A dream of mine came true last Wednesday when my wonderful agent, Tamela Hancock Murray, of the Steve Laube Agency, called to tell me Tina James had made an offer for a historial to LIH! I am beyond excited and have been floating for days–and I still am.

The title could change, but right now it is Home for Her Heart, and will be a November release.

I’ve been excited since right after Thanksgiving when Tina said she liked it but as it was, it wasn’t quite an LIH, yet. She told Tamela I could rework it or send something else for her to consider. This story idea is close to my heart and I chose to rework. It was sent back to Tina before Christmas and then on the 25th of January, we got the call. I am feeling so blessed and totaly filled with joy!

For those of you still dreaming–you just keep at it. They can come true.

Janet

How much of yourself do you write into your characters? I don’t know that I put much of myself into my characters, but I try to put myself into their shoes and feel what they are feeling in different situations.

When did you first discover that you were a writer? I don’t know that I have a specific time when I knew I was a writer. It was a gradual process that brought me to the point where I decided to write a novel for publication, not just for fun.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. I mostly like to read romantic fiction because I like happy endings, but I also enjoy biography and some bestsellers like The Help.

How do you choose your characters’ names? Sometimes the names just come to me. Other times I search phone books and the social security website that lists the most popular names for a certain year. I also use a website called the “random name generator.”

 How has being published changed your life? Being published means getting used to deadlines, being able to juggle more than one project at a time and realizing that I don’t get to read as much as I would like. It also means gaining new friends through different writing organizations and sharing God’s truths with readers all over the world.

What are you reading right now? I’m always reading multiple books at the same time. On my Nook, I’m reading Lyn Cote’s Her Healing Ways. On my i-Touch, I’m reading a book by Vanessa Kelly, and the physical book I’m reading is Linda Goodnight’s The Nanny’s Homecoming.

How do you choose your settings for each book? When I started writing novels for publication, my goal was to write a book set in every state where I have lived. So far I have books set in Washington State, Texas, Florida, Georgia, South Dakota and Ohio. I plan to set future books in Illinois, Massachusetts and Tennessee. I have the ideas and the characters. Now I have to write the books.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading? I’m an avid tennis player and fan although I don’t get to play as often as I used to. I also enjoy playing bridge and walking on the beach near my home.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it? Since I mostly sell on proposal now, my biggest problem is plotting the book for the synopsis. I have a hard time knowing what is going to happen until I start writing the story. Building in all of the turning points and conflict can sometimes bring my thought processes to a standstill. I’m still working on that obstacle by reading some how-to books on writing and taking on-line writing courses.

What is your favorite food? I guess if I have to pick just one it would be chocolate.

Please tell us about the featured book: I wrote Montana Match because I wanted to tell the “grown-up” story of three teenagers, Brittany, Max and Amanda, who were secondary characters in three of my earlier books. Montana Match is Brittany’s story. The reader also meets Max again in this book, but his story comes later.

Here is the back cover blurb:

Nanny to six-year-old twin girls isn’t exactly the position Brittany Gorman is looking for. But she needs a job. And the twins’ struggling single dad, rancher Parker Watson, needs all the help he can get. Soon Brittany is not only assisting the girls, but also helping Parker make peace with his past. It seems Brittany’s finally found a place to belong. And with two little matchmakers on the loose, there’s no telling what the future holds. As her time on the ranch runs out, can Brittany and Parker find the strength to face that future—together?

Please give us the first page of the book.

 Chapter One

Thud. Thud. Thud. Books hit the floor all over the fifth-grade classroom, shattering the relative quiet. Brittany Gorman gathered her survival instincts and forced herself not to react. She tightened her grip on the chalk and continued to write the math homework assignment on the chalkboard. This bratty group of kids pulled some kind of stunt every time she substituted for their regular teacher. Today Brittany was determined not to let their misbehavior bother her.

Brittany wrote as slowly as she could. She didn’t want to turn around and see the feigned innocence on their faces until she was sure she could face them with a stoic mask in place. There was no doubt that the instigator of this little trick was the class clown who called her “Miss Carrot Top” or “Miss Freckle Face” under his breath, just loud enough that she couldn’t miss hearing his remarks. She always pretended not to notice.

