations, renovations, a fire and an
earthquake, but it looks like . . . well, a church.  A beautifully
decorated and ornamented church, with all the sacred clutter that has
accumulated over the centuries, but it bore no resemblance to my image
of what Jesus’ birthplace was like.

But wait—the real site was down a set of stairs and inside a
natural cave that has been venerated as the place of His birth since
160 AD. But even this simple cave was so gilded and bedecked with
artwork and tapestries and lamps and incense burners that I still
couldn’t get a sense of what it might have looked like on that first
holy night. In the center of the floor was a silver-encrusted star with a
hole in the middle. By putting my hand inside, I could touch the place
where Jesus was born more than 2,000 years ago.  I tried it, but I left
Bethlehem feeling empty, unable to make the sacred connection I had so
longed for.

And isn’t that how so many of our Christmases end up feeling? In
spite of all the tinsel and glitter and sparkle, all the money we spend
and the stress we endure as we try to create the perfect Hallmark
Christmas, we’re often left with the same let-down feeling I had inside
that church in Bethlehem.  We’ve lost the simple beauty of the story,
that precious connection with Jesus that is the true miracle of
Bethlehem.

The year after I visited Bethlehem, I began looking for ways to
recapture the simplicity of Christ’s incarnation. Santa Claus has never
been invited to our family’s Christmases, and we’ve always celebrated it
as Jesus’ birthday, exchanging presents because God gave us the gift of
His Son.  But year after year, the clutter and glitz had draped
themselves over our celebrations, just like the religious trappings that
have collected inside the Church of the Nativity over the centuries. 
That year, I purchased a nice but inexpensive manger set. I wanted
something that wasn’t a toy, but that my children could handle and
touch. We placed it at their level and at the center of our holiday, and
began the simple tradition of gathering together as a family to fill
the empty stable while my husband read the story from the Bible. Our
children divided all the people and sheep and camels among themselves
and when we got to their part in the Bible story, they added their
figures to the stable.

This simple tradition has become so beloved by all of us that we
still do it the same way every year, even though our children are now
adults. One year, our daughter was living overseas and couldn’t make it
home for the holiday but we still held our family tradition while she
participated via Skype. And it’s always in those moments, with a simple
stable and inexpensive plaster figures, and my precious loved ones
gathered around me that I feel the holy wonder of Christmas once
again—Emmanuel, God with us! May you find Him this Christmas season,
too.

What Christmas traditions are special for you and your family?

Inspired by Scripture

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Holiday Book Title Make-overs

Recently, I read this adorable blog post. Erin added a word to book titles in order to transform them into holiday stories and then gave each one a plot line with a Christmas-y twist. Her post inspired me to attempt the same with my books!

I asked my Facebook reader group (which you are all invited to join, by the way) for brainstorming help. Here are the results. My book titles, made over with a few additional word(s) for Christmas 2019!

Stay Wrapping with Me

Bible study author Genevieve firmly insists that Sam will find coal in the stocking hanging from the mantle of his historic farmhouse, unless he sticks around to help her wrap all the gifts.

Sweet on You-ltide Carols

Zander finally wins the heart of his chocolate-eating best friend, Britt, by serenading her continually with the song All I Want for Christmas is You. (Or does he? Perhaps she’d have agreed to anything to stop the barrage of All I Want for Christmas is You…. )

Falling Down the Chimney for You

In an effort to convince his ex-girlfriend Willow to give him a second chance, Corbin dresses in a Santa suit and attempts to climb down her chimney to surprise her. Alas, chimneys are slick with soot. His romantic gesture ends with an unromantic drive to the E.R.

True Christmas Cookies to You

Former Navy SEAL John busts a gang that’s been illegally distributing fake Christmas cookies. Librarian Nora finds an old-fashioned recipe for sugar cookies, which they bake together, then deliver to all the sad, cookie-starved locals.

