Craftie Ladies of Suspense

The End and A New Beginning!

2011-08-31T00:01:00.002-04:00

By Debby Giusti

The Craftie Ladies of Suspense blog ends today. We’re joining with the Craftie Ladies of Romance to form a bigger and better site and hope you’ll follow us to our new location. You’ll find us on the Internet at http://www.craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/.

In 2007, Pamela Tracy and Lisa Mondella started the first Craftie Ladies blog. They were not only the inspiration but also provided the technical expertise that made this blog a success. The photo above shows the authors who joined on at the very beginning. Standing from left to right are Roxanne Rustand, Pamela Tracy and Debby Giusti. Those seated are Lisa Mondello, Margaret Daley and Terri Reed.

The Craftie Ladies of Suspense talked about anything and everything on the blog, from the books we loved to read to what we were fixing for dinner. Sometimes we talked about the writer’s life, and on other days, the topic would focus on our families or vacations or our favorite movies or television shows.

Soon other authors wanted to take part so the blog grew. The monthly Love Inspired Suspense books were featured along with character interviews that circulated on Facebook and Twitter, as well.

Hoping to draw new readers to our site, we wrote serial holiday stories. Lenora Worth usually started the tall tales, and each of us would add a new segment, always with hilarious results. Many of you commented on how much you enjoyed reading the stories, and we all loved writing them. Be assured we’ll continue the holiday story tradition on the new site.

As this blog ends, we send our heartfelt thanks to Pam and Lisa for all their hard work. Thanks, ladies, for making it so much fun. Thanks, also, to our wonderful readers who visit the blog each day. Your comments and friendship mean so much to us.

Remember that although this blog ends, another one begins. Be sure to visit us at http://www.craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/. See you there!

Happy reading! Happy writing!

Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
http://www.debbygiusti.com/
http://www.craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/
http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/

The Life and Times of a Romance Writer

2011-08-29T00:31:00.003-04:00

I am just now learning how to storyboard! I wrote my first story. It's about me! Go ahead, click on the link and see.
http://storybird.com/books/the-life-and-times-of-a-romance-author/?token=fnkwwh

Waiting for inspiration?

2011-08-26T01:00:00.001-04:00

Hello, all. Dana Mentink here, astonished to report that it’s fall! Oh I know, maybe not officially, but my Japanese Maple is turning colors and most importantly, school has started. For an elementary teacher in a combination class that means a roster full of enthusiastic little ones and very long hours. Folks ask me how I manage to write books on top of the life hysteria. The answer is, I get up pretty darn early in the morning, say around 4ish. I’ve heard people say that they can’t write unless they’re feeling inspired. This amuses me. Inspiration for me is beside the point. My tushy is in the chair in the morning and I’m writing because that’s my job and my passion. Sooner or later (after the second cup of java, maybe) that inspiration will kick in and things are humming along nicely, but even if they aren’t, it’s tushy meets chair at that wee early time. I have this theory that we always make time to do the things we love to do (TV, Facebook, outings with friends) even when time is short. What do you think, friends? What passion do you have that you make time for regardless of the craziness in your weekly schedule? Do tell.

Do I have an idea? by Leann Harris

2011-08-25T06:00:00.001-04:00

Okay, it's my turn to post. I've got to produce when I'm dead tired and don't have an idea on what to write about. A creative idea is no where to be found.

It happens. It happens when you have a contract due and you just have to put your backside in the chair and write. The words are painful. You think it stinks. It's garbage. Then there are those days when the words flow and that little voice in your head tells you this is the best stuff you've ever written.

You go back and do rewrites...and you can't tell the difference between the days if was garbage and the days it was gifted. It discouraging and encouraging. So what does that tell me? Ignore my feelings about my writing. Tell that little voice in my head to stuff it. I have to write.

What's the picture about? It's so hot and dry now, I just wanted a picture of when it was Spring.
Barbara, I'm jealous. It looks so nice where you are.

Just a wedding...

2011-08-24T06:49:00.002-04:00

It was just meant to be a short weekend getaway. But looking back, and yes, even during it, we knew it was one of the best mini holidays we'd had.
My husband's old army buddy (doesn't that conjure up a rotund balding man in a button-busting uniform?) was getting married. For the record, he was not in the least like that vision. He's a slim young man who runs ultra marathons. (I don't know what they are but they sound pretty impressive to me) Anyway, we were invited. It was for a Saturday afternoon, but before that, I had already decided we'd do some things I'd always wanted to do.
First up, we were going to climb a nearby mountain.
Now, before you think Sir Edmond Hillary here, it was Mount Carlton, the highest point in the Atlantic provinces, only a few thousand feet up. Still, I'd not seen it before, so it had to be done.On the way back down, we got a flat tire right in front of a gas station that not only was open, but also had a good used tire. $30 later and we were on our way with it. A bargain, a blessing to be sure. I noticed the name of the gas station. An old dear friend of ours' maiden name. A relative, perhaps?
Then we were going to visit our nephew. My hubby's older brother's boy is married, with a child, living in the same town as the wedding. We were camping, so the family came for a campfire. I can proudly say I introduced them to spider dogs!
The next morning, we walked the waterfront of beautiful Campbellton, New Brunswick. We saw the world's largest salmon. Okay, it's not real, but hey, it's pretty impressive.
Finally, the wedding. As an outside wedding, it was in the groom's parents' backyard, and witnessing the nuptials were also three horses. What a size difference they were!
Though the wedding vows were in French, it mattered not that I understood. I definitely understood the gist. (And the kiss)
Because there were loads of children at the wedding, they'd hired both a clown and a magician/disc jockey. The magician stopped at our table and asked me to think of a card, which I did (King of Spades) and then proceeded to spread out the deck. The only card turned up was the King of Spades. How do they do those sorts of things?
During the reception, we met an actress. She's even worked with Ed Asner! Another couple were lovely and nice, with the man telling me what cushy military postings he'd had. I was green with envy. Well, maybe not green, but if you saw my military career, you'd understand that I should be!
The weekend wrapped up with a picnic lunch in my mother-in-law's favourite town. And then it was back home.
I loved the weekend. It was wonderful, relaxing, warm and sunny, and everyone was more than nice. I was the quintessential tourist. Why, I even took pictures coming out of Walmart!
We were blessed to have this weekend. We loved meeting new friends, catching up with old ones, and camping where there was no wind or bugs.
It will go down in our memories as one we'll talk about for a long time.

Determination Pays Off

2011-08-22T20:00:00.004-04:00

I recently saw The Help in the movie theatre and I have to tell you, it both touched and inspired me.

For me, the film was about standing up for what you believe in (even if it puts you at personal risk), coping when you’re stuck in a bad situation, and the power of friendship. With stellar performances and an excellent script, this movie made my list of top ten movies of 2011. I didn’t read the book, but was told the movie was very similar to the novel, which made the bestseller list.

What also impressed me was how the author, Kathryn Stockett, went about optioning the film. She chose to go with a childhood friend to adapt the screenplay and direct, as opposed to a big name screenwriter/director. This complicates things when trying to get funding for a film, but she held firm. Why? Because her friend, Tate Taylor, shared the passion of her story, having also grown up in the South.

A very determined woman, Kathryn received a total of 60 rejections for the book. Yes, 60. But did she give up? Not on your life. And on the 61st submission an agent offered representation. Can you imagine if she would have given up at rejection 15, or 40 or even 60? This supports my philosophy that the only guarantee when trying to get your work published is that if you stop trying, you certainly won’t get published.

Stories like these inspire me. They remind me that anything’s possible when chasing your dream.

Who else has an inspirational story to share?

Peace,

Hopewhiteauthor.com

Time and the writer's life by Lisa Mondello

2011-08-19T14:25:00.004-04:00

Time, time, time. There never seems to be enough of it. If I could extend the day by 12 hours I might be able to get through it getting everything done that I want to get done. But alas, the day is not 36 hours long. I have to squeeze my to-do list in a mere 24 hours like everyone else. Most of the time I forgo sleep to do it.

Like most busy people, I have to juggle work, family obligations, writing deadlines and manage to squeeze in the occasional book to read. It's really not unlike other non-writers who lead full lives. With one exception. My office is mobile.

Take today. I have a deadline on a freelance project I'm working on. I also have to cart the kids around to their summer jobs since they don't have a car of their own to drive. With two kids at home, that means I could easily spend 3-4 hours a day just driving when I could be writing! I'm no electronic geek by any stretch, but a few little modern mobile devices like my Nook Color, cell phone with Internet access, laptop with wi-fi connection and Dragon Naturally Speaking software I can turn just about anything from the car to Dunkin Donuts into my office. And since a lot of places now have wi-fi (I have them all mapped out.) I can do just about any kind of work that I need to get done while on the road.

I get a lot of strange looks from people. I'll give you that. But it gets the job done at the end of the day. And if I'm super organized and take 10 minutes to throw something into the crock pot in the morning, I don't even have to make dinner when I get home.

What are your time saving tools/strategies to get through the day? I'm always up for a new way to make things easier.

Many blessings, Lisa

http://www.lisamondello.blogspot.com

Tall Trees and Karaoke

2011-08-18T02:49:00.004-04:00

OK, so who knew that Wednesday was karaoke night at Appleby's in Salem, Oregon? Now you do, and you know at least one 50ish Nashvillian who's willing to sing "Dancing Queen" in the middle of the night.

Yep, I'm in Oregon, at the annual Oregon Christian Writer's conference, and it's been a hoot. Trees so tall that they're like skirting small buildings to walk around them, and writers who are brimming with great ideas and the talent to execute them. While Susie May Warren and Mindy Starns Clark are the speakers, the faculty is some of the best writers, agents, and editors around, and the folks at Aldersgate Retreat Center have fed and spoiled us.

I love writers conferences because of how much I learn, but also because they are incubators of new talent. Looking around the bookstore or cafeteria, I see those who are going to be the next Susan May Warren or Mindy Starns Clark. Young writers, like Jill Williamson or Christina Berry, who are on the verge of giving us the next great Christian fiction.

My return to Nashville won't be easy. Thanks, Oregon, and the terrific folks of the Oregon Christian Writers.

A Technology Break

2011-08-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hey there! Liz Johnson here. Back from vacation and plugged back into technology. You see, I took a break from technology last week.

My mom and sister and I just spent a week on Prince Edward Island, Canada--home of Anne of Green Gables. And I was unplugged the whole trip! No phone. No internet. No television. No twitter! Oh, my! For someone who practically lives on email, I thought I'd feel like I was missing my right arm. And I admit that the first day, I grabbed for my phone to check facebook, but it was turned off. So I stuffed it back into my purse. That was the last time I looked at it for a week.

Turns out that without my phone, I was free to phone I could revel in the beauty of the Gentle Island free from distraction. Without email I got to enjoy uninterupted conversation with two of my favorite people in the world. I got to focus on enjoying my vacation.

And when I had a book idea ... well, I had to hand write it! Shocking! I know.

I have to admit, it was one of the most enjoyable weeks, I've had in a long time. And I think being tech free was a big part of it.

Have you unplugged recently? How was your experience?

Why Read Suspense?

2011-08-11T06:07:00.000-04:00

It was a dark and stormy night...

Why do I like to read books that depict the darker elements and side of humans? It's a great question. Aren't the headlines filled with enough horrible things, like the 3 year old in St. Louis who was snatched from her front yard Saturday? Or the riots in London? Or how about an economy that seems to spiral ever deeper?

With the world in such a state, why would a girl want to read about a fictional world that's in chaos?

I don't know. Really. While I love a good historical romance or a contemporary romance, I love a good suspense -- especially if it ends in hope. I like to experience the ever tightening spiral of suspense to the point I wonder if all will survive -- if God is in the middle of it. Not that I want a sermon on every page or even in the book. But I want to smell His fragrance and sense His presence. I want to close the book with the sense that He is always there even in the darkest night.

How about you? Why do you read suspense?

Stepping Out In Faith

2011-08-10T00:01:00.001-04:00

By Debby Giusti

One of the scripture readings at church last Sunday was Matthew 14:22-33, the story of Jesus walking on the water. As the familiar passage was read, I closed my eyes and imagined the scene.

I envisioned the waves crashing against the small fishing boat and heard the howling wind. The apostles were frightened by the storm and even more so when they saw Jesus coming towards them on the water. “It is a ghost,” they exclaimed in fear.

With his eyes on Jesus, Peter got out of the boat and started to walk toward Christ. Then his courage faltered, and he began to sink, crying out, “Lord, save me!” As we all know, Jesus stretched out his hand and saved Peter, saying, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

The story reminded me of the writer's life. Often we hear Christ challenging us to step out in faith, whether with an idea for a story or a change of direction for our writing. We set out, enthused at the onset, only to find rough seas and struggle along the way. When our confidence is shaken, we call to the Lord for help. Of course, He is always there, ready to still the chaos and calm the storm.

Who are you in the story? Are you one of the apostles cowering in the boat? Are you Peter, who boldly steps out in faith? Or are you someone watching from shore?

Happy reading! Happy writing!

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

THE OFFICER'S SECRET, by Debby Giusti, available in print or e-book. Watch for THE CAPTAIN'S MISSION, out in October 2011.

Secrets of the Secret Service

2011-08-09T02:28:00.001-04:00

Terri Reed here and I'm watching this really interesting show on the Discovery Channel all about the Secret Service: the weapons, the technology and protecting the president.

So fascinating to hear how the Secret Service protected President Bush during 9/11. AirForce One became the White House. They were airborne for nine hours with two stop at top secret air force bases before returning to Washington DC.

During that time the president couldn't address the country because AirForce One wasn't set-up for it. Now it is.

In 1989, a gunman stood outside the White House gates and shot at a man in a suit that the assailant thought was President Clinton. The man got off 29 shots before being taking down by bystanders. I hadn't heard about this.

While President Truman was in office, an assignation attempt resulted in one

agents death.

I found this great website while I was researching my July release, The Innocent Witness.

Check it out http://www.funtrivia.com/en/World/US-Secret-Service-18594.html

Next up on the Discovery Channel is Secrets of SEAL Team 6. Perfect timing for one of the books I'm currently working on. I've got the DVR set up ready to record.

Though so sad on the heels of the tragic deaths of so many SEALS this week. My prayers are with the families of our fallen heros.

Just Another Manic Monday

2011-08-08T09:46:00.004-04:00

Pamela Tracy here, and what you see above is really a chalk drawing on the cement. An amazing artist in England, Julian Beever, create it. I like this one because of the suspense. How did he get up there? Who (or what) chased him? What happens when he falls? Will he be a victim and I'll have to come up with the killer and then someone who is in danger (maybe the man on the poles wife or girlfriend or maybe an innocent witness)? If he makes it down alive, will he be wounded? Chased?

