Wordless Wednesday

Hunted 2018

Alex: Hello? Anyone here?
Trace: What is this place?
Alex: Green room, of sorts.
Trace: Looks like a hero holding room.
Alex: Because it is.
Trace: Why didn’t you say so?
Alex: Green room sounds better than holding pen.
Trace: So heroes hang out here?
Alex: Until their story is published.
Patrick: I was beginning to think I’d been forgotten.
Alex: How long has it been?
Patrick: The last time the heroes were together was in December 2015, and I didn’t even have a part in the conversation.
Trace: Why are you grumbling?
Patrick: Adding insult to injury, she gave my story to you.
Trace: If she gave it to me, then it wasn’t your story.
Patrick: It was mine until you came along.
Trace: Get over it.
Joe: At least she remembers your name.
Kevin: She has to check her notebook for mine.
Daniel: You’re not the only one.
Todd: My deli was supposed to be the star eatery and then Holiday Diner came along.
Alan: My story was supposed to be told four years ago.
Karl: She misplaced my information sheet.
Jacob: At least she’s mentioned you in other stories.
Ken: I’m a side note.
Scott: She started my story and stopped.
Holiday Hero: I’ve a holiday and a heroine but no story title and no name.
Regency Hero 1: Bickering is pointless
Trace: You don’t have a name neither.
Regency Hero 2: Neither do I.
Regency Hero 3: Nor I.
Regency Hero 4: A bit humiliating.
Alex: The Four Musketeers before Dumas.
RH1: Who?
Alex: Before your time.
Jacob: Don’t worry about it.
Daniel: Is everyone here?
Alan: Looks like it.
Patrick: Alex won’t be here much longer.
Trace: Want a little cheese with that whine?
Patrick: I’m tired of waiting.
Kevin: Welcome to the club.
Alex: Life is good.
Ken: You’re chipper.
Joe: Why?
Patrick: His story is almost finished.
Trace: She finished the last two scenes.
Todd: In one week?
RH2: Good news indeed.
HH: What does it mean?
Alex: Edits are in process.
RH3: Gloating is most unbecoming.
RH4: Especially in a hero.
Jacob: Let the man cheer.
Alan: It’s proof our storyteller is back at work.
Patrick: Finally.
RH1: Welcome back, my lady. You’ve been missed.

Monday Quote

From "Secondhand Samhain," the seventh novella in the Holiday, USA series:

Love wasn't safe or neat and tidy or easy. Love meant risking the pain of loss and misunderstandings. Love was complicated and required hard work. Love was messy.

http://www.amazon.com/Secondhand-Samhain-Holiday-USA-Book-ebook/dp/B01A0IBBQI/ref=sr_1_1 

Sunday Scripture

Proverbs 21:21

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

Chocolate Cake Day

I've a story for today's holiday.

Chocolate Cake for Two

Ready for the second novella in the series?

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.

Freed, after being wrongly imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit, Henry Weaver needs a fresh start. The "Help Wanted" sign in the cupcake shop window couldn't possibly be the answer to his prayer.

Holiday Sweets, a specialty cupcake shop, is Annie Sweet's heritage. Everything would be perfect if only she could find competent help. An ultimatum demands Annie make a painful decision.

Choosing God is rarely the easy way, and sometimes the way to Happily Ever After appears impossible...

http://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Cake-Two-Holiday-USA-ebook/dp/B00HYLK0P8/ref=sr_1_1

Favorite Book Friday

Michael Vey: The Final Spark (Book 7) by Richard Paul Evans contemporary fiction, the last book in this YA series. I've followed from the first book. Wow! What a ride! Sorry it's over, but enjoyed every moment.

Musical Thursday

Casting Crowns' "Oh My Soul" is one of my favorites. I'm not the only one who has been encouraged by it. This is Emmy's story:
https://youtu.be/TVPcoToM5hc

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

I've received several new Likes on Social Media. My humble appreciation. Thanks for the encouragement. One of the most recent unedited bits added to "Christmas Lost," novella #12 in the Holiday, USA series.

  "Beautiful," Karen murmured. Awe coursed through her as she struggled to recognize herself. The negative voice in her head grumbled it was too expensive. She blinked. "How much is it?"

 

Monday Quote

From "Secondhand Samhain," the seventh novella in the Holiday, USA series:

"I did mention I'm fantastic at talking to computers and lousy at talking to people, didn't I?"

http://www.amazon.com/Secondhand-Samhain-Holiday-USA-Book-ebook/dp/B01A0IBBQI/ref=sr_1_1 

Sunday Scripture

Proverbs 21:8

The way of man is forward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

Saturday Links

We Are One has another great perspective on starting new:
http://weareone-ruth.blogspot.com/2018/01/last-week-of-vacation.html

The Fuzzy Fanatic featured a post about Blackie, the "star" of the film "War Horse." A bit of history about horses:
https://fuzzyfanaticblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/06/horse-behind-war-horse-movie-gets-recognition/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent is a true story. I laughed and cried and loved the book. It's a keeper. It's heart wrenching and inspiring. I pray I've the courage to allow it to change me, if only a little. 

Musical Thursday

Matthew West ~ Broken Things

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwKuz8a8Jnk

Wordless Wednesday

My homemade pizza made easy...