Finally, she set the chalk in the tray and glanced at the clock before turning to the group. Some of the students had already retrieved their books, but other books still lay on the floor. She looked at the students, making eye contact with as many of them as she could before speaking. “You have twenty minutes to work on the assignment. If you have any problems, raise your hand, and I’ll be glad to help you.”

A few snickers drifted through the air, but Brittany chose to ignore those, too. Without making mention of the book incident, she roamed up and down the aisles between the desks. She breathed a sigh of relief as further conflict faded. Despite situations like this, substitute teaching was still the best of all the bad temp jobs she had tried since she’d lost her position as a financial planner. Glancing out the window at the snowy Montana landscape, she prayed that all would go well until the final bell. While she waited for that sound of freedom, she vowed to double her efforts to find a real job—one that didn’t involve kids.

You can find out more about Merrillee at her web site here

I loved writing this series. Guthrie, OK is just down the highway from where I live and it was so much fun doing research there. The historic downtown area is a National Historic Landmark and it is like walking back in time to stroll up and down its streets. The idea for the series was born doing just that. 

It didn’t take long to come up with all kinds of ideas on what might have happened in this town that grew almost overnight into the Territorial Capitol and then the first state Capitol.

Settlers came from all over to  turn this town into one that equaled those back East in what it offered its’ citizens. There were restaurants, and all kinds of businesses from the very beginning. There were theatres and opera houses, hotels and boarding houses and streets of lovely homes–and many of these still exsist, preserved to bring the past to life.

First up was I’D SOONER HAVE LOVE,  a story of two of the first settlers in the area and how they fell in love with each other and their new city.

Unable to give her husband children, Faith Anderson watched his love change to dissappointment before he died in a riding accident. She’s determined never to marry again, and instead plans to build a new life in Gurthrie, Oklahoma along with thousands of other settlers who have rushed to the area.

But that was before she met Gabe Logan, a man whose simple presence maker her heart race and whose kindness to others beginst to warm her heart–in spite of her best efforts to remain cold. Gabe himself has secrets in his past that he’s convinced will keep any self-repectin woman from wanting to marry him. But that doesn’t stop his traitorous heart from falling for Faith.

If the past were different, Gabe and Faith would sooner have love. Will they let their freat of disappointment and rejection keep them from accepting the love God has placed in their paths?

That story led me to want to tell Faith’s brother’s story  in SOONER SUNRISE  about two lonely hearts who long for each other.

Once Ben Thompson finds out that the Sam Carter he saved from a burning tent is really a lovely young woman named Samantha, a tiny spark of love is ignited between them. But Sam is determined to keep it from growing into a flame. She has a past she’s running from and she’s determined never to trust her heart to a man. Not even one as dependable as Ben.

Ben is just as determined to convince Sam that God Brought them together for a reason. Just as she’s beginning to believe that might be true, her past catches up with her and she’s ready to run again. Can Ben convince Same that he and his family will not hold her accountable for the rumors sperading against her? She’d bring more hurt to them by laving than any rumor ever could. Will she run or stay and fight for the love they both long for?

But Guthrie wasn’t the only place settled during the land rush. Oklahoma City grew at a rapid pace and two decades later, in SOONER SUNSET,  this famiily finds the town it helped to settle is in a battle to keep the capitol right where it is.  Charity Logan likes her life just as it is. She has the best of both worlds, living and working in Guthrie during the week and spending her weekends in Oklahoma City with her parents most weekends. She’s always prided herself on hr ability to make decisions–but that was before the governor’s campaign to move Oklahoma’s capitol from hher hometown to the city. And it was before she met Luke Johnson, a reporter she’s falling in love with but can’t fine it in herself to trust.

From the moment Luke meets Charity, he is drawn toher inner and outer beauty. Cpmsi,ed bu jos career as a reporter working for one of Oklahoma’s influential nespapers, he’s never before been interested in courting a woman–until Charity. But no matter what he does to prove his love, Luke knows something is holding Charity back.

How will Charity find the courage to trust in the mindst of an uncertain world? And thous sunset appearst to be falling on the first Sooner capital, will Luke and Charity find a hope to unite them as they face a new day?

