As American As Apple Pie

My husband and kids, standing by the
world's largest baseball bat.

Last week was Spring Break for our kids. We tried to squeeze a little bit of fun into each day, which snowballed into being away from home the entire week. We had a great time being together as a family, but I have to admit, we're thoroughly exhausted.

One of our day trips was to Kentucky to the Louisville Slugger factory and museum. With Little League season gearing up, this was the perfect trip to get them motivated. We toured the factory, learning how Louisville Slugger baseball bats are made from start--trees in the Pennsylvania forest-- to finish--delivered to the players. The tour guide taught what each symbol on the bat represents and told interesting stories of the company's relationship to individual major/minor league players. We got to experience, up close and personal, a ball pitched at 90 mph. Life size replicas of famous baseball players adorned sections of the museum, along with historical baseball memorabilia. The best part was seeing Louisville Sluggers from the past, used by legends such as Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, and Jackie Robinson. I really enjoyed the interview they played of Hank Aaron in 1974, after hitting his 715th home run, where he said he went home humbled, praising God  for his faith and the talent bestowed upon him.

After a week away from the computer, Hank's interview motivated me to get back to writing again. To keep on swinging until I hit my home run.


What does your family enjoy doing together on Spring Break? Have you ever come across anything inspiring along the way?

Preserving History

I read an article the other day in a newspaper publication titled, "Historic treasures preserved by prosperous people." It talked about several business tycoons who shared a passion for preservation and how they invested their fortunes by developing places that people can visit to learn about history. The article went on to name such places as: The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan; Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia (we've vacationed here. Great place to visit!); Winterthur Garden, Library, and Museum in Wilmington, Delaware; and The Getty in Los Angeles and Malibu, California.

My husband and I are history buffs, loving anything historical. We love antiques, have a collection of old books (I read our copy of Little Women over the holidays that was published in 1911!), I enjoy reading books set in historical time periods, our house is decorated with primitive items (originals, not remakes), etc. After reading that article the other day, I realized that preserving history isn't just for the wealthy. People do it everyday. We've been doing it for years.

My project this spring, aside from my manuscripts, is a kitchen makeover. It's a small room, and I simply couldn't take the dark colors any longer. After days of priming everything in the entire kitchen, I took a trip to Menards, picked out paint, and got started last week. I was going for a bright, airy feel since I spend so much time in the kitchen, unable to keep any of my guys full (not for more than a couple of hours anyway). I chose "Island Waters" for the color on the walls which isn't a lot of space at all--just wanted to give the room a little color. When the paint dried, it turned out be the teal-ish color of an old classic car. Always talking about doing a retro themed kitchen, now is our chance. 

We had the best time last Friday, going through local antique shops in search of real retro lighting, cabinet hardware, etc. (We figured if we were going to do it we should be authentic. Antiquing is something we've always enjoyed doing together, even the kids, and even participate on vacation if a place catches our eye.) Though we didn't have any luck finding what we were looking for, we did stumble across a great place we didn't know existed--Habitat for Humanity Restore. The best way to describe it is a Goodwill for housewares. They sell new and gently used home improvement goods, furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. All proceeds go to local Habitat for Humanity affiliates to help build and renovate more homes and communities. You can even donate unwanted items!

We found some great stuff in there: counter tops, cabinets, tile flooring, lighting, hinges, etc. This will be one of the first places we look from now on when starting a home improvement project, and the first place we go when we need to donate housewares.

Turns out, we had the exact lighting we were looking for in our basement already. My husband had bought retro industrial shop lights at an auction years ago for $3, and with a good cleaning and a coat of paint, it looks great!

My kitchen is far from being done as I'm working on it amongst three-thousand other things, but I will post pictures once the project is complete. But all of this rambling was to show that preserving history isn't just for the wealthy (if it was, we wouldn't be candidates). We can all have a part in it--on item at a time.

See, www.habitat.org/restores for more information on the organization.

Big Sky Romance Series by Denise Hunter

I love reading books in a series. I also love reading books set in the west. In Denise Hunter's Big Sky Romance Series, I got the best of both worlds. . . .

 

A COWBOY'S TOUCH

 

ABIGAIL IS JUST IN MOOSE CREEK, MONTANA, FOR THE SUMMER TO TEMPORARILY CARE FOR HER GREAT AUNT.

