Conversation posted on FB last Monday...

Richard: Pray tell, what is Mark doing in the corner.
Eric: Relaxation exercises.
James: I beg your pardon?
Jack: Do keep up James. He does them whenever he's out of sorts.
Richard: Whatever for?
Jack: He's leaving us.
James: Indeed.
Eric: Already? I only just arrived!
Jack: Look sharp.
Richard: Before a cat can lick its ear.
Eric: Excuse me?
James: You're confusing him.
Jack: It's English.
James: Regency English.
Eric: Oh. So I need to learn Regency English to hang out here?
Richard: It would be helpful.
Jack: Or recruit another contemporary hero.
James: Indeed, because you're about to lose this one.
Eric: Where's he going?
James: Do you want to tell him, Jack?
Jack: Why me? You've been here longer.
James: True enough, but you enjoy spilling the bag.
Eric: Spilling the bag?
Richard: Revealing secrets.
James; Not to worry, Eric. We'll have you speaking a second language in no time.
Eric: I don't need any help, thanks. She already has me learning Thai.
Richard: Learning what?
Eric: Thai, the national language of Thailand, in the Orient.
Jack: Do tell.
Eric: I don't know much more than that.
Jack: Curiouser and curiouser.
Eric: What of Mark?
James: Yes, well, tomorrow is a very big day.
Richard: Indeed. The biggest.
Jack: He'll be on his merry way or is that marry way?
Mark: Stubble it, Jack.
James: Well done, Mark. Excellent bit of Regency.
Richard: He's to be caught in Parson's Mousetrap?
Eric: Stop! Speak English!
Jack: It is English, Eric. And glaring at me does not change it.
Mark: Hang in there, Eric. Don't take Jack too seriously. He's a bit of a troublemaker from the start but harmless.
Jack: I'll show you harmless.
Mark: Too late. I'm out the door any moment.
Eric: You're leaving?
James: Lucky man is being published, tomorrow.
Eric: You're ready?
Mark: It was a perilous road, but I'm ready.
Eric: Congratulations.
Richard: Godspeed.
James: God bless your journey.
Jack: May the wind be at your back.

Memorial Day Weekend... Some Gave All...

On Monday, we remember those who gave all so the rest of us could enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

http://www.unknownsoldiersblog.com/2013/05/hot-dogs-and-hamburgers.html

I found this on FB:

There are also four-legged heroes who give all:

http://khanrahan.com/2013/05/21/a-bond-between-battle-buddies-was-broken/

Gail R. Delaney's Janis...

Phoenix Rising follows the Phoenix Rebellion series. Beloved characters are back and adding more. Breathtaking, heart wrenching, intense, sprinkled with humor.

I came into the Phoenix series after all four Rebellion books were out, so I was able to read one after the other. Nothing else was done during those few days. I thought about waiting to start the Rising series until it was complete, but I simply couldn't resist. When the opportunity presented itself, I dove right in. My only complaint: I don't want to wait for the rest!

Please don't ask me to choose a favorite book or character in the Phoenix series. There are action heroes and heroes who work behind the scenes. There are women who know how to fight and women who prefer to avoid fighting. You never know when a secondary character will become a main character. Some characters are evil but many more are good. Some have a clear view of their way and others are conflicted.

I'm not someone who only reads one genre. I look for authors I love to read and then read everything they write because their stories are engaging and their characters resonate with me. Gail R. Delaney is on my favorite authors list.

http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/phoenix-rising-book-one-janus-epub/

And wherever ebooks are sold.

Wordless

Links to check out...

I was inspired by another post over at Writers In The Storm:
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/writer-quotes-at-starbucks/
They also shared a bit of practicality, ie, estate planning for writers:
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/who-will-you-trust-wills-in-author-estate-planning/
And another about success and survival in the romance industry Part I and II:
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/ten-keys-to-success-survival-in-the-romance-industry/
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/ten-keys-to-success-and-survival-part-2/

Patty Froese hosts Marcy Dyer... warmed my heart...
http://pattyfroese.com/2013/05/08/smarter-than-your-average-bear/

I love Brenda Whiteside's example of adapting...
http://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/2013/05/one-more-dream-come-true.html

A.R. Norris shares her struggle with finding balance in her life:
http://sci-fiadventures.blogspot.com/2013/05/confession-of-lost-writing-soul.html

Barri Bryan takes a trip down memory lane, sharing her heroes:
http://barribryan.com/blog/184/

For a bit of humor, check out J. Morgan's blog this week:
http://jennmorgan69.wordpress.com/

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

Notice to visitors to my blog...

