Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Something About Winter!




There is just something about winter, the frosty cold air and the warm tea or coffee that causes us to cluster around together and share…memories, laughter and fun. Neighbors doing good deeds for one another and families spending extra special time together. What makes us look forward or not look forward to these opportunities?

I’ve been listening or reading books about how our minds work. When we focus on the good—choose to think well of situations or people—we will find that. If we look on the dark and negative aspects of life—yes, we will find that too. What is real? What should we count on?

We can count on that fact that we can bring peace and unity and comfort if we put our minds to it. I wish you the peace and joy of knowing Jesus who offered all this freely if we will but receive!  The choice is ours!

Sunday, September 17, 2017


 
PENS OF PRAISE

CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP
September 18, 2017
Monday 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Faith Church
2201  42nd Street, Manitowoc, WI  54220
   Faith Church is located next to Festival Foods
   Not far from the Manitowoc exit off Interstate 43

Visualization, Focus, Camera Angles:  Keys to Unlocking Writer’s Block? is our topic this month.  Our very own Sarah Grosskoph will teach our class. Can you imagine the strength this lessen will offer your writing? Let’s experience the amazing writing journey picture perfect clarity and inspiration!

We are a safe place to share. We invite you to bring your
WIP (Work in progress!) for a five-minute read.

The prompt for September is…
As though it were a dream or a song. Use your imagination and dream a little dream with fellow writers!

We will share a couple of book titles that research writing mystery and integrating emotion for your WIP!

Bring your favorite coffee or tea with you! J

As always, if you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact Becky McLafferty @ rebeccamclafferty@gmail.com or


 

 

Monday, September 4, 2017

"Mail-Order Marriage Promise" by Regina Scott








This Love Inspired 1874 Historical is a story of betrayal, lost dreams, and self-discovery. I found Dottie Tyrrell’s situation unique and refreshing concerning this different situation presented. If you enjoy reading a story about a woman suffering a difficult and shameful situation that she must overcome—you will enjoy this read. I applaud Regina for her hero, John Wallin, being a good guy who is very pleasant from the onset of the story! I appreciate this hero and his personal struggles and delight in his successes. Likable characters and a moving storyline laced with historical time period are so important to me. I was enmeshed in this story.

How varied the brothers and sisters-in-law represented in the Wallin family tree are! Yes, Mail-Order Marriage Promise is another Wallin family story, which is from the FRONTIER BACHELORS series. I think this world needs a lot more stories like these for they are winsome and wholesome. This enjoyable read from Regina Scott is one that I recommend completely! I hope that Mail-Order Marriage Promise will adorn your book shelves and be a feel-good read for you as it is for me. Regina is certainly a favorite author for me. I have never been disappointed in her stories!

Questions for Regina:

1)      I’ve never read about a heroine’s situation like this and I applaud you for the freshness of this story, Regina.  Without revealing her circumstances was there a current situation that inspired you for this story problem?

No current situation, but an historical one. One of our ancestors actually faced this problem, although the husband wasn’t a horrid fellow like Frank Reynolds, just a man who made poor choices and lived to regret it, as did his family. That ancestor ended up with a happy ending, falling in love and marrying a fine man too.

2)      What is your favorite character quality about the hero, John?

I think of John as a noble, like a knight of old. John always tries to do the right thing, the best thing, even though it might cost him something personally.

3)      Did the railroad scene really happen in Seattle, Washington?

Yes, it did! There are several wonderful accounts in period newspapers as well as Clarence Bagley’s history of Seattle. When I was researching for this story, I had originally intended to se it in 1875, but when I read about the railroad picnic, I knew I had to use it in a book. I love when history provides us with such rich details!

4)       Do you have another Wallin story to tell in the near future?

Yes, I’m glad to report that both Levi Wallin and his sister Beth will have their stories told. Levi’s book, His Frontier Christmas Family, will be out in December, and Beth’s book, Frontier Matchmaker Bride, will be out next March.

