12 STONES

Imagine! Something new and exciting was about to happen for the Lord’s people. They were at the cusp of their conquest of Canaan—their promised land, the land flowing with milk and honey. But the officers of the Israel’s camp brought a surprising command to the people. Once the Levitical priests bearing the arc of the covenant of the Lord their God began to move, they were to follow, though at a safe distance of 2,000 cubits. Joshua told the people to consecrate themselves for the Lord would do wonders among them!
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Their great numbers, camped next to the Jordan’s swollen banks, were to cross those rushing waters. Can you put yourself in their shoes? Can you hear the rushing waters, see the overflow of the banks, and realize this is an impossible task for anyone wishing to cross in their own strength?

That next day, as soon as the priests put their obedient feet in the water, the Lord of all the earth rested in the water. Jordan river backed up in a heap all the way back to the city called Adam. Israel crossed over on dry ground, much like when Israel crossed the Red Sea. God’s miraculous timing showed that at the obedience of the priests, this powerful, living God parted the rushing harvest-time waters so wide that the people could cross with their great numbers and possessions. Joshua declared the words of the Lord their God. “By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and He will assuredly dispossess from before you. . .”  God had a plan and he wanted Israel in the promised land He’d chosen for them.

Twelve men chosen from the twelve tribes of Israel took up twelve stones from where the priests stood firm in the midst of the Jordan. They obediently followed Joshua’s order to carry the stones on their shoulders to the place where they lodged. When everything was finished that the Lord commanded then Joshua told the priests to come up out of the Jordan. As soon as the priests stepped on dry ground the waters fell into place and overflowed the banks as before.

Joshua set up these stones in Gilgal as a memorial to the children of Israel forever. Forever for all the people of the earth to know that He had dried up the waters of the Jordan for Israel to cross, because the hand of the Lord is mighty and for us to fear (revere, respect, hold in esteem)  the Lord God Forever!

I taught this lesson for Sunday school and this powerful message gripped me and wouldn’t let go. When I think of the details in chapters three and four of the book of Joshua, I imagine the feelings that I'd experience in that situation. So encumbered by human weakness, I'd see the impossible move out of the way, so that I could move forward into His blessings and promises!

I went to Bible study with friends the next day and found these stones stacked one upon another in a gift and sandwich shop. I felt this could be my memorial to my mighty, loving, and all powerful Father. I’m sure that Joshua placed the twelve tribe’s stones in a much different construction, but no matter—when I look at my stack of river rocks, I remember my Jordans and smile!

NEVER MARRY A MARQUESS by Regina Scott, Fortune Bride Series, Book 6

London, England, July 1812

While Matthew and Charlotte Batemen were away, Ivy Batemen and her sister and Miss Thorn attended a soiree that would change the lives of so many. Someone trapped Ivy and the Marquess of Kendall in the library with a candlestick that blocked their exit. Ivy has a feeling that she knows who did this deed, which put The Marquess and her reputations on the line.

Being the gentlemen that he is and holding the desperation for his daughter close at hand, Lord Kendall makes an offer for a marriage of convenience. The season for meeting a wife is coming to a close and he is anxious to return to Surrey and his frail baby girl.

This story unfolds from here and as always, Regina Scott, delivers with interesting and varied characters and story line! I have enjoyed this whole series, but I must say that the situations in this particular story touched my heart in a special way. When my own mom passed away my father remarried a wonderful and loving lady. This story reminded me of my deep love and appreciation for Mom Kay! The Lord gives us gifts during our lives on earth and some of those gifts are in people form. 😊 Ivy Bateman is certainly an absolute beauty because of her grace, love, and unselfishness. I found myself cheering for her all the way through this story.

Questions for Regina:

How old were you when you first heard of a Marquess?

You know, I’m not sure! I believe late high school/early college, because that was about the time I fell in love with Regency romances.

Is the home of the Marquess modeled after an actual home or did you design this from research?

