Love is in the Air: God Makes Broken into Beautiful

My dear writer friend Betsy St. Amant is here today to share the reason why her latest novel Love Arrives in Pieces, is so close to her heart. 

Best of all, Betsy is hosting a book giveaway contest here on my blog today! She agreed to give away one paperback copy of her novel Love Arrives in Pieces, to the one person who wins the contest.

Enter the contest by answering my question for you which is found toward the end of Betsy's guest post and to increase your chances of winning, fill out the items on the Rafflecopter widget.

So take a deep breath, curl up in a cushioned chair, maybe pour a cup of tea and listen to Betsy share her heart...

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God Makes Broken into Beautiful
A guest post written by Betsy St. Amant

After writing All’s Fair in Love and Cupcakes, I knew deep down that Stella Varland, a side character in the book, had her own story. She was so much more than just a pageant queen sister to Kat. She had hurts that made her the way she was, she had insecurities underneath the Vaseline-slicked teeth and the perfectly curled hair. She had secrets.

Love Arrives in Pieces delves into Stella’s secrets.

And in doing some, unearth a few of my own.

I put a little bit of myself into all of my characters—it’s hard not to, as an author. It might be hair color, it might be a habit or quirk, it might be a favorite food, it might be a career. It might be a pet or a memory or a fear, but there is a tiny part of me revealed in all of my characters.

Love Arrives in Pieces is so special to me because there’s not just a tiny piece of me in Stella. In so many ways, I am Stella.

Oh there’s many differences, of course. I was never a pageant winner, but I was divorced. I never had perfect blonde ringlets, but I know how it feels for your husband to bail. I’m not even remotely talented with art or interior design, but I know what it’s like to try to gather all the sharp broken pieces of your heart and wonder what on earth God can do with them.

Stella’s journey is much like the one I had to navigate, and this story is for all of the Stella’s out there. For all of the women who feel betrayed by their beauty, or maybe who feel like they aren’t beautiful at all. For all of the women who have had their hearts broken. For all of the women who struggle with sibling rivalry. For all of the women who are grieving the end of a dream and longing for a new one. For all of the women who are afraid to hope for happily ever after, and are trying to convince themselves to settle for mundane ever after. For all of the women who have soaked their pillows with tears wondering if God sees or cares. For all of the women who have harbored bitterness or unforgiveness in their heart toward family or toward men. For all of the women who wish things were different.

For all of the women who wonder if God can fix “this”—whatever “this” is for them.
I know from experience that God is especially in the business of fixing “this”. In fact, the more shattered it is, the more impossible it seems, the better. God loves showing up and doing what only He can do. He is the Dream-giver. He loves to restore and to give seconds chances (and even third and fourth and fifteenth chances). He loves when we depend on Him, trust Him, and wait expectantly for Him to work. It might not look the way we expected it to look. In fact, it rarely does, because God’s ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). They’re better.

Nothing is too broken for Him to repair.

I found that out, and eventually, so does Stella.

I hope you will too. 

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Question for readers: What is something in your life that you want God to "fix"?

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Author bio: Betsy St. Amant has a heart for three things - chocolate, new shoes and sharing the amazing news of God's grace through her novels. She resides in Louisiana with her adorable, story-telling young daughter, a collection of Austen novels and an impressive stash of Pickle Pringles. Betsy has a B.A. in Communications, is multi-published in contemporary romantic fiction, and freelances for her local newspaper. 


She also enjoys inspirational speaking and teaching on the craft of writing. When she's not composing her next book or trying to figure out where Mr. Darcy went, she can usually be found somewhere in the vicinity of a white-chocolate mocha, or singing along with her daughter to the latest Disney soundtrack. 

Look for her newest novel, Love Arrives in Pieces, released June 9, 2015!
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Blurb for Betsy's book:

For so long, Stella was known for her beauty. Now, with her heart stripped bare, she must discover who she really is.

Former pageant queen Stella Varland doesn’t trust beauty anymore after her divorce. Her appearance betrayed her and led to brokenness, so instead of being beautiful, now she tries to make beautiful things, but she always falls short. So she keeps her passion for art to herself and focuses on her interior design work. But if she doesn’t get another job soon, she’ll be stuck living with her parents.

Contractor Chase Taylor is determined to live a life of no regrets after losing his fiancée. Now he lives life at full speed, striving to see how much he can accomplish. He knows if he slows down, he’ll fall apart. So he returns home to Bayou Bend to renovate the town’s old theater and is shocked to discover that the designer for the project is his old flame, Stella.

Forced to work together, Chase and Stella battle their chemistry and past as they struggle to compromise and work together on a vision for the theater. Their wills clash as they attempt to hide their brokenness—and their unresolved feelings for each other—until Chase discovers the hidden parts of Stella, while losing her trust in the process.

A near catastrophe, a fire, and a small-town gossip mill finally force Stella and Chase to realize that they have a choice—to hold on to the shards of their pasts, or surrender their fragmented pieces to the One who makes a beautiful masterpiece from their brokenness.
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Buy Betsy's book:

Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1f1hub7

Barnes and Noble - http://bit.ly/1f1hvfi

Christianbook.com - http://bit.ly/1MGrCRQ

Zondervan - http://www.zondervan.com/love-arrives-in-pieces

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Connect with Betsy:

Author page on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BetsySt.Amant
Official website - http://www.betsystamant.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/betsystamant

Love is in the Air: Your Not-So-Secret Admirer

Raelee May Carpenter, author of Liberation Song, visits my blog today to share a devotional God placed on her heart. It's sweet, clever and the message may resonate with your heart.

Enjoy! :)

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Your Not-So-Secret Admirer
A devotional written by Raelee May Carpenter

A few summers ago in late July, the peak of my irritation with what felt like a feverish Persian kitten lying across the back of my neck happened to coincide with a $7 haircut sale at BoRic’s, and short-story-long, the curls that had dangled a couple inches past my shoulders were chopped to brush softly against my chin. I was officially ready to take on the summer…now that it was half over.