Her One and Only Reindeer

Bodyguard Dru learns that a dangerous stalker has set his sights on her reindeer. She and Gray join forces to track down the villain and restore peace to reindeer-kind.

A North Pole Love Like Ours

Children’s book author Lyndie is kidnapped and transported to the North Pole to work in Santa’s factory, churning out books. Jake gallops to the Arctic, scares all the elves with his scowl, and frees his love.

That Present is Meant to Be Mine

Feisty Celia does an admirable job keeping strong-willed bull rider Ty in check. But when he claims that the last gift under the tree is his, her patience snaps. She engages him in a wrestling match/scramble to see who can get there first.

Undeniably Your Secret Santa

Heiress Meg tries to convince Bo that she’s the anonymous person who’s been sending him Dr. Pepper, photos of foals, Oreos, and gift cards for additional tattoos during the month of December. “No, it really was me! Undeniably!”

My Stubborn Bah Humbug Heart

Grumpy, grief-stricken Matt is visited by three spirits (Kate, Gran & Velma) who pester him so much nurture him so generously that he eventually learns to embrace love, poker, and frozen pizza.

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope your Christmas is warm, bright, and filled with the love of our Savior.

Should you be in the market for a Christmas story this holiday, my novella Because of You (which first appeared last year as part of The Christmas Heirloom collection) is currently on sale at Amazon and iBooks for $1.99!

My Favorite Christmas Movies & Giveaway

Ever since I researched 1940s Hollywood for Stars in the Night, I’ve been a bigger fan than ever of classic movies. Growing up, my favorite movies were from the 30s and 40s…that hasn’t changed. There’s something I love about the simplicity of that time that shines through in movies that make me laugh and feel. So today I thought I’d share a few of my favorites.

Love #Christmas? Have you seen @cara_putman favorite Christmas #movies? #giveaway #traditions
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White Christmas: I adore this relatively simple story set during the post WWII years. I love the theme of honoring those we admire…even at great cost to ourselves.The ending scene with the general makes me tear up every time. And hearing Bing Crosby croon White Christmas? And Danny Kaye is the perfect comedic foil. Sing with me “Sisters, Sisters….” Perfection! My family adores this movie.

Holiday Inn: This is more than a Christmas movie because it features 13 Irving Berlin songs that are set around the holidays. Fred Astaire’s fire cracker dance has always been a favorite of mine, but I love the theme of letting a loved one go so they can chase their dream. Happy sigh.

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It Happened on 5th Avenue: I shocked some folks last year, because I’d never seen this movie. Oh my! They were all right. I love it! It’s the story of a rich girl who stumbles on some homeless men who are living in her father’s seasonally abandoned mansion in NYC. She joins them and their friends, and before long her dad and mom have joined them — while pretending to be people other than they are. This is a story of realizing the hold things and money can have on us and turning instead to the value of people. A beautiful story.

It’s a Wonderful Life: I have to admit that I watched this so many times growing up, it lost some of its appeal. But my husband loves this movie, and it’s growing on me again. Who hasn’t felt like their dreams died and in the process their life didn’t matter. I love the way this story shows the long-lasting impact we can have on people without realizing it. The imagining what life would be like without us. It’s a definite keeper and one to watch each year for the reminders that we do matter — even when we feel like our story has no meaning or value.

Christmas in Connecticut: Here’s another classic that we’ve recently discovered and enjoy as a family. A woman in post WWII America is desperate to keep her job as a domestic column writer. Her readers think she knows everything about cooking and child-rearing. But she isn’t married, has no child, and doesn’t cook. It’s not a problem until her editor decides to join her for a perfect Christmas. Then the fun begins. This is a comedy that the whole family can enjoy. (And I’m giving away a copy!)

So these are a few of the classic Christmas movies that my family loves to watch. I’d love to know which ones are part of your traditions. Is there a favorite holiday go-to movie in your family?

