70 years by Leann Harris

Yesterday was a milestone. It had been 70 years since Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by Russian troops.  Many stories of survivors were told in the newspaper and on TV specials.

I can only admire those brave souls who survived and the others who didn't. You have my respect and admiration.

Camy made clothes!

Camy here! I hope you don’t mind, but I wanted to show off a little. I just finished knitting this sweater! I love it so much—mostly because it’s pink!—but also because I actually made it! I made clothes!

The pattern is actually based off of two vintage knitting patterns published in 1945 and 1952. The lace pattern is from a pattern for a chemise underwear that women made to stay warm. Knitted underwear gave extra warmth when women had to wait at cold bus stops and train platforms to go to work, especially in the years during and after World War II.

The rest of the pattern was based off of a classic “jersey” (sweater) pattern.

Here’s my Ravelry page if you’re interested in my knitting notes.

Isn’t this neat? I feel like my grandmother as I’m knitting with these vintage knitting patterns.

How about you? Any knitting or crocheting projects you’re working on?

Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. Her romantic suspense, Treacherous Intent, released December 2014, and her romantic suspense novella, Necessary Proof, is available for free. 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. Sign up for her newsletter to hear about new releases or sales on her backlist.

My foray into Ebay

Jenna Mindel here on a cold January morning in Northern Michigan.  I'm usually behind the eight-ball when it comes to trends.  Ebay is one of the many things that's been around awhile but I'm just now taking advantage of the fun there.  And oh, what a dangerous place. LOL. 

When we lived in Upstate NY, my husband and I used to go to live antique (and junk) auctions and they were a blast.  It was exhilarating to raise a paper plate with my auction number written on it in feverish competition with other bidders, all while trying to land the best deal.
 
Well, last night I dove into last minute bidding on a couple pairs of snowshoes I'd had my eyes on.  But I was outbid and ran out of time on each.  But then suddenly, I had a second chance.  The seller gave me the opportunity to purchase a pair at my last bid price.  I jumped on that second chance even though I'd been given 2 days to think it over.  I realized this is much better.  No competition, no getting caught up in the moment of bidding, no pressure!

I can't help but think how God did this for us by sending his Son to give us all a second chance.  Not to mention the third and fourth chances after we've blown it yet again.  And what a blessing, what an amazing deal we have in the gift of salvation.  We don't have to bid for it or earn it - simply ask and jump on that second chance of God's grace before we run out of time.

Amen?

Have a blessed day,
Jenna

Glad I Went?

Pamela Tracy here. 

 Just this last week I went to see Joseph and the Amazing Techno-colored Dreamcoat.

I found it very interesting.  

See, I've read the story in the Bible hundreds of times.

I've heard the story at church almost as many.

What did I love?

I loved watching Joseph's brothers dance in a way that reminded me of 

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

I loved how it showed the brothers jealousy and the way they threw him down the well.

But, they got that wrong because Rueben didn't do what he was supposed to do.  ARG

I loved Potiphar and the two servants who went to prison.

But, I'm irritated that they didn't show what Joseph REALLY did 

when Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him.

In the Bible, she DID NOT succeed.

True Hollywood form, the musical changed that.

FAIL

I loved Pharaoh and his costume and his love of gold.

I understand in Andrew Lloyd Webber's real production, 

Pharaoh didn't suddenly become an Elvis impersonator.  

I think I would  have preferred that.

I dunno.

In my heart of hearts, I don't think the messages of the Bible should be toyed with. 

Am I glad I went?

Yes, because I made sure that my friends heard me say, "That didn't happen. Here's what really did."  And if the stranger next to me, in front of me, behind me, heard also.  

Good.  

I hope I made them question.   

Pamela's Next Love Inspired Romance releases in April of 2015

Gotta love a cowboy

Busy on the next installation of The Rancher's Daughters

Something Old, Something New . . . and a Giveaway!

Lee Tobin McClain here, and I get to blog on my birthday! And while I’m not giving out a number, let me just say that I am now eligible for the 2-for-1 early bird special at my local iHOP. Love their Harvest Blueberry pancakes! And having dinner at 4:00 in the afternoon, so that I can get home before dark and curl up with a good book, doesn't sound half bad these days. Who am I kidding--it never did!  Guess I've always been an old soul. 

