Becky Wade's Blog, page 42

Recommendations make a difference

When considering a purchase, I seek advice from others. Maybe they’ve traveled that particular road before and will have a suggestion or recommendation. Like two weeks ago when I asked for recommendations for toddler locks on doors and drawers.

Thank you again, Susan Sines, for recommending the magnetic locks. I ordered the ones you mentioned, installed them with ease, and love the fact that they can be “set to off” when our grandchildren aren’t here. Truly a win-win!

After visiting Italy last fall, our daughter Kelsey returned all abuzz about Lavazza coffee, and she soon purchased a Lavazza coffee/espresso maker. She encouraged me to get one too, and while I did consider it, I finally decided I really didn’t need it. We have a Keurig, after all. UNTIL…our Keurig died!

Taking that as a sign from Heaven, I quickly purchased a Lavazza. My life will never be the same. Neither will my hips, but that’s a topic for another day.

The LAVAZZA CLASSY PLUS, a thing of beauty. (And yes, I did try descaling the faithful ol’ Keurig. Twice. I’m not completely heartless. )

Here are some images I’ve texted Kelsey in the early mornings thanking her for her recommendation.

Have I mentioned I love coffee? And adore espresso? Any other coffee lovers out there?

I usually wake up around 5:30am-6:00am, but the other morning I woke up at 4:30 and hopped right outta bed, eager to start my day with Jesus…and a latte! The Lavazza machine makes cappuccinos too, with all that frothy foamy goodness.

I make my lattes with Kroger’s Carbmaster* milk—both the plain and vanilla flavors, so yummy and higher protein, lactose free—which has only 60 calories for 8 ounces, so it’s not a huge splurge. Although it sure feels like one.
*We started drinking Carbmaster milk years ago since Joe is diabetic.

Have you recently made a purchase after seeking recommendations? Big or small item, matters not. Would love to know. Or maybe there’s something you’re considering buying and you’d like input. If the latter, please comment below, putting the ITEM YOU’RE SEEKING RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT IN CAPS. Then we’ll see if we can’t help each other out with some input!

A belated Happy Easter, friends. So appreciate our group and how we help and encourage each other.

Blessings on your Tuesday,

FIVE YEARS AGO
The Sea of Galilee

A memory from March 29, 2019 when my daughter Kelsey and I traveled to Israel. I’m so grateful for that trip and to have experienced that with her. And for our Savior and King Jesus who lived and died in that land—and rose to life again on the third day!

I know you join me when I say I’m still in prayer for Israel, Gaza, all the innocent Palestinians, and for the entire gut-wrenching war that continues over there. LORD of Heaven’s Armies, mercy, please, and an outpouring of your justice and righteousness.

I love spring, but ugh–the bugs!

I do love spring–my trees come back to life, the oaks gleam with yellow-gold new leaves, and I stand outside and recite “Nothing gold can stay,” the poem by Robert Frost. That tradition began when I was in high school. Every year Mrs. Williams would lead us out to a second story balcony beneath a sprawling live oak, where she’d recite the poem and we’d marvel that Nature’s first green really is gold.

Let me see if I can remember the poem:

Nature’s first green is gold, her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf’s a flower, but only so an hour.

So leaf subsides to leaf . . . so Eden sank to grief.

So dawn goes down to day, nothing gold can stay.

I do love that poem . . . and every year I recite it, I realize more and more how fleeting life is, and how we really do have to seize the moments God has given us.

That is the marvelous part of Spring. But now that I live in a Florida forest, I’ve become well-acquainted with two bugs–one I have no problem with, and the other I tolerated . . . until last night.

The first bug is a tiny green worm that seems to dangle magically in mid air. They appear in early March, and they swing on invisible gossamer threads in mid-air. People walk into them unexpectedly, and often I see my airbnb guests spitting out green worms—they are actually oak leafrollers, and they come from the trees, descending to mate and cocoon and turn into tiny white moths that return to the oaks to wait for another spring. They are so small they could fit on your thumbnail.

The second bug is the Tussock moth caterpillar, which I just identified a few moments ago. They also appear in March, and they cover our trashcans. I don’t know where they come from, but they seem compelled to climb high and cocoon under the eaves of our house and in any available nook or cranny. I’ve seen the cocoons beneath benches, branches, even broad leaves. But here’s the thing–these fuzzy caterpillars sting.

My grandkids know not to touch a fuzzy caterpillar, and for six years I’ve managed to maneuver around them. But yesterday I was working outside when one of the tussocks dropped onto my neck. I pulled it off as quick as a wink, but once I saw what it was, my skin began to tingle. I told myself it was psychosomatic and not to worry. But last night, as I tried to sleep, the entire back of my neck was flaming red and itching and I barely got a wink of shut eye. That rascally caterpillar got me . . . and my skin is still itching as I type.

