Fanciful...

Sometimes life offers us unexpected fanciful moments.

This toadstool popped up in the backyard.

This is my size 10 shoe and my size 10 foot in said shoe, to give you an idea of the size.

I don't know why, but toadstools have always conjured up fanciful images in my head. Maybe it's the result of Mr. Jeremy Fisher all slippy sloppy in the larder. Thank you, Beatrix Potter.

Sharing links on Saturday...

When I'm in deadline mode I tend to only glance over other blogs. My mind is too preoccupied to enjoy them properly. I almost skipped sharing links, this week. However, Genesis 5020 shared Part 6 and the last part of her Mackinac Island series. I needed to read it and share it.

http://5020genesis.wordpress.com/2014/09/26/how-mackinac-island-is-like-our-spiritual-lives-part-6/

Hope for the Broken Hearted also had several lovely prayers, with beautiful accompanying pictures, this week. They calmed my soul. This is the most recent:

http://hopeforthebrokenhearted.wordpress.com/2014/09/26/prayer-for-september-26th-2/

May you be blessed.

Deadline frustrations...

Wings to Fly is due on 1 October. I think it's the most challenging of any of the books I've written. It was mostly written when I was offered the contract. As I completed the other four books in the series, I made significant discoveries in my life. I hope my writing reflects what I've learned.

When it came time to finally prepare Wings to Fly for publishing it no longer fit. I was stuck in some circular thinking I'd outgrown. I scrapped most of the book and started over. I a week to finish recreating the story that will finish The Silver Locket Sisterhood series.

I've made so many amazing discoveries about Samantha and Jordan. Their battles are more subtle than those of the heroes and heroines of the other books. They tackle the more painful walk of the follower of Christ, the everyday difficulties that trip up a Believer.

It isn't the huge things that crush but the myriad little things building up over time.

This story starts in 1987 and ends in 2001 or 2002. Yes, I'm not sure yet. I'm in rewrites and things tend to change a lot during the process as I learn more and more about the characters and their stories.

Adding to all of it, my allergies have kicked in as the weather cools. My allergy medicine makes me a bit fuzzy in my thinking. Not helpful.

I've reached the point where all I can do is turn it all over to God and pray He sees me through. I fear disappointing Him and not fulfilling my part adequately.

May your day be blessed.

The dog in most of my books...

...is based on my own dog. She passed away several years ago, but she left an everlasting influence.

Miss B was one of many nicknames. She was a rescue mutt. A local pet store made a deal with the vet across the street. Whenever the vet ended up with unwanted puppies, the pet store would sell the pups for a minimal fee that included a first vet visit.

After the passing of my brother's dog, an animal I'd helped care for, I decided I needed a dog of my own. I planned to search the pound and shelters. I would make sure I explored all the possibilities before making a decision. The excursion was planned for a Saturday. On Thursday, I stopped in at the pet shop on my way to grocery shop. It couldn't hurt.

They had a raised enclosure with a bunch of puppies, balls of fur in gold and black. The gold critters were purebreds and appropriately priced. The black fur balls were cheap. I was only looking. What could it hurt?

That night, I dreamed about one of the black balls of fur and even named her. In the dream, I saw her from puppy to close to the end of her life. I denied the meaning of the dream. I was determined to carry out my plan to explore every possibility.

Best laid plans of mice and men... God's ways are not man's ways.

I returned Saturday morning, with the plan to start the day making sure she was still there. She was on the list. We'd see where she was by the end of my excursions.

You guessed it. I never it made it out of the pet shop. I've never been sorry.

Wordless

Sharing Links...

DaySpring, a card company, shared a link to Roy Lessin's blog, in one of their devotional emails:
http://www.meetmeinthemeadow.com/2014/08/the-storm/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=DaySpring%20Devotions&utm_campaign=20140914%20Devo%20Roy&ref=EMAIL20140817DEVO

Patricia Johns shares a bit of her research adventure:
http://patriciajohnsromance.com/2014/09/17/955/

Stephanie Burkhart shares her favorite breakfast:
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com/2014/09/whats-for-breakfast-sept-is-national.html

Donna Hatch is having a TBR Read-a-thon:
http://donnahatch.com/tbr-read-a-thon-answers-and-drawing/

Genesis 5020 shares Part 5 of her series on Mackinac Island:
http://5020genesis.wordpress.com/2014/09/19/how-mackinac-island-is-like-our-spiritual-lives-part-5/

May your day be blessed.