This slight alteration in my physical appearance drew a lot of comment at the factory where I worked at the time, including from people (mostly) who I did not know.

In one such moment, I was walking the plant floor when a gentleman I didn’t recall ever laying eyes on said to me, “You got your hair cut.”

I smiled and said, “Yes” then headed back to my work area while he said to the person next to him, “Her hair was long yesterday.”

I related the “incident” to a coworker who responded, “Well, you never know who’s noticing you.”

I know she met this in a nice way, like maybe I sorta had a secret admirer or something which was sweet, but on another level, her comment kinda made me squirm. Like maybe I’d been caught stealing cookies or something. Weird, I know. But what’s weirder is: I used to feel that way about God.

Have you ever felt that way? Maybe like God is Cruella Deville with PMS? Or an angry boss you’re afraid of. You can work along at your job when He’s out of the office, but when you see Him, you’re so nervous you can’t remember what you’re doing. He’ll see you at your desk, seeming to be typing away industriously on a project, but if He’d look at your screen (hopefully He doesn’t), He’d see something like, “jtirjihj ihi ijihn uiw…”

When did God’s ever-presence become a source of anxiety, instead of a constant well of love, joy and hope?

Through my writing, I am constantly repeating the message: how much God loves you, no matter who you are or what you’re doing. This is why.

I mean, yes, you are guilty of sin. And, no, God is (as C.S. Lewis put it) “NOT a tame lion.” Yes, God wants you to live a good life. But He does not want you to live a good life just because you’re afraid He’ll hurt you if you don’t. Or even because you know that you should.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said a hundred times: God loves you. That is exactly why He doesn’t want you to live (or fake) a good life, because you’re running scared. Living scared is NOT part of the Love Equation (perfect love casts OUT fear, remember?).

If you’re a parent, you probably know on an intellectual level you should hug your children and tell them you love them. It’s “good for their development.” But I’m guessing that “good for their development” is not what you’re thinking when you snuggle your babies in your arms. You don’t do it because you should. You do it because you love them, and loving them makes loving on them about the easiest thing in the world to do.

That’s the picture of God you need. That’s a God you can fall in love with, and you should love that God, because he’s the real One. As big and wild and sovereign and holy as God is, He’s still your Da-da.

How many of you want your children to hug you and tell you they love you because they think you’ll spank them if they don’t? Or would you rather they hugged you because they knew you loved them? Wouldn’t you rather they say, “I love you,” because they actually do love you?

That’s what your Da-da wants too.

Or, if I may dare another comparison, God is less like an angry boss and more like a Secret Admirer. Only instead of sending Russell Stover’s and anonymous poetry, He created a whole universe, complete with mountains and oceans and planets and stars and signed it in big red letters with the pen of His very life: “I AM.”

What do you do with a love like that? I’d really like to know.

Watch the Light, Beloved.

~*~
Author bio:

Raelee May Carpenter is a Christian and an author of contemporary fiction, inspirational essays, and modern mythology. Her work is passionate, descriptive and just a little edgy. Raelee's three lifelong passions are faith, people, and words. She's a tone-deaf music fan and "Mumma" to a young-at-heart, rescued Beagle mix. Her favorite thing to write about is the force that saved her life: Grace.
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Buy Raelee's book, Liberation Song:
Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1GwBH4O
Barnes and Noble - http://bit.ly/1dsRlRl

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Connect with Raelee:
Website - http://www.raeleemaycarpenter.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/RaeleeCarpenter
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/raeleemaycarpenter

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3510962.Raelee_May_Carpenter

Love is in the Air: Author interview featuring Davalynn Spencer's book Romancing the Widow

An author with whom you should be on a first-name basis by now, returns to the blog today to promote her book Romancing the Widow.

Romancing the Widow is Book #3 in Davalynn's Canon City collection and the focus of her interview today. So sit back, relax and enjoy the interview of this talented journalist-turned-author! :)

*Words from Alexis in bold, words from Davalynn not in bold*

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Alexis: Romancing the Widow is Book #3 in your Canon City collection. Tell us about the series.

Davalynn: The three books all stand alone, but they tell the ongoing story of the Hutton family. In Romancing the Widow, Martha Hutton Stanton takes the stage as heroine. She is the widowed daughter of Annie and Caleb Hutton from the first book, The Cowboy Takes a Wife. Her brother Whit Hutton’s story is in the second book, Branding the Wrangler’s Heart.

What inspired the Canon City series?

I live in Cañon City, and it is full of little-known Western historical gems. Each of the three books offers a peek at an actual event that took place here in the 1800s. I had a couple of other books lined up in the series, but Harlequin is no longer publishing the Heartsong Presents series after June. Perhaps those other stories will appear elsewhere.

What are the names of the other books in the series?

The Cowboy Takes a Wife and Branding the Wrangler’s Heart

Let’s talk about Romancing the Widow. Why did you write it?

After getting to know Annie Whitaker and Caleb Hutton from the first book, I wanted to continue their story from the viewpoints of their two children, Whit and Martha. Martha is the young childless widow who returns home to Cañon City bereft, grief stricken, and can we say “resentful”?

Tell us about your heroine Martha Stanton. What does she fear? What does she hope for in life? What broke her heart? How will she ever love again (or will she)?

Martha is certain she will never love again. Her preacher husband is shot and killed by the stray bullet of a drunken cowboy. With no children and no prospects, she does the only thing she can: return home.

Tell us about your hero Haskell Jacobs. Describe his looks, personality, and character. What does he want out of life? What makes him so mysterious?

Oh, I’m so glad you see Haskell as mysterious, for he is! Tall, dark, and secretive, he covers his heart quite well and drives himself to stay on task. What he wants from life and what he’s getting blister to the surface in this story.

Share a synopsis of the scene where Haskell meets Martha. Why does he take interest in Martha?

