Teach Us to Number Our Days by Emily Conrad

After a traumatic experience, the phrase "teach us to number our days" kept echoing in my mind.

I'd been reminded that time is short and we never know when our heavenly Father will call us into eternity.

But numbering my days only seemed to introduce fear and anxiety into my life. I knew that wasn't what God wanted for me.

The more you get, the more you want by Sally Shupe

You know the feeling you get when you lose weight and then you want to lose more weight? Or, the more money you get, or the more bills you pay off, the more money you want, or the more bills you want to get paid? Or, the more miles you run, the more you want to run? (Oh, wait, is that one just me?) I’ve found the more you get, the more you want.

I’ve been trying to lose weight, like for a while now. I can’t find time to consistently run, what with cold weather, rain, snow, you name it. I don’t like running on a tread mill. I want to be outside, but there’s nowhere to run in my town. There are no sidewalks, school track, paved path, etc. However, I’ve been working consistently on watching what I eat. And you know what? I’ve lost a few pounds! Now, I want to lose more.

Consistency is key. No matter what you’re doing! If you run every day, it won’t be hard to get out there and run. Save money every day, it won’t be hard to save money. You’re working at it every day. Want to lose weight? Watch what you eat every day. Except those days you just have to have that tater skin and sour cream. (Oh, is that just me again?)

This is what I’ve discovered. A few add up. A few pounds add up to 10 pounds or more of weight loss. A few cents over time add up to dollars saved. A few miles add up to a 5K. A few words add up to paragraphs. See the connection? Lol. Most people can’t write a book in a day, just like you can’t jump off the couch and run a marathon. It takes dedication, consistency, building muscle.

You must dedicate time to write. If you don’t, anything and everything that comes around, will distract you and take you away from writing. If that load of laundry won’t stop calling your name, find a place outside of the home to write. (After you’ve made sure no one is held captive in the laundry. We want everyone to be safe!) Busy taking kids to practices? Use that time to write. Make meals ahead of time and use that cooking time to write. Get up a little early or stay up late and use that time to write.

You must be consistent in your writing. If you write on a schedule, whether that’s every day or a couple times a week or on weekends, you’ll find your writing time is more productive. You’ll remember where you left off in your story and won’t be spending a big junk of your time trying to figure out where you were, or rather where your characters were. Consistency will make writing become a habit. Every week plan ahead when you will write, and then stick to it. But give yourself grace when life happens and writing does get put on the back burner. Sometimes there are things that we must take care of.

Consistency and writing on a schedule build muscle. Just like running consistently builds muscle, so does writing. Writing consistently builds muscle to protect your writing time and increases your word output, so you have more to measure. When you lose weight, you add up how many pounds you’ve lost. When you save money, you count how much money you have. When you run miles, you add up how many you’ve run. When you write consistently and on a schedule, you will have a book to show for it! I dare you to try. Keep me posted on how you do. I’ll be cheering for you!

Sally Shupe lives in southwest Virginia with her husband, two grown kids, and a whole bunch of pets: five dogs, three cats, a rabbit, and birds at the birdfeeder (and the mandatory snowman when the snow cooperates). She writes contemporary Christian romance, with two completed manuscripts and others in progress. They are part of a series located in small town Virginia.

When Sally’s not writing or working full-time, she is a freelance editor for several authors who write fiction and nonfiction; students working on dissertation papers; a copy editor for Desert Breeze (now closed); a content editor for Prism (became part of Pelican); performs beta reading for various authors; publishes book reviews on her blog and with Valley Business FRONT’s monthly magazine; is a member of ACFW and ACFW Virginia; and loves genealogy, running, and crocheting.

Sally uses her love of words to write about God’s amazing love.

The Big Writing Secret by Mary Manners

The tasks in a writer's life are akin to the ebb and flow of waves that lap along the shoreline. No matter how many are checked off the list, there's always another heading in. Sometimes, like a boat caught in those waves, a writer can become overwhelmed. A few years ago I was tackling a full time job and a writing career, and I dreamed of the day I could retire from my day job to focus only on writing. I would have time to write the million stories dancing through my head.

Well, that day has come and gone and I still find myself searching for more hours in the day to get everything done. Most days, I cannot fathom how I managed to do it all with a fifty-hour work week as a school administrator. But somehow I managed...and I wrote a good deal of those million books because it was important to me, and I knew the biggest secret of writing.