5)      What is your next novel that you will have published?

Besides Levi’s book, one of my older books will be reissued as an e-book in November—It’s a novella that’s had different names (“A Place by the Fire,” “The Mistletoe Kitten”), but because it’s tied to the Uncommon Courtship series, it will come out as An Uncommon Christmas. It tells the story of how a small black kitten and a lonely little girl reunite a governess with her former love at Christmas.

6)      How do you wish for your readers to contact you?

Please visit my website at www.reginascott.com, like my page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authorreginascott, or see my page on Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/reginascottpins.

Mail-Order Marriage Promise, Love Inspired Historical September 2017
The Heiress Objective,  Spy Matchmaker #3, August 2017

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

 
We enjoyed our Pens of Praise meeting last night! Plenty of laughter and
friendship and celebration!

 
Rebecca McLafferty will be moving too far away to attend our
writers group with her physical presence, so she will instead
attend via Face Time!

 
There was some mystery as to if this was REAL paper
on top of the cake or not? What is your guess?
Mine is yes!
 
 


PENS OF PRAISE
CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP

August 21, 2017

Monday 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Faith Church

2201  42nd Street, Manitowoc, WI  54220

   Faith Church is located next to Festival Foods

   Not far from the Manitowoc exit off Interstate 43

The BIG Q is our topic this month. Becky McLafferty and Susan Marlene will teach the class. Bring your paper and pens and be ready to take notes. Quicken your imagination and spin those plots, while deepening the unique elements for your story and your writing journey.

We are a safe place to share. We invite you to bring your WIP (Work in progress!) for a five-minute read.

The prompt for this August is…
“What have you been doing?”  Don’t be shy, consider what you are involved in, stop, take a breath, and look at your life. You may just astound yourself as you inspire us. We don’t always realize how involved we are in this, that, and the other thing!

We will share a few book titles for researching a novel and how to write!
 
Bring your favorite coffee or tea with you!  

As always, if you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact Becky McLafferty @ rebeccamclafferty@gmail.com or


 

 

Thursday, August 3, 2017

Deadly Encounter by DiAnn Mills

 

Deadly Encounter by DiAnn Mills
 
If your looking for a read that delivers mystery, page turning suspense, and characters you come to know and want to know, well then, “Deadly Encounter” is a novel I would advise. My favorite characters—there are more than a few—Stacy Broussard, Alex LeBlanc as well as Whitt and Ric too. Yes, there is a bit of Cajun culture and delicious cooking mentioned. I enjoyed the demonstrations of unselfish courage and love. It is wonderful to read a novel where the hero and heroine are imperfect, yet truly heroic.
 DiAnn thinks out-of-the-box with story. She kept me wondering at each turn of events. Sometimes, I was right and sometimes I was wrong when figuring out the new possibilities that arose. Once, I even wanted to throw the book, how could she let this happen??? DiAnn Mills is such an excellent story teller and one who leaves me feeling that I truly benefited from the read, yet was completely entertained the whole way through. This is a highly recommended novel!
Questions for DiAnn Mills:
1)      Were you honoring anyone by using their personality for this novel. (I couldn’t help thinking of a student or two I’d had in my class room when you introduced Whitt!) I have four sons, and I used some traits from each one. I loved Whitt. He was determined to be a survivor and overcome the obstacles in his life. I have a good friend named Stacy who rides for the airport rangers and works with animals. She helped me tremendously. So, I guess you were right!
2)      How do you come up with a new plot idea? (Your story is on the cutting edge!)That’s a good question! My ideas come from dreams, movies, TV shows, media reports, and a whole lot of what-if. :)
3)      What do you wish for your reader to takeaway from this excellent novel and topic?        I always have forgiveness somewhere in my books, whether it’s forgiveness of self or others. Another takeaway for the reader is that of adoption. Love is conceived in the heart. 
4)      What are your future plans for future novels? (Thank you for your excellence in writing, what a wonderful gift you share.) Deep Extraction is book #2 in the FBI Task Force series, and it was released April 2017. High Treason is book #3 and the final book in the series. It’s a February 2018 release. Super excited about this one. I’ve started a new series titled  FBI Rapid Response. I’m in the middle of book #2.
5)      How do you wish your followers to connect with you?



