Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney

Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney

I love the introduction to this story, found on the back story cover—WELCOME TO CHICORY INN…WHERE FAMILY IS (ALMOST) ALWAYS WELCOME! This stirs up a lot of questions doesn’t it! Deb Raney you surely got the wheels in my head turning with that one!

Once again Deb has captured the characters on the page as though they came from flesh and blood individuals. I like her characters and their interactions with one another. I appreciate the depth and realism of ‘who’ these characters represent. I’ve read other books by other authors where I didn’t like the characters and no matter how skillfully those stories are written I just don’t enjoy them as much. Everything I’ve read by Deb Raney has captured me with her characters.

This contemporary story is one that will keep you rooting for Audrey and Grant Whitman and their newly remodeled home turned into a bed and breakfast as well as the reason for the surprise visit—complete with a trailer full of belongings—from their young, newly married daughter.

There were times I laughed and times I cringed when thinking oh goodness what can happen now. Deborah Raney weaves stories that matter in the fabric of our everyday life with skillfulness and grace. I found myself identifying and understanding Audrey and Grant’s concerns and position as well as Landyn and Chase. Deb spans the points of views from one generation to the next so beautifully. Realistically.

I give a thumbs up rating for this novel and I can’t wait to hear what you will have to say about it too! I have the next book in the series in hand called Two Roads Home, which Deb graciously had sent to me and I’ll be reporting on it soon.

Looking for a heartwarming read that encourages and leaves you feeling happy…I advise a run to your local bookstore so that you can pick up a copy of Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney!

Questions for Deb are like having a wonderful one on one visit!

1)     Deb I really enjoyed your novel. Small town stories filled with hope and overcoming stir me. How did you come up with this story?

My friend, author Courtney Walsh, planted the idea for the Chicory Inn Novels one evening while we sat chatting late into the night at a conference. I’d told several family stories during our visit, and at one point Courtney said, “Deb, you have so many fun family stories, you ought to write a book about a big extended family like yours! Or better yet, a series!” That got my wheels turning, and I’ve been excited about the people who live on Chicory Lane ever since!

2)     Did you ever consider or dream about having your own bed and breakfast? (Or know someone who did?)

Ever since I spent several weeks writing at a lovely, quiet bed and breakfast near our small-town home, I’ve dreamed about running my own inn. I honestly don’t think it would be a wise choice for me…the paperwork would get me down, and probably the laundry too. But maybe someday I could “babysit” for somebody’s B&B while they’re on vacation and get just a taste of being an innkeeper.

3)     How do you write these two generations and their points of view so skillfully?

I’m a huge eavesdropper! I love listening to my kids and their spouses and friends talk, and I take mental notes about the differences between the way twenty- and thirty-somethings speak and the way us old folks speak. I just try to listen and take notes, and sometimes I will run a section of dialogue by my kids to ask them if this sounds authentic for someone their age. I’m so thrilled to know you think I’ve nailed it! 

4)     I’m eager to read Two Roads Home, which is the second book in the CHICORY INN series. Will there be a third book in this series?

There are actually FIVE books planned for this series! I’ve written all but the final book, and it’s on my to-do list once I return from the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Dallas. The third book, Another Way Home, will be in bookstores around October 20! It may be my favorite of the series so far!

5)     What would you like to say to your readers, or potential readers, right now about the concerns you wrote about in these novels?

I’ve always enjoyed writing contemporary stories about Christian couples and Christian families dealing with ordinary (and sometimes extraordinary) problems. I love showing how a family’s faith can make a difference as they go through trials and temptations. In this series, I’ve dealt with marital separation, sexual harassment in the workplace, infertility, family loyalty, and other issues. I hope it’s clear to readers that I believe strongly that faith makes life on this earth not just bearable, but joyful!

6)     Who is your favorite character in this novel and why?

I probably relate most to Audrey, “Mom” to the Whitman children because she’s in the same place in life that I am: enjoying the empty nest, doing some things she’s always wanted to do, but couldn’t while her children were still at home. I understand her deep love for her kids, loving their spouses as if they were her own, the thrill of adding grandchildren to the family, and the sorrow a mother feels when her grown children are struggling. Hmmm… I think maybe Audrey is ME!

7)     How would you like your readers to contact you?

I love hearing from my readers, and meeting up with them on social media. Here are some places you’ll find me hanging out:

http://www.deborahraney.com 

https://www.facebook.com/deborah.raney

https://twitter.com/authordebraney

http://novelgarden.blogspot.com

http://amazon.com/author/deborahraney

http://instagram.com/deborahraney

http://www.pinterest.com/deborahraney/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/59414.Deborah_Raney

https://www.linkedin.com/pub/deborah-raney/5/a32/698

Just a suggestion to all readers…when you love an author then please write recommendations about the novels you treasure and the authors who use their skill and talents to bring about stories that inspire you. This lets others know about those good reads and keeps the publishers and authors encouraged and informed about what types of stories matter to you. Thank you for stopping by my blog! I hope to see you again in the near future! 

