Christmas Spirit?

 Hi, Charlotte Carter here.

My Christmas shopping is done. The presents that needed to be shipped are on their way. The Christmas letter my husband wrote is tucked into appropriate cards, sealed, stamped and mailed. I’ve wrapped the presents for those who live locally and they await delivery.

Last week my husband put up the outside lights without complaint! Yesterday I decorated inside; it seems, with an empty nest, I do less every year.

Writing? That’s been on hold, but soon I will get back to it. Deadline looms.

Amid all the activities and stress, our government is arguing about taxes, battles rage all around the world and a terrible tragedy happened in Newtown, CT.

How can we hold onto the message of Christmas? What is your secret? Share it with others so they will know.

Happy reading....
Char......
　
Books that leave you smiling....
www.CharlotteCarter.com

My Husband's Proposal

This is Margaret Daley. Mike and I had talked about getting married. I knew that he would propose when he came to visit me over Christmas break. He lived in Tulsa and I lived in Biloxi. We both went to Vanderbilt. He flew down to see me after Christmas. I met him at the airport and couldn’t wait to get the ring. I wanted him to give it to me in the middle of the airport. He did, but won’t let me forget it. He had planned a wonderful dinner to propose to me. He was going to hide the ring in the food. Yes, he was--I’m kind of glad that didn’t happen--I could see me choking on the ring. I know it wasn’t the most romantic way to propose, but I remember it vividly and treasure it. We have been married for forty-two years and he’s my best friend.

Okay, now it is your turn. Anyone want to share how their husband proposed to them or how you proposed to your wife?

LIght of the World

Terri Reed here struggling to find words.  My heart and mind grieve for the lives lost this past week.
I cling to my faith for comfort and mourn with those who are mourning.
    

  

Oh, Christmas Tree!

Jenna Mindel here, loving all things Christmas!  I get really excited for Christmas around October.  I break out the Christmas Carols, settle into reading Christmas-time romances by my fellow LI authors, and dream of that first snowfall and finding the perfect Christmas tree.
  
The beginning of December heralds my annual trek with my husband to cut down a fresh smelling Christmas Tree.  Frasier Firs are my favorite, but this year we have a lovely Balsam cut from our friends' property.  For me, nothing less than a real tree will do and I love tromping around the woods or a tree farm looking for that special tree that speaks to me.  You know, those trees really want the honor of coming home to be decorated! LOL.

2012 Tree



Silver table top tree

That's when the fun begins.  The lights, the glass, the cherished ornaments...  I happen to be a vintage ornament lover too.  I've been collecting the 1940's glass balls forever. 

Remember Shiny-Brite?  But I love blown glass and fruit & veggie ornaments too - so I've got a mix of old and new. 

What special Christmas time collections do you have?  Or have you started collecting?  



Got to have a Christmas Pickle



Christmas Wishes

Susan Sleeman, here. I’m busy with Christmas preparations. This year my family will all be together for the first time in many years and I'm excited as a little child.
We have so many plans including a trip to Disney World for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This is a fun night when Disney opens for a limited number of people. There’s a parade, fireworks and it actually snows on Main Street, which is an amazing feat in Florida. I can’t wait to see the wonder in my grandson’s eyes as he takes it all in. This is our big event but we will also be taking in some of central Florida's other attractions.

So what are your plans for the holiday season? Are you traveling or staying at home. Will your family be together?

Since this is my last blog post before Christmas I wish all of the faithful Love Inspired readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. And in honor of the holiday, I am giving away a copy of The Christmas Witness. Simply enter your information in the box below and you will be registered.
This contest had ended.

---

Interviewer info:
SUSAN SLEEMAN is a best-selling author of inspirational romantic suspense and mystery novels. Her first romantic suspense title, High-Stakes Inheritance earned a spot on the ECPA bestseller list and her Garden Gate Mystery series, which features Nipped in the Bud, and Read Between the Tines has enjoyed time on Amazon bestseller lists as well. And The Christmas Witness was named a finalist in the 2011 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense.
Much to her husband's chagrin, Susan loves to look at everyday situations and turn them into murder and mayhem scenarios for future novels. If you've met Susan, she has probably figured out a plausible way to kill you and get away with it. Don't worry, she'd never follow through on it.
In addition to writing, Susan hosts the popular internet website www.TheSuspenseZone.com.
She currently lives in Florida, but has had the pleasure of living in nine states. Her husband is a church music director and they have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law, and an adorable grandson.

