On Break

By Debby Giusti

When I worked in an office during my college days and in hospital laboratories after graduation, the afternoon break was a time to grab a soda and chat with co-workers. Now that I'm writing at home, I still need time away from my workstation, AKA my laptop.

My house sits on a lake so around 4 PM, I usually leave my computer, grab some bread and head to the docks. This summer, we have fifteen adult geese and eleven goslings that live in the dock area, along with six ducks and three ducklings.

(The picture above shows the nine gosling family, swimming behind their mother. Dad is taking up the rear but is hidden from view.)

I love to see how the various birds interact. Sometimes the baby ducklings try to outrace the goslings for my bread offerings and get nipped by Daddy Goose, who chases them off. The geese are extremely protective of their offspring and squawk and hiss when any adult geese venture too close to their youngsters.

Watching the birds relaxes me and allows me to come home refreshed, ready to once again tackle my novel. What do you do when you take a break? Grab a cup of coffee? Get some exercise? Enjoy God's beauty in nature?

Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
www.DebbyGiusti.com
http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/
http://www.ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com/

A Look Inside the Mind...

Sorry for the brief post but my computer crashed and I'm typing mostly on an itty Droid phone keypad.

I think most of the readership on this blog are readers, but many readers also long to write.

If that's you, or you'd perhaps like a glimpse inside the mind of a publishing industry Great, Joan Marlow Golan, Executive Editor of Steeple Hill Books, she is featured in an interview today in Seekerville.


So, just out of curiosity, are you a reader, a writer or a wreader (both)? Comment away! I'd love to get a feel for the readership of our blog and what it mostly consists of. If you've been lurking...come out, come out wherever you are and let us get to know you better!

Oh and by the way, Steadfast Soldier hits stores in a couple of weeks. YAY! Not into soldier stories? Check out one or two or five of the other LI books releasing in June. We appreciate your readership! Both on this blog and of our books.

Bless you!

You are the reason we write. :-)

Hugs!

Cheryl Wyatt

I is for Iron, R is for Revisions. Nary the two shall meet?

I hate to iron. Let me count the ways. Pants, shirts, dresses, skirts, underwear….Underwear? Yes, I’ve heard people iron their underwear. Don’t worry, I’m not one of them. I know, TMI, but how many writers do you know that haven’t exposed a piece of themselves for the betterment of a story? So this morning, with a lack of any pressed work clothes, I had to drag out the monster iron that always seems to do more damage than good if I wanted to wear something presentable.

Did I mention I hate to iron?

So once I cleared off the hideous ironing board that contained every wrinkled pair of work pants and tops I own—I’m still waiting for someone to create fashionable clothing that never wrinkles no matter how long it’s left in the dryer—I got down the dirty task of ironing.

I really, really, really hate to iron. Can I possibly say that enough?

Okay, the first pair of pants is on the board. I get the squirt bottle out because I’ve discovered it’s easier to get the deep wrinkles out while the pants are wet. Too bad this tactic doesn’t work on the face. I’m grouchily pressing away on the first leg. Top side done. Yes. Flip over. Rats. Several deep creases down the back. Grab water bottle. Wet clothes. Press the living daylights out of back side of leg. Flip over. ACK! More creases on front side. There is now more steam coming out of my ears than the pants. I really hate to iron.

Which brings me to revisions. Very few writers I know can spout out a virtually clean, coherent manuscript the first time around. So what does that mean? Revisions. Revisions remind me of ironing—although I actually like to revise. You smooth out a wrinkle here, and create another wrinkle somewhere else. You change something in one scene; you need to make sure you’ve made the corresponding changes in the rest of the manuscript. No one said it would be easy. Eventually though, you will have creaseless pants and a well polished manuscript.

I tend to agonize over certain things, and it takes me a lot longer to make sure the final product is ready to go out the door. So in the time it would take a normal person to go through the entire pile, I’ve successfully pressed one pair of pants—if you don’t look too closely—and a shirt. Now is not the time to discuss the fact that I spilled coffee on my brand spanking new ironed pants today that will now have to meet Mr. Washer and Mr. Iron instead of Mrs. Hanger before they grace my feminine curves again. I really hate to iron, but throw all the revisions you want my way.

Because in the end, I finally sold that manuscript!

My first Steeple Hill Love Inspired, On Wings of Love, is on the shelves as you read this.

NEWS ABOUT CHRISTMAS PERIL

By Debby Giusti

Leaves are falling and the temperature's dropping, but my thoughts have turned to Christmas. Author copies of CHRISTMAS PERIL arrived last week, and I'm so excited about having my story, YULE DIE, featured along with Margaret Daley's MERRY MAYHEM. That's right, you'll find two exciting suspense stories packaged together in CHRISTMAS PERIL, a Love Inspired Suspense on sale December 8th.

