Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Welcome to Autumn from Marta Perry

Is it autumn yet where you are? The seasons have definitely changed here in our central Pennsylvania valley. As I look out my office window, I can see a carpet of leaves dotted with the husks of walnuts that have already fallen from the black walnut tree in the backyard. The seed heads of the coneflowers still stand, providing food for the smaller birds that love to perch precariously on the stems to eat their fill.


Down by the springhouse, the sunlight slants through the leaves, turning them to a double blaze of gold, and the grapevines that have overtaken the lilacs by the creek provide their own splash of paler yellow, while the Virginia creeper adds an accent of deep scarlet. The flowers have nearly finished, with only the mums and Autumn Joy sedum giving a spark of color to the beds.

The outside scene prompts me to reconsider the meals I plan. Do you find that to be true for you, as well? I've started thinking of soups and chili instead of salads, as well as anything and everything made from apples. There's a bag of McIntosh apples on my counter now--they're my favorite for a versatile cooking apple. I did a double batch of apple walnut bread a few days ago, and I'll cook applesauce for supper. My husband hints that a pie might be nice.

So in keeping with the season, here's one of my favorite recipes for Apple Walnut Cake:

4 cups pared, chopped apples
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
½ cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
Combine the apples and sugar in a bowl and set aside. Beat the eggs in the oil and vanilla in a large bowl. In third bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir the flour mixture and the apple mixture alternately into the oil and vanilla. Add the walnuts and stir. Pour the batter into a 13 x 9- inch pan sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for one hour and enjoy!

Blessings,
Marta Perry

Monday, September 29, 2014

A Heroic Christmas

Susan Sleeman here. I've been attending weekly sessions of our local police academy to get insights into the job of  a police officer. I not only get to hear from the fine men and women who protect me, but I'll also get to go on a ride along. I'll spend four hours of a shift with the patrol officer traveling the streets of my city and seeing his or her job first hand. I can't wait. I'm so in awe of our law enforcement officers and the troops who defend our country. I see each and everyone of them as heroes who deserve our utmost respect.

So when my editor asked me to join with Debby Guisti and Jodie Bailey to create a Christmas themed novella featuring military heroes, I wholeheartedly accepted and enjoyed every minute of writing my story, Special Ops Christmas. The book is releasing in a few days and here's a quick description of the stories and I hope you'll look for it in stores or at online retailers.

 

HOLIDAY DEFENDERS 

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, THREE MILITARY MEN OF HONOR MUST DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO SAVE CHRISTMAS


Mission: Christmas Rescue by Debby Giusti 
On the run from a killer, Elizabeth Tate must accept U.S. Army Captain Nick Fontaine’s protection for the sake of her young niece and nephew. Now her life is in the hands of the very man who broke her heart years ago.

Special Ops Christmas by Susan Sleeman 
Researcher Claire Reed’s top secret project is stolen, putting her at risk of being kidnapped to unlock it. Her undercover bodyguard—her former love, Green Beret Travis Chapman—is on his most dangerous mission yet.

Homefront Holiday Hero by Jodie Bailey 
When someone tries to kill the daughter of a military official, U.S. Army major Tyler Rainey must keep Kelly Walters from harm…while guarding his own heart against very unexpected feelings.




SUSAN SLEEMAN is a best-selling author of inspirational and clean read romantic suspense books. Awards include Thread of Suspicion-2013 Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Best Book Award, No Way Out-2014 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence finalist, and The Christmas Witness-2012 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence finalist. In addition to writing, Susan also hosts the popular website TheSuspenseZone.com. She currently lives in Oregon with her husband, but has lived in nine states. They have two daughters, a son-in-law, and an adorable grandson. To connect with Susan outside of her – Website visit any of these social media sites-

Monday, September 22, 2014

Married to A Romance Writer


Married to a Writer: How Embarrassing

Pamela Tracy here.

I'm a romance writer, yup, and that job travels with me wherever I go, whether to the store, to my son's soccer game, to work, to church, well, you get the idea.

My husband and son travel with me, too.

Sometimes the two worlds collide.

So, a few months ago, we're at the Apple store because I needed a new computer.  Mine had finally deteriorated so much that the only thing I could do was word processing.  And that was iffy because the system froze every 24 or so hours.  Then, I'd have to shut everything down and start from scratch.  The Internet would no longer work on the computer; I couldn't get  photos either.

