Literacy by Leann Harris

RWA has always supported literacy. At every national conference there is a big signing where money is donated from book sales. Our local chapter has a literacy tea to raise money for our local chapter. We also reach out to the local school districts. I've spoken several time to 5th graders about reading. The last time I talked I brought my book, which wouldn't have interested them, but I brought the book my son had to read in the 6th grade. Hank, The Cowdog, by John Erickson

The kids learn everything they need to know from that book. Viewpoint--who is talking, setting, description. They loved the book. When I read Hank with my son, I loved it, too. The questions they asked were thoughtful and sincere. Afterward, they wrote me wonderful thank you letters. If you have kids or grandkids, I'd recommend Hank. He's a great

adventure

Writing vs. Revising from Marta Perry

Someone recently commented to be about how easy it is to get a book into print these days...the implication being that all it involved was sitting down in front of the computer for a few hours! We all know better, right?

At the current moment I am simultaneously writing an Amish Christmas novella for Love Inspired and revising HOW SECRETS DIE, the latest in my suspense series for HQN Books. As I bounce back and forth, trying not to lose momentum on the novella while I revisit the suspense story, it occurs to me that anyone who thinks this is easy hasn't tried it!

That said, I do love the revision process. My editor has a gift for finding exactly the spots in the manuscript that need attention. And better yet, she leaves the fixes to me. Which brings me to the point: good novels aren't written--they're rewritten. Again and again, sometimes.

I've heard writers moan and groan about revisions, and I confess that sometimes I'm the one doing the groaning. But usually I welcome the chance to go through the manuscript just one more time in the constant pursuit of a perfection that probably can't ever be achieved. I have such a wonderful vision of the book in my mind before I start a project. Then I start writing, and with every word I put down I'm falling just a little short of that image. If I ever produced something I was completely satisfied with, I'd know I was ready for therapy!

HOW SECRETS DIE will be out in April through the combined efforts of the writer, the editor, the copy editor, the art department, and who knows how many more people. My name may be the only one on the cover, but I couldn't have done it without a lot of help, including my husband, who knows just when to say he'll fix his own supper!

All the best,
Marta

Allie Pleiter welcomes you to Blue Thorn Ranch

There’s nothing like the launch of a new series!

Now that I have a son going to school in Texas (hook ‘em, Longhorns!), it was time to set some books there.  Texas, cowboys, cattle ranches, right? 

Well, not completely.  Texas and cowboys, but you know me—I have to do things just a bit differently.  I went for a bison ranch.  And no, it wasn’t just because you can make spectacular yarn from bison hair—although that was a large part of it.  One has to do one’s extensive research yes?

When the friendly folks at Lucky B Bison Ranch welcomed me with open arms, I knew I had a great setting from which to launch the fictitious Blue Thorn Ranch that would host my next five books.  Here’s another glimpse at one of my favorite videos:  me getting up close and personal with the bison.

Starting with February’s The Texas Rancher’s Return, you’ll get to meet matriarch Adele Buckton and her five strong willed grandchildren as each of them returns to the family ranch.  First up is Gunner, Jr, who is determined to live down his black sheep reputation and save the family land by creating a thriving bison ranch.  Beautiful single mom Brooke Calder needs the cooperation of the Buckton family to save her job, but she’ll lose her heart to Gunner before the adventure is over.  Throw in Brooke’s adorable daughter, one bull-headed mama bison, and a thorny misunderstanding, and you have what’s become one of my favorite books I’ve ever written.

I hope you’ll enjoy all the books in the Blue Thorn Ranch series as they arrive.

In good company with February Releases from Love Inspired...

Jenna Mindel here, excited to report that A Soldier's Valentine is on the shelves along with a great line up of fellow Love Inspired Authors!

When preparing to write a book, I typically choose occupations for my characters that I find interesting.  Makes researching super fun getting a peek into some cool jobs.   When I first saw a glassblowing demonstration,  I was mesmerized.  Talk about the perfect kind of work for a hero...

Enter Zach Zelinsky, the latest hero of the Maple Springs series.  He's an army captain who comes home to to pursue his passion of glassblowing and gets more than he bargained for when he meets his new tenant, Ginger Carleton.