This is why I love writing suspense: all the possibilities.

So, what do you think? Will he make it to the bottom of the pole?

Pamela Tracy's current release (this month!) is not a suspense, really, but there is a mystery... who took the money? Why was Joel framed? When he figures out the answer, will it cost him the woman he loves?

Buy the book and find out!

On Deadly Ground Interview

2011-08-07T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today we're welcoming Rachel Patterson, the heroine of ON DEADLY GROUND, an August 2011 Love Inspired Suspense novel by Lauren Nichols.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

How did I get involved in this mess? Believe me, for a long time, I wondered the same thing. One moment, I was a young widow who owned a campground several miles outside the small town of Charity,Pennsylvania, and the next I was running for my life from my burning home. It took me a while to realize that the hooded figure I saw skulking around on my property one night wanted me dead!

2. So, during the book you met Jake Campbell. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

Jake's the tall, ruggedly good looking Wildlife Conservation Officer who'd recently transferred to the area, and I was instantly attracted to him. I hadn't dated since my husband David passed away, and to be honest, I didn't want to feel anything but friendship for Jake. David and I had loved each other deeply, and I was plagued by feelings of disloyalty. I'm not sure when I realized it was love; it kind of crept up on me. But looking back, how could I not fall for him? He's as wonderful on the inside as he is on the outside--strong and confident, caring and protective, totally committed to family and his job. Now he even attends church.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

That's a tough question. I guess I run my business pretty well, and according to Jake, I make a great cup of coffee. As for strengths, I think the only true strength I have is my faith in God who gives me courage when I need it, and helps me be the best daughter, friend--and now wife--that I'm able to be. As for weaknesses...I sometimes trust too easily, and that got me into trouble.

What scares you?

I didn't think anything could scare me other than losing someone I love--although friends seemed to think that I should be afraid to live alone in a wooded valley populated by coyotes, elk, bear and the occasional wildcat. Little did they know that I had less to fear from my four-legged neighbors than I did from a two-legged predator intent upon covering up a crime.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I wish I were more courageous.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

My faith was strong. God and I had a great relationship.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

The same place--trusting and believing in God, and ready to accept His plan for me. Happily, He decided that I should be with Jake for the rest of my life.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.

The scripture verse I chose is "The Lord is close to the broken hearted. He rescues those who are crushed in spirit." These lovely words applied to both Jake and me. When we first met, he'd just broken off his relationship with his unfaithful fiancée, and he was hurting. I was still missing David terribly. But thankfully, God brought the two of us together, and helped us heal.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

What I do and where I live pretty much makes me the all-American, girl-next-door type. There's nothing complicated about me. I'd probably be an apple pie.

FEATURED BOOK: ON DEADLY GROUND BY LAUREN NICHOLS

2011-08-06T11:54:00.002-04:00

The prowler on the construction site of her new camp didn't frighten Rachel Patterson…at first. Fear comes when her home is torched—and worsens when a body is unearthed on the campgrounds. Someone's trying to cover up a murder, and if Rachel can identify the intruder, she might be the only witness. Her neighbor, Wildlife Conservation Officer Jake Campbell, is determined to keep the lovely widow safe. But when a misunderstanding separates the pair, their distance risks more than the growing feelings between them. It leaves Rachel alone and unguarded, which could be just the chance the killer needs…

Do you know your treasure movies?

2011-08-05T01:00:00.000-04:00

Dana Mentink here, with thoughts of treasure on my mind. This could be because I’ve just finished up the first book in a three book treasure seeker series for Harlequin. It got me to thinking about all the wonderful movies that have focused on the desire to find treasure. I thought it would be fun to wrestle up a little quiz. Here is a list of movies about treasure. Can you name the prize being sought after in each flick? Got your thinking caps on? Okay. Here goes.

Romancing the Stone
National Treasure
Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Goonies
The Librarian: Quest for the Spear
Paint Your Wagon
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

It's Hot by Leann Harris

2011-08-04T01:00:00.000-04:00

Today was day 33 of the temperature being over 100. It was officially 108, shattering our old record. Our record of over 100 degrees days in a row is 40 and that was in 1980. I remember it actually got over a 110 that year, and you could tell the difference between 100 and 99.

Now in 1980 I had small children and was a lot younger. The heat was bad, but you went on with life. This time I'm not holding up as well as I did the last time. The only thing that brings a smile to my face is that on Sunday, I'm flying to Denver to spend a week in the mountains. I'm doing a happy dance.

I'd love to go back to Denver at the end of Sept and see the fall color, but I'll settle for a summer break.

Publishers Weekly

2011-08-03T10:57:00.005-04:00

by Debby Giusti

If you haven't visited Publishers Weekly's Beyond Her Book blog, you're missing a wonderful site for readers and writers alike. A few years ago, Barbara Vey (photo L to R: Debby, Barbara Vey, and LIH author Janet Dean) struck up a conversation with a lady she sat next to on a cruise ship. They chatted about books and what they loved to read.

Little did Barbara know that the woman worked for Publishers Weekly. No doubt seeing Barbara's enthusiasm for books and especially the romance genre, the lady--who happened to be high up in PW--asked Barbara to start a blog focused on romance. Thus, PW's Beyond Her Book blog was born.

Each Wednesday, Barbara has a group of dedicated readers who review the latest releases. What a surprise to learn my May book, THE OFFICER'S SECRET, is one of the stories featured today.

Stop by Barbara's blog and say hello. She's a friend to all and one of the sweetest women you'll ever have the good fortune to know. Plus, she does so much to support literacy and reading in general. Whether it's starting a book club for students in her local high school or promoting New York Times bestsellers or attending reader events around the country, Barbara Vey is a delightful ambassador for the written word. Thanks, Barbara, for all you do!

Happy reading! Happy writing!

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

2011-08-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

Recently, I had the privilege of attending the She Speaks conference in Concord, NC. I had never been to this particular conference, but because I am starting to get requests to speak at various events, I thought it might be a good idea to take the speaking track. On Friday, we had a three minute presentation and on Saturday, we had a five minute one. I thought I would share with you my three minute one. It went something like this:

Hello, I’m Lynette Eason and I’m a writer. Which is why I’m taking the speaking track. Yeah. Right. Go figure.

Now, I’ll be honest. When I first started writing, I had no idea what getting published would entail. But apparently people think that if you can write and get published, you can speak. And while I’m sure that’s true for a lot of writers, for others, like me, it’s not so true.

Speaking is not where my comfort zone is. But God didn’t call me to stay in my comfort zone. And I’ve always believed Him when he said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” I was willing, But I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to do that. I mean, I was married now, with other responsibilities. So what was my role now in furthering the kingdom of God? At first I thought that maybe I was supposed to volunteer at church or ride on the tail of my husband’s ministry.

You see, about 14 ½ years ago, I got married to a guy whose job entailed a lot of travel. He was doing praise and worship music all over the country and I thought that I was just supposed to do whatever I could to help him in his ministry. Which was not a bad thing at all. I was willing to do that.

So, at first, I went with him as much as possible, but then we had our first child and I stayed home. A lot. Alone. The only adult in the house for days on end. Sure, I did MOPS and play dates and that kind of thing, but the nights were the worst. I was lonely. Crying myself to sleep didn’t seem like a really good way to end the day. So one day, I was trying to figure out something I could do to ease the loneliness. And something inside me – God? said, “Why don’t you write that book you keep saying you want to write?”

I thought, yeah, why don’t I do that?

So, in 1999, I pulled out an old laptop my husband had and started writing the great American novel that I just KNEW was going to be a best-seller, glorify God and make me rich, too. Ministering to others through my books and glorifying God was the most important part, of course, but if He so chose to bless me financially then by all means I would graciously accept that.

Thirteen books later, I still live in the same house, I don’t own any beach front property or have an amazing stock portfolio. Or even a mansion on a hill. But I’m so honored to get emails from readers who say that my books have touched their lives, that God became real to them through the characters and words He allowed me to create and have published. And I’m thrilled to say that I DO have a mansion waiting on me. And it’s in heaven where I’ll spend eternity praising my King. And I pray that one day, my Savior will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Happy Monday to all, hope you have a great week!

The woes of waiting...by Lisa Mondello

2011-07-29T00:20:00.001-04:00

I don't think I ever grew up. Seriously. Does one every grow up and out of anticipation angst? If so, I haven't.

I've had a proposal at Love Inspired for exactly a week and I'm already pacing the floor like a kid waiting for Christmas or my birthday. I'm quite excited about this as I always am when I send in a new proposal. Will my editor like it? Will the senior editor offer me a contract? I hope so. I so want to write this book.

But, since there is always a chance they may NOT like the story, I hold myself back from continuing too much on the story. Why finish a story that ultimately will never be published? (Let's hope that's not the case, but just suppose for a minute.) If I spend all my time writing this book and it's a no go, I may be wasting one to two months of writing time for something that will never see the light of day. Been there. Done that. Just because I'm published doesn't mean I never see the R word anymore. I do. And I have the bruises to prove it.

But, alas, sometimes it's hard to tear myself away from a story I've fallen in love with. So what do I do?

1. Keep a file and give myself an occasional day to work on that story just so I don't lose the passion for the story and characters, but not enough to keep me from writing other things.
2. Work on my next proposal. If this one is a no-go, I want to be ready with something else. That's not always possible. But if I can do it, it makes life easier down the road. If the story IS a go, I have my next story already started.

Does this help the waiting? Sadly, no. I still obsess. And I will keep obsessing until I get feedback from my editor on the story. Luckily for me obsession doesn't keep me from writing. And I have a vast many writer friends who are in the same boat as me so I can vent and whine. (Bowing head in shame. Yes, I occasionally whine about my writing.) And my agent is always good to me, so all is good on that front.

Rest assured, as soon as I know the status of my proposal. So will you! You'll just have to live with me obsessing until I do.

Until next time, many blessings...
Lisa Mondello
http://www.lisamondello.blogspot.com

A View from a Fall

2011-07-28T00:55:00.003-04:00

Over the past few months, I’ve been in search of a new pair of walking shoes. I have some foot issues, so I didn't want to buy just anything. I’ve done that before, to not-so-much-fun results. A friend suggested toning shoes, those wonderful rocking shoes that supposedly tighten up loose muscles as you walk. So I took a look.

And laughed. The first article I read suggested that if you have balance problems you should avoid them. Well, OK, then. On to the next shoe style.

Because my lack of balance is legendary. I cannot walk straight, and falling is almost a pastime. I run into walls, trip over boxes, bump into counters. Two back-to-back sprains when I was a teenager left my ankles weak, so they flip easily. I loved to backpack and hike, so I used to carry crutches in my truck. I’ve fallen off walls, out of trees, up stairs, down stairs. When I was five, I fell on a furnace grate and ripped open my knee. Forty-five years later, I fell on a stone patio with the same result. I don’t avoid steps because I’m lazy; I do it because I’d prefer not to do a barrel roll down them.

But I don’t usually get hurt, and I got over the humiliation factor a long time ago. Sometimes, you just have to see the humor of the unexpected pratfall. When I was moving into new place a couple of weeks ago, I stepped in a hole and hit the ground so hard, face first, that my friend thought I was unconscious. Then she realized I was laughing.

Probably the queen of those moments was the last time I wore a mini-skirt. I’d lost weight. My legs were tan and firm. I was cute, prancing through K-Mart in my kitten heels and tight skirt. Got my items, checked out, and turned to leave. Only I didn’t get far.

One leg shot out from under me, and I went straight down, with my rear landing on top of my other foot. So sitting there looking like a one-legged goose, I giggled and tried to get up…only to realize my heel had snagged in my hem. I couldn’t reach it; couldn’t get my other leg bent. Couldn’t lean forward without tearing the back out of my skirt. I couldn’t get up without showing my behind to the world.

I was stuck. I put my head down, laughing so hard I couldn’t get my breath. The manager rushed over, seeing this woman on the floor shuddering helplessly. He wanted to call an ambulance, suddenly seeing his profits go up in lawsuit smoke. I waved him off, finally gasping out my predicament.

The sweet man tried so hard not to laugh I think he swallowed his gum. Finally, at my suggestion, he called over a security guard and one of the cashiers. She stood behind me, and the two men lifted me by the arms as she untangled my heel.

I once heard Liz Curtis Higgs talk about learning to laugh at yourself; that it’s a great sign of maturity. I think it’s also a sign that you can see yourself through others’ eyes, and that’s an extraordinarily valuable perspective for a writer – and a compassionate human being. To see the world as others do, can change your own.

Is it me or is it hot in here? Lenora Worth

2011-07-27T00:08:00.000-04:00

I really do love summer. But after a month of one hundred degrees and holding, well, this is getting old. I got spoiled when my husband and I went on a roap trip all the way to New York City. The weather was lovely everywhere we stopped. Most days the temperature was in the eighties or nineties. I know come winter, I'll be shivering and complaining about the cold, but right now I'm enjoying my air conditioner. When it's this hot and dry, everything seems to wilt. Including my good manners.

But that brings me to the real subject of this post. I believe hot weather brings out the worst in people. Maybe that's why we set a lot of our suspense novels during the summer. It's hot, someone is trying to harm someone, someone's on the run, maybe without water, maybe walking across the desert, maybe stuck in a hot, sweltering building. Tempers flair and bad things happen. That is fodder for fiction writers. But ... it's horrible when we hear it on the news every night.

So, fellow suspense writers, do you believe summer makes people mean?

Let's discuss. I'll be back. I'm going to get some ice cream.

Summer Days...