So my peaceful coexistence with the Tussocks is over. A couple of months ago I painted the ceiling of our front porch, and the tussocks have been trying to cocoon up there, so I keep getting the broom and knocking them down. There are a zillion trees; why do they want to cocoon on my porch and my trashcans? It’s gotten so we can’t even lift the lid without risking life and limb.

I feel sorry for my March airbnb guests. They must think we have alien creatures year round. Fortunately, the caterpillars disappear at the end of March, though their cocoons seem to stay around until someone pulls them off. We have zillions of them under the eaves.

When I was a kid, my family went to Vero Beach. I don’t remember much about the trip, but I do remember that the place had been overrun by crabs. Literally. They were running around on the sidewalks, on the beach, and someone with us even found one under the hood of their car. As a kid, I was convinced those crabs were trying to scare us away. I sure don’t remember swimming!

So yes–Springtime in Florida is wonderful–highs in the 70s, lows in the 60’s, bright and breezy, but if you come to my house, carry an umbrella. If it’s March, it’s raining bugs.

What’s the best thing about Spring where you live? What’s the worst bit?

Inspired by Scripture

He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Wishing a blessed Easter to all of you!

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.

What does basketball have to do with writing?

I grew up loving college sports…but football. I’m from Nebraska after all. But when I moved to Indiana, Purdue wasn’t very good at football. Drew Brees had graduated and let’s just say it wasn’t necessarily the glory days. Still I ADORE college football.

There’s just something about it.

And part of that is that Nebraska has been traditionally really bad at college basketball. I went to a couple games as a student, and it was fun, but I don’t even remember if we won.

So why do I have all these photos of Boilermaker basketball?

Because I live in Indiana…and Purdue is good at basketball. Quite good.

If you’d told me a year ago that my husband would stay after two different games so our younger two kids could get a jersey and a ball signed by Zach Edey, I’m not sure I would have seen that coming. But he stays after every game to sign. His mom told a story at senior “night” about a kid asking for his autograph when he was on his recruiting visit, and she laughed thinking that kid got a signature from a nobody. I wonder if that young man still has that autograph…

We spent another couple days standing in line to get Mason and Lance’s signatures and then Braden’s. So why are we doing this? I’ve been thinking about that… as a writer in part because I’m thinking about motivation for characters. But also because I’m curious. I’m not usually a basketball fan, but I’ve sure raised some intense ones.

(BTW three of these photos are from the first NCAA tourney game on Friday night — happy early birthday to me. And I had no idea nosebleed seats were that steep!)

It’s something we can enjoy as a family. We only have two season tickets, but it allows a parent — usually my husband– to spend some quality time with one of our kids on a rotating basis. They are building some core memories and that’s pretty great. Also the current players on the team are good guys. There’s character…and that’s worth supporting. One thing I’ve noticed in the last few years is that God often challenges me to pray for the protection of hearts for people who are in the spotlight. This is an intense one right now. So I’ll continue to pray as I cheer.

Some might call this a quirk in our family. What kind of quirks do you like to see in characters in the books you read or write?

I love this book, and if you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, I wanted to let you know that it’s on ebook sale. Beyond Justice is special to me because it fulfilled one of my writing dreams of getting to work with an editor and write legal romantic suspense. Confirm the sale is still on before you buy. As of Wednesday evening, it was still in effect.

I’m also so excited that We Three Kings finaled in an award. My coauthors and I have come together for a giveaway to celebrate. Click on the image to go to the entry form. Good luck!

And if you haven’t checked out The Vanished yet, reviews are started to arrive on Goodreads, just in time to check out before the book releases April 16.

Where Risk and Faith Collide

Hi friends and happy Wednesday! I’m working on the second book in my new Jeopardy Falls series, and I have a character who shies away from risk. He feels safer remaining in his comfort zone. His hesitance to risk isn’t because he lacks courage. He’s very brave, but he was raised by one parent who believed risk was foolish. Everything was to be a calculated decision. 

I’m finding it an interesting dynamic to delve into, and that’s making me explore how I view risk. I tend to be very spontaneous. I love exploring new places and trying new things. I’m up for most adventures, except skydiving, but that hasn’t stopped my husband from trying to convince me to. After thirty-two years of marriage, you’d think he’d give up, but he won’t. 

But risk comes far more areas than travel and trying new things. What about the risk of extending love to someone and not knowing if they’ll love you back? Or extending friendship? Or sharing the Gospel? 

And where does faith collide with risk? As I’m writing this character’s story and seeing him wrestling with and growing in his faith, it has me digging into the Bible to see what God’s Word has to say about risk. The first verse that leaped out at me was from Matthew 14:29:

Peter risked drowning, or at the very least, sinking to step out in faith and trust Jesus. And, yet, Jesus spoke to the seas, and they silenced. Peter was risking something, but his faith said stepping out was worth the risk. 