Writing Assignment Extraordinaire!

Where do ideas spring from? Are they slow growing like trees with deep roots

that gather substance, which works its way into words...showing

up like leaves and fruit?

Or do ideas show up more quickly like a summer pot of flowers,

displaying their beauty in so many shades of delight?

Personally, I like divine inspiration! Looking to the Lord for

help when I'm stuck. 

We needed lots of fast growing ideas at our recent 

Pens of Praise meeting. 

Kathy Leist shared a writing teaching and some activities with our writers. 

Here is how this one goes...truly it was an 

extraordinary experience! We were to write down  words that would be

{ a character, time, event, object --  one at a time.}then place them in

a sack, which everyone picked from for their writing leads. Here are my words and 

what developed from this exercise!

Emperor, August 28, 10:30 a.m., handsome gardener, birthday party, pipe wrench

The Emperor wished to ignore his actual August 28th birthday of 10:30 a.m. 

and chose night and darkness instead. Stars shined out from the inky blackness 

over Hong Kong's most famous birthday party event. 

He decided that the eight course dinner should be served in his 

famous garden surrounded by exotic birds and luminous lighting 

of various colors. The handsome gardener was to

serve him his feast, course by course. 

If it had not been for the 

pipe wrench hidden underneath the

gardener's robe the Emperor 

would have enjoyed every morsel! 

Thank you Kathy Leist for a wonderful writing experience! 'Twas fun!

I encourage anyone who loves to write to try this technique with a few

other writers for a fresh supply of ideas! 

PENS OF PRAISE

CHRISTIAN WRITER’S GROUP

Next meeting -- Monday 6:30—8:30 p.m.  August 17^th

at

FAITH CHURCH

2201 42^ND Street, Manitowoc, WI  54220

Faith Church is located next to Festival Foods

Not far from the Manitowoc exit off Interstate 43

Our teaching for August is called "Slow Cooking in the Crockpot of My Mind" 
taught by our very own Kathy Leist and we will explore ideas and where to catch them!

The prompt you are invited to write to is…What is your favorite tension technique? Then write it or bring one you discovered to share! If you need Becky McLafferty’s notes from last month just contact me for them.

Disclaimer: Warning you may end up loving to write!

Visit a local shop and bring your coffee or cappuccino with you.

Let us know if you’re attending so that we can save a seat just for you.

God’s blessings upon you as you write for His glory!



SWORN to PROTECT

By DiAnn Mills

This fiction/romance/suspense captured my attention from the first page and was quite difficult to put down. DiAnn weaves the characters’ lives together with the strong threads of tension and secrets. The intrigue and believable characters captured my attention for a wonderful reading experience!

Danika Morales is a Border Patrol agent who is definitely committed to protecting our boarders. She is whisked into events that are all too connected to her husband’s unsolved murder.

The characters in this novel are diverse in personality, believable in their roles, interesting and some will surprise you. Our Pens of Praise readers group enjoyed DiAnn’s novel and we were very excited to schedule an on-line talk with her. Some of the situations that are described in the novel are from real life experiences. DiAnn is a petite woman with the bravest heart I think I’ve ever met! She actually did a three day ride along with Border Patrol agents to do her research in the trenches so to speak!

I really appreciate DiAnn’s respect toward the Border Patrol and their challenges and also those who are desperate enough to risk their lives to cross the Rio Grande. Her first lines were “The Rio Grande was not just murky. It was toxic.” How about that opening to grab your attention!  

I refuse to reveal surprises and carefully placed plot points about this novel because I want you to experience this novel in a fresh way. As I enjoyed it. But, I must say I was completely satisfied with this story, which handled a volatile topic in the most respectful and thought provoking way. I applaud DiAnn, for she is a top notch weaver of story. I’m eager to read the next book in this Call of Duty Series that I own. This is a definite re-read and I have placed DiAnn on my “Suzie’s Favorites List for Authors!”

I'm experiencing technical difficulties on blogger. I apologize for the varying size of font and if you are seeing this the way I am--the white background that looks awful! So sorry. Please do not let this detract from DiAnn's wonderful answers. I will correct this as soon as I can tame blogger into submission! :)

Questions for DiAnn, DiAnn's answers in bold...

