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Welcome to my website! I'm so glad you stopped by to visit. Take some time to browse around, and be sure to send me a note from the Contact page. I love to hear from my readers, and I try to answer every e-mail.
Stop by often to catch up on the latest from my life and my writing. I hope to see you again soon!
Summer News
What a summer this has been--and we're only halfway through it!
It's been a time to focus on family, travel, history, and writing--my favorite things! My husband, daughter, and I spent the month of June on the road, something we've never done before but are ready to repeat at the first opportunity. Here are some of the highlights:
FIRST STOP, TEXAS
Our first stop was Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, where my son graduated from basic training. It was an amazing experience, with ceremonies spanning two days. To say we were proud of our country and our son--who graduated with honors--is a major understatement!
Following an amazing few days of spending time in San Antonio with our son, his wife, and their two little girls, we said our goodbyes and headed east. Instead of zooming along the interstate, we chose to take the back roads whenever we could, and we were so glad we did! Moving along at a slower pace allowed time feel like we were really seeing the country instead of racing past it.
THE "MAGICAL HISTORY TOUR" MOVES ON TO MISSISSIPPI
We made our way across east Texas and Louisiana and drove across the Mississippi River into Natchez. I fell in love with the town and its people, some of the friendliest I've met anywhere. We spent most of one day driving around, viewing the gorgeous antebellum homes before continuing on our way.
FROM ANTEBELLUM MISSISSIPPI TO SPANISH COLONIAL FLORIDA
From Natchez, we drove south and meandered along the Gulf. Our hearts went out to the people in the area whose way of life is being threatened by the oil spill. After more time spent off the beaten path, we arrived in St. Augustine, Florida, founded by the Spanish in 1565, long before any English settlers set foot in Jamestown.
We followed that part of our month-long adventure with a couple of days in Orlando, where my daughter and I played tourist while my husband attended a convention, and then we were off and running again--to take another step back in time in the breath-taking beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Finally, it was on to St. Louis for writers' retreat followed by a day spent on the convention floor at ICRS, the International Christian Retail Show. What a wonderful weekend! There's something about connecting with other writers that throws my creativity into high gear. Here's a photo of me with writer friends Tracy Higley and DiAnn Mills. We had just picked up our convention badges and spent a few minutes catching up on what's been happening since the last time we saw each other.
This month spent on the road will be one I'll always treasure. I learned and saw so much . . . and I have several new story ideas running through my mind. I'll let you know what becomes of them once they've had a chance to percolate a bit!
ONE LAST THING . . .
On the final leg of our journey, we stopped to visit my in-laws, and the trip's history theme coninued. I'm doing some guest blogging for my friend, Judy Miller, on Writes of Passage. If you'd like to see something special I picked up on the way home, you can find out about it on the entry for July 14. Drop by and say hello!
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Spring News
Even though it's drizzling outside my window, spring is in the air. And what better way to celebrate the change of season than with a new book release?
Dog Days is now available in paperback!
ORDER NOW!
The second book I wrote for the Mystery and the Minister's Wife series is now available from the wonderful folks at Guideposts. Here's what the back cover has to say:
When Renee Lambert's prize pooch is dognapped just before the start of the county dog show, Kate Hanlon sets out to find the tiny pup before it's too late.
The dog days of summer are anything but boring when the Harrington County Dog Show comes to Copper Mill. Proud pooches and their owners will stop at nothing to take home 'Best in Show.' With only a few weeks until the big event, Renee Lambert is in for a serious shock when her pocket-pup Kisses is dognapped! While Renee mourns the loss of her faithful companion, Kate determines to find the missing Chihuahua, but a series of pranks, a heated argument, and a suspicious auction throw her off the trail. Can she bring the beloved dog home? And can Kate and Paul help everyone realize that trophies have nothing to do with the biggest prize of all?
Imagining the turmoil Copper Mill would go through when Renee, the resident drama queen, has to deal with the disappearance of her beloved Chihuahua made this one of my favorite stories to write. And I love the cover the artists at Guideposts came up with for the paperback version!
I hope you enjoy reading about Kate's search for Kisses as much as I enjoyed writing it. And after you've read it, how about sending me a note through the Contact page? I'd love to hear from you!