At the same time, faith in Jesus isn’t a risk. It’s believing in our Savior, His Word, and the security of our salvation. 

Firm and secure. Our faith is firm and secure. I loved watching my character learn that while we do risk things in life, our faith isn’t one of them. It is secure in Jesus. 

I love it when a character helps me see something in a new way, and I love it when a character’s story deepens my faith even a little. 

What story or character’s journey has deepened your faith, helped you see something in a new light, or reminded you of an old truth? 

For me, Dee Henderson’s entire O’Malley series deepened my faith. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it. 

Have a blessed week, 

Dani

Writers, You Are Invited

I can’t wait! In one month, the inaugural Going Deeper Conference begins. This writers conference is the brain-child of author-friend Erica Vetsch, and will be held in her hometown of Rochester, Minnesota April 25-27.  

Yes, I will be co-teaching a fun class with Erica and Michelle Griep, but what I’m most looking forward to is a weekend with sister writers.

There is something so nourishing about spending time with people who share your passion, craft, and calling:  the empathy, the shared woes and joys, the encouragement, and new insights. And time with agent Cynthia Ruchti, authors Misty Beller, Jocelyn Green, Jaime Jo Wright, Tara Johnson, Janyre Tromp, and Gabrielle Meyer? Yes, please!

If you are a writer and can make it to Rochester, Minnesota next month, I invite you to join us. You won’t find a more casual, affordable, and useful conference anywhere. Here is a look at the schedule:

You don’t have to be a professional writer to attend, you just need to be serious about your writing. I hope you will join us. All the details are here. Register today! And tell me, do you enjoy spending time with like-minded people?

Because of the Rain

My second novel was published in 1998 with Bethany House Publishers under the title In the Still of Night. It was a title I really liked and one that I had suggested to the team at Bethany House. Traditionally published authors don’t always get to choose the title for their book, so I was pleased.

But when I got the rights back to the book years later, another book by the same title (actually In the Still of THE Night) had been released, also from Bethany House. So in order to avoid confusion for readers, I needed to come up with a new title before the book was reissued.

I was never a fan of this cover (but authors don’t always get a say in what their cover design looks like either) so I was thrilled with the new cover my husband designed. We tried out several different titles, asking author friends and others for their opinions. Here are just a few that we considered:

Ultimately, Because of the Rain was the favorite. I reminded me of a picture frame a friend gave me after our family had come through a really hard year. The edges of the frame said, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” That little adage always reminds me that so many of the times our family has grown closer to each other and to the Lord happened not despite the rain and trials in our lives, but because of them. The same was true for my characters in this novel, so it seemed fitting.

I’m honored that this novel has garnered more than 2000 5-star reviews. I’m especially pleased to let you know that today only, you can get the e-book version for free via BookBub. Click on the book cover below for the link.

I’m a fan of red umbrella covers. How about you?

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.

Join Me at a Reader or Writer Event!

When I took the Myers-Briggs personality test several years back, it pegged me as an “INFJ” type. The “I” in that stands for introverted. However, I didn’t rank far over on the introverted side. I was closer to the middle of the introverted/extroverted scale. For me, that means I get my energy from being alone. But I truly do LOVE gathering with other people. For that reason, writer/reader events have always been a highlight of my year. In my “regular” life here in Dallas, I only rarely come into contact with people who are passionate about Christian fiction. But when I attend conferences or events, I’m surrounded by fellow bookworms. We get each other. And it’s a gift to be with “my people” face to face.

Before Covid, I was in a fun event-attending groove. Then the pandemic hit and all the reader/writer events went away. When they started coming back, I didn’t intentionally block off time and budget for them and ended up attending just a few things these past four years. I’ve missed gathering in a more regular way. Which is why I’m delighted to have four wonderful events coming around the corner in 2024.

First up…

On April 13th, Faith, Hope & Love Christian Writers is offering Romance in April, a virtual conference for authors. I’ll be teaching on Secrets of Writing Un-put-downable Romance and giving an inspirational talk on Your Writing Journey. If you know a romance writer (or are a romance writer), here is where you’ll find more info.

Next up…

The Cascade Christian Writers Conference will be held in Canby, Oregon June 23-26. I’ll be participating as one of the keynote speakers and can’t wait to revisit the Pacific Northwest, one of my favorite parts of the country and the setting of my Bradford Sisters series. A few years ago, we took a family road trip from San Diego to San Francisco. Prior to this conference, I’m planning to continue up that same coastline with my husband from San Francisco to Portland. So excited! Register here!

