Becky Wade's Blog, page 75

New Series, New Characters, and New Suspense!

Happy Wednesday, Friends!

I hope you’re having a great week! I’m excited to share that I’ve turned in my novella, The Shifting Current-–A Coastal Guardian novella. For those of you who’ve read my Coastal Gaurdian’s story, it’s Logan and Emmy’s love story. If you haven’t read the series, no worries, it can be read as a standalone. It’s available for pre-order now and releases on May 2nd! 

I’m so excited. It’s my first indie novella and I had so much fun writing it. I had no clue what I was doing with an indie novella but I’m so grateful for fellow writing friends who so graciously helped me. I love the Christian Fiction community. It’s such a blessing to me. Writing can be a very solitary endeavor but writing friends bring wisdom, guidance, and encouragement every step of the way. 

I’ve also turned in the first book in my upcoming Jeopardy Falls series. I’m loving this series. It features a new family, the MacLeods. It’s my first time writing about a family since my Alaskan Courage series, and I’m loving getting to know all of them. They own a private investigation and security firm in Jeopardy Falls, Arizona. It’s a fictional town in the Catalina foothills outside of Tucson, Arizona.

It’s a big departure from my usual locations, which are always near water. Every book has been near the ocean or the Chesapeake Bay, which is where I live in Maryland. So, why the departure? I spent part of my growing-up years in Albuquerque, New Mexico and I love the Land of Enchantment. 

I also met my husband there. It’s a funny story as we grew up an hour apart on the east coast–me in Northern Virginia and him in Baltimore, Maryland. But I’d been living in Albuquerque with my mom and was attending the University of Maryland. My husband was in the Navy and stationed in New Mexico. I know what you’re thinking… the Navy in the middle of the desert? He was stationed at the University of New Mexico working on his master’s degree while I was a sophomore. We first met when he asked me to dance, and I like to say, it’s been a dance of a lifetime. Engaged in three weeks, married a little over three months later. Sometimes you just know. We just celebrated our 30th last year. 

So between living in Albuquerque and loving so many things about it-hiking the gorgeous mountains, the amazing sunsets, New Mexican food (it’s the best), and the lights of the city from our house on the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. When God laid the MacLeod family on my heart, I just knew they’d lived in the rugged and breathtaking Southwest.   

My husband and I lived in New Mexico during our first year of marriage and my husband had a horse–a beautiful quarter horse named Wrangler. We very much lived the cowboy life for a while- felt Stetson hats, Roper boots, and my hubby rode bareback in local rodeos. We loved the lifestyle and, while we’ve been back on the east coast for decades, the Southeast still holds our hearts. 

I knew when the MacLeods came to life in my mind, they lived in the Southwest and I decided to explore Arizona instead of New Mexico. I loved my travels there. I also have family outside of Phoenix and a dear friend there as well. They’ve both been so helpful with research.  

The MacLeods own a ranch and the younger sister, Riley, is a barrel racer. It’s been so fun returning to that part of my heart. I hope you’ll all enjoy it too. It’s been such a fun adventure! 

We’re in the titling stage and there are so many options popping up. I’d love your input for book one as it’s time to stop calling it “book one.” Lol! 

Here are a few of the options: 

Nowhere to Run Drawing Dead (it ties to something in the character’s past) When I DisappearTrapped

I’d love to hear which is your favorite, and I’m totally open to title suggestions.

Thanks for taking the time to spend today with me! 

Blessings, 

Dani

Refreshment for the soul

God is so faithful to give us what we need exactly when we need it—including moments of refreshment and rejuvenation. He’s given me so many in recent weeks, along with such incredible joy in his Word!

I hope these moments will refresh you too. And get ready! Because, in turn, I’d love to know what’s been refreshing your soul.

First is KRISTI MCLELLAND’S message at church last Sunday on FINDING HOPE IN GRIEF. It’s Week 1 of our church’s study in the book of RUTH. So, so good.

Next is PAIGE BROWN and Week 3 of our study in the book of JAMES. But tick, tick! This video disappears TONIGHT (Tuesday evening, Feb 7), so watch/listen to it today, if you can. It’s one of the best, most Biblically-based teachings on “faith versus works” (IE: what Jesus describes as real, authentic faith) I’ve ever heard.

Next is BRAD GRAY and his The Teaching Series. Specifically, part 1 of his study in RUTH. Notice a theme here? : ) Brad’s teachings are always so rich with insights into the cultural and historical context of the Bible as viewed through the middle eastern lens.

