Becky Wade's Blog, page 48

Writing on backsides & bottoms . . . and 2x4s & concrete

Do you love moving? Does anyone love moving?? I certainly don’t. And yet that joy is looming in our very near future.

On one hand, this move is exciting and is a huge blessing! New house, new beginnings, unpacking all the stuff that’s been in boxes for the past year. It’s like Christmas, remembering all the stuff you forgot you had—and perhaps realizing you should have tossed before you packed it, LOL.

On the other hand, moving up-heaves your life and is such a pain, and majorly messes with my writing routine and schedule. But one thing I’ve already L-O-V-E-D about this move…

This past Saturday following a family lunch celebrating our daughter-in-law’s birthday (HBD again, Kellie!), we gathered at the house that’s still in frame stage and wrote all over the 2x4s and concrete. I’ve shared this before but my sweet mom used to write on the backsides and bottoms of gifts she gave. I still treasure this little statue she and Dad signed…

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So walking through the house this past weekend with family and friends writing Scriptures, blessings, and even snarky little sayings on the walls and concrete was especially meaningful. Mom would have been right there in the thick of things!

This is one of my favorite pics from the day…

It’s of our son Kurt outlining Kellie’s very pregnant belly so that we could include Ari (our soon-to-be-here granddaughter) in the grandchildren’s room. LOL Can you see the outline below?

Doing this was Joe’s idea, but Kellie, ever ready for a challenge, was all in!

The reason the word “Flex” is written in orange is because that’s the builder’s term for that specific room in the house. Its use is “flexible.” We’ve designated it as the grandchildren’s room, and traced Leo’s handprint on the framing leading into the room…

Our daughter Kelsey followed suit, commenting that her hand print looked more like an oven mitt. It was C-O-L-D that day so gloves were in order.

Here are a few more…

“May the Lord establish your steps.”“Shalom”“Finish the book”
Rather self explanatory. LOL Kellie wrote this in the doorway of my office.“Werk. Werk. Werk.”
Kellie struck again! She wrote this right under where my desk will be.

This next one is harder to see (I took a panorama of it) but I love it. Kelsey’s boyfriend wrote Peace, Joy, Love, Restoration with crosses interspersed in the center of the family room. Perfect.

“Peace, Joy, Love, Restoration”

There were tons more but I loved being out there with family and friends, walking through the framed house, dedicating it and dreaming—and trying not to think of all the work that’s yet to come. And with a book that needs finishing before all that begins.

Lord willing, we’ll be in this house for many years to come. And it’s still in the Nashville area so we’re not moving far.

Have you ever written something in a house you’ve built or lived in? Perhaps you stenciled something on a finished wall? Or put your mark in freshly poured concrete?

One more thing…

I recently visited with a really fun book club (more on that next time), but as we started the meeting that night, we played a game they had seen us play on this blog. It’s where we share the last three pictures on our phones—no matter what they are. It was pretty funny. For one of the gals, it was hemorrhoid cream. She laughed and said, “Hey, I’m just keepin’ it real.”

So, wanna play?

Here are my last three pics on my phone along with a brief explanation…

This was actually the first image in a quick video I made for our kids last night telling them I was making them fried apple pies. Lovely, I know, but the finished product was pretty yummy!

Fried apple pies are such a pleasure to make. I enjoy making them about as much as eating them. Working with the dough, cooking the apples until they’re almost caramelized… And really, I counted this as research for the current book I’m writing. Because someone in the book is making them and I’m currently writing that scene. Research is hard work. : )

And of course, the last pic is of LEO! He’s sporting some new jammies, and filling them out quite well as you can see. GramTam may need to size up next time!

So, you game to play? If yes, please describe the last three pics on YOUR phone!

Much love, friends, from a very cold and snowy Nashville. I’d so appreciate your prayers for Kurt and Kellie as they’re expecting Ari’s arrival (our first granddaughter) any time now. Kellie is scheduled to be induced on Friday—if she doesn’t go into labor before then, and we’re all sitting on ready. I hope Leo’s ready for a baby sister because he’s about to have one!

Tammy

A BONUS PIC for all you dog lovers…

Our adorable little Clifford, our daughter’s Chihuahua (that she fostered then could not give up )

Cover Reveal!

Except for the moment I hold a brand new book in my hands, I think one of the most exciting moments for me as an author is when I first lay eyes on the cover of a new book. And even more fun: sharing it with my readers. Today is the day I get to do that!

