Spotlight on Lisa Lickel and The Gold Standard

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

LISA LICKEL lives in a very old house in Wisconsin with her husband, a high school science teacher who is very handy answering those pesky science questions. She loves to perform and write radio drama with local group FreeQuincy Radio Theater, besides occasionally freelancing for magazines and newspapers and devotionals. She also loves to travel, hand stitch quilts, putter in the garden and can vegetables and fruit. She was raised by a history teacher and a librarian in a house filled with books. she agrees that to work hard at being a writer, one should read every spare minute, and so she does. She started writing professionally after taking the Christian Writers Guild apprentice course. Sshe is involved in every historical society within driving distance, a tribute to her BS degree in History and Russian Studies. She does as much volunteer work as she can with church and local organizations.

Visit her blog or web site to learn more about her.

THE GOLD STANDARD
by Lisa Lickel
Published by Barbour Publishing/Heartsong Presents Mysteries

ABOUT THE BOOK

Schoolteacher Judy Winters sets out to solve the mystery surrounding her only living relative's murder on the cross-state farm where Aunt Louise grew up. Judy will inherit the farm—if she agrees to stay there. But what about her boyfriend, Graham, and her job?

Meanwhile, Judy learns that, years ago, a friend of Louise's father, Bryce, lost a treasure of Alaskan gold somewhere on the property. He’d like to recover the gold if Judy plans to give up the place. As Judy and her handsome next door neighbor, Hart, uncover clues to Louise's untimely death and Bryce’s missing treasure, they develop a close friendship. Was it the treasure that might have been behind Louise's demise?

Graham's secret visits to the farm, midnight visitors, a new job offer, and new friends Bryce and the plaid-wearing Ardyth, along with one special old one—Carranza, the opinionated cat—all play a part in Judy's dilemma.

Buy Your Copy of The Gold Standard by contacting Lisa through her web site today! Her contact information is located in the right sidebar.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for these stories?

My inspiration came from my love of history and a neighborhood tale of mysterious initials carved in a tree trunk. It took some sleuthing to figure out to whom those long-ago lovelorn initials belonged. Another neighborhood story of Alaskan gold played a part in the secondary mystery of the storyline.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

My main characters are a school teacher and a farming engineering student. I come from teaching stock, am married to one, and birthed one...but my only claim to teaching is Sunday School and Bible Study groups. My husband's family and my critique partner are farmers, so I had a lot of experiences to draw from. I panned for gold in Alaska, so it was fun to have Bryce tell the picnic crowd about the experience. I also live in an old farmhouse that we've remodelled, so Judy's desire to have a decent bathroom is related to how I felt.

3. If one of your characters were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

Judy would be maple pecan. She likes tradition and, despite being an orphan, has a strong sense of family—but she's not boring. Hart would be bearclaw, a manly, chunky flavor full of fun stuff to eat. He's the cook of the house, and likes to try unusual things.

4. Are there any themes in The Gold Standard that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?

The sense of family and tradition were woven throughout the story. Should Judy keep her inheritance, as she's the last link to the family homestead in the state? Where and to whom, does she belong, now that her last close relative is gone? Her first suitor didn't have those family ties and was a loose canon. Judy wanted more stability and a solid, sensible, faithful man who had that sense of connectivity. Communication was another, but subtle, theme. To whom should Judy listen, who should she trust--no matter what he or she said--and why? Why didn't Ardyth listen to Bryce when he returned from Alaska? And why did she decide to hear him out later? Turns out Judy's pet cat, Carranza, had a pretty good people sense.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

The most difficult parts to write were actually re-writes. After I had already written the sequel, The Map Quilt, I had to go back to this original story and add in a more serious crime, using people I hadn't meant to develop until the second story. It was tricky, trying to be true to both storylines while not revealing too much in one so that some surprises, yet a sense of familiarity, were present in the other. My favorite part is the Cinderella theme that accidentally came out during the rewrite. Judy leaves a shoe behind three different times.

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

Thanks for asking. I'm very excited about the May release of the novel of my heart, Healing Grace. Grace has a special gift, handed time from generation to generation. When she becomes too comfortable, too confident in herself, Grace loses everyone she cares about. Certain that God has abandoned her, Grace runs—right into the arms of a very sick man who desperately needs her touch. But will God allow her to help him? At what cost? Purchase information will be posted on my website when it becomes available.

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Thank you, Lisa, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of The Gold Standard.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to anyone worldwide.

Baby Update -- Week 36, 4 Weeks to Go!

I'm almost there. I'm entering my final month and I've almost reached the point where my doctor won't stop labor if it starts. At my appointment last week, I was measuring a few days early, but right on target. The baby's heartbeat was 146, my blood pressure was a fantastic 112/74 (the lowest it's been this entire pregnancy!), I hadn't gained any weight from 2 weeks ago, and I had a Group B Strep test done to check for bacteria that might harm the baby during birth. I have my next appointment in 2 days, so I'll find out the results then.

Yesterday, during church service of all places, I experiences a series of tight contractions and actually felt a smidgeon of pain at one point. Considering how low-maintenance this pregnancy has been for the first 8 months, actually being able to identify contractions and know everything is working the way it should felt good. I know, I know. You're likely thinking I'm crazy for wanting to feel pain. It's not really the "pain" I want as much as knowing when a contraction hits.

Now that this little one is taking up so much room, I've noticed a greater degree of difficulty eating a normal-size meal. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point, which means when I order at a restaurant, I'm invariably taking at least half of it home, sometimes more depending upon what else I had with the meal. Works for me, though, as I get to prolong the enjoyment! I'm still waiting for the day when I get heartburn less often, although I have noticed a slightly easier time breathing. A friend asked today if my baby had "dropped" and I believe this one has...just not all the way. Guess I just have to wait and see if I start to feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, find walking increasingly uncomfortable, or have to spend even more time in the bathroom. Some of my friends have said it feels as though they're carrying a bowling ball between their legs!