And finally, if you haven’t seen Season 3, Episode 7 of THE CHOSEN, where have you been?! : )

It’s available now and is so rich. Joe and I saw the last two episodes of Season 3 in the theater last week but I’ll be watching it again this week too. So many people are coming to Christ through this show, and their thirst for God’s Word is being stirred, which is something I pray for myself all the time. Lord, increase my desire for You and for Your Word.

So what are YOU listening to or watching that’s refreshing you this week? Perhaps that’s calling you back to the Word of God? That’s stirring your devotion to Christ and your heart toward Home?

And don’t for one minute think this new Gram Tam is going to let you go without a pic of our sweet Leo—what of the best ever refreshments for my soul. I am so totally IN LOVE with this little guy, friends. He’ll be two months old soon and, gracious, who knew being a grandmother could be such fun!

Much love from my corner of Nashville,

Tammy

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I’m creating a Food Forest!

We have lived in our current house five years. The front yard is like a jungle, with a couple of “paths” carved through it, and it contains special places–a secret swing, a secret garden, a secret playhouse, a place to sit and think (several of those, actually), and lots of unexpected plants. But in the summer, when the rains come, I have these vines and weeds that grow–well, like vines and weeds, and I pretty much have to break out the machete in order to keep my paths clear.

So the other day, in an effort to curtail my dream of moving to Montana and watching sunset over a bunch of horses (the result, in part, of reading THE BREAKING OF EZRA RILEY), I thought I should focus on doing something with the house I already live in. To appreciate the fact that I live in the subtropics and this is the best time of year weather-wise.

So I started watching these videos on Youtube–channel GREEN DREAMS, about a guy near me who turns Florida jungles into edible landscapes. Food forests. And I love the idea. I’ve always loved gardening, but it can be a bit overwhelming when you’re staring at a forest. So Pete is going to come in and clean out my yard, create a blueprint, and put in some lovely plants. After that, I’ll have a garden I can work on as time progresses, planting and futzing about to my heart’s content.

So here’s a “before” photo–and I’ll be sharing “after” photos as the work commences. Pete and his crew start working tomorrow, and I’m excited (though I will probably have a heart attack when my privacy screen is gone)! I’m also hoping this will be something enjoyable for my airbnb guests–something different from staying in someone’s guest room.

The “before” photo of one of my garden paths. The recent freeze ravaged some of my plants.

Check out some of those Green Dreams videos on Youtube if you’re interested–and maybe you can recommend some edible plants for my garden landscape. I already have bananas, but need some more citrus and maybe an avocado and loquats. And pineapple, of course, as long as the bunnies don’t eat them!

Stay tuned for the progress!

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.

Right and Almost Right

I am involved in several Bible studies at this time. One is Priscilla Shirer’s The Armor of God. Another is Paige Brown’s study on the book of James (Tammy shared about her study a couple of weeks ago). I’m also in BSF, plus this is my year to read through the Bible. I’ve finished Genesis and Exodus and am now in Leviticus.

In the past couple of weeks, God has really been speaking to me, especially through the studies in Ephesians (God’s Armor) and James.

One lesson He’s teaching me is about being right versus being almost right. It’s the almost right that trips us up faster than the flat out wrong, isn’t it? The devil likes to twist the truth just the tiniest bit, and if we aren’t paying attention, we can fall for it. Almost right isn’t right.

We live in a society where people get to have their own truth. If they think it is right, then it’s right for them. But that’s an illusion. While there are some gray areas in this life, to be sure, there is also unshakable, unchangeable truth. There is definite right and wrong.

I got to witness an example earlier this week in my college Psychology class. In a discussion, we were given a moral dilemma. There was a circumstance and a number of options we could choose. It was disheartening to listen to many of the answers, to the reasoning behind why it would be okay to do something that God says is wrong. There were many answers that included “it depends.” For instance, if no one else would see you making that choice would it make a difference to you.

The discussion drove home the point that almost right isn’t right. Almost right is still wrong.

I don’t want to fall for an illusion.

***

Before I go, did you get to see The Chosen, Episodes 7 & 8, on the big screen yesterday? Or maybe you’re going today or this weekend. I was in the theater on Thursday for the first showing. And I am so glad I got to be there, even if I hated the wait for these last two episodes.