You may recognize this title. The first story in this two-novella collection was first published as a hard-cover gift book from Barbour Books. Playing by Heart was a 2004 Christy Award finalist, my very first Christy nod. That kitty on the original cover was so popular that some readers told me it was the sole reason they chose to purchase my book! So when Ken was designing my new cover, we decided it made perfect sense (and a darling cover) to feature Alex the cat on the cover again!

Fast forward a decade and HarperCollins Christian Publishing bought my novella for their new Brides collections. I added in the wedding of my Art and Maddie from Playing by Heart, and the novella became A January Bride, published separately as an e-book, and then as part of the Winter Brides collection in e-book and print.

Now, fast forward ten more years, and I’m close to finishing a brand new sequel to Playing by Heart called Playing for Keeps. Both novellas will be in the Playing by Heart collection, available this spring in e-book and print (and hopefully, eventually, in audiobook format as well).

A fun side note about Playing for Keeps: I had the idea for this sequel almost immediately after Playing by Heart was first published. Our own Tamera Alexander had just become my writing critique partner and she and our mutual writer friend Jill Eileen Smith brainstormed ideas for the sequel with me. Neither of them were published yet at the time, but they’ve both gone on to be prolific award-winning and bestselling authors! If you haven’t discovered Tammy’s and Jill’s books yet, you won’t want to miss them!

In Playing for Keeps, my characters are now married, so not all of the ideas Tammy, Jill, and I talked about worked, but I am using several of their suggestions, and it was such fun to rereading our e-mail conversations! (I’m so thankful I never throw anything away! Ha!)

Here’s a little hint about the setting of Playing for Keeps. It has been a delight revisiting the photos and videos I took during our trip to the City of Lights last fall. I’m having fun plopping my characters into some of the same spots—only amid spring blossoms!

I can’t wait to share this collection with my readers. Watch here for a giveaway after the book releases this spring!

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.

My Health Journey in 2023

I shared this on social media this week and wanted to share it with you, the wonderful Inspired by Life and Fiction community, too. . .

I’ve had my hands so full with this privately that I haven’t felt the tug to share this publicly until now—at the start of this new year. (I’ve never been so happy to see one year end or so grateful to welcome a new year with new hope.)

In February of 2023, I went in for my annual mammogram. I wasn’t too worried when they notified me that I’d need a follow-up mammogram, because I’d experienced that in the past and received good results. But this time, the second mammogram led to an ultrasound. Which led to a biopsy. Which brought the news, on April Fool’s Day of all days, that the small tumor (which had shown up on just one, single slide of that initial mammogram) was cancerous.

At the time when I received that news, I was going about my regular life. No health concerns. Feeling great. It was a challenge to wrap my head around it. “I have cancer? How? No, this can’t be right,” gradually became, “I have cancer.”

Genetic testing, an MRI, and decisions followed. Then came, on Cinco de Mayo of all days, lumpectomy surgery. After that, they tested lymph nodes and the tumor and determined that my treatment would include 20 sessions of radiation therapy.

I began radiation in mid-June. My body was dealing with it reasonably well until I came down with severe nausea after treatment #7. They ran tests and discovered I had strep throat. Radiation + strep + heavy antibiotics ended up equaling weeks of sickness while I struggled through the final 13 radiation sessions.

I believe patients signal the end of their chemo treatments by ringing a bell. At my clinic, you can sound a gong when you finish radiation treatments. This is me, joyfully sounding the gong.

At the end of all that, I went in for a mammogram and the news came back saying that the doctors saw, “No areas of concern.”

Praise God!

Since then, I’ve been on medication and my doctors will continue to monitor me closely via twice-yearly mammograms and frequent office visits.

All that to say . . .

2023 was a HARD year for me. It was scary and stressful and physically taxing. I spent many days last year waiting for test results and wrestling with the uncertainty of “not knowing”.

At this point on this journey . . .

Do I think God is good? YES. More than ever.

Do I think God can be trusted? YES. More than ever.

He showed me His love, power, and provision in a hundred ways. He renewed my reliance on Him. He gave me a fresh understanding of how each day of life is a gift. He gave me His peace. He reminded me about the things that matter and the things that honestly don’t. And He graciously blessed me with big joys in and around the struggles.

