Sharing links...

Writers in the storm shared proofing and editing tips:
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2014/05/28/proofing-and-editing-equals-great-story/
Side note: WITS has moved their blog, however, this link still works.

Sharing the links to some of my favorite blogs, the ones I visit as soon as I see there's a new post:

http://dianegaston.com/blog/

http://www.halleethehomemaker.com/

http://www.unknownsoldiersblog.com/

Where do I find inspiration...

I was recently asked this question. The simple answer is "Everywhere."

Sometimes something happens to me or to someone I know. Sometimes I hear something on the radio or television or read somewhere.

No matter what the source is there is always only one question to start the story in my head: What if...

On FB, yesterday, I shared a picture of one of my sources of inspiration:

My dog. I miss her.

Finding Home cover art is here...

Carol Fiorillo is a wonderful cover artist. I'm so grateful she's mine. She's done such an awesome job of coordinating the covers for both of my series.

Original Release Date

Grace's Possibilities ~ The last of the Thorn children, Benjamin, finally shares his story.
Carol Fiorillo created the perfect cover.

Impossibilities and Grace's Possibilities

Impossibilities is a short story.

George Budge is a military man. He's survived the army for over seven years. The night before the battle at Waterloo, he endeavors to impart to his protégé what matters most.

Taken under George's wing when he joins the army, fifteen-year-old drummer Leo stands on the brink, more man than boy, facing the fight of his young life.

Life's unexpected twists demand uncommon fortitude, dogged determination, and unfailing courage. From time to time, God sends a pair of unlikely angels.

Will Leo accept the vagaries of war and choose death or allow God to reveal another way and step through the door with the boldness for which his mentor nicknamed him?

Coming this Saturday, June 21st:

To protect her honor, a lowly seamstress is forced to marry the man she always loved, despite the fact he hates her for betraying him.

Grace's Possibilities
 

Hannah Budge married one of her dearest friends to protect her honor and her other best friend, the man she loves. The death of her husband leaves her vulnerable to the advances of a man she loathes, the father of the man she loves.

Benjamin Thorn always planned to marry Hannah, until his two best friends betrayed him. They made their choices, and he made his. With his dreams dead, he throws himself into other pursuits, until he must save Hannah from his own father.

Hurt and suspicion will tear them apart forever, unless they learn to trust God and each other...

Unexpected Possibilities

One Directive

In 1816 England, James Thorn, by his father's command, must marry a titled lady in exchange for his inheritance. He is granted one Season in London to accomplish the task or lose everything.

Two Stumbling Blocks

James suspects his inheritance is not as lucrative as intimated. The young lady for whom he must sacrifice his soul in order to inherit may not be worth the price.

And an Unexpected Distraction

Lily Milton, housemaid, earns the unenviable role of conspirator in her mistress' plan to hoodwink the young lady's suitor, none other than Lily's own knight in shining armor. Darker schemes lurk, with twisted intentions bent on destruction, but God never abandons His own.

"Tough Luck" is here!

The fourth novella in the series is finally here...

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and maybe a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Holiday's playboy, Brent Kelly, returns home a changed man, if only everyone would believe him. The First Annual Tough Luck Run offers him the opportunity to prove he turned over a new leaf.

Cindy Garvey has worked hard her whole life, and now she is preparing to move from employee to business owner with her best friend. The last thing she needs is one more surprise in her life.

God provides the way to Happily Ever After, no matter how far astray His children wander...

Only available on Kindle:

http://www.amazon.com/Tough-Luck-Holiday-USA-Book-ebook/dp/B00KYXDFQ4/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1402708069&sr=8-7&keywords=laurel+hawkes

Hidden Possibilities

1816, England

Caitlin Roper's past demands she pursue a solitary existence. Her life as a staid and contented spinster vanishes the moment a handsome gentleman tumbles into her world.

Fynn survives the fall from his horse in body but not in memory. Is he beggar or thief? Gentleman or laborer? He must decide.

Hopeless dreams awaken, and the door to a new path opens. Complications abound when the worlds of class differences and propriety clash.

Torn between the possibilities hidden in the future and the secrets of the past, they both must choose...before time runs out and the past decides the future for them.

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A Promise of Possibilities

In 1816, Spinster Elizabeth Thorn serves more as a slave than a servant as her father's housekeeper. The courageous war stories penned by Paul Silver inspire her to correspond with him, but after years of heartfelt letters, he ceases replying. Her father accepts a lucrative marriage bargain on her behalf, and her dream of sharing her life with a kindred spirit withers.

Jonathan Silverton blames himself for failing his best friend. To escape his shame, he moves to the countryside and meets none other than the woman he wrote for a decade. He dares not reveal his secrets, but he will not deny his desire to marry her.

Secrets breed distrust and misunderstandings. The past refuses to stay buried.

Shattered trust and faith may tear them apart...unless they each discover the courage to embrace the truth. 

My new FB Banner...

Have you seen it?

Thank you S²! I love the light, the book, and the silver trifecta of words. :-)

Links to Share...

Donna Hatch writes Regency and shares what she learns in her research:
http://donnahatch.com/the-queens-drawing-room/

Diane Gaston also writes Regency and posts on her site every Thursday. The most recent was about her visit to Stratford Hall in Westmorland County, Virginia.
http://dianegaston.com/blog/

I've started reading Kathryn Springer's Mirror Lake series. She writes Inspirational romances and has been on my favorite authors' list for several years:
http://www.kathrynspringer.com/

God bless.