I digress.

So, romance writer me and hubby are standing in front of the computer I want and waiting for a service rep.  My son is over at a kids' table playing on the iPads.

I'm typing away.

Rep comes over and asked me, "What can I do for you today?"

I point to the computer screen and there are all my computer questions.

My husband is embarrassed.  This is not the normal thing to do, you see.  He wants me to ask aloud, like a normal person.  As if romance writers were normal.  How boring!

The rep says, "Oh, I'll need to get someone with a little more knowledge about...." and he walks away.

I start to type more questions.

My husband is aghast.  "No, just ask the questions."

I said "Okay."

Here's what I did on the computer instead of typing my questions.  And, yes, my husband is a plumber by trade 

Don Smith
Professor Me
Plumbing 101
October 11, 2013
Clean Fingernails
Plumbers, in American, face a strange malady.  It’s called tooth fungi, and it happens when they bite their fingernails.  Oh, not all plumbers bite their fingernails, but there are a few who cannot break the habit even when they see their coworkers with green teeth.  We’re not just talking slightly green; we’re talking florescent green.  The kind of green that glows in the dark and can guide planes in for landing.

This malady first occurred in the early 1920’s when Zeke Carmichael, of Carmichael plumbing, noticed a strange itching just about his top two teeth. He’d already lost the bottom teeth to a fist fight over  how many inches a toilet should be from a wall.  He very much wanted to keep the top two, so immediately went to a dentist.  Or, at least, he went to someone who pretended to be a dentist. 

Totally made up, on the spot.  Not true.

My husband read it with a mixture of horror and laughter.  He begged me to delete it before the technician showed.

So, in conclusion, Don't Mess With a Romance Writer Who Has a Computer in her Hand.   you might just get hurt

Friday, September 19, 2014

Regency Goodies Giveaway

Camy here! To celebrate the release of my Regency romance, Prelude for a Lord (written under a pen name, Camille Elliot) I’m holding a huge giveaway of books, hand-knit lace shawls, Jane Austen tea, and violin Christmas ornaments!

Click here for more information and to enter my Regency Goodies Giveaway

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Researching Crime and Law Enforcement!

Debby Giusti here!

I recently attended the Writers' Police Academy, held in Jamestown, North Carolina, and came home with a notebook full of information I can use in my stories. The conference is the brainchild of Lee Lofland, a former cop turned writer. He brings law enforcement experts from around the country together each year and hosts four-days of workshops, drive-alongs, hands-on demonstrations and simulated activities for writers.

Debby Giusti (L) with fellow writer Connie Gillam (R)
taking part in an ambulance drive-along. The sirens were screaming
and lights flashing as we raced around the campus!

A mock crash site demonstration. 

The Sheriff's Department Dive Team put on an
Underwater Evidence Retrieval Demonstration.

This year, registration booked up in twelve hours, which proves how many authors want to take part. For anyone writing in the suspense or mystery genres, the Writers' Police Academy--or WPA--is a dream come true. The faculty was eager to answer our questions and even add tips they thought would improve our stories. Not only did we get the facts, but we also learned about the person behind the badge. Hearing them banter back and forth, tell jokes and war tales, provided lots of fodder for our own stories.
Lucky me to get my picture with Michael Conneally, the
guest speaker at the WPA banquet SAT night. According
to Lee, Michael gets it right about cops in his novels.

Check out information about the WPA on their website. Lee also has a great blog, The Graveyard Shift, and he's always open to comments and questions.

I'm hoping to attend next year. Maybe I'll see you there!

Happy writing! Happy reading!

Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
www.DebbyGiusti.com
www.seekerville.blogspot.com


THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, THREE MILITARY MEN OF HONOR MUST DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO SAVE CHRISTMAS

Mission: Christmas Rescue by Debby Giusti 
On the run from a killer, Elizabeth Tate must accept U.S. Army Captain Nick Fontaine’s protection for the sake of her young niece and nephew. Now her life is in the hands of the very man who broke her heart years ago.

Special Ops Christmas by Susan Sleeman 
Researcher Claire Reed’s top secret project is stolen, putting her at risk of being kidnapped to unlock it. Her undercover bodyguard—her former love, Green Beret Travis Chapman—is on his most dangerous mission yet.

Homefront Holiday Hero by Jodie Bailey 
When someone tries to kill the daughter of a military official, U.S. Army major Tyler Rainey must keep Kelly Walters from harm…while guarding his own heart against very unexpected feelings.