2011-07-26T23:34:00.000-04:00

Wow. Can you believe it? We're almost at the end of July, and this summer has been flying at our house. The projects around our place in the country never seem to end, we've traveled some, and I'm just realizing that I've let several weeks pass without making serious headway in my office. My husband says that it looks like a landfill, after my last deadline, and he's right! Yet, this summer has offered many nice opportunities to be with family, and that comes first in my book.
What have you been up to--and what will be your happiest memory of the summer of 2011?
Roxanne Rustand
www.roxannerustand.com

Dangerous Reunion Interview

2011-07-24T01:03:00.001-04:00

Today we're welcoming Brock Gentry, the hero of Dangerous Reunion, by Sandra Robbins, releasing in July 2011.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

I thought I never would come back to Ocracoke Island when I left there six years ago because I had just broken my engagement with Kate Michaels who lived on the island, but now I find myself back. A few months ago I was working as a police detective in Nashville, Tennessee, when I received a phone call from a man who claimed to have evidence that would clear a man scheduled to be executed in a few weeks. I wasn’t familiar with the case because it had occurred before I came on the force, but I promised to meet with him the next day to listen to what he said. Before we could meet, I received a call that my father in California had been in an accident and wasn’t expected to live. I left a note for my partner and rushed to Los Angeles where I stayed for six weeks until my father was recovered. When I returned to Nashville, I found out there had been a series of mishaps, and the evidence never reached the proper authorities until after the man was executed. Later he was proven innocent. Harboring feelings of guilt over the man’s death, I came to Ocracoke to see if could find forgiveness from God for my failures and from Kate for hurting her six years ago. I never would have dreamed what events I would encounter there.

2. So, during the book you met Kate Michaels. Tell us a bit about her. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

Kate and I met in college where we both majored in criminal justice and were on the track team. I loved her from the very beginning, but we had different ideas on where we wanted to go in life. I wanted to live in a city and work on a large police force. She wanted to live on Ocracoke Island, but I couldn’t see myself living on a speck of land twenty-five miles off the coast of North Carolina. Now six years later I’m back, and we met at a crime scene. She’s still just as beautiful as she was when we were in college.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

I’m a good criminal investigator because I can think logically. I’m also loyal to my friends. I am working on overcoming my greatest weakness which is being more understanding of the feelings of others. That wasn’t always the case. When I was younger, I was cocky and thought I knew it all. I’ve come to see how wrong I was.

4. What scares you?

I want Kate back in my life, and it scares me to think she will never forgive me for what I did to her six years ago. I’m trying to show her I’ve changed, but I’m not sure she believes me yet. Even if she never does, I have vowed to keep her safe from a crazed killer who is stalking her.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I would work harder at relationships. I didn’t realize how important my father was to me until I almost lost him. It was the same with Kate. I’m beginning to see that the love you show other people helps define the type of person you are.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

One of the things that Kate and I always disagreed on was faith. She is a strong woman of faith, but I never had much time for God. When my life fell apart, I wanted to come back to talk to Kate and see if she could help me find God on the island where she sees God’s handiwork everywhere.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

Kate was right when she said I could find God on Ocracoke. God showed me He’d always been with me and was just waiting for me to accept Him. I’ll always be grateful to Kate for helping me to become a man of faith.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.

The scripture is Mark 11:25—And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

That scripture sums up the journey I take in Dangerous Reunion. Through faith in God, I learned to forgive myself for all the bad choices I’d made in my life and discovered that God didn’t hold any of my mistakes against me. Now I am able to incorporate that principle in my dealings with other people.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

Just like apple pie is a traditional American dessert, I think I’m a typical American guy. I like sports and enjoy jogging every day. I love God and am content to spend time with my new family and friends. After all what’s more American than God, family, and apple pie.

FEATURED BOOK: DANGEROUS REUNION BY SANDRA ROBBINS

2011-07-23T04:00:00.003-04:00

A murderer on tiny, safe Ocracoke Island? Deputy Sheriff Kate Michaels doesn't want to believe it—until someone at the crime scene starts shooting at her. Then Nashville detective Brock Gentry shows up. Brock broke her heart years ago when he called off their engagement. Now, torn apart by a case, Brock seeks sanctuary on the island. Yet as the threats against Kate escalate—and Kate's sisters are targeted—she turns to the man she's never stopped loving. Even if their reunion is more dangerous than it ever was before.

Romance Novels to the Rescue!

2011-07-22T08:00:00.005-04:00

Maybe, like me, you've read a blog post or newspaper article lately about how romance novels are ruining women's lives. Bloggers, psychologists, and theologians have all weighed in on how romance novels set unrealistic expections for relationships and lead to dissatisfaction, etc, etc.

Well, my goal here isn't to defend Christian romance novels or explain why I love them and read them ... and write them. But I have been thinking about those things a lot lately. And it got me thinking about when I was in college...

I began reading novels with a strong romantic story lines when I was in junior high. These were mostly historicals by authors like Gilbert Morris and Bodie and Brock Thoene. In addtion to being wildly entertaining, they modeled what a pure love can look like. And, yes, they modeled what a good man could be, who loves God and seeks to serve Him.

Fast forward seven years. I'd just finished my first year of college, which had been full of meeting new friends and wrought with plenty of heartache. One of my new friends was a guy who was a couple years older, lived off campus (that was a huge deal at the time!), and knew just the words to say to make a girl swoon. He also had what he called "a special relationship" with God, which meant he thought he could do anything he wanted without consequence. It also meant he wasn't concerned about purity or a God-centered relationship, quite the opposite of the examples I'd first read about in books and then seen in real life. Quite the opposite of what I hoped for in a relationship.

But I enjoyed his friendship, and we talked every night that summer. With just a couple weeks left before classes resumed in the fall, our conversation reached a head when he asked me, "Why aren't we dating?"

Oof! What's an immature 19-year-old kid with a grand total of one official boyfriend ever supposed to say to that? I wanted a boyfriend. And I really liked this guy. He didn't hold a candle to guys in the novels I read, so that's why I dug into depths of my mind and pulled out the best fairy-tale line I could come up with. "You're not the man of my dreams." (Feel free to laugh or groan here. Either is appropriate.)

He promptly told me that I wasn't the woman of his dreams either, and our friendship crumbled pretty fast after that.

So, was I missing some tact? Absolutely. Do I wish that I'd said something kinder? Yup. Did romance novels rescue me from a whole lot of heartache? You betcha! More than 10 years later, there's nothing I regret about not dating that guy. While I'm all for realistic expectations in a relationship, I'm also for not settling for less than God's best.

I still read them. And I'm going to keep writing them. Because I believe that good novels not only offer an escape, they also give us hope for the best that God has for each of us. Life's not easy--but good romances rarely portray it that way, anyway.

What have romance novels done for you lately?

Who's Your Family?

2011-07-21T06:16:00.002-04:00

Family.

We all have them. And they are all so different.

I have been blessed with an amazing family.

This is my dad with me and my siblings on his back...a long time ago LOL. My parents just left yesterday after coming out for almost a week to free me to work on edits for two August 1st deadlines. They sent me flowers ahead of time to thank me for letting them come!

Did I mention I'm blessed?

But not everybody is so fortunate. They didn't grow up with loving parents in a secure home. They didn't receive hugs freely as a kid to have them to give to their kids. They didn't hear that they were treasured by God from an early age.

Experiencing that marked me. It made me the woman I am today.

Not hearing or experiencing that is just as scarring. It makes people who they are.

So think about your characters...what's their family like? Are their parents married? Divorced? Were they an only child or surrounded by siblings? Did their family have money? Were things hand to mouth? Did they grow up in a family with parents who led them to God? Or did their parents give them a warped image of God? Those questions matter because the answers change how they will respond to the life and challenges you're giving them today.

So what about you? Was your family more functional...or dysfunctional?

Suspense in New York City --RWA 2011!

2011-07-20T00:01:00.001-04:00

By Debby Giusti
Three weeks ago at the Romance Writers of America Conference in New York City, I had the pleasure of attending “Up All Night,” a workshop with my favorite suspense authors Harlan Coben and Lisa Jackson. Coben shared aspects of his writing life with tongue-in-cheek humor that kept me smiling. “Part of my job,” he said deadpan, “is to convince my wife that I have one.”

Talking about suspense stories, Coben said he doesn’t “do murder.” Instead he prefers disappearances because there’s always hope. When and if that hope is dashed, the characters—and thus readers—experience gut-wrenching pain.

Jackson writes a 35 to 75 page synopsis, which she calls the “bare bones skeleton of the plot,” before she starts a book. Harlan doesn’t outline and, at the onset, only knows the beginning and where the story is apt to end up.

Calling herself a “fat writer” because she's wordy, Jackson admits she can’t spell and doesn’t have a big vocabulary, but she is a storyteller.

Coben says fear motivates writers. If you’re comfortable with your work, you’re dead. To be a real writer, you need "perspiration, inspiration and desperation."

“Don’t let anything get in the way of writing,” Coben challenges. Not even research, which he calls an excuse for not writing. “I’m always trying to look at things at a different angle and do the unexpected that fits.” More advice from Cohen: “Never chase the dollar, chase the reader’s heart.”

"The best way to improve,” according to Jackson, “is to write the next book.” She revises as she writes in what she calls a two-steps forward, one-step back fashion. After typing The End, she sends the manuscript to her sister, also an author, who tells her what works and what doesn’t.

Coben uses a forward-back pattern, as well. He writes 75 pages and then edits his work. At the end, he reads the entire manuscript out loud!

To learn more about my conference experience visit http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/ today, July 20. I'm giving away a copy of THE OFFICER'S SECRET, the first book in my Military Investigations series, and THE OFFICER'S SECRET T-shirt, featuring my Prayer for Our Military. Size XL, it's perfect for a pool cover-up or nightshirt.

Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
http://www.debbygiusti.com/

Messy!

2011-07-18T11:32:00.003-04:00

I've had it! I can't walk in my office! I'm cleaning!

Ack!

So, over the Fourth of July, my family (extended, we're talking nephew, grandpa, grandpa, brother in law, sister in law, dog in law - well you get the picture) and I go camping in beautiful Greer, Arizona. (Yes, we went after the fire, which meant we had quads we couldn't ride, fishing poles we couldn't bait, etc).

When I came home, the bookcase in my office had finally given in to pressure. More than 500 books had tumbled to the floor.

My husband just shook his head and said, "Time to get rid of some of them."

He's right.

So, now I'm doing major cleaning. Not just of books (Should I get rid of the books Candy Stripers that I read when I was fifteen?) (And, no, I'm not talling you how long ago that was!)

Since I'm on a tangeant, I'm also getting rid of papers and do-dads. I'm getting rid of homework from the 1980's (boy has my grammar improved). I'm getting rid of cover flats from the 1990's (boy I've got thousands of cover flats. Maybe I should wallpaper?)

Here's the thing, since the books fell and were scattered all over my office, I've been having trouble writing. I think I've figured it out. I'm blocked by all this clutter.

Hmmm, you know, I've not used the exercise bike in years... should I get rid of it?

Her Guardian Interview

2011-07-17T01:31:00.000-04:00

Today we're welcoming JULIA, the heroine of HER GUARDIAN by Sharon Dunn due out in July 2011.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

When I was 13 I was kidnapped by the cult leader Elijah True. I escaped when I was 20. It’s been two years now and Elijah’s trial is one month away. Elijah is in jail, but the cult members are very loyal and will stop at nothing to make sure I don’t make it into that courtroom. My father has hired a bodyguard, Gavin Shane, and we will hide out in a safe place until the trial.

2. So, during the book you met Gavin. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

He wasn’t what I expected for a bodyguard. I mean he has the build of a bodyguard broad shoulders, lots of muscle, but he kind of looks like he just stepped off the beach with his sun bleached hair and tan. I guess he just moved back to Montana from Florida. Something happened in Florida that he doesn’t want to talk about.

Also, I don’t know how to describe it but since we have been together, it’s like my load is lighter, like he carries some of the burden of worry and always having to look over your shoulder.

I don’t know if he even notices me in a romantic sense. I missed out on a lot of things when I was held captive: learning to drive a car, graduation, prom and dating. I’m twenty two years old and I have never been on a date. Honestly, I am kind of clumsy when it comes to making small talk with a man. I don’t know how to read the signals of attraction. I do think there is something between us, something more than a professional relationship.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

Gavin says that he has been impressed with my ability to think on my feet and my survival instinct. I suppose that is true. All those years in the cult, I learned how to stay alive.

My greatest weakness is that I am tired of being confined. All those years in the cult being watched closely, then two years of staying in my father’s house and now this final month in a safe house. Now that the end is in sight, I guess I am restless. It’s like I have gone from one prison to another. I want to feel the sun on my face and go for a walk by myself. It would be heaven just to do something ordinary like sit in a coffee shop and read a book.

4. What scares you?

Elijah’s favorite form of punishment when I tried to escape or questioned his crazy beliefs was confinement. He pushed me into the crawlspace and slid the bolt. It was dark and there was a dirt floor. I could hear the mice moving around in the walls. Small spaces are hard for me, the sound of a door locking or a bolt sliding makes me cringe.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Actually, I have made a change recently that is kind of wild. I have this long blond hair. I’m really easy to spot at a distance because of that. Gavin thought it would be a good idea if I cut my hair and dyed it red for my safety. One of the reasons Elijah took me was he said the blond hair made me look like an angel. Something about changing my hair has been really cathartic, like I’m letting go of that old identity of the kidnapped girl and stepping into the new me, the me God intended before all of this happened.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

My father brought me up with a strong faith and it’s what sustained me during my captivity. I saw the way Elijah distorted scripture and borrowed from other religions to suit his needs. And all those times I was locked into a small space, I prayed. Jesus was in there with me. I am not saying it was easy, but what Elijah intended to use to break my will I used to increase my faith.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

So much was taken from me because of the captivity, just those ordinary things that everyone takes for granted. I will say that God truly can restore what the locusts have eaten. But the way he restores is always a surprise.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.

Guess I kind of hinted at that verse in the previous question. Joel 2:25 is the verse about how God restores. I think for anyone who has suffered loss or felt cheated by life in some way that is a good verse to cling to. But you can’t force God’s hand and dictate to him what you want the restoration to look like.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

My life has been so complicated, so out of the ordinary. What I

Really long for is normal. So I don’t think I would want to be a fancy dessert. I think I would like to be an ordinary dessert like an oatmeal or chocolate chip cookie.

FEATURED BOOK: HER GUARDIAN BY SHARON DUNN

2011-07-16T04:58:00.001-04:00

Julia Randel was thirteen when she was kidnapped by a cult leader.It took her seven years to escape. Two years later her captor's trial is about to begin—and so are threats from his loyal followers. Julia is relieved when her father hires bodyguard Gavin Shane, but she's furious when he rushes her to a safe house. After years under lock and key, she doesn't want to be forced into hiding again. But with cultists seeking to stop Julia's testimony at any cost, it'll take both Julia and her determined protector to set her free for a new life—and new love.

Anniversary Present by Leann Harris

2011-07-14T01:15:00.002-04:00

For our last anniversary, my hubby and I bought an iPad to celebrate the day. Well, several days after, I had to go to Houston and left the iPad with the husband. He's doing all sorts of neat things with it. He even drove to where I am and brought along the iPad to show me what wonderful things it can do. Several days ago, he called and told me he download one of Marty Perry's books. Great, but the iPad is in Dallas. I can't wait to read the book, but it will have to wait until I get home.