Well, I have a ball of a baby tucked inside, but I'm not quite waddling like that yet. :) And speaking of little balls, it's time to hear from this ball of joy...






All right. So the countdown continues. I'm almost fully developed now and as I said last week, I'm running out of room. Most of my movements are twisting and turning to find a comfortable spot and hoping it's not causing Mommy to be in too much pain. She usually lets me know when I'm hurting her. Sometimes, we get into games of touching hands or her poking at my feet and back. Other times, it's Daddy doing the poking. I can tell the difference. There's also the game of light where I reach out for it or kick it when it shines on Mommy's belly. Of course, that can hurt her too, so I try not to poke too hard. Once in a while, I just feel and hear Mommy let out a loud and long sigh as she shifts. So, I try to shift too and help.

Most of my bones (aside from this soft noggin I have) are now completely hardened, giving me a strong frame from which I can now make my grand debut into the world. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am structurally ready for a secure launch. In physical fitness news: my muscle tone has also improved over these past few weeks, and you're sure to be impressed by my steel-like grasp if you your finger in my palm or near my toes.

Oh, and remember when I said there's more of me than that liquid stuff I've been living in all these months? Well, I'm still swallowing fluid and building up for that historic first poop. Rest assured, I'll be more than ready to swallow and digest milk after birth. Just practicing my sucking and swallowing in here and getting frustrated by all these hiccups. I sure hope they don't continue once I'm on the outside. They're plain annoying! I'm also shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered my body as well as that waxy substance covering and protecting my skin during this nine-month amniotic bath.

At the end of this week, I'll be considered full-term and I've moved into a head-down position. Good thing I have this fluid around me, or all the blood might rush to my head and make me dizzy!

And just in case you haven't quite figured it out yet: my Mommy's got herself an adorable and hungry 6.5 lbs 20-inch baby inside her tummy. I sure hope she's ready! I'm 36 weeks with 28 days to go...





You know, this little one has been rather active in the past few days. Makes me glad I've heeded some of the advice given by the books I've read and the web sites I've frequented. It might seem silly to think about "baby-proofing" before the baby's born, but once this angel is on the outside, I know I'll have far less time to think about it. And no, it's not drastic things like securing all of the cabinets in the house, stowing all sharp objects far above baby's reach, getting safety locks on all doors, etc. It's more like making certain the crib is padded, the car seat and baby carrier have the proper head support and cushioning, the car seat is installed correctly and the crib is free from anything overhead that might fall accidentally into the baby's area.

Since I'll likely be a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM), once my baby shows the earliest signs of being mobile, I can make certain the cabinets are secure and all outlets are covered. Besides, we have a border collie who is already eager to have something around to "herd." LOL! I'm sure she'll be a great second mommy and keep this little one quite safe. You should see her when I'm out of sight. She HAS to come find me and make sure I'm within sight range. Otherwise, she gets antsy and frantic. :)

Let's see. What else? We have another appointment Wednesday to meet our baby's pediatrician. Praying he's everything we've heard he is and it will be a perfect match for what we're looking to find in a doctor for our baby. It's going to be a long-term relationship, and we want it to be the right one.

We are also going to be getting our carpets cleaned and our air ducts cleared. We just had our furnace serviced. These are the last 2 things to make certain our home is free and clear of the dust and build-up that might hinder breathing or cause allergins to float in the air we're breathing. I haven't really had the "nesting" bug bite me full-force, but I can feel I'm getting close. I'm starting to want to make sure everything is scrubbed, including the walls, and I wipe down all surfaces a lot more often than I have in the past. Before, I'd dust when I vacuumed. Now, I almost have a dust cloth attached to my hand. :) We'll see how long that lasts!

That's all for today. Back to finishing up laundry.

If you wish to be notified of updates each week, subscribe over there on the right and receive an email each time I post. Thanks for coming along on this journey with me.

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Spotlight on Amy Deardon and A Lever Long Enough

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

AMY DEARDON is married and fortunate enough to be able to stay at home with her two children, now 15 and 12. In her life B.C. (before children) she did bench science research and taught anatomy and physiology at an undergraduate level.

She undertook a personal quest to investigate the claims of Jesus' resurrection with the goal of destroying them. To do this she studied biblical and extra-biblical accounts of Jesus and numerous commentaries by believers and skeptics alike, listed the facts agreed upon, and began to explore scenarios that could explain what was known. To her surprise and considerable dismay, the evidence kept pointing away from naturalistic explanations and eventually formed a virtually certain case for the resurrection of Jesus. Finally she admitted defeat and became a Christian. Her debut novel is the result of her research.

She also has a blog at http://amydeardon.blogspot.com/.

A LEVER LONG ENOUGH
by Amy Deardon
Published by Taegais Publishing, LLC

ABOUT THE BOOK

In the near future, the Israeli military has developed a prototypic time machine. When believers in Yeshua (Jesus) create a politically explosive situation that threatens the balance of peace between Israel and nearby countries, the Israelis must send a team of four elite soldiers back to film the theft of Jesus' body from the tomb and thus disprove Christianity. The team, consisting of a Special Forces soldier as leader (Benjamin), an ex-American astronaut as engineering specialist (Sara), an archaeologist, and a linguist, has exactly seventy-two hours to collect the video evidence.

Drawn into a web of first century deception and death, the only way to escape is for the team to change the past. In the present, a traitor, Gideon, attempts to sabotage the mission and seize control of the military complex. Benjamin is the only one who can reveal him, but he is trapped two thousand years away. Even with a time machine, time is running out...

