Back from RWA And Mickey Mouse land-Photos!!

Back from the Romance Writers of America's national conference in Anaheim, California, land of unending sunshine and Mickey Mouse! I didn't win the RITA but had such a great time being a five time finalist. Schmoozing with fellow finalists at that RITA reception and signing books for readers at a charity booksigning were big highlights for me. Here are a couple of photos from the conference.

Love Inspired Authors. That's me in the front in the brown with red hair.

At the RITA Award ceremony with double finalist, Christine Rimmer. We had a table together with her editor and mine and several Golden Heart finalists. A great group of writers.

Fellow finalist Irene Hannon, Debbie Clopton who writes those funny Mule Hollow boooks, and me in the jacket. We had a blast at the Harlequin Party. Who wouldn't with lots of fun oldies music for the fleet of foot, an ice cream bar complete with bananas foster,  a crepes bar, a dessert bar, and a decorate your own cupcake bar!!

The conference included lots of emphasis on the new trailblazers in fiction publishing--ebooks. So tell me, do you own an ereader? If so, what kind?

BOOKSIGNING JULY 22 ANAHEIM, CA.

RWA huge booksigning of over 400 authors including names like Nora Roberts. I'll be there too signing my Rita finalist book THE CHRISTMAS CHILD and a rerelease of two reader favorites in The Brothers Bond series. All money goes to literacy charities. Come see me. I will be at seat 105 right by the cashier! Anaheim Convention Center near Disney, Wed. July 22 at 5:00 until 7.

THE BROTHERS' BOND, RERELEASED AT LAST!

After years of being asked by you, my wonderful readers, about the Brothers'  Bond books, Love Inspired has rereleased two of them, Books 1 and 3, in a duo. It's available now and if you haven't read these, I hope you will. They are my absolute favorite and won all kinds of awards. Most importantly, I received so much reader mail about these three brothers who were separated as boys and reunited as men. Enjoy!!

Order here. Also read an excerpt.

Here's what one reviewer had to say:

This is a great book; Linda Goodnight is probably the BEST author of the Love Inspired line of books. She really has a talent for making the charaters "3D" and interesting. You feel Drew's pain in this story, as well as the sweetness he discovers can be had in life. But don't stop with this book. Read all three of the books in Linda Goodnight's "The Brothers' Bond" series.

The Barefoot Bride rereleased!

Look what I saw at Walmart!   My very first book, a novella called "The Barefoot Bride" has been rereleased in a collection with 8 other historical romances. This is still one of my favorite books and I hope you'll like it too.

Here's what a reader on Goodreads had to say:

"The Barefoot Bride" by Linda Goodnight made me cry. I would have LOVED to read this in a full length novel."

Perfect, East to Peel, Hard Boiled Egg Recipe

Happy Ressurrection Day!

What's cooking at your house for Easter dinner? For us, we always have lots of eggs, some for the kids to color and others for me to devil and or to eat plain!  For years I struggled to boil eggs properly. They were either gooey in the yolk or green around the edges. Ugh. Worse, pealing them was a nightmare. I ended up with ripped, pitiful egglet things. But finally, at long last, and after many, many unpalatable eggs, I stumbled upon the perfect, pealable recipe for hard boiled eggs.

Here ya go!

1. Put eggs in a saucepan and add water-just enough to cover them--this is important!  It doesn't matter how many eggs. However many you want. The recipe is the same.

2. Put the pan on the burner and turn the heat to high. Again it doesn't matter if your stove is not like my stove. It still works.

3. Set the timer for 10 minutes.

4. When the time goes off, turn off heat, cover the pan of eggs (still in the water), and set the timer for another 10 minutes.

5. When the timer goes off this time, drain the water and cover with cold water. Immediately--I mean, right this minute--start peeling the eggs. DO NOT WAIT.  Crack the egg all the way around the shell and then lightly roll it on the countertop. Then start at the fat end and peel. The shell will come off in big pieces without tearing up the goody part. I promise. I've done it dozens of times and it really, truly works!

6. Once all the eggs are peeled, you can store them in a covered container in the fridge for plain eating or you can devil some for dinner.

Just for fun, cut one in half and notice how perfectly cooked the yolk is. Is that beautiful or what?

THE LAST BRIDGE HOME

Available February 1, 2012, anywhere books are sold.
This is book 5, the last book in the Redemption River series. Romantic Times Magazine gave it 4 1/2 stars. I hope you will too!