I'm reading Margaret's story now and enjoy how she weaves a heartwarming love story along with spine-tingling suspense. Margaret's been my mentor over the last few years, answering questions and helping me in whatever way she could. She's a wonderful person, a dear friend and an outstanding writer. Her stories are read by hundreds of thousands of readers across the country who know when they pick up her book, they'll get a fantastic story.

MERRY MAYHEM

by Margaret Daley

When single mom Annie Coleman unexpectedly arrives in Christmas, Oklahoma, police chief Caleb Jackson suspects she's hiding secrets. He'll be watching her closely. And his protection is just what Annie and her daughter need, as danger has followed them to their new home.

YULE DIE

by Debby Giusti

It's hardly a happy holiday for medical researcher Callie Evans...until she discovers her ailing patient is her long-lost brother. And he's being watched by undercover police officer Joe Petrecelli. When the trio is abducted by a cadre of bad guys. Joe and Callie will have to fight to keep her brother--and themselves--alive.

YULE DIE was a story that almost wrote itself. The biggest challenge was how to give the hero and heroine time to develop their love for the other in the midst of a hostage situation. I hope you'll look for CHRISTMAS PERIL and read both stories to add a little spine-chilling suspense to your holiday.

Remember to give all your friends Steeple Hill books this Christmas. The December releases are great stocking stuffers and something Santa can easily slip under everyone's tree.

Congratulations to all the authors who had December books. Each Steeple Hill story out this December received 4 stars or better from Romantic Times Book Reviews! That's got to be a first and indicates the high caliber of writing from Love Inspired authors. I feel so honored to be a member of the group!

Happy reading and happy writing!

Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
http://%3ca%20href=//">http://www.debbygiusti.com/
http://%3ca%20href=//">http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/
http://%3ca%20href=//">http://www.ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com/

Book giveaways!

Update (9/27/09): Congratulations to Jessiecue who won these 8 books!

Camy here, with a few Love Inspired book giveaways!

One winner will get all eight books!

Be My Neat-Heart
by
Judy Baer
(This book got banged up a bit when it was first mailed to me)

Men come and go, but clutter is forever.

I've been told the reason I'm still single at twenty-nine is because there'll never be a man tidy enough for me. I'm a professional organizer, so everything in my world is in perfect order. Well....everything except my love life.

But I think I've met my match in Jared Hamilton, who recently hired me to cure his sister's "clutter issues." He's an even bigger neatnik than I am, but he also needs to control everyone around him. I'm starting to realize that sometimes love can be messy business!

Buried Secrets
by
Margaret Daley

Hidden treasure? Fresh from her grandfather's funeral, Maggie Somers was shocked to find his home--all she had left of him--ransacked. What wasn't so shocking was that a Collier stood among the wreckage. Maggie had grown up hearing all about the Collier clan--liars and thieves who couldn't be trusted. Yet Zach Collier asked Maggie to have faith in him, to put their feud and their families' to rest. His grandfather had also recently passed away. Zach was sure the man--like Maggie's grandfather--had been murdered for something hidden among his possessions. Something Zach and Maggie had to uncover before they became targets.

Buried Sins
by
Marta Perry

WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE
Had her brand-new husband been involved in something shady? Before Caroline Hampton could confront him, he was killed in a car crash...or so it was claimed. Unsettling incidents escalating in dange warned her he could be very much alive. And so Caroline fled for the safety of her sisters' Amish country inn. But someone who suspected her handsome police chief Zachary Burkhalter was waiting for Caroline. Waiting for her to slip up. And watching her every move. Daring her to trust him with all of the truth.

Deadly Homecoming
by
Barbara Phinney

Who killed the bride and groom?

Everyone thinks it was "that troublemaker," Peta Donald. Gossips say she came home to stop the wedding. That jealousy led her to murder.

No one on Northwind Island believes that Peta has changed since her youth. And nothing has changed in town. Peta is still shunned by everyone. Everyone except Lawson Mills, whose appearance on the island is as mysterious as the double murders. Peta is sure he has an ulterior motive for helping clear her name. Full of questions about another set of murders, Lawson is secretive about himself. Until they discover what's behind Peta's deadly homecoming…

Hide In Plain Sight
by
Marta Perry

"PLEASE, GOD, IF YOU'RE LISTENING, KEEP RACHEL SAFE."

She couldn't turn her back on her family in their time of need. So when her sister was injured, financial expert Andrea Hampton traded the big city for Amish country to help turn her grandmother's house into an inn.