Fill out the form below. I’ll select three winners to receive one of my books (as long as I have a copy

Stretching Our Hearts at Christmastime

Hi friends, 

Excited to be here with you today. I always love spending this time with you! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and am guessing most of you have your tree up and decorated…maybe even have most of your gifts bought or cookie baking days planned. I’m right there with you, but God has invaded my heart this Christmas in a way I hadn’t anticipated. 

My husband and I are truth-partners with Alistair Begg’s Bible-teaching ministry, Truth for Life. Every month as partners we get the option of receiving two resources. This month, one of the resources was an advent devotional by Sinclair Ferguson titled, “Love Came Down at Christmas.” I had finished the previous month’s bible study, which was amazing, so I thought it would be nice to do an advent devotional leading up to Christmas. 

I usually have a Bible study quiet-time with the Lord every morning, but I can’t recall ever studying an advent devotional leading up to Christmas. It really surprised me, to be honest, but I’m so thrilled I received this one. I opened the cover and expected to be reading the Christmas story. The angel Gabriel visiting Mary, an angel revealing what was happening to Joseph, no room in the inn, and our blessed Savior’s birth. However, Sinclair Ferguson chose an entirely different section of Scripture to base the advent devotional on. He chose 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. 

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Not at all what I expected, but each day’s reading covers a verse or a portion therein. It’s literally opened my eyes and stretched my heart in ways I never anticipated. Don’t you love how God does that? Just to give you a little sample, here’s my favorite quote from today’s reading: 

“Being kind is how love works. The Holy Spirit takes care of the rest.”

~Sinclair B. Ferguson 

Because I love this devotional so much, I ordered a few extra copies to share. I’ll be giving away a copy here on the blog. Just leave a comment on this post and I will announce the winner in the comment’s section on Monday, December 16th so be sure to check back and see if you’ve won.

Because Advent has already begun, you may not be on the intended reading schedule, but it will still bless you to read whenever you get to it. It’s all about Jesus, the love He is and the love we are to show to others.

I pray you have a wonderful, blessed Christmas! 

Reader Question:

What’s one thing you do to show love to others at Christmas or any time of the year?

Remember I’ll be picking one winner from the comments below for the devotional so be sure to share. 

Look forward to reading your answers! 

Blessings, 

Dani 

How I Celebrated My New Book’s Birthday

Last week, we celebrated the release of a new novel at my annual book launch at my nearest local bookstore. This is always a highlight of my publishing year, thanks to the many friends and readers who show up to celebrate with me. In case you couldn’t join us, here’s a summary of the event:

Describing the new book

I’m excited about The Bridge to Belle Island, a stand-alone romantic mystery. It’s about a young lawyer who is sent to investigate the death of an old friend. Evidence takes him to remote Belle Island, a place shrouded in mist and mystery. There he meets his primary suspect, Isabelle Wilder, a woman who claims she hasn’t left the island in ten years. When a second death brings her admirer, friends, and family under suspicion, secrets come to light, and her island sanctuary will never be the same.

The novel is a historical romance but definitely has
elements of a classic murder mystery or “whodunit.” Two of my previous novels (The Tutor’s Daughter and The Secret of Pembrooke Park) had
similar elements, but this is my most mysterious yet. It was a challenge to
write, but I enjoyed the process.

The book’s setting

The novel is set on an island on the Thames River. Nearly a hundred islands dot the River Thames as it flows across England. I enjoyed researching several of these tiny, fascinating places with colorful histories and intriguing names like Eel Pie Island, Pharaoh’s Island, Monkey Island, Magna Carta island, and others. Some of these islands are uninhabited, others have fine homes on them. Some are reachable by bridge, others only by boat. Belle Island is a fictional place, but it resembles Ray Mill Island, which my husband and I’ve had the pleasure of visiting a few times.  It is now a lovely public park so you can visit it yourself someday.

Map from book by Bek Cruddace!

Not only is the setting somewhat unique, but the
characters are as well

Isabelle’s fears keep her trapped on the island (becoming
what we might today call agoraphobia) and Benjamin suffers from anxiety-related
vertigo. I enjoyed writing about characters striving to overcome their fears,
in a time when these kinds of issues were rather taboo, and I hope readers will
find the characters relatable because of it.