Haskell sees Martha step down from the train and is struck by the bold contrast of her widow’s garb and auburn hair. He sees her again the next day at the mercantile, and is similarly moved by her manner. But he doesn’t really meet her until she walks unwittingly in front of his horse on Main Street and is nearly trampled.

Haskell is a very unique name I’d say. How did you create it?

I first saw the name Haskell in a funeral notice as the surviving brother of a deceased friend. Immediately I knew that was my character’s name, or the rest of his name. For I already had Tillman Jacobs. Tillman was my grandfather’s name and combining the two bold and uncommon names added to the mystery of my 1800s Colorado Ranger.

What would you say was the greatest challenge in creating your main characters?

These two main characters, Martha and Haskell, came alive on the page for me. No difficulty at all as I watched their personalities unfold, other than keeping to my targeted word count!

If you could spend an hour with one of your characters in this book, who would it be and why? Share details on how you’d spend that hour.

If I could spend an hour with Haskell, I’d disguise myself in men’s clothing and ride beside him on his quest for the horse thief. I’d be quiet enough to gain his confidence, for I’d love to hear his musings about his life as a Ranger, following in the steps of his father, also a Colorado Ranger.

What was your favorite memory in writing Romancing the Widow?

I was quite moved by the ending – as silly as that sounds coming from the author. Of course, I can’t give away the scene here, but the unexpected tenderness in one of the characters touched me deeply. Sometimes in the writing process, the author simply sits back and watches a scene unfold. That’s what happened for me this time.

What advice do you have for unpublished authors?

As trite and commonplace as it sounds, my advice is this: Don’t quit.

When you’re on deadline, what food or drink must you always consume?

Coffee, chocolate, and gummy bears.

What do you love the most about being a writer?

I love living vicariously through the lives of my characters. This is also my goal for readers—that they can escape for a time into the pages of my books and see another world.

What do you love the most about springtime?

Springtime in the Rockies is spectacular. The sky is piercingly blue, columbines appear, aspens leaf out. Everything is so colorful and clear. Except when a spring snowstorm sweeps down! But even those are beautiful.

Complete this sentence: After I wrote "The end" to Romancing the Widow, I felt ______________because___________________.

After I wrote “The end” to Romancing the Widow, I felt satisfied because I knew it was all going to work out for Martha and Haskell.

~*~
Author bio:

Davalynn Spencer writes inspirational Western romance complete with rugged cowboys, their challenges, and their loves. 

Her work has finaled for the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, the Selah, and the Holt Medallion. 

Davalynn teaches writing at Pueblo Community College and at various writing workshops. She and her own handsome cowboy make their home on Colorado’s Front Range with a Queensland heeler named Blue. 

~*~

Buy Davalynn's book:

Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1MicUQ2

Barnes and Noble - http://bit.ly/1BUfNBa
Christianbook.com - http://bit.ly/1Qi90gH
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Connect with Davalynn:
Website - www.davalynnspencer.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDavalynnSpencer
Twitter - @davalynnspencer

Love is in the Air: Author interview with Katy Lee

If you like romantic suspense stories, you're going to love author Katy Lee! 

Welcome Katy to the blog today. She's here to tell you all about her journey as an author of romantic suspense stories.

Enjoy the interview! :)

*Words written by Alexis in bold, words from Katy not in bold*

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Alexis: You’re a romantic suspense author. What does that mean to you?

Katy: That means I tell a story that offers a happily-ever-after, but first the characters have a lot to prove before they earn it…if they survive.

What makes your stories fun and exciting?

I look for unique settings/situations that will coincide with the message of my stories. For example, in my new series, starting with Silent Night Pursuit, coming out in December, the family owns a speedway. The three books will delve into the “checkered pasts” of each of the siblings. They will be “tracked” down and have to look for “ten-second windows” to “break away” from the pact gaining on their “tail ends.”

Who are your main characters of your current release, Permanent Vacancy? What is the book’s summary?

When Gretchen Bauer begins renovating an old Victorian house to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast, she barely escapes several dangerous "accidents" at her home. Colm McCrae, host of the home improvement TV show helping her renovate, refuses to believe these aren't on purpose. Could this be a harmful ploy by his boss to boost ratings? Yet with Colm's smooth-talking Irish brogue, Gretchen wonders whether he could be involved. But with a whole town full of neighbors disgruntled about the inn bringing strangers to their shores, Gretchen has a list of more likely suspects. Now she must trust Colm if she wants to keep her new business venture from turning into a five-star death trap.

What was your greatest challenge in character creation for your latest series?

My hero is an Irishman, and I spent a lot of time researching Dublin lingo so I could pepper it throughout the story.

What did you find most rewarding about writing your new series?

In the research of any of my books, I study real-life people and how they overcame similar experiences. For example, my December book, Silent Night Pursuit, my hero is a soldier with PTSD and has a service dog. Spending time with these real-life heroes and their dogs was amazing.

How does your faith in God play into your storytelling?
NEVER stop studying His Word. It helps me first in my own life to have His answers to my life’s problems. I can only offer what I know and have experienced myself.

Are you traditionally published? If yes, share the elevator pitch that landed a book deal for you.

Yes, I write for Love Inspired Suspense (LIS), a line of Harlequin.

Here’s my pitch that helped me sell my first book in 2012, Warning Signs.

Pitch: When DEA Agent Owen Matthews arrives on Stepping Stones Island to investigate the school's recent drug activity, he doesn't expect Miriam Hunter, the beautiful, funny, deaf principal. His own son is deaf, due to an accident for which Owen blames himself. Owen doubts Miriam’s secret to success will work for his son. When deadly pranks prove Miriam plays a larger role in the criminal activity, he realizes someone wants her—and her secrets—silenced for good. Will resurfacing her past, cost them their future together? Or will Owen learn to hear with his heart before time runs out?

FYI: My editor almost passed on it because “pranks” are not enough suspense for LIS. So glad she asked to see it anyway!