Buy Your Copy of A Lever Long Enough today!

Personally autographed copies are available from the publisher's website at http://www.taegais.com/.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. This is your debut novel and the ACFW Book Club selection for March. Congratulations! What gave you the inspiration for this story?

Thank you – I am excited and humbled to be the March selection. What inspired me to do this story? I was blown away by the evidence for the resurrection, so decided to write a book. Now, I've discovered I love fiction writing!

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

The kernel of this book is my own faith journey, especially represented by Sara who is very much like me—focused, quiet, but beneath her calm exterior a seething mass of turmoil. The adventurous traits, sadly for me but fortunately for them, belong completely to my characters.

3. If one of your characters were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

Hmm, this is an interesting question! Let me think. Benjamin directs the action and is lightning-quick in his decisions – a rugged Rocky Road that gets the job done. Sara blends into the background but she holds startling secrets – how about a vanilla-looking scoop with some hot chili peppers as a mix-in?

4. Are there any themes in A Lever Long Enough that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?

I named this book after the Archimedes quote, "Give me a lever long enough, and a place to stand, and single-handed I can move the world." I was fascinated with the idea of a Lever: a device that can focus energy to move something that otherwise wouldn't budge. I have many levers in this book: from the physical lever that moves a stone, to the time machine that forms a graviton lever in space, to the emotional lever that moves Aaron to be merciful to XX (I don't want to give away plot points!). The lever that fascinates me most, though, is the spiritual: what does it take to convince someone that he may believe something that is wrong? Is this persuasive lever intellectual, emotional, or something from outside the person?

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

Oh, I had so much fun with this book! I put in lots of action, a love story, and exotic background and ideas because this is the kind of book I love to read. It was fun to get into my characters' heads to understand their secrets, then give them choices that would wrench them apart (she said with an evil laugh).

As a writer, I struggle with family distractions and the intimidation of a blinking cursor. I have to wake up before everyone else, and give myself a daily word quota.

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

I’m working on two books. The first project is my prequel, entitled Nest Among the Stars (from Obadiah 1:4), that follows Sara's space station disaster. This one is really shock and awe, with a deep theme of forgiveness. The second project is nonfiction, entitled The Story Template, that is a practical guide for a writer to develop a resonant, complete, compelling story from vague ideas. It's based on an algorithm I've developed during my story studies, and it really works with students I've coached. It's not a formula, more like a description of proportions and guidelines that work with any genre, since I'm a great believer in the uniqueness of each artist's vision. You can see a sample tutorial I've put on my website under *resources.*

Tiffany, thank you so much for the opportunity to share a little on your blog. :)

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Thank you, Amy, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE copy of A Lever Long Enough.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to anyone worldwide.

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CFBA Blog Tour - Mary Connealy and Gingham Mountain

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Gingham Mountain
Barbour Publishing - January 1, 2009)
by Mary Connealy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MARY CONNEALY's writing journey is similar to a lot of others. Boil it down to persistence, oh, go ahead and call it stubbornness. She just kept typing away. She think the reason she did it was because she was more or less a dunce around people—prone to sit silently when she really ought to speak up (or far worse, speak up when she ought to sit silently).

So, Mary had all these things, she want to say, in her head; the perfect zinger to the rude cashier, which you think of an hour after you've left the store, the perfect bit of wisdom when someone needs help, which doesn't occur to you until they solve their problems themselves, the perfect guilt trip for the kids, which you don’t say because you're not an idiot. She keep all this wit to herself, much to the relief of all who know her, and then wrote all her great ideas into books. It's therapeutic if nothing else, and more affordable than a psychiatrist.

So then a very nice, oh so nice publishing company like Barbour Heartsong comes along and says, "Hey, we'll pay you money for this 45,000 word therapy session." That’s as sweet as it gets.

Mary's journey to publication is the same as everyone's except for a few geniuses out there who make it hard for all of us. And even they probably have an Ode to Roast Beef or two in their past.

There are two other books in this Lassoed In Texas Series: Petticoat Ranch and Calico Canyon.

ABOUT THE BOOK

GINGHAM MOUNTAIN
by Mary Connealy
Published by Barbour Publishing

All aboard for a delightful, suspense-filled romance, where a Texan is torn between his attraction to a meddlesome schoolmarm and the charms of a designing dressmaker. When Hannah Cartwright meets Grant, she's determined to keep him from committing her orphans to hard labor on his ranch. How far will she go to ensure their welfare?

Grant Cooper is determined to provide a home for the two kids brought in by the orphan train as runs head-on into the new school marm, who believes he's made slave labor out of eight orphaned children. He crowds too many orphans into his rickety house, just like Hannah Cartwright's cruel father. Grant's family of orphans have been mistreated too many times by judgmental school teachers. Now the new schoolmarm is the same except she's so pretty and she isn't really bad to his children, it's Grant she can't stand.

But he is inexplicably drawn to Hannah. Can he keep his ragtag family together while steering clear of love and marriage? Will he win her love or be caught in the clutches of a scheming seamstress?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Gingham Mountain, go HERE.

Buy Your Copy of Gingham Mountain today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

This book is Hannah's story. I got Hannah in a lot of trouble as a secondary character in Calico Canyon. Now I've got to get her out of it. The fundamental story is inspired, just generally, by my own family. I was the third of eight kids. We grew up in a tiny old farmhouse, three bedrooms-well, eventually four when my brother moved into this wreck of an attic room. We didn't have material things but we had lots of love and plenty of fun. That's how I KNOW Grant could have shoe-horned all those kids into that little house, because we did it.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

I draw from my own experiences but I'm not controlled by them. If I have a personal situation that I think would work in a book, I use it. But then I just go any direction I want with that. And I'd say I'm influenced by movies and books and television just as much as my own life, getting character development ideas from everything I'm exposed to.