So, what is this secret? Well, the biggest secret to writing successfully is so simple that it's almost painful. You must simply plant yourself in a seat and write. And then write some more. And continue writing, even when you don't feel like it. The more you write, the better a writer you will become. It takes time and patience to learn the craft. There's no magic fairy dust, no elves that come out at night to finish what you began (though sometimes I wish this was so).

My favorite time of day is early morning...the pre-dawn time when everyone else is sleeping. That's the closest thing I have found to any sort of writing magic, because the world is still and quiet and it almost feels as if I've found those extra hours I've been searching for. It's then the creativity burns brightest. I would suggest trying this, even if you are not a morning person. You might just be surprised by the outcome. Just don't message me to let me know until after lunch. ;-)

~~~~~

Love on a Dare (The Mulvaney Sisters: Alana)

FOUR SISTERS AND THE MEN THEY LOVE. SWEET, SMALL-TOWN ROMANCE...

Alana Mulvaney’s life is in a holding pattern. Consumed by day-to-day operations of the family business, Alana has no time for fun or romance. But a little fun and a whole lot of romance is just what Alana’s sisters have in mind when they learn childhood friend Donovan O’Reilly has returned to town.

Donovan O’Reilly has loved Alana Mulvaney since he moved in next door to her at the age of five. But he broke her heart when he was forced to leave town, and now that he’s returned home to Winding Ridge he has a second chance to prove his love. But is it too late to earn her trust…and her love…again?

~~~~~

Mary Manners is a country girl at heart who has spent a lifetime sharing her joy of writing. She lives in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with her husband Tim and their rescue dog Axel, mischievous cats Colby and Rascal, 8 rambunctious chickens, and 13 fish.

Mary writes stories full of faith and hope. Her books have earned multiple accolades including two Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, the Aspen Gold, the Heart of Excellence, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award.

Mary loves long sunrise runs, Smoky Mountain sunsets, and flavored coffee. She enjoys connecting with reader friends through her website: www.MaryMannersRomance.com.

Finding Time to Write by Cindy Regnier

How many words could a writer write, if a writer could just write? Most of us will never know. We have homes, families, jobs and all sorts of other things that keep us from writing all day. The truth is, our writing would be dull and void of excitement if our lives were the same way. If writing all day in a secluded cabin in the mountains (with WIFI of course) Is your daydream, as it is mine, that’s great for dreaming. Reality is much different. God has called us to be writers and to make His voice heard in our world. He also equips us with the means to do so, in spite of all the other things that call for our attention in life.

Most of us would agree that certain things always take precedence over our writing, like our relationship with God and our families. If, like me, you have a regular job with a regular paycheck by necessity, that must also come before writing. So how do we find the time to write all those stories rolling around in our heads, begging to get out? 

I can’t not write. Pardon the double negative, but most of you reading this know what I mean, and share the sentiment. Put another way. A real writer doesn’t just want to write; a real writer has to write. I like the quote from Thomas Mann that says “A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” Perhaps, but it is also more rewarding.      

Sit down and write the book God puts on your heart. Give yourself permission to write badly. Done is better than perfect and someone needs to read it. You will want to give up before it’s done. Don’t. It takes a lot more time to not write a book than it takes to actually write one. If you’ve been writing long enough, you understand that rather odd statement. Nothing will get done if you wait until you can do it well.

Set attainable goals. For instance, write just one page. After that you can quit if you want to, but it’s possible, maybe even probable, that you won’t want to. Have you ever written a sentence, then reread it and thought, “Wow - I did not see that coming.” That’s God working in you. Go ahead and let Him amaze you with what flows from your fingertips. God has called you to serve others with your words. Anne Lamott says that very few writers know what they are doing until they’ve done it. 

My personal mantra when I’m finding it difficult to write is “Write like no one is going to read it.” That frees me to write the words in my head without the fear of what someone else might think of them. Find what works for you, then do it.

What about those times when you stare at the blank screen in front of you and can’t come up with one word? Yes, it happens to me too. What I do is seek encouragement from other writers. I belong to a group composed of other writers, some published and some not, who simply encourage each other in the writing process. I can’t even begin to explain how much my writing sisters mean to me, and how much encouragement I draw from this group. I’ve never met most of them in person, but I love them all dearly, and the best part? They love me too and want to see me succeed. Find an encouragement group or start your own. 