Hallee Bridgeman...

At the AZ Dreamin' Reader's Conference, readers are given the opportunity to meet authors. There is "speed dating," during which the available authors visit each table of readers and talk about their books for two minutes. Readers are then given the opportunity meet up to 7 authors by signing up for 6 Book Clubs, no more than 10 people in each group, and Dinner, 8 at the table.

Before attending the conference, I visited the AZDRC website and checked out all the authors. I investigated the types of books they wrote, including reading samples, and made a list of the authors I wanted to meet, some I knew already and some new.

Book Clubs last 30 minutes. Some authors read portions of their book. Some play games, have quizzes, share audio portions of their books. They all share goodies with their fans. It's also an opportunity to have books signed.

I read "Greater Than Rubies" by Hallee Bridgeman (it ties book 1 and 2 together) and knew I wanted to meet her. She writes the Christian Romance novels I want to read! Yes, writers are fans, too.

http://www.amazon.com/Greater-Rubies-Christian-Romance-Jewel-ebook/dp/B00AV59ANM/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1401902554&sr=1-6&keywords=hallee+bridgeman+jewel+series

I chose Hallee as one of my Book Clubs as well as dinner. What a delightful experience!

For the book club, she and her husband provided a healthy bowl of fruit, coffee, and donut holes. Yummy! We talked as friends do, sharing experiences in writing and our journey to become better Christians. In attending her Book Club and dinner, I also met some wonderful people. It's a joy to walk into a room and know you already have something in common with everyone present, a love for some of the same books.

I bought the Jewel anthology and look forward to reading it, soon. I need more time.

Dinner offered the opportunity to become better acquainted. We shared a prayer before eating, something I usually do alone. We Readers asked questions and the Bridgemans answered and gave more. I was fed not only with delicious food but with fellowship.

What the Bridgemans didn't know: My family was going through a make it or break it time. Because of their faith and example, I was encouraged and strengthened to meet the tribulation waiting for me.

I enjoyed the entire weekend, but my time with the Bridgemans alone made it all worth it. I hope to see them again, next year. I will never look at Monopoly the same way. Read "Greater Than Rubies" and maybe you won't either.

http://www.halleethehomemaker.com/

Hunted down on FB...

My heroes found me on FB, today...

Patrick: Cheer up, Brent.
Brent: Is she back, yet?
Leo: Our Lady returned a day or two ago.
Brent: Then it's true.
Richard: What truth is so horrible you bear the appearance of one who's lost his best friend?
Brent: She's forgotten me.
Ian: Rubbish.
Leo: She forgets no one.
Benjamin: Unfortunately.
Brent: Easy for you to say.
Benjamin: Do tell.
Brent: Your publish date is set and on schedule.
Leo: Preening is unseemly.
Benjamin: I am not preening.
Fitzgerald: You are, but it is not the concern of the moment.
Ian: Sorrows shared are halved, and all that.
Benjamin: I don't know why you're complaining. You'll be published before me.
Brent: I was supposed to be published last March. March!
Dusty: Life happens.
Jordan: A series of unfortunately events.
Richard: Best laid plans of mice and men.
Brent: Murphy's Law.
Fitzgerald: What is this Murphy's Law?
Leo: Ask Jack. He knows everything.
Jack: Anything that can go wrong will go wrong at the worst possible moment.
Jordan: O'Toole's Corollary declares Murphy was an optimist.
Brent: Not helping, guys.
Leo: Never give up hope.
Jack: Our Lady's world has undergone a number of upheavals, but it is settling.
Leo: Stand strong, gentleman.
Jack: Indeed. It's the least we may do.
Patrick: Buckle up, Buttercup. We're in for a bumpy ride.
Benjamin: Who is this Buttercup?
Jack: It's a figure of speech.
Benjamin: It's ridiculous.
Jack: It made you smile. It even made Brent smile.
Dusty: Mission accomplished.

Reveiw of AZ Dreamin Readers' Conference...

Loved it!

First, I presented a workshop, A Writer's Environment, at the amazing Buildin' the Dream conference, run in connection with AZ Dreamin'. The first is for writers of any kind, and the second is for romance readers. What an amazing opportunity and experience. I learned from every class. Of course, the problem was wanting to be in two classes at the same time.

At the readers' conference, the following day, I attended book clubs ~ 30 minute blocks ~ with some of my favorite authors. Fan girl moment: I met Hallee Bridgeman. I discovered her books because of the conference. She writes the kind of Christian Romance novels I love to read. I'll write a complete blog on her, including a link to her blog, on Thursday.

I renewed friendships, seeing some wonderful people I haven't seen since last year's conference, and made some new friends I look forward to seeing next year.

The hotel was lovely, located on a golf course, and the area was beautiful. I enjoyed gazing at the north side of Camelback Mountain from my balcony. I spent time every morning breathing in the view and the cool air. Yes, it was still cool in the morning.

Fun side notes:

At breakfast, in the dining room, I sat by the window or outside, and saw the little cottontail who lived in the area. Cute!

On Sunday morning, I sat outside on the balcony while I read my Bible. At 8:05, a line of golf carts trundled along the path between the hotel and the golf course. The first thing to pop into my head was: A ride in Disneyland!

Wordless