For some unknown reason, a popup requests authentication saying that this is joramsey.com. The log in request pops up whenever you click on anything on my blog.

It is not.

Cancel the request for the log in.

It doesn't seem to change the appearance of anything, but it is an annoyance

Interestingly enough, it has stopped. Thanks, God!

Mark's lesson...

...on the language of flowers.

I grew up learning about the specific colors.

Red is for love and passion.
Yellow is for friendship. It also has other less noble meanings, but I'm sticking with friendship.

Then I started doing research for Mark's Grace. I ended up deciding to keep it simple.

Whole books are written on the language of flowers. A single bouquet could be an entire letter. Not only color but variety determines the message.

Sneak peek: I created a Pinterest board for Mark's Grace (You don't need to sign up to look):
http://pinterest.com/lhawkes/mark-s-grace/
Or copy and paste the addy, as there seems to be a glitch with the link setup from blogger.

How I met Mark...

Mark Callaghan was not even on the horizon when Grace came into being. I knew Grace needed a special hero, but I figured I had plenty of time.

On February 4, 2012, I attended the Glendale Chocolate Affaire and met Jimmy Thomas:

http://laurelhawkes.blogspot.com/2012/02/chocolate-affaire-jimmy-thomas-and-me.html

By this time, I knew when Mark's Grace was due. I decided the curator played a far more important role than I first gave him. Mark slowly took shape. When I met Jimmy I knew how I wanted Mark to make Grace feel. He revealed himself much more quickly than Grace did once he knew he was in.

I did not expect him to become such good friends with Luck, in Luck in Love. More surprising was how he appeared in Luck in Love while Grace did not. Mark was bold and very much "what you see is what you get." Since Jimmy was the inspiration for Mark, I borrowed a little bit more. I don't usually use a specific person for my characters. I want people reading the book to be able to visualize their own hero. Mark is my exception. If you want to know what he looks like take a look at Jimmy Thomas, businessman extraordinaire. http://romancenovelconvention.com/

Mark is also uniquely his own man. My characters frequently surprise me. I think I know them, and they tell me a secret, something they've never told anyone else. Something that makes them who they are, and once I know, everything about them falls into place.

Wordless

Grace's recipes and a little bit more...

Lavender Pancakes:
1 cup Pancake Mix (yes, an add water mix, keep it simple)
3/4 cup buttermilk instead of water*
The dried petals of one stalk of lavender blossom (preferably no crunchy stems).

Mix until blended.

Cook as usual.

*When I've had lite syrup from canned peaches or pears, I've used the syrup and made up the difference with milk.

Buttermilk Syrup (as given to me by my aunt):
1/2 cup butter
1 cup buttermilk
1-1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 Tablespoons corn syrup

In a 3 quart pan, bring to a boil.
Boil 7 minutes stirring constantly (don't want it boiling over, it makes a mess).
Remove from heat.
Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Pour over pancakes.

And a little bit more, if only every little girl learned this, better late than never:
http://drkellyflanagan.com/2013/04/17/a-daddys-letter-to-his-little-girl-about-her-future-husband/

How I met Grace...

Grace Williams appeared in Luck in Love not as an actual character but as a person of influence in her brother's life. I thought I knew Grace and her story. She was the inspiration for Luck's award-winning triptych "The Savior's Gift." I knew her story was painful. My PLAN (my BFF likes to remind me it's a four-letter word and trecherous because once you say the word your cherished plan will change without your consent) was to write Grace's story in a few years.

As Luck in Love developed, Grace's story wiggled in the back of my brain. It wasn't uncomfortable, so it was easy to brush off. I'd tackle it, later. I did know enough to know it would be a difficult story to write. The PLAN was to put it off until I was better prepared.