BUT A TENDER-HEARTED COWBOY BECKONS HER TO STAY.

 

 



 Abigail Jones intends to spend just one summer in middle-of-nowhere Montana with her Aunt Lucy. Time away from her job is just what Abigail needs to reassess her life. The slow pace has her breathing deeply for the first time in years. And the majestic scenery encourages her to get reacquainted with herself . . . and God.

What she didn't count on was the handsome widowed cowboy who owns the ranch where her aunt lives. When the rancher loses his daughter's nanny, Abigail decides to lend a hand for the summer.

Wade Ryan can't help being attracted to Abigail. But he's given up everything to protect his daughter, and he's not about to risk it all on a pretty face.

Under Abigail's care, Wade's home and daughter thrive. And with Wade's touch, Abigail's heart feels at home at last. But Abigail knows this elusive rancher is hiding something. Will her own secrets separate her from the cowboy who finally captured her heart?


Author: Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson, 2011
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Theme Verse: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life..."-- John 14:6


My thoughts
This was the first book I ever read from Denise Hunter and became a life-long fan. Set in the fictional town of Moose Creek, Montana, the setting and the characters instantly drew me into the story, and when I got to the last page, I didn't want the story to end. But, I got a glimpse of them again in book #2 of the series, The Accidental Bride.

THE ACCIDENTAL BRIDE

 

WHEN A WEDDING REENACTMENT TURNS REAL, SHAY FINDS HERSELF AN ACCIDENTAL BRIDE.

 

 

Shay Bradenberger is raising her daughter in Moose Creek, Montana, on her childhood ranch, nestled against the Yellowstone River. Despite the hard work, she can't seem to keep her head above water--and now the bank is threatening to foreclose. She prays for a miracle, but the answer she receives is anything but expected.

 

Having agreed to play the bride in the Founder's Day wedding reenactment, Shay is mortified to be greeted at the end of the aisle by none other than Travis McCoy, her high school sweetheart--the man who left her high and dry for fame and fortune on the Texas rodeo circuit.

 

Then the unthinkable happens. Thanks to a well-meaning busybody and an absentminded preacher, the make-believe vows result in a legal marriage. But before Shay can say annulment, Travis comes up with a crazy proposal. If she refuses his offer, she may lose her home. If she accepts, she may lose her heart.

 

Shay isn't sure if the recent events are God's will or just a preacher's blunder. Will trusting her heart to the man who once shattered it be the worst mistake of her life? Or could their marriage be the best accident that ever happened?

 

 

Author: Denise Hunter

Publisher: Thomas Nelson,2011

Genre: Contemporary Romance

 

Theme Verse: "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."-- Galatians 1:10

 

 

My thoughts

This story jumps right into the action. The tension between the hero and heroine (romantic and otherwise) propels the story. I've read this book twice I loved it so much, and the first time, I stayed awake until 2am because I had to know how the story ended!

 

 

 

 

 

THE TROUBLE WITH COWBOYS

 

ONLY ONE PAIR OF BOOTS--AND THE COWBOY WEARING THEM--CAN GET ANNIE OUT OF THE MESS SHE'S IN.

 

 

Annie Wilkerson is Moose Creek's premiere horse trainer and equine columnist for Montana Living. Money is tight as she tries to put her kid-sister through college and provide for her young nephew.

 

When Annie's column is cancelled, she's given the first shot at the new lovelorn column--and she can't afford to turn it down. Only problem is . . . Annie's never been in love.

 

Always resourceful, she reluctantly strikes a deal with the town's smooth-talking ladies' man Dylan Taylor: She'll work with his ailing horse, Braveheart, if he'll help her answer the reader letters.

 

Working closely with Dylan is harder than Annie imagined, and she quickly realizes she may have misjudged him. But her unwavering conviction that cowboys are nothing but trouble has kept her heart safe for years. And she can't risk getting hurt now.

 

The more Annie tries to control things, the more they fall apart. Her feelings are spinning out of control, and her sister's antics are making life increasingly more difficult. Annie knows she needs to turn the reins over to God, but surrender has never come easily.

 

When Dylan reveals his feelings for her, Annie doesn't know what to trust--her head or her heart.

 

The trouble with this cowboy is that he might just be exactly what she needs.