And finally, as the saying goes, don’t shine so others can see you, but shine so that through you, others can see Him. It will make all the difference in your writing. No matter how much you want to be published, that it not your main goal. Your goal is writing the words God gives you so He can use them for His purposes. So pursue that dream and remember that when God isn’t changing your circumstances, it’s probably because He’s changing you within those circumstances. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go make a scene.

Scribbling in notebooks has been a habit of Cindy Regnier since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born and raised in Kansas, she writes stories of historical Kansas, especially the Flint Hills area where she spent much of her childhood. Cindy is married to her husband of 35 years, has two grown sons, a beautiful daughter-in-law and a son residing in heaven. Cindy is a member of RWA and American Christian Fiction writers.

A graduate of Kansas State University with a dual major in Agriculture and Business, Cindy works for her local school district as finance manager and is active in her church and community. She likes to crochet things for her family and collects recipes she’ll probably never actually make. Her experiences with the Flint Hills setting, her natural love for history, farming and animals, along with her interest in genealogical research give her the background and passion to write heart-fluttering historical romance. 

Find me at:
Blog: cindyregnier.blogspot.com
Instagram: cindyregnier1
Twitter: @cindysregnier
Facebook: Cindy Regnier

Sometimes a Little is Enough by Melanie D. Snitker

As writers, we tend to pile a lot of expectations on ourselves. I know I’m guilty of doing that on a regular basis. Every year, I detail my writing, editing, and publishing schedules. When I fall behind, which inevitably happens at some point, I feel stressed about getting myself back on track.

That happened to me this last November. The month started off great: I had two new releases set for January, and I was looking forward to writing two novellas during the holiday season that would release the following fall. I had it all planned out until life threw a curveball.

Our sweet son has autism and began to have an exceptionally difficult time in several areas. We’re still working with him now, but suffice it to say, the months of November and December put our family into survival mode. Most of our energy was funneled into helping him while trying to keep the magic of Christmas for our younger daughter. In other words, I had nothing left to devote to writing. It wasn’t just that I couldn’t find time to write, I truly had no energy to even think about it. It’s only been in the last week or two that we’re starting to see a break in the storm.

When it came to writing the last two and a half months, I dealt with everything from stress to guilt, not to mention that frantic feeling as I got more and more behind. But through it all, I’ve learned something valuable.

Sometimes a little is enough.

I may not have written much in the last two and a half months, but I did get the main points of my next book plotted out and successfully launched two titles this month. Now that I’m starting to write again, it’s my hope that this new story will come together quickly.

Try as we might to stay on schedule and meet our word goals every day, there will be times when that might be impossible. Whether we’ve got a child who’s sick, our computer dies on us, or we get a cold that turns our brains into mush, there are going to be days, weeks, or even months when we can’t stay on task the way we want to.

That’s when doing what you can, even if it’s just little things here and there, that’s often enough. Jot down story ideas while waiting in the doctor’s office or do some research and print out pages to read later. But most importantly, take care of yourself and your loved ones. The storm will eventually clear. When it does, you can take all those little things and piece them together to get yourself back on track again.