Where the Wildflowers Bloom Review

I just finished Ann Shorey’s new book, Where Wildflowers Bloom, a gentle, smoothly crafted prairie romance from Revell perfect for reading on a lazy Sunday afternoon. The heroine, Faith, longs to follow the Oregon Trail and leave behind the sad memories of the loss of her brother and father in the Civil War. Though, at times, I was frustrated with Faith’s immaturity, the other characters, especially the hero, were endearing. Additionally, I appreciated the author’s subtle hand in addressing the prejudice against women prevalent at that time. I was also impressed with Shorey’s knack for strong setting. With precise wording and well-laid details, she brought the 1860’s and a Missouri small town to life. Read an excerpt at http://www.annshorey.com/novels.html

Susan Mallery Cooks: Linda Goodnight's Light Chocolate Peanut Butter Ch...

Susan Mallery Cooks: Linda Goodnight's Light Chocolate Peanut Butter Ch...: Linda Goodnight is the author of heartwarming, inspirational romance novels, including her latest, THE CHRISTMAS CHILD . Linda has won the...

THE CHRISTMAS CHILD

Available October 1 - Book 4 in the Redemption River series.  Preorder:  at Amazon.com

REDEMPTION RIVER  series in order of release:

Finding Her Way Home - book 1 - still available on Amazon
The Wedding Garden - book 2 - on Amazon now
A Place to Belong - book 3 -  on Amazon now
The Christmas Child - book 4 -  Oct. 1, 2011
The Last Bridge Home - book 5 -  winter of 2012

Thank you to reader "Rose" for asking!

THE CHRISTMAS CHILD

Coming October 1!  THE CHRISTMAS CHILD, book four in the Redemption River series.

 I hope you'll love this heartwarming story of  a battle-weary cop, a lost mute boy, and the small town that cared.

ACFW Carol Awards

I'm thrilled to announce that THE WEDDING GARDEN is once again a contest finalist! This time, it is one of three finalists for the Carol, American Christian Fiction Writers' top award, a huge  honor.

CONTESTS GALORE - Win a Kindle and other great stuff

Want to win a Kindle with wi-fi, a $50 Amazon gift card, and twenty-plus free romances from some of Harlequin's top authors, including me? Go to the contest page inside Susan Mallery’s Members Only area from June 22 through July 1 to enter. If you’re not a member yet, you can join for free. The winner will be chosen at random on July 1. Good luck! www.susanmallery.com/members/contest.php'

Let me know if you win. Good luck!

Win a $100 gift card!

Love Inspired authors

Romance Writers of America charity booksigning

June 28 in New York City.

We've come up with an idea to make this massive signing of more than 400 authors even more fun for our Love Inspired readers. Stop by any Love Inspired author's table and pick up a post card with full details. Basically, all you do is visit the table of any Love Inspired author. They're arranged in alphabetical order. At each one, pick up your free trading card and any other free goodies they have. (Buying a book is optional). When you're all done, visit the table of Lenora Worth, Missy Tippens or Janet Tronstad. Those ladies will count your cards. At evenings' end, the visitor with the most cards wins the $100 Amazon gift card!

Little Inspy Trading Cards are fun!

NEW BOOK!

THE NANNY'S HOMECOMING, book one in an exciting new series with 5 other fabulous authors, hits the stands June 21. Order now from Amazon

ANOTHER AWARD FINAL!

THE WEDDING GARDEN, book 2 of the "Redemption River" series, has finaled for the Booksellers' Best Award. I'm so proud of that little book, like a mama when the teacher says her child is smart!

Thank you, everyone, who loves Sloan's story, too.

THE BROTHERS' BOND--AT LAST!

Many, many of you have written in search of one or more of the Brothers' Bond series. Today, I received great news. Love Inspired will re-release two of the books as a 2-in-1 classic in January 2012. A SEASON FOR GRACE and THE HEART OF GRACE will be yours for the reading!

Thank you for asking....It's a relief to finally have an answer for you.

DOUBLE RITA AWARD Finalist!!

Books one and two in the Redemption River series are both finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA Award Woo-hoo! 

FINDING HER WAY HOME

THE WEDDING GARDEN

God's blessings never cease to amaze me!