Wednesday, September 17, 2014

So Ready by Leann Harris

I am so ready for the summer to be over. Enough of hot. I'm ready to see color in the trees and feel the coolness in the air.  I always promise myself that  my husband and I will drive to Colorado and see the color--the Aspens around Colorado Springs, but that usually falls through. But I can always hope.

The thing I enjoy the most is sitting on the back porch in the morning, drinking hot tea and reading my Bible before the day begins. It's the only way to begin the day.
 And the other thing about Fall is the State Fair of Texas.


Friday, September 12, 2014

The Thrill of a Terrific Title

by Keli Gwyn

After months of waiting, my first Love Inspired Historical has a title! Family of Her Dreams will be released June 2015.

My story was contracted this past December. For nine l-o-n-g months I waited to find out what it would be called. I wondered if it the title would be one of those I'd suggested, if it would fit the story and if I'd like it.

The answer to all of those questions is a resounding yes.

I sent my editor over a dozen possible titles. She shared the list with the Love Inspired team. They picked one of them. Since choosing titles isn't my strong suit, I was surprised and pleased.

My story is about a woman raised in an orphanage since the age of three. All her life she's dreamed about one thing: having a family of her own. Family of Her Dreams does an excellent job conveying that.

I not only like the title. I love it! As my writing partner said, the words family and dreams are "evocative and powerful." I agree.

I've long been a fan of Love Inspired and have admired their titles and covers. They do such a great job with both. I have one and can't wait for the other. It won't be long now.

Of all the Love Inspired titles you've seen, which stand out as your favorites?

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Allie Pleiter on...is this a plot twist or villain?

I admit, this doesn't really have a lot to do with writing...except that you can be sure it will show up in one of my books one of these days.

It was just too darling and funny not to share.  If you've ever wondered what kind of zaniness goes on in the Pleiter household, here's a peek:


I'm thinking this needs to be uploaded to America's Funniest Home Videos--maybe it will help pay for all the toilet paper she wastes (this isn't the first time she's done this, but it's definitely a distance record....).  What do you think?

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Christmas is Coming!

Susan Sleeman here. Okay, don't panic. You still have plenty of time to get that Christmas shopping done, but I wanted to stop in to tell you that October means Love Inspired Christmas books will start releasing. I was fortunate enough this year to be able to write two of them. How fun it was to write about Christmas in the heat of summer. LOL

The first book, Holiday Defenders is compilation of stories with three amazing military heroes. I got to write this book with Debby Guisti and Jodie Bailey. I am so humbled to be included with them. This book is available for preorder and you can enter to win a copy at Goodreads. Click on the picture below to go to Amazon to preorder your copy.

http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Defenders-Christmas-Rescue%5CSpecial-Christmas%5CHomefront/dp/0373446268%3FSubscriptionId%3D0YJ5WH0XEWNGWWCW4M82%26tag%3Dwwwcszonecom-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0373446268


The second story is the first in my new First Responders series and it releases in November. It to is available for preorder, too. Here are the details.

SILENT NIGHT STANDOFF

HOSTAGE SITUATION
When armed robbers strike her bank, hostage negotiator Skyler Brennan’s life is on the line. Rescue comes from the last person she thought she could count on—the ex-boyfriend who chose his job over their relationship.
FBI agent Logan Hunter knows how much is resting on this case. The promotion of his dreams…and the safety of the woman he’s never been able to forget. But when an unexpected twist in the case pulls Logan in two separate directions, he’ll have to make an impossible choice. Will he manage to have it all by Christmas—a career and love—or will he lose them both?
So, my question of the day. Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? I confess I have bought two gifts already. I'm a planner. What can I say.


SUSAN SLEEMAN is a best-selling author of inspirational and clean read romantic suspense books. Awards include Thread of Suspicion-2013 Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Best Book Award, No Way Out-2014 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence finalist, and The Christmas Witness-2012 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence finalist. In addition to writing, Susan also hosts the popular website TheSuspenseZone.com. She currently lives in Oregon with her husband, but has lived in nine states. They have two daughters, a son-in-law, and an adorable grandson. To connect with Susan outside of her – Website visit any of these social media sites-

Monday, September 8, 2014

Fall colors...and a Scottish Christmas

Roxanne Rustand here, hoping that you all had a wonderful summer, and that you are enjoying the start of spectacular fall weather wherever you are!