And here’s the back cover once it went to publication:

When a drug-smuggling ring rocks a small coastal town, the DEA sends Agent Owen Matthews to shut it down. A single father with a deaf son, Owen senses that the town’s number one suspect—the high school’s new principal—doesn’t fit the profile.

Miriam Hunter hoped to shrug off the stigma of her hearing impairment when she returned to Stepping Stones, Maine. But her recurring nightmares dredge up old memories that could prove her innocence—and uncover the truth behind a decades-old murder. Yet Owen’s help may not be enough when someone decides to keep Miriam silenced—permanently.

What is your go-to food or drink when on deadline?

Reese’s Pieces or Chocolate Mint Tea

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Join a professional writer’s organization that works with you on your road to publication. Keep your ears and eyes and mind open to all they have to teach you.

I belong to RWA and ACFW.

Describe your writing space. What makes it special to you?

I write mostly in a rocking chair. There is something relaxing about the back and forth motion that allows my mind to wander where it just won’t go at a desk.

Who is your favorite Christian author? Why?

Lynette Eason. Her faith comes through her stories and inspires me.

Who is your most encouraging cheerleader for your creative endeavors? What do they say to motivate you?

My children. They read my stories and are so helpful with promotion during release week.

What are your writing and publishing dreams for 2015 and beyond?

Just keep writing. Just keep writing. Just keep writing.

And write stories that impact readers.

Complete this sentence: My favorite feature about springtime is __________________ because ___________________.

My favorite feature about springtime is low humidity because my hair frizzes up come summer.

~*~
Author bio:

Katy Lee is the author of five published novels. She likes to say she writes higher purpose stories at high speed because her suspenseful romances thrill, inspire, and satisfy the reader—from the edge of their seat. 

A native New Englander, Katy loves to knit warm wooly things. She enjoys traveling the side-roads and exploring the locals’ hideaways. 

A homeschooling mom of three competitive swimmers, Katy often writes from the stands while cheering them on. 

Her Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense, Grave Danger, is both a RITA and Daphne Du Maurier finalist. 

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Buy Katy’s books:
Amazon - http://amzn.to/1Fzmiec
Barnes and Noble - http://bit.ly/1Fzml9Z

*See the full listing of Katy's books on Amazon Author Central, http://amzn.to/1dVisW3

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Connect with Katy:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KatyLeewriter
Twitter - https://twitter.com/KatyLeeBooks
Website - www.KatyLeeBooks.com

Love is in the Air: Branding the Wrangler's Heart

“The very first Love Inspired western I have ever read and I LOVED it from page 1 to the end. So well written and interesting. Never a dull or lagging moment. However, I had to ask my husband what a few words meant, such as rimrock and calf fries! Guess I am not as country as I thought I was. I really admired Olivia Hartman, for her spunk in showing those wranglers what a girl was made of … If you do not have this one on order, then you'd better hurry, it is for sure a sellout. I highly recommend it to anyone regardless of the genre you favor.” –R.A. Smith 

Those are the words that best describe what readers can expect from author Davalynn Spencer's novel, Branding the Wrangler's Heart.

Davalynn is no stranger to this blog. She's been here more than twice in the past two years and every time, she brings something new and exciting to this place.

Today, we're featuring an excerpt of Davalynn's novel. Read, enjoy and be encouraged to buy this wonderful writer's book! :)

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Branding the Wrangler’s Heart
Written by Davalynn Spencer

Excerpt from Chapter 1 of Branding the Wrangler's Heart:

Livvy stood at the stove and wiped her hands on her apron. Pop wasn’t his jovial self this morning. She had hoped the men could wheedle him into a better humor, but their good-natured bantering wasn’t breaking through the dour mood he’d carried home from town yesterday.

She stirred the gravy in wide slow circles, listening for Pop’s voice in the dining room. It came low and tense, and she stilled the spoon to concentrate on his words.

“I’m sure you all know about the feuding that’s been going on over the railway the last couple of years.”

Knives and forks scraped against her grandmother’s Staffordshire china, and a coffee cup clinked on its saucer. No one spoke, and she imagined the others nodding somberly.

“I don’t want my men getting mixed up in any rail war.” Pop’s voice carried an edge. “This blasted railroad business is going to get someone killed and it better not be any of you.”

A throat cleared. Whit, she guessed, who usually spoke for all the hired hands.

“We’re too busy,” Whit said. “Gathering starts today and I figure we’ll be branding for three or four days. We don’t have the time or notion to be riding up that canyon taking potshots at our neighbors.”

Pop cursed and Livvy clapped a hand over her mouth.

“That’s the problem,” he said. “Those train barons have called in outside guns and they’re offering money to any man that will sign on with them.”

“Which side?”

The heavy silence meant Pop was staring a hole through young Jody, the only one foolish enough to ask such a question.

“Not that I’m thinkin’ on joining them, mind you. I was just curious, that’s all.”

“Both sides.”

A cup slammed into its saucer and Livvy flinched. She had only eight of the original twelve left, and the way Pop and these cowhands treated her grandmother’s lovely blue-and-white china, she’d have no unchipped cups by summer’s end. Tin suited them better, but at the dining table Pop insisted on the “good dishes.” A tribute to his beloved Ruthie.

Chair legs combed the carpet as someone stood.

“You can count on us,” Whit said. “We work for this outfit, not some railroad company.”

Buck and Jody quickly agreed and flatware clattered against plates.

Livvy hurried to the sink, filled a dishpan and set it on the stove, grateful again that her grandfather had the convenience of an indoor hand pump.

Pop and the boys made their way through the kitchen, thanking her as always. Whit went out the front. She checked the other water pan already on the stove and returned to the dining room to clear the table. Through the lace curtain she saw Whit at the hitching rail, adjusting Oro’s cinch. She moved to the window to watch him—something she did too often of late. Comfortable in the knowledge that he couldn’t see her through the lacework, she wrapped her arms around her waist and studied his profile.

Dark and angular, his jaw shadowed with stubble. He was still lean but no longer the gangly boy who’d chased her in the churchyard. So different, yet so much the same as he had been during those growing-up years.