God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

When I wrote my proposal for the series, I already had a contract for 3 books over a year and a half. That would give me plenty of time to work on Grace's story. I figured the next series would be tacked on after the first series was finished. I blissfully sent in the proposal. I was offered the contract to publish the vintage series interspersed with the Regency series.

I signed.

Suddenly, Grace's story wasn't down the road a piece. It was NOW.

Beginning of May post picks...

Jude Urbanski hosts Danielle Thorne:
http://judeurbanski.blogspot.com/

The Balanced Writer blog returns the favor hosting Jude Urbanski:
http://www.thebalancedwriter.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-winner-visitor-breakfast-smoothie.html

J. Morgan's Giggles, really, in a fun interview with Jillian Chantal and her recent release:
http://jennmorgan69.wordpress.com/2013/04/28/back-to-then-with-jillian-chantal/

The Cuffe Sisters are having a contest. You have until Monday to enter:
http://cuffesisters.com/2013/complimentary-cuffes/welcome-back-linda-glaz/

Barbara Scott tackles a very difficult subject in a short article, The Treatment of Mental Illness in American History:
http://www.heartsthroughhistory.com/the-treatment-of-mental-illness-in-american-history/
Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, I was already familiar with the barbarism so I wasn't surprised by what I read. Even so, it was a little difficult to read the inhumane treatment of people who were diagnosed as mentally ill. I've also done a bit of research of the early institutions in England. I suspect the American institutions weren't too very different in some aspects, though some of the practices weren't mentioned in Barbara's article. Heartbreaking.

I loved A.R. Norris' snapshot of a writer's life, the one where we're trying to go to sleep and stuff pops into our head and wakes us up because we must write it down, and the next thing you know...
http://sci-fiadventures.blogspot.com/2013/05/arent-i-just-cliche.html

The Cuffe Sisters also started an inspirational blog with various writers sharing articles and short stories:
http://awomanlikemeblog.com/

Almost 5,000 words written yesterday. One more chapter and done. Then off to my reader/editor/feedback/cheerleader to check for holes, inconsistencies, suggestions. What's important to note is that I didn't think I would write that much in one day. I was wrong. I'm okay with being wrong.

Enjoy your week! God bless.

National Day of Prayer...

I admit, I'm kind of new to the National Day of Prayer. Yes, it's been around for 62 years, but I didn't know about it.

http://nationaldayofprayer.org/

Or perhaps it's more a case of I knew about it but didn't pay much attention. I pray every day, so what was so special about this?

As I've grown older and wiser (I hope on the latter), I recognize more clearly Matthew 18:20:

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Perhaps it's a matter of having had more opportunities to pray for friends and friends of friends far away. When all else is beyond my capabilities to do anything helpful, I am able to join my prayers with the prayers of others.

Sometimes, the hoped for outcome doesn't happen. Sometimes the outcome far exceeds anything we hoped for. In all cases, there is a sense of lending aid, no matter how small, and trusting God a little bit more.

God bless.

Wordless

End of April...

Where does the time go?

I keep a homemade calender beside my desk noting the month books are due to the publisher in red and when they are published in purple. It started with April, last year. My fourth book will be published this May.

Looking back over this year, would I change anything?

I've made a lot of changes in many different areas of my life. Some changes are complete, but most are a work in progress, with a lot of work left to accomplish.

Would I go back?

Never!

There is only forward. Sometimes, it's unsettling not knowing where the future leads, but it's less unsettling knowing God will be with me every step of the way, even when I become wrapped up in my worries and concerns and forget He is there, waiting for me to remember and reach for Him.

Every once in a while, it's good to step back, look back and look forward, and catch my breath and thank God for His love and patience and guiding hand.

Last post picks for April...