Technology is great, but you have to be in the same city to appreciate it.

What do you mean, it's wrong?

2011-07-13T09:34:00.000-04:00

Have you ever registered for some blog or board or such and they ask you to write in the numbers and letters in that little box?
You did, right? Well, more often than not, they, (those big 'they's' out there) keep telling me I'm wrong. It just happened this morning as I tried to join the Kindle publishing board. After all, I have 8 books available on Kindle. And I should be able to successfully register on something out there.
Sure my fingers are dyslexic sometimes but if I slow down, peer hard and carefully craft the letters and numbers, I expect the same respect back from that big machine in cyber space.
It doesn't respond in kind.
So I try again. I'm wrong again. I try listening to it, and if that actually works, I still get it wrong.
By this time, I'm usually ready to pound out "#@^$^&##^$#&(&^" or something equally rude, but I restrain myself and only scream at the computer, which often brings my daughter running.
Oh, no, she's not looking out for my welfare. She's come to laugh at me. Like that big machine in cyber space is doing.
"Hee hee, let's see how mad we can make Barbara!" I can still hear them. (user friendly is such an oxymoron)
Then I calm down, remember that God is probably telling me to get off the computer and do something else.
Sometimes I listen. Sometimes I dig my heels in. Most often I am not that successful.
But I do win.
I put the computer on defrag. It's like pushups for computer disobedience.
It's stupid, goofy, and useless, but it makes me feel better.

Story Ideas are Everywhere!

2011-07-12T02:09:00.004-04:00

When people find out I write books, they have a tendency to respond in one of two ways. Either they ask “Where do you get your ideas?” Or, they say, “Boy, have I got juicy stories for you!”

If they offer personal stories sure to earn me all kinds of awards, I graciously thank them, but suggest they write the story themselves. Why? Because no one can tell your story as well as you can.

On the other hand, when someone asks, “Where do you get your ideas?” My answer is…everywhere. I sign onto AOL in the morning and there are a dozen story ideas waiting for me. I get inspiration from television programs, Facebook messages, a Santa Claus gnome suddenly appearing in my front yard, in July – true story. I also get ideas while I’m on my walk, inspired by brilliant colors of flowers in bloom.

For me, it’s the “why game” that turns a random news story into a full-length book. For instance, a few years ago a reporter covered a story about a woman who went missing on a ferry. She boarded the ferry in downtown Seattle and never got off on Bainbridge Island. They found her car on the ferry, her purse, her keys, etc. Where did she go? Since I’m into happily-ever-afters I decided she needed to escape to start a new life, a better life. But why? What was she running from? Did she feel she had no other options?

Game on! How would you write this one?

Quirks: Does Your Character Have Them?

2011-07-11T06:12:00.001-04:00

We all have quirks.

One of mine is that I love traditions. So every July 4th week, I know I'll be dragging my kids to a blueberry farm at least once so we fill our fridge and hopefully our freezer with fresh blueberries. This year we went twice in three days -- so far. But my breakfast of choice is homemade oatmeal with blueberries on top. Every day. Of the year. Over and over. Quirk.

In my novel Stars in the Night, the heroine Audra has a charm bracelet that she plays with when nervous. In A Promise Forged, the heroine Kat is a ballplayer with the inaugural All American Girls Professional Baseball League in 1942, so she borrow a quirk from my grandpa and is constantly running a baseball through her fingers.

In real life, I have a friend who always has a long-sleeved sweater on, no matter that it's 90+ degrees outside. I have another friend who keeps a running to-do list on a clipboard with sheets of notes -- in what appears to be random order. But she's one of the most organized people I know -- even if I could never make her system work.

Think about the people you know...most of them will have some unique quirk. Does she pluck their eyebrows out compulsively? Does she always wear big necklaces in layers? Does he always have a Swiss Army knife that he has to mail back every time he hits an airport?

These are the details that make people unique. They also serve as tells. "She must be nervous because she's doing X..." Your characters need these, too.

So what's the best quirk you've read in a character or given a character? And what's the best quirk you've seen in real life? I can't wait to see your answers!

Dead Reckoning Interview

2011-07-10T01:07:00.000-04:00

Today we're welcoming Ginny McCutcheon, the heroine of Dead Reckoning by Rachelle McCalla, July 2011.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

As an acrobatic flier, I’m used to living life on the edge and risking my life every time I climb into the cockpit. But lately, I’ve been in more danger than usual. I’ve been shot at—twice. My plane engine was tinkered with. One of my friends was horribly injured when she was flying my plane. If I didn’t know better, I’d think someone was trying to kill me.

2. So, during the book you met Ben McAlister. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

Okay, don’t tell anybody this, but Ben McAlister has always been my hero. Not only is he an Air Force veteran who’s bravely flown many missions, but he’s also a super-swell guy. I even ‘borrowed’ his last name for my flying moniker—which nobody is supposed to know about, which is why I’m doubly upset that Ben figured out that Ginger McAlister is really just little old me, Ginny McCutcheon from down the road.

Love? Who said anything about love? Look Girlfriend, I’ve got a lot of planes to fly before I settle down with anybody.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

I’m just about the best stunt pilot with two wings—or I was, before all these attempts on my life started giving me panic attacks. Just don’t tell anyone about the panic attacks, okay? I wouldn’t want anyone to think I’m not fit to fly any more.

4. What scares you?

You mean, besides the constant threat of death around every turn? Ben McAlister scares me. Somehow, he managed to convince me to come back to Holyoake, Iowa. If he has that much influence over me, well, I don’t dare spend any more time around him than I have to.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Nine years ago, when my dad was diagnosed with cancer, I was supposed to help take care of him. I tried. Really I did. But I couldn’t handle watching him get weaker and weaker. As soon as I graduated from high school, I ran off and joined the Dare Divas Stunt Flying Troupe. And I’ve been running ever since.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

I’m mad at God, because I prayed and prayed that God would cure my father’s cancer. Sure, Dad beat cancer twice, but it kept coming back, and he died. What did I do wrong? Was my faith not strong enough? I just can’t trust God since he took my dad away.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

After everything I’ve been through and the way god has answered my prayers, I’ve realized that God really does love me. He really does care. Yes, my dad died and bad things happen, but that doesn’t mean God doesn’t love us.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.

Matthew 18:12-14

What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

When I had wandered away from my faith, God sent Ben to come and find me. He brought me home to Holyoake and helped me realize how much God loves me. Along the way, I fell in love with Ben, too. Isn’t it amazing how God works sometimes?

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

I’d be red velvet cake. With my bright red hair and stunt flying career, I might look a little different from other girls, but at the heart I’m really just like any other cake.

FEATURED BOOK: DEAD RECKONING BY RACHELLE MCCALLA

2011-07-09T05:28:00.000-04:00

Risky maneuvers are no novelty for stunt pilot Ginny McCutcheon…until danger follows her to the ground. Someone's targeting Ginny—and former air force pilot Ben McAlister won't rest until he finds the culprit. He'll stay glued to Ginny's side until she's safe, whether the stubborn beauty accepts him there or not.Ginny tries to resent Ben's protectiveness—and instead finds herself falling for the man whose fierce determination so perfectly matches hers. But trusting Ben means going home, something she can't bear to do. Until someone gets very close to grounding her—and Ben—forever.

The Black Moment by Lisa Mondello

2011-07-08T21:57:00.002-04:00

As a reader, the black moment is the point of the story that always has me glued to the story. It doesn't matter if I have to cook dinner (I read while I'm cooking) or pick up the kids from school or work (warning, I may be late) or have to work on my book. (Okay, I do tear myself away to get pages written.)

It's the point where the story picks up "speed" because all seems lost, I'm sure the hero and heroine aren't going to get together and they can't resolve their problems, and I can't wait to find out how they actually do!

As a writer, I hate the black moment. I do. I become fully invested in my characters as I write them. Usually by the time I get to that big moment, I care so much about them that I...don't want to hurt them. I don't want to put them through pain or have their heart ripped out. I'm a nice person and I want to be nice to them.

But that's no good. And I know this in my head and need to convince my heart to go along with it every time I write the black moment in a book. In real life, we hate seeing people we care about struggle and suffer. In fiction, it's perfection. The more torture we inflict on them, the better the payoff is. Don't you think?

What's your opinion? Nice black moment? Or put the characters through torture? I vote for torture. It's the only way that makes fiction grab me by the throat and keep me reading until the end.

Until next time, many blessings, Lisa Mondello

Life's Left Turns

2011-07-07T00:06:00.000-04:00

Hi, Ramona here, and while so many of my fellow LIS writers were off gallivanting around NYC at the conference, I was moving. Again.

I moved last summer, when I sold my house. It was a nice but temporary place, and I hope this one will last longer. But…ya never know.

Because I do know that God is not only a God of U-turns and second chances, He’s the God of LEFT turns, those abrupt changes in your life that hit like a two-by-four across the nose. Sometimes I think my life has been made up of them.

This is a shot of my grammar school orchestra. I’m the flute player with the glasses. Yeah…geeky, I know. But it was the late 60s and you didn’t get cool until at least high school. For seven years, I planned to become the next great flautist. By the time I hit my senior year, I had a high-end flute, acceptance into a university music program, and a serious crush on James Galway.

Then one day I hit a wall. One day. Wall. Within 30 minutes I went from music to mass communications. Then to lost…because I had no idea what I wanted to do.

For more than a year, I just wandered, lost in my own life. Now I know it was part of God’s forging me through a left turn. Then it was just scary. Eventually, I learned that life is full of those sudden left turns. Love, loss. Marriage, divorce. Hired, fired. Children, who never turn out the way you expect. Faith that gets questioned and tested.

Only in hindsight did I see that all those turns were part of God’s plan; that He was always in charge of my life’s direction. Let’s just hope I can remember it the next time a left turn comes around.

So, what was your last unexpected left turn?

Tired, driven and happy--Lenora Worth :)

2011-07-06T13:10:00.003-04:00

I'm just back from a long road trip to RWA in NY. My husband and I love these long trips. We meander and explore on the way to our main event (which usually is a conference for me!). Along the way, I take notes on places and sights, thinking I might use what I see in a book one day. I love to play the "what if" game while we're on the road.

We stayed in some strange hotels--which always makes me think of "The Shining". Not that they were big and spooky, but some had smelly hallways and lamps that seemed to have a mind of their own. Bathrooms are always interesting along the drive. I could write a book on the best and worst public bathrooms along our Interstate highways!

People are fun to watch, too. I eavesdrop on conversations in restaurants and hotel lobbies, hoping to get an idea or two. I'm alway more observant about these things than my adorable husband. I'll lean close and say "Did you notice that couple in the corner?" To which he will reply "Where?" He doesn't have a clue. But he is good with a GPS and a map!

New York, of course, was full of interesting characters. From the sidewalk vendors to the street preachers and the Nekked cowboy and girl!!!! strange characters seemed to roam in packs around Times Square. But I also saw good, sweet people who had the spirit of humanity in their smiles. People just trying to get by and make a living. My husband is good about conversing with people who help us. I listen and see the smiles on their faces even when they are tired and weary.

That's the beauty of a great road trip--people, places, times, views, weather, sights, sounds, smells, taste (the food is always a pleasure) and touch. It's what our stories are all about. There is danger and intrigue out there in the big old world. But there is also beauty and mystery.

I love being a writer!!!

New York!

2011-07-05T20:10:00.004-04:00

The national RWA conference was in New York this summer, and it was a blast! My daughter Emily and our usual roomies enjoyed our room on the 40th floor of the Marriott Marquis, where we could see the dazzling lights of Times Square. The RWA Board did a wonderful job of picking the conference site! Wonderful restaurants, Broadway shows all around...such fun. We even got to see all of the premiere hoopla in Times Square, in celebration of the release of the new Transformer's movie.

Horse lover that I am, I just loved seeing all of the beautiful police horses on patrol around Time Square. The cop in this picture was giving her horse his "break"--and though she is seen here tying him to a scaffolding that would be no match for a powerful horse heading in reverse, she actually bow-tied a little leather shoelace around the pipe, then looped the reins through that--a nifty quick-release set-up in case he spooked.

The horses pulling carriages for hire around Central Park and Times Square were beautiful, too--sleek, fat and healthy looking, their white carriages so festive set against all the bright neon lights.

But the conference week was more that just the dazzling lights, crowds and wonderful restaurants. The workshops, and all of the industry buzz in the hallways, left me re-charged and excited about getting back to work!

What are some of your favorite places to visit? What vacations have been your most memorable?

Wishing you a wonderful summer,
Roxanne Rustand
www.roxannerustand.com
Home at Blackberry Hill, 7/2011

Virtual Book Tour

2011-07-04T23:31:00.001-04:00

Hi, Terri Reed here and I'm doing something I've never done before.  A Virtual Book Tour.  Below are the dates and the name of the blogs I'll be visiting. If you have a moment to stop by I would so appreciate it. I'll be giving away a $25 Visa gift card to one randomly drawn commenter.

Have a Happy and Safe Fourth of July!

The Innocent Witness Interview

2011-07-03T01:00:00.000-04:00

Today we're welcoming, Vivian Leigh Grant from THE INNOCENT WITNESS by Terri Reed a July 2011 release.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

I’m the wife of a senator who has

recently declared his intent to run for the presidency. I have one child whom I love dearly and would move heaven and earth to protect, which is what set my son, Mikey, and me on the run for our lives. I found my estranged husband murdered and my son was the only witness to the crime. Now the killer wants us both dead.

2. So, during the book you met Anthony Car

lucci. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

Anthony is a ex-Secret Service agent turned bodyguard hired by my father to protect Mikey

and me. I have to be honest and

say I didn’t think too much of Anthony at first. I thought he’d led the bad guys to us and I doubted his skill to keep us alive. But he risked his life over and over again to protect us both and somewhere along the way I realized I’d fa

llen in love with my bodyguard. I really had n

o intention of ever going down that path again, but God had o

ther plans when he brought Anthony into my life.

2. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness? My strength and my weakness is my love for my son

4. What scares you? The thought of anything h

appening to Mikey.

5. If you could change one thing

about yourself, what would it be?

I would be bolder. I allowed too many people to dictate my life.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story? I’ve had to rely on my strength to help me with my lovel

ess marriage and with my son’s autism. Without God’s mercy and grace I don’t think I could have coped.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story? When all was said and done, my faith was stronger because I had to really trust in the Lord in a way I’ve never had to before. I had to give up any semblance of control and put all my faith in God.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.

