Author Bonnie Leon & God is Good All the Time

God is Good All the Time

I’ve known many courageous men and women. My father fought cancer with boldness and humor. My friend Julia lives with fibromyalgia, yet seizes life with joy. Joanna has spent most of her life in a wheel chair, but has lived as if she’s never known a day of disability. These people and many others have taught me it’s possible to confront challenges bravely, confident God will prevail. When tragedy barreled into my sister, her life became one more example of what it means to be heroic. Although she’d walked through many dark valleys, on September 7th 2005 she was thrown into the deepest and darkest of them all. At 4:30 AM Myrn and her husband, Steve, were awakened by a police officer who said, “I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but your daughter, Crystal, was in an accident . . . and she didn’t make it.”

One sentence and Myrn’s world changed . . . forever. In the early days we learned the details—things we didn’t want to know. Crystal had been drinking and so had the man who’d been driving the car. The death was more than a tragedy—it was an offense to life. Crystal shouldn’t have died. The first week passed in a blur—people coming and going, the phone ringing, arrangements to make, the memorial service and . . . the funeral. My sister grieved mightily, yet her strength and trust in God was striking and unshakable. The very day we discovered the horrible truth of Crystal’s death, one of the kids who’d been in the group apologized for his part in what had happened.

My sister shared the gospel with him—more concerned with his eternity than her grief or anger. Myrn kept a journal, which she shared with me. She was transparent, unwilling to dress up her sorrow. I cried as I read. With each entry my admiration for my sister grew. Her journey was littered with anguish, questions and outrage. But overriding her agony was faith, hope and love. Myrn is still healing, learning to go on without her Crystal Belle.

She lives victoriously, but there are days when sorrow and despair reach up in an attempt to drown her faith. Strength from her Heavenly Father keeps her standing firm. Nothing about this is fair—not the loss of a young woman, a court system’s failure to mete out justice, nor the loss of dreams. There is much to be bitter about. My sister chose a better way. She could have held up a fist to God. She could have walked away from the church. She could have disappeared into a black hole of sorrow and shut herself off from the world. Instead she chose faith and hope.

Today, she and her husband live in a tiny town in Alaska. They gave up there home to serve where God had called them. They love their neighbors and share Christ as God allows. My sister has trusted and found that God is bigger than her sorrow, greater than her fears, and powerful enough to overcome life’s greatest sorrows. Fifteen minutes after she and Steve received the news, they looked at each other and said, “God is good all the time.” Today they still believe God is good all the time."--Bonnie

Unveiling the Truth through Fiction

Enduring Love

http://www.bonnieleon.com/index.html

Blurb: Just when things seem to be looking up for John and Hannah Bradshaw, their world is turned upside down.

Years ago, when John was in prison, he was told his first wife, Margaret, died. So how is it that she shows up in Sydney Town looking to pick up where they left off?

Hannah is distraught. Her marriage is now null and void, and she and John feel they must separate to allow John's first marriage to continue.

But is Margaret hiding something after all? And just what will she do to get what she wants?

The suspenseful, romantic conclusion to the Sydney Cove trilogy.

Reader Reviews:

“Leon plunges readers into the conclusion of the Sydney Cove series as Hannah and John again fight to preserve their faith and, ultimately, their marriage. Leon does an incredible job of giving readers a front-row seat into the emotions and chaos that drive the story. It’s clear that each word is painstakingly chosen to deliver the power of love, faith and hope.”--Romantic Times 4 1/2 Star Review

Bonnie, Thanks for that amazing story.--Lyn

Book Monday-Author Ann Shorey & The Edge of Light

Today's book takes place in a less written about time antebellum America. Here's a preview of The Edge of Light.

"It’s the summer of 1838 in St. Lawrenceville, Missouri, and Molly McGarvie’s life is about to change forever. When her beloved Samuel succumbs to cholera, Molly is heartbroken but determined to take care of herself and her children. But when Samuel’s unscrupulous brother takes over the family business and leaves Molly to fend for herself, she knows she must head out on her own. It’s a dangerous journey, forcing Molly to leave her old life behind. Along the way she must face the loss of another family member. Somehow she must find a way to make a living, restore her family, and fend off some overeager suitors.