3. If one of your characters were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

I think Hannah would be mint. But not GREEN mint. No, she'd look like plain vanilla because she seems normal but she's a surprise, there’s so much going on under the surface with Hannah. Grant? Let's make him something crunchy. Rocky Road maybe. Grant has a chip on his shoulder. A knee jerk reaction against ANYONE who he even suspects might be hurtful to his children. That makes him fun and interesting to write but maybe a little rocky to be around for the other characters.

4. Are there any themes in Gingham Mountain that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?

I would like to make the point that THINGS aren't important, love is. I also really love the concept of people fighting for the protection of children and putting others ahead of themselves. That type of sacrifice is at the base of a well-lived life and we've gotten so far away from it these days, we all are so materialistic…me included.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

For me, the most difficult parts to write are also my favorites. I like chaos in a scene. I like movement and comedy, dialogue and confusion. I love the scene where the townspeople come into school and demand Grant remove his children because they're a bad influence on the rest of the students. Hannah's defending her own teaching skills. Grant wants to take his children and leave. Some of the parents are on Grant’s side, most are against him. It's a big blow up of a scene. Then Grant and Hannah have a big fight, mainly because they're so stirred up, which turns into a kiss that just makes everything worse. That was lots of fun to write and I changed it around a lot, tweaking, mixing in dialogue and tags and movement.

There's also a scene with Grant and Charlie that is, I hope, well done. Charlie wants to run away. He's so used to life being a disappointment that he just can't believe this new home won't somehow be taken from him and he's determined to leave before he's thrown out. I try to tackle some really tough questions about suffering and where God is in that.

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

I have a book called Nosy in Nebraska, a contemporary cozy mystery, releasing in June. Then in July a new historical western series begins with Montana Rose. It's more of the romantic comedy that I love to write and I think people are going to enjoy the Montana Marriages series.

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Thank you, Mary, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Gingham Mountain.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

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Baby Update -- Week 35, 5 Weeks to Go!

Wow, week 35. 7/8 of the way done. In some ways, it feels like it's taking forever. In others, it feels like it's flown by. Today is one of those days where it's dragging.

I'm not quite sure how, but it feels like this little one is pressing on something internally that's making it difficult to breathe. I've got a bit of pressure right around the breastbone, and there's a lot of movement in my tummy with pushing on the sides and center. Wonder if my angel had a growth spurt over the weekend. :) It's been a slow day today as a result, but not unbearable.

Last night, I had on and off minor issues with some heartburn, but it wasn't until 4am when I got up to use the bathroom that a new issue developed. My entire left arm from shoulder to hand felt like it was going through growing pains. No tingling, no numbness, no pain. Just a minor ache that annoyed me enough to keep me awake. I ended up waking hubby with my tossing and turning around 5 and he gave my arm a massage which helped. I managed to catch another hour of sleep, then the dog came in to be taken outside. Again, another hour, then it was pointless, and we both got up...dark circles under my eyes and all. *yawn*

Again, though, it's all part of the process, and not unmanageable. Just a bit uncomfortable.

In other news, I've been feeling more frequent belly tightening and contractions, although no labor contractions. I've noticed other women about where I am increasing their watermelon-betwixt-the-legs waddle, but I haven't started that yet. It's just becoming a bit harder to get up and down from sitting and lying down, and my walk is a bit slower.

I know once this your miracle baby is on the outside, this will all be a dim memory. So, I'm catching the cat naps whenever possible and keeping myself hydrated with water, trying to imagine how all of this will be much funnier in hindsight. Speaking of funny, how about a few words from my precious little porker inside...






All right, to set the record straight, I'm trying not to cause Mommy too much discomfort, but it's getting rather cramped in here. If I don't move a bit, I'm going to get stiff. My muscles need some activity. At least she lets me know when she's in pain. I try to move as best I can when that happens.

So you can see things from my side, I'm now nearly 6 lbs minus all of this stuff attached to me that's help keeping me nourished and alive. Mommy has a lot of reasons to be proud. She's doing great, and I'm now trying to decide when I want to make my appearance. She's done an amazing job, and I'll be so happy to finally meet her face-to-face. I know I'm going to love her and Daddy very much.

For now, though, I'm almost busting out of the womb size-wise, but I'm quite snug in here. From what I hear, I have more room than most babies, so it's not so bad. I'm not likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but I'll still be kicking at a steady pace, perhaps throwing in a punch or two. My kidneys are fully developed, and my liver can almost do its full job. Most of my basic physical development is now complete. That means, I'll spend the next few weeks putting on yet a little more weight. I'll try not to make it too much.

Here's a scary thought. Mommy's uterus is now one-thousand times bigger now than when I first came to be. Yikes! I'm 35 weeks with 35 days to go...





Back to Mom again. I have my 35-week appointment this week and will likely get the group B strep test as well as monitored for cervical effacement (thinning of the cervix) and dilation in order to predict labor. It'll be exciting as I move into weekly check-ups now to hear my progress and possibly get a closer estimate of delivery date.

My uterus — which was entirely tucked away inside my pelvis from the start — now reaches up under my rib cage. If I could peek inside, I'm sure I'd see more baby than amniotic fluid now, and that's exciting. My ballooning uterus is crowding my other internal organs, too, which is why I've had these breathing issues and pressure. At leats I have an explanation.

Last week, we finished our birthing class and had our pre-admission appointment at the hospital. Wow! So much information and so many details. We also scheduled an appointment with a pediatrician to meet him beforehand and get set up for post-delivery.