But life with the Plain People took a treacherous turn when a string of accidents and pranks threatened her family. Someone didn't want the secrets the old house harbored to come to light. Trusting anyone-- even the handsome carpenter who seemed so genuine--was a battle for Andrea, but her life depended on her ability to find the truth.

MIA: Missing in Atlanta
by
Debby Giusti

HIS GIRLFRIEND HAD VANISHED

Granted, he hadn't known her long, but returning war hero Jude Walker expected to eventually marry the woman he'd met during his last leave. Not find her missing. Or learn that her last known address was a homeless shelter in a dangerous part of the city. The shelter's temporary director, Sarah Montgomery, didn't know Jude's friend. But she knew the streets, knew the dangers--from drugs and prostitution to the most cold-blooded of criminals--right outside her door. Knew that the handsome, brave captain was in for heartache. And that falling in love with him was her riskiest move yet.

Missing Persons
by
Shirlee McCoy

Leave while you still can

The warning had been spray-painted on Lauren Owens's walls. And whoever had vandalized her house meant business. But Lauren couldn't--wouldn't--leave the Magnolia College campus. Not when she'd finally found her way back to Seth Chartrand, the single father who'd broken her heart years ago. And not when the cold-case murder everyone was talking about remained scarily unsolved--including the young woman's identity. Because Lauren had a sinking feeling she knew exactly who the victim was....

Nowhere to Run
by
Valerie Hansen

"Run and don't stop!"

Those were her former boyfriend's last words. Before the thugs he associated with murdered him in cold blood. Now they're after Marie Parnell. She flees with her five-year-old daughter—until car trouble strands her in Serenity, Arkansas. The handsome mechanic who promises to get her back on the road is suspicious—and purposely slow. With nowhere to turn and nowhere left to run, Marie tells Seth Whitfield everything. About her past, about finding faith, about how safe she feels with him. He vows to protect her and her child. But Seth isn't exactly who he says he is….

Blog book giveaway:

To enter to win today’s books, leave a comment on this blog post, giving your name and saying you want to enter. International readers are welcome to enter!

Please leave an email address or website where I can contact you (please use this format--you [at] yourmail.com--or something like that to prevent spammers from trolling for your email address).

Here's how you can get extra entries!

Get TEN EXTRA ENTRIES into the giveaway if you join one of the Steeple Hill Reader services by clicking on one of the three links below:

Get 2 FREE Books— just for giving Steeple Hill Love Inspired a try! Click here now!

Get 2 Free Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense Books from Steeple Hill today.

Get 2 FREE Books and 2 FREE Gifts for giving Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical a try

Email me at camy {at} camytang {dot} com if you join a Reader service, and please email me your confirmation email message with your private information removed.

If you already belong to a Steeple Hill Reader service club, email me with your confirmation email message with your private information removed. Alternately, you can scan your latest shipment invoice with your private information removed and email me the file. Or if you want to mail me a photocopy of your latest shipment invoice with your private information removed, mail it to: Camy Tang, P.O. Box 23143, San Jose, CA 95153-3143.

If you join (or belong to) all three Steeple Hill Reader services, you get THIRTY EXTRA ENTRIES! (Don't worry, I'll be keeping a tally on my computer.)

It is the winner’s responsibility to check to see if you won and to email me if you haven’t yet heard from me. I always email the winner and give them a week to reply, but if I don’t receive an answer, I will pull another person to win the books. I am not responsible for a lost opportunity if you leave an email address you don’t check frequently.

The winner can expect their free books in 4-6 weeks.

You have a month to enter--I'll pick a name out of a hat on Thursday, September 24th. (BTW, you can post a comment and NOT enter, too.)

Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. Her novels Single Sashimi and Deadly Intent are out now. She runs the Story Sensei critique service, is a staff worker for her church youth group, and leads one of the worship teams for Sunday service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels every week and ponders frivolous things. Sign up for her newsletter YahooGroup for monthly giveaways!

Meet Me in Magnolia, Georgia!

Missy Tippens, here. And I’m excited to announce my new Love Inspired book, His Forever Love, is on the shelves now! Here’s a little bit about it…

In Magnolia, Georgia, local legend says that a couple who holds hands around the “forever” tree will have an unending love. Even so, Bill Wellington held Lindsay Jones’s hands around that tree years ago...and then left her behind. He chose the big city, and now he wants to bring his grandmother there. But to his amazement, he finds that Granny has a boyfriend—and a vibrant life. A life that includes Lindsay, Granny’s caregiver. Bill never thought he’d want to come home, yet Magnolia clearly has its charms. As does Lindsay, who makes him long for a second chance at forever love.