The exterior is based on Marble Hill House outside London, but I modeled the interior after later homes with conservatories at the center. Of course, instead of plants growing in the center of his home, Villa Romanesque houses an original Roman pavement.

I love how you plunge into the characters and make them move on the pages of your books. How did you come up with Ivy’s and Lord Kendall’s characters?

Ivy sprang to life in Never Kneel to a Knight as the oldest sister of Matthew “Beast of Birmingham” Bateman. Knowing Matthew’s difficult upbringing, I realized his oldest sister would have to be someone special, with an enormous heart and incredible kindness. So, who to pare her with? A broken-hearted widower who needed her so much, even if he doesn’t realize it at first. Thus, Kendall came to be.

The pavement room with the Roman mosaic is so special. Is this tidbit from a real collector’s holdings? Or a museum? Or imagination?

There are homes in England with Roman mosaics. Most have been carefully lifted from their original locations and brought somewhere out of the elements to be showcased. I wanted Kendall’s family to have built their home around such a treasure.

This is a drawing of Marble Hill House, the house on which Regina Scott based Villa Romanesque. 

Would you like to share anything about your experience with writing this novel?

The biggest challenge was figuring out what Ivy bakes. That’s one of the ways she expresses her love for people—to bake them sweet treats. You wouldn’t think settling on her specialty would be so difficult, but indoor cooking was actually pretty primitive even in the Great Houses during the Regency period. Very few homes had stoves as we think of them today. Most didn’t have ovens. So, my first inclination—sugar cookies—wasn’t going to work. I decided to go with something closer to a Sally Lunn bun, only with cinnamon swirled throughout. Sally Lunn made “Bath Buns” famous years before the Regency. You can still buy them from her original shop today. I’ve taken tea at Sally Lunn’s. So delicious!

What will your next novel be?

October sees the publication of the first book in my American Wonders collection from Revell, A Distance Too Grand. Meg Pero is determined to take over her late father’s photography business—even serving on a survey of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. But the leader of the expedition is the man she once refused to marry. Captain Ben Coleridge would like nothing more than to leave without the woman who broke his heart, but he cannot delay. This survey is a screen for another mission, unknown to any other member of his team. As dangers arise, Meg and Ben must work together to stay alive and, just maybe, rekindle a love that neither completely left behind.

Where can your readers find you, Regina?

I’ve recently joined with other authors of sweet Regency romance to host Regency Kisses: Lady Catherine’s Salon on Facebook. We share our love of Regency romances, talk about our latest releases, and host parties and giveaways. Readers can request an invitation to join us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/LadyCatherinesSalon/.

Regina Scott's website:  http://www.reginascott.com/  (Regina's website has a lot of interesting historical facts located on her blog page and another page has her series listed! 

Thank you for another WONDEFUL novel! I so appreciate you, Regina!  😊

Write to Publish Conference

2019 Write to Publish provided wonderful connection and information. In my opinion this was the most enlightening conference that I have ever attended. My focus this year—to learn as much as possible about Social Media. The teachers were professional and skilled and quite patient with us. Michelle Rayburn, I’m thinking about how you helped me right now! Many thanks.

If anyone is interested in learning about the business of writing, how to write, and meeting those who enjoy assisting others to hone their skills, then this is your go-to conference.

I wish to extend special thanks to Lin Johnson and her right-hand lady Jane Rubietta for their tireless work and sacrifices so that others can learn and grow their skill sets and take advantage of opportunities to meet agents and editors as well as numerous writers who understand that need to express thoughts and stories. 