Romantic Times Magazine stated that  A Soldier's Valentine is a great read for the holiday.
I hope you think so too. ♥




 As Valentine's Day approaches, have you made any special plans how to the spend the day?


Thank you for stopping in and happy reading!
 Jenna Mindel

As Rocks Are Carved So Are Our Words

Welcome to Love Inspired Authors blog from Gail Gaymer Martin.


Today I am writing from Sedona,
Arizona where I love to spend time in the winter. I look out my windows or from my deck to view amazing red rocks in a variety of shapes and sizes carved by wind and rain.

This setting inspires me as I write, realizing that this natural beauty is one of God's gifts to us in variety and breathtaking forms. It stirs our emotions and our memories. We know that God not only give us the gift of natural beauty but He  inspires our writing in the same way.  Our words are carved not by wind and rain but in the difficult and blessed times of our lives, carving and molding us as human beings. This inspiration creates moving stories and plots that stimulate emotion in our readers in the same way that the view of these rocks stimulate my creativity.

 The red rocks in Sedona go on and on for miles as our lives go on each day, carved a bit more by experiences and molded by our response to each event. All my novels bring to live modern day parables of life and love that teach the truths about who we are as God's children and the promises and blessings available if we only learn to trust, forgive and love.

Presently I'm working on three new stories to add to the Lilac Circle Series. Readers responded well to the first two stories: A Mother To Love and A Husband For Christmas. I hope the next three are greeted with the same enthusiasm.  Look for all my books on my website at  Gail's Book List

Wishing you love, joy, peace and good reading in 2016

Reader Connection Questions by Cheryl Wyatt

Hello all! Cheryl Wyatt here. I hope you had a Merry Christmas and are off to a nice new year. I want to be more intentional with blogging and connecting with readers this year. So I thought I would take this opportunity to ask what kinds of posts you'd like to see?

One of the blessings of writing books is getting to know readers. I love when readers share aspects of their lives, hopes, dreams, quirks, stories and just life with me. I feel so blessed and honored.

I'm pretty bashful in person, but online it's easier for me to communicate. One benefit of blogging is the connections and friendships I'd be too shy and awkward to initiate in person. What are some things that you love talking about? Things you'd feel comfortable sharing with us online?

I'd love to hear about your life, your pets, your hobbies, your faith walk-things God's been showing you in His word, encouragement you've received.

I'm hoping you'll share insight into what sorts of subjects you'd be excited to discuss/share.

Thank you so much for the blessing of your readership and for visiting our blog. We appreciate you more than words could say.

In short, for the purpose of future blog posts, I'd love to know:

1. What things would you like to know about me/my life/my family/my writing?

2. What things would you love to talk about regarding your own life/family/career/hobby/etc.?

I interact with readers daily on my Facebook page, and invite you to join us: https://www.facebook.com/CherylWyattAuthor

I also provide freebies, story extras, series-related recipes, giveaways and other goodies, exclusive to subscribers of my newsletter. You can sign up for that here: http://bit.ly/CherylWyattNewsletterSignup

Lastly, here's my prayer for you, dear readers: 

Blessings,

Cheryl Wyatt

Baking in the Wee Hours of the Morning

Regina Scott here. Christmas and New Years are behind us, but I’m still eating the last of the cookies and candy my family made over the season. How about you?

I enjoy cooking for family and friends, even though I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a genius in the kitchen. Maddie O’Rourke, the heroine of my January release, Instant Frontier Family, can bake rings around me. But she has to get up ridiculously early to do so.

You see, Maddie owns the best bakery in pioneer Seattle. Burly loggers and miners have been known to stampede into her shop demanding the fresh bread, cookies, and rolls she makes each day. I think they all have a crush on her.