How did he see her now? As the skinny little girl who’d begged him to push her in the swing and cried when he teased her? Or as a woman who had lost that child’s heart to hero worship years ago?

He looked at the window. Livvy sucked in her breath and tightened her arms. She held her place, afraid to move and give herself away. A slow, easy smile tipped his mouth and he nodded once. Then he gathered the reins, swung into the saddle, and touched his hat brim before riding away.

Her vision darkened and she swayed. Reaching for a ladder-back chair, she gasped for air, her temples throbbing. This had to stop. She couldn’t spend all summer holding her breath every time Whit Hutton looked at her.

She finished clearing the table, set a small leftover steak on the sideboard, and covered it with a napkin. Then she carefully placed the china in the dishpan and checked through the kitchen window for the men’s whereabouts. Satisfied they were busy elsewhere, she grabbed a sharp knife and went out the front door.

An overgrown lilac bush billowed with deep purple blooms beside the dining room window. Carefully she cut three bunches and held them to her nose as she walked to the hitching rail. Glancing at the barn and bunkhouse, she turned to face the window. The lace curtains blocked her view of the chair where she had stood. Convinced that Whit could not have seen her through the sheer fabric, she went inside to search for a vase among her grandmother’s collection.

The heavy oak door opened right into the dining room with no formal entry hall. The ranch house had grown out each end of the original square-log cabin, spreading into a comfortable home. A small porch announced the entrance, but Mama Ruth had never bemoaned the informality. She had directed her British ancestral conventions to more important things.

Like decor.

The Bar-HB might be a working cattle ranch, but Ruth Baker had swept a generous hand through her house where furniture and carpets, crystal and china were concerned. Livvy chose a lovely hand-painted vase from an ornate curio cabinet. She fussed with the heady blooms, slicing off the bottom of one bunch so its heart-shaped leaves cupped over the vase’s lip. Several four-point blossoms dropped to the tablecloth and the rich perfume filled the room.

Mama Ruth had loved lilacs, and every window in the rambling house had a bush nearby that bloomed profusely from late spring into early summer—gentle lavender, brilliant white or deep purple. Even the dainty detail that edged the vase replicated the delicate blooms.

Livvy removed the soiled cloth to reveal the fine cherry wood table and stepped back to view the lilacs.

Whit could not possibly have seen her. So why did he act as if he knew she was there? How full of himself he was, assuming she stood at the window. That arrogant air had not changed one bit since their childhood.

She glanced down at the simple bodice of her blue calico and the full white apron that covered her skirt. Had it shown through the curtain?

Or had he felt her eyes on him?

~*~
Author bio: 

Davalynn Spencer writes inspirational Western romance, historical and contemporary, complete with rugged cowboys, their challenges, and their loves. Her work has finaled for the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, the Selah, and the Holt Medallion. 

Davalynn teaches writing at Pueblo Community College and at various writing workshops. She and her own handsome cowboy make their home on Colorado’s Front Range with a Queensland heeler named Blue. 

~*~
Buy Davalynn's book:
Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1Fy5Rig
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1djhe6a

~*~
Connect with Davalynn:
Official website - www.davalynnspencer.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDavalynnSpencer
Twitter - @davalynnspencer

Love is in the Air: Author interview with Julie Arduini

Welcome Julie Arduini to my blog today! 

Julie is here to talk about her own book Entrusted and The Love Boat Bachelor which is a book containing stories from several authors, not just Julie.

Best of all, Julie agreed to giveaway one copy of Entrusted, one copy of The Love Boat Bachelor and one copy of "A Walk in the Valley" an infertility devotional which was co-written with other authors.

So that means three individuals each have the opportunity to WIN a book from Julie through the book giveaway contest she's hosting on my blog today! See the Rafflecopter widget for details and remember to enter the contest with your name and e-mail address. We need your name and e-mail so we can contact you if you're one of the three winners.

Are you excited to know more? If so, continue on to read my author interview with Julie!

*Words from Alexis in bold, words from Julie not in bold. 

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Alexis: Tell me about your book Entrusted.

Julie: Entrusted is the first of three books in my Adirondack Surrender romance series. It’s about a young woman who promises a beloved friend on her deathbed that she in return will never take life for granted. Jenna knows her job has no room for promotion so when she finds a job opening in a magazine, she makes a call and is offered the job on the spot.

Entrusted starts when Jenna, from Youngstown, Ohio, lands in the rural mountain village of Speculator Falls in the Upstate N.Y. Adirondack mountains. She’s ready for change but not everyone is as excited about her and her plans. For instance, grocer and town Councilman Ben Regan.

What exactly is the Adirondack Surrender Series? Quite a name too! Please explain the meaning behind that series title.

All my writing and speaking centers around surrender. My fiction plan is to write about surrender issues using Upstate, New York settings. The Adirondack Surrender romance series is my first contract with Write Integrity Press, and it is the name we thought fit.

Is Entrusted the first book in your Adirondack Surrender Series?

Yes. Entrusted is first, Entangled is second, and Engaged is the third.

Your leading lady in Entrusted is Jenna Anderson who in your book summary, you describe as a “sassy city girl.” What makes Jenna so sassy? Explain her character, motivation and role in the story.

Jenna tends to think big and speak without thinking it through. She doesn’t mean to come across as too much, but she finds herself in a bit of trouble whenever she tries to communicate with Ben. Her motivation is to make good on that promise she made to her neighbor in Ohio. She doesn’t want a mediocre life.

Councilman and grocer Ben Regan is your leading man for Entrusted. What makes him tick? What makes him smile? What is his weakness? How does he affect Jenna? Explain his role in the story.

Ben is the polar opposite of Jenna even though they both experienced loss and change in their lives before meeting. Ben’s reaction is to try to control everything so there won’t be loss again. He’s acting out of fear and grief. Ben and Jenna clash quite a bit because their reactions to the same things are different. They need to trust God as they navigate through the changes in their lives.