Psalms 46:1 reminds me that no matter what this world throws at me, God is my refuge and my strength.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why? I would be Crème Brule. The outside is hard and pretty b

ut inside is a soft center that is very pleasing.

Look for more interesting facts about The Innocent Witness

FEATURED BOOK: THE INNOCENT WITNESS BY TERRI REED

2011-07-02T04:56:00.000-04:00

Faith sustained Vivian Grant through her horrible childhood and loveless marriage, but how much more can she take? Her husband has been killed. Her autistic son is the only witness. And someone is twisting the evidence to place the blame on her. Viv has no one to trust—and danger is closing in.A failed protection detail cost former Secret Service agent Anthony Carlucci his job—and his self-confidence. He's not going to fail anyone under his care again. Anthony will risk anything to keep Viv and her son safe…including his heart.

Moral Premise?

2011-06-30T08:14:00.000-04:00

Right now I'm reading a book called the Moral Premise. The author Stanley D. Williams will teach the Early Bird at ACFW in September, and like any good hyper student, I wanted to get a head start on preparing. The Moral Premise reveals the foundational concept at the heart of all storytelling and successful box office movies. In concrete terms it explains how you can create your own success and, in the process, entertain, delight, challenge, and uplift this generation and the ones to come.

Hmmm, that's a lot to offer in one little book!

But as I think more about it, I think the author is on to something. Don't we all want to read books that challenge us to live better lives? That illustrate good v. evil? That show hope and redemption at the end?

One reason I write Christian fiction is my firm belief that if God is with us, which He promises He is, then no matter how bad things seem, there is always hope. And as the movie says, Hope Floats to the surface. Sometimes it just takes longer than other times.

In a nutshell, the premise of the Moral Premise seems to be that a movie or book that will resonate with its audience is one that illustrates the dichotimies of life. Illustrates the differences between choosing well and choosing evil.

The one John Grisham novel I wanted to throw against the wall had Goliath winning rather than David. I don't know about you, but in the books I read and write, I want hope to prevail...after the long, dark night.

New York, New York!

2011-06-29T00:01:00.003-04:00

by Debby Giusti

Today is the official opening of the Romance Writers of American Conference in New York City. I arrived Sunday and spent Monday seeing the sights.

Yesterday, I stopped by the Love Inspired office on Broadway to say hello to the editors and look around at where all the books come together. The building was featured on the TV show, Ugly Betty. It's actually the old Woolworth's Building and fun to visit...right across from the Brooklyn Bridge. Everyone was so nice and it was a fun morning.

Tuesday afternoon was the Faith, Hope and Love meeting, followed by the booksigning for Literacy. I'm sure I saw a lot of you there. Such a good cause and exciting event.

Today we're getting down to business. So much to see and learn. Wave when we pass in the hallways. Expect a hug! Give me a shout out on Twitter or Facebook. Enjoy every moment.

Didn't come to RWA this year? Start making plans for next year...or the ACFW conference in September...or the Georgia Moonlight and Magnolia's Conference in OCT. Hope to see you soon.

Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti

Summer Movies!

2011-06-28T11:50:00.002-04:00

So many movies, so little time. I seem to be saying that a lot lately. Besides reading, hiking and herding the cats, going to the movies is one of my favorite adventures. I buy a small bag of popcorn, bottle of water, find my favorite spot in the first row of the second tier so I can put my feet up on the metal bar, and wait for the theatre to go dark.

So far this summer I’ve seen X-Men: First Class, Midnight in Paris and Super 8. The performances in the lead roles of X-Men: First Class were superb (James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender) and I always find that franchise’s message fascinating –do we embrace people who are different than us or fear them? Midnight in Paris was a surprisingly lovely film, clever, creative and inspirational, especially for artists.

I love films that inspire. A few of my favorites include Dave, Monsters Inc., The Kid, Remember the Titans and The King’s Speech (there is a PG 13 version, fyi).
What about you? Have you seen any movies that have inspired you? Do share!

Romance Novel Cover Cakes

2011-06-27T00:48:00.004-04:00

A few weeks ago, the Internet was abuzz about the Food Network's Romance Novel Cover Cake Contest. Yes, I was interested, but I never get to watch TV. Not really. Today I've watched some sort of alligator hunt (hubby's choice) and I've watched Star Wars: The Clone Wars, not sure which episode(son's choice).

So, now apparently the episode's aired but I can't find any cake pictures or the winner. Anyone watch this show? And what happened?

Here's the only romance cover cake I could find. I actually like it. My suspense author mind wants to hide something in it... or have it stolen... or maybe one piece will be deadly. But that's just my suspense author mind.

So, what happened during the contest?

Are we getting a little soft?

2011-06-24T01:10:00.000-04:00

Did you ever get the feeling that we’re getting a little lazy as a society? Hi, all. Dana Mentink here. I recently thumbed through a catalogue and two products caught my eye. The first is a little device that stirs your pot for you with these magical little feet. Handy no? We all know how exhausting stirring that pot of marinara can be. The other item is a nifty underwear type garment which heats up so you can give your buns a sauna treatment without leaving your home. No joke. Apparently these Sauna Pants will induce sweating and hence, weight loss, around those pesky problem areas.

Perhaps these items struck me particularly, because I’ve been researching the California gold rush era. People risked illness, accident and all manner of catastrophe getting to the gold fields via perilous routes through Panama, around Cape Horn or via treacherous overland trails. Many arrived to find horrendous living conditions in mining camps, discrimination, back breaking labor and lawlessness before they found so much as a flake of gold. A hard life, with no guarantee of survival, let alone profit. These pioneers stirred their own pots and lost weight the old fashioned way. I’m going to remember these rugged ancestors next time I spill my latte or complain that my computer is too slow. Just put on your big girl sauna pants and deal with it, Dana!

New Ways by Leann Harris

2011-06-23T15:26:00.002-04:00

Sorry, guys, I know I loaded this blog and when I check this afternoon after I took my mother to the doctor--nothing. It disappear without a trace. Kind of appropriate for this blog.

I am away from home as I write this. I’m in Houston at my mom’s. A good friend lives here. She is my best ‘what if’ partner. When I started writing straight romance and could no longer rely on a murder and solving the mystery to drive my stories, so I had to come up with a new way to plot. My friend, Sharon, showed me another way to plot. Heroes & Heroines—16 Master Archetypes by Tammy Cowden.

A little light went off in my brain. Use the h/h to generate a plot. It is a fabulous book. It aided what I already knew and once I knew who my hero and heroine were, I used that book to fill out their personalities--giving them challenges and obstacles instead of solving the mystery. Those archetype are good frames to build my characters and story. Once I had the frame, my characters let me know who they were. I think I grew as author and it is a great writers resource.

Lazy days of summer??????

2011-06-22T08:07:00.004-04:00

Okay, last year had some lazy days of summer. I remember that we had long breakfasts on the deck, and leisurely afternoons reading...
Not this year. Ugh!
Apart from all the other usual summer happenings, like camping, Vacation Bible School and church duties, this year, we're having a wedding in our backyard.
Oh, how nice, you say? All right, okay, it is nice.
But the prep work this summer will kill my husband and I, I swear. We've planted sunflowers to bob and nod in front of the vegetable garden. I'm coaxing sweet peas to climb a trellis, and discouraging weeds from growing in all of the gardens. Part of the front lawn was chewed up last fall when we had geothermal installed.
The rest of the lawn needs mowing every four days and hubby wants all the dandelions out of the driveway. We have cats tearing up our front flower beds, so they will need to be replanted.
That's just outside. We have special menu items to prepare, above and beyond what the caterer is supplying and there will also be a shower here next month. My daughter has cacti growing all over my living room for the wedding. It's part of her theme. Did I tell you my daughter loves this house and wants all the events to take place here?
Oh, one more thing. I want to drop ten pounds but I'm a stress eater.
Lazy days of summer? I think not
This takes me back to one old hymn. One Day at a Time, Sweet Jesus.
That's what I have to do. Take it one day at a time.
Ever had a summer like this? What did you do to survive it?

RWA - here we come!

2011-06-20T09:32:00.003-04:00

The RWA conference is just around the corner. Like next week. A week from today I will fly to New York where I will meet up a BUNCH of other authors and we will attend classes designed to enable us to learn more about our craft, some of us will teach, and we will laugh--a lot. I've never been to an RWA conference, so I'm so excited to be going to this one. Be sure to check back for updates and pictures. It's probably going to be one of the fastest weeks of my life. The schedule is crazy busy, but packed with good info and fun. Kit Wilkinson and I are part of a panel talking about the advantages of entering contests as a step to publication. And then I'm looking forward to Michael Hauge's classes on June 30th, then the Harlequin black and white ball at the Waldoff Asoria that night.

So, can we get a head count? Who will be there and who's teaching what?

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Have a great Monday!

FEATURED BOOK: OUT OF TIME BY SHIRLEE MCCOY

2011-06-18T10:33:00.002-04:00

Someone plans to disrupt the 175th anniversary celebration of the Battle of the Alamo—and it's Alamo Ranger Susannah Jorgenson's job to stop the culprit. But that means partnering with Levi McDonall, who skipped town years ago with her heart. Levi's now a Texas Ranger, sworn to protect her at any cost, but Susannah knows she'll pay the price if she falls for him again. She has to stay focused on their goals—to eliminate the threat and solve the murder of Levi's captain. But an unknown killer is watching…ready to eliminate them.

Editor/Agent Appointments...by Lisa Mondello

2011-06-17T10:38:00.003-04:00

Hello from Lisa Mondello. Fairly soon 2000 authors will be heading to NYC to attend the Romance Writer's Conference. One of the most important aspect of the conference for those attendees who have a completed manuscript is the editor/agent appointments. Editor/agent appointments give an author 8 minutes of one-on-one time in front of an agent or editor to pitch their story in the hopes of having that editor or agent request it for a read.

Sounds simple. But if you've ever sat in a room full of nervous authors waiting for their turn, you'll soon learn it's anything but simple. For some, a lot rides on that initial meeting. It's not enough to just send in a query or proposal to the slush pile. Being able to write on that envelope that the material is "requested" hopefully gives that author the chance at a quicker read. Not always. But sometimes. Since it can sometimes take an editor a year or more to read through a manuscript, every little bit of time shaved off that wait is important.

What does an editor/agent appointment do?

*Gives you the opportunity to meet face to face with a professional in the industry that you may one day be working with.
*Gives you a chance to see the reaction from an editor or agent when you pitch your story. This isn't always a big deal since the ultimate test is the manuscript itself. But you can tell if the story idea has some weight by their reaction.
*Gives you a chance to see if you have a rapport with the editor or agent. This is especially true for working with an agent you may be working with down the road. You want to be able to have a good rapport in order to work together on your career.
*Gives you the opportunity to ask questions of the editor/agent about what they're looking for and what they are not interested in. This is always good for future manuscripts.

What an editor/agent appointment does NOT do?

*It does not guarantee a sale. Only the merits of the manuscript, the market conditions and the number of slots the publisher has to fill can dictate that. And even then it sometimes feels like you're climbing a slippery slope.

Things to consider...

If you are unpublished in romantic fiction, make sure you have a full manuscript finished, polished and ready to send out when you get that request. You want to strike while the iron is hot!

Also, if you're on the fence about whether to take an appointment or not. Do it! You never know what will come out of an appointment. I know several authors who sold their manuscripts as a result of meeting with an editor. And one author was not going to take the appointment but was talked into it by a friend. I personally received my first Avalon Books contract offer DURING an editor appointment. The editor already had the manuscript on her desk, but since it had only been there for 2 months I didn't think there was any reason to meet with her. I was wrong because that editor knew I'd be at that particular conference (I'd told her in the cover letter with the manuscript) and wanted to see my face when she offered me the contract.

Editor and agent appointments are never a waste of time, even if they don't pan out the way you originally intended. You never know where that editor or agent is going to be in 3 or 4 years or how that meeting will impact your career down the line.

Good luck and many blessings, Lisa Mondello

http://lisamondello.blogspot.com

To Jump with Joy

2011-06-16T02:21:00.011-04:00

Ramona here, and maybe it’s because of where and when I was born, but I have an unabated love for redneck boys and their toys. AKA muscle cars, heavy metal American. I learned to drive in a 1964 Impala (white with red interior), and I cried when my dad traded it for a driveway.

My own first car was a 1973 Dodge Duster, which I drove for six years. Not particularly powerful, but that little 6 cylinder went airborne a couple of times.

You know that roaring sound cars on TV make when they leap into the air? They really do sound like that when all four tires leave the ground. Ahem.

So when I needed a particular muscle car for my new book (working title: Murder in Progress), I narrowed it down to either a 1968 Pontiac GTO or a 1969 Dodge Charger. I asked my FB folks to vote, and the GTO won, no contest. Sorry, Bo.
The car had to be orange. The front seat had to be wide-spread buckets. The back seat needed to be roomy, as did the front passenger floorboard. And in the first chapter, you get to “hear” that delightful roar.
But you’ll have to read the book to find out why.

More later. Promise.

Wonderful Spring!

2011-06-14T12:48:00.002-04:00

Spring in the Pacific Northwest is amazing. Flowers are blooming, the sun pops out, and the weather is better than perfect!

What I enjoy most about Spring is that if feels like a rebirth of sorts, so I use this opportunity to set some goals for the next three months. Why just set goals on New Year’s Day?

So I’ll sit down with my notebook and jot down some things I want to do from now until mid September. I have writing projects on the list, plus health goals, and spending quality time with family and friends. So far my list includes: entertaining out of town guests, walking 4 days a week, finishing my current YA book and another Love Inspired Suspense.

It seems like when I set these three-month goals I get more accomplished, so I’m challenging you to set some goals of your own. What fun and productive things can you do for yourself this summer? Take a vacation? Volunteer at a new non-profit? Finish cleaning out that “scary” closet in the basement?

Let’s challenge each other to accomplish great things this summer!

Behind the Badge Interview

2011-06-12T01:49:00.001-04:00

Today we're welcoming RUSS MORGAN, the hero of BEHIND THE BADGE, SUSAN SLEEMAN, JUNE- 2011. Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense. I was just minding my own business on my way home from a really long day as the police chief for Logan Lake, Oregon when a call comes over the radio of shots fired just down the road from me. I was tired and little bit cranky if you want to know the truth, but I figured I should stop and see what was going on. Then I find rookie Deputy Sydney Tucker pinned down by a killer and she’s left her weapon in the car. In the car for crying out loud. What a rookie mistake. I had to rescue her and don’t you know when I saw her I started remembering how much I was attracted to her in high school. So when this killer keeps coming after her, I have to keep her in my sight so she doesn’t pull another rookie mistake and get herself killed.