Book One in the At Home in Beldon Grove series, The Edge of Light will captivate readers with the true-to-life emotions of one woman’s struggle to survive."



Author Ann Shorey has been writing for over fifteen years. She’s been published in the Adams Media Cup of Comfort series, and had one of her stories included in Chicken Soup for the Grandma’s Soul. Ann has also written articles for various local and regional publications. After completing a narrative family history in 1998, she realized she had uncovered a treasure trove of inspiration, and turned to fiction as a way to put that inspiration to good use.

Ann teaches classes on historical research, story arc, and other fiction fundamentals at regional conferences. She works in Sutherlin, Oregon, where she lives with her husband, Richard. The Edge of Light is her first novel, and first in the At Home in Beldon Grove series from Revell. The second book in the series, The Promise of Morning, is scheduled to be released in January, 2010.

Ann may be contacted through her website at www.annshorey.com

For more information about her books, drop by

http://www.revellbooks.com

http://www.revellbooks.com/ME

Sounds like a interesting read!--Lyn

Author Tiffany Colter & Holding onto Victory

It's my pleasure to feature a new acquaintance, Author Tiffany Colter, who is a multi-faceted Christian woman. Here's Tiffany:

"I am thrilled that Lyn gave me the opportunity to share my family’s testimony. Over the last five years our family has gone through the greatest trials I’ve ever experienced in my life. Beginning in 2004 when we began the process to adopt a special needs child, then to my husband’s cancer diagnosis, job loss and subsequent financial mess [that left us 10 days from foreclosure] we have had to trust God daily for His help and provision.

I was asked to share my testimony in June with my church you can see it here-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXkBbvl-0bc

As I said in this video, when we are going through difficult times it can be hard to see God using it. So many times as I watched our finances fall apart, my husband battle for his life and my own emotions fraying at the ends, I wondered how God could get glory through this.

Who would want to be a Christian when my family was going through so much? I dare say many Christians are experiencing this right now. They want to know why they suffer and how to stop the pain. They see people who skip church prospering while friends in their congregation are losing everything. It is at the moments when we don’t know the answers that we must hold firmer to the promises. We must look inward to find the parts of us that need to be removed and we must thank God for His promise of provision.

If you look in Joshua the Israelites praised God FOR the promise land BEFORE they entered it-not after. We have to praise Him because we believe His word, not because we have everything figured out. True strength comes from confidence in who you are and where you’re going. That confidence only comes from God. Finally, find a way to focus on others. I enjoyed giving to others even when I had nothing. I gave my time. I gave my encouragement.

Today I share tips from those dark days at www.TheBalancedLife.com We began suffering the recession more than 5 years before the rest of the country but that positions us to sympathize with those who hurt and to give practical advice to those who need it. That is what God wants us to do with the tough times-turn them around to be a blessing for others."

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Common-sense money management is free at www.TheBalancedLife.com
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" at http://tiffanycolter.blogspot.com
She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer's Rest. http://writersrest.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for your story, Tiffany. It's obvious that God has given you the strength you needed when you needed it.--Lyn

Author Charlene Baumbich & Don't Miss Your Life!

My guest today is Charlene Baumbich, a new writing friend who is from one of my home states, Illinois. Poor girl decided that getting food poisoning might be interesting. So she wrote this while suffering. Which tells me that her books are worth reading! If her writing it this good when she's feeling so miserable. Here's Charlene:

"I remember my mom sharing her memories of the way my grandmother cranked the engine on the front of their old car. Although I never witnessed such an event, I sure don't doubt it. Grandma was Strong in body and Strong in determination. I can picture her carrot red hair flying up and down with every turn, her freckles a blur.

Grandma could plant crops; milk cows; guide us through the process, hands-buttery-slick, of making homemade popcorn balls; ring a chicken's neck; bake bread; and sing Casey Jones with her own unique gusto as grandchildren sat on her lap, all of us rocking in her front porch rocker to the beat.