---

To connect with Susan outside her– Website

Visit any of these social media sites-

---

Christmas Traditions

HI, Terri Reed here popping in to say Merry Christmas.  I love this time of year, especially the music.  One of my personal traditions is to buy a new Christmas Album each year.
This year I've bought two.
1)Rod Stewart's Merry Christmas, Baby.  For those of you who grew up in the 80's, you're probably a fan of Rod's smoky voice and unique style. I sure am.  I saw Rod in concert in 89'.

2)MercyMe's Christmas Session.  

I have to admit MercyMe is my all time favorite group. I saw them in concert in 2006.I have every single album they've made including the newest one The Hurt and The Healer.  

Do you have a personal Christmas Tradition?

A HOPE SPRINGS CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas from Patricia Davids.
My new book, A HOPE SPRINGS CHRISTMAS, is on sale now.
Sarah, an Amish widow who dreads the holidays is enlisted by a friend to find a wife for her brother, Levi. Sarah and Levi have been neighbors for years but Sarah realizes she doesn't know him well. In a effort to find just the right woman, she decides to get to know him better and begins working at his buggy shop. Will Sarah find the perfect wife for Levi, or will she risk her heart on love again?

Christmas in Amish Country.

A Hope Springs Christmas is my third Christmas book set in Hope Springs, Ohio in the middle of Amish country. I have come to love the town and often think of it as an additonal character in my stories. It's so much fun to give readers a look at what has happened to the hero and heroine of previous stories. There are new babies, weddings, skating parties and socials to talk about. Who is causing trouble and who is turning over a new leaf?



I'm interested to hear what you like or don't like about series that take place in the same town.

Happy Holidays everyone.

May many Christmas Blessings come your way.

Lyn Cote here--Christmas Fun at Cheryl StJohn's Blog!

Love Inspired Author Cheryl StJohn always invites authors to her blog to share about their holiday decorations that have special meanings.

I took my turn today, but this goes on for several weeks so stop by and bookmark it! BTW, do you have a favorite decoration you love displaying each year???--Lyn
http://cherylstjohn.blogspot.com/2012/11/great-christmas-tree-tour-lyn-cote.html

Winners of Formula for Danger

Congratulations to the winners of Formula for Danger!

Julie G.
Sarah (jump5er)
Ladette K.
Marji Laine
Kara (wman4jc)
Heather H.
Rebekah
Katy Lee
Mrs. Becky
dnikerle

I have already emailed you but if you haven’t heard from me, please check your spam folder and be sure to email me back at camy {at] camytang {dot] com.

And don't forget that my January Love Inspired Suspense, Narrow Escape, is available for preorder in both print and ebook formats! Here’s the back cover blurb:

KIDNAPPED IN BROAD DAYLIGHT

Arissa Tiong and her three-year-old niece are snatched off the street by members of a notorious drug gang. Having lost her police officer brother to a drug bust gone bad, Arissa knows the danger she's in. But she has no idea why they want her. Desperate to protect the little girl, Arissa escapes and runs straight to Nathan Fischer. She knows the handsome, weary former narcotics cop hasn't told her everything about the night that ended her brother's life and Nathan's career. But he's all that stands between her and dangerous thugs who are after something she doesn't even know she has.

Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. The fourth book in her Sonoma series, Narrow Escape, releases in January 2013. She is a staff worker for her church youth group, and leads one of the worship teams for Sunday service. On her blog, she ponders frivolous things like knitting, running, dogs, and Asiana. Visit her website to sign up for her quarterly newsletter.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our readers!