Also, I'm so grateful for the numerous writer friends from the past and of course the new ones too! You all make the conference shine for me! 

like a FLOWER in BLOOM by Siri Mitchell

Cheshire, England
September 1852
 
Sometimes family can meddle in the unsuspecting, unmarried, near to be spinster’s life, and Charlotte Withersby is just about to find that out. This lady is a knowledgeable botanist who assists her father. She’d love to be published concerning her findings, but has been hindered because she is female. The males in 1852 generally will not take a woman—even one so accomplished—seriously. Her uncle, the retied Admiral, has plans to wed her into what he feels is a purposeful life. When help for her absentminded father shows up at their door, Charlotte plans to get rid of him, this Edward Trimble who is so willing and available to steal her job.  So of course—the struggle begins!  
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This story is full of Siri Mitchell’s charm and humor and undeniable conflict that I’ve always come to enjoy with her novels. This is an author who knows how to put a story together and keep me engaged in the characters as the plot unfolds! I highly recommend this for your summer reading! You can imagine the fragrance of blossoms on and off the page in that way! Siri Mitchell is a definite favorite of mine, whether you explore her stories via a purchase or the library with electronic device or hold in your hand book, I wish you a happy adventure. 

QUESTIONS FOR SIRI:

1) How did you stumble on the idea of a woman botanist? I’m so glad that you did! 
My public library system has a huge used book sale in the spring and fall. When I write historicals, I go with a list of topics or eras that I hope to find information on. Regardless of what I plan, I always come home with hitchhikers – books that call to me from the shelves for no apparent reason. The funny thing is that they usually come in handy one or two manuscripts down the road because they turn out to be directly relevant to my stories. Somehow my subconscious knows before I do what books I’ll be writing in the future. Women of Flowers by Jack Kramer was one of those books. It has beautiful botanical illustrations by thirty women that were created between the 17th and 19th centuries. The women’s stories are even more interesting. Time after time, they had to publish under male names or sell their work to male editors who compiled collections of botanical illustrations in order to be published. It was outrageous. It was from this outrage that the idea for Like a Flower in Bloom was born.

2)  Where do you like to write your novels? 
I usually write in my office. It’s quiet there and I don’t have to load everything up and spend time driving in order to get anywhere else. For me, home is always best. :)
And how: pen and paper, in a busy café, quiet study or in front of the television? I write in various ways during different parts of the writing process. As I first think about an idea, I use a Michael Hauge template to make sure my basic elements are in place (character, conflict, tension, goal). I usually go to paper and pen after that to play around with ideas and map out scenes. I use an oversized tablet in the portrait position to think about themes and descriptive words to define and elaborate on it. As I think about plot, I like to write on the tablet set in landscape position. Then, as I think about actual scenes, I have an excel spreadsheet that I print out and use a pencil to fill in. Finally, once I’m ready to start writing, I sit down at the keyboard. At various times during the process, I’ll return to the Excel spreadsheet. I’ll erase some entries or even print out the template again and pencil in a whole new version. 

3) What is your favorite flower and did you include it in this novel?
I am partial to white roses. I always have been. Roses have such beautiful structure they don’t need a lot of color to dress them up. On the other hand, I also love iris. ‘Iris’ is my name spelled backwards but I also love their vibrant colors. Alas, I don’t think I used either of those in the book. Mostly because I was focused on what would have been native to England (or New Zealand) at the time.

4) What message do you wish to share with your reader from a theme in “like a FLOWER in BLOOM? 
Be who you are. Own it. Because the chances of you being able to be someone else? Zero. Allow others the privilege of being themselves too.

5) What is your strongest talent as a writer: organization, plotting, or character development? (Frankly, I think you are strong on all counts!) 
Thank you so much! I would say that my natural strength lies in character development. I’ve worked hard to get my plotting and pacing up to speed over the years.

6) Where can your readers find you?
http://www.sirimitchell.com/  
https://www.facebook.com/Siri-Mitchell-67961379554/

WELCOME TO PENS OF PRAISE CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Introductions for new guests.      Pass around sign in sheet.

Devotion—by Pat Klein

LET THE TEACHING BEGIN

The Page-Turner’s “Secret Formula”, How to Write a Book That’s Hard to Put Down. Sarah Grosskopf will lead us into the mysterious hook that makes a novel a must read.

PROMPT: Varying Tension

Imagine that tension or excitement falls on a scale from 1 (dead boring) to 5 (edge of your seat exciting).  While writing, you have a “tension meter” that goes from 1 to 5.  Write a five-line poem or five-sentence story with each sentence set at a different level of tension, following the pattern 3-2-1-4-5.