Mother to two daughters, grandma suffered the trial of one daughter's mental illness, and the death of her "baby," my mom, at only age 56. (I miss you, Mom.) To this day, I cannot see a row of colorful Hollyhocks without thinking of Grandma's old farm and the vigorous way she loved. (I miss you, Grandma.)

My mom weathered at least four miscarriages. Her five-year diaries serve as cryptic shorthand to denote the actual days of possible conception ("X"), the good news when she "saw the doctor today. Baby!" and a scarcity of words to express her once again breaking heart. "Lost another one."

She shot a fox in our basement to spare him from further damage to himself, dumped a punch bowl on the head of a women she deemed dancing a little too close and friendly with my dad, and drove the delivery truck for his new business when she was nine months pregnant with my brother.

I come from a line of women made of true grit and bountiful grace. Their strength to deal with life as it came, and to keep on keepin' on—through the drama, the trauma and the tears—flows through my veins. This is a good thing to remember when I set in whining about how irritating it is they again forgot the hot sauce in our carry-out dinner, or moaning when I feel hopelessly behind in my word count. Sissy troubles. Charlene, STOP the whining, CROP the negativity, and ROLL with the punches. You are made of better stuff than this!

They were not perfect women. They messed up, lost their temper and fell short, just like the rest of us. But the strongest thing these women modeled was how to laugh at life, even when life dealt them the no-goods. What they dwelt on was Jesus' excellent advise: concentrate on what is good. In the end, they always found the strength and paradigm-shifting wisdom to throw back their head and laugh.

Wallowing in self pity is not strength; it is life robbing.
So thank you, Grandma, Mom. Thank you for daring to be no more or less than who you really were: your own, true, loving and laughing selves. My new book, Don't Miss Your Life!: An Uncommon Guide to Living with Freedom, Laughter and Grace, would not be what it is without your witness.


Peace and grins in the midst of food poisoning. I'm sure I'll laugh about this--one day. ;>)"--Charlene

I don't know about the rest of you but I think the punch bowl story is the best I've heard in a while! Whoa! That would have been something to witness.

Drop by Charlene's website and see all the many books she has written. And it's a FUN website. You'll enjoy it. Trust me.--Lyn

Book Monday & Author Patti Lacy's What the Bayou Saw

Here's the scoop about Patti Lacy's newest Christian novel.

"Since leaving Louisiana, Sally Stevens has held her childhood secrets at bay, smothering them in a sunny disposition and sugar-coated lies. No one, not even her husband Sam, has heard the truth about what happened to her and her best friend, Ella Ward, when they were twelve years old. Now a teacher in Normal, Illinois, Sally has nearly forgotten her past.

Then Shamika, one of her students, is violently attacked, and memories of segregation, a chain-link fence, and a blood oath bubble to the surface like a dead body in a bayou. Lies continue to tumble from Sally’s lips as she scrambles to gloss over the harsh reality of a betrayal that refuses to stay buried.

Finally cornered by the Holy Spirit and her own web of lies, Sally—and Shamika embark on a quest to find Ella in post-Katrina New Orleans. With the help of friends, family, and God, Sally can glimpse a life free of the mire of deceit and truly begin to live with joy. But will she pay the price for a lifetime of deception?"

When Patti Lacy left the Louisiana swamps for college, she returned to Baylor University, where as a girl she’d lived in the boys’ athletic dormitory. Her “big brothers” entertained her with magic tricks and wild tales that planted the love of stories in her heart. Patti graduated from Baylor with an education degree that allowed her to continue the passion and tradition inspired by her schoolteacher parents and husband.

The Lacys moved to the Midwest in 1995, where Patti heard an Irishwoman’s amazing story of betrayal and forgiveness. Ten years later, the Spirit’s urgings culminated in a new career path: novelist. Kregel Publications released Patti’s debut novel, An Irishwoman’s Tale, in 2008. What the Bayou Saw continues Patti’s quest to explore secrets women keep and why they keep them. The Lacys live in Normal, Illinois, and have two grown children and a dog named Laura. They attend Grace Church, where Patti facilitates a Bible study and the family supports Ministry & More, an organization offering the true Bread of Life to clients. To contact Patti, visit her website at www.pattilacy.com."