Oh, and my MIL called to say she might take some time off after the baby to come up and help out with anything I need, plus prepare some casseroles for us to freeze and heat when we need to eat. I'm sure nutrition for me will be the last thing on my mind to start, and I'm willing to take any help I can get! My SIL wants the baby born between March 13th and 16th so she can come the week of Spring Break to help. LOL! We'll see what this little one has in mind.

Me? I'm praying for before March 20th so the birthday can fall between the two grandmothers' birthdays. That's not too much to ask, right? :) I mean, that gives this baby a choice of 20 days between March 1st and March 21st. Sounds like a plan to me. *winks*

That's about all for today. I'm back to tending to hubby after he had his wisdom teeth pulled today. Poor baby. :(

If you wish to be notified of updates each week, subscribe over there on the right and receive an email each time I post. Thanks for coming along on this journey with me.

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An Eclectic Friday

Hmm, for the first time in a while, I'm just throwing together a few things and taking advantage of a posting day when I don't have a spotlight to post. :) I hope you'll indulge me as I share 3 special aspects of my life with you.

1. Pictures of our dog, Roxie.
2. A delightful Valentine's Day surprise
3. Details about my husband's debut novel and a contest where you can win FREE stuff!

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Our Dog

Roxie is a Border Collie/Flat-Haired Retriever Mix and she weighs about 60 pounds. Hubby and I rescued her from the Humane Society in October 2007, only 2 months after we were married. We've been supremely blessed ever since. Stu picked her out from a picture online and when we went to meet her, we were both struck with love at first sight.

A friend and fellow author had a random Friday post on her blog talking about pets and sharing pictures of her daughter's latest addition. She then invited readers to do the same. So, here they are:

Do you have a favorite pet or pictures online to share? Feel free to leave a comment and a link, so I can see them too. I love animals. They make our lives much brighter!

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A Delightful Valentine's Day Surprise

Last night, my husband brought me a funny card and some wall stickers of horses. They're the ones you can remove without damaging the wall. I saw them in the store last week and he noticed, then went out and got them. :) His skills at observation are amazing.

This morning, I woke up and not long after a knock came to my door. When I opened it, a delivery man handed me a long box, smiled and told me to have a nice day. Eager to see what was inside, I immediately opened the box and found these:

There was also a beautiful card with words from my husband's heart that touched me in many ways. It's a card that will be treasured for years to come.

Have you received a special V-day gift this year or any previous year that stands out in your mind? I'd love to hear about it.

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My Husband's Debut Novel and Contest

Some of you might have already seen this posted in other places, but I'm doing my hubby a favor and sharing it here as well. :)

For those who don't know, Stuart Vaughn Stockton has sold his first book and it releases on April 1st -- no foolin. :) To help announce and celebrate this auspicious event, he's running a contest (along with sponsorship by authors Brandilyn Collins and Jill Williamson and editor Jeff Gerke). If you're a fan of Brandilyn Collins' Kanner Lake series, you might recall a character named Ted Dawson (or S-Man). Well, that character was based on Stuart, and the novel the character was writing was Starfire. Just as the book was published in the series, the same goes for Stu. An odd and exciting circumstance of fiction meeting reality!

Anyway, all you need to do to become a Herald of the Starfire is:

* post about the contest and Starfire on a blog/website/community page
* download a flyer
* post a banner for the book somewhere online

Then, once you've done any or all of those, send an email to "contest [at] ritersbloc [dot] com" with links to anything you posted online or what you did with the flyer.

Prizes include: The Marcher Lord Press Spring Releases (Starfire, By Darkness Hid, and The Dark Man), the entire Kanner Lake Series by Brandilyn Collins, a guest blogging spot on Brandilyn Collins's blog: Forensics and Faith, and much more!

Visit Stu's web site to find out more: www.ritersbloc.com/contest

Hope to see y'all join in the fun!

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Spotlight on Lyn Cote and The Desires of Her Heart

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

When LYN COTE became a mother, she gave up teaching, and while raising a son and a daughter, she began working on her first novel. Long years of rejection followed. Finally in 1997, Lyn got "the call." Her first book, Never Alone, was chosen by Steeple Hill. Lyn has had over twenty-five novels published since then. In 2006 Lyn's book, Chloe, was a finalist for the RITA, one of the highest awards in the romance genre. Now, Lyn spends her days writing books that show the power of divine as well as human love.

She married her real-life hero and was blessed with a son and daughter. She loves game shows, knitting, cooking, and eating! She and her husband live on a beautiful lake in the northwoods of Wisconsin. Now that the children have moved out, she indulges three cats: V-8 (for the engine, not the juice), Sadie, and Tricksey. In the summer, she writes using her laptop on her porch overlooking the lake. And in the winter, she sits by the fireplace her husband installed with the help of a good neighbor during their first winter at the lake.

Lyn's inspirational novels feature American women who step up to the challenges of their times and succeed in remaining true to the values of liberty and justice for all. The story of America is one of many nationalities and races coming together to forge our one nation under God, and Lyn's novels reflect this with accurate historical detail, always providing the ring of authenticity. Strong Women, Brave Stories.


THE DESIRES OF HER HEART
by Lyn Cote
Published by Avon Inspire

ABOUT THE BOOK

In 1821, Dorritt Mott is a woman ahead of her time. When her family is forced to leave New Orleans, she meets Quinn. The New Orleans lady and the half-breed scout, become unlikely allies on the trek to the Austin settlement in Texas. Two armies, marauding Comanche and a traitor in their midst stand between them and their destination. All Dorritt thinks she wants is her own independence, but is it possible that she will gain the unrecognized desires of her heart? And teach Quinn to enlarge his vision also?