But Maddie’s made of tougher stuff. Pioneer baking involved long hours in a hot kitchen carrying heavy loads. Here’s the schedule I worked out for her. It starts at 5:00pm the night before, after she’s finished selling for the day:

• 5pm—Feed the barm (the yeast starter on which her bakery depends) with flour and water leftover from boiling potatoes; sift enough flour for the next day into the mixing trough. Cover the trough to keep the cat out!
• 5:30—Go upstairs and make dinner for the family. Clean up and spend a little time with the family before going to bed.
• 7pm—Go to bed.
• 11:15pm—Get out of bed; get dressed, and stumble downstairs. Melt butter with molasses.
• 11:30pm—Mix the flour in the trough with the butter/molasses mixture and the barm. Have it done by midnight so it can rise.
• Midnight—Lay the fire in the oven; go back upstairs for a nap.
• 3:00am—Get up, go downstairs, knead down and smooth out the dough.
• 3:30am—Divide the dough into loaves of exactly 8 pounds each; cover with cloth.
• While the dough is rising for 2 hours, make cookie dough of various sorts
• 5:30am—When the oven bricks are hot all the way through, rake out the coals and sweep out the ashes. Roll out some of the bread dough to make cinnamon rolls. Then put the loaves and rolls into the oven using the peel, a paddle with a long handle.
• 6:00am—Bake and don’t fuel the fire. Close the door and shut off the flue with the damper.
• 6:30am—Brush the tops of the loaves with egg for a crisper crust at the half-way point. Make icing for the rolls.
• 7:00am—While the bread cools, bake the cookies. Ice the rolls.
• 8:00am—Sell it all to customers and start all over again for the afternoon rush.

Phew! Is it any wonder Maddie pays for a woman to come from New York help in the bakery, escorting Maddie’s little brother and sister to come live with her in the process? Yet the person who arrives with them isn’t someone with experience baking. He isn’t even a woman . . .

Regina Scott has twice melted a spatula into what she was cooking. The author of more than 30 historical romances, she’s currently working on a series set in Seattle’s early years:  Frontier Bachelors, bold, rugged, and bound to be grooms. Sign up here for a free e-mail alert with exclusive bonus material when her next book comes out, or visit her online at her website or Facebook.

Do You Like Perfect Women? Gift card #giveaway...

EDIT:  Joy, you're a winner! Please contact me either on Facebook or by leaving another comment. Once I have your email address, I'll send you the gift card.
Hi there! Lee Tobin McClain here, and I have to tell you, I don't love perfect women. I know, I know:

Check it out by clicking here!

I shouldn't make blanket judgments. But women who have perfectly neat houses or perfectly behaved children or perfect bodies are annoying. Or actually, make that intimidating. 

I think that's why I write books featuring seriously flawed heroines. I must need to reassure myself that even people who aren't perfect--hey, like me--can find love and happiness with God's help.

In my latest novel, A Bond Fulfilled, I must say that I've outdone myself in the "imperfect heroine" department. Maria Moretti is one of those women who has kept a tight grip on herself and tried to be perfect, and it's totally backfired. Now, she's unmarried with a baby to raise, and she promised her dying mother that she wouldn't reveal the identity of the baby's father for a lot of complicated reasons. But when handsome police officer Hector Santiago moves in right next door, keeping that secret becomes a whole lot harder. Especially when danger threatens...

My question to you is, are you okay with seriously flawed heroines, or do you like your romances to feature upright, always-do-the-right-thing role models? Answer and explain why in the comments (just a sentence is fine) by midnight on January 7th, and I'll choose a random commenter to win a $10 Amazon gift card. 

And if you're interested in more imperfect heroines--or in my blog, Flawed. Christian. Woman.--stop by my website. If you sign up for my newsletter, you'll get a free short story that sets up the whole Sacred Bond and Sacred Bond Guardians series.

Change Begins Today

The New Year prompts many to make resolutions. Others might want to do things differently, but they aren't willing to alter their behaviors just yet.

I had a talk with one my pastors recently about change, and he had an interesting take.

Frank said change is a process that requires daily discipline. But first we must make the change. Too many of us have a Little Orphan Annie view, forever thinking about tomorrow. "I'll stop (insert behavior)... tomorrow," or "I'll lose that weight...tomorrow."

The trouble is, as the famous song goes, "tomorrow is...a day away."

I believe Frank is on to something. Waiting around for that seemingly elusive "tomorrow" can be a cop-out. Real, lasting change begins today.

Are there things in my life I want to change? Plenty. Will I make any progress if I keep on procrastinating? Nope.

If I want to let go of one habit or embrace another, today is my strongest ally.