Thanks, Patti. It sounds like one of those stories that plunges deep into the heart.--Lyn

For Writers-Classic Romantic Conflicts

My first published article came in 1994 and it was published in Romance Writers Journal, the Romance Writers of America's publication for members. Many people dismiss romance as formulaic but in fact, the basic conflicts that romance portray are all about relationships and how a man and woman who merely from biology are completely different come together and create a new family. These are ancient stories which fascinated the Greeks and Romans and still capture our interest because life is about relationships.
Here are the Top Twenty Classic Romance Conflicts and a few examples contemporary and from the past
1-The Arranged Marriage (Arabian Nights)
2-Lovers from Two Different Worlds (The Book of Esther)
3-Scarred from Past Hurt
4-Revenge Separates Lovers (both in Great Expectations)
5-Mistaken Identity or Masquerade (Oedipus Rex a & Tootsie)
6-Marriage of Convenience--(Every mail order bride story you've ever read)
7-A Secret or a Lie Threatens Love-(Hamlet & The Maltese Falcon)
8-Whose Child or Lost Child-(The Scarlett Letter)
9-Finding One's Own Identity Before Love- (Jane Eyre)
10-Battle of Wills (Taming of the Shrew, Lysistrata & every Tracy/Hepburn movie)
11-Hero and Heroine have Common Enemy from the Past or a Common Goal (The Sun Also Rises-WWI is the enemy)
12-Second Chance at Love (Jezebel with Bette Davis)
13-The Innocent and the Playboy-(That Touch of Mink with Doris Day & Cary Grant)
14-Reversal of Life-(rising or falling in social standing-Sense & Sensibility)
15-Amnesia-(popular on soaps)
16-Cinderella-(Pretty Woman)
17-Selfless Denial-(Tale of Two Cities)
18-A Rival for the Hero or Heroine's Heart-(Casablanca)
19-Comedy of Errors-(She Stoops to Conquer)
20-Split Loyalties-(Romeo & Juliet)

I hope you all notice that these conflicts aren't just for romances. Shakespeare and the ancient Greek dramatists used these. Often these are combined. What keeps these fresh? Timeless? We writers of course. From this list of 20, endless combinations, characters, and plot twists can be mined. I hope this inspires you to add to the cavalcade of these stories which are new everyday.

And BTW, which is your favorite conflict and what story do you love it best in? I must say on this list that I love to write # 10 and 11, but I enjoy all the rest. What about you?

Author Laurie Alice Eakes Honors Her Mom

Today's guest is a new acquaintance of mine, Author Laurie Alice Eakes. Here's Laurie:

"Many strong, courageous, and inspiring women have passed in and out of my life, from my mom, to teachers, to people I have known for mere moments on the subway or in a beauty shop. In these brief words, I wish to talk about one of these women, who inspired me to rise above adversity and move forward with life, with love, with strength of mind and spirit.

In her mid twenties, she found herself a single mom with two children—two children who were blind. She worked full-time and had support from a few family members like an older sister, and from some people at church, yet that was for things like someone to watch one of the girls when they were too ill to go to school, not to keep the house spotless, help with homework, put meals on the table. She managed all of that and more. She read to her girls and she made their lunches; she sang in the church choir, and she did other things to help people.

Even later, when she remarried, she didn't stop working nor ensuring her family ate nourishing, homemade meals, that the laundry was done, and her girls received the support through reading schoolwork and other materials necessary. She made it to parent-teacher meetings and school events, and, although she wasn't a home room mother, she never failed to provide baked goodies for school parties.

Perfect? No. Always cheerful? No. She was human with faults and weaknesses, which makes her all the more inspiring. She was a woman of faith, who ensured her daughters grew up with a faith strong enough to set them on their way in life—and more. She provided an inspiration of, "Yes, you can," when life seems impossible.
Without this strong woman's influence in my life, I know I would not be where I am today.