Buy Your Copy of The Desires of Her Heart today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

I look for a setting where there is a lot of conflict, especially culture clashes. People who look different and think different ways are a rich setting for an exciting story.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

There is a piece of me in each character because there are such things as universal emotions--love, hate, greed, selflessness, kindness, rudeness. We've ALL done them ALL, right? But I do not make each heroine me. Each heroine takes on a life and personality of her own as does the hero. I know I'm doing a good job with my characters when they begin to take over the story and do things I don't expect.

3. If one of your characters were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

Ice cream-hmmmmmm-Ice cream was extremely rare in 1821 New Orleans and more scarce on the Texas frontier. I think of Dorritt more in the terms of a steady, quiet, attractive mare who is a good mother to her foals. The kind of steed a rider could always count on in an emergency or on a forced march. I always write about strong women who are ahead of their times and either unconventional like Dorritt or crusaders.


4. Are there any themes in The Desires of Her Heart that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?

This is the first book in a 3 book series, titled "Texas Star of Destiny." I took this phrase from the Texas State Song, "Texas, My Texas." Interestingly, this song was written by an Anglo settler in 1829. Six years before the Texas Revolution, angloamericano settlers were thinking of Texas as their own, not a part of Mexico.

The themes for all three books in this series are taken from Psalm 37. The first theme is verse four: "Delight thyself in the LORD and he will give thee the desires of thine heart." (KJV) To me, this means that if a person goes about doing what pleases the Lord will in the end be blessed. This of course is based on trusting God which comes in verse five. "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." This is the challenge for Dorritt and her hero Quinn.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

This book bucked like a unbroken bronco. I wrote the ending three times before I got it right. Or I hope I got it right. (GRIN)

And my favorite part is always doing the historical research so that every detail recreates the world at that time. Many readers appreciate this attention to historical detail. As much as possible, I try to portray what each era and each setting demanded of people at that time. (Of course, I don't mention the fact that indoor plumbing was not readily available till mid 20th century. Let's not go there.)

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

My next new book is the second in my Texas series, titled Her Inheritance Forever. This story takes place the year of the Texas Revolution 1836 and that is difficult because the heroine Alandra Sandoval (who is a little girl in the first book) is a Tejano, a Texan of Spanish-Mexican descent. The hero is of course an Anglo, Scully Falconer. I found out a lot of facts and events I never knew had happened. As always in US history, brave men with faith in God were able to do the impossible.

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Thank you, Lyn, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, look below for 3 ways you can win a FREE copy of The Desires of Her Heart. We won't be doing a drawing from this blog for this book as all available copies the author has have been spoken for or included in the following ways you can still win.

Feel free to comment though if you have read this book or any of Lyn's, or if you wish to share anything connected to the spotlight.

To win books by Lyn Cote and more!

There are 3 ways to win books which include Lyn's.

1 - Enter the quarterly drawing at http://www.loveinspiredauthors.com/

2 - Drop by my blog http://strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com/ in MEGA Month May. A large basket of goodies and autographed books will be given away in a drawing from the names of those who send in stories about brave women in their families (including their own) or a friend which I will post as a blog; also those who post a comment this coming May.

3 - Drop by my website http://www.lyncote.net/ and click Meet Lyn Page and scroll to the bottom to join the Chapter-A-Week Club. Several times a year, this group gives away a prize of 10 lbs. of autographed books by notable Christian Authors.

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Baby Update -- Week 34, 6 Weeks to Go!

Amazing to think we only have 6 weeks to go if the baby cooks that long. For the first yesterday, I'm sure I felt a contraction, although the doctor assures me I've been having them for some time now. I just haven't felt them. Really tight stomach and a rolling sensation across the muscles that I know for certain wasn't the baby. Then, a few moments later, my tummy was soft again. If I'm not touching my belly, though, I don't notice them. Makes me wonder what the labor contractions will feel like---how severe, etc. Guess I'll have to ask Mom what she felt with my older brother. :)

Fatigue is still plaguing me, but is it any wonder, given the physical strain I'm under and the restless nights of frequent bathroom breaks and tossing and turning, while trying to get comfortable. I know I'm supposed to slow down and save up my energy for labor day (and beyond), but there is so much to do, I don't have time to slow down. I also move slower these days, which inhibits what I'd like to be doing, as blood pools in my feet and legs every once in a while, causing a temporary drop in blood pressure when I get up. I've only been dizzy once, so I try to remember to stand slowly.

I had my 33-week appointment last week and the doctor said it's almost like I read a textbook before coming in to see him. LOL! Baby's heartbeat was 155, and I measured at 34 weeks, which is right on target. My blood pressure was 117/78 and looking great. I also lost a pound from the last appointment, so I've only gained 10 pounds overall with this pregnancy. I'm excited! That means when all is said and done, I will weigh less after that post-partum period than what I did when this pregnancy began. Yay!

Can't say the same for the baby, though. Then again, this little one *needs* to gain weight....








Ugh! I'm getting SO fat. I weigh over 5 pounds, measure almost 18 inches and am rapidly running out of room in here. Doesn't stop me from kicking and punching and doing my morning aerobics though. As soon as that thing I think Mommy and Daddy call a dog or Roxie nudges Mommy in the morning, I stretch and go through my morning routine...much to Mommy's dismay. :) My fat is making me rounder and my skin is finally becoming smooth.

