Wordless Wednesday

Giving Thanks is here!

The eleventh novella in the series is here...

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

Eight years ago, Michelle Bronson ran away. Returning Thanksgiving Eve will allow her to settle before anyone knows she's home. Accepting Jesus made her new, but the past won't stay buried. She's strong enough to face it. She must, if she wants to embrace life. Maybe assistant baker at Holiday Sweets is the open door she's seeking.

Theodore Williams III lived his life as Mr. Straight as an Arrow. He remembers Michelle, along with his harsh judgment of her, but she's not what he expected. The choice is his to hold to what he knew or to embrace the new. Perhaps God is opening a door to the future.

Placing God first opens doors never imagined...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071W5C2T6/ref=sr_1_1

Memorial Day

Freedom isn't free.

Remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Another year passes for those with an empty place at the table. Special occasions have come and gone without their warrior present and no hope of a coming home. Families expand and yet there will always be the empty place at the table. The initial shock and crushing pain will ease, but there will always be an empty place at the table. God willing, good memories will eventually shine more light on the empty place at the table, so a smile springs forth instead of a tear. The tears that come will hopefully be brief and comforting, in time. God bless the families of the fallen, for their loved ones already rest in the hollow of His hand.

Sunday Scripture

John 15:3

Greater love hath no man than this, than a man lay down his life for his friends.

Saturday Links

For Regency romance readers, descriptions are an important part of the story. My apologies to my readers as I'm not as good at it as many other writers. Donna Hatch shared a post about the gowns:
http://donnahatch.com/gowns-gowns-and-more-gowns-and-how-often-regency-ladies-changed-clothes/

As a writer, I'm my own business. I read articles about improving my business and attempt to apply what I learn for the big pond for my itty-bitty pond. Business guidance, from Bill Taysom:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/alignment-killing-your-business-bill-taysom

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

"Coming Home" is the sixth book in the Home to Collingsworth series by Kemberly Rae Jordan. I love her characters and her stories. She speaks to my heart. More than once, I've read about difficulties I was also struggling with and found comfort and guidance as her characters have. Each story leads me into another.

Musical Thursday

A fun one from The Piano Guys: https://youtu.be/0tMJPTQ7R0Y

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbits

Making a few final edits for "Giving Thanks." Blessedly. Today's sneak peek is the most recent unedited add to "Christmas Lost," the twelfth novella in the Holiday USA series.

Not a soul sat in Holiday Diner, not unusual for midnight, but guarantees didn't exist for such an occurrence. 

 

Monday Quote

Motivating Daily posted this a while ago. I need to read it every day:

https://motivatingdaily.com/2017/05/09/carry-on/

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

~ Winston Churchill

Sunday Scripture

Proverbs 16:32

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Saturday Links

I love to visit new places but can't afford it. Wander Lust Plus One shares their travels. In this particular post, they visited the Raixa Estate.
https://wanderlustplusone.com/2017/05/12/raixa-mallorca-spain-the-raixa-estate-is-still-a-hidden-gem-among-sights-on-the-island/

Wee Blogs Cafe shared an insightful post on "The Place of 'Small Beginnings.'"
https://aweethoughtblog.wordpress.com/2017/05/15/the-place-of-small-beginnings/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

"An Uncommon Courtship" (Hawthorne House series book 3, not including the e-novella) by Kristi Ann Hunter Christian Regency romance. I love this series! I was surprised by the number of reviews that complained about the wedding night. It didn't follow the usual Christian romance pattern and stop at the bedroom door, but it wasn't explicit or even particularly detailed either. I've seen commercials more explicit. The scene is important in the story because of the innocence of both characters. I thought the writer did an admirable job of depicting the pitfalls and struggles regarding that aspect of being newlyweds. This book was a little slow to start but I once again found myself unable to put it down until the end.

Musical Thursday

The newest by The Piano Guys: https://youtu.be/PtPPfLtJ8es

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

The final edits of "Giving Thanks" are blessedly coming along more quickly, chapters instead of paragraphs. No bits to share. However, I did add a little unedited bit to "Christmas Lost."

"Curmudgeon." She fled, giggling and her eyes sparkling. He managed to refrain from smiling until she disappeared. Barely.

 

Monday Quote

"Life is always a tightrope or a feather bed. Give me the tightrope."

~ Edith Wharton

Sunday Scripture

Proverbs 16:21-24

The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.  The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth and addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Saturday Links

Over at A Writer's Path, Elisabeth Wong shared an amusing post on "Things to Never Say to a Writer."
https://ryanlanz.com/2017/05/03/things-to-never-say-to-a-writer/

Fascinating exploration of "The Olive Press" by Wee Blogs Cafe, starting with Psalms 52:8.
https://aweethoughtblog.wordpress.com/2017/05/10/the-olive-press/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Spurgeon's Gems is a compilation of quotes from various sermons by Charles Spurgeon. Inspiring.

Musical Thursday

For several reasons, this seemed appropriate, Colton Dixon's "The Other Side."
https://youtu.be/KL-ezTT5E0E

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

I'd hoped to have "Giving Thanks" published by now. Unfortunately, allergies went wild, and my allergy medicines tend to send my brain on vacation. There's nothing for it but to ride it out and pick up where I left off when my brain finally decides to return. I did manage to write the blurb, the first rough (unedited) draft:

Michelle Bronson trusts Jesus changed her when she chose to follow Him, but she needs to own her past in order to embrace the life she wants to live. Running away from Holiday sounded like a good idea, but it failed to quiet her longing for home. Returning as Holiday Sweets' new assistant baker, will the past swamp her or finally be laid to rest?

Theodore Williams III lived his life as Mr. Straight as an Arrow, for the most part. He learned too late how harshly he judged others but thanks to renewing his commitment to Jesus he's determined to never repeat the mistake. Will he succeed when he's tested?

Placing God first opens doors never imagined...

Monday Quote

There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don't allow yourself to become one of them.

~ Ralph Marston

Sunday Scripture

Proverbs 16:20

He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.

Saturday Links

Fascinating brief post about Albert Einstein by Good Times Stories:
https://goodtimestories.wordpress.com/2017/04/26/the-wonderful-world-of-albert-einstein/

Over at Ryan Lanz's blog, "A Writer's Path," I enjoyed Daniella Levy's post on writing advice:
https://ryanlanz.com/2017/04/30/5-great-creative-writing-tips-which-i-never-follow/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Misfortune's Fortune by Kandi Jaynes is a contemporary romance and the fourth book by Kandi Jaynes. She's been on my Must Read List from her first book.

Musical Thursday

Back on March 23rd, I featured Casting Crowns' "Oh My Soul." This is the story behind the song, shy of six minutes long, and worth the listen.
https://youtu.be/_BPNLi1TPXE

Here's my post with the link to the song:
http://laurelhawkes.blogspot.com/2017/03/musical-thursday_23.html

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

I'm editing the last chapter of "Giving Thanks." Today's tidbit is an unedited line from "Christmas Lost":
The aromas of baked bread, donuts, stew, and a symphony of other delicious foods wafted around her. 

 

Monday Quote

"God does not need your strength; He has more than enough power of His own! He asks for your weakness."  

~ Charles Spurgeon's sermon 2209, in 1891