Thanks so much for being our faithful readers! We love writing for Love Inspired as much as you love reading their books! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I didn't have a Thanksgiving photo so here's one of my dog. :)

My Favorite Meal

I confess I really enjoy Thanksgiving dinner and usually overindulge despite my resolve not to. But my very favorite meal is dinner the next evening. A few pieces of turkey on a plate for each of us and a little stuffing, covered with gravy. Add some yams (not sweet potatoes; my mother was from Texas and insisted on yams). Zap the plateful of leftovers in the microwave and dinner is served.

So I wish you a lovely Thanksgiving with family and friends and too much food...and a relaxing meal the following evening with delicious leftovers.

Happy eating....
Char.....

Books that leave you smiling....

Counting My Blessings...

Jenna Mindel here.  Thanksgiving week is a good time to reflect on God's many blessings throughout the year.   Looking at where I was a couple of years ago, I am particularly blessed this Thanksgiving. 

For me, 2012 has been a year of confirmation.  I am grateful to God for blessing my dream of writing inspirational romance with the opportunity to write 3 more books for Love Inspired!

To make a long story short, I surrendered my writing to the Lord last year.  I mean FULLY surrendered.  And I finally understand what the Bible means about the freedom we have in Christ when we let go and let Him take over.  I stopped trying to force things and I stopped treating my writing like the idol it had become.  I bundled up my dreams and set them on the altar ready to sacrifice and watch them burn.
 
But God has a way of granting those inner most desires when we finally trust Him with them.  When we put Him first.  And so this Thanksgiving, I'm humbled, seriously grateful and free.


What are you thankful for this year?

Superstorm Sandy & Snowflake Sweethearts

Hi Friends, Carrie Turansky here, bringing you an update from New Jersey where we are recovering from Superstorm Sandy that blasted through our state Oct 29 - 30. We lost power for 4 days, but that was nothing compared to many who lost their homes and businesses near the shore. The rebuilding will take many months. Please pray for those who have been displaced and lost so much.

Our church, Calvary Chapel Living Hope in Robbinsville, was prepared and sent out teams to help members, neighbors, and strangers in need. We called to check on our members, then groups went out to cut fallen trees and clean up yards. We also provided meals for some who were sick and without power. It has been a busy two weeks, but I am thankful we could reach out and share to the love of Jesus with so many people.

Here's a photo of my neighbor's house and yard. Our team cut up her tree and enabled her to get out her front door. I cooked a meal for the team while they worked and served them chilli, rice, cookies and fruit from the tailgate of a truck. It felt good to help my neighbor and friends.

On a brighter note - My newest Love Inspired, Snowflake Sweethearts, released this week! I love this sweet holiday story, and I think readers will too. I am delighted with the cover design.

Bringing her daughter to the one place she feels safe, single mother Annie Romano returns to her hometown, Fairhaven, Washington. Though hoping to start a new life as a personal chef, Annie accepts a different job. Alex Jameson, the handsome man she secretly loved as a teenager, needs a live-in aregiver for his ailing grandmother. A big-city workaholic in town temporarily, Alex doesn't seem to realize how much he needs family, faith, and love. But the holiday season, his grandmother's matchmaking firends and one fiatherless little girl start pulling at both Annie's and and Alex's heartstrings . . . just in time for the best Christmas ever.

This is the final book in the Bayside Treasure Series. The first two are Seeking His Love and A Man To Trust. I hope you will pick up a copy today or order yours online here: http://www.carrieturansky.com

For all my US friends, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving next week and enjoy a relaxing time with family and friends.

Happy reading to all!
Carrie

Christmas Stalking

Hi, this is Margaret Daley. The title of my fourth book in my Guardians, Inc. Series for Love Inspired Suspense sounds like a nightmare at Christmastime. And in Christmas Stalking there are some times Ellie, Colt and Winnie don't think they are going to make it. Guardians, Inc. Series is about female bodyguard. Although this is the fourth book in the series, each book stands alone. There is a story about a different female bodyguard who works for Guardians, Inc. in each book. The first three books are Christmas Bodyguard, Protecting Her Own and Hidden in the Everglades. After Christmas Stalking there will be two more stories in the series--the fifth in the series called Guarding the Witness (June, 2013).

In this series I write about strong women who are take charge and used to protecting others. The heroes in these stories have to be equally strong--a battle of the titans. How do you feel about a strong heroine who can take care of herself?