I'm also on the move as much as possible, but the big journey ahead of me is changing positions so my head is down and my feet are up. I have no idea how that could possibly be comfortable for the next 5-6 weeks, but something tells me I should make the switch. Upside down doesn't seem logical, but I feel compelled to do it, so I'm starting to make plans to move. Mommy will no doubt appreciate the relief to her ribs, organs and lungs. She might actually be able to breathe again. Oh wait, she lives at over 6,000 feet. Never mind. Forget the breathing. *winks*

Oh, and as I move, Mommy's pelvic muscles are tightening, so they're not as loose as they used to be. She can't do all those spastic dance moves now, for fear that her hips will fall off. :)

In other news, my little liver is almost fully-formed and able to process a certain amount. Actually, most of my physical development is pretty much up to snuff and ready for the outside world. But I'm not sure I'm ready. I mean, I've heard it's cold out there and scary. It's warm and cozy in here and Mommy does a good job making sure I get enough to eat and all of my vitamins. I'm sure she'll do the same once I'm on the outside too. I just don't know how eager I am to make an appearance. Guess we'll play it by ear.

Besides, I still have a few more pounds to gain yet and 42 days to go...







Ok, back to me again. The books tell me that "lightening" will happen this week or next. I honestly haven't felt too much pressure anywhere. We'll see how I feel once the baby drops and shifts to head-down position. Oh, I can just imagine. My poor bladder. And that cute little waddle hubby says I have will only get worse. It's going to feel like I'm carrying a watermelon between my legs. I'm not even in any kind of picnic race either. Of course, there IS a prize at the end, and that's being able to finally hold this little one. So, I'd say it's worth the short-term discomfort.

My next appointment is next week and then I start going every week until the baby is born. Doc will be doing the Group B Strep test at the next one, but my immune system is quite strong, so I'm sure I'll pass. It's the final test before the baby. So exciting!

Other than that, thanks to my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, hubby and I purchased a bargain of a bedset with the Noah's Ark theme that came with a lamp, bookends, nightlight cover, two fitted sheets, bumper, comforter, dust ruffle, window valance, two small pillow cases, diaper stacker and diaper pail skirt. All for just $85! We don't have a window in the baby's area of the office, so we stretched the valance out over the top of the closet. And the comforter is a wall hanging. Take a look at the pictures I've included.

We're almost feeling ready. Just some clothes and diapers I believe. Oh, and a baby monitor along with a handful of other things on our registries. Of course, I don't know how many onesies and sleep-n-plays you should have or even outfits. We only have 5 outfits for when the baby is older/bigger, 2 packs of 0-3 month onesies and 1 pack of 0-3 month sleep-n-plays. The rest are for 3-6 and 6-9 months. I have a feeling we'll be making a run to get clothes not too long after birth. :)

That's about all for today. I have to get ready to head out for our final birthing class tonight. Be back next week with more.

If you wish to be notified of updates each week, subscribe over there on the right and receive an email each time I post. Thanks for coming along on this journey with me.

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Spotlight on Cynthia Hickey and Fudge-Laced Felonies

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cynthia Hickey and her husband live in Surprise, Arizona along with two of their seven children, two dogs, two cats, and a fish named Floyd.

FUDGE-LACED FELONIES
by Cynthia Hickey
Published by Heartsong Presents Mysteries

ABOUT THE BOOK

Summer and her aunt are on the eve of opening a new candy business when Summer discovers a cache of diamonds and a bloody glove hidden beneath her prize roses. Though her heartthrob, Ethan Banning and her policeman cousin insist she stay out of the investigation, Summer just can't help herself. Neglecting her dream business to uncover a murder and theft isn't quite what Summer had in mind, but by the time she realizes she's in over her head, the culprits are ready - and willing - to take more from her than the candy she loves to make!

Buy your copy of Fudge-Laced Felonies today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. This is your first book. Congratulations! What gave you the inspiration for this story?

A friend of mine heard about Barbour's new mystery line and pretty much dared me to write a cozy for them. I didn't even know what a cozy was! I had to look it up.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

Summer Meadows is as ditzy as I was at that age. I think the trait that is hers alone is the fact that she got her teeth into the mystery and wouldn't let go. Despite the obstacles in her path.

3. What themes exist in Fudge-Laced Felonies that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed? I didn't begin the story with any theme in mind, but one of forgiveness and letting go of the reins so God can take over kind of inserted itself.

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

I loved all of it. Even as the author, Summer makes me laugh. I guess the hardest part was watching her struggle over her feelings for Ethan, the hero of the story.

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

Candy-Coated Secrets is due out in Spring of 2009 and continues Summer's story and takes place at a county fair. The book opens with Summer volunteering to help a disabled circus caravan and gets roped into guiding an elephant a mile down the highway. And that's just the beginning of her mishaps!

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Thank you, Cynthia, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Fudge-Laced Felonies.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net) or that it's available for viewing in your blogger profile. Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

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Spotlight on Kim Vogel Sawyer and A Promise for Spring

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KIM VOGEL SAWYER is the bestselling, award-winning author of 12 novels including Waiting for Summer's Return. Her compelling stories always provide not only entertainment, but also life-lessons her readers can use on their Christian walk. She is active in her church where she teaches adult Sunday school and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, Kim relishes time with her husband, daughters, and six grandchildren.

You can visit her blog at http://writespassage.blogspot.com/.

A PROMISE FOR SPRING
by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Published by Bethany House

ABOUT THE BOOK

England-born Emmaline Bradford pledged her life to Geoffrey Garrett and then bid him farewell when he boarded a ship for America. Though Geoffrey planned to send for her within a few months, five long years have slipped by. And now Emmaline barely remembers her fiance.

Having Emmaline finally living on the sheep ranch he's built on the north fork of the Solomon River is a dream come true for Geoffrey. But his beloved is not the free-spirited girl he remembers. In fact, she wishes to get out of Kansas as quickly as possible!

Begging Emmaline to give prairie life a try, Geoffrey offers a compromise: If she promises to stay until spring, he'll pay her return fare if she decides to go back to her home country.