Because these books go first to the bookclub and then out to other retailers, at this time these stories are available at: Barbour Books

As I began this piece about our Georgia trip (Oct. 28-Nov.6, 2011), I was reminded of how well our trip turned out, in spite of the many changes along the way. I know that was because God had His Hand over our trip guiding our way much better than our TomTom did! (Althought it did get us where we wanted to go most of the time AFTER we read the directions!)
Besides doing booksignings for Christmas Belles of Georgia, another reason for our trip was to visit the town where the book is set—Monticello, GA, and meet with and give books to the people there who helped me online and by phone interviews with info for the story. My first change occurred about a month before we left when I received an email from Rod Perry, the man in Monticello who had helped me most of all. We had already made reservations at his Warren Bed and Breakfast where my heroine had stayed, but he informed me that they’d had to sell their own home, and would be moving into the B and B soon. He also informed me that Big Chics, the restaurant where my hero and heroine ate a couple meals had been sold to another owner.
So, we made arrangements to stay in another town, but still went to visit Monticello, and I am so glad we did. We did get to meet with Rod in the midst of his moving, and did get to take a picture with him and of the outside of the lovely Band B.

And he informed us that the original owner had taken Big Chics back so we met with the owner and his mom and even sampled some fried okra from their menu. So, we did get to experience the charm of the town and people of Monticello.

Another stop was in Buford, GA at the Lifeway where Nora St.Laurent works and also got to visit and eat with Ane Mulligan who lives close by.

And since my hubby wore a maroon shirt like the workers there, he got requests for help by several customers!

I also did a signing at the Lifeway in Macon. But Chester wore a different shirt that day!
In Warner-Robins, I met April Gardner at church and lunch, then she spent the afternoon with me at the Warner-Robins signing. We had plenty of time to chat and share. She had been a cyber-friend up to that time, but is now a close friend and Christian sister!
My next to last signing was at the Family Christian Store in Savannah, GA where I sold out all of my books they had in stock—all 4 of them!
At the other stores I sold about 2/3 of the copies they had and signed a few more, so hopefully there were more books sold in GA then there would have been if we hadn’t gone. And since the stores only wanted books signed on the weekends, my husband and I were forced to visit Savannah and Tybee Island from Monday through Friday! I even got an idea for a book I would like to write set in the beautiful, historical town of Savannah!
I thank God for His changes for this trip and in my life. To Him be the glory!

1)    Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love to read fantasy—especially Christian fantasy and science fiction when it’s available, but I don’t get to spend as much time reading as I’d like. I also love suspense and romantic suspense, and historical.

2)    How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I have a mental breakdown every now and then and that seems to help me get back on my feet! Mostly I have a to do list that I live by and I can see the progress I’m making when I get to scratch something off the list.

3) How do you choose your characters’ names?

I used to spend hours and days even, researching and trying to find the right name—the meaning had to correspond with the story in some way. While that’s great, it doesn’t always work and considering everything else that must go into a story, I don’t do that anymore. If the name’s meaning works out, that’s great. Mostly I have a list of names I love, and when I heard a name I like, I’ll add that to the list. Also, I have a couple a big city phone books that I collected and when in need, I find it’s quicker to browse through those pages, than to search the internet on name sites. I know the name I want to use for my character when I see it.

4)    What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Recently, I won the Carol Award for my mystery, THE CAMERA NEVER LIES—I could never have dreamed or even hoped that would happen. I’m not sure why we as writers are such an insecure bunch, but even after nine plus books, I’m always concerned that my writing isn’t any good.  The Carol Award helped validate my writing for me and made me realize that someone besides my editor, my agent and my mother, enjoys my writing. Go figure!

5)    If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I would be an eagle—I would love to be able to fly, to rise above it all in completely freedom and dance in the sky, if you will, with nothing holding me back.

6)    What is your favorite food? It’s a toss up between pizza and nachos.

7)    What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

 My greatest roadblock continues to be a roadblock for me and that is starting a story—where in the world do I start the story? Plenty joke about it that duh, you start at the beginning. But as writers we know that it’s not that simple—sure you start at the beginning but what is your character doing in that scene where you want to start he story? My process still remains painful and it can take me days and even weeks to get that first two or three chapters right.