Ya’ll! A year before this diagnosis, He guided me to indie-publish my current series. Which meant I had no contractual deadlines in 2023. I was free to write whenever I felt up to it. Also far before this diagnosis, I booked a 30th anniversary trip for our family to Europe. I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that the trip ended up falling at the absolute PERFECT TIME between surgery and radiation. Which meant I was able to go and experience that with my husband and children.

In SwitzerlandIn Germany

My surgery took place just a week before my oldest daughter’s college graduation. But because the surgery had a relatively quick recovery time, my doctor gave the go-ahead for me to travel, and I was able to sit in the arena and cheer for her as she received her diploma.

I always knew I’d share this widely when the Lord prompted me to do so because 1) I want to sing His praises and 2) I’d like to gently encourage you to keep up with your mammograms. I’m very, very thankful that my tumor was detected early.

“The LORD is good and his gracious love stands forever. His faithfulness remains from generation to generation.” Psalm 100:5 I don’t know what the future holds, but I know He will be there. And that is everything.

Happy new year with love, Becky XO XO

5 Book Recommendations for Your Reading Pleasure + 1 Giveaway

With the cold weather or book deadlines, all I’ve wanted to do is curl up with a good book. Thanks to that, I’ve been reading a lot of great books lately. Today I thought I’d bring you a few of my favorite reads form the last few months. I love writing, but I also love sharing books I enjoy with other readers. It’s one of the reasons I started Book Talk. So be sure to check out these books if you haven’t already.

I have long adored Julie Klassen’s books. I’ll never forget reading her first, Lady of Milkweed Manor, and realizing I loved the Jane Austen timeperiod after all. Since then I think I’ve read most of her books, and look forward to diving into the worlds she creates.

While her early books were stand alones that independently told stories of the time, this series is simiar to her most recent Tales from Ivy Hill and On Devonshire Shores. These are sweeping series that focus on one town and family. With A Winter by the Sea, Julie Klassen has created a new set of characters that are rich and will pull you in. The sisters are delightful and the interchange between them is engaging and real. These are cardboard cutout dolls, but people I could imagine in my mind’s eye. Over the course of the rich 429 pages of plot, there are so many lovely forays into characters, history, journeys, and more. It’s so engaging, sweet, and vibrant. I felt swept away each time I opened the pages. If you enjoy historicals, and adore the Jane Austen timeperiod, then I can highly recommend A Winter by the Sea. I loved it and think you will, too. The giveaway at the bottom of this post is for a copy of this novel, so be sure to scroll down and enter.

A Noble Scheme is a romance with twists and turns I didn’t anticipate but that give it such depth and sweetness. Part of a series, it can be read as a standalone, and it’s a book I will think about for a long time. From the first book in the Imposters, I knew there was a deep pain between Gemma and Graham, but the source goes so much deeper than I had anticipated. The author deals with the grief and challenges with such a deft hand that gives such grace and emotion to it without turning the book maudlin. Instead, it’s a story that left me rooting so hard for the romance. At the same time there is a multi-layered mystery that borders on suspense that was so well woven. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this novel. It truly promises a HEA after taking the hero and heroine through a wilderness.

I love a regency novel and I especially love one that makes me smile with a fun voice and great characters. The Ladies Rewrite the Rules fits that bill.

What happens when a younger son writes a pamphlet highlighting the widows and heiresses with money? Those women find themselves the target of sudden attention of men in search of a wife of means. But when they find out why, some of those women decide to feature the rules with funny, romantic, and winsome results. Three ladies, who aren’t necessarily looking, discover or rediscover poverty all while navigating the challenges of being an independent woman at that time. I found this to be an enjoyable read I can recommend to those who enjoy regency and other historical novels.

One Wrong Move was my first book of the new year and it was a great read. Two couples and two twisty crimes, one cold and in the past, the other a current string of art heists. Both with romance that is quick but feels real. Set in New Mexico, but traveling in pursuit of answers, I thoroughly enjoyed this latest novel from Dani Pettrey. It had all the twists I love with characters I quickly cared about. Recommended read!

I’m just going to give you my endorsement for Double Take:

In this psychological thriller, Lainie and her former crush James are determined to get to the truth. In the process, they have to fight to stay alive. This book is a tightly written corkscrew of a race against a twisted mind that is determined to take Lainie on a twisty ride that ends in one destination: her death. Readers who love romantic suspense will love every page of Lynette’s latest novel.

