Becky Wade's Blog, page 62

Crazy Days of Summer — with a giveaway!

Forget the “lazy” days of summer. It feels like it’s been crazy in my little corner of the world ever since I returned from California.

First I had a book signing at a cute little bookstore in Kuna, a town outside of Boise. In fact, my mother went to school in Kuna and graduated from the high school there in 1933. She wouldn’t recognize it anymore as it is no longer a small farming community.

Robin & Ann (owner of the Book Habit)

Next up was the installation of my patio blind. I’ve been waiting for this for two months. The two big shade trees were removed from the common area that protected my house from the afternoon and evening sun, leaving me with both heat and blinding light. I’m so delighted with the new shade. It’s already made a huge difference to my enjoyment of the patio again.

Patio interiorPatio view from common area

Then came the wedding of a neighbor. I volunteered to be the photographer, and fortunately, her wedding was over before the temps topped 100 degrees.

the bride and groom

That evening, while still hotter than all git out, I went with family to the Old Idaho State Penitentiary where they were having a history scavenger hunt. We had a fun time, searching through old cell blocks, looking for clues. At the end, ice cream from a vendor was in order.

Adaline’s parentsAdalineCotton Candy ice cream with sprinkles – yum!Grandma Micki with Adaline

The next day, I finished the Bible study, When You Pray. Oh my. It is so, so, so good. The six authors/Bible teachers have very different writing and speaking styles, but all of them shared deep content. Highly recommended.

In May, I turned in the revisions of The Beginning of Wisdom, a novel about the Queen of Sheba. It’s part of Guideposts’ Extraordinary Women of the Bible series. My book will release in December. I haven’t seen a cover for it yet but I’ll share it when I do.

I thought it would be fun to have a giveaway of four of the books in this series. Just sign up for my newsletter here, then use the form on my website (the post is the same as this one and the form is at the bottom of the page). I’ll announce the winner on Monday, July 24, 2023.

~robin

Crazy Days of Summer

Forget the “lazy” days of summer. It feels like it’s been crazy in my little corner of the world ever since I returned from California.

First I had a book signing at a cute little bookstore in Kuna, a town outside of Boise. In fact, my mother went to school in Kuna and graduated from the high school there in 1933. She wouldn’t recognize it anymore as it is no longer a small farming community.

Robin & Ann (owner of the Book Habit)

Next up was the installation of my patio blind. I’ve been waiting for this for two months. The two big shade trees were removed from the common area that protected my house from the afternoon and evening sun, leaving me with both heat and blinding light. I’m so delighted with the new shade. It’s already made a huge difference to my enjoyment of the patio again.

Patio interiorPatio view from common area

Then came the wedding of a neighbor. I volunteered to be the photographer, and fortunately, her wedding was over before the temps topped 100 degrees.

the bride and groom

That evening, while still hotter than all git out, I went with family to the Old Idaho State Penitentiary where they were having a history scavenger hunt. We had a fun time, searching through old cell blocks, looking for clues. At the end, ice cream from a vendor was in order.

Adaline’s parentsAdalineCotton Candy ice cream with sprinkles – yum!Grandma Micki with Adaline

The next day, I finished the Bible study, When You Pray. Oh my. It is so, so, so good. The six authors/Bible teachers have very different writing and speaking styles, but all of them shared deep content. Highly recommended.

In May, I turned in the revisions of The Beginning of Wisdom, a novel about the Queen of Sheba. It’s part of Guideposts’ Extraordinary Women of the Bible series. My book will release in December. I haven’t seen a cover for it yet but I’ll share it when I do.

I thought it would be fun to have a giveaway of four of the books in this series. Just sign up for my newsletter here, then use the form on my website (the post is the same as this one and the form is at the bottom of the page). I’ll announce the winner on Monday, July 24, 2023.

~robin

Chasing Waterfalls

Despite the admonition from a famous pop song to “don’t go chasin’ waterfalls,” that is precisely what I did when my husband and I traveled to Deadwood, SD last month. We were making the trip so I and several author friends could participate in a book event called Wild Deadwood Reads. Wes and I turned the trip into a mini vacation as well, touring as many sights as possible along the way. We both enjoy hiking and discovering natural wonders, so when we learned that there was a scenic byway just north of Deadwood, we knew we wanted to make time to explore.

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is a beautiful stretch of narrow, winding road that boasts three waterfalls along a 25-minute drive.

The first waterfall we came to was visible from the road – Bridal Veil Falls. There was a lovely little turnout and a scenic overlook that made it easy to stop and enjoy the beauty.