Can anything convince a well-bred Englishwoman to become a "wildflower bride"?

Buy Your Copy of A Promise for Spring today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

A friend of mine and I took a research trip across Kansas in 2003 to investigate an historical ranch (the Cottonwood Ranch, now a museum) near the town of Studley. I was a part of a novella group, and I wanted my hero to work on a sheep ranch. Well, after exploring the ranch, I knew the story forming in my head was much bigger than a novella, but not until the novella set was declined did I allow the story seed to blossom because I wasn't sure I'd be able to pursue it. It was a pleasure to bring Emmaline and Geoffrey to life.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

Hm...dare I admit that I have a tendency toward stubborness? lol As much as one tries to avoid it, our own experiences and tendencies creep into the characters' lives. :o) I also hope the growth displayed--the learning to lean on God instead of depending on one's own strength and understanding--is something found in my life.

3. If one of your characters were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

Well, Emmaline would probably be vanilla. She is soooo proper and unobtrusive. Geoffrey, on the other hand, would be something bold and daring, like chocolate-pistachio-jalapeno. (Are you starting to see a bit of conflict between these two? lol)

4. Are there any themes in A Promise for Spring that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?

Truthfully, Emmaline and Geoffrey's struggle in this story to trust God to provide during difficult times could probably be reflective of the majority of the population right now! I wanted to develop a theme of "peace amidst the storm" because I needed the reminder in my life. I hope it provides some peace and comfort to my readers.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

Favorite parts...probably Emmaline's moments of rebellion. I'm not sure what that says about me! But to see her breaking free of her restraints and realizing she had a voice and could use it were very liberating for her (although a tad startling for Geoffrey!). I also loved all the scenes with Miss Tildy--that lady really grew on me. We could all use a "Tildy" in our lives. Most difficult are always the scenes from the hero's POV. Thinking like a "man" doesn't come easily. :)

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

Next up is a very special story to me--titled Fields of Grace, it chronicles a Mennonite family leaving Russia and journeying to America to establish a farm in "the land of Freedoms." They bring the Turkey Red Wheat that turned Kansas into America's breadbasket. It is a story straight from my own family history, and I hope readers will embrace Lillian and her family as they struggle with maintaining the faith of their fathers in this new country.

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Thank you, Kim, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE copy of A Promise for Spring.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

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Baby Update -- Week 33, 7 Weeks to Go!

We're into the last full month at week 33. Only 7 more weeks to go, if the baby stays and cooks that long. The doctor told me 37 weeks is considered full-term. Everything after that is fair game. That means, the day after my baby shower, I'll be ready to go any time. Yikes! That's only 4 weeks from today. Amazing how the time has flown. We've been busy, though, preparing. Not much more done to the baby's area, but we've been prepping in other ways.

Let's see. Hubby and I started packing our "goody bag" this weekend with what we could. Some items like an iPod, Nintendo DS game and some food items have to wait until we're closer. But, we have our list checked off and handy, in case someone else ends up finishing it while we're on our way to the hospital.

Same goes with the baby's bag and my own hospital bag. We've started but aren't complete. There are a few items like toiletries and last-minute baby items that we'll add after the baby shower on March 1st, depending upon what we receive that day. Really praying for diapers. LOL!

We collected a list of names for a pediatrician and have to make a few appointments to meet them, see if they gel and feel like they'll work for us. We also made our appointment to pre-register at the hospital. That's next week. Tonight, we'll have our 3rd birthing class, and I've signed up for the breastfeeding and baby care classes as well. Also signed up hubby for the Father-to-Father class. No mothers or women allowed. :) He'll be going with a friend whose wife is also pregnant and due 6 weeks after me.

Hmm, wonder how close our babies will truly be when they make their appearances. With the way my belly is expanding, it feels close. Speaking of which, the little bug inside me wants to say something...





For all the weight and bulk Mommy says she's lugging around these days, you’d think I'd be a super giant or something. But nope. I'm just a little over 5 pounds and about 17 inches long. Not big, I know, but I make up for it in appearance. I'm getting cuter and pudgier every minute as I pile on more of that adorable baby fat. And I'm getting stronger with every passing day.

These days, when I'm not frustrating myself with daily bouts of the hiccups, I've heard Mommy remark that she can see my kicks to her belly. I can't see her smile, but I can hear it in her voice and feel the love in her touch. Once or twice, she's even poked my foot when I've done some stretching. It's fun playing little games with her. I can hardly wait until I can do that face-to-face.

But, you know with each passing week, I'm losing more and more space to move around. That means, I won't be moving as much in the final weeks. For now, though, Mommy and I can have fun. Oh, and Daddy too. I can tell the difference in the hands and the heat from their hands when it's Mommy or Daddy. I might not move much pretty soon, but I'm comfy and cozy and warm and getting ready to make my appearance. Just don't know when that will be....





And now I'm back for a brief spell. It's hard to believe I've made it to under 50 days to go. In some ways, it feels like yesterday. In others, it feels like it's been forever. Sleeping these days is difficult at best, but I know it's preparation for when my little one arrives and I have to be up every few hours for feeding. Good thing I have a comfy rocker and the music channel on TV to soothe me while nursing and spending that precious time with my baby.

Of course, I couldn't dare handle this without the fantastic support of my husband and family. Stu's been fantastic with making sure I'm as comfortable as possible, carrying heavy things for me, helping around the house with cleaning and cooking, and reading books as well as paying attention in the birthing classes to be as informed as possible. It helps me feel more relieved going into this.

That's about all for today. I have to get ready to head out for that class and tour tonight. Be back next week with more.

If you wish to be notified of updates each week, subscribe over there on the right and receive an email each time I post. Thanks for coming along on this journey with me.

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