I am giving away a copy of Christmas Stalking from the people who leave an answer to the above question and also their email address so I can contact the winner. I will pick a winner on November 17th.

Blurb for Christmas Stalking:

Bodyguard Ellie St. James has one objective: protect her client…without letting her know. Pretending to be Rachel "Winnie" Winfield's assistant lets Ellie stay close, but there's an unexpected complication—Colt Winfield. Winnie's grandson wasn't in on the plans, and the suspicious marine biologist isn't easy to fool. When the truth comes out, so do more threats to Winnie's life. Trapped on a Colorado mountain, Ellie and Colt must trust each other to guard Winnie and find the stalker. Before this Christmas becomes their last.

Purchase Christmas Stalking at Amazon

Purchase Christmas Stalking at Harlequin

Connect with me at:

Margaret Daley's website

Margaret Daley's blog

Facebook

Twitter

Is Thee Hungry?--Lyn Cote

Hi Lyn Cote here! My newest series, "Wilderness Brides" debuts this month with the release of Their Frontier Family, book one. My heroine Sunny, a former prostitute (from my book Her Healing Ways), is not a very good cook (lack of practice.) But she uses other ways to win her marriage of convenience husband's heart. 

But the old the way to a man's heart is through his stomach is not a bad idea. Several other Love Inspired Historical Authors, have put together an Old Family Recipe booklet. Here are the contributors:

·         Cheryl St.John http://www.cherylstjohn.net/

·         Valerie Hansen http://www.valeriehansen.com/

·         Janet Lee Barton www.janetleebarton.com  

·         Naomi Rawlings www.naomirawlings.com

·         Deborah Hale http://www.deborahhale.com

·         Victoria Bylin http://www.victoriabylin.com

·         Linda Ford  www.lindaford.org

·         Laurie Kingery LaurieKingery.com

·         Cheryl Bolen www.CherylBolen.com

·         Eva Marie Hamilton www.evamariahamilton.com

·         Rhonda Gibson http://www.rhondagibson.net

·         Regina Scott http://www.reginascott.com

·         Janet Dean www.janetdean.net

·         Winnie Griggs www.winniegriggs.com

·         Lyn Cote http://www.BooksbyLynCote.com

This started on our active GoodReads LIH group discussion at http://www.goodreads.com/

about old family recipes.

Some of the recipes:

•     Datch
•     Daffy Cakes
•     Dick Brown's Crabby Dip
•     Momma's Cracker Pudding!

If you'd like a copy, click any of the authors listed and they'll gladly email you a PDF copy of the booklet! And if you'd like to know more about Their Frontier Family, click here. Their Frontier Family (Love Inspired Historical).

Can you guess why I asked Is Thee Hungry instead of Are You Hungry? --Lyn Cote

Can I have your attention, please? Lenora Worth

I am a bit late today because my brain got confused. Easy for me. But now that I have your attention, I was wondering about being thankful and thinking about food that is far too fattening for me. You know, pumpkin pie, sweet potatoe pie, coconut pie. Yes, I have a thing for pie. So that is our subject for today. What kind of pie do you like? This is not a scientific poll. Nor a political poll, thankfully :) This is just me wondering why pie is such a comfort food. Is it the crust, all crumbly and buttery? Is it the filling, all gooey and creamy and sweet? Is it the whole package? With whipped cream on top? I think pie is a lot like a book. We like a good cover. We like to sink our teeth into the sweet stuff. And we like to explore the inside until we reach the end! So how do you see pie? Friend or enemy? Like an open book or more like a horror waiting to happen to your hips? Here's a little teaser to get us started:

Reader Appreciation

Susan Sleeman, here. I’m not going to do a long blog post today, but a short one to say thanks to all of the faithful Love Inspired readers who read this blog.

In honor of the release of Dead Wrong, book two in my new Justice Agency series for Love Inspired Suspense, I am giving away three copies of book one in the series to the Love Inspired blog readers only.