If you didn’t get to see these episodes in the theater, don’t worry. Episode 7 will be on The Chosen app, Facebook, and YouTube this Sunday, and Episode 8 (season finale) will be in those same locations just two days later. Don’t miss them!

~robin

Spring Reads & a Giveaway

There’s something that’s just so fresh about spring. Everything feels new and exciting. Even when it comes to reading. This time of year, I’m drawn to the new. Even with a TBR pile that could keep me in books for several months, I find myself peeking ahead to see what new books are coming down the pipeline. And this month, I found several to get excited about.

My Top 3 Most Anticipated Early Spring Reads

1. The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham – Now available!

I fell in love with Grace and Freddie in This Mistletoe Countess in 2021. Now Pepper is giving us a sequel, letting us join this daring duo on their Egyptian honeymoon. It’s billed as “Clue meets Indiana Jones,” and I can’t wait to dig in. I preordered a copy, and it arrived last week, so as soon as I finish my current read, it will jump to the top of my pile.

2. A Match in the Making by Jen Turano – Releases 2/21

I love Jen Turano’s books. They are just so witty and fun, much like their delightful creator. This book is the first in a new series, and it looks to be another winner. Here’s the opening line:

One of the most curious discoveries Miss Gwendolyn Brinley had made during her brief sojourn as an unexpected and oh-so-reluctant assistant matchmaker was this–securing advantageous marriages amongst the socially elite was not for the faint of heart and, frankly, could be considered a blood sport.

Love it!

3. Forged in Love by Mary Connealy – Releases 2/28

The moment I learned Mary was writing a book about a female blacksmith, I knew I wanted to read it. Not only is the heroine a blacksmith, but in a fun flip of the usual trope, the hero is a chef. Mary’s books always have a good dose of humor and action, two of my favorite elements, so I fully expect to enjoy this story. This is also the first in a new series set in Wyoming.

Can you tell that my favorite genre is humorous historical romance? I feel like I hit the jackpot this month.

What new releases are you looking forward to in 2023?

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to stock up on some great romance reads, and here’s a fabulous giveaway that can help you do just that!

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A Few Days of R&R

From the last weekend in September of last year to the end of 2022, we hardly stopped. Some was planned travel. Some was not. There were the usual holidays and the accompanying busyness, and there was the puppy—and all that she entails. 

So when we decided to put Dolly in “puppy school” for a couple of weeks, we wanted to take advantage of the time. We already had a trip on the books to California for some business meetings my husband needed to attend, so we decided to go a few days early and get some R&R on our own. 

We chose a small hotel on the west coast, one we’d had our eye on for a while. And we didn’t plan a thing. 

So what did we do all day? Well, we have four major components to trips that are specifically designed to be restful. 

Sleep

No alarms allowed! We go to be when we are tired and wake up when we are rested. No getting somewhere at a specific time. Of course, the advantage to traveling to California is the two hour time difference from home. I wake up at 7:30, my body thinking it’s 9:30! Rest with still a whole day ahead. 

2. Walk

Sometimes we walk just to walk. We walked from our hotel to a nearby harbor, where we shopped and ate. We walked as we toured the Mission at San Juan Capistrano. We walked and browsed shops in San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, and Laguna Beach. We walked to most of our evening meals. One day I had 15,000 steps! 

3. Eat

With all of that walking, we are usually hungry. And we like good food. The hotel included a great breakfast each morning, then we would usually find a smoothie for lunch. For dinner, seafood was on the menu most places, but we also searched out some good Asian food. We love eating in local restaurants when we travel and look for highly rated ones. And gelato at the beach is always a favorite!

4. Read

This is essential to any trip, but especially trips designed for relaxation. At this hotel, we had a small patio outside our room that overlooked the ocean and the harbor below. We read here in the warmer afternoon sunshine. The hotel also had two “living rooms” with fireplaces, so we read there, too. Sometimes we’d sit down during our walks and each read our books from our phones. All in all, I finished the three books I’d started before we went, read another start to finish, and got a decent way into three more books. It was delightful! (On a side note: we found two–yes, two!–library book sales. The picture to the right is what we brought home!)

The only hard part was going from this to business meetings and business dinners. It’s so much better to do an R&R trip on the backside of one of those trips. But due to other obligations it was before or nothing this time. And so before it was. Although the view from there was awesome, too. Here’s a picture of my “office” (i.e. our room’s balcony) for those couple of days. Not too shabby!