Here in the Upper Midwest, we have (hopefully) blazing fall colors to enjoy every year, usually hitting peak somewhere between late September and early October.  The photo at the left is from last year,  and I can't wait to see the leaves starting to change again.  
Maybe it's a remnant of all the years of anticipating the start of school when I was growing up, but fall seems like a wonderful time for new beginnings.

Though I love writing for Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense, and look forward to continuing in the future,  I took a little foray into self publishing this past year--with three books that were sweet romance, but wouldn't have fit with Love Inspired.  It has been an adventure, deciding on covers, working on the content, and completing all of the other aspects of getting a book out to the public.  It has made me appreciate the great editors at Harlequin all the more!

We went to Scotland  this past May, and while there I took lots of notes, took hundreds of pictures, and enjoyed talking to Bed and Breakfast owners and other locals as we traveled through the Highlands, figuring it could be material for a book someday.  The country itself seemed so romantic that it felt like the perfect place to set a story.   So I did!  A Scottish Christmas will appear in a sweet romance anthology, Sweet Christmas Kisses releasing on Amazon October 1st. 

What about you--do you enjoy reading novels set in other countries?  Are there certain countries that you much prefer,  or do you prefer American settings over everything else?


Best wishes to you for a wonderful fall season!

Roxanne Rustand
www.roxannerustand.com
www.goodreads.com/roxannerustand

Friday, September 5, 2014

Do you read Amish novels? What about Quakers?

Lyn Cot here- Do you read Amish novels?

I don’t know if you realize it or not, but the Amish are just one of the several sects of “Plain People” in the US. The others are the Mennonites (Amish are a branch of this faith), Shakers, Amana, Hutterites, and Quakers. I am fascinated by this last sect which is just as old as the Amish.

If you’re unacquainted with the Quakers, rent the old Gary Cooper film, “Friendly Persuasion,” or the older film John Wayne’s, “The Angel and the Badman.” Both excellent films which portray the Quakers, or members of the Society of Friends. They are most noted for their use of “Thee” and “Thy.” They are also pacifists and were at the forefront of social reform in the 18th and 19th centuries. I wrote a series about three Quaker sisters. Do you remember THE GABRIEL SISTERS series? I also included Quaker characters in THEIR FRONTIER FAMILY and HEARTLAND COURTSHIP.

My September book, Honor,  is the first in my “Quaker Brides” series and my heroine, named Honor, becomes involved at the very beginning of  the Underground Railroad. I put up a board on Pinterest about Quakers and Slavery and Abolition. Here it is--if you’re interested. http://www.pinterest.com/lyncote/honor-quaker-abolitionist-heroine-book-1-of-quaker/ 

I also put up a board featuring the Underground Railroad use of Quilts as a code to guide the runaway slaves. http://www.pinterest.com/lyncote/underground-railroad-quilts/

This month three authors--Marta Perry, Ann H Gabhart, and Judith Miller--will join me on my blog discussing these different Plain People, stop by AND LEAVE A COMMENT! I'M GIVING AWAY TWO COPIES OF HONOR IN A DRAWING OF COMMENTERS. http://booksbylyncote.com/SWBS/new-book-release/sarah-angelina…-sisters-heart


To purchase, click here.Honor (Quaker Brides)

Blurb for Honor:
When unexpected circumstances leave Honor Penworthy destitute after the death of her grandfather, she is forced to leave her Maryland plantation—and the slaves she hoped to free—and seek refuge with a distant relative. With no marketable skills, her survival hinges on a marriage arranged through the Quaker community to local glass artisan Samuel Cathwell. Samuel is drawn to Honor, but he has been unwilling to open his heart to anyone since scarlet fever took his hearing as a child.

A move west brings the promise of a fresh start, but nothing in Honor’s genteel upbringing has prepared her for the rigors of frontier life with Samuel. Nevertheless, her tenacity and passion sweep her into important winds of change, and she becomes increasingly—though secretly—involved in the Underground Railroad. Samuel suspects Honor is hiding something, but will uncovering the truth confirm his worst fears or truly bring them together as man and wife?

Set against the backdrop of dramatic and pivotal moments in American history, the Quaker Brides series chronicles the lives of three brave heroines, fighting to uphold their principles of freedom while navigating the terrain of faith, family, and the heart."--Lyn Cote

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Macaron anyone?