A PICTURE WORTH KILLING FOR

Photographer Jennie Buchanan unknowingly captures a drug-cartel meeting on film. And now she has become a killer’s next target. Even worse, her only protection from the danger that threatens her life is the man who threatens her heart. Dodging bullets almost seems safer than facing the feelings stirred up by seeing former FBI agent and ex-boyfriend Ethan Justice again.

Ethan vows to safeguard Jennie from the deadly men on her trail. And for a second chance at Jennie’s love, he’s willing to risk anything to expose the truth—about the drug smugglers, the past and the future together he still wants.

---

This contest has ended. Congratulations to Angie Adair, Jane Squires and Karen Ryan who each won a signed copy of Double Exposure.

---

SUSAN SLEEMAN is a best-selling author of inspirational romantic suspense and mystery novels. Her first romantic suspense title, High-Stakes Inheritance earned a spot on the ECPA bestseller list and her Garden Gate Mystery series, which features Nipped in the Bud, and Read Between the Tines has enjoyed time on Amazon bestseller lists as well. And The Christmas Witness was named a finalist in the 2011 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense.
Much to her husband's chagrin, Susan loves to look at everyday situations and turn them into murder and mayhem scenarios for future novels. If you've met Susan, she has probably figured out a plausible way to kill you and get away with it. Don't worry, she'd never follow through on it.
In addition to writing, Susan hosts the popular internet website www.TheSuspenseZone.com. She currently lives in Florida, but has had the pleasure of living in nine states. Her husband is a church music director and they have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law, and an adorable grandson.

---

To connect with Susan outside her– Website

Visit any of these social media sites-

Southern Magic Readers Luncheon!



L to R: Christine Glover, Barbara Vey, Heather Leonard,
Pamela Mason, Debby Giusti and Lindi Peterson gather
Friday night before the Southern Magic Readers Luncheon.

 Debby Giusti here!

The Southern Magic Romance Writers of America Chapter hosted a delightful readers' event last weekend in Birmingham, Alabama.

Friday afternoon, Lindi Peterson and I drove from Atlanta to the Embassy Suites Hotel in Homewood, a Birmingham suburb, where we met up with Georgia Romance Writer Pam Mason.

That evening we gathered with other writers and readers who had traveled from as far away as Louisiana to attend the event. Publishers Weekly Contributing Editor Barbara Vey was there, along with luncheon speakers Dianna Love and Sherrilyn Kenyon. We had dinner at a cute Greek restaurant and spent the evening talking about books and writing and the publishing industry.

Dianna Love and Debby Giusti

Debby and Christy Reece

Lexi Georgia, Christine Glover and Debby

Author Naima Simone (l) and Debra Glass (r) show off the
gorgeous pillows Naima's mother (2nd from r) made for the ladies at
their table.

The next day we headed to the lovely Harbert Center in downtown Birmingham where Love Inspired author Debbie Kaufman and I hosted a table.  My dear friend Julie Muscari sat with us, along with new friends Georgann Cox, Kimberly Callegan and Britney Wyatt.  Georgann's mother reads my books but couldn't come to the luncheon so I'm sending a special shout out to her today! I hope we can meet at the luncheon next year. Britney and Kimberly are friends who met on Twitter and then created a website to talk about the books they love to read. Check out their blog: www.living-fictitiously.blogspot.com.

Front l to r: Georgann Cox, Kimberly Callegan and Britney Wyatt.
Back l to r: Debbie Kaufman, Julia Muscari and Debby Giusti

Farrah Gibson won my basket, and Saturday was her birthday.
What a great way to celebrate!

The Southern Magic writers are so wonderful, and it's always a joy to be with them, especially for such a fun event. Thanks to President Heather Leonard and Luncheon Coordinators Lisa Dunick and Katherine Bone for making the luncheon so special!

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

Allie Pleiter's Favorite November "Recipe"

Every November 1st at our house is a special day--it's Snickers Bar Salad day.  So while I polished off the last of my most recent batch of this tasty treat today, I'm sharing it with you.  It's the best use I know of all those fun-sized Snickers Bars that show up this time of year.

Snickers Bar Salad

6 bite-sized snicker bars, chopped into small bits (my friend says more are permissible if it's been a bad week or PMS is involved!!)
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.