I’m so grateful that R&R means the same thing to both my husband and me. And I’m already looking forward to our next R&R trip! 

What is your favorite kind of restful trip? Is there a certain place that relaxes you or certain activities? Tell us!

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.

The Inspirations Behind Memory Lane

My next book, Memory Lane, is releasing in just two and a half weeks!

I thought I’d dip into my files for this book and share some of my inspirations as well as a fun “book trailer” video with you.

Inspiration #1: MAINE

I’ve always been captivated by the pictures and videos I’ve seen of Maine. The rugged shore! The moody water! The dense forests! Plus, when I asked my readers which book settings they loved best, Maine ranked very high. Plus, I reasoned, if I set a series of books there, I’d have an excellent reason to plan a trip and see it for myself.

My husband and I made it to Maine last summer and it was even better than I’d expected.

Acadia National ParkCamden Maine, the inspiration for my fictional town of Groomsport. When you read Memory Lane, you’ll see that I gave a nod to Camden in one particular way.In the novel, my heroine walks along the breakwater (as I did) to the Rockland Lighthouse pictured above.My husband an I hiked up to Maiden’s Cliff — which plays a role in the story.Inspiration #3: MY HEROINE

Remy Reed is an artist who creates wood sculptures. She lives in a cottage on the tip of one of Maine’s most remote “unbridged” islands.

Remy is:

Quirky, artistic, imaginative, feistyNatural. She doesn’t care much about her appearance. She enjoys art, nature, music.She’s not trying to prove anything to anyone. She doesn’t want money or approval or fame. She feels things passionatelyProtects herself by controlling her life and remaining isolatedInspiration #3: MY HERO

My hero is a mystery man. After Remy rescues him from the ocean, she gets him situated in her cottage. He’s injured can’t remember his name or history.

He’s:

Charming, handsome, athleticHe has an air of easy intelligence and lazy intensityHe’s in control of himself. Very confident and secure.Observant and quick-witted, with a great sense of humorInspiration #4: THE PREMISE

If you’re familiar with my recent books, then you know that I love to incorporate mystery into my romances! In this one, the story questions are… “Who is he?” and “What happened that landed him in the Atlantic Ocean with no memories?”

Inspiration #5: THE HERO AND HEROINE’S DYNAMIC

In terms of romantic tropes, I had a great time with “opposites attract” and “heroine saves hero” tropes in Memory Lane. These two rub each other completely the wrong way at first. But their differences made their banter and their chemistry so much fun.

I’m delighted to say that Memory Lane is now widely available for pre-order! I recommend heading to my site HERE because I’ve compiled lots of buy links all in one place. Note: If you’re interested in pre-ordering the paperback, the ebook, or the audiobook, you’ll find the best deals for those on my website bookstore. I wouldn’t pre-order the paperback on Amazon at this point. Right now it’s priced high (I’m trying to fix that). It will be $5 less there once it releases. You can add it to your Goodreads shelves HERE.

I’m so excited for you to meet these characters and read their love story!

Have you been to Maine? Thoughts about any of the above?

Talking to My Friends

The last two weeks I’ve been chatting with many of my writing friends as I’ve been recording new episodes of Book Talk. It has been such fun! Two weeks ago I chatted with Kristy Cambron and Jill Eileen Smith. Last week it was Lisa Phillips and her team of authors as well as Mary Connealy. And this week I had a blast connecting with Melanie Dobson, J’Nell Ciesielski, Lynn Blackburn, Lynnette Eason and Natalie Walters. It’s been such fun to spend time virtually with so many good friends who happen to write amazing books. These chats will release over the next couple months, but tomorrow’s is so special. It was a fun conversation with my Inspired by Life and Fiction friends Tamera Alexander and Deborah Raney. It was such a joy to spend time with these two amazing women who I respect so much and the love in their friendship is so evident. I just love them!

You can listen in on our coversation by popping over to my blog tomorrow or looking for Book Talk with Cara on your favorite podcast platform. I had too much fun talking about the really incredible writing friendship that goes so much deeper that Tammy and Deb have. You can see how real and special it is in this episode. You can also watch it on YouTube starting January 27.

I’m in the middle of edits and plotting a new book so I thought I’d leave you with some fun writing and reading quotes. I’d also love to know what are some of your favorite bookish quotes. Be sure to leave them in a comment.