Talk about old and new . . .  Remember doctor-and-nurse novels? Anyone else cut their teeth on medical romances like the one at the right? I used to read them at my cousin Kathy’s house during small town summer visits. Wow, do those old covers bring back the memories. Loved those alpha heroes. And check out the price! 

Check it out on Amazon!

On to new things: My latest release, The Doctor’s Bond, tells the story of the last of the four Sacred Bond brothers, Boone McDermitt. He’s been heroically saving lives in his medical clinic in Central America, but when he returns to his Florida hometown, he’s still the local bad boy . . . and Abby is still the sweet preacher’s daughter. But these opposites have more in common than anyone in town suspects . . .

Try Book One for Free!

If you’d like to try the Sacred Bond novels, grab a copy of His Baby Bond, book one in the series, for free.  And if you’re already a fan of the series, you might like to know that the final scenes of The Doctor’s Bond bring back all the couples from the whole series to help Doctor Boone and Abby solve their problems. So it’s like a happily-ever-after times four!

Comment to win a copy!

If you’d like to win a signed copy of my own vintage Harlequin romance, published under a pseudonym in 1989, (told you I was old!) comment before midnight on January 17^th. I’ll do a random drawing and announce the winner in my next newsletter, so come sign up . . . it's quick and easy and there are more giveaways coming up there. 

Connect with Lee: 

Website/Newsletter: http://www.leetobinmcclain.com

Blog:  Flawed. Christian. Woman. http://www.leetobinmcclain.com/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lee-Tobin-McClain/309202065934619

Mementos from the past

Terri Reed here madly writing to finish a book by my deadline. Its been a trial to write during the holidays. I can't believe its already 2015.  27 years ago this coming May I married my college-sweetheart. We lived in Sacramento at the time and had our wedding in an old Victorian home near old town Sacramento. The place where so pretty and I felt like a princess.
Recently I unearthed my cake topper from a box in the garage. Its a music box, I think it played Here comes the Bride, however, its broken. I had it painted so that the bride would have red hair and the groom dark. Now that I've recovered it from the depths of my garage it sits on a shelf in my kitchen along with the tea cups my mother and a dear friend gave me which has started a tea cup collection.

Do you keep mementos from special occasions in your life?  How about collections? 

I never set out to collect tea cups, but I love tea so it seems appropiate.

  

No New Year's Resolutions

Leigh Bale here.  I'm feeling a bit rebellious this year, so I decided not to make any New Year's resolutions.  It seems like life is so crazy all year long, and I'm constantly working on and completing various goals throughout the year.  A couple of those goals is to meet my writing deadlines.  That's a biggie for me.  What about you?  Do you like to set New Year's resolutions?  Or just plan your goals throughout the year as you go along?  Why or why not?

Whatever you do, I wish you the best new year ever!  AND...I'd love to give away two autographed copies of my recent Christmas story titled "The Forest Ranger's Christmas."  This book hit the Publisher's Weekly bestseller's list.  Enjoy! 

Allie Pleiter on One Words

Every year, I ask God to send me one word to serve as my focus for the year.  Lots of people I know do this—especially writer-types who know the power of words. There's even a book on the subject.  

Some years I know right off why I got the word God gave me.  Other years, I have to muck around for a while until it surfaces.  Last year, my word took a fair amount of mucking and was unusual; I received both spellings of COMPLIMENT/COMPLEMENT as my word for the year.  I spent the year exploring the partnerships in my life and how they complement each other, and I tried to offer praise—compliments—wherever I could and squelch my judgmental tendencies.

This year my word jumped right out at me:  UNIQUE.  I can’t really explain the process other than I ask God to send it and keep my eyes open.  I always know when I’ve found it, but I don’t always know how I got there.

Once I do find it, I start exploring.  That means everything from Pinterest searches to dictionary and thesaurus look-ups, bible verse searches, movies and songs, even t-shirts.  When my radar goes “live” for that word, it seems to be everywhere.

By the end of the year, I always know why God gave it to me.  I can trace the path of my lessons back through the months and see how the concept colored my life and my growth. If you haven’t tried this, I encourage you to give it a whirl.   

If this is something you’ve done, what is your word for 2015?  

I hope you find my latest Love Inspired release unique and entertaining as well.  SMALL-TOWN FIREMAN is the last book in the Gordon Falls series.