Writers In The Storm shared some helpful information for writers I never considered:
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2013/04/22/who-inherits-your-copyrights/

Patricia Johns shares a truthful post about writers...
http://patriciajohnsromance.com/2013/04/22/a-truthful-post/

Laurie Schnebly Cambell dips into writing a blurb over at Romance University:
http://romanceuniversity.org/2013/04/26/yakkity-yak-by-laurie-schnebly-campbell/

Stephanie Burkhart is celebrating National Poetry month and featuring several authors:
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com

The Cuffe Sisters are featuring Sharon Srock:
www.cuffesisters.com/complimentary-cuffes/

Kathleen Ball is hosting Jillian Chantal and her newest release:
http://www.kathleenballromance.com/apps/blog/show/25883911-the-gambler-s-daughter-by-the-amazing-jillian-chantal

Sue Perkins welcomes Tammy Lowe, along with a teaser for her book The Acadian Secret:
http://sueperkinsauthor.blogspot.co.nz/

Enjoy your weekend and God bless.

Yesterday's FB conversation...

Jack: Benjamin, do tell, why is your brother pacing?
Benjamin: Why ask me and not him?
Jack: There is a look about him. I don't entirely trust it.
Benjamin: Surely you do not fear him.
Jack: Do not be impertinent.
Benjamin: Then why not ask him yourself?
Jack: I did not survive my past by playing the fool.
Benjamin: Ah, our lady is unearthing you.
Eric: He was buried?
Mark: She doesn't write those kinds of books.
Jack: Widgeon.
Eric: What did he call me?
Benjamin: Foolish.
Eric: Being new does not make a man foolish.
Jack: Opening his mouth and proving how new he is does.
Mark: Pot meet kettle.
Jack: When?
Mark: You do know our past conversations are archived on her blog?
Eric: They are?
Mark: Every single one, on pages titled Hunted on FB.
Benjamin: We hunt her?
Mark: Don't you want to know about your story?
Benjamin: Well, yes.
Jack: Haven't you pestered her to tell you?
Benjamin: Well, no.
Jack: No?
Benjamin: She will tell me when she is ready.
Jack: What is wrong with you?
Mark: Not everyone is as impatient as Jack.
James: Silence! You are distracting her!
Benjamin: Our regrets, brother.
Jack: I don't regret it.
Mark: Muzzle it, Jack.
Eric: Sorry.
Jack: Bah!
Mark: You're repeating yourself.
James: It matters not. Do not say another word. Not another word.

One of the toughest pet decisions...

Pets, as much as we would like them to, do not live forever.

I don't have to make this decision right now, but I have made it twice. Neither time was easy.

http://shine.yahoo.com/pets/know-time-euthanize-pet-162100593.html

In Mark's Grace, coming out May 21, Grace worries about having to make the final decision. She's afraid to become a pet owner because she doesn't want to make the final decision.

Making the decision for my horse was difficult and yet not. He was deteriorating. When the vet told me he only had three grinders left and he would have to go to soupy alfalfa pellets, I knew it was time. This was my child who loved to eat. It was his joy in life. He'd had back pain and problems with colic his whole life. How could I take away one of his great joys?

I remember him pacing the fence when I brought his grain every morning. Hay was brought, and he was right there, first in line. I talked with my vet and my farrier and a lot with God.

It was an amazing experience letting him go, not easy, but I knew he was finally pain free.

My dog was a whole other story. I wish I'd had the list provided in the above article. I think it might have helped. It still wouldn't have been easy, but maybe I wouldn't have felt so much like I was guessing.

Wordless

Posts or blogs for this week's picks...

David Bond is a Desert Breeze author. He is an inspiration and going through difficult times. For updates:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/davebond

Writers in the Storm posted a bit. I've said before writers expose far more of themselves than they ever do of those in their lives.
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/why-we-and-our-characters-fall-in-love-part-2 

Jaclyn V. Di Bona has a new website, book reviews, very pretty:
http://jaclynvdibona.blogspot.com/

Did you know it was National Dispatcher's Week? Now, you do.
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com/

Last day to make a comment on Sue Perkins' blog about reading and to be entered in her contest:
http://sueperkinsauthor.blogspot.com/

Petie McCarty posts about "Why research fiction?" over at Lynette Endicott's blog:
http://www.lynetteendicott.com/

I spend countless hours researching everything from words to clothes to weather and pretty much everything in between.