Tell us about the featured book?                                                                                         

Here’s the blurb:

Secrets Under The Ice

Casey Wilkes didn’t realize her simple human-interest story would put her life at risk—again. After fleeing her home and journalism job in Portland, she wanted to live under the radar for a while. But when her interviewee starts dodging her questions, her reporter instincts kick in and she finds herself in over her head…

Homeland security agent Jesse Mitchell has been undercover as an ice sculptor for months, trying to infiltrate a smuggling ring. He wants to avoid trouble, and that’s just what Casey brings. Now someone has a target set on Casey. Saving her could blow his cover, but leaving her unprotected endangers him even more—especially his heart.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Beautiful…but dangerous.

Jesse finished shoving the last block of dry ice into the back of the specially designed truck—well insulated, yet ventilated to allow for sublimation—the melting that would give off deadly CO2 gas.

The solid form of carbon dioxide would be used to create the snow effect around the ice sculptures along with fog—a mysterious yet stunning display.

He tugged off the gloves used to protect his hands from ice burns or, worse, frostbite. Because his father was a chef and master ice sculptor, Jesse had learned a few techniques of his own, even entering competitions during his college days.

That’s what made him the perfect candidate for this covert operation, and the only reason Robert McCoffey, his superior, had pulled Jesse from the desk job and visits to the psychiatrist and put him back into the action. Working as an undercover agent for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Jesse had nearly blown his last assignment and thought he’d never get the chance to restore his reputation and career.

But ICE’s bulk cash and smuggling division decided Helms Ice and Trucking Company was hot—laundering money for the Mexican cartel—and they wanted someone on the inside.

Sounds great Beth! Thanks so much for visiting with me!  If you’d like a chance to win a copy of Beth’s book, be sure to comment!

Janet

1. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I think all writers’ work reflects personal elements such as: values, interests, sense of humor,  human outlook and, in the case of Christian writers, their faith. Some personal experiences and expressions of emotion are also pulled and molded from my life journey, but I never use characters that are like me in my novels.

2.What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I have a horrible fear of heights, and I went on a hot air balloon ride for the sake of research, but sadly the idea was rejected by my editor. Maybe one day it will work.  I hope so. Having a fear of heights and sailing in a wicker basket one mile above the earth connected to a balloon is amazing and a bit weird for an acrophobic.

3. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

My third grade teacher wrote “Gail is a good writer” on my report card. Writing a book was a childhood dream, but I took the talent for granted. In 1994 I considered submitting my work for publication. I took four Christmas programs I’d written for my church and put them in book format. I sold the book in three months and continued to write articles for magazines on parenting and teen issues using my credentials as a counselor. I began writing fiction in 1997 and sold in 1998. It was then that I discovered I was a writer.

4. What kinds of books do you enjoy reading?

My favorite novels are suspense and mainstream fiction with authors such as Anne Tyler, Maeve Binchy, Roseamund Pilcher, Kristin Hannah, and in Christian fiction, Lisa Samson. I write romance but have never been a romance reader.

5. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

My work as an educator and counselor allowed me to touch hundreds of teens where I provided learning and guidance. I still hear from numerous students who continue to thank me for my caring and for my inspiration to learning. They said I made it fun and interesting. Writing fiction and teaching writing has continued my journey to impact people in a positive way.

6. What is your favorite food?

Goodness, I like food, especially so many wonderful dishes from countries all over the world, but if I had to pick one food that I crave on occasion, it would be pizza. Give me a Buddy’s or Green Lantern pizza (both known in the Detroit area) and I’m about as close to heaven as I can get on earth.

7. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

I’ve escaped most road blocks. I sold my first novel in a year after starting to write fiction, and today I’ve contracted 49 novels (a few are novellas). Recently I’ve made a decision to write more single titles (trade books). I’ve sold three single title trade books in the past, but most of my work has been category romances. Being a mid-list author makes the change more difficult. I hope to overcome it with persistence and writing the best stories I can.