Looking back at some dark times in the past couple of decades, I know her prayers protected me even when I turned my back on God and those who cared about me most. Without her life story as an influence, I would never have kept going after what I wanted and see my dreams of becoming a published author coming true. Of all the strong women who have touched my life, this one's influence is the greatest."

Award-winning author Laurie Alice Eakes does not remember a time when books did not play a part in her life. Besides selling eight other books in the "sweet" historical romance market and CBA publishers like Barbour Publishing and Baker/Revell, she has also sold articles and essays. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and assorted cats and dogs, but is soon moving to Texas, where her husband will begin his law career.

To read her latest news, opinions and a free story at http://www.seizethechance.blogspot.com

http://www.lauriealiceeakes.com

Thanks, Laurie--Lyn

Author Terri Reed & Northwest Children’s Outreach

Today my guest is Love Inspired Romance Author Terri Reed. She has a special charity that she wants to tell about. Here's Terri:

"Northwest Children’s Outreach: Standing in the Gap for Children in Need

Our Mission

"We stand in the gap between poverty and caring agencies
with resources to help children."

This mission statement was inspired by Ezekiel 22:30 (NKJV):

"...I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land..."

http://www.northwestchildrensoutreach.org/index.php

Several years ago I met a woman at church, a mom with four children of her own, who co-founded a ministry to help supply children in the Portland, Oregon/Vancouver, Washington area with basic needs. I immediately wanted to learn more.

Founded in 2001, this organization collects donated gently used and new items such as Diapers, Clothing-newborn to teen, Formula, New Cribs, New Car Seas, Hygiene Products, Toys and any other items children need, to be given to poverty stricken children through care giving agency. Volunteers sort and stock the shelves at the four warehouses, pack orders specific for a child depending on the child’s age and needs. Then the care giving agency retrieves the bag of items to give directly to the child’s family.

Many schools and churches in the Portland/Vancouver area have also come alongside Northwest Children’s Outreach.

Not only do I believe this non-profit organization to be a worthwhile endeavor, but my children gladly donate the clothes they’ve out grown and the toys they no longer play with. We also go shopping to purchase other items of need and as a family go to the centers to help bag orders.--Terri"

Terri's Latest Love Inspired Suspense Novel

MISSING MOTHER FOUND!

The mysterious man at her door swears he recognizes her. She’s Leah Farley. Mother, wife—and suspected murderer. But her amnesia has wiped away memories of her former life. When a shower of bullets follows the man’s claims, Leah is forced to accept the truth. She’s in danger. And unless she can make herself remember, there’s no way to stay safe. With bounty hunter Roman Black’s help, she must uncover her lost memories—before the killer succeeds in keeping Leah’s past and future buried forever.

Without a Trace:Will a young mother’s disappearance bring a bayou town together...or tear it apart?

To read more about Terri Reed and her books, drop by
http://ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com/
www.loveinspiredauthors.com
http://craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Terri. That sounds like a wonderful charity.--Lyn

Book Monday-Author Elizabeth White & Crescent City Courtship

Today's book is by a good friend Elizabeth White who lives in Mobile, Alabama. This is her latest Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical, Crescent City Courtship is a sequel to Redeeming Gabriel, my November release from Love Inspired Historical, but it is a stand-alone love story set in 1879 New Orleans.

Story: Abigail Neal dreams of someday escaping her life in the slums of New Orleans. But how can a woman alone and unprotected ever fulfill her dreams of becoming a doctor? Then young medical student John Braddock comes to pay a call on a neighbor. Though the scars left on her heart have taught her never to trust anyone, Abigail is drawn to John's caring nature. Soon an unlikely friendship develops between the son of privilege and the poor daughter of missionaries. But when Abigail's mysterious past comes back to haunt her present, will she call upon her faith to help right a wrong and make a new life with her very own Prince Charming?"



Note from Beth: For more information regarding my research into 19th century medical techniques, medicines and surgical procedures, including autopsy and hospital care, check out my website at http://www.elizabethwhite.net or http://bethsquill.wordpress.com

Where to buy: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Crescent-City-Courtship-Inspired-Historical/dp/0373828144/

ChristianBook: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=828142

Sounds wonderful, Beth--Lyn

Don't Miss Yummy July Recipes!