One of my goals for the New Year is to do more plotting before I begin a story. With that in mind, I took action--today! I pulled out my index cards, determined to fill them with ideas. I Skyped with my daughter, and we brainstormed. The result: a new story is taking shape.

What changes do you want to make this year? Which of them will you make today?

Novellas, Quick Reads and Fun for Busy Readers

The Holidays are approaching fast. Thanksgiving is past though I hope we are all still praising the Lord for His many gifts. The New Year will be here before we know it. But the favorite time of year for most of us is Christmas.

My home is decorated, gifts purchased and plans made, but I'm still trying to finish a new LI proposal--three more novels for the Lilac Series that began this year--and I'm reading a novel that I wish I had time to finish. I try to squeeze in a few chapters a day.

For those who love to read and get as frustrated as I do, consider reading novellas this time of year. They are shorter but still exciting stories that can satisfy the reader.

A novella runs from 25-40 thousand words which is about half a novel. Though they are not as complex, readers still have the pleasure of  enjoying t a man and woman falling in love.
Two of my most recent novellas are available now and one is perfect for Christmas

Yuletide Treasures

Livy Schuler thinks she has her life planned. But visiting the Mandalay family at Christmas with her young nephew introduces her to new traditions and a new way life. From her cousin Helen and the secret gift of two hearts bound as one which Livy's brother asked her to deliver to Helen, she learns the true meaning of love. Can she let her plans fade to explore the possibility of a love ever after?

Read more about this novella by Clicking here

 

Apple Blossom Daze

When Julie Johnson hears a male voice from her past, she doesn't recognize her childhood friend Adam Wright, who played tag or hide and seek in their grandparents' yards. Years have passed and their lives have changed. Both single, they talk over the fence about solutions to their widowed grandparents'  loneliness. They come up with a plan to play matchmaker, but the solution doesn't go as they had planned and it leaves them with new problems and an ending they hadn't expected. 

Read more about this novella by Clicking here  

Churchill by Leann Harris

Growing up, I loved Winston Churchill. Okay, I was a weird child, but that's part of being a writer. Recently, I started an on-line class on Winston Churchill from Hillsdale College. My Indie book, THE LAST TRUTH, was set in WWII, and I've been researching Churchill. I loved learning about him. He was a man who stepped up in the crisis and lead. Churchill created the Special Operations Executive 1940-1946, who sent spies into occupied Europe. The instant I learned about SOE, story ideas exploded in my head. WWII is a time period unique in the book world. I think it's considered historical, but then things are changing so quickly that I'm not sure. I enjoyed writing in that time period and plan to do more books.

I wanted to mention what happened in California. My prayers are with the people who lived through the situation.

Gratitude isn't just for Thanksgiving

Reaching one thousand in my gratitude journal!

Hi Everyone, Danica Favorite here, and I wanted to share about a subject very important to me. I love Thanksgiving, because it makes us stop and think about all the things we're grateful for. But it bothers me that many of us only take one day a year to sit down and express all the things we're truly thankful for.

Almost two years ago, I started a journaling practice that really changed my life. I keep a gratitude journal. Every day I write down ten things I'm grateful for. When I first started, the rule was I couldn't be grateful for the same thing twice, but now that I have over a thousand things on my list, I've given myself a little more room to double up, as long as I don't do it too often!

Sometimes I skip a day or two, but I find that if I go more than a couple of days without writing in my journal, I don't feel as good or have as good of a day. It's easy to focus on the hard things in life, but when I take time to remember the good, and to count my many blessings, it's amazing to see how much better my life looks. In fact, the easiest way for me to turn any bad day around is to look at that journal, and see how, despite whatever bump I've hit, I have a pretty amazing life.

I'm always skeptical of claims of things that supposedly change people's lives, but can I let you in on a little secret about my life? Ever since I started keeping my gratitude journal, everything in my life has gotten better. It didn't happen overnight, and I can't point to a specific link between the two, but despite having the same ups and downs of life, some higher ups, and some lower downs, I have to say that overall, I am a much happier person. My life is a thousand times better.