Next up…

Deep in the heart of Texas, writers and readers will be enjoying a retreat together in October! This gathering is targeted toward readers of sweet and Christian romance. Twelve authors who write in those genres (including me and Pepper Basham) will be in attendance. Readers will be able either to stay over at the venue or join in just for the Saturday activities. Registration should become available soon! Follow me on Facebook or Instagram for updates.

Finally…

In Chicago in November, I’ll be attending The Art of Writing Conference and Christy Awards on November 14th. Followed on November 15th by the Just Read Rendezvous! Rendezvous is an event for Christian fiction readers. It promises to be a blast, so if you can make it to Chicago with your mom/sister/friend–please plan to be there! Information here.

Will you be attending any of the above? What do you love most about bookish events?

Reading & Recipes

Much of family life happens around food. Special occasions are celebrated with a favorite meal followed by a yummy dessert. People connect as they chat around the dinner table. Difficult problems are hashed out over a cup of tea or a shared pot of coffee. Illness is battled with chicken soup and a sympathetic touch. It can be the same in fictional worlds. So, when my characters share a meal, I try to pay as much attention to the food being served on their tables as I do to my own.

Last week, I released my 28th book – If the Boot Fits. Food ended up playing a larger role in this story, than I anticipated. Early in the novel, our heroine, Samantha Dearing, tries to win her way into the Ellis family’s good graces by baking up a scrumptious blackberry cobbler and bringing it with her when she comes to tutor one of the boys. Her father is responsible for ousting the widow and her two young sons from their previous home, so Samantha hopes to sweeten her reception with a sugary treat. It wins over the youngest boy in an instant, but when the handsome cowboy she met in the hardware store turns out to be an Ellis, too, her desire to please intensifies.

Later in the story, Samantha and the Ellis family plan a picnic that proves to be a pivotal event, not only because relationships are deepened, but because a deadly danger stalks the gathering. In the midst of it all, however, God is also at work, revealing truth to our heroine’s heart.

Have you ever had a moment of spiritual clarity while taking care of a mundane task? Here is a short exceprt where Samantha experiences such a moment while packing a picnic basket:

Why was it easier to trust God to work things together for the good of others than for herself? She believed the Lord was at work in her life, but there was so much uncertainty swirling around her at the moment, she felt like she was stumbling around in the dark. How much easier it would be if God would light a lamp and show her the full plan so she could step forward in confidence, knowing she was going the right way.

As she shuffled things around in the picnic basket to give Ida Mae and Martin the illusion of privacy, an unexpected bit of insight materialized in her mind. There must be dozens of ways to pack this basket. Sandwiches could be placed on the top right. Or they could switch places with the boiled eggs. The boiled eggs could be divided up, some on the right and some of the left. The crackers could be taken out of their tin. The cheese could be sliced or left in a large wedge. As the one packing the food, she had the choice of how to place everything. There wasn’t only one right way to do it. All the food would still end up at the picnic. Some methods might lead to the food being smashed or spilled, so wisdom certainly played a role in minimizing difficulty, but as long as she followed the prescribed menu and didn’t trade out the eggs for rocks or the cheese for a cake of soap, the picnic would still be a success.

Could the same be true of life in general? That the Almighty provided godly parameters for his people, but gave them the freedom to choose the details of the paths they walked? She could return to Boston and serve the Lord, or she could serve him here in Texas. She could walk in faith as the wife of a rancher, the wife of a banker, or a single woman who never became a wife at all. Her duty was to seek God first and walk in righteousness, but within those parameters, she could make a hundred different choices that would shape the details of her life in a thousand different ways.

Yet not all of those ways were equally good. Dropping a twenty-pound watermelon on top of her sandwiches would lead to considerable bruising, and taking the crackers out of their tin would end in a crumbly mess.

How I need you, Lord. Your wisdom. Your discernment as I seek the best path for my future. Guide me through the tangle of possibilities I face. Show me what is best, and give me the courage to trust your leading above my own desires and limited understanding.

Samantha’s Blackberry Cobbler

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
2-3 cups fresh blackberries
1/3 cup sugar * (for sweetening blackberries * increase sugar if using more berries or if berries are extra tart)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar (for batter)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat over to 375 degrees.
2. Melt butter in 13×9 inch baking dish.
3. Mix blackberries with 1/3 cup sugar and set aside.
4. Combine flour, 1 cup flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and vanilla to form a batter.
5. Pour batter into pan with melted butter.
6. Scatter the sweetened blackberries around the top of the batter, taking care to keep the berries away from the edges of the pan. The sugared berries will scorch if they touch the pan edges.
7. Bake for 40-45 minutes.
8. Eat warm as is or top with vanilla ice cream.

If you wanted to sweeten someone up with a special dessert, what would you make?