Arizona Dreamin' Event...

One of the features is a Speed-Meet. Attendees enjoy the opportunity to socialize with each other and meet the authors. Tables are set up, and all 27 authors spend 5 minutes at each table giving their pitch. The attendees don't change tables, the authors do.

If you don't know which Book Clubs you want to attend, this is a great opportunity to learn more about each author. I'm a plan ahead sort of person. I look over the list of authors and choose whose Book Club I want to attend before the conference. The Speed-Meet is still a lot of fun.

Once every author has visited every table, you have the opportunity to sign up for 8 book clubs. Some clubs fill up faster than others. Juggling can be a bit of trick, but everyone is helpful. I have enjoyed every club I've attended.

Tickets are still available for the "Early Bird" price of $89. Please add my name in the comments section, so they know I sent you. :-)

 http://arizonadreaminevent.com/

May you be blessed.

Comfort...

I recently bought a new blanket for my bed. It isn't fancy or expensive. It is warm and soft. I love soft. My sensitive skin loves soft.

On the other end of the spectrum, I love crunchy foods like crusty bread, toast, potato crisps, popcorn.

Chocolate was made for comfort. It even includes a natural ingredient that induces a sense of well being. My favorite books create the same feeling.

Milk, tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich, hot chocolate, warm chocolate chip cookies, cake in milk, petting a dog, watching a horse graze, my favorite Christian music artists, certain scents...

God created a world of things to provide comfort.

The paradox: God doesn't want us to be comfortable.

If God wanted us to be comfortable all the time, He would deliver us from evil before it tainted our lives. If He delivered us before we sinned, we wouldn't need a Savior.

Jesus Christ is the Savior, and His sacrifice saves me, providing the grace I need.

God wants us to become our best selves, by our own choice. Not because we are forced to do so, but because we choose to do so. By becoming our best selves, we bring added glory to Him. We can't diminish His glory, but we can add to it, as a child adds to a parent's joy. This whole life process isn't about Him. It's about us.

It's the Abraham and Isaac principle. Isaac was in his 30s when God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son on the altar. Isaac could have overpowered Abraham to save himself. Both men agreed to follow God's command. Was it possible God didn't know what would happen? The all-knowing Heavenly Father?

Abraham sacrificing Isaac wasn't about Abraham and Isaac proving to God they would obey. Abraham agreeing to sacrifice Isaac and Isaac agreeing to being sacrificed was about Abraham and Isaac proving to themselves they would obey God no matter how difficult the task placed before them.

When I am in uncomfortable and difficult situations what is the lesson I'm being taught?

Did I stumble and fall and need my Savior's saving grace? Or is God giving me the opportunity to prove to myself I will do what He asks of me? I pray I choose God's side.

Sharing links...

Beth Trissel shares a charming post on boxes:
http://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/2014/09/09/whats-in-the-box/

Genesis 5020 is continuing her series on Mackinac Island:
http://5020genesis.wordpress.com/2014/09/12/how-mackinac-island-is-like-our-spiritual-lives-part-4/

Donna Hatch is having a giveaway of her book The Stranger She Married. I loved it.
http://donnahatch.com/tbr-to-be-read-read-a-thon-giveaway-the-stranger-she-married/

May your day be blessed.

Wordless

9/11 Never Forget...

The world changed 13 years ago. I chose to change with it. I became more aware of the world around me. I endeavored to be more engaged with those around me. I tend to change slowly, a bit at a time, but I promised myself I'd never go back to being the detached person I'd been for so long.

I also promised myself I'd never forget that day. I'd never forget what happened, moment to moment. I'd never forget how I felt. I'd never forget those who were lost or their families, even though I didn't know them. I'd never forget those who fought and died in the battle against terrorists, evil men who choose to murder innocent men, women, and children.