A PLACE TO BELONG - NEW BOOK

Apparently, my latest Redemption River novel has made an early appearance on the shelves. Here's the cover. I hope you like the book better than I like the cover! :-)

Snow Ice Cream

Snow Ice Cream
1 honking big bowl (3 qts.) of clean snow (dry snow works best)

1 cup sugar

2-3 heaping Tablespoons of cocoa

1 Tsp. vanilla

Milk (usually about one cup or so). Can also use evaporated milk, half and half, or cream.



In small bowl mix cocoa and sugar together. Sprinkle this over the snow and mix in lightly and quickly with a fork, breaking up lumps, until the color is chocolate enough for you. I like mine to look German chocolate at this point because the cocoa will intensify. Now, add the vanilla and then gradually add the milk a little at a time, mixing lightly with the fork, until the mixture is thick, slightly moist, and mounds up.

Taste and adjust the sugar and cocoa if needed. If too much chocolate, add more snow!
Now pig out. Your tongue will freeze, but happily so. Put what you aren’t eating immediately into the freezer.

Review of The Lawman's Christmas Wish

In case you're interested, some kind blogger posted a review of my latest book. Click the blue link to read it.

FREE BOOKS Today

I don't blog much but today I'm visiting a lovely blog called, Inkwell Inspirations. There, I'm discussing faith and big dreams, AND giving away a packet of three books including the latest one, THE LAWMAN'S CHRISTMAS GIFT. Won't you come over and leave a comment? You just might be my big winner!

NEW BOOK -THE LAWMAN'S CHRISTMAS WISH

My newest Love Inspired novel, THE LAWMAN'S CHRISTMAS WISH, has been sighted in Walmart, Walden's, Borders and other book stores, so it has arrived a few weeks early. It's Book six and my only contribution to the ALASKAN BRIDE RUSH series, a fun series about a missing treasure, a dying Alaskan town, and a lot of good looking wilderness tour guides and the ladies who love them.
THE LAWMAN'S CHRISTMAS WISH is about Christmas with a twist of mystery, some danger, and a very brave hero and his equally heroic dog. I hope you like it!

Home again

I'm back from Orlando. Didn't win another RITA but I had a wonderful time reconnecting with author-friends and seeing Disney World! I took Masha, my 14 year old, along with me. Despite the heat, we soaked up the wonder of Disney. So much color, so many parades and characters and rides and shows. It's an amazing place!

Orlando and The Rita Award

On Tuesday, I’ll be traveling to Orlando, Florida to the Romance Writers of America’s national conference. There, industry professionals from all over the globe gather for an intense business conference that is also loads of fun. The culmination of the week of learning, working and networking, comes at the RITA Award ceremony on Saturday night. It’s a fancy, formal affair with lots of glitter, glitz and class. If you’ve never seen your face on a giant Jumbotron-type screen, let me tell you, it’s—well, a little disconcerting! This year, I’m a finalist in the contemporary romance category so Jumbotron, here I come again!


Most people outside the industry may not be aware of what a huge deal the RITA is-or even what it is-so I thought I’d post about it.

The RITA Award, named for one of the founders of RWA, is the “Academy Award” of Romance Writing. It recognizes outstanding romance fiction published within the past year. The awards are broken down into twelve categories that represent the various types of romance novels on the market-contemporary, historical, inspirational, paranormal, single title-to name a few. Just as Oscar winners are judged by people in the movie industry, our books are judged and scored by RWA members. Finalists from over 1,000 entries are announced in March and the books are scored again by a different set of judges. The winners are announced during the glamorous award ceremony at RWA’s national conference in July. The result is an award that’s hard to win and therefore carries a certain clout within the industry.

I won in the inspirational category in 2008 and this year, I’m a finalist for a contemporary series book, THE SNOW-KISSED BRIDE. I consider myself a dark horse, the only traditional in a huge category with books that vary in content from spicy to sweet and from Nascar to a desert sheik. The other authors are amazing writers, so I’m thrilled and honored to be in their midst. For a complete list with book covers and photos, click here.

Wish me luck!

Author Extravaganza

What a week! The airport, shopping for a fancy dress, the hair-dresser, a birthday party, a rodeo and on Saturday the big booksigning. Oh, yeah, and somewhere in there I'm homeschooling and writing books!

Please come by Mardels Book Store if you're in the Edmond, Oklahoma area between 11 and 3 on Saturday, July 17. Along with seven other Oklahoma authors, I'll be signing books, giving away free stuff (including books and chocolate), and having a great time. K-Love Radio will be there broadcasting, too!