What have you found works for you when life gets too hectic or stressful to write for any length of time?

~~~~~~

Melanie D. Snitker has enjoyed writing fiction for as long as she can remember. She started out creating episodes of cartoon shows she wanted to see as a child, and her love of writing grew from there. She and her husband live in Texas with their two children, who keep their lives full of adventure, and two dogs, who add a dash of mischief to the family dynamics. In her spare time, Melanie enjoys photography, reading, crocheting, baking, and hanging out with family and friends.

I didn't know if you needed my author links or not, but here they are for your convenience.

Author links:

Website:

http://www.melaniedsnitker.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/melaniedsnitker

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/MelanieDSnitker

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/author/melaniesnitker

Making Time to Write When It Feels You Have None to Give by Jennifer Slattery

Do you often find yourself overloaded and out of time? Do you feel an urge to write, feel God’s Spirit sparking stories within you, but can’t fathom how to snatch a few moments to put those ideas to paper? Or maybe you consistently give so much of yourself to everyone else, when you do sit down to write, there’s nothing left. You’ve got nothing else to give.

Perhaps, trying to juggle your schedule and commitments, you’ve even begun to get frustrated at God. Surely if He called you to this writing thing, He’d finagle a way to give you time to actually, well, write.

Maybe He has.

Could it be that you’ve taken on things you were never meant to?

God doesn’t intend for us to live stressed out and frustrated, therefore, when those angst-filled feelings arise, chances are, we’ve ventured away from His will. We’ve either veered off course somewhere, are trying to do things on our own, or we’ve allowed our pride, our fears, or a host of other negative emotions to get in our way.

Some of you know instantly what I’m talking about and can already envision what, precisely, is robbing you of your writing time. For the rest of us, I suggest we prayerfully consider if our true struggle lies with one of the following:

People pleasing.

This seems like an innocent weakness, if not a “likeable” one—at least, for all those whom we’re pleasing, but Paul made it clear in Galatians 1:10 that we cannot be people pleasers if we want to be servants of Christ. In other words, don’t put someone else’s opinions, feelings, or expectations above God’s.

Lack of prioritizing.

Each day, we’re bombarded with countless opportunities. It’s easy to jump on those things that squeal the loudest or perhaps that are most easily engaged in. Other times, we simply haven’t evaluated and then prioritized all of the activities we engage in. We can do a lot of really great things, but if God’s not calling us to them, they’re likely hindering our obedience.

In order to make time for writing, we may have to let something else go.

Negative thinking.

Writing is tough, and the journey for even the most talented is filled with setbacks, rejections, and steep uphill climbs. Negative thinking is counterproductive and a complete waste of time. Every moment that we’re feeding our fears, insecurities, and doubts, we’re taking precious time we could be using to write. More than that, negativity is a muse killer, while joy and peace causes creativity to soar. If we want to be successful, we’ll take full control of our thoughts.

I believe God will hold us accountable for how we use our time and the gifts and talents He’s given us. Regardless of the outcome, regardless of what He chooses to do with the words we type, our role is simple—to obey and offer all we have to Him, the One who gave His all for us for us, trusting He’s working all things, even rejections and setbacks, for our good and His glory.

Are you having trouble finding that time? Do you have any tips to add to the above?

~~~~~~

Author, speaker, and ministry leader Jennifer Slattery writes for Crosswalk.com and is the managing and acquiring editor for Guiding Light Women’s Fiction, an imprint with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She believes fiction has the power to transform lives and change the culture. Healing Love is her sixth novel, and it was birthed during a trip she and her family took to El Salvador that opened her eyes to the reality of generational poverty and sparked a love for orphans and all who’ve experienced loss.

Her deepest passion is to help women experience God’s love and discover, embrace, and live out who they are in Christ. As the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries, she travels with her team to various churches to speak to women and help them experience the love and freedom only Christ can offer. When not writing, editing, or speaking, you’ll likely find her chatting with her friends or husband in a quiet, cozy coffeehouse. Visit her online at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com and connect with her and her Wholly Loved team at WhollyLoved.com,

Healing Love

Genre: Women’s fiction with a strong romantic thread

Dual setting—Southern California, and El Salvador

Blurb: A news anchor intern has it all planned out, and love isn't on the agenda.

Brooke Endress is on the cusp of her lifelong dream when her younger sister persuades her to chaperone a mission trip to El Salvador. Packing enough hand sanitizer and bug spray to single-handedly wipe out malaria, she embarks on what she hopes will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

But Brooke is blindsided by the desperation for hope and love she sees in the orphans’ eyes. And no less by the connection she feels with her handsome translator. As newfound passion blooms, Brooke wrestles with its implications for her career dreams.

Ubaldo Chavez, teacher and translator, knows the struggle that comes with generational poverty. But he found the way out – education – and is determined to help his students rise above.

When he agrees to translate for a mission team from the United States he expects to encounter a bunch of "missional tourists" full of empty promises. Yet an American news anchor defies his expectations, and he finds himself falling in love. But what does he have to offer someone with everything?

Find it on Amazon in mid-July and on Goodreads now.

Wait and See by Marianne Evans

Before turning in the other night, I read my daily devotional from Living Faith magazine and the theme for that day smacked me right between the eyes. I could literally feel God’s spirit—and conviction—in the air around me. The day’s topic? Wait and see. 