As mentioned, writing a mystery was a challenge. I didn’t do it alone. I had lots of people to thank:

Writing friends Becky Wade, Katie Ganshert, Jody Hedlund, Courtney Walsh, and Karen Witemeyer who helped me brainstorm the novel early on.

My husband, who listened to many audiobook mysteries with me for inspiration while writing this book.

My first reader, Cari Weber, for her valuable input, my
editors, Karen Schurrer and Raela Schoenherr, along with everyone else at
Bethany House who reviewed, designed, proofread, and promoted this book.

Anna Paulson and Josie Kawlewski helped with research into Bow Street runners and legal procedures of the day. Anna also reviewed the manuscript and gave me valuable ideas, as did my writing friend, Michelle Griep. Attorney James Nagle reviewed the legal aspects for me. Thanks all!

What’s next from me?

I am returning to the setting of my 3-book series for my
first ever Christmas novella called An Ivy Hill Christmas, which
releases in September 2020. After that comes a stand-alone novel, which I am
working on now, called A Castaway in Cornwall. Prayers appreciated!

Then it was time to solve a mystery!

To help readers get ready to play sleuth, I read a short story called The Mystery of the Missing Book and attendees had to guess “Whodunit.” Suspects included my editor, first reader, assistant, and husband. Maybe 1/3 of participants guessed the correct “culprit.” Correct answers were put into a drawing for prizes like gift cards, movies (Murder on the Orient Express and Death Comes to Pemberley), etc. People really seemed to enjoy it!

Gifts & Signing

After that, everyone received a small gift (a print of Julie Klassen’s England) and then it was time for the signing. If you would like a 6 x 9 print of this map as well, send your mailing address to me at julie@julieklassen.com (while supplies last).

Again, I so appreciated everyone who came. Would you have enjoyed such an event? If you are an author, what creative ideas have you used to make your book signings fun?

Christmas Gift Guide for Your Bookish Friends GIVEAWAY

Do you love books? Does someone on your Christmas list love books? Then here’s a bookish gift giving guide just for you!

Ten other authors and I have teamed together to give you some book buying ideas for every genre under the sun—contemporary, historical, romance, suspense, and more.

Plus, we’re giving away “11 gifts” that are really fun! Especially if you love to bake! Hint, hint.

That’s right! We’re giving away eleven GORGEOUS PIE PLATES. Each author is choosing a pie plate she loves and is sending that to one special reader.

How do you enter to win, you ask? It’s is easy-smchmeasy. Grab all the details HERE.

Here’s a delectable yummy that I made this weekend in my cast iron pie pan that I’m giving away. I love this thing! It’s great for pies (both savory and sweet), cornbread, biscuits (oh so good with those buttery-crusty bottoms), casseroles, quiches, and the list goes on.

Magic Bars from Cast Iron Keto (be still my low carb gluten free heart! Grab the recipe!

With the holidays upon us, friends, I know you’re baking! So tell me…

What’s the latest indulgence you’ve baked (sweet or savory)?And if you were to win one of these eleven lovely pie plates, what’s the first thing you’d bake?

Tammy

P.S. A huge thanks to Deb for switching “posting days” with me last week. If you haven’t read her post from last Tuesday yet—GETTING CRITIQUED—it’s all about our 18+ year critique relationship (with some pictures that probably should have stayed in the vault).

12/9/19 – 12/16/19 Christmas Scavenger Hunt Round-Robin: An Old-Fashioned Texas Christmas

I hope you’re having fun with the Christmas Round-Robin! Remember to visit each author’s blog post where you will find a question that can be answered by reading the first page or two of the free Amazon preview of their book. Collect the answers as you go, then at the end, complete this Google Form to be entered for a chance to win the grand prize!

An Old-Fashioned Texas Christmas!