2. So, during the book you met SYDNEY TUCKER. Tell us a bit about her. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love? Like I said above, I knew Sydney back in high school. She as a real beauty and when she asked me out back then, I wanted to agree to a date, but she was four years younger than me and it just wouldn’t have been right. So when I spotted her again that night, banged up, but still looking at me with eyes a man can’t ever forget, I remembered all the reasons I was once attracted to her. It took me a long time to know I was in love with her. I had some issues in life to work out before I could really even think about loving her. Then the killer decides to abduct her and as you can probably guess, I figured out how I felt about her real fast.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness? I’m a great police officer. I don’t panic and can think logically even in tough times. I’ll go to the ends of the earth to do my job and uphold the law. I don’t like to talk about weaknesses. That’s kind of a girlie thing to do, but if you must know, I had a time in my past when I drank too much and though it’s in my past, I still have to watch myself.

4. What scares you? Well, if you’d asked me that before I met Sydney, who convinced me I needed to find my way back into my son’s life, I’d have said it sacred me to think my son would never forgive me for letting alcohol get the best of me and become the kind of father I detest. Now though, we’re back together and I guess with my future bride being a sheriff’s deputy, I’m afraid someone might take her out. Of course, I keep teaching her everything I know about being in law enforcement so that should help her stay safe.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Man, I don’t know. Another girlie question if you ask me. But maybe what Sydney says is true. That I always have to be right and she claims I’m not. Maybe I could work on that.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story? Good question. It was there, but you know, I kinda let it slip. Not praying or going to church as often as I should.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

Well, you see, I had to come face-to-face with one of my worst fears. I had to decide between keeping the job that was my whole life and a relationship with Sydney. How do you make a decision like that? I mean, really, how? I couldn’t so I needed to ask God for a little help. Okay, I really had to surrender everything and let him take control of things. You know what? It wasn’t so bad. I mean, it was actually kind of liberating. I didn’t have to worry or keep questioning my life. I could just let go and know God works all things for good if you love Him. Hope other people figured that one out a lot easier than I did.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant. I kinda mentioned that one above, but it’s such a good verse, I’ll give you the whole thing here. Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. I can now look at bad things and know God’s gonna work it out. I may not like how He does it, but I know it’s for my good. Makes bad things easier to take. You know what I mean?

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why? I thought you wanted a man’s perspective on things here. Comparing myself to a dessert is like asking me what kind of purse I want to carry so I’m gonna just skip this one if you don’t mind.

FEATURED BOOK: BEHIND THE BADGE BY SUSAN SLEEMAN

2011-06-11T01:26:00.000-04:00

A killer is threatening the life of rookie cop Sydney Tucker's sister—unless Sydney turns over evidence from a drug bust. But she doesn't have the evidence. Not that the thug believes her. Now she and the sibling in her care are under the watchful eye of Logan Lake police chief Russ Morgan…but will his protection be enough? The killer is closing in, picking off the people and places that mean the most to Sydney. A list that now includes Russ. To protect her loved ones, will she pay the ultimate price—her life?

Some Friday Fun - Less Interesting Books

2011-06-10T08:08:00.003-04:00

Friday is my favorite day of the week! It's ripe with anticipation for the weekend ahead. Somehow the workload in my office feels a little more manageable on Fridays. And sometimes it's even pay day!

So today, I thought we could have a little bit of fun with book titles--actually, less interesting book titles. Maybe like thousands of others, you caught the popular topic on twitter several days ago called Less Interesting Books. The idea behind it was simple: Take a popular book title and tweak it just enough to make the book a whole lot less interesting.

For example, The Great Gatsby becomes The So-So Gatsby. You can't wait to read the first. The second is ... well ... so-so. Here are some of my very favorites that were flying along twitter. Wish I'd come up with some of them!

1. Of Mice
2. Harry Potter and the Order of Takeout
3. Bored of the Flies
4. A Series of Not Too Shabby Events
5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Commerce
6. Love in the Time of Chicken Pox
7. To Somewhat Offend a Mockingbird
8. Minor Discomfort and Casual Resentment in Las Vegas
9. The Grapes of Math
10. There’s Waldo
11. Where the Wild Things Were
12. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Artist Formerly Known as Prince
13. The Call of the Skittish
14. The Second to the Last of the Mohicans
15. Farenheit 72 - the thermostat wars in offices across the country

In all seriousness, all the laughs got me thinking about the importance of book titles. What if Mr. F. Scott Fitzgerald had called his book simply Gatsby or Mark Twain had called his The Story of Huckleberry Finn? Titles have a power to draw readers, engage them from the get-go, and give them a reason to keep reading.

Take, for example, The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. The title might not make readers bat an eye in modern book culture, but when this book debuted in the 1950s, it probably turned a few heads. When I was 8 and reading it for the first time, you can bet that I was way more fascinated in discovering who the witch was than I was interested in reading a book about blue dolphins. Speare's classic is still my all-time favorite book.

Titles tell a story of their own and are much more important than just identifying the story within. Now it's your turn to share! What book titles do you love? Are there any that you felt were misleading or not strong enough for the great book between the covers? What Less Interesting Book titles have you come up with?

When the Storms Blow...

2011-06-09T06:11:00.000-04:00

This week my church loaded a truck with diapers, food, baby food, toiletries, and kids clothing and sent it to Joplin, Missouri. The picture doesn't begin to convey how many boxes are layered in there. I really didn't think it would all fit...but it did!

A pastor from the church we are working with spoke at our church. He and his wife shared stories that would break your heart -- yet gave such hope at the same time. God is on the move.

In storms like this, I think we see who we really are. How strong we really are. What our core values are. What we are fundamentally made of at the core of our existence.

Some people experience a massive tornado -- possibly the most destructive in United States history. But for most of us, the storms are other things. In the last few days a friend had a husband tell her he never loved her and their life together has been a lie. F-5 on the scale of storms. Another friend learned that her cancer returned, this time in her bones. Another F-5 shock. Yet another friend went in for an ultrasound and learned her baby had no heartbeat. An F-5. Another friend learned that she was being asked not to continue on a public project. A F-5.

I'm sure you've had something similar happen. And as writers we have to place our chracters in the middle of life's storms, too. We have to run them through the wringer and see what emerges on the other side. Who they become.

So what do we do personally? And what do our characters do?

Do we lean into Jesus and His promises? Or do we rail against Him and shake our fists at heaven? Do we sink into His loving embrace like my six-month-old curls into mine? Or do we go rigid and turn away?

Praying that whatever the storm in your life, that Jesus would be bigger, present, and still it.

Writers and Natural Disasters

2011-06-08T00:01:00.010-04:00

Debby Giusti here. The news on TV tonight showed fires ravaging Arizona similar to the deadly blazes that burned through Texas earlier in the spring.

Just a few weeks ago, killer tornadoes ripped apart large areas of the Southeast and spread havoc as far north as New England.

Flood waters covered the middle of our country as the Mighty Mississippi overflowed her banks and destroyed farms and crops and homes and businesses across a number of states.

Tragic catastrophes show the fragility of our lives and the often uncontrollable power of nature. Faced with such widespread devastation, even the hardest of hearts often turn to God in supplication.

How can a writer draw inspiration from disasters? What do we learn about the human spirit and the will to live and survive and rebuild and thrive despite horrific obstacles? Can we create fictional characters with the determination and grit we see in our real life heroes who have the courage to go on?

What have you learned from our recent disasters?

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

THE OFFICER'S SECRET, book 1 in my Military Investigations series, is on sale now.

Watch for THE CAPTAIN'S MISSION, book 2, available in October.

Birthdays-How do you celebrate?

2011-06-07T12:50:00.003-04:00

Terri Reed here and yesterday was my birthday. My husband and I went away for the weekend to celebrate my birthday and our anniversary, which was May 28th-we've been married 23 years. We didn't travel far, just up the mountain to Hood River where we stayed at the beautiful, historic Hood River Hotel. It was 1st Friday, which means the town was hopping as all the stores stayed open late and venders and musicians lined the street. We had a wonderful dinner at a Japanese Restaurant and then walked around town. Saturday we went for a hike along Eagle Creek trail. Saw spectacular views, waterfalls and flora. It was as rare sunny day here in Oregon.

Then we danced the night away at a friends party. It was a beautiful weekend. And yesterday my family took me to PF Chang's for dinner.

How do you celebrate your birthday?

Coming in July the first book in my new series, The Innocent Witness.

I Am Eunice

2011-06-06T10:18:00.009-04:00

Pamela Tracy here. If you read this blog yesterday, you'll realize I switched out pictures. This new one is really me playing the role of Eunice.

It’s Vacation Bible School at my church this week. It started last night. I’m playing the part of Eunice, Mary’s busybody neighbor, who always comes over when Mary has friends over – to be nosy, to talk about Mary when she’s not around, and basically to let the crowd know that I’m better than Mary.

It’s actually great fun. I’m wearing a plain gray dress with a tie belt. I have a scarf over my head. I’m wearing sandels. I took off my watch so I’d be in character.

Here’s the only thing I couldn’t do. I couldn’t get my nail polish off. See, I had a wedding a few weeks ago so I tried that new permanent nail polish. Well, it really is permanent. Nail polish remover didn’t so much as take off a nano of a smudge. I either have to go back and let them scrap the polish (and nail topping!) off or I let the nail grow and soon have a nail that is top-part polish, bottom-part fingernail.

This is a problem I’m sure Eunich didn’t have.

Are you having VBS, too? And, what are you or what have you done during VBS?

Pamela Tracy's next book, Once Upon a Cowboy, is not a suspense, nor is there a character named Eunice is it. As a matter of fact, VBS isn't mentioned either, but it's still a good read. It hits the shelves in August.

Protecting Her Own Interview

2011-06-05T01:00:00.003-04:00

Today we're welcoming Cara Madison, the heroine of Protecting Her Own by Margaret Daley, June 2011.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

I am a bodyguard with Guardians, Inc. I have recently returned from an assignment in Africa and have come back to my hometown to help my father recover from having a stroke. But someone isn't happy with my father and has sent him a bomb for his birthday.

2. So, during the book you met Connor Fitzgerald. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

Connor was my high school boyfriend, but it didn't work out for us. We wanted different things in life so we parted. He was back visiting his grandfather when the bomb went off at my dad's house. Since Connor worked for the state police, he was brought into the case and into my life again.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

I know how to protect people very well, but I hold myself apart from others. I'm afraid to get too close to others or give control over to the Lord.

4. What scares you?

Losing control.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I wish I hadn't spent so much of my time trying to prove myself to my father.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

My faith has been strong but after the incident in Africa, leaving a woman dead, I have been questioning my beliefs.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

Without the Lord, I don't know if I would have made it through the attempt on my life. It was His strength I drew on.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

I had to learn to lean on God in a time of trouble. I can't do everything. Sometimes I have to depend on the Lord.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

French silk pie--or anything else with chocolate in it.

FEATURED BOOK: PROTECTING HER OWN BY MARGARET DALEY

2011-06-04T01:25:00.000-04:00

Nothing short of her dad's stroke could bring professional bodyguard Cara Madison back to Virginia. But her homecoming turns explosive with a pipe-bomb package addressed to her father. Cara knows two things for sure. First, someone's after either her father or her…or both. And second, this job is too big to handle on her own. Unexpected help comes from agent Connor Fitzgerald. Years ago she'd walked away from him…and love. Now, despite their unresolved feelings, they must join forces—and settle their scarred past—to survive.

The Hunt For Treasure

2011-06-03T01:10:00.000-04:00

I love stories like this! I’m writing a three book series about a treasure seekers agency so this kind of story trips my trigger.
One man’s dusty old vase, is another man’s wildest dream come true. A brother and sister, cleaning out their uncle’s London bungalow after his death, came across a yellow and blue vase which they stashed precariously on a bookshelf during the packing. When they finally took it to a London auction house they were dumbfounded to learn it was a priceless Chinese vase made for the Qianlong Emperor. They were further floored when the thing fetched a cool 69 million dollars at Bainbridges auction house.

What kind of treasure would you like to discover?

Birthdays and Summer by Leann Harris

2011-06-02T01:07:00.000-04:00

The summer means birthdays to me. My entire family has birthdays in June and July, and we cluster. Within 2 weeks time (July), there are 4 birthdays, my dad, daughter, husband and myself. If we include June, we add my mother and brother. My son is the only one who is a Feb baby, but his wife and brother-in-law are clustered then. So, summertime is birthday time. Does your family have months when all your birthdays fall close together?

Hitting Delete

2011-06-01T07:28:00.003-04:00

Well, let's hope you don't hit delete with anything with my name on it! I'm Barbara Phinney.
And I have to learn to hit delete.
Nope, this isn't about how I think everything I write is written in stone. Indeed, I tell the kids at the school where I work, that only the Ten Commandments were written in stone.
But what I'm talking about is those things on the computer that steal your time. One boy at school finds the internet a huge temptation when he's supposed to be on line only to find out what colour a black-capped chickadee is, not posting to Facebook to tell everyone how much he hates Social Studies.
I know what a resource and time hog some things are. I downloaded a photo manipulation program and found it was stealing hours of my time, with very little success.
Oh, sure, there is that learning curve, but common sense has to take over at some point.
So I'm hitting delete. I'm deleting the program. I need to get outside and do some real work, instead of trying to put the most perfect moon into my picture for a possible short story cover.
Or else it'll take me longer to do the cover than write the story.
Sometimes we have to back off and look at our behavior on line from a different point of view. And this stuff is just innocent stuff. Imagine the 'other' stuff that goes on in other people's lives?
Is there some program for which you could hit delete? Is there some computer program that steals your time and for which you need to be critical?
Let's make June our critical evaluation month. Summer is nearly here and we should be reveling in it, not fooling around on the computer.

Crabby Old Man

2011-05-31T13:47:00.004-04:00

Pamela Tracy here. I don't get so many poems and jokes in my box anymore. I tend to delete them as I'm busy. This one, however, came with a picture of an elderly man. Last week, I put flowers on my dad's grave. I get to do that only every two to three years as I'm four states away from where I was raised. My dad was not a crabby old man. He was the best dad in the world. I hope your dad was standing next to mine in the race for best dad ever. I didn't see my dad often in his final years. This poem (maybe since I've just seen Water for Elephants) spoke to me. I also want to add a verse, one that has the inkling of what comes next: think Heaven.