8. Tell us about the featured book?

Christmas Gifts is a 2-in-1 release that features my novel, Small Town Christmas, and Her Christmas Cowboy by Brenda Minton. My novel is the story of precocious twin seven year old girls, their widowed father, and their second grade teacher who happens to live on their street. Set in delightful Harrisville, Michigan, I had a great time researching and learning things about the town that made the story special.

The back cover blurb says:

When the new second grade teacher, Amy Carroll, meets the precocious twin sisters, she knows she has her hands full, but when she learns they live on the street where she is staying with her grandmother and they have a single father who is handsome and needs help, Amy’s hands are beyond full. But Amy’s from Chicago and falling in love with a small town man is not part of her plan. Can God waylay Amy’s desire to return to the big city? Can Mike Russett open his heart to love?

Thanks for sharing with us, Gail!

You can find Gail at:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Gail’s Readers on FB 

 Writing Fiction Right

 Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

Truthfully, Janet, not much. Some of my characters may think, act, or react the way I would, but I don’t generally put autobiographical material into my novels.             

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Crashed my bike into the railroad tracks

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I’ve written stories since I was very young, and I wrote nonfiction for many years as an adult. But I seriously began writing fiction and working toward publishing it at the age of 45.

 What kinds of books do you enjoy reading?

Mystery, suspense, humor, romance, historical novels.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

My family. All of my six children and eight grandchildren make me proud.

What is your favorite food?

Blackberries.

 What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Finding time to do other stuff! I make lists and schedule my time, but there is never enough. Delegating is highly underrated.

 Tell us about the featured book?

The Lady’s Maid is the first book in my new Prairie Dreams historical romance series. Elise Finster accompanies her young British mistress, Lady Anne Stone, on a voyage to America in 1855. Lady Anne’s father has died, and her Uncle David is the new Earl of Stoneford—if he steps forward and claims the title. But David disappeared into the American West when Anne was a baby. Now it’s up to her and Elise to find him. They join a wagon train in Independence, Missouri, not realizing they’re leading a killer straight to David.

 The Lady’s Maid is also available as an e-book.               

You can find the book at:

Amazon     Barnes & Noble      CBD

I hope your readers will come visit me at: www.susanpagedavis.com. It was fun talking to you, Janet.

Thank you, Susan!

It’s my pleasure to welcome Cheryl St. John to my blog! She’s going to answer a few questions for us today. 

How much of yourself do you write into your characters?

I’m sure my Christian worldview is apparent in my stories. In fact, I wrote in the ABA for years before publishing with Love Inspired Historicals, and I have always received letters from readers who say they know I’m a Christian by the stories and characters I create.

 When did you first discover that you were a writer?

As a child I wrote stories, drew the covers and stapled them into little books. I was first published in Jack and Jill Magazine at age 11. It was a drawing of a leprechaun. I wrote my first full-length manuscript at age fourteen. I probably still have it somewhere.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I’ve read since childhood. The school library was an awesome place, and I mourned for it over the summer. Later, I cut my adult teeth on horror, true crime and westerns. I used to read Stephen King’s The Stand once a summer. Someone loaned me a few Catherine Cookson novels, which I enjoyed—and often I camped out at my local library. I introduced my kids to the summer reading programs, and it’s still a tradition with my grandkids.

And then one fateful day I picked up LaVyrle’s Spencer’s Hummingbird in my local store, and with the discovery of Americana romance my life changed. I fell even more in love with words, with books, with storytelling, and I wanted to tell stories of my own making. I love to read true accounts of American heroes, westerns, contemporaries—and I squeeze in a thriller here and there. I also enjoy books on Victorian homes and decorating.

 How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I’m a pretty laid back person, actually. I keep my writing time, my family time and worship time sacred. There was a day when I didn‘t know how to say no, but I learned to be more healthy with my commitments. I keep a weekly planner and schedule deadlines according to pages I need to complete each week to reach my goals.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I have a dozen name books, as well as lists I’ve created from watching movie credits and making notes at graduations, etc.. I can’t move forward on a story unless I have my character’s name—and I know it’s the perfect one. Sometimes in the planning stages, while I’m creating my characters grids, I change a name several times until it’s perfect. The name, as well as the working title, must be in place before I can write.