In my new Christmas collection, An Old-Fashioned Texas Christmas, the first story is a family reunion with the Archer brothers. You don’t need to have read the other Archer brother books to enjoy the novella, but those who have will have fun reuniting with the Archer clan. Travis, Crockett, Jim, and Neill are back with their families for an adventure-filled holiday family reunion. Meet the next generation of little Archers, be swept up in the romance of 4 Archer happily-ever-afters, and best of all, find yourself in an all-new Archer tale filled with renegade outlaws, life-threatening exploits, and family devotion.

Even better – this
story is told from Jim and Cassie’s point of view. The only Archer couple who
have not yet told their own story. Hooray!

But wait . . .
there’s more!

This isn’t just one
release. It’s two. The e-collection An
Old-Fashioned Texas Christmas contains two Christmas stories to warm your
heart this holiday season. Not only will you find the much anticipated Archer Family Christmas, but you’ll also
find Gift of the Heart, my novella
from last year’s The Christmas Heirloom.
Two Witemeyer Christmas treats in one handy package!

An Archer Family Christmas is only available in this e-book collection so grab a copy today!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Here’s the official blurb:

An Archer Family Christmas – It’s Christmas Eve, 1893, and the entire family has gathered to celebrate the holiday. While the men are off chopping down the perfect Christmas tree, an unexpected request for help leaves Cassandra Archer directly in the path of a dangerous outlaw. Desperate to protect the woman he loves, Jim Archer races to the rescue, only to find that Cassie’s life is not the only one in peril. It will take a Christmas miracle—and the entire Archer clan—to keep a second Archer Christmas from ending in disaster.

In Gift of the Heart, a widow and her young daughter move to Hope Springs for a fresh start, but with no money to secure a home, Ruth must convince a wealthy resort owner to accept her heirloom brooch as collateral. Will the pin that brought love to three generations soften the heart of a wounded recluse and give Ruth a second chance at love as the holidays draw near?

Round Robin Question:
What toy did Jim Archer carve as a Christmas present for Billy?

(Find the answer by reading the free preview of An Old-Fashioned Texas Christmas on Amazon. Click on the cover to Look Inside.)

Thank you so much for visiting! The next author on the tour is Jan Thompson, who is telling us all about her Christmas book Wish You Joy. You can find it here. Remember that the round-robin will end on December 16th at 11:59 PM EST!

The Benefits of a Rapid Release Schedule

Most of my books release anywhere from six to nine months apart, which has worked really well in juggling the work involved in getting the books ready for publication.

However, this past fall with my new Lost Princesses series, I decided to do something a little different and release the books in quicker succession, approximately one a month.

First, since I already had all the books written, I didn’t have the pressure to write them quickly (and risk being sloppy). In addition, the books were professionally edited and proofed months ago, and my beta readers also had plenty of time to provide feedback. That means I felt confident I wasn’t compromising quality for quantity.

Second, my release schedule for my adult books for the next couple of years is pretty full (including branching off into a new genre that I’m excited to tell you about hopefully soon!). So, I decided it would be better to try to keep the releases in the Lost Princesses series closer together instead of interspersing them with my other books (and having conflicting release schedules).

Third, I wanted to be able to reach new readers who like to binge-read. Many avid readers subscribe to Kindle Unlimited (which is essentially the Netflix for books).  Such readers are less likely to purchase new books and instead try to get their money’s worth out of their KU subscription. Interestingly, my KU sales for this series are higher than regular eBook and print sales combined. So obviously this series is reaching those binge readers.

Fourth, I wanted to see if the rapid release affected the visibility and ranking of the book. With books releasing in such quick succession, many new reviews coming in, and steady sales, each of the books hit #1 on one or more Amazon lists. My author and book rankings stayed consistently low (certainly not near #1 but pushing me lower than I usually go with other book releases), which I *hope* led to more people noticing the series.