What do you see nurses? . . . .. . What do you see?

What are you thinking . . . . . when you're looking at me?

A crabby old man . .. . .. . not very wise,

Uncertain of habit . . .. . . with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food . . . . . and makes no reply.

When you say in a loud voice . . . . . 'I do wish you'd try!'

Who seems not to notice .. .. . .. . the things that you do.

And forever is losing . . . . . A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not .. . . . . lets you do as you will,

With bathing and feeding . . . . . The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking? . .. . . . Is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, nurse . . . . . you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am. . . .. . . As I sit here so still,

As I do at your bidding, . . . . . as I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of Ten . . .. . . with a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters . . . . .. who love one another.

A young boy of Sixteen . . . . with wings on his feet.

Dreaming that soon now . . . . . a lover he'll meet.

A groom soon at Twenty . . . . . my heart gives a leap.

Remembering, the vows . . . . . that I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now . . . . . I have young of my own.

Who need me to guide . . . . .. And a secure happy home.

A man of Thirty . . . . . My young now grown fast,

Bound to each other . . . .. . With ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons . . . . . have grown and are gone,

But my woman's beside me . . . .. . to see I don't mourn.

At Fifty, once more, babies play 'round my knee,

Open your eyes, People. . .This is the real me.

Dark days are upon me . . . . . my wife is now dead.

I look at the future . . . . . shudder with dread.

For my young are all rearing . .. . . . young of their own.

And I think of the years . . . . . and the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man . . . . .. and nature is cruel.

Tis jest to make old age . . . . . look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles . . . . . grace and vigor, depart.

There is now a stone . . . . where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass . . . . . a young guy still dwells,

And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells.

I remember the joys . . . . . I remember the pain.

And I'm loving and living . . . .. . life over again.

I think of the years, all too few . .. . . . gone too fast.

And accept the stark fact . . .. . that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people .. . .. . . open and see.

Not a crabby old man . .. . Look closer . . . see ME!!

Once Every 13 Years

2011-05-26T00:06:00.001-04:00

Nope, this isn't about a "Same Time, Next Year" kind of romance. Thankfully. Instead, I want to talk about the kind of event that can add local flavor to a story, to either humorous or serious effcts. To set the stage, watch this quick video from NBC News.

Yep, my fair city - along with lots of others - is experiencing the kind of invasion that appears only once every 13 years - cicadas.

Now, you can bemoan this, weeping in your coffee and keeping your windows closed (highly advisable). Or you can laugh and embrace it, like the little girl in the video. And here's a touch of trivia for those of you who know me from the Abingdon side of things: Joel Anderson, he of the posters, etc. in the video, is one of Abingdon's cover designers.

Cicadas are harmless, but they're about 2 inches long, fat, and they fly fast. So they HURT if they hit you, especially in the face. Having one unexpectedly zoom into your car as you're careening down the interstate at 70mph is not a happy moment (she says, trying not to remember...). On the other hand, watching tourists suddenly try to tap dance around their little bodies on the sidewalk is a whole new show in Music City.

One worthly of a poster. Or a really funny scene in the next book.

Comfort in the storm-- Lenora Worth

2011-05-25T00:02:00.002-04:00

I don't have much to say today. My heart goes out to people all over the USA. We've had so many horrible storms this year. We've had flooding. We've had earthquakes in other parts of the world And while the world had not come to an end, it sure has taken a beating lately. This week I finished a work I'm progress, I'm proofing another one, I'm reading a book to offer an endorsement and I'm doing the usual marketing and promotional stuff. I'm trying to do the normal routine things but I find myself stopping to watch the news. I find myself stopping to pray. I shed a few tears. Then I go back to my make-believe world. Because sometimes reality bites. Sometimes the truth really is stranger than fiction. Maybe that's why I love my happy endings so much.

What are you doing to cope during this cruel spring??

Gadgets Are Taking Over

2011-05-23T10:38:00.002-04:00

Last night my U-verse went out. I didn't have T.V., phone or Internet. I had tons of stuff to do on the Internet and sat in my chair staring at my computer that couldn't connect to the Internet. I was at a loss. Sad, isn't it. So I went to bed which was a good thing because for the past twenty-four hours I had been sick with a stomach virus. I needed the rest. God knew that and he took everything away from me that I had planned to do. Isn't it interesting how He works. I got ten hours of sleep which made up for not much sleep the night before. He told me He was in control, not me. And not to worry. I would get things done after I took care of myself. Have you ever had something like that happen to you?

Also, I discovered yet again how dependent we are on gadgets. I was upset it happened and frustrated. I felt cut off from the world. Not a bad thing really. When I woke up this morning, I could troubleshoot the situation more effectively. AT&T are coming out to fix my U-verse--I hope, and I am at a coffee shop with free Wi-Fi. Hence the post I didn't think I would have for today.
Sleep does wonders for a tired mind.

June I have a new Love Inspired Suspense out--Protecting Her Own. The second in my Guardians, Inc. series. The third in the series will be out in September called Hidden in Everglades.

Hometown Visits

2011-05-20T08:00:00.004-04:00

Hi. My name is Liz Johnson. And I'm addicted to this season of American Idol. I just can't stop watching it!

In the past, I may have teased my roommate about her affection for the show, but I'm starting to understand it. Maybe, like me, you've made this show one of your weekly rituals. If so, you probably saw this week's episodes--where the top three contestants took trips to their hometowns. They were greeted by mobs of cheering hometown fans and visited areas of interest. Sweet Scotty McCreery visited the grocery store where he once worked. And in a particularly emotional segment, Lauren Alaina visited her hometown in Georgia, which was hit hard by the recent string of tornadoes across Alabama and Georgia.

Watching these clips got me thinking about my hometown. Really all of our hometowns. What is it about the town where we grew up that evokes nostalgia and a sense of belonging? I haven't lived in the smallish city in Arizona where I grew up in 5 years, but it's still home. Still the place where I know my way around and where I belong.

It also got me thinking about how authors--myself included--pay homage to our hometowns. Maybe it's the way we make our fictional towns resemble the real thing. Maybe it's the way we add our favorite restaurant into a story. Maybe it's the way we bring the quirky real characters to life on the page.

For me, it was in my first book, The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn, where my hero Myles reminisced about his high school football days at Yuma High playing the Kofa Kings. Neither school is my alma mater, but definitely a cross-town rivals. And when I shared that book with friends and strangers alike, they loved the Yuma connection.

So here's my question for you: Have you ever read a book set in a city you call home? Or have you written one and included some of your hometown favorites? What did you enjoy most about it?

THE OFFICER'S SECRET

2011-05-18T00:01:00.002-04:00

By Debby Giusti

The cover sells the book…or, at least, catches the reader’s eye and hopefully her interest, as well. That’s why I was thrilled when I saw the cover for THE OFFICER’S SECRET, a May Love Inspired Suspense and the first book in my Military Investigations Series.

I had submitted photos to the Art Department of various quarters at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where I lived for a number of years. The large brick homes that surround the main parade field were built in the 1930s and provided inspiration for the setting of my story.

The book opens with the death of a female officer stationed at Fort Rickman, Georgia, the fictional Army post I created for the series. Maggie Bennett, the victim’s sister, finds the major’s body and calls the military police for help. They, in turn, notify the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, and CID Special Agent Nate Patterson soon arrives at the scene.

The cover sets the mood for my story and invites readers into the quarters where the major’s body was discovered. There they’ll find Maggie sitting in the living room, legs crossed and head in her hands. She’s understandably shaken by her sister’s death. Nate jots down Maggie’s terse answers to his questions, and although he’s attracted to the Alabama counselor, he knows she’s not being completely forthright. On the second floor, the crime scene investigators search for clues while, in the attic, the medical examiner prepares to move the major’s body to the morgue on post.

Welcome to Fort Rickman, the sign on the cover reads, where secrets must be revealed and healed before the case can be put to rest. Or will Nate’s feelings for Maggie compromise the investigation and prevent him from realizing she may be the next to die?

Like the cover? Then read THE OFFICER’S SECRET, where love and suspense mix with faith for an exciting story you won’t be able to put down. Cross my heart!

Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
http://www.debbygiusti.com/

Visit me on http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/ today where I'm giving away 5 copies of THE OFFICER'S SECRET!

What if? Lenora Worth

2011-05-17T13:12:00.002-04:00

Hi. I'm late in posting today. I was out of town this past weekend with a group of women down at Gulf Shores, Alabama. We make this trip once a year and we always have a grand adventure. We sometimes play the "What if?" game and create crazy stories from things that happen on our trip. This year, a big storm came through in a fast and furious way. As we watched it from our fourth floor condo, we saw umbrellas and chairs flying through the air. Somewhere in all the excitement, a friend started videoing the storm and our reactions. It was funny but that wind was pretty scary and amazing. The funny part was how we were all chatting and gasping. We discovered we couldn't even open the front door of the condo because of the vortex of wind pushing through. But my friend kept on taping, her voice low and dramatic as she described the "danger". I told her on the way home I had an idea for a new book--Storm Warning. I think that title has been used before, but I like it. The heroine would be a weather girl and the hero would grow fresh produce. (Since we pass several fruit stands on our way to the beach and we never have time to stop or room to put fresh strawberries in the car.)

We had a fun, exciting trip even if we were packed into my Yukon like those strawberries are packed into a basket. We beached, shopped and found creative ways to shove our new stuff in our suitcases with the old. And yes, I bought shoes!!!

Don't you love playing "What if?" Sometimes, even vacation becomes the plot of a story.

Let's Talk Books

2011-05-16T10:16:00.010-04:00

My name is Pamela Tracy and I am a Bookaholic. Yes, I am one of the 75% of Americans who read a book last year. Twenty-five percent of Americans didn't. Me? I cannot imagine not hearing the call of hundreds of unread books calling to my from my overflowing stacks...

"Pam, come read me! It's my turn. I promise I'm a page-turner. Remember how excited you were when you found me on the shelf. Please come pick me. I'm gathering dust here!"

I am a statistic as far as being a part of the "I read" portion of the statistic, but then my habits go off the charts, and I'm pretty comfortable that if you're reading this blog, you're off the charts, too.

The average American reads 3 - 6 books a year.

The average adult reads about 300 words a minute, that's 5 words a second. So, reading a typical Harlequin books, say my August release, at 214 pages, takes three and 1/2 hours. If I were to only read 6 such books a year, I'd have spent roughly 21 hours reading.

Six books, in one year, equals 21 hours of reading.

The average American watched television 35 hours a week.

In February, I started keeping track of what I read. I wish I'd done this years ago before I had my son, so I could compare my reading to when I had reading time against having to carve out reading time.

Here's what I know. I don't read six books a year; I read six books a month. Most of them are longer than the Harlequins.

What about you? How many books a year, month, week, do you read?

Pamela Tracy's next Harlequin is an August release.

The Officer's Secret Interview

2011-05-15T01:09:00.000-04:00

Today we're welcoming US Army Criminal Investigation Division Special Agent Nate Patterson, the hero of THE OFFICER’S SECRET, by Debby Giusti, released in May 2011.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

I redeployed home from Afghanistan a number of months ago and am currently stationed at Fort Rickman, Georgia, an Army post situated near the small river town of Freemont. The CID handles all felony crimes, and I was called in to investigate the death of a female major on post.

2. So, during the book you met Maggie Bennett, the sister of the deceased. Tell us a bit about her. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

Maggie had found her sister’s body and was almost in shock when I arrived on the scene. As I questioned her, I realized she was not being completely forthright with her answers. As much as that troubled me, I was more concerned about my attraction for the Alabama family counselor. If I were being totally honest, I’d have to admit it was love at first sight for me.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

I love my country and am committed to my job. I hope I don’t sound like I’m boasting, but I’ve received a number of medals and awards, and my superiors praise my ability to investigate crime and bring the guilty to justice. My greatest weakness is dwelling on what happened in Afghanistan and allowing my own guilt to control my life. Thank goodness Maggie was able to help me see everything in a new light.

4. What scares you?

Losing Maggie.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Life is great now that Maggie and I are together and we both have God in our lives. If I changed anything, it would be never to have turned my back on the Lord.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

After what happened in Afghanistan, I didn’t want anything to do with God.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

I needed the Lord’s help in order to save Maggie. God was there when I needed Him. Actually, He had been there all along, I just wasn’t able to accept Him into my life.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.

“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

The truth had to be revealed before I could be free from the past and able to live fully in the present.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

Peach pie made with Georgia peaches, of course, because I met Maggie in Georgia and my life was changed for the better.

FEATURED BOOK: THE OFFICER'S SECRET BY DEBBY GIUSTI

2011-05-14T16:10:00.003-04:00

In the middle of the night, Maggie Bennett finds her army officer sister dead in her military housing. She's devastated by the loss of the estranged sibling with whom she was trying to reconnect. But as U.S. Army criminal investigations agent Nate Patterson begins asking questions about the officer's suspicious death, Maggie can't tell the handsome man everything she knows. Except that her sister was definitely murdered—for a secret Maggie can't share. Then she walks into the killer's trap and has to trust Nate with the truth…and her heart.

Confessions of a rule breaker!

2011-05-13T16:12:00.003-04:00

Howdy, all. Dana Mentink here.Sorry I'm late, but Blogger was down for a while. I’m humbly blogging about a new fact I learned today. Did you know that it’s against the rules to use a Facebook page to host a contest? Am I the only one that didn’t know that? Frankly, I’m surprised. Even ‘author pages’ are not permitted to host contests or request participation in contests through FB. That means you can’t have people ‘Like’ a page as a way of entering a contest or promotion. Wowzers. I’ve been breaking rules all over the place! So what can you do? Apparently there’s this thingy called a canvas page that one can use instead. This, of course, is more technical info than I can absorb.

I am, by nature, a rule follower, and I am, by circumstance, half way through a monthly contest, hosted on FB. Acck! Criminal! Sinner! RULE BREAKER! How to correct this problem? Not sure. Redirect folks to finish out the contest on my website? But that would mean posting the details to the FB people. It’s also against the rules to alert friends via FB that they won the contest. Oh gee! Now what? Does any savvy reader/author out there have a solution to this? I love hosting contests, especially the kind I’ve been trying lately where there’s a different question every few days and folks can tell a bit about their lives. So what to do, what to do? Any ideas, gentle bloggers? Are you going to miss those Facebook contests?