Which of these books have you read? Do any of them intrigue you?

And don’t forget! I’m giving away a copy of Julie’s book. I’d purchased a copy and then was sent a copy, so I want to share it with another reader. Just use the form below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A New Wave of Christian Fiction

Hi friends and happy Wednesday! 

I read a great article by Christianity Today on the growth of Christian Fiction. If you haven’t had a chance to read the article and you’re a fan of Christian fiction, I highly recommend taking a look. 

The article focuses on the growth and range of Christian fiction over the last few years. Christian fiction started out as Christianity Today says: “novels written by evangelicals, for evangelicals, and about evangelicals living out their faith.” 

Christian fiction began with the lovely books by Grace Livingstone Hill and Janette Oke. They wrote wonderful stories, but Christian fiction has greatly expanded since then. With genres like suspense and dual time and even creepy novels by Jaime Jo Wright who was specifically mentioned in the article. 

Chris Jager, fiction buyer for Baker Book House, which is one of the largest independent Christian bookstores in the United States, says twenty-five years ago she couldn’t carry three-fourths of what they carry now. Three-fourths. That’s amazing. 

These books are not just gentle romances, though those exist and do well, but so do books dealing with far more serious struggles such as sexual abuse, trauma, addiction, and in my upcoming release, mental illness.

Avid reader, Susan Poll, says, “Christian fiction has definitely broadened its content.” 

When I read Christian fiction, I find stories with authentic characters who aren’t perfect. These characters ring true to life as none of us are perfect. They have flaws and struggle and sometimes make the wrong choices. We get to watch them grow and change throughout the story and then find a satisfying ending. An ending filled with hope, redemption, restoration, or any manner of themes that strengthen and bolster our faith.

Isn’t that what we want? Stories that give us characters we care about, that we can identify with, who struggle but we see Jesus at work in their lives and in the end, there is hope. And, just maybe, we walk away with something more than just entertainment. Maybe we walk away learning something new, deepening our faith, or seeing something from a perspective we hadn’t considered before.  

I love Christian fiction. Both reading it and writing it. I love the beauty it brings and the way it deepens my faith. Even if the faith isn’t overt, it’s still there, hidden in the covers, resonating through the story being told. There are so many wonderful Christian fiction authors and genres out there. Stories like All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes, A Shadow in Moscow by Kathrine Reay, and A Million Little Choices by Tamera Alexander.  

I hope you’ll take the time to devour the stellar books out there. 

Question for you: 

What do you love about Christian fiction? 

As always, thanks for joining me this week 

Best, 

Dani

Words That Have Stood the Test of Time

In the Inspirational Regency Readers group on FB, I recently shared some hymns that were written during or around the Regency period (the late 18th century through the early 19th century–the time my books are set). I thought I would share some here as well. These hymns have stood the test of time and are still sung in many churches today. We know the authors were human and imperfect (aren’t we all) yet God has used them to bless others for generations. That encourages me. Perhaps God can use this imperfect author, too. Have I included any of your favorites?

“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” was written by Robert Robinson in 1758, a few years after his conversion, thanks to the influence of preacher George Whitefield. The oldest surviving publication of this hymn is in A Collection of Hymns for the Use of the Church of Christ: Meeting in Angel-Alley (London, 1759).

“How Firm a Foundation” is a hymn attributed to R. Keene, a precentor (like a worship leader) at an English Baptist church. It was published in 1787.

“Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!” is a hymn written by Anglican bishop Reginald Heber (1783–1826).

“My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” was written by Edward Mote, a pastor at Rehoboth Baptist Church in Horsham, West Sussex, England in 1834.

“Just as I Am” is a well-known hymn written by Charlotte Elliott, English hymn writer and editor, in 1835.

“Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead us” was written by Dorothy Ann Thrupp from London, and it first appeared in Hymns for the Young in 1836.

Do the ages of these hymns surprise you? Any old hymns to add? Either way, thanks for reading today!

Metaphor in a Tree

I was going back through some old blog posts and came across this one:

********

As we close out 2007, I’d like to leave you with a metaphor that startled me the other day. True story. 