 

 

 

Author: Denise Hunter

Publisher: Thomas Nelson, 2012

Genre: Contemporary Romance

 

My thoughts

I won an advanced copy of this book from Denise herself! Of course, I was excited to get to read the final story in The Big Sky Romance Series before anyone else. Denise did a beautiful job wrapping up the series with this story. Annie is a pistol, and you can't help but love Dylan and his witty, flirtatious ways. The story has a great twist at the end that kept me turning the pages.

 

 

 

ABOUT DENISE HUNTER

Denise is the author of several novels and has received countless awards for her hard work. She's been a RITA finalist, an INSPY award finalist, an ACFW Book of the Year finalist, and a Reader's Choice Award winner (just to name a few). She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons.

 

To learn more about Denise and her wonderful stories, visit her website at www.denisehunterbooks.com where you can sign up for her e-newsletter  and get the latest on her upcoming books.

Visit her blog that she shares with her best friends--Colleen Coble, Kirsten Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Hannah Alexander--www.girlswriteout.blogspot.com



 

 Don't miss her novel Barefoot Summer, available June 2013!

Printed Books or E-Books?--That is the Question

The subject of printed books versus e-books has been a hot topic lately among the publishing industry, blogs, my writing critique groups, and even newspaper articles. So which is better? Do we have to choose? Can we have a healthy balance of both?

No one can deny that with the overwhelming progress in technology the publishing industry is changing. These changes, obviously, affect the authors. Whether we like it or not, I believe we'll eventually have to adapt. If our readers want to curl up in bed in a dark room with a glowing screen, or carry a good story along with Internet access, their email, movies and games in one handheld device, then I feel we need to accommodate. But is there a right or wrong answer?

My love affair with books started with my collection as a child, handed down from my older siblings. In fact, I loved them so much I used to play "librarian" and stamp (literally) the inside of the books before handing them over to my pretend patrons. (Yes, I had a vivid imagination and played with other things besides books. Lol.) There were a few of those books I couldn't part with as I grew up, and now my boys have them. I came across one yesterday when I was choosing a book to read to my youngest son as we worked on potty training (which is proving to be even harder than writing a novel!), and the inside cover is completely littered with ink.

When I was old enough to go to school, my love of books increased as I discovered the library. I was usually the last one to the check-out because there were too many books to chose from, and I wanted to read them all.

As an adult, I LOVE bookstores.

Support your local bookstore!

I love the cozy feeling I get when I walk inside, the smell of the pages, the colorful spines, all of the adventures waiting inside the covers . . . .

I look ahead twenty years and wonder--if all stories come to be published in e-book format only, what will happen to local bookstores? Libraries? I can't imagine a world without them.

Yes, I own a Nook. And, yes, I love it. I've read a few books on it, and it is perfect for reading in bed or on the go. And who doesn't love those great Amazon deals, or sites that offer free e-books? But a part of me can't help but feel that something is missing. I like a printed book in my hand, the feel of the pages, running my fingers over the book cover. My dream has always been to hold one of my own books in my hand and be able to do those things. When my short story "The Value of a Penny" was published in the I Choose You romance anthology by OakTara, there was nothing like holding that book in my hand, opening the cover to my story, seeing the words I'd written face to face. (And I'm working hard to get to feel that experience again!)

I'm also writing a novella for a publisher that, if published, will be available in e-book format only. Does this bother me? No. God has given me stories to tell, and it doesn't matter to me how they reach the public. (But don't get me wrong. I still want to hold my own book in my hand!)

What I'm trying to say is: in this great debate of printed books vs. e-books, I don't think there's a right or wrong answer. I think it all comes down to personal preference. My personal preference is a good old-fashioned book.


Which do you prefer--printed books or e-books? Do you get more out of one than the other? Do you find yourself reading more with an e-reader?

I'd love to hear from you!

Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

FOUR BROTHERS. FOUR STRAWS.

ONE BRIDE.

 

 

NO ONE STEPS ON ARCHER LAND. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a long-standing debt compels her to take the risk.

Years of constant vigilance harden a man. Yet when Travis Archer comes across a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt prompt him to attempt to rescue her once again.

Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she vows to stand by his side. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her as merely a short-straw bride?