As far as I'm concerned, when streamed together, those are three of the toughest words in the dictionary.

The Scripture passage was taken from Acts 5: 34-35. There, the wise Pharisee Gamaliel, states his case about the Apostles and Christianity in general. To paraphrase the passage, Gamaliel says: If the mission of Christ is of human origin, it will come to nothing. But if it’s not of human origin, the world will find itself fighting against God. In essence, he’s saying, “Wait and see.”

I feel like I’ve been doing a lot of that lately in my writing life. Waiting for my stories to catch on to a wide, broad audience so the messages God gives me to share might help encourage, affirm, and bring about a Christian sense of love and honor to as many readers as possible. Waiting for story ideas to work their way from heart to head to computer keyboard. Waiting for what God truly wants next from me when it comes to my ministry as a writer.

It’s hard to do. I get impatient. I feel like ideas are wasting and can't fully formulate because I don’t seem to have enough time and energy to do and be everything I feel called toward. Then, there’s the wickedest thought of all: I’m not successful like “Author Spectacular” so my work must not be as ordained, or as blessed. 

Such circumstances make writing a tough proposition. On one level, I know the concerns are of my own very human creation. Meanwhile, God asks me to keep moving forward. To keep faith in the path He has laid out for me even when I don’t know the steps, and even when the path is uncertain.

Is my writing of my own origin/creation, or does it come from God, to serve God?

So often in life (and in our writing careers) change is gradual. We yearn for the speed of instant gratification and sure answers but life is evolution, and evolution doesn’t very often happen rapidly. It’s slow-moving, gradual, an unfolding that God uses to move us from spot to spot.

At this point, to be honest, I’m not sure of all the answers I seek when it comes to moving forward as an author, but I’m promised this: I was given gifts. In return for those gifts, Jesus wants my love and trust. I need to let Him have control and remember that even when I doubt, and even when I fail, He’ll use everything for His good.

Are you facing a 'wait and see' in your life? I'd love to hear about it, and share the journey! Until next time, blessings, friends!

~~~~~

Nobody's Baby But Mine

Noah Talbert just lost his twin sister—his closest living relative—to a horrific automobile accident. Her death brings him straight to Angel Falls where he claims guardianship of his five-year-old nephew, Dylan.Elementary school counselor Charlotte Latherson is focused on Dylan's case for reasons both personal and professional. His mother was Charlotte's best friend, and the loss has transformed the once joyful and engaging little boy into a reticent, downtrodden kindergartner.Charlotte is well aware of Noah's history. Other than a close relationship with his sister, Noah's life has been solitary; he keeps to himself and builds strong walls of protection around a heart. Can he provide what's best for Dylan? At times they butt heads over the youngster's life, but as they struggle, God opens a loving pathway in their hearts. While Noah fights for a child he feels is nobody's baby but his, Charlotte wonders if the feelings they share can't create the bridge to a miracle.

~~~~~

Marianne Evans

Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create. Readers laude her work as “Riveting,” “Realistic and true to heart,” “Compelling.” Her Christian fiction debut, Devotion, earned the Bookseller’s Best Award as well as the Heart of Excellence Award. Her follow-up novel, Forgiveness, earned Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year honors as did her book Hearts Communion. She is also a two-time recipient of the Selah Award for her books Then & Now and Finding Home. Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan and an active member of Romance Writers of America, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President. You can connect with Marianne at www.marianneevans.com.

All Too Much? by Bonnie Leon

Do you ever feel like you can’t do one more thing? That life is just too much? Too hard? You’re too busy? You’re overwhelmed? 

Yeah, me too. I’ve been thinking on this recently, mostly about how to make positive changes in my life.

Writing books is primarily a solitary endeavor and writers can sometimes find themselves feeling cut off and alone. And the changes in recent years makes this aloneness even more common. Did you know that once upon a time a novelist’s primary job was to write?

All that has changed. Writers are now promotional experts, bloggers, publishers, researchers, secretaries, bookkeepers .... and also mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, caretakers. Writers work other jobs and serve in their churches. They have family’s that need them and long to-do lists that have nothing to do with writing.