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Christmas Greetings
This is a good time of year to reflect on the things we're grateful for, and my list is a long one. I'm thankful for my Lord, for my family and friends, and for church congregations who love and support us. Readers are also high on my list. What would writers do without them? Many thanks to all of you who have visited my website this year, and a special thanks to those who have taken the time to let me know you've read and enjoyed my books. Your comments are appreciated more than you know!
WINTER IN SUNNY ARIZONA
Many people think of Arizona as an unbroken stretch of sun-drenched desert, but those of us who live in the northland know that we can expect a different kind of winter weather than the folks living at lower elevations. Here are a couple of views of the area near our home after the recent blizzard. Remind me to add our trusty woodstove to the list of things I'm thankful for!
NEW INTERVIEW ONLINE
I recently did an interview on Michelle Gregory's blog, where she posed some great questions. You can read the interview here to learn about my earliest experience as a writer and to find out some of my favorite writing books and blogs.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2010
I'm thrilled that Dog Days, one of my titles in the Mystery and the Minister's Wife series from Guideposts, will be available in March! More information next month about the book and where you can pre-order it!
WISHING YOU A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!
My prayers go out to you as we prepare to celebrate the Reason for the season. May you have a joyous Christmas and a new year filled with blessings!
Thanks so much for visiting. I'll see you back here next year!
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June News
Where did the month of May go? I know the answer to that one--it whooshed right past me as I was finishing up my latest book for the Mystery and the Minister's Wife series. The book went in on time, though, and I'm waiting to hear what my editor thinks of it.
NEWS FROM GUIDEPOSTS
I got the exciting news that Dog Days, the second book I wrote for the Mystery and the Minister's Wife series, will be released in paperback next spring! They did such a great job on the cover for A Test of Faith, and I can't wait to see what they come up with for this one. I'll share a photo when it's available, and I'll let you know the actual release date when the time draws nearer.
SPRING IN NORTHERN ARIZONA
Since I spent Memorial Day putting the finishing touches on the latest story, my family decided to put our traditional picnic on hold until the following Monday. I thought I'd let you take a look at some of the sights we enjoyed that day. I love springtime in Arizona's northland!
The recent rains have turned the mountain meadows a vibrant green--
The wildflowers are out in force: wild irises, penstemon, and yellow asters, to name just a few. The array of colors is dazzling! Here are photos of some of my favorites--orange globemallow, vivid magenta Colorado four o'clocks, and a field of deep blue lupines.
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April News
MORE FROM MOUNT HERMON
What an amazing time! I got to connect with writer friends, visit with Beth Adams (my wonderful editor at Guideposts), talk about writing for days on end, and soak in all that gorgeous scenery.
Here's another photo taken at the conference center--
Two of my roommates, DiAnn Mills and Carol Luecke--
The Fabulous Four who outdid themselves putting on the Career Track--
Sally Stuart, Wendy Lawton, Karen Ball, and Janet Kobobel Grant
All too soon, it was time to say goodbye and head back home. I'm already looking forward to next year!
Wishing you a blessed Resurrection Day. He is risen indeed!
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I enjoyed doing an interview on Tiffany Amber Stockton's blog, A Fiction-Filled Life. Tiff asks some great questions, including things like: If one of your characters were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why? You can learn which flavor I chose for Kate Hanlon, the heroine of A Test of Faith, here. Scroll down to the March 25th entry to check out the interview. And a huge congratulations to Tiff and her husband, who became the parents of a baby girl this week!
NEWS FROM MOUNT HERMON
I arrived Thursday evening, just in time for dinner. After a day of travel, the prospect of food is always a good thing! It's storming at home in Arizona, but we're enjoying beautiful spring weather here at the conference center. The cabin I'm sharing with DiAnn Mills and two new friends, Carol Luecke and Laura Domino, is nestled among towering redwoods and we pass flowering cherry trees and azaleas in glorious bloom every time walk around the campus.
Here's a taste of what I've been seeing--
WRITING NEWS
I'm hard at work on my fourth book for the Mystery and the Minister's Wife series from Guideposts. That means I get to spend more time with Kate Hanlon and all the wonderful characters who live in Copper Mill, Tennessee. I don't want to give away too much of the story line just yet, so I'll just say that in this one, Kate faces a rather unusual challenge where she'll need to rely on her deductive powers--and the help of her friends--like never before!
Wishing you all a joyous Palm Sunday!