Describe the story setting for Entrusted and explain why you chose that place.

Entrusted is in Speculator Falls, a fictional village I based on the real Speculator, New York. I first visited Speculator in the early 1990’s and immediately fell in love with the place. I could envision the characters and started asking questions to form the story. It’s so rural in the real Speculator that the entire county doesn’t have one traffic light. My hope was readers from all over would read Entrusted and fall in love not just with the characters, but the place.

What was the easiest part of writing Entrusted? What was the most difficult?

Any scene that pitted Jenna against Ben. The sparks flew naturally and it was fun to write. The difficult part was editing and revising. I had to battle my own fear about if the story would ever matter to a publisher or a reader. I broke my writing wrist during revisions and it did not heal properly. I lost a lot of time.

What do you want your readers to take away from Entrusted?

God’s arms are open and He can be trusted. He longs to help us find freedom when we surrender our fears to His Son.

*Segue*: Now let’s talk about The Love Boat Bachelor.

Alexis: You are one of several writers who wrote stories that compose the book The Love Boat Bachelor. Share the story of how you were selected for this opportunity.

Julie: All the authors are part of Write Integrity Press (WIP). I was one of the new authors on the block and Tracy Ruckman asked if I would like to participate. Before I ever signed with WIP I was a reader in love with their work. It was easy to say yes.

Who is your leading lady in this book? What makes her happy? What makes her sad? What brings her hope?

I wrote Nora Laing. Helping her family makes her happy. She’s sad to know her role as a caregiver is ending. For years she helped her sister care for her son. Now her sister is married and the blended family needs to move forward, without Nora being as directly involved in her nephew’s life. She has hope in seeing how well her nephew adjusts and how Pastor Brent Teague interacts with him.

Who is your leading man? What makes him angry? What makes him happy? What makes him fall in love?

We all wrote the same leading man, Pastor Brent Teague. He grew up in an abusive home so anytime he sees a woman disrespected, he is angry. I believe seeing God at work in all things makes him happy. Brent is compassionate so anyone with a tender heart, especially for children, is going to catch his attention and affection.

In what ways do your leading lady and leading man affect each other? You can start with sharing how they meet.

Brent shows Nora it’s okay to let go. She’s been so embedded in her sister’s life she forgot to have a life of her own. Once Nora starts to embrace this, she displays a fun side that loosens Brent up. They are good for each other as they face new beginnings. They meet on the cruise ship during the first full day at sea. The waters are a bit rough and Brent feels a little green. It’s Nora’s nephew that meets Brent first, and Nora then is able to give him advice on how to overcome.

What lesson do you want to teach your readers as they read your story?

Surrender your fears to God. It’s okay to start over or do something new.

What do you like the most about being part of a book that contains stories by several other authors?

We are a family. There was no competition in the ending, we were rooting for each other. Although Nora wasn’t chosen, I absolutely loved who was and how the book ended. We cross market so it isn’t a lonely venture. It’s a fantastic experience all the way around.

*Closing*: Let’s talk about you as an author as we wrap up this interview.

Why do you, as an author, love writing about love?

I think it’s a fun way to give readers hope for their circumstances, relationships and hopefully draw them closer to a relationship with Christ---the greatest love anyone could know.

If you could spend a weekend with one of your characters from either of your two books mentioned here today, who would it be and what would you do?

That’s a great and hard question! I would have to say Sara from Entrusted. She’s the matriarch of Speculator Falls and although she looks like Mrs. Claus, her hugs are fierce. I’d love to spend the day with her at the cabin and listen to her stories about how God came through for her and her husband. I’d love to learn from her wisdom that I know came through her faith.

What do you love the most about springtime?

Lilacs. My absolutely favorite.

Thank you for the interview, Julie! If you’d like to do a book giveaway, please leave a question for my readers to answer. 

Julie's question for readers: What has been the hardest thing for you to surrender? It can be silly or serious. Afterall, you’re talking to the girl surrendering the good, the bad, and---maybe one day---the chocolate.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Author bio: 

Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to find freedom in Christ through surrender. She’s the author of the Amazon bestseller, Entrusted and co-author of the international bestseller The Love Boat Bachelor. She also shared her story in the Amazon bestseller infertility devotional, "A Walk in the Valley." 

She’s the fiction contributing editor for the digital magazine, Imaginate, and blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read. 

She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com.
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Blurb for Julie's book Entrusted:

Jenna Anderson, sassy city-girl from Youngstown, Ohio, plows–literally–into Adirondack village, Speculator Falls, with a busted GPS. She gets a warning from the sheriff but has ideas for the senior center to prove she belongs in town as their director. Town councilman Ben Regan is as broken as the flower box Jenna demolished. He’s grieving and wants to shut down the center before there’s too much change and heartbreak. They work on community projects and build a slow relationship, but the council needs to vote on the senior center’s future. Can Jenna show Ben both her and the center are worth trusting?

- See more at: http://juliearduini.com/books

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Buy Julie's book Entrusted:
Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1zDWq04
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1AxyePM
Christianbook.com - http://bit.ly/1zUDkWN

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Connect with Julie:
Facebook - http://facebook.com/JulieArduini
Twitter - http://twitter.com/JulieArduini
Google+ - https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JulieArduini/posts
Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/JulieArduini
Instagram - http://instagram.com/JulieArduini
Goodreads - http://goodreads.com/JulieArduini
Amazon - http://amzn.to/1QrfyEq

Love is in the Air: Author interview with Elizabeth Maddrey

Happy to host fellow ACFW member and romance author Elizabeth Maddrey to the blog today! Liz is here to talk about two of her most recent books in her new series, Taste of Romance: A Splash of Substance and A Pinch of Promise.

If you love catered food, politics and stories that send the characters on creative journeys that result in unexpected love and love regained then you will absolutely adore these two books by Liz! 

