I'm visiting Patty Froese...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Patty has invited me to be a guest blogger, today. Please stop in for a visit. I kept it short. I promise.

http://pattyfroese.com/

Luck In Love

In 1983, Yellowstone National Park beckons to Sara Budge. With no plans for the future, except her determination to escape the abusive habits of her past, housekeeping at Lake Hotel for the summer offers the possibility of a safe haven while she decides what to do with the rest of her life. All she wants or needs is a fresh start, but the past always catches up...
Luck Williams doesn't believe peace will ever be his again, but he can't resist the opportunity handed to him to photograph his favorite place on earth. Even caught up in the pristine beauty he is unable to escape the haunting nightmares of one horrific day. His hard won lesson regarding the fragility and capriciousness of life leaves no room for romance...but God has other plans.

Coming tomorrow...

The Silver Locket Sisterhood series book one: Luck in Love

Sara Budge is determined to break the chain of abuse. Luck Williams is desperate to leave nightmares in the past. Neither plans on finding romance when they each choose Yellowstone National Park as their escape plan.

In 1983, Yellowstone National Park beckons to Sara Budge. With no plans for the future, except her determination to escape the abusive habits of her past, housekeeping at Lake Hotel for the summer offers the possibility of a safe haven while she decides what to do with the rest of her life. All she wants or needs is a fresh start, but the past always catches up...

Luck Williams doesn't believe peace will ever be his again, but he can't resist the opportunity handed to him to photograph his favorite place on earth. Even caught up in the pristine beauty he is unable to escape the haunting nightmares of one horrific day. His hard won lesson regarding the fragility and capriciousness of life leaves no room for romance...but God has other plans.

My post picks this week....

Kris Tualla's post... Kris believes in herself and her characters. We joined Desert Rose at the same time. Her enthusiasm and tenacious pursuit of her passion inspires me. (I also enjoy her books :-) )
http://kristualla.wordpress.com/2012/11/10/oh-the-irony-the-delicious-wonderful-irony/

Jami Gold writes paranormal, and she shared some amazing pictures of her "Epic Road Trip."
http://jamigold.com/2012/11/life-lessons-from-the-epic-road-trip/

Stephanie Burkhart has a new release out and it's steampunk. I'm new to the genre myself, but I'm curious and have added her book A Gentleman and a Rogue (the title alone caught my attention) to my wish list.
http://desertbreezepublishing.blogspot.com

I loved Tina Pinson's do-it-herself attitude. She also has a great recipe for Timeless Tuna Casserole.
http://tinapinson.blogspot.com/2012/11/gentlemen-we-can-rebuild-it.html

Susan Jaymes posted an adorable short video.
http://susanjaymes.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/baby-and-puppy-meet/

Patty Froese shared a cute story of her son and her wonderful church family.
http://pattyfroese.com/?p=3980

The Cuffe Sisters share a bit about wreathes.
www.cuffesisters.com/off-the-cuffe/

Christian or not?

There's been a discussion about what qualifies as Christian romance and what does not.

The characters having faith does not qualify a book as Christian. Having redemption in a book does not qualify it as Christian. Having the characters do nothing more than hold hands and share a peck on the cheek seems to be a must for Christian.

This is why I land in trouble. I'm Christian, so I write Christian, but not Christian. The typical Christian romance usually doesn't resonate with me because I find them unbelievable. I wonder if there's something wrong with me that I can't wrap my mind around such innocence. There isn't.

I'm a survivor. I write from a survivor's perspective. My heroines are all survivors. I don't know how to write women any other way. It's what I know. My heroes, so far, are also survivors though not always in the same way as my heroines.

My heart is in what I write, which leaves me with a bit of a dilemma. I'm looking for a reviewer for Luck In Love. The reviewers I know like a steamy read. I don't write steamy. The Christian reviewers I've investigated aren't fond of my type of book. They prefer the traditional formula. In fact, I don't know anyone who writes what I do... except some of the other Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc, authors. I'm grateful I found a home.

Link to article... writer's block...

A very dear friend sent this link to me:

http://www.flavorwire.com/343207/13-famous-writers-on-overcoming-writers-block?all=1

There is something about reading the experiences of other writers. It helps.

It was exactly what I needed. I'm in the middle of my usual re-write of the current manuscript, the one due at the end of the year. The basic story is there, but now I'm working to make the best possible story before sending it into the editor.

Wordless

My post picks...

For my friends who are gluten sensitive, a recipe from Beth Trissel:
http://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/2012/10/30/gluten-free-butternut-squash-bread-beth-trissel/

A Kris Tualla post (I always enjoy those):
http://romancingthegenres.blogspot.com/2012/11/unexpected-women-of-influence.html

Dog story and People Chow over at Between the Pages, featuring Linda Swift:
http://betweenthelinesandmore.blogspot.com/2012/11/some-things-you-cant-explain.html

Great post on the many uses of vinegar:
http://tinapinson.blogspot.com/2012/11/vinegar-is-so-sweet.html
Side note: If you have trouble with infections, bladder and the like, don't drink vinegar or use it in a bath. It impedes your body's pH balance. It was information I needed since I've had trouble with my kidneys all my life.

Stephanie H. McGee gives a sneak peek into her new book, Ironwood:
http://www.stepheniamcgee.com/Current-Projects.html

So much to read and explore...so little time...