I renewed my relationship with God. I needed to know God was in control. I needed to remember He could and would work evil for good. He doesn't change evil into good; He takes whatever evil dishes out and uses it to His own end. Evil loses in the long run, and God wins.

There is much over which I have no control.

I choose whether or not I become a better person.

I choose to be a better person.

I trust Jesus.

Wordless

Hunted on FB on 8 Sept...

Fitzgerald: Have you heard the rumor?
Jack: No good comes from listening to rumors.
Fitzgerald: I have it on good authority.
Richard: For pity's sake, permit him to empty the bag.
Fitzgerald: Our Lady's books are available in paperback.
Leo: They weren't before?
Richard: How else were they read if they weren't on paper?
Jack: eformat.
Richard: What language is this eformat?
Rusty: Electronic.
Fitzgerald: Elect… come again?
Jack: A device run by electricity.
Richard: Benjamin Franklin's experiments were successful?
Ian: You have no idea.
Mark: Beyond your wildest imagination.
Eric: Pictures transmitted across the globe in seconds.
Luck: Traveling from London to New York in hours.
Richard: Who are these men? Contemporaries by their dress.
Fitzgerald: New heroes?
Jack: Old heroes, for the most part. To what do we owe the honor of your visit, gentlemen?
Jordan: My fault.
Leo: What did you do?
Jordan: Last book in the series. Everyone makes an appearance.
Fitzgerald: Our lady has a series that ends?
Richard: Difficult to believe.
Leo: She's full of surprises.
Richard: Including leather-bound books.
Jack: Ah… no. Paperback.
Ian: The cover art is brilliant.
Eric: Carol Fiorillo's work is excellent.
Fitzgerald: A celebration is in order.
Jordan: Croissants from P.Croissant and hot chocolate for everyone.
Jack: Our lady's favorite way to celebrate.
Fitzgerald: Cheers!

Sharing Links on Saturday...

The Writer's Refuge shared a post on What Hinders Your Dream:
http://thewritersrefuge.wordpress.com/2014/08/27/what-hinders-your-dream-to-write/

Sometimes, it's important to focus on a little. I had a Sunday School teacher who advised reading the same verse every day for a month, to ponder it, and make it a part of your life.

A few of my favorites are:

Be still and know that I am God. ~ Psalm 46-10

Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ~ John 8:32

Jesus wept. ~ John 11:35

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. ~ Matthew 22:37

May you be blessed.

Tickets to Arizona Dreamin' are available...

The total cost for the event itself is $89. This doesn't include the hotel, should you decide to stay there, though the hotel does offer a discount. Yes, you may attend the event without staying at the hotel. I like to stay at the hotel so I'm not driving back and forth. I also use the conference as a mini type of stay-cation. I always come away feeling refreshed and energized.

http://arizonadreaminevent.com/

This will be my first time as a presenting author. The previous conferences, I've attended as a reader. It's also one of the smaller conferences, something my introvert self likes. Stepping up as an author is no small feat. I'm planning my book clubs and table. I want the event to be fun for readers like the wonderful authors I attended in order to meet made it fun for me.

Suggestions are welcome. :-)

May you be blessed.

"Tarnished Knight" is in...

...and will be available in January 2015.

I didn't care for the rough draft. I finished the rewrite, pleasant surprised, over and over. Jack and Abigail sprang a number of surprises.

Other surprises included discovering errors, after I sent the manuscript in. Nothing major, so far. I'm using the handy-dandy Track Changes to make corrections. My editor may catch them, but in case it slips through...

I don't really know if anyone is interested in my process. Sharing it here is helpful for me. There's something about writing it out that helps clarify what helps and what doesn't.

Then again, my brain is currently in more of a fried state than a functioning state. A little time and patience, and I'll be back in the next story, specifically, the last book in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series.

If you're interested in seeing a bit of my inspiration, this is my Pinterest board for Tarnished Knight, here's the link:
http://www.pinterest.com/lhawkes/tarnished-knight/

May you be blessed.

Wordless