      Questions for DiAnn,

1. During your research for SWORN to PROTECT you actually were allowed to ride along with Border Patrol agents. What was your favorite memory during those three days? I learned so much about procedure, and heard stories that were a combination of sad and amusing. I valued the respect the agents have for those who are illegally in the U.S. My favorite memory was the confession of an agent concerning how most agents keep their careers quiet to protect their families. These brave men and women dress for work at the station and then change before returning home. Young children are not told their parent’s profession. 
2. Within these pages you were so respectful even though you expressed both sides of the illegal alien issue. What inspired you to write this story? To show a woman thrust in the middle of the complicated immigration issue who falls in love with a man whose opinion is different. This is not an agenda-driven book, but a character-driven story.
3. Thank you for how you handled the romantic attraction. I’ve never liked too much emphasis on the ‘attraction’ element of a story, especially when it takes away from a great plot. What fiction do you read? (Especially anyone who writes with the romantic balance that you portrayed in this novel.) Joel Rosenberg, Harlan Coben, David Baldacci, Catherine Coulter, Lisa Gardner
4. Who inspired you to write and how long ago? My husband. :) He dared me to write a book in 1996. I took him up on the challenge, and my first book was released in 1998. He is my nightmare editor and best cheerleader.
5. What is the most important message that you would like to convey to those who know you? No problem ever surprises God. 
6. Is there anything else you would like to say about the CALL TO DUTY SERIES or this book in particular? This series helped me show strong women in roles that are traditionally held by women. All my books contain strong women who are ready to face problems with skills and the desire to acquire more skills to get the job done, and yet they are totally feminine.
7. Which series is your favorite and why? That’s like asking which of my four sons is my favorite! I’d say . . . the series and book and I’m currently writing. And if you ask me the same question, I’d respond with the series and book I’d be writing at the time.

Well DiAnn, you can thank your husband for me and for most--if not all--of your readers for challenging you to write that first story! We are the beneficiaries of that challenge! 

 Here is DiAnn Mills contact information. She would love to hear from you!

DiAnn Mills

Expect an Adventure

Christy Award Winner

Firewall – Tyndale – July 2014

Double Cross – Tyndale – April 2015

Deadlock – Tyndale – October 2015

www.diannmills.com

www.facebook.com/diannmills

twitter.com/diannmills

  

THE EAGLE CHRISTIAN BY Kenneth Price

I pulled an oldie, but a goodie ‘favorite book’ off my shelf this morning. Kenneth Price published THE EAGLE CHRISTIAN-—the copy I own—-in 1984. I referred to it a lot back in the day and thought of it more and more throughout the years.

Some books just offer strength because you can visualize the message, making the points memorable and easy to relate to. Mr. Price leads the reader all the way from “The Eagle Through the Ages” until the last chapter entitled “The Majestic Eagle”. There are only 64 pages, but they are filled with interesting facts about the eagle that the author relates to the Lord’s visuals in creation. I appreciate that he adorned each topic with the Amplified Version scriptures.

It is time for me to write on a novel right now, but I’v put this lovely book, which is filled with photos of eagles, off to the side. That way I can easily grab it and read a chapter to refresh my spirit and soar a little too as my day unfolds.

…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isiah 40:31

Abide in Christ

     Abide in Christ

What do you think about such an invitation.?

Did Jesus commanded us to do so? Yes, yes He did.

Is it at all possible? Yes, for Jesus doesn’t command what is impossible to be done.

Today I was walking on my tread mill and reading Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray (The joy of belonging in God’s presence) and I was impressed with what Mr. Murray states in Chapter 3 – TRUSTING HIM TO KEEP YOU. Actually there were a couple of things he stated that really stood out to me this morning. He mentions this, “Abiding in Him is not a work that we have to do…..but a consenting to let Him do all for us, and in us, and through us." 

Stop now and consider how powerful and especially loving He is. He is this amazing creator who created universes and cells and sound and rainbows. He desired us and created us to enjoy His company and He amazingly enjoys us!

The next thought that gripped my attention this Sunday morning was, “when He says “Abide IN ME,” He offers Himself, the Keeper of Israel that slumbers not nor sleeps, with all His power and love, as the living home of the soul, where the mighty influences of His grace will be stronger to keep than all their feebleness to lead astray.

Sounds like it is actually takes work to pull in the opposite direction. A direction that leads to places that offer self-pity, frustration, anger, selfishness, and greed among a host of undesirables.

I’d rather be rooted in Christ and ABIDE in Him. I think I’ll take some lessons from this amazing looking tree trunk and stay rooted and rooting for the Lover of My Soul…

How about you?



Pens of Praise

Christian Writers Group

Next meeting…

Monday, July, 20 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

at

Faith Church

2201  42^nd Street, Manitowoc, WI  54220

§   Faith Church is located next to Festival Foods

§   Not far from the Manitowoc exit off Interstate 43

Tension, tension, tension! That is what we will be seeking no exploring for our July Pen’s meeting! Get ready to learn how to place one of our least favorite feelings into the most interesting consequences for our characters within our novels or writings! Becky McLafferty will be guiding us along the tantalizing journey of writing tension and making our scenes sing.  Becky will have exercises for us to enjoy and explore.

The prompt to write to for this month is – Write about your own tense experience or bring a favorite scene from a beloved novel or poem or movie.

You are welcome to bring your own Work – In – Progress or WIP to share with the group for a five minute read.

Warning you may end up loving to write!

Visit a local shop or bring your coffee or cappuccino with you.

Let us know if you’re attending so we can save a seat just for you.

If you have questions or concerns call Becky McLafferty at (920)758-9196 or e-mail her at mclafferty@lakefield.net or call Susan Kinney at (920)242-3631 or e-mail her at susanmarlenekinney@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you there! May God bless you richly and always as you write for His glory!