We are supposed to think creatively after fulfilling all the other tasks in our lives. And if we hope to create a novel we need the energy to labor through the hours that make up the months required to get to the place where we write The End.

I’m pretty sure God called me to write and I’m also certain he didn’t expect me to kill myself doing it.

I long to write great novels, to lose myself in unique and interesting tales and to get caught up in the lives of characters that I care about. But sometimes the blaring horn of the world distracts me.

The difficulty? The commotion matters too. Diversions, mysteries, heartache, and fun is part of what life is all about. If we skip those we aren’t living. We need time of quiet to listen to the hush of the forest or the humming noise of the city, time with friends and family, time to take in moments, with a child, that will never come again.

I marvel at those who live quietly in the ebb and flow of life. They don’t fight the tide, but allow it to carry them out to sea and then rest when washed into a quiet pool. I long to find my way to such a place. I’m convinced I will discover it in the quiet presence of the Lord, or in the friend who comes alongside to help, and in the confidence to let go and strive less.

Focus on what comes naturally. Do what produces passion and joy. Then the tasks are not chores but opportunities to create.

We are a family, created to love and support one another, to help carry burdens and to pray for each other. Writers, encourage and uplift one another. And readers, writers need to hear from you. Words of encouragement can brighten a dark day. If you find a book you love help an overworked writer by telling others about their works.

We can be content and full of grace. God knows our hearts like no other ... and we can rest in his great ocean of love.