Copyrighted image legalities...

I've been going through deleting things on Pinterest and my blogs, trying to clean everything up. My integrity is worth more than any photo.

InD'tale's contributing writer, Jimmy Thomas, shared his expertise on the legalities of sharing images.

It's worth the read.

http://www.indtale.com/misconceptions-rights-using-images

Vote and The Hobbit...

Reward yourself for voting. I'm going to Denny's and their new Hobbit menu.

http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2012/10/24/63852-dennys-middle-earths-diner-hoom-dont-be-hasty/

No, I'm not paid to promote them. This simply sounds like a lot of fun.

Luck In Love Cover Art and banners...

Cover Art by Carol Fiorilli

For those who missed it on my author FB page...

Luck: Have you seen it?
Jack: Seen what?
James: Do stop preening.
Matthew: I believe his preening is both understandable and acceptable.
Jack: Preening about what?
Matthew: His cover was released.
Jack: But he isn't on it.
Luck: Of course not. The purpose is to reveal key elements in the story.
Jack: Are not the hero and heroine key?
Luck: Yes, but there's a code to covers.
Jack: Codes I understand.
Matthew: I'm not surprised.
Jack: No need to roll your eyes. Tell me more about this code.
Luck: It's changed with all the independent authors, but it used to be you could tell the heat level of a story by what was revealed on the cover.
Jack: Heat level?
James: Please, Jack, you may not be a well-rounded character, yet, but you are a man.
Jack: Oh.
Luck: Yes. Anyway, Laurel Hawkes writes stories with a rating of sweet or warm.
Jack: But does she not touch on sensitive subjects?
Matthew: She does, indeed, but she's quite skilled at saying enough but not too much.
Jack: I do wish she would reveal a great deal more about my story.
Luck: Don't worry, Jack. She will.
Matthew: After she finishes with my story.
Jack: You promise?
Mark: Not another word.
James: She's settling into her writing routines.
Jack: I'm not going to see her for a while, am I?
Mark: Sorry, Jack.

Wordless

Book due...

Book 2 of the Endless Possibilities series, Hidden Possibilities, is due soon. I'm finishing up my rewrite/edits. I'm one of those who edits until a book goes to print. I'm always able to see something that could be better, clearer, more in keeping with the setting, trade three words for one. I spend most of my time editing. I edit as I write (I can't help myself), and then I edit and edit and edit until the book is due, and then it's sent with the knowledge I've made it the best possible book, knowing the editor will find things to change. I'll also find things I didn't see before. A never-ending process. I pray the final product is as good as it can be. Yes, God is part of my process.

My post picks...

Writers in the Storm blog shared some great spooky words...
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2012/10/22/spooky-frightful-and-eee-yew-word-list/

Patty Froese invites Clare Ravell, who shares a recipe for Welsh Cakes and a bit of her newest book, which I've added to my Wish List:
http://pattyfroese.com/?p=3808

Patty also previews her upcoming release:
http://pattyfroese.com/?p=3853

I try to be careful. Linda McMaken posted a great article on Copyright usage:
http://makenwords.blogspot.com/2012/10/copyright-anyone.html

June Foster hosts David Bond, yep a male romance writer, on her blog:
http://junefoster-2.blogspot.com/

Reviews for A Promise of Possibilities...

Reviews:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/endless-possibilities-book/id561979826?mt=11 

http://www.amazon.com/review/RFGG0A7OGMMMQ/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00909PNB8&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=133140011&store=digital-text

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1YVKUDXSG7I6U/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00909PNB8&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=133140011&store=digital-text

http://www.amazon.com/review/R386IIS6XV3Q5J/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00909PNB8&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=133140011&store=digital-text

http://www.amazon.com/Endless-Possibilities-Book-One-ebook/product-reviews/B00909PNB8/ref=cm_cr_dp_synop?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending#R22TMMAY26JE7R

Wish list...

We all have them, whether you admit to it or not.

Here are a few things on my wish list:

http://www.dailypuppy.com/puppies/karma-the-border-collie-mix_2012-06-29

http://www.fhana.com/

http://pinterest.com/lhawkes/home-sweet-home/

I'm trying to make my Pinterest account more copyright compliant, so I've deleted some pictures and boards. I may eventually delete the whole thing, but not yet...

Quote

This weeks post picks...

There are always so many blogs to explore. These are a few of my favorite posts this week:

Happy Birthday, Patty Froese!
http://pattyfroese.com/?p=3813

Writers in the Storm on Immediacy:
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2012/10/15/immediacy-writing-in-real-time/

I love A.R. Norris' Telomere speculative fiction. She shares the history of one of her favorite recipes. It's very sweet. :-)
http://authorsharonkleve.blogspot.com/2012/10/welcome-passionate-cook-and-author-r.html

Stephanie Burkhart shares pictures of the Shuttle Endeavor traveling through L.A.
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com/2012/10/space-shuttle-endeavour-takes-its-last.html

For the writers, Celia Yeary posted an interesting article:
http://www.celiayeary.blogspot.com/2012/10/clean-writing-and-i-dont-mean-sweet.html

So many blogs... so little time...

Do trailers matter?

You be the judge.

I love Lynette Endicott's trailer for her upcoming release The Return of Joy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrTCrfJRaIg&feature=g-upl

I've added this book to my wish list. It's out on the 21st.