Best of all, you can enter the book giveaway contest toward the end of the interview for your chance to WIN a copy of Liz's books! Liz agreed to give away one e-book copy of each book. The contest details are in the Rafflecopter widget below. 

So without further ado, on to the author interview.

*Questions by Alexis in bold, answers from Liz not in bold...

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Alexis: You’ve started a new book series called Taste of Romance. What makes this series special to you?

Elizabeth: I think the first thing is that the hero in A Splash of Substance was a very minor character in my first three books (the Grant Us Grace series) and so revisiting him has been a lot of fun. But I also know that Christians frequently struggle with how much they can and should be involved in what are considered cultural or political issues and it’s those types of issues, specifically food-related ones, that the characters in the Taste of Romance series wrestle with. And as I’ve been writing, I’ve found myself having to prayerfully revisit my own thoughts.

What is the inspiration behind Taste of Romance? Share the story of how it all started.

The inspiration really came from a conversation with a friend who doesn’t vote. She’s an amazing Christian and I struggled, hard, with the fact that she had (and continues to have) no problem with a complete lack of participation in any sort of government. And I thought to myself that it was good that her husband is in the same boat...but what if he wasn’t?

*Segue*: We’re going to talk about your two most recent releases which are book #1 and book #2 in your new series Taste of Romance. Let’s start in order with the first book in the series, A Splash of Substance.

How did you decide on the title, A Splash of Substance? What message do you want that title to send to your readers before they start reading your book?

Titles are probably my biggest hurdle as a writer. I knew I wanted something that combined a food-type word (in this case Splash) and then something that would suggest a deeper, more thoughtful life. And since alliteration is always a good thing, I hit on Substance. As for readers, I hope it conveys a sense that the people in the book are worth finding more about and that they have something to offer that might make you think.

Paige Jackson is your leading lady who stays out of politics and trusts God to “govern the world.” How did you come up with her character? What are her flaws, traits and quirks? What makes Paige, well, Paige?

She’s based very loosely on my friend who shares that same thought process when it comes to the larger sphere outside her immediate concerns. I think in many ways, that’s a flaw and a benefit to Paige. She’s an avid gardener and pretty entrenched in her viewpoints. She has trouble with her mom and is definitely a daddy’s girl. She flies off the handle pretty easily and will walk off in the middle of a fight or shut you out because she hates confrontation. But she still listens to the Holy Spirit pointing out her issues and, generally, will come around to apologize after she’s cooled off.

I love that Paige owns a catering company! What kind of food does she serve?

Paige is all about locally sourced, seasonal food. So while she tries for higher-end flavors, she does it with down-to-earth ingredients. She wants the food to be fresh and accessible.

Jackson Trent, your leading man, “works on Capitol Hill for Senator Carson, putting his beliefs in action to help shape national policy.” What makes Jackson tick? What makes him a valuable professional asset to Sen. Carson? Did you use the names of real politicians for this story or is every character purely fictional?

Everyone is purely fictional. I had a few different people in mind for the side characters, but not the Senator. Jackson is fueled by a very distinct sense of right and wrong. It’s Biblically based, but he can be a bit of a steamroller. He’s absolutely adamant that Christians need to be making changes for Christ from the top down. His zeal makes him a huge asset professionally, as long as he’s in agreement with your focus.

Describe the scene where Paige and Jackson first meet. What thoughts were going through your creative brain when you created that scene?

Paige and Jackson meet when she goes to his office to present the suggested menus for this fundraiser that she’s been selected to cater. I wanted there to be an immediate sense of attraction between the two, but also that pushing apart because Jackson is the embodiment of so much that Paige feels is wrong with the world. Jackson, on the other hand, sees Paige as a bit of a dip because of her focus on sustainability and local sourcing. It was definitely attraction at first sight, but personally, both left feeling that working together was going to be miserable.

What makes A Splash of Substance a “heartwarming romance that also provides readers a chance to consider their views on the civic responsibility of Christians and sustainable living in the suburbs?”

Well, I think the romance between Paige and Jackson is delightful (I’m probably biased). I love watching people who appear diametrically opposed discover that, at the end of the day, they have more in common with one another than they think. But, it’s not only that love story. Paige and Jackson both wrestle with their positions on these issues and as they do, readers have a chance to do that as well. Hopefully it’s presented in a way that’s not considered preachy (I really do try to make it an even-handed presentation of things that people should think about – I don’t have an axe to grind, I just want people to know why they fall on the side of an issue that they do and not end up there by default.)

What was the most challenging aspect of writing this book? What was the most rewarding?

The biggest challenge was probably keeping the book from becoming preachy – and really that wasn’t horribly hard because I focused on the romance and on Paige and Jackson and even though there were places that I could’ve put more in, it wouldn’t have been organic to the characters. The most rewarding is getting to the end and realizing that there’s a good story there – it’s not just an excuse to examine issues, it’s not a shallow or superficial love story with no character growth. I’m really happy with the depth, on all sides, of the book.

What do you hope your readers will learn from reading this book?

I don’t know that I have any specific hopes beyond having enjoyed the time between the pages. If they thought about their own positions on voting or sustainability, then great! But if not, that’s good too, provided they had a good visit with Paige and Jackson.

*Segue #2*: Let’s talk about A Pinch of Promise which is book #2 in the Taste of Romance series. 

I gather from your tentative book summary that opens with the line, “He never forgot his first love” that this story is about romance won and lost. Am I correct? Please explain.

Ben fell in love with a fellow camp counselor when he spent the summer working with kids between his freshman and sophomore year of college. But when camp was over, she disappeared. And he never really was able to move on – and then she came back into his life.

Your hero in this book is a man named Ben. What inspired you to create him?

Well, he’s one of Jackson’s roommates. So it seemed natural that he have his own book (and Zach will be book three). As for how they ended up being created? Jackson just started talking to them in a scene in A Splash of Substance...and there they were.