CHRISTY AWARD WINNER
DEADLY ENCOUNTER - Tyndale August 2016
DEEP EXTRACTION - Tyndale April 2017
HIGH TREASON - Tyndale February 2018

 - diannmills.com
 - facebook.com/diannmills   - twitter.com/diannmills -  diannmills.com/feed
       
 
 
       
 

 

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

 
Sunrise Horse Farm hosted their yearly event. I'm so glad that
I was able to attend!  I met this donkey there and we became fast
friends! Who couldn't just love that face. :)
 
 
As Mary Ann is spinning, she told me about the interesting history of this craft.
Her yarn threads were so even--what skill! She has even made items
for friends who have lost a beloved dog. (All that spinning
takes place out side, because dog hair will end up all over the house. Unlike sheep's wool.)

 
These men are working the crafts that would be forgotten except for those
with respect and interest in such skills. They were very
interesting and knowledgeable!

 
No, the man to the left is not Mario!

 
Thank you Second Chance Ranch Rescue for bringing your petting zoo.
The animals were sweet and very comfortable with us human types!

 
You should have heard these two grunting with pleasure as their tummies were
bring rubbed! Very funny!

 
This one is friendly - just don't wear anything shiny. Shiny stuff is fair game!

 
Sheep and goats just mingling together! Everyone enjoyed.
 

 
This was one of the several groups or singers who preformed throughout the day. 
Also, very talented!

 
People were having fun all over the place! Some bought bunnies too.

 
Well, there is from right to left: Marry Ellen Kiel and Rosie Cyr and myself.
I hope you are able to attend next year. It helps to fund the Sunrise Horse Farm which offers community service to those in need of a touch of love from horses.
She even has a blind horse there! If you desire to
do any community service-- this would be an excellent place
to offer your time and attention!
Thanks much!
 

Friday, July 14, 2017


PENS OF PRAISE

CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP

 

July 17, 2017

Monday 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

 

Faith Church

2201  42nd Street, Manitowoc, WI  54220

   Faith Church is located next to Festival Foods

   Not far from the Manitowoc exit off Interstate 43

 
The Exciting Expanse of Information Gleaned from Conferences.

Bring your paper and pens if you like taking notes! Are you ready to experience the amazing journey of writing with the pacing and rhythm that you were born to!

 
We are a safe place to share. We invite you to bring your WIP (Work in progress!) for a five minute read.

PROMPT:

What Goes BOOM?  Use your imagination for this one!

 
We will share a few book titles for researching a novel and how to write!

 
Bring your favorite coffee or tea with you! Our precious Kathy Leist brings treats—we all appreciate her so! J


As always, if you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact Becky McLafferty @ rebeccamclafferty@gmail.com or


 

 

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Regina Scott's "The Bride's Matchmaking Triplets"


 


I’m very pleased to have read this novel by Regina. She is definitely another “favorite author” for me. Her fun and likable characters, the mystery laced throughout, and the story challenges kept me reading—yes, flipping those pages! I love how this historical was written, because I felt myself slipping away from our modern 2017 and found myself smack-dab in the middle of historical August of 1896.

Triplets are always intriguing and Regina did a marvelous job of keeping their personalities separate and distinct. I laughed, I worried, and I puzzled, as I found myself immersed in this fun tale with believable stakes.

The characters were well rounded and most were likable! Okay, there were a couple that I enjoyed disliking—good job Regina! The main characters were likable and interesting. I really wanted to know what would happen and how their journey would turn and change during their challenges. There were secondary characters that were amusing, entertaining, and they added to the story wonderfully well! Yes, I’m smiling as I write this for the pure enjoyment that I experienced!  I love the hope and redeeming quality threaded into this adorable story. I could well imagine the desperate challenges and difficulties that motivated ladies in that time period into becoming a mail order bride, which made this story possible to write.