I'm allergic to soy, so I'm doing more cooking from scratch. List of ingredients: Take and Bake bread, homemade spaghetti sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and sliced ham.

 Bake the Take and Bake bread. Yes, a lot of oven for a little bread; it was cold, and the oven heated the kitchen nicely. I've also baked the bread in the toaster oven. There are also four rolls in the package. I freeze what I don't use before baking it and bake when I want a fresh loaf.

 Cut basil and ham. I used kitchen scissors.

 Slice bread in half and place on toaster oven tray.

 Spoon and spread desired amount of spaghetti sauce.

 Pile on mozzarella cheese.

 Sprinkle on cut basil.

 Pack on chopped ham.

 Bake at 350-375 degrees F, for 15-20 minutes.

 Serve. Careful. It's hot and delicious. Enjoy.

Monday Quote

Sunday Scripture

Proverbs 21:2

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.

Saturday Links

Grace For My Heart addresses those who deal with narcissists/abusers. The goal is to help victims choose healthy. This post is on a healthy resolution that I think even those who don't like resolutions might want for 2018:
https://graceformyheart.wordpress.com/2018/01/05/resolution/

For those who love Jane Austen and history, you might want to follow this blog, Jane Austen's World:
https://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2018/01/05/netley-abbey-and-the-gothic-by-tony-grant/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Skye (Rainbow Girls series book 1) by Heather Gray contemporary Christian romance. Loved it! I want to read more of her books. This story is found in the 7-book anthology "Cherish."

Musical Thursday

Casting Crowns "Just Be Held" 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIZitK6_IMQ

Wordless Wednesday

Holiday, USA

As I finish up the latest novella (#12) in the series, I read through the whole series to check continuity. It's fun when stories I know so well still grab me. I read through the whole series again and still love it.

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

I love the holidays. I have a series of Christmas stories I read every year. Unfortunately, many of the holidays aren't as popular or well known. Though I've searched, I've not found many novellas in the Christian line. Perhaps it took a little longer than it should, but the idea finally popped into my head to write what I want to read. I know, novel. :-) I never planned to self-publish. However, my publisher prefers longer stories, so I chose to publish the series myself. Blessedly, I have an awesome team of friends who have shared their expertise. I hope you enjoy the stories as well.

 
Happy New Year?

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

Officer Tim Black moved to Holiday for a change of scene. He never anticipated wanting to change his single status at the same time, but the lady refuses to even date him.

Sandy Foster moved to Holiday to escape her dysfunctional family, changing everything about her life. Finding someone who wanted to share her life holds a never-ending spot on her uninspiring list of New Year's resolutions.

The tiniest misunderstanding and the willingness to set pride aside might make the difference between spending the New Year alone and a Happily Ever After...

http://www.amazon.com/Happy-New-Year-Holiday-USA-ebook/dp/B00HCQKGF4/ref=sr_1_1

Monday Quote

Sunday Scripture

Proverbs 20:15

There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

Saturday Links

Team Never Quit's guest is Brad Snyder. Amazing. Inspirational. The book about him is on my Wish List.
http://teamneverquit.com/podcast/brad-snyder-us-navy-explosive-ordnance-disposal-blinded-ied-5-x-gold-medalist-paralympics-2012-2016-us-naval-academy-graduate-now-professor/

Keep Living Forward is preparing fields for rain, and so am I. I needed this bit of encouragement:
https://keeplivingforward.wordpress.com/2017/12/30/preparing-for-change-not-just-hoping-for-it/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Unbeatable Mind: Forge resiliency and mental toughness to succeed at an elite level by Mark Divine nonfiction. I am not a viable candidate for SEALfit training. My ankles, knees, and back are a mess. I'm almost 100 lb overweight. None of that means I can't find value in Coach Divine's lessons. No, I can't do the 1,000 pushups, etc, every day. I can't do that many in a week. I can't do them at all. After I messed up my arm, I'm proud of being able to do 10 against the wall, 6 days a week. This is a book I wish I'd read as a teenager when I was struggling to learn how to set goals. Never too late. This year, I'm going to endeavor to integrate what I'm learning.

Musical Thursday

Peter Hollens is a gifted musician. This his his rendition of "The Circle of Life."
https://youtu.be/LvyyDU2gCaQ

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

It's been a long time since I've shared a piece of what I'm currently writing. I finally worked through the struggle with "Christmas Lost." There was a short dialogue that needed to be added, but it wasn't until recently I was capable. This is not that dialogue, but it is the most recently worked on:

Cici peeked into the dining room. "Are we eating anytime soon?"

Alex laughed. "We are. Come on, Pastor Ken, we'll put you to work."

"Oh, good. What a relief." He grinned. "I was afraid you might make me sing for my supper. I'd starve. I can't carry a tune in a bucket."

"No one starves in Holiday Diner," Alex said.

Monday Quote

King George VI quoted from the poem "God Knows" by Minnie Louise Haskins, in his 1939 Christmas broadcast. The first few lines are the most famous portion. However, I found the poem as a whole inspiring and apropos for the New Year. Written in 1908, it was privately published in 1912. I looked for copyright information specific to this poem and couldn't find anything. I'd rather error on the side of the author. Since the first portion has been widely used, it's all I'm sharing here. I'd encourage looking up the poem as a whole. It's beautiful.

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”