Tell us about the featured book?                                     

 Snowflakes and Stetsons Anthology       

“A Magical Gift at Christmas”
Harlequin Historicals, October 2011

Bound by duty, snared by love

Three days before Christmas, U.S. Marshal Jonah Cavanaugh is guarding a payroll when he spots a notorious train robber. His best option is to uncouple the mail car and take his chances stranded in the snowstorm. Unfortunately a luxury Pullman must be released as well, and as Jonah prepares to bury the gold before the outlaws discover it’s missing…

Meredith Abbot, the railroad heiress, steps out in her pale fox coat. Snow is falling. They’re stranded in the mountains. It seems the situation can’t get more complicated. Until….

Two young stowaways are discovered
The blizzard continues to rage
Jonah and Meredith spend a night in each others’ arms
And once the weather clears…
The outlaw gang surrounds them

Their Christmas adventure has only just begun!

Buy Cheryl’s book here.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I’ve always written. I didn’t know people didn’t write. Everyone in my family did. Maybe not for publication, but they wrote things. After I married, I realized that not everyone was like that.

God told me to become a professional writer in May of 1984. You can read a testimony about that by visiting my blog:  http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com then click the About Me tab

 Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I have very eclectic tastes in reading matter. I love research books. I read fiction in all kinds of genres, except horror. But I did read one Christian horror novel recently.

I have stopped buying and reading novels that aren’t Christian. There are so many good novels in the Christian category, and I do miss a spiritual thread in a story.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I’ve used various means. I’ve used family members’ names or friends’ names. Sometimes the character tells me what his or her name is. I’ve even had two casual acquaintances ask me to name a character after them. Which I did. So last year when Brenda Novak had the auction to raise money for diabetes research, I auctioned the naming rights to a character in the book I’m writing now. It was fun, and we raised money for a good cause.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Most of my accomplishments have been gifts from God. And I praise Him for them. Receiving the Mentor of the Year award from ACFW in 2006 was a high point. So was receiving the Will Rogers Medallion Award this year.

What is your favorite food?

I’ve always loved anything chocolate, but I also like good Chinese food, a tender steak, actually, any food that I’m not allergic to.

Tell us about the featured book?                                            

Maggie’s Journey 

By Lena Nelson Dooley
ISBN 978-1616383589
Realms/Charisma House
October 6, 2011
McKenna’s Daughters Series, Book 1

Maggie’s Journey grabs you on page one with characters and events that reflect real-life joys and heartaches that change the characters forever. Make room on your “keepers” shelf! —Loree Lough, best-selling author of 80 award-winning books, including From Ashes to Honor.

A girl who’s been lied to her whole life…

Near her eighteenth birthday, Margaret Lenora Caine finds a chest hidden in the attic containing proof that she was adopted. The daughter of wealthy merchants in Seattle, she feels betrayed both by her real parents and by the ones who raised her.

Maggie desires a place where she belongs. But her mother’s constant criticism and reminders that she doesn’t fit the mold of a young woman of their social standing have already created tension in their home. With the discovery of the family secret, all sense of her identity is lost.

When Maggie asks to visit her grandmother in Arkansas, her father agrees on the condition that she take her Aunt Georgia as a chaperone and his young partner, Charles Stanton, as protection on the journey. Will she discover who she really is and, more importantly, what truly matters most in life?

 Lena Nelson Dooley is an award-winning author with more than 675,000 books in print. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers—where she received the Mentor of the Year award in 2006—DFW Ready Writers, and Christian Authors Network. She lives in Hurst, Texas, with her husband of over 46 years.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter 1

September 1885

Seattle, Washington

Margaret Lenora Caine sat in the library of their mansion on Beacon Hill. Because of the view of Puget Sound which she loved, she had the brocade draperies pulled back to let the early September sunshine bathe the room with warmth. Basking in the bright light, she concentrated on the sketch pad balanced on her lap. After leaning back to get the full effect of the drawing, she reached a finger to smudge the shadows between the folds of the skirt. With a neckline that revealed the shoulders, but still maintained complete modesty, this dress was her best design so far. One she planned to have Mrs. Murdock create in that dreamy, shimmery green material that came in the last shipment from China. Maggie knew silk was usually a summer fabric, but with it woven into a heavier brocade satin, it would be just right for her eighteenth birthday party. And with a few changes to the design, she could have another dress created as well.