Every woman has a story and a Recipe. Share yours.

The kitchen has always been the heart of any home. For centuries women reigned supreme there, nurturing their families not just with food but with love.

Throughout the month of July, drop by my blog and read stories of strong women and the summer dishes they favored and they left behind for their families.

Again, readers are invited to submit stories and recipes OR just favorite summer recipes.

And between July 1st-July 31st, be sure to request a PDF format collection of these special recipes available in August.

Please let your friends know about my blog. My hope is that it will be an inspiration to every woman.

Harlequin Author Betty Neels, My Example

Have you ever read a Betty Neels' Harlequin Romance?

Many people have a preconception of what a Harlequin Romance is and many are not at all accurate or flattering.

I challenge anyone to read a Betty Neels Harlequin Romance and not find it entertaining and uplifting.

In 1969, Betty already a retired nurse, overheard someone in her local library bemoan the lack of good romance novels. So she wrote one!

When Betty wrote her first Harlequin romance Sister Peters in Amsterdam (Nurses are called Sister in England or were!), the inspirational romance market I write for did not exist.

Betty wrote charming stories about heroines who were honest and quietly self-assured without being showy. Betty's heroes are always the Strong Silent Type, masterful men usually with ties to Holland. Betty herself was married to a Dutch doctor if my memory serves me.

One of my favorite books of hers is Waiting for Deborah, a book in which she stretched her writing in many new ways.
http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Deborah-Betty-Readers-Choice/dp/0373512570/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244502508&sr=1-1 Other titles that demonstrate Betty's kind of romance: A Good Wife, An Innocent Bride, Heaven is Gentle and Discovering Daisy. Drop by www.eharlequin.com and enter her name in the Search window and you'll find that her romances are still selling out!

In June of 2001, Betty passed away in her nineties after writing for Harlequin continuously from 1969-- penning a total of 134 Harlequin Romances. Harlequin and the world lost a good solid novelist. Fortunately her romances remain and are still being printed and sold. I hope that at the end of my career, I will leave the legacy that Betty Neels did--good stories about real people that lift readers' spirits in a genuine way.--Lyn

Book Monday---Author Jill Elizabeth Nelson's Witness to Murder

Monday's book is Witness to Murder By Jill Elizabeth Nelson, another great Love Inspired Suspense novel.

Here's the book blurb.

"TV reporter Hallie Berglund walks into a murder scene instead. The victim’s boyfriend stands over the body, murder weapon in hand. Hallie couldn’t stop the crime, but as the star witness, she’ll see the man brought to justice . . . right? Not according to her colleague Brody Jordan, who is convinced the police—and Hallie—are targeting the wrong man. To prove it, he’ll need Hallie’s help. The victim was wearing a bracelet handcrafted by Hallie’s long-dead mother. Now Hallie is the only one who can unearth the secrets of the past—and bring the sinister truth to light.



Jill Elizabeth Nelson is an award-winning author of mystery and suspense. She writes what she likes to read—tales of adventure seasoned with romance, humor, and faith, earning her the tagline: "Endless Adventure, Timeless Truth." Jill speaks at conferences, writer’s groups, library associations, and civic and church groups. She and her husband live in rural Minnesota where they raised four children and are currently enjoying their first grandchild.

Visit Jill Elizabeth Nelson’s website at http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com for excerpts, book giveaways, and contests.

You can order this book directly from your local bookstore, retail stores such as Walmart, or online here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0373443455/jillelizabeth-20

And drop by www.loveinspiredauthors.com for more Love Inspired Suspense Novels. Or
http://www.eharlequin.com/store.html?cid=359&month=1

MEGA May Gift Basket Won by Reader Roberta Harwell

I know many blogs give away books etc often. And I will be giving books and other interesting options as this blog progresses. But the biggest giveaway will always be the MEGA May Gift Basket. Here is what the winner will receive in her colorful yellow box of books decorated with hearts:

• Ramona Richards' Secrets of Confidence
• A Murder Among Friends
• The Taking of Carly Bedford
• 
  
• Missy Tippens' His Love Forever
• 
  
• Janet Dean's Courting Miss Adelaide www.loveinspiredauthors.com
  
• 
  
• Cindy Kirk's Claiming the Rancher's Heart http://jauntyquills.com/
  
• 
  
• Sandra Robbins' Pedigreed Bloodlines www.sandrarobbins.net
  
• 
  
• Anna Schmidt's Seaside Cinderella
• Gift from the Sea
• 
  
• Audrey Hebbert's Green Light Red Light www.audreyhebbert.com
  
• 
  
• my own Never Alone/New Man in Town
• Carly
• Winter's Secret
• The above titles are all signed by the authors
  
• 
  
• But in addition--thanks to Ramona Richards:
• Lenora Worth's Code of Honor
• 
  
• Roxanne Rustand's Deadly Competition
• 
  
• Carolyne Aarsen's A Family for Luke
• 
  
• Cheryl Wyatt's Ready-Made Family
• And goodies.

I was very grateful to these authors for donating these books and I was delighted that so many readers submitted stories from their lives and stopped by and made comments.

My next special month is Yummy July!

Drop by my homepage www.LynCote.net and read about how I hope to make July one of your "yummiest" months this summer!

Thanks for all the comments and for being interested in stories of strong women.--Lyn

Author Tina Ann Forkner & Stormy Weather

Author Tina Ann Forkner, mom of a blended family and a Wyoming writer, is my guest today and her subject is "Stormy Weather." Here's Tina Ann:

"When the woman at the DMV showed me my new driver’s license photo, there was no question. Even though my birthday said only four years had passed, I had aged.

I thought about it as I drove home, unable to reconcile my old driver’s license photo with the new one. My hair had been longer four years ago and I admit I had been thinner, but there was something more that made me look older now. I just could not put my finger on what had caused such a drastic change in my appearance.

The former me grinning ear to ear in that four year old photo was now married with a wonderful blended family. It was more than I had ever hoped for after living a stormy life as a single mom with my young daughter. After my husband came along life had gotten decidedly better, and we were even still married after four years. The statistics said it shouldn’t have lasted a year. So, I wondered, if life is so good how come I look so much older? I should look better!

As I pondered how many wonderful things had happened to me in four years, realization slowly dawned. My life really was wonderful, but if I wanted to be truly honest with myself, it had taken a lot more work than I could have imagined when I was at the DMV having my husband’s last name put on my license. The truth was that being a single mom was difficult, but being a step-mom and in a blended family was, at times, more work than I ever imagined.

So much for dreams of newlywed bliss. It was a good thing my husband and I had taken a short honeymoon because for the next few years we were so busy easing the transition for our children that we didn’t always have time for anything else. Blending a family is not like making a milkshake. Things don’t always come out as smooth as we would hope. As much as we tried to do things right, our milkshake was always splattering all over the place. Don’t get me wrong. We were in love, but being a ready-made family took a ton of work, dedication, and heart.

I was primping in front of the mirror later that night when I shared the story about my trip to the DMV with my husband. He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the edges in the way I had grown to love, and said, “But you still look good.” That’s when I noticed he had changed too. He didn’t look older as much as he just looked wiser, more dependable, and weathered.

I looked in the mirror and studied my own more weathered self, understanding that while we were busy weathering the storms of blending a family, we hadn’t noticed the changes occurring on the outside. We hadn’t noticed the changes on the inside either, I realized, and all at once, my new driver’s license photo didn’t matter anymore.



Tina Ann Forkner writes contemporary fiction that challenges and inspires. She is the author of Ruby Among Us and Rose House, which recently released from Waterbrook Press/Random House and is a freelance writer for the popular gospel music publication, Homecoming magazine. She grew up in Oklahoma and graduated with honors from CSU Sacramento before settling in Wyoming. She lives with her husband, their three bright children and their dog. Tina stays busy serving on the Laramie County Library Foundation Board of Directors and enjoys speaking to women’s groups and book clubs about themes related to her novels."