 Regina must spend hours observing and studying human nature for when she writes characters—she does so in a captivating and amusing way. I appreciate the feel-good feeling that I experienced when I read this work of fiction. It is said, ‘People always remember the way you make them feel.’ Well, I remember the way that Regina’s novels make me feel and Regina- I thank you for that! (I have her “Secrets and Sensibilities the Lady Emily capers book one, on my Kindle waiting for me! I can’t wait!!!)

This novel was giving to me for a review and I must say Regina—your novels will always find a permanent spot on my book shelves. This is a reread that will be well read over and over again! I’m giving my honest evaluation of The Bride’s Matchmaking Triplets of and this authors skill at story telling.

Regina’s The Bride’s Matchmaking Triplets is the third book in the “Lone Star Cowboy League” series. The other two historical novels from this series were written by Linda Ford, April 2017 and Noelle Marchand, May 2017 for Love Inspired, Historical.

1)     Regina, was it difficult to write the third book in a series written by three different authors? How is that even possible?


Through lots of hard work, Susan, LOL! Truly, I am indebted to Linda and Noelle. We communicated frequently from the moment the books were contracted to make sure we were consistent across the stories with ongoing characters. I actually like writing the last story. I get to wrap things up without having to worry I’m leaving the right jump off point for the next person.

2)     I loved how you had the triplets react to conversations and people and made them such entertaining characters in this work of fiction…you didn’t have a set of triplets in your personal life did you? Smile, seriously, how did you keep track of their different personalities?

No triplets, but twins run in my family, so I’ve seen a few. Again, though, I owe the twin’s personalities to Linda Ford. She’s raised more than 20 children (that’s an amazing story in its own right!), so she knew how to start with the triplets. Noelle and I just aged them appropriately.

3)     I must ask what your favorite theme was for this novel. (I’m so incredibly blessed to have read it! Thank you!)

You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I think the story is about second chances—Elizabeth’s chance to start over with a clean slate; the triplets’ chance to find a forever home; Brandon’s chance to rekindle his lost love. We all make mistakes in our lives. Thank God He gives us another chance!

4)     Have the mail order brides’ history interested you for a long time?

I think there’s something fascinating about the whole process. Today we have people who marry after meeting online and corresponding, but we have so many ways to check and double-check the person’s background and character. Mail-order brides generally had none of that. What would drive a woman to leave everything she’s ever known and give herself to someone she’s never met? What scope for storytelling!

5)     Did you read any personal diaries from someone who’d become a mail order bride?

Alas, no, but I’d certainly be interested! I love reading about history, especially from those who experienced it firsthand.

6)     Is there anything you would like to share with us about your character choices or messages or well, anything whatsoever?

I feel very blessed to have been part of two Lone Star Cowboy League historical series. Little Horn, Texas, is a place I’d love to visit. In fact, the Texas Hill Country, where the town was placed, is now on my bucket list of places to visit.

7)     What future novels or novellas do you have on the horizon?

My Frontier Bachelors series, set in pioneer Seattle, will continue with Mail-Order Marriage Promise (yes, another mail-order bride!) in September 2017, His Frontier Christmas Family in December 2017, and Frontier Matchmaker Bride in March 2018. Here’s a sneak peek of the cover for Mail-Order Marriage Promise.
 

8)     How do you want your characters to contact you?

(SUSAN—do you mean how do I want your readers to contact me? If I told people all the ways my characters contact me, your readers would likely suggest I be committed. 😊)
LOL, oh yes! This was just too funny to cut! :)

Please look for me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authorreginascott
My blog on interesting tidbits from the nineteenth century at www.nineteenteen.com
Or my website at www.reginascott.com where you can sign up for a free e-mail alert when the next book is out or on sale