It's not that everything bad in my life magically disappeared. I've had some really bad days. Crushing disappointments. But I think I handle them better. And sometimes, in the midst of those bad things, when I can still find things to be grateful for, I can't see the bad anymore. As for the good, I find so many small things to celebrate, from the snow glistening on the trees, to enjoying a peaceful moment with my tea, to hugs from my daughter, and a thousand (literally!) other things in between, I know that I have an incredible life. Even when I'm not writing things down, I often stop and pause in gratitude throughout my day because I know that I have so much to be grateful for!

How about you? Have you ever kept a gratitude journal? How can you add a little gratitude to your day?

Help for Christmas Shopping from Cheryl Wyatt

Hello all! How many of you went Black Friday shopping this morning? I stayed home and shopped online. LOL! Didn't want to brave the crowds.

Did you have a good Thanksgiving yesterday? Last year was tough for us because we'd just lost my grandmother a few weeks prior to Thanksgiving. This year, God gave us the grace to laugh and the mood was lighter. My heart is always soft toward those for whom the holidays are hard. If that's you, know you're in my prayers...and you are definitely in God's thoughts. He is very near to the brokenhearted.

For this post, I'd love to tell you about the newsletter sign-up incentive I'm hosting right now. On December 1, 2015, I'll be giving away ten $25.00 Amazon gift cards. So, if you'd love the opportunity to win one of those, sign up for my newsletter here:

http://bit.ly/CherylWyattNewsletterSignup

If you'd like an extra entry, visit my Facebook page ww.facebook.com/CherylWyattAuthor, read the pinned post and see the three ways you can add an extra entry. 

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Cheryl Wyatt

My Writing buddy by Leann Harris

Recently, I had my son's dog spend the week. He's a wonderful dog and planted himself next to my computer. He enjoyed stretching out next to me. He didn't give me any input, but slept through my furious working.

Happy National Adoption Month!

More details here!

Hello friends! Proud adoptive mom Lee Tobin McClain here. November is National Adoption month, and since I think adoption is one fantastic way to form a family, I feature it often in my novels... including my upcoming Love Inspired novel, His Secret Child, coming in January.

My funny, smart, feisty daughter came into my life and my heart at age one in a hotel room in Chengdu, China. Raising her has been, and continues to be, a wonderful journey. I'm grabbing this opportunity to share a few of our family moments with you

Raising Funds to Help Kids in China

Easter Eggs!

Visit to the Great Wall

Beach Vacation

My daughter is fourteen now, an athletic, social high schooler... where did the time go? I'm so proud of all she's accomplished and of the young woman she's becoming. She has been a real blessing to both her father and me. She is running toward the future at breakneck speed, growing up and building a life of her own, but she will always be my baby!

Varsity Cross Country Runner as a Freshman!

To read more about my books and my adoption journey, visit my website or follow me on Facebook. I'd love to connect with you!

Sometimes we get to realize an old dream.

Jenna Mindel here considering the mysteries of God's little blessings.   This past weekend I was part of a fundraiser fashion show.  I had been asked to fill in for someone who couldn't make it, and so I accepted.  I gave it my all and had a blast.

on the catwalk

Backstage in one of two outfits

Little did they know that when I was a teen, I had considered entering the fashion world.  I was hooked on fashion magazines and Rene Russo had been my favorite model at the time.  I  had checked into various schools offering fashion merchandising degrees.  My mom and I made the trip to NYC to meet with one of those schools and boy, I wanted to go.   I'd always dreamed of becoming a model, but knew at 5' 7, I wasn't tall enough.  Even though I didn't need glasses back then, my looks weren't right either.   I'd tried out for some local modeling gigs that I didn't get but was able to participate in a department store modeling course that ended with a big holiday fashion show.  Okay, so I wasn't that great on the run-way.  (I almost fell off the stage)

God had other plans for me though, and I remember knowing deep inside as graduation drew closer  the world of fashion wasn't the right one for me.  Too bad it took me so long to figure out that writing was where I belonged.  But it's funny how God works, giving me this opportunity out the blue eons later.   It was fun.  And I didn't fall! 