Here’s a link to the official FB rules if you want to see for yourself.
https://www.facebook.com/promotions_guidelines.php

Ideas--Ideas by Leann Harris

2011-05-11T12:32:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, Barbara, stole my thunder. Where do writers get ideas? They hang in the air. Really, if your brain is geared for "what if" then you see story ideas everywhere. You read the paper and there's an idea. You miss you 20th high school reunion, there's a story idea (which I did. I got ready to go the weekend after the reunion, but what a great for a story. Hero and Heroine make the same mistake.)

I will say, ideas fly at you. Now writing those ideas and plotting them is a whole other animal. And that idea might undergo some changes and morphs into another thing, but the ideas are just waiting. I had a book come from a teasing session with my husband one afternoon in the kitchen. We were throwing around titles and he came up with "How Tall is Red?" I liked that title so much, I did a book around it. I thought of following that book up with the other titles, "How far is Yellow", "How Deep is Blue", "How Wide is Orange." You get the idea. How Tall is Red did get published, but the name was changed to Undercover Husband. I still used the line "How tall is red?" The heroine got a note from her dead husband with the book title on it.

Art after Life

2011-05-11T07:30:00.006-04:00

Lately, I've been asked where I get my ideas. I usually smile and warn them that they'll be in my next book! I get my ideas from them!
But it's a legit question. Where do we get our ideas? And since Love Inspired Suspense has murder, blackmail and other evil deeds, yes, I'd like to ask us all, "Where do we get our ideas?" I'd hate to think that some of the authors are living these lives!
Yet, often, something sparks our interest. With Deadly Homecoming, a news article talked of one island's residents taking the law into their own hands, forced to it because the police's hands were tied.My most recent submission, not yet accepted, started as I watch a friend suffer with dementia and his wife's difficult decisions. Mix that with a pancake supper at a local maple syrup operation and you have bitter and sweet rolled into one angst filled story.
But now I have several others brewing. A new friend is hoping to buy a house, and we looked at it, and my mind whirled. An old place, full of questions, secrets, even a telescope from the Cold War in the attic. I can imagine a story with a cover like my second LIS book:
And another writer, a friend of mine, Lina Gardiner, told me of a painting she just bought. It turned out to have a secret face in it. Whoa! What if there were more secrets in it?
Life is full of questions. Don't look for the answers. Look for the what-ifs.
Then you'll have a the starts of a story.

Threat of Exposure Interview

2011-05-08T01:42:00.000-04:00

Today we're welcoming Brock Martin, the hero of Threat of Exposure (book 5 in the Texas Rangers Justice continuity series) by Lynette Eason, released May 2010.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense. After Gisella rescued my hide, I found out we were going to be partners. Her captain, Gregory Pike, had been killed and his killer was still out there. We figured out a clue we needed to track down and ended up in Boot Hill, TX. We were decidedly unwelcome in this little town, but we were determined to find the answers we were looking for in spite of the danger that dogged us constangly.

2. So, during the book you met Gisella Hernandez. Tell us a bit about her. What was your first impression? My first impression of Gisella was that she had perfect timing. She saved my life when an informant sold me out and tried to kill me. I thought she was just beautiful and I was mad a the powers that be who would send a woman into this kind of situation. I mean, I respected her position with the Rangers, but this was a highly sensitive dangerous thing she was involved in. It scared me.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? I’m good at my job. I can be patient when needed, but also act when it’s necessary. What is your greatest weakness? I’m a bit of a rogue. Up to now, I’ve been kind of a one man show. I need to slow down and realize having a partner is a good thing. I need to learn to think about others and how my actions will affect them.

4. What scares you? At first, I was really afraid to put my heart out there. I’d seen first hand that the job and relationships don’t mix well. But Gisella was just irresistible. And now I’m scared to death I’m going to lose her.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I wouldn’t be so influenced by my past.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story? Not really in a good place. I believed in God, but had a hard time believing he really cared about me. I’ve been so busy rescuing other people, I didn’t realize that I was one of the ones in need of rescuing.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story? Gisella showed me the way back to Christ. Watching her, listening to her share her faith, all made me realize what I was missing. I wanted what she had.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant. Psalm 7:6 – “Arise, O Lord, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice.” This book was about justice. Finding justice for their captain, putting away one more bad guy in the name of justice. It’s also about God’s justice, that in the end, he will rise up and defeat our enemies. Justice.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why? Chocolate. Everyone loves it.

FEATURED BOOK: THREAT OF EXPOSURE BY LYNETTE EASON

2011-05-07T02:23:00.000-04:00

Pages full of indecipherable codes are all that stand between DEA agent Brock Martin and drugs crossing the border. But if he wants to crack the case, he'll have to work with Texas Ranger Gisella Hernandez. Brock feels the case is way too dangerous for a female agent—especially one who refuses to admit she needs protection. Yet as they work together under the most dangerous threat of exposure, Brock discovers Gisella is stronger than she seems. And that his cowboy heart isn't so tough, after all.

Grand Jete

2011-05-05T00:05:00.002-04:00

This week I’ve been having issues with my ankle, due to a problem with a pair of shoes a couple of weeks ago. The truth is, the shoes stirred up a problem I’ve dealt with since I turned 13.

Long before music videos had been created, I would dance to songs on the radio, making up the drama in my head. Songs of the 60s and 70s were ripe with tragic teens, crushed love, and social change. All these mini-dramas eventually turned me toward screenwriting for awhile. But in the meantime, they were responsible for a life-changing injury.

Deep into the story and song one day, I took off running and did a “grand jete” from our living room into our den, which was one step down. Grand jete, is French for “great leap,” and you can find a demo of it here.

Only I had never taken ballet. I was not lithe and limber. My landing spot was a concrete floor. Definitely NOT the smartest thing I've ever done.

I came down on the side of my foot. The sound as I landed bore a loud resemblance to a teenager grinding the gears on a manual transmission. The screams that followed went on for a long time and even brought the neighbors over. Not a break, just the worst sprain ever. I used crutches for six weeks.

The first week I set the crutches aside, I re-sprained it. The ankle has been weak since. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve sprained it. I can twist it stepping off a curb or putting my foot down wrong on a stair. I've fallen holding my baby. Twice. High heels are a nemesis to be feared. Just looking at a pair of stilettos makes my palms sweat.

Six years after the initial sprain, the weakness led to me breaking the ankle while I was snow camping, seven miles from the trail head.Six weeks in a cast. But when I got an invitation to go rappelling and rock climbing, I took the cast off with the help of my roommate, and off we went. This is a picture I took during that trip.

So what does this have to do with writing? Plenty. Because it’s about taking a leap (submitting) and falling (rejection). It’s about trying again and falling, taking yet another sprain to your ego. It’s about taking a fall so hard, you feel broken.

And it’s about slowing down to heal but not stopping.

It’s also about more than writing. We all make leaps of faith, but just because you know it’s what God wants for you doesn’t mean the way will be smooth. Or easy.

It'll just be worth it in the end.

Does Motherhood lead to danger and suspense--Lenora Worth

2011-05-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

All this week, the authors of Love Inspired are sharing about motherhood. You know--the joys, the thrills, the spills, the headache pills. And in my case today, the suspense of it all!

Being a mother can be suspenseful. When my daughter was young, we had to move across the country. I was driving the Chevy Blazer, loaded with plants, a turtle in a dishpan of water and my daughter. My husband was up ahead in a U-Haul truck. He told me (this was before cell phone days) that if I needed him to flash my head lights. We'd been an hour out, when I looked in the rear-view mirror and say a giant grasshopper hovering on a fern leaf right behind my head. Not just any grasshopper--but what we call a Georgia Thumper. Ugly and big. I didn't say anything to my daughter but I immediately starting flashing my light. My husband pulled over and came to the window. "What is it?" he said. We'd only been on the road about an hour. "There is a Georgia Thumper in here," I replied. "And I'm not driving across the country with him."

My husband managed to get the big ugly grasshopper out and sent him back toward the state line. My daughter told me, "Mom, bugs are our friends. I don't know why you're so scared." I didn't have the heart to tell her we'd probably brought along a few lizards in our fern, too. But much later as it got dark outside, her bravery seemed to end. She pushed down in her seat and finally said on a wail, "I want outta here."

So did her mother. I also remember one night when my son was young and a group of boys were sleeping over. But we had some weird neighbors like the ones on that movie "The Burbs." So we all lay down on our stomachs in the dark and stared out the bay window, watching a strange white van that kept creeping by the burb house down the street. In all the excitement, I felt a hand on my back very near my bottom. I said "Uh, whose hand is that?" One of the boys, thinking he was holding onto a buddy, said on a low whisper "Sorry, Miss Lenora."

Ah, the drama, the suspense of being a mother. You never know what's around the corner. Spilled milk or water balloon fights. Your son's friend swimming in suspenders and shorts or a group of boys driving up in a pick-up with their own version of a hot tub in the truck bed. Your shy well-behaved daughter getting into a cat fight behind the bleachers at a football game. Never a dull moment, being a mother. But you also get pretty hand-made cards that you keep forever and coffee mugs that make you smile. You get long phone calls where you put on your counselor hat and short phone conversations where you know you've overstepped your bounds.

Being a mother is the toughest job of all. It doesn't hurt to have a little covert training. Because we know that a mother will fight for her children to the finish. And then some. Happy Mother's Day. And if you want to read some other cute Mother's Day stories, you can follow Lyn Cote and others on e-harlequin at:
http://community.eharlequin.com/forums/love-inspired/humorous-family-stories-lyn-cote
or go to the Craftie Ladies of Love Inspired blog at: http://craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com
We'll be posting around the Internet all week long! We'll be mothers forever!

Remember to Trust

2011-05-03T01:12:00.000-04:00

I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have a do-over, shelve the past and start with a fresh slate. Would I be the same person I was before?

The heroine in my May release, "Witness on the Run"—out today!—loses her memory after witnessing a murder, runs for her life, and is clipped by a car. Due to her temporary amnesia, Robin is challenged to take a look at her life from a whole new perspective. She also must depend on a virtual stranger, private investigator Jake Walters, to keep her safe. Not easy for a gal like Robin, who not only feels totally disoriented, but isn’t one to trust easily on a good day.

I was inspired to write this book because it’s all about trust, both trusting a stranger and trusting in God’s love. Although she’s desperate to remember the face of the killer, she’s also anxious about the memories that start to surface, painful memories of loss and grief. Luckily Jake’s faith in God gives him the strength to be a rock for her, and to inspire Robin to open her heart to God once again – a true gift.

Before I sign off here’s my gift to you, one of my favorite websites!

http://www.gimmeglutenfree.com/

It’s loaded with amazing recipes. Maybe you can find something to make for Mother’s Day. The Chocolate Lava Cakes are truly amazing!

William and Kate Are Missing

2011-05-02T00:20:00.003-04:00

They have left on their honeymoon. At this time of writing the blog, I don't know where they are going on their honeymoon. It was a top secret. As a suspense writer I could come up with a whole suspense plot out of the fact they are off the radar screen, so to speak. So to tie the wedding of Kate and William to a suspense blog, my question to you is where have they gone on their honeymoon. My guess is a privately owned island somewhere, let's say in the Caribbean.Of course, if they want to really get away from the reporters, they probably should board a spaceship and honeymoon out in space. Where do you think they are?

Murder at Granite Falls Interview

2011-05-01T01:13:00.000-04:00

Today we're welcoming Carrie Randall, the heroine of Murder at Granite Falls, in the Big Sky Secrets series, an April 2011 Love Inspired Suspense release by Roxanne Rustand.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

When I fell in love with a bad boy charmer who followed the rodeo circuit, I had no idea how that mistake would haunt my life later on. Billy was a handsome, daredevil bull rider, but he was also turned out to be possessive and lazy, with a mean streak a mile wide. Leaving him was a dangerous move, but my brother Trace (who had his own book, FATAL BURN) took me to his ranch. I was safe there--safe enough to finally develop the courage to move out on my own again. I moved to another town where I thought Billy couldn't ever find me and I would feel safe. Was I ever wrong...and worse, Billy wasn't the only threat to worry about, once I got there!

2. So, during the book you met Logan Bradley. Yep--I got a job teaching summer school in a small mountain town, with the promise that I would become full time in the fall. The tourist trade in those parts ratchets up the cost of living during the summer, and the only place I could find was an apartment above a river rafting office, quite a ways out of town. Logan and his sister own this business and business was good...until he was framed for a murder last summer and had to go to trial. Needless to say, there were a lot of townsfolk who still thought him guilty no matter what the jury decided--and then there was plenty of gossip being fueled by someone who wanted Logan out of the picture. At first, I was wary of him. But after getting to know Logan, I couldn't believe the gossips were right--even when another murder took place soon after I moved there.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

I think I'm a good teacher. I sure love my job, and the kids in my classes! I can't believe our society doesn't value dedicated teachers more. We are educating the future generation, and where will they be without a quality education? Weaknesses--it's hard to know where to begin, because there are so many ways in which I should be a better person.

4. What scares you?

After dealing with my ex-husband Billy, I find my heartbeat faltering when anything goes "bump in the night." Unfortunately, he taught me that evil can lurk in dark places, and that some people take real pleasure in hurting others. But I take great comfort from my faith, and one of the verses I call to mind is, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me, Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me." Psalms 23:4

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would be taller. And, I would be more patient and more trusting.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

After Billy, my faith was shaken. There were times when I prayed for help and I didn’t seem to immediately receive the answers I wanted. But in time, I realized that my prayers were answered. Not in miracles heralded with thunder and flashes of lightning, but in the people God brought into my life just when I needed them most. And, in the events that helped me become stronger and helped me escape my former life.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why? I guess I've been rather like crème brulee in the past--soft-hearted on the inside, but with a brittle, protective shell of wariness and fear. And now? There's so much joy in my life; everything seems brighter, with more possibilities. Hmmm....maybe a nice rainbow sherbet?

FEATURED BOOK: MURDER AT GRANITE FALLS BY ROXANNE RUSTAND

2011-04-30T02:22:00.000-04:00

Everyone in Granite Falls tells Carrie Randall the same thing. Is it a threat, or a warning? Yet even if it endangers her fresh start, Carrie needs to know what secret the town's hiding. There's her troubled student and his disturbing drawings. His fiercely protective father, and the mysterious death of his mother. And Carrie definitely has to find out more about the bad reputation of her standoffish new landlord, Logan Bradley. She wants to trust him, but she's been fooled by charm before. Is the town wrong about him—or is she?