Thanks, Tina Ann. If you want to find out more about Tina Ann, visit her website. http://tinaannforkner.wordpress.com/ And when I visited her site, I found that she is interested in moms, she included this site http://www.5minutesformom.com/ It looks like a fun and interesting site too.

I want to thank Tina Ann for sharing her story with us today--Lyn

Award-Winning Author Tammy Barley Shares Her Inspiration

Today, my guest blogger is Tammy Barley, an author who is new to me but shares my love of western romance. Here's Tammy:


"Few people know this—inspiration for my characters often comes from strangers I meet only in passing, whose actions, inner strength, or uniqueness memorably touches me. Two people in my family also inspire my characters, and my personal outlook, and the way I live—my mother and her mother. During the Great Depression, my grandmother was a little girl with three sisters whose family had to share a home with two other families (her cousins). The rent? $5 a month, which was nearly impossible to come by. When she was thirteen she quit school to work so she could help support her sisters and family, even though the poor eyesight she’d been born with was a challenge. When she grew up and married, she had three daughters, all lovely, lovely women. My mother is the youngest. She was raised in a family where family always came first. Together they worked their huge garden (my mother hated picking basket after basket of ripe strawberries every day; it’s my idea of heaven ), and together appreciated simple pleasures.

As I grew up, my mother encouraged and shared my love of horses and riding. Together we rode half way across Arizona with twenty other adventure-loving enthusiasts, and even now I enjoy tending a garden (complete with strawberries), and I keep my family the center in my life. I nearly died of kidney failure a few years ago. I lay on my bed and realized that I would never get up from it, that I was about to die. I wished that I could tell my mother once more that I loved her. Then I remember smiling; I realized she already knew. God saw to it that I did survive, and my mother gave me a kidney.


Perhaps many of us are inspired by the courage and strength of our mothers, who were inspired by theirs. Jessica Hale, the main character in Love’s Rescue, was certainly inspired by hers. I can think of no greater way to show my love and respect to the women who proceeded me than to pass along their love, strength, and encouragement to the next generation, and to enjoy with the children life’s simple pleasures. The contest giveaway for Love’s Rescue reflects this togetherness, love of horses, and simple pleasures. I wish you God’s great blessings!

For more about Tammy and her books and to
find your favorite Western and Prairie Romance authors and their newest releases, visit http://www.TammyBarley.com

and learn more about her new "Sierra Chronicles" Western Romance Trilogy
Book One ~ Love's Rescue ~ Coming July 2009 (Visit http://www.tammybarley.com/Bookshelf.html , to see the Book Trailer and to enter to Win a Vacation!)

Book Monday-Author Cheryl Wyatt & A Soldier's Reunion

It's my pleasure to feature the newest book by another Love Inspired author, Cheryl Wyatt. She's one of the new authors and her books are thought-provoking. Here's the info:

Despite a decade apart, this isn't the reunion Mandy Manchester expected! She thought she'd put high school sweetheart Nolan Briggs behind her. Now he's back…and the pararescue jumper literally sweeps her off her feet. He's ready and willing to rekindle what they once shared. Mandy, though, isn't prepared to put her heart at risk. He left her before—she won't trust him again. Can Nolan teach this grounded girl to take a leap of faith?

About the Author


Not even Cheryl Wyatt's closest friends would dream this sweet, shy intercessor plots mayhem during announcements at church. She is a Registered Nurse-turned-stay-home-mom, wife, and writer who loves Jesus with all of her heart. Joyful chaos rules her home, and she delights in the stealth moments God gives her to write. She stays active in her church and in her laundry room. She is convinced that having been born on a Naval base on Valentine's Day destined her to write Inspirational Military Romance. Cheryl loves to laugh and to make others laugh so she often plans comedic moments for her defenseless characters in spite of their grumbling. She says it's payback for when they refuse to obey the plots she's set out before them. Visit her at www.CherylWyatt.com

To Purchase her book, go to www.eharlequin.com and click Steeple Hill, then Love Inspired. Or drop by www.LoveInspiredAuthors.com and click the cover on the homepage.--Lyn