How do you find a place of peace and contentment with all that writing entails?

~~~~~~

Bonnie Leon is the author of twenty-two novels, including the recently released Return to the Misty Shore, the popular Alaskan Skies and bestselling The Journey of Eleven Moons.

Bonnie’s books are being read internationally and she hears from readers in Australia, Europe, Poland, and even Africa.

She enjoys speaking for women’s groups and teaching at writing seminars and conventions and especially delights in mentoring young authors. These days, her time is filled with writing, being a grandmother and relishing precious time with her aged mother.

Bonnie and her husband, Greg, live in Southern Oregon. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.

You can find Bonnie at:

https://www.bonnieleon.com

https://www.facebook.com/BonnieLeonAuthor

https://www.bonnieleon.blogspot.com

https://www.@bonnie_leon

https://www.pinterest.com/bonnieleon/

Time Management by Terri Weldon

Lately it seems like I can’t get anything done in a timely manner. I’m either the most disorganized person on earth or I have too much to do. I was leaning toward winning the most disorganized award when a new thought popped into my mind. Perhaps it was a combination of the two. A new hybrid. J

My organizational skills are lacking and I’ve started working on those. I have goals, I have actual deadlines, and I have commitments such as this blog. I make it a priority to work on those items. But then sometimes I look at all the things I’m involved in, both writing and non-writing, and wonder how I ever thought I could accomplish everything and work a demanding full-time day job.

So I’m being more deliberate on what I’ll commit to. About this time my sister, who happens to be my greatest encourager, is probably rolling on the floor laughing. Maybe a more accurate statement would be I’m attempting to be more deliberate on what I commit to.

As tempting as it is I can’t say yes to every writing project that comes along. I have to pick which projects mean the most to me, which ones will advance my career, and most importantly which ones God wants me to focus on.

I find it hard to say no. I love to do things with friends and family. I love to shop and garden. I love to read and watch movies. I love to spend time with my puppies. I love to travel and go to the theater. I love to write and have lunches with writing friends. The list is endless, but I’ll tell you what I’ve learned – I can’t do it all. I have to pick what is most important to me and then as hard as it can be, walk away from the rest.

My journey is just beginning and I know it may be a painful one, but I’m forging ahead one day at a time. What about you? What keeps you focused? How do you say no or know when to say no? I’d love to hear from you.
 

The Christmas Bride Wore Boots - Berryhill Brides Book One

Pastor Jacob Thompson is in need of a director for the living nativity program and veterinarian Molly Kincaid offers to take on the job. The task involves far more than Molly bargained for, nonetheless she’d do anything to help out the man she secretly loves – even sew costumes or cast eight-year-old Wesley Simpson as an angel.

Jacob’s daughter Emma longs to have a mommy of her own, but the widowed pastor has vowed to never remarry, and isn’t ready to open his heart to love again. Molly dreams of filling the void in both their lives, but fears she lacks the necessary qualities to be a pastor’s wife.

As Molly and Jacob work together on the living nativity, their feelings for one another grow. Will Molly realize she is just what Jacob and Emma need in their lives? Can Jacob be released from his grief stricken promise? Could this unlikely duo prove to be a match made in heaven?

Terri Weldon is a lead analyst by day and an author by night. She enjoys gardening, reading, and shopping for shoes. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction. She lives with her family in Oklahoma. Terri has two adorable Westies – Crosby and Nolly Grace. She is a member of ACFW and OCFW, a local chapter of ACFW. Terri is the award winning author of The Christmas Bride Wore Boots.

Readers can connect with Terri: Website: www.TerriWeldon.com or

Blog: Seriously Write

Stay True to Your Writing Path by Mary Manners

Stay True to Your Writing Path

Authors learn early in the journey that writing rarely takes a vacation. Ideas churn. Deadlines loom. Sometimes (lots of times) it's difficult to fall asleep at night with all those storylines and plot twists warring for attention. It's easy to get carried away in our make believe worlds and neglect real life. Thus broaches one of the great mysteries of life: How do we optimize time management in order to facilitate a balance between writing and family time, so we can get it all done? 

I work great under pressure and time constraints. Decades as a teacher and school administrator taught me to expect the unexpected and quickly adapt. Tackling half-a-dozen tasks simultaneously was commonplace, and I managed with ease. So, giving up my day job for full-time writing was destined to be a cake-walk, right?

Wrong. Now that I've retired to full-time writing I've had to develop an entirely new writing routine. It's much too easy to squander time when there are ten hours in the writing day instead on one or two. It's easy to stretch a thirty minute lunch to an hour, or an hour reading one of my favorite books into two. Time-suckers lurk around every corner so organization and time-management become more important than ever. Developing good habits (while discouraging those that quickly become not so good) is paramount if I want to avoid cutting into family time to meet deadlines.

If time management is an issue I have found a simple, foolproof solution: Take a deep breath and write. Set a writing goal and stick to it. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. My goal is usually five for five. I must write 500 words before I break for a five-minute trek through the virtual world to see what’s going on, or before I indulge in a snack or a second cup of coffee. I set a timer and strictly limit myself to five minutes. This technique works very well to help tackle and tie up writing projects as deadlines close in. The promise of a snack or a walk through social media motivates me to get those words down on paper, yet I avoid getting carried away.

So, the next time poor time management threatens to snatch away writing time, step back, take a deep breath, and then dive back in to WRITE. Stay focused and enjoy the journey. Happy Writing!

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Honeysuckle Cove Secrets (Honeysuckle Cove #3)

Peyton Foster harbors a secret…from the day he first stepped into her life she’s loved Luke Maddox. Though she thought they’d developed a lasting friendship, events surrounding her mother’s death chased him away. It’s all for the best, since Peyton’s passion as proprietor of A Whisper in Time proves the perfect complement to her shyness—a much better fit than her former misguided schoolgirl attraction to Luke.

Luke Maddox feels a connection with Peyton Foster from the first moment their paths cross. But when he settles in Honeysuckle Cove, a past riddled by years traversing the foster care system leaves him longing to fit in, leading him to take part in a foolish school dare that costs him Peyton’s friendship. Haunted by the mistake, he searches for a way to mend the past and find a way back to Peyton’s heart. When a break-in at A Whisper in Time causes their paths to once again cross, Luke must make a choice—bare his heart and face the consequences, or allow the only woman he’s ever loved to slip away.

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Mary Manners is a country girl at heart who has spent a lifetime exploring her joy of writing. She has two sons and a daughter, as well as three beautiful grandchildren. She currently lives along the sunny shores of Jacksonville Beach with her husband Tim.

A former teacher as well an intermediate school principal, Mary spent three decades sharing her love of learning with students from kindergarten through middle grades. While growing up in Chicago and as an undergraduate at the University of Illinois, Mary worked her way through a variety of jobs including paper girl, figure skating instructor, pizza chef, and nanny. Many of these enriching and challenging experiences led to adventures that bring laughs and insight to her stories. Mary loves long sunrise runs, ocean sunsets, and flavored coffee.

Connect with Mary at her website: www.MaryMannersRomance.com. “Like” her author page on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.