I hope you’ll take the time to visit my fictional town of Magnolia, Georgia, and meet some folks I’ve gotten attached to (yes, we get to know our characters and kind of hate to see them leave when the book is over!). :)

I thought I’d share a couple of photos of beautiful magnolia trees with you. They were blooming in May when I chaperoned a group of 8th graders on a 3-day trip to Savannah, Georgia. I hope you can see the blooms. Enjoy!



And now, I'd love to hear about your town. Do you live in a small town like Magnolia? Or are you in a city?

Missy
http://www.missytippens.com/

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to my Deadline: Murphy's Law

I'm not much for science but Murphy's Law is a rule I know well, mostly because it seems to happen to me frequently. I'm Lisa Mondello and I'd like to tell you about a funny little thing that happened to me on the way to the April 1st deadline for my upcoming release, Yuletide Protector 12/09.

You see, in a perfect world, computers work the way they're supposed to work all the time, especially when you've mapped out a course for finishing a book before the deadline. But then there is Murphy's Law. I think most people are familiar with Murphy's Law but just in case, let me recap it for you.

Murphy's Law = Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.

And it did. Murphy's Law doesn't care about my duties as a mother, a wife or a writer. It just is what it is and strikes at will. I'll spare you all the details of how the big ML struck me this winter and jump right to the good parts about how it managed to mess with me weeks before my April 1st deadline.

First problem: Hard drive is making funny, loud noises.

I'm not a computer expert but I know that when my computer is making noise louder than the music playing on the CD player, it's not good. My conversation with my husband went like this.

"My computer is acting really funny. It's making a lot of noise."
"What kind of noise?"
"I don't know. A noise. It's loud."
"What does it sound like?"
Picture me giving a really lame attempt at duplicating the noise for my husband and him laughing at me. I'm normally very happy to amuse my husband but as I mentioned, I had a deadline looming and I didn't share the humor.

A few disk clean ups and updates later and the noise is gone and hasn't been back since. I think I'm on a roll. I have plenty of time to finish my manuscript. I'm rolling along each day and then...

Second problem: I notice my monitor is a little sluggish starting up in the morning. Not only that but it refused to come out of sleep mode unless I rebooted the computer. And then, just a week before my manuscript was finished, my 22" Samsung monitor died. I loved this monitor. It was perfect. It fit perfectly on my desk and it was crisp and clear and it just died on me.

I'll spare you the shock and horror, but let's just say, I have a wonderful husband and leave it at that. He reminds me the monitor is only 2 years old and still under warranty. Here's how the conversation went with the Tech Support line.

"Good news. Your monitor is still under warranty so all you have to do is return it to a dealer and it will be fixed for free."
"Where is the closest dealer." (He tells me it's three states away.)
"But you can ship it and we'll ship it back to you."
"How long will that take?"
"Three to four weeks."
I calmly explain to him that my manuscript is due in 7 days and that's not going to work. He doesn't seem moved by my pleas to expedite the process. I'm a reasonable woman. I understand the workings of Technical Support and where I rank in the relative scheme of things. I thank him and tell him the monitor will be on it's way shortly. In the meantime I'm frantic and think of the possibilities, for which I'll admit I'm blessed to have many.

1. Use my husband computer, which he kindly offers immediately. Yes, it will work, but like all men, my husband likes to work in what I call "the cave". (Basement) I tried that once years ago and know that my creativity doesn't flow very well when I'm looking at concrete walls and worrying about spiders. On the other hand, he has no problem with it and enjoys working in his cave. Plus it's right next to the boiler and every time someone takes a shower (I have 4 teenagers) it kicks on.

2. Use the kids' computer. Yes, a possibility, but do I really want to sit at their sticky desk? When was the last time they cleaned it? I opt for using their monitor with my computer instead. As I said, I have 4 teenagers and THAT went over real well for about 3 hours until someone wanted to use the computer.

I'm a creature of habit and I'm frazzled and my husband recognizes that look of panic he's seen in me during the 20 or so manuscripts I've written. It's been a tough winter all around. It's spring. My husband suggests we buy a new monitor. Within hours he's hooking up a new 22" monitor on my desk, which I'll admit I love as much as my Samsung, especially since it was on sale! The kids will get the refurbished monitor for their computer so they're happy. My manuscript, Yuletide Protector, is finished on time and out the door so I'm happy. And my husband is happy because he doesn't have to listen to me in crazy mode anymore.

Through the years Murphy's Law has messed with me quite a bit. One day I'll tell you the story about two bridesmaids dresses for two different weddings. How has Murphy's Law messed with you? Share your funny story. It's spring. I think we could all use a good laugh.

Until next time, many blessings, Lisa Mondello