Are there dreams of your youth that you've given up on that might be worth taking another look?  If so, what are they? Have you given them a try?


www.jennamindel.com or find me on Facebook

Book Signings and Discounts from Gail Gaymer Martin

Welcome from Gail Gaymer Martin to the Love Inspired blog on this lovely autumn day. I've had the pleasure of writing for Love Inspired for the past 15 years. My first novel, Upon A Midnight Clear, was published in 2000. Today I have written approximately 30 LI novels. That's a lot of writing, but I've enjoyed it through the years.

After the early excitement of writing novels when I did multiple book signings  each year,
I decided to slow down, and today as life gets fuller and harder to keep up with my book deadlines and many parts of being a writer, I rarely do a signing unless it's a personal request, signing with a group of authors or at a special event as the one pictured here. This is Writers on the River in Monroe, MI and it's an amazing event.    Here I'm pictured with a faithful reader who comes every year to purchase my latest novels - and she always wants the Love Inspired books.

You can look for a number of my latest novels available here.
Romance By Design (humorous romance),  Treasures of Her Heart (romantic mystery) and a Christmas novella, Yuletide Treasures

And speaking of books, Harlequin is celebrating it's 10th year of providing eBooks for readers and 10,000 novels are now on sale for $1.99 including 20 of mine which includes my very first novel, Upon A Midnight Clear.  If you click the link below, you can go to the list of books on sale. By typing my name into the blank space, you will find all of my available eBooks on sale now. I hope you enjoy this chance to find books from your favorite authors. Click here for the list.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Allie Pleiter on Snickers Bar Salad Day!

Guess what I had for breakfast recently?

Long-time Allie fans know November 1 calls for only one thing for breakfast: Snickers Bar Salad.  For over ten years I've been giving fans the perfect way to use up all those Halloween fun-sized Snickers Bars in the world's most indulgent breakfast.  Or lunch.  Or mid day snack. Or hey, all three--I won't judge.  

Why shouldn't you get in on the fun?  Here's the super-easy recipe:

Snickers Bar Salad

6 (or more--go ahead, you've earned it...) fun-sized Snickers bars, chopped into small bits
3 Granny Smith Apples, diced
one 5-oz package vanilla instant pudding mix
8 oz cool whip
1 c. milk

In a bowl, mix pudding mix and milk. Fold in Cool Whip. Mix in
apples and Snicker Bars. Cool and enjoy.

If you like, you can munch on this while you enjoy my upcoming release, A RANGER FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

THE GIFT OF TIME OFF by Marta Perry

Once in awhile even the most dedicated writer needs a break. Well, why not? Workers in other fields take vacations from their daily work schedule. Why not writers?

The problem is that writers work in their imaginations, so that even while we can remove ourselves physically from our keyboards (sometimes with the forceful persuasions of our long-suffering spouses!) we can't turn off our busy brains.

Still, this can be a blessing, even though we may not see it that way. The writer's imagination, freed from the everyday routine, may come back refreshed and renewed. Or, even better, it may be spinning away under the surface while we're taking photos and exclaiming over exotic vistas, picking up bits and pieces that will enrich the current work or inspire a new story.

Even as you're ready this, I am going ashore in Belize, intent on a day of shopping, sampling local cuisine, and exploring local crafts. After a traumatic month this fall with my husband's hospitalization for complications following the flu, we're ready for some rest and recreation.

But what will I find in Belize or Honduras that could possibly relate to the Amish stories I write? Well, people are people no matter where they live. The tenderness of a mother with a child is the same whether the woman is a suburban mom, a Amish farm wife, or a Honduran native. And then, of course, there are always one's fellow travelers. Writers are inveterate eavesdroppers, I fear. A spat between spouses about the cost of something sounds much the same no matter where they are, and traveling can sometimes bring out unexpected insights even into people we think we know very well.

So while I sit in the sun with my husband and go exploring with my sister-in-law, I know I'll be storing up bits and pieces that will, at some time, come into play with my writing. Bon Voyage!

What Love Inspired Authors Do For Fun….

Pamela Tracy here, and what do we do for fun?

We write!

These past two months I've been priviledged to participate in an eharlequin venture for November.

My novella is Heart of a Hero on the 16th.

If you're ready to celebrate the month of Thanksgiving - go ahead and check on these online reads.  Most author are doing giveaways and more.

If you'd like to read about it, here's the url for Prism Tours.  http://prismbooktours.blogspot.ca