Terri Reed here talking today about Macarons.  I recently discovered these French confections.  I would never have guessed how much I like them.  This photo is from a local restaurant here in the Portland Oregon area. I ended up taking home six of the flavors. I'm NOT going to eat them in one sitting.  Really, I'm not. :-) and if I keep saying that, maybe I won't.  But I'm on deadline so maybe I will. I picked a few new ones to try (coffee, raspberry, cherry, and blueberry) though Salted Caramel is my favorite, and I do enjoy the Almond and the Lemon as well.  Have you tried a Macaron?
Do you have a favorite flavor?


Out Now in a Store Near YOU!
UNSAFE TERRITORY 
When a mysterious toxin threatens lives and livelihoods near the border between the U.S. and Canada, Dr. Tessa Cleary is called to trace the source. But when the no-nonsense doctor is forced to work with border patrol agent Jeff Steele, she finds the lone wolf's dedication to his job—and country—chipping away at the walls around her heart. Just as Tessa and Jeff are about to uncover the toxin's deadly source, armed thugs kidnap them in the forest. Now they must trust each other to survive before time runs out for everyone. 
Northern Border Patrol: Keeping the U.S.–Canadian border safe


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Why I Write About Service Dogs


Why I Write About Service Dogs
By Margaret Daley

When I taught students with special needs, I occasionally had the chance to also work with a service dog. They are amazing animals. Dogs are used to help people with various problems, not only with different disabilities (like blindness, epilepsy, diabetes, physical, post traumatic syndrome disorder) but also with helping law enforcement with bomb detecting, drug detecting, suspect apprehension, tracking and cadaver retrieval.

Their scent of smell is keen compare to ours. For example, they can smell a dead person buried in the ground or deep under the water. They can sense things in us that we aren’t even aware of. My vet told me about a service dog that was with his owner who is diabetic at the airport. The service dog indicated a passenger who was forty feet away had plummeting blood sugar, which was the case. Many animals can sense when someone is in need of emotional support, whether in grief, depression or pain.

Have you known a service (or therapy) dog or seen one in action? What kind of dog was it?

Margaret Daley:
Margaret Daley, an award-winning author of ninety books (five million sold worldwide), has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com.

Blurb for Her Homecoming Hero, book 3 in Caring Canines Series:
Home to a Cowboy 
In a split second, a tragic accident ends Kathleen Somers's ballet career. Her dreams shattered, she returns home to the Soaring S ranch…and her first love. Suddenly the local veterinarian, Dr. Nate Sterling, goes from her ex to her champion. With the help of a lively poodle therapy dog, the cowboy vet sets out to challenge Kathleen's strength and heal her heart. He'll show her there's life beyond dance, even if it means she leaves town again. But maybe, just maybe, he'll convince her there's only one thing in life worth having…and he's standing right in front of her. 
Caring Canines: Loving and loyal, these dogs mend hearts.

Monday, September 1, 2014

Have you ever scared yourself silly?

Jenna Mindel here wishing you all a safe and happy Labor Day!

I love the water.  I love being near it, in it and on it.  My husband and I along with 2 other couples have just returned from a houseboating vacation on the boundary waters between Minnesota and Canada.
Another one of my bucket list checkoffs and it was a blast!  But the first day was scary getting to our moor up site as the conditions were rough with high winds and good sized swells on the lake.



Maybe because I'm a writer, I can visualize the worst happening and pretty much freak myself out.   Although the houseboat was as stable as they come, my husband's 14 foot fishing boat (not pictured) was not -
at least it didn't feel like it was and I could easily imagine the thing flipping. It didn't.  In fact, we did just fine cutting through those swells.




Which brings me to my September release titled, The Deputy's New Family.  I wrote a sailing scene in this book that scared the living daylights out of me.  I had the help of a critique partner with sailing experience and YouTube.  Oh my gosh, check out sailing rough seas on Lake Michigan if you get a chance and you'll see what I mean. Scary stuff.  Add my overactive imagination, and boy oh boy, was I scared.

So am I alone? or do any of you scare yourself silly too?




The Deputy's New Family has hit the shelves.
Romantic Times magazine has given me four stars on this one.
Yay!

"Mindel's characters demonstrate how we should not let life's risks and fears hold us back..."

Feel free to email me and let me know if you were scared too as you read the sailing scene at www.jennamindel.com