Once again, she leaned forward and drew a furbelow around the hem, shading it carefully to show depth. The added weight of the extra fabric would help the skirt maintain its shape, providing a pleasing silhouette at any ball. She pictured herself wearing the beautiful green dress, whirling in the arms of her partner, whoever he was. Maybe someone like Charles Stanton, since she’d admired him for several years, and he was so handsome.

“Margaret, what are you doing?”

The harsh question broke Maggie’s concentration. The charcoal in her hand slipped, slashing an ugly smear across the sketch. She glanced at her mother standing in the doorway, her arms crossed over her bosom. Maggie heaved a sigh loud enough to reach the entrance, and her mother’s eyebrows arched so quickly Maggie wanted to laugh … almost, but she didn’t dare add

Thank you, Lena! Can’t wait to read Maggie’s Journey! You can buy it here.

And if you leave a comment you’ll be entered to win a copy of her Christmas Novella Collection, Montana Mistletoe!

 Please join me in welcoming Linda Goodnight to my blog! Linda  agreed to answer some questions for us and we’re hoping you’ll take time to comment while you’re here.

How much of yourself do you write into your characters?

That’s a hard question. I never intentionally write any of myself into a character, but certainly my world view has to come through and touches of who I am deep inside. Personally, I’m not that interesting but I hope my characters are!

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

In retrospect, a part of me always knew. But I think I was in junior high when I began scribbling poems and playing with words. The actual realization that I was meant to be a writer came later, probably in high school, though even then I thought I was being led into journalism rather than fiction.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

 This will sound one dimensional, but I’m a romance reader. If a book doesn’t have at least a little romance and a happy ending, I lose interest. Romance and women’s fiction, both contemporary and historical-all time periods and pretty much all the subgenres that are clean enough to read. They don’t have to be specifically Christian, just not offensive.

How do you keep your sanity in this crazy fast paced world of ours?

Who said I was sane?  lol

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

This sounds trite, but it’s my children. I am so proud of the quality people they are. I have an adopted teenager who has stepped right in line with her brothers and sisters to be such a good, caring, sensible girl who loves Jesus.

What is your favorite food?

Funny you should ask because I just ate it!  Fresh (never frozen) fried okra. And if I have a fresh sliced tomato to go with the crunchy okra, I am in country girl heaven. Anyone else? Or is okra your yuck factor?

Why do you write the kind of books you do?

When I first started pursuing publication, it seemed logical to write children’s books since I was a teacher. But a wise soul advised, “Write what you love to read.”  So here I am.

 Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

This will sound like the same song, second verse, but it was the day my first child was born. I had wanted a child for several years before he came along. He was a gift from God and still is.

In what ways has being published changed your life?

Publication-and building a viable career-has changed my life in many ways. To name a few: Novel writing is my full time job now which allows me to focus fully on the book in progress. No more day job. Being a working author gives me the luxury of traveling to do some of my research—which I love. I also have more resources than ever before, a comfortable lifestyle, and I’ve met some wonderful people I never would have known otherwise. I will always be grateful to God for the career He’s blessed me with.

What is your current work in progress?

Yesterday I agreed with Love Inspired to write a Christmas two-in-one anthology with author Lissa Manley. Though I have some other irons in the fire, the Christmas book, slated for 2012, will take center stage for a few weeks. I’m dragging out the CD’s now to play for mood music.

Thank you, Janet for inviting me to your blog. I have a new book currently on the shelves, THE CHRISTMAS CHILD, and I’d love to give away a signed copy to one of your readers who leaves a comment.  I’d love to know their favorite Christmas carols—I’m needing some inspiration!

Thank you, Linda! I can’t wait to read this story. Isn’t her cover beautiful?  I’ll be   drawing a name from your comments and announce it on the blog next week. You can read an excerpt and/ or buy The Christmas Child here.  And you can find out more about Linda here.