If time allows, we will also allow 5-minute readings from our writers as time allows at the end of the teaching.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Let’s Keep In Touch: If you’d like to share a WEB page, blog, or social media address, with Pens writers, please send to susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com so that contact information can be added to the announcement and handouts.

Becky McLafferty writes on Thursdays for “Fill My Cup, Lord” (A FB page.)

Becky McLafferty https://www.beckymclafferty.com/

Susan Marlene  www.susanmarlene.com; 

Susan Fink https://www.facebook.com/susan.l.fink     https://susanlfink.blogspot.com/

Kate Jungwirth https://www.facebook.com/kate.jungwirth.7

Debby Erdmann https://www.facebook.com/debby.erdmann?fref=pb&hc_location=friends_tab

You are invited to visit and make a comment! That would be especially nice! 😊 

v  Mary Janes Farm magazine is looking for articles. Thank you, Kathy Leist!!!

v  TheFamily.net WEMI  FM

v  https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/recommended-reads/books-for-writers/ Thank you, Sue Fink

v  Write To Publish Conference   http://www.writetopublish.com/ June 19 - 22

v  Christian Devotions is looking for devotions. This is not a paid site, but one to give to the Lord and share your message with others!   www.christiandevotions.us 

v  http://www.hemingwayapp.com/; https://www.paperrater.com/

v  Northwestern Christian Writers Conference, July 12 – 13 http://www.northwesternchristianwritersconference.com/

REMEMBER:

Inspired reader = happy reader + excellent take-away = return reader!

God’s rich blessings to you as you write for His glory!

Successful Pens Meeting This Month

This past month my computer broke down leaving me in the lurch concerning just what I would do for our Pens of Praise Christian Writers meeting lesson and handouts. Peace settled over me. Ideas began to thrum. In the meantime, was I able to use the tablet section my Surface computer to upload my manuscripts to the Google drive and email myself a bunch of my work. Still, I couldn’t print any of my writings and I couldn’t create any new documents. Since inspiration comes to me as I begin typing, that was a problem. A few ideas for the lesson developed, after all the title for this month was Promises, Promises. I definitely had to deliver! I’d promised.

Still peace reigned in my heart and a small spattering of ideas flowed. Once the meeting began, I gave a very short blurb after the usual introductions, Grammar Tidbit by Rebecca McLafferty, and this month’s spur of the meeting request for Pat Klein’s partial chapter read in place of the devotion. We prayed and    I passed out magazines on writing for all to pick an article and share or give a summary of. We discussed the topics and everyone was elated! The magazines I’d handed out were CHRISTIAN COMMUNICATOR and WRITER’S DIGEST and all the articles read that night were useful, informative, and encouraging. Success came with very little effort from me.
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WHERE WE MEET:
Getting together at the Manitowoc Public Library has been such a blessing and a treat. Faith Free Evangelical Church was ever kind and accommodating for our meetings, but the library is so much closer for many of our Pens members. If you have an interest in writing memoirs, short articles or stories, or large fiction and or non-fiction you may find the support and encouragement that you need by attending our meetings. You may always write to our prompts. 

Pens of Praise May Meeting

PENS OF PRAISE
CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP

May 21, 2019
Tuesday 6:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Manitowoc Public Library
Franklin St. Room
                                      
707 Quay St, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Street parking and parking in rear available. Wheelchair accessible.

Franklin St. Room located on the first floor, to the left of the service desk.      

Promises, Promises is our lesson this month.  Susan Marlene will share about the promises we make: to ourselves, others, publishers and maybe even the Almighty.

PROMPT: Promises, Promises. What is your favorite promise yet?

Let Susan Marlene know if you will attend so that we can provide a printed lesson for you and also save a seat for you! susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com or post a comment on her website in the www.susanmarlene.com

​An inspired reader given excellent take-away = return readers!
We are a safe place to share and Pens Meetings are free.

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