Theme verse: "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."-- Galatians 6:2


Author: Karen Witemeyer
Publisher: Bethany House-- 2012
Genre: Historical Romance, Fiction



About the Author
Karen Witemeyer holds a master's degree in Psychology from Abilene Christian University and is a member of ACFW, RWA, and her local writers' guild. She is the author of A Taylor-Made Bride, which was honored as one of the Best Western Romances of 2010 by the Love Western Romances Web site, as well as being nominated for a RITA Award and the National Readers' Choice Award. Short-Straw Bride is her fourth novel. Karen lives in Abilene, Texas, with her husband and three children.

Visit her web page at: www.karenwitemeyer.com for more information on her books, historical research links, character corner, giveaways and more!



My Thoughts
Though I love history and anything old-fashioned, I'm normally a reader of contemporary romance. But Karen Witemeyer has become one of my favorite authors of historical fiction with her lovable characters and action-filled plots. Her stories are always unique, and I'm never ready for the book to end! 


Read Short-Straw Bride, and don't forget to pick up a copy of her new book Stealing The Preacher coming June 2013.

The Value of a Penny

The value of money, regardless of denomination, has been a big topic around our house lately as we try to teach our kids how to spend their earnings wisely. Left to their own devices, they would return home with nothing but video games and candy bars. After a week, boredom would set in after conquering the game and crashing from their sugar-high.

One of my husband's teaching devices is having the kids pay attention to the date on their coins. For example: a pre-1983 penny has a higher copper content than those made later, making their value more than double--2.34 cents! (My husband is a machinist with an astute knowledge of metal. He can't help himself.) By the way, post-1983 pennies are made of copper-plated zinc with very little copper content at all.

Somehow this "hobby" found its way into my short story that was published with OakTara Publishers in December 2012. When I started writing it, I had a vision of the main character and the diner, set in the heart of New York City, but had no idea what the story would actually be about. I started writing, and one detail linked to another until the moral fashioned into a lesson on contentment--being thankful and content with the blessings God has bestowed upon us and not coveting others for their material possessions or social status. Then when the hero of the story appeared on the page--uh, computer screen--and stumbled upon a penny, our little family activity overtook my story (hints: the title).

Money, and its value, means different things to different people. In this economy, times are tough and money scarce. My inspiration for this post (if you can call it that) is my giant pile of mending to catch up on--repairing hems, replacing missing buttons, sewing slit seams, performing major surgery on stuffed animals whose stuffing threatens to escape . . . you get the point. Just this morning, I finished sewing an all new hem on a silk skirt I bought at Banana Republic for $4 on their clearance rack five years ago. Now at $4 I definitely got my money's worth for it to last five years, and I could've parted ways with it. But I couldn't bring myself to throw it away when all it needed was a little TLC. (I even added to it to freshen it up a bit.) Yes, I can afford to go out and buy a new skirt. But why? My $4 has value.

What devices do you use to help teach your kids the value of money?

What habits do you and your family practice to help save money?



Word Wisdom from Mark Twain

For more than a century after his death, Mark Twain has been known as the father of American literature. Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in 1835 in Florida, MO., he worked as a typesetter, as a young adulthood, and later began writing local newspaper articles. He went on to pilot steamboats on the Mississippi River and mined for gold and silver out west. He picked up writing again, using the pen name Mark Twain, while in Nevada.

Mark Twain is a riverboat term meaning "two fathoms." Two measurements had to be made when piloting a steamboat to make sure the water was deep enough to get through safely, therefore they would mark two fathoms (twain means two).

His love of the Mississippi River and his childhood spent in Hannibal, MO., inspired him to write The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884). Twain was the first American author to write in the vernacular, or simple everyday language.

Mark Twain continued to write and lecture until his death in 1910. During one such lecture, he said, "To get the right word in the right place is a rare achievement." How true this is! And I'm not claiming to have discovered the secret yet (if I find it, you'll be the first to know). Combining a unique writing voice, along with grammar and a perfect coupling of words is something all writer's struggle with at some point. Discovering the secret is to get published, and that's not an easy thing to do.  

I've kept this quote of Mark Twain's in my mind for the past few weeks as I'm polishing up the first fifteen pages of two manuscripts, along with a synopsis for each, to enter into a contest in hopes of taking one step further down the road in my writing journey. A lot can be said from Mark Twain's simplistic prose, which I've been constantly reminding myself of as I tend to overelaborate my verbs.


What famous quotes have helped you along your journey?