Finally, I wanted to see how readers preferred the rapid-release (versus the longer wait). During release time, the response from readers was overwhelmingly positive in regards to not having to wait so long between books, especially because the stories are more intertwined than any other series I’ve written. Readers were pleased they didn’t have to wait six months to a year to find out how everything wrapped up.

All in all, the rapid release has been successful enough
that I’m hoping to do it again next fall with a new YA series.

If my favorite authors produced one book a month, I’d LOVE it! In fact, sometimes I’m really bummed that I have to wait so long between their book releases and wished they’d publish more. But I also realize not every author or reader may be quite as eager for a rapid-release schedule.

So how about you? Do you like when authors have a rapid release schedule or do you prefer the lengthier wait?

My Top 5 Moments from Frozen II

It is normal operating procedure to go see a movie during the Thanksgiving break around our house. Usually, we go as a family, but this year, circumstances interfered so it ended up being just me and my daughter who hit the theater on Saturday morning. There was no question in either of our minds what we were going to see. Being the Disney Fairy Tale junkies that we are, we had to go see Frozen II.

There was so much to love about this movie, but I won’t delve into the plot since I don’t want to be guilty of mentioning spoilers. So instead, I’m going to highlight my Top 5 Favorite Moments.

#5 – Kristoff’s Power Ballad

This element was one that only the adults in the audience would understand. First – I love the fact that a hero got to belt out a love ballad instead of the moment going to a princess. Second – The style of the presentation of his song was so 80’s retro that I felt like a teenager again watching the occasional music video. Third – The words were fabulous. Confusion over the future, dedicated love, her being his path, him wanting reassurance that he is her path as well. Really stellar. In fact, I ran across this great article that talks about the intentionality behind giving Kristoff his own song and how instead of making it super macho, it shows the vulnerable side of love that is often discounted in romance/fairy tales.

#4 – Olaf Playing Charades

This was one of the funniest moments of the movie. Such great creativity by the digital artists.

#3 – Kristoff’s Multiple Bumbling Proposal Attempts

After Kristoff and Anna found each other in the first movie, it should be no great surprise that their love story continues in the sequel. Like the first movie, Frozen II is really more about Elsa and Anna’s relationship than about the love story between Anna and Kristoff, but the romantic subplot has some wonderful moments, especially humorous ones. Many foot-in-mouth episodes, but you’re always sure that the hero’s heart is is in the right place.

#2 – The Next Right Thing

As we know in the realm of Christian fiction, entertainment is what draws people in, but it’s the deep theme within that makes a lasting impact. The theme in Frozen II is one of the best I’ve seen in a Disney film. There are multiple dark moments during the course of the adventure. Times where the characters are alone, times of uncertainty, and times when it seems all hope is lost.

Yet throughout the movie, the message is repeated both in word as well as powerfully in song, that in these dark times it’s important not to dwell in despair, but to take the next step and do the next right thing.

Here are a few of the lyrics from the song of the same name:

Just do the next right thing
Take a step, step again
It is all that I can to do
The next right thing

I won’t look too far ahead
It’s too much for me to take
But break it down to this next breath, this next step
This next choice is one that I can make

So I’ll walk through this night
Stumbling blindly toward the light
And do the next right thing

The message might not be overtly Christian, but boy is there a spiritual truth lingering beneath the surface.

#1 – Kristoff’s Rescue

My top favorite moment of Frozen II is when Kristoff, aboard his trusty reindeer Sven, sweep in to rescue Anna. I don’t love it for the actual rescue or for the fact that this is a reunion moment after the two lovebirds have been separated. No, I love it for the dialog. It’s powerful.

Anna has purposely put herself in a dangerous situation, but Kristoff doesn’t lecture. He doesn’t get angry at her for putting herself in peril. Instead, he shows complete faith in her intelligence and shoves aside his fear. As he scoops her up in the nick of time, he says simply, “I’m here. What do you need?”

Best hero line – ever!

Have you seen Frozen II yet?
What did you love about it most (without giving away spoilers)?