The object of Ben’s affection is Marie to whom “no other woman has measured up.” Tell me about it. What makes Marie so perfect and captivating to Ben’s heart?
Some of it is that thrill of young love, you know? But they had a lot in common – similar hopes, dreams, plans. And I think some of it is that it’s easier to be in love with someone who’s gone than to take a risk on someone new.

Rebecca, your heroine has a wounded heart which makes it difficult for her to trust men. Tell me the backstory. 

Rebecca’s dad is a parenting expert and speaker. He used one example of her bad behavior in one of his talks, using her name specifically. And then he started making up other examples...but he never explicitly say that it wasn’t Rebecca, even though he never really said it was. But...her reputation was ruined as a result and it caused tons of problems for her during middle and high school.

What inspired you to create Rebecca? What makes her will strong? What makes her heart soft? What does she fear? What gives her hope?

I love the idea of lost love regained, and that kind of spawned Rebecca. Since I knew Ben’s knee was shot (from A Splash of Substance), and that he’d need physical therapy, having Rebecca be part of his PT was a natural connection. She is adamant about her privacy. Her heart breaks for disadvantaged children. She doesn’t have a ton of hope, really, until further on in the novel as she starts to learn about forgiveness.

Does this story have happy ending? Inquiring minds want to know!

Of course! When you write contemporary romance, you have to have a happy ending. I would be so annoyed as a reader if I picked up something labeled “contemporary romance” and the hero and heroine didn’t end up together in at least some fashion. 

What do you hope your readers will take away from A Pinch of Promise?

There are a number of themes in Pinch – forgiveness, truth, identity, and then the issue of food insecurity locally and abroad. If readers discover anything about any of those, then great. But like with Splash, if they had a pleasant time reading it, then I’ll consider it a win.

*Final Segue*: Let’s share a little insight into your personal life as we close.

What do you write contemporary romance?

Mostly because it’s also what I love to read. I love the idea of romance and I’m also a technology nerd, so contemporary is the way to go. When you start talking corsets and buggies and bustles my eyes glaze over.

What do you love the most about being an author?
I love that other people read about the people living in my imagination and have a good time doing that. Even if they didn’t, I’d keep writing, because I enjoy it – it’s my outlet. But to see my book on Amazon and know someone else has read it and enjoyed it? It’s cool.

How do you balance your work as an author with your responsibilities as a wife and mother?

Poorly? Honestly, this is a daily (hourly?) struggle. I try hard to keep my writing to naptime and after the kids are in bed. With my youngest in the process of giving up his naps, I’m not sure what that’s going to look like going forward. Once the kids are in bed, I still need to balance hubby time with writing – so we have in-house date nights one or two nights a week where we play a game together or just hang out. But, thankfully, my husband and I both have a love language of touch and quality time, so we’re both good with an evening sitting next to each other on the couch while he plays Xbox and I write. It’s something that can be a struggle, but I think as long as we’re intentional about making sure we nourish all the relationships, we’ll do okay.

What is your favorite feature of springtime? Why?
I love the warm days and cool nights. I love that split, when the evening air is still crisp enough to be refreshing. But I love that it starts getting warm enough to be outside playing during the day (and yet not having hit the hot and humid that summer brings).

Thanks for the interview, Elizabeth! Please leave a question for my readers to answer which will qualify them to enter your book giveaway contest. 

Elizabeth’s question: What do you hope to get out of the time you spend reading?

a Rafflecopter giveaway ~*~
Author bio: Elizabeth Maddrey began writing stories as soon as she could form the letters properly and has never looked back. Though her practical nature and love of math and organization steered her into computer science for college and graduate school, she has always had one or more stories in progress to occupy her free time. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books and has mastered the art of reading while undertaking just about any other activity. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace.

Elizabeth lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. with her husband and their two incredibly active little boys. She invites you to interact with her at her website www.ElizabethMaddrey.com or on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/ElizabethMaddrey

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Book blurb for A Pinch of Promise:

He never forgot his first love. 

In the ten years since Ben Taylor last saw Marie, no other woman has measured up. After he meets Rebecca Fisher, the physical therapist rehabilitating his knee, Ben is convinced that she is the same woman he fell in love with so many years ago. She denies it at first, but his persistence causes her to admit the truth. Right before she pushes him away.

To escape a painful negative image created by her father, Rebecca Fischer has constructed an identity completely separate from her past. Seeing Ben, her long lost love, threatens to shatter her intricate illusions. As Ben digs to uncover the truth of who she is, Rebecca must decide if she will trust any man with her wounded heart.

But even if Ben can convince her to admit the truth, how will he be able to trust her love?

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Book blurb for A Splash of Substance:

She doesn’t vote. He works for a Senator. Is it a recipe for romance or disaster?

Paige Jackson has always stayed out of politics, leaving it to God to govern the world. She has enough on her plate as the owner of a catering company founded on convictions to buy local, sustainable fare. Jackson Trent works on Capitol Hill for Senator Carson, putting his beliefs in action to help shape national policy.

Hoping to find high-end clients to keep her business afloat, Paige bids on a contract to cater the Senator’s next fundraiser. Shake-ups in the Senator’s staff leave Jackson grudgingly in charge of the event. After Paige is chosen as caterer, she and Jackson must work together despite opposing beliefs on how God calls Christians to participate in government. As Paige introduces Jackson to sustainable fare, it’s not just the food that piques his interest.

When Senator Carson becomes front-page news in Washington, Paige is sucked into the whirlwind of scandal. Can Jackson convince Paige he wasn’t complicit and win her back or has politics burned his chance at love?

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Buy A Pinch of Promise:

Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1PXpxXa

Barnes and Noble - http://bit.ly/1BAka48

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Buy A Splash of Substance:
Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1KGm8bs
Barnes and Noble - http://bit.ly/1KwCkJm
Books-A-Million - http://bit.ly/1KwCqR4

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Connect with Elizabeth:

Twitter: @elizabethmaddre
Website: http://www.ElizabethMaddrey.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/ElizabethMaddrey
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/emaddrey/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ElizabethMaddrey/posts