Can't wait to see you there!

Booksigning July 17-Drawing for Free Books!

I will be signing my favorite new book, THE WEDDING GARDEN, July 17 at Mardels in Edmond, OK. I love this story of the return of Redemption River's bad boy and think you will too.

Six other authors will also be on hand for a fantastic meet and greet opportunity.

 Come by and say hello and sign up for the giveaways. I'd love to see you there!

THE WEDDING GARDEN

THE WEDDING GARDEN

My newest book in the Redemption River series will hit the stands anywhere books are sold sometime during the last week of April and the first week of May. I hope you'll pick up a copy and let me know how you like it.

To order from amazon.com click this link:

RITA Nomination!

THE SNOW-KISSED BRIDE is nominated for a RITA Award!

REDEMPTION RIVER - New Series

My new series from Love Inspired began with January book, FINDING HER WAY HOME. It's still available so please order a copy or pick one up from your local book seller. Walmart is out already so please try elsewhere.

Book 2 - THE WEDDING GARDEN arrives in May. I'm already getting some exciting buzz about this book that just thrills me to pieces.  Love Inspired has asked me if they can send out first chapter samples of the book, a good indication that the editors love it too.  No cover yet, but when I get one, I will post it here.

There are 3 more books already scheduled for next year in this series about a small town where hope and healing flow like a river.

Please join me Redemption very soon!!

FINDING HER WAY HOME

FINDING HER WAY HOME has officially found its way to bookstores, Walmart, Amazon and anywhere else you might want to buy a book. Hope you like it!

Snow Ice Cream!!

We rarely have snow in my part of the country. Maybe once a year we get a dusting or if we’re really lucky, a couple of inches. This year, on Christmas Eve, I witnessed my very first blizzard, resulting in snowdrifts up to several feet of wonderful, fluffy, dry snow.


When I was a kid, we couldn’t afford ice cream but when it snowed, Mom would make snow ice cream. I loved it then. I love it now. My kids and grandkids love it too. So here is my recipe for all of you have snow. (Please note, I know some people think it's gross or unhealthy to eat snow. If you do, don't make this. I personally think it's fine.)

Snow ice Cream

(All ingredients are approximates)

1 lg. (3 quart bowl) of clean, dry snow
1 cup of sugar

2 ½ TBS. Cocoa

1-2 tsp. real vanilla extract

½ cup of Milnot

¼ cup of milk (approx.)

Mix cocoa and sugar together, then sprinkle over the top of the snow and mix in lightly with a fork. Once the snow is chocolate colored, slowly add the vanilla and milks, mixing with fork after each addition. Continue until you reach a nice thick ice cream consistency. Put in freezer for a few minutes. Then eat and enjoy!

CHRISTMAS CLASSICS

I received an early Christmas surprise from Love Inspired. They have released my first two books as a duo just in time for Christmas. Both stories have Christmas themes. The shelf date is December 4, so if you've not had a chance to read these, I hope you'll pick one up for a cozy Christmas feeling.

LOVE those Santa cookies on the cover, don't you?

COWBOY DADDY, JINGLE BELL BABY

Even though the title is hokey and the cover not much better, I hope you all enjoy my latest traditional romance from Harlequin Romance. In the story, the cowboy is cuter and the baby is newborn!

But tell me, do you think that baby on the cover is real? Or does she look like a doll to you?  Just saying....

Exciting new series-REDEMPTION RIVER

Coming in 2010 from Love Inspired:

The first two installments of the new small town series, REDEMPTION RIVER.

FINDING HER WAY HOME - January 2010

THE WEDDING GARDEN - May 2010

Two More Sweet Romances on the Horizon

For those of you who enjoy my traditional 'sweet' romances from Harlequin, I have two more scheduled, but no covers yet to show you.

COWBOY DADDY, JINGLE BELL BABY - coming to the U.S. in November and the UK in September.


HER PRINCE'S SECRET SON - - will be released in Dec. 09 in the UK which means it will likely arrive in the U.S. in February.

WHAT'S COMING UP?

Free Downloadable books - including one of my Love Inspireds - A VERY SPECIAL DELIVERY - These are available all this year - Enjoy!!


NEW BOOKS:


Available in April - Perfect as a gift for Mothers' Day!!