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March Musings
I'll be doing a blog interview at A Fiction-Filled Life on March 25th. Stop by and leave a comment to enter your name in a drawing for a copy of A Test of Faith!
I had a great time doing the interview on Novel Journey earlier this month. If you missed it, you can read all about it here. Congratulations to Patricia and Sheila, who won copies of A Test of Faith!
COUNTDOWN TO MOUNT HERMON
Only a couple more weeks until the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference begins. I can hardly wait! Check back during the first week of April. I'll try to post updates and photos of some of my writer buddies while I'm there.
ARE YOU HOOKED ON CROCHET?
If so, welcome to the club! My grandmother started teaching me to crochet when I was five years old, and I've been a crochet fanatic ever since. I just learned that March is National Crochet Month, so this seemed like a good time to promote one of my favorite hobbies. Lately, I've been making baby blankets for a crisis pregnancy center and lapghans for hospitalized veterans. Do you have a favorite way to share your crochet habit with others? Send me a message from the Contact page and tell me about it!
Here's a photo of one of my latest projects, a blanket for my new granddaughter:
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ORDER NOW!
Book #3 in Mystery and the Minister's Wife
is now available in paperback
When a stolen car crashes through the front window of the Country Diner, Kate Hanlon vows to find the driver, who has vanished into the night. But when Kate's wallet is discovered in the front seat of the car, she has a whole new reason to find the culprit. How did it end up there? No one in town seems to believe that the pastor's wife isn't a car thief, and with their whole ministry on the line, Kate sets out in search of answers. Meanwhile, Paul breaks his ankle in a church basketball game and Kate finds herself caring for her ailing husband. And the diner's owner Loretta isn't talking about when--or if--the restaurant will reopen. Is this all simply a test of faith, or is this a sign that the Hanlons' time in Copper Mill is coming to a close?
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UPCOMING INTERVIEWS
I'll be doing an online interview on March 3rd on Novel Journey, where I'll be giving away a couple of books. Be sure to stop by and leave a comment so you can be entered!
Check back for details on other interviews later in the month.
ARE YOU ON FACEBOOK?
With the help of my daughter-in-law, I took the plunge into the social networking scene a couple of months ago, and I have to admit I love it. What a great way to reconnect and stay in touch! And if you love Christian fiction, you'll love the Chapter-a-Week Book Club on Facebook. Become a fan and read weekly excerpts from recent Christian fiction releases. You can check it out here.
LOOKING AHEAD. . .
One of my favorite events of the year is fast approaching--the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. I'm counting the days until I fly off to northern California to spend time in the redwoods on Mount Hermon's beautiful campus; reconnect with writer, editor, and agent friends; and talk about writing for days on end. Sheer bliss!
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February News
Happy New Year--a little late. I was too preoccupied to send out wishes for a happy 2009...but for a very good reason. In addition to ringing in the new year, we welcomed a new granddaughter to our family! I spent a good part of January getting acquainted with this precious little girl.
COMING SOON!!
Over the past couple of years, I've been part of the team who writes the Mystery and the Minister's Wife series for Guideposts. Until recently, these titles had only been available to book club members, but they're now being released in paperback. I'm thrilled to announce that A Test of Faith will be available on March 1st! Watch for it at your local bookstore or pre-order it online.
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ORDER NOW!
Read an excerpt
from A Bride So Fair
A Fair to Remember draws to a close
in A Bride So Fair
Emily Ralston is delighted when she lands a job at the Children's Building at the Chicago World's Fair. When she meets Stephen Bridger, a handsome Columbian Guard, sparks of attraction singe the air. When Stephen finds a lost boy, he delivers him to the Children's Building to be cared for until his mother is located. But when a dead body believed to be little Adam's mother is found, the intrigue deepens and danger grows.
Can Emily and Stephen solve the deadly mystery before time runs out?
Readers who visited the 1893 Chicago World's Fair in Ticket to Tomorrow and Fair Game will enjoy returning to the White City and spending time with the places and characters they've grown to love. And for those of you who have written to ask what will become of Mrs. Purvis and whether she'll ever find the treasure left by her late husband -- you'll find the answers in A Bride So Fair. I hope you'll have as much fun reading the conclusion to the series as much I did in writing it!
I was thrilled when A Bride So Fair received a 4 ½ star review from Romantic Times - "This talented author's sweet and charming love story -- set during the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 -- is a delightful diversion. The characters are lovable and down to earth."
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