A few years ago I went through an “orchid” phase.  I bought about a dozen orchids and planted them on the front porch, the back porch, etc.  I bought special orchid pots, special orchid growth mediums, and special orchid fertilizers.  I found that I did pretty well with the common phalaenopsis orchids, but I had pinned my hopes on one cattleya orchid.  Cattleya orchids are the big, frilly flowers women used to wear in corsages at Easter. 

Anyway, years passed and my phalaenopsis orchids either thrived or died.  I lost interest in orchids and moved on, happy to let my orchids fend for themselves.  My cattleya, however, just sat in its pot–didn’t die, didn’t grow, didn’t bloom.  Just sat there.  

So about a month ago I moved it to the front step.  It’s more exposed there, a location where it would have to thrive or die.  

One day last week, I ran out to get the mail . . . and stopped in my tracks.  The cattleya had bloomed–one pretty yellow flower.  Once it had fully opened, I brought it inside where I could see it more often. 

Then I realized that in some ways, an orchid is like a dream. You think it’s never going to happen, you wonder if you should even continue to pray, and then, just when you least expect it, voila!  And sometimes that dream may appear a little ragged, and not exactly what you expected . . . 

But still . . . it’s there. And it’s alive.

*******

Fast forward to 2024–

In 2008, that orchid gave me a half dozen blooms. And the year after that, it gave me about a dozen. It sat by the front door and grew so big that I had to break it up and repot it. When we moved, I took it with me, and left some in a pot on the back porch, and stuck some in a tree.

We’ve been in this house six years, and I’d forgotten about putting that orchid in the oak tree. . . but the other day I was walking through my jungle garden and spotted a flash of color–and that’s rare in December. But there it was–

A week or two later, I walked to the other side of the oak and saw this:

Not only is the orchid blooming, but I have some baby staghorn ferns and resurrection ferns as well!

I don’t know what you’ve spent years praying for, but keep on praying. Because God will either answer your prayer or change your desire. And He is always faithful.

~~Angie 

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.

Another Celebration — A Big 4-0!

Robin today (left) and Robin in 1984 (right)

On Monday, Deb shared that she began writing 30 years ago this month. So many great books by Deborah Raney have found their way to my shelves because of her decision to write. So I am definitely celebrating this milestone with her.

I have an anniversary of my own this month. Actually a couple of them. First, a little history.

In March 1981 (I don’t know the exact date), I sat down with a yellow legal pad and began writing my first novel. I wrote longhand in evenings and on weekends, and I used the office typewriter during coffee breaks and lunch hours to type the manuscript. I didn’t know much after writing a novel, but I had a great time doing it all the same.

I finished the manuscript in November 1981 and, soon after, mailed out query letters and sample chapters to publishers I found in The Writer’s Market. Most ignored me, the partials drowned in slush piles, no doubt. But I did get two requests for full manuscripts, and one of those publishers offered me a contract with an advance of a thousand dollars. Yippee! I signed the contract in May 1982 and waited to hear back from the publisher with their signature on the contract. Neither contract nor advance came, and in August 1982, I learned the publisher had gone bankrupt. By that time, I had finished writing the sequel.

Time passed while I tried to figure out what to do. I was unsure if my half of the contract still bound me. It didn’t. And, wonder of wonders, I sold both my first and second books to Leisure Books (a mass market romance publisher) in February 1983.

My first book released on January 14, 1984 — making this month my 40th anniversary! The Idaho Statesman (largest newspaper in Idaho) ran a half page article about me, and the bookstore advertised my launch autograph party in the paper. That part was an amazing three hours. Even my first grade teacher showed up for it. I hadn’t seen Miss Moncure since I was six! I sold several hundred copies at the signing that day—which gave me a skewed idea of what future autograph parties would be like. Ha! I’ve had signings in the years since where the only person who approached me wanted to know where the restroom was.

Fifteen years and thirty general market romances later, my first novel for the Christian market, The Forgiving Hour, released (January 1999). Thus, that makes this month also the 25th anniversary of my introduction to Christian fiction readers.

Since then I’ve written another 60 novels and novellas, all of them informed by my faith. My 91st book, To Marry an English Lord, will release in February.

61 of Robin’s 91 books

My publishing career has had both high hills and low valleys, but the Lord has been with me through all the ups and downs. I’m so grateful. But the greatest blessings have been the wonderful writers and readers He has brought into my life.

Thank you, each and every one, for being a part of the journey.

Do you have a favorite Robin Lee Hatcher book from the past 40 years?

~robin