The next falls required a bit of hiking, which provided a great excuse to get out of the car after the 6 hours we’d spent driving from Cody, WY. It was a lovely path, a bit steep in places, but really very easy to navigate. Along the way we enjoyed a little bridge over the river and even spotted a butterfly among the flowers.

When we made it to Spearfish Falls, we spent several long minutes just absorbing it’s beauty. Only a few other hikers were around, making it feel like a private paradise. Although, it was nice to have someone to take our picture.

The final waterfall we visited was called Roughlock Falls, but there was nothing rough about it. Just gorgeous green lusciousness with lovely stair-stepping water. Another short hike blessed us with a wonderful respite. So worth the side-trip.

What are some of your favorite natural wonders?

Turning Research into a Story

My second book in Guidepost’s Secrets from Grandma’s Attic series came out this month. I had so much fun researching and writing this story. 

For the historical mystery in this book, I latched on to a fact from a previous book—that Grandma’s brother died in the Korean War. 

How did I turn that into a story? Research! 

But I thought I’d peel back the curtain a bit so you could see how that happens. 

I don’t know about you, but I didn’t really know much about the Korean War going into this book. My only real knowledge the TV show MASH.

I love that show. I’ve seen most of the episodes multiple times. So my first thought was to put Grandma’s brother in a MASH unit. Then I stumbled on this book:

I read this book in one day! It was so fascinating. I had no idea when watching MASH that helicopters were such a new thing. And using them to pick up wounded and get them to the MASH units? It was an experiment that yielded enormous results. And the pilots were true heroes—saving lives in newfangled machines without weapons.

Of course I couldn’t completely leave out the MASH personnel, so I was glad to find added a several articles by army nurses who served in Korea. 

But what kind of mystery could incorporate an evac helicopter pilot and an army nurse? 

I found a fascinating article about some Korean War medals found in an abandoned storage unit and restored to the family. 

I also remembered a woman who I met years ago. She’d been adopted from Korea as a baby. And she and her husband later adopted from the same orphanage she’d come from! 

Stir all that up with a general knowledge of people and how they deal with things like shame and jealousy and secrets, and The Heart of a Hero was born. 

Do you know much about the Korean War? Are you a fan of the TV show MASH? 

Irish Twins? Well, almost!

Join my family vicariously as (last night) we celebrated with Kurt and Kellie (our son and daughter-in-law—who we affectionately refer to as K2) as they announced—with a “light show”—that they’re having their second child, a little girl, in January ’24!

WARNING: There is much excitement, especially from younger cousins who had already had a lot of sugar. LOL Notice K2’s dogs, Malcolm & Rue, are wondering what on earth is happening!

We’re all excited and grateful that Leo (pictured below, 7 months) is going to have a baby sister. And scarcely 13 months older than he is. Hence, the “almost” Irish twins.

The women in the family share a text thread, and we’ve already started talking styles and clothes. Love it. Buying clothes for a grandson is fun, but buying for a girl is too. A different kind of fun! Ruffles and bows, here we come.

Other recent joys for me are:

God’s living and breathing Word, always, always (can’t wait for BSF to start this fall—anyone else studying John in BSF?)Family (I feel so incredibly blessed; gracious, I love these people and cannot imagine life without them)Consolidating to one place again (we recently sold our lake house to be back in Nashville full time, and while I really enjoyed life there, I’m thrilled to be on a path to being more “settled and in one place,” especially with our grandchildren here. Though I cannot say “moving” is a blessing. LOL Nearly killed me!)Friends (I just had lunch with three girlfriends today and their laughter and love, the fun we have together, is like water to a thirsty soul.)Writing (I love being back in my office full time; I am so much more productive at my desk, focused, and with the rest of the world silenced for long periods of time. I’ve tried other settings and methods, but this works best for me by far. So I’m going with it!)

So what’s a JOY that’s happened in your life lately? A blessing that either caught you unaware—or that perhaps quietly sneaked in—and spoke blessing to your heart?

Much love from my corner of Nashville,

Tammy

Enter July’s GIVEAWAY

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COMING NOVEMBER 7

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Christmas is Coming

I know it’s July, but I’m so excited about Christmas I can hardly stand it!

A couple of years ago, I decided to get a holiday lawn ornament that would have something to do with faith–after all, I’d had reindeer and Christmas trees for a long time, and I wanted to tell my neighbors that we BELIEVED IN JESUS. So I found a festive lighted angel online.

Trouble was, the angel had long flowing hair and a waistline–in other words, she was a she. And NONE of the angels in the Bible are female.

So I went on Facebook and did a little mini rant about how pretty, feminine angels aren’t exactly biblical. And the response was so great the next day I talked about that donkey Mary supposedly rode to Bethlehem–didn’t happen. And the next day I talked about something else, and so on.

Before I was done, I’d collected a bunch of little pieces about the REAL history of Christmas, so I put them together in a book, called it an advent devotional, and sent it to my publisher. (Drum roll)–that book is coming out in September!

I’m so pleased with it. My editor made me tighten and hone, of course, so it’s much much improved over my Facebook ramblings, and it’s available for preorder now. Bethany House just published a two-devotional excerpt from STAR OF WONDER online. If you want to read a sample, you can read it here: https://rpb.li/zATgW

I would love to know what you think! You can preorder the book here: https://rpb.li/XR4

And you don’t have to wait until December to read it!

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.

Who’s Here for a Strong Heroine?

I’m delighted to introduce you to talented author Carolyn Miller, who’s guest-blogging for me today! Be sure to leave a comment at the end of the post for a chance to win a copy of her newest romance. (It stars a hockey player and if you’ve read My Stubborn Heart you know I’m a big fan of hockey playing heroes!) -Becky

Imagine having hotdogs thrown at you simply for doing your job. Or being propositioned. Or getting death threats.

When I delved into the world of female sports reporters for my new book, Fire and Ice, I was amazed to discover what some women have had to put up with over the years. The above scenarios are all true for various women who have dared to report on sports, and I’ve incorporated some of them in Fire and Ice to show what it’s like to be a female trying to report on sports in what has long been considered a man’s world.

I’ve written a bunch of different types of heroines over the years, from focused athletes (as in Winter Olympian Holly in Love on Ice) to soft-hearted sweeties in some of my historicals. So it was fun to explore the kind of personality that would cope with reporting on ice hockey at a chauvinistic TV station, and create a character (Hannah Wade) who was strong enough to stand up to those wanting to pigeonhole her as some kind of Sidelines Barbie.

Hannah is a former athlete, quick-witted and kind, and (re)meets Franklin James, the local hockey hero who is the son of a local rancher (the Three Creeks Ranch which boasts its own movie studio!) in the most spectacular awkward moment that is laugh out loud funny (according to Susan May Warren). Lucky for Hannah, he’s willing to overlook it and their chemistry soon ignites into a forbidden attraction. For how can a sports reporter stay impartial when they’re head over heels in love with a player they’re meant to report on? Find out in Fire and Ice, out now at Amazon & other retailers.

Carolyn will be giving an e-book of Fire and Ice to one of you! Enter simply by leaving a comment below. I’ll randomly draw a winner on Monday. Open internationally.

Do you enjoy awkward meet cutes? Got one of your own to share? What makes a strong heroine appealing to you?

Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and LM Montgomery, Carolyn loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her contemporary romance series includes the Original Six hockey romance series, Muskoka Romance series, and the Independence Islands series, and her historical series include the Regency Brides and Regency Wallflowers series.

Connect with her: website |newsletter| facebook | pinterest | twitter | instagram | amazon | bookbub

Want more contemporary romance with banter, romance, realistic characters and all the feels? Then grab the Original Six series by Carolyn for only 99c each, until July 31. 

Our Words Matter, Book News & Giveaway

Earlier this week I gave a keynote at a plenary session to approximately 350 court staff from across the state of Indiana on customer service and why they matter. As I left, I thought back to 12-year-old me who sat in a hearing room at the Nebraska Unicameral and was so impacted watching attorneys with a national advocacy organization testify on behalf of families like mine. Even at 12 I noted the difference in the way the state senators paid attention to the words spoken by attorneys versus the testimony of others.

I decided then I wanted my words to matter.

That experience was truly transformative.

Sometimes as I look at my bookshelves, I’m amazed at how that desire for my words to matter has turned out. There are moments when that will come back to me so clearly. Sometimes it’s when I’m teaching. Other times it’s when I’m staring at the computer monitor wondering how to fix a scene. Or it might be looking at what I had hoped would be one published book. This is a few of them.

My life today is formed by words whether teaching, speaking, or writing books. I chose my education and jobs based on words and impact.

Do you ever wonder who is being transformed by watching you? Those attorneys had no idea a young person was sitting in the gallery because her mom was making her and being influenced toward a future direction and career. Someone may be watching you today.

That challenges me — and excites me.

Now for some more fun bookish news… I’m participating in a 12 Days of Christmas in July Reader Giveaway.

CELEBRATION RUNS JULY 20-31! Sign up open now!

This month I’m participating in a Christmas in July giveaway with my September Christmas novella collection from Kregel. I’m so excited about this book which has my writing a novella surrounding the Monuments Men immediately after World War II. As part of this giveaway, I’ll be giving away copies of the collection and the ornament from the cover that I bought while in Germany last year. It’s easy to be part of the fun, so I wanted to make sure you had all the details!

Each day during the celebration (July 20-31), you’ll get an email from Sarah Hamaker about that day’s Christmas books by Christian authors.Daily winners will be selected to receive a print book and Christmas-themed goodie from that day’s participating authors. Christmas goodies include ornaments, teas/coffees, jewelry, tree skirt, craft kit, kitchen towels, keychains, bells and figurines, many made by the author herself!On August 1, a grand prize winner will be selected to receive a copy (ebook or print) of each participating author’s book plus a $400 Amazon gift card.

Join the fun by clicking the image above or by clicking this link.

In the Shelter of Hollythorne House is a beautiful blend of Regency perfection. Take equal parts lost love, old ancesteral home, wounded widow, and a mystery that could destroy the hope of a future and you have a story I couldn’t walk away from. Add in secrets and love and it was perfect on so many levels. I have long been a fan of Sarah Ladd’s atmospheric words that transport me to Jane Austen’s England and In the Shelter of Hollythorne House is exhibit A for why. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book. You won’t be disappointed.

Because of a shipping error from Sarah’s publisher I ended up with a case of In the Shelter of Hollythorne House. It released this week, and I have a few to giveaway. I thought I’d start by offering one here. Be sure to use this link to enter.

Have you preordered your copy of Come What May yet? 

This summer I’m part of this three book collection — it’s very loosely connected. Stay with Me released at the end of June and is selling like hotcakes. Through Every Danger releases July 18th, so you still have a few days to get it at the great pre-release price of $3.99 for four full-length novels. And then on August 22, Come What May releases, which contains Art of Deception by moi. I love Charlotte’s story and hope you do, too. And a little secret – she’s in next year’s novel, too. 

Eight years ago she ran to safety. Now Charlotte Montgomery’s past has caught up with her.  Artist Charlotte Montgomery lost everything eight years ago to protect her son. She’s built a safe life to protect him, and now her past has caught up with her
She’ll do anything to bring down her ex.

When an Italian crime family reappears in her life determined to make her participate in their money-laundering scheme, she’s determined to end it even if it means pretending she’s a willing participant. When Charlotte’s past and present collide, it threatens everything she’s built and it’s a race to survive. Grab your preorder of Come What May for $3.99 before it releases on August 22.

Running the Publishing Gauntlet

Happy Wednesday, friends. You might be wondering what on earth I mean by a publishing gauntlet. The word has different meanings, but the definition I’m referring to is: 

Gauntlet: weapons that strike at an individual who is made to run between them. A race that poses an ordeal or is filled with obstacles.

As Christians, we are called to run a race. One with great opposition that we must overcome and continue to preserve along the narrow path Jesus has called us to until we’re home with our Savior.  

Jesus flat-out tells us that the road He calls us on is difficult and in Hebrews, we are to throw off everything that hinders. 

As Christian writers, I believe we too are called to the narrow path. We are writing stories that glorify God, that hopefully bring others to Him, or strengthen fellow Christians on their journey. Satan doesn’t want this to happen and so there is strong opposition. 

So many authors I’ve talked to have dealt with terrible ordeals or at the very least obstacles in their journey. Everything ranges from the heartbreaking news of a serious illness or the loss of a loved one. Personally, I lost my mom and grandma within two months of each other. Shattered (the second book in my Alaskan Courage series) was due on the day of my mom’s funeral and my grandma went home to be with Jesus the day Submerged released. God called them home but Satan whispers in the sorrow. “You can’t trust God. Look at what happened.” Satan knows the truth, but he has been a liar since the beginning, and he wants you to believe his lies. 

These lies can lead to doubting God’s timing on publication, on sales numbers, and make us wonder if we’re even supposed to be writing. He tries to get us to give up, but God is faithful. He is stronger than Satan’s lies. He is honest and never lies and He tells us: 

“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!” -Psalm 40:4

God is for us and if you love to write, God created you that way. So write. Push past the obstacles with perseverance and run that race for God and His glory. 

There’s a quote in my office that I love: 

So don’t give up. Keep running your race. 

Question for you? 

What has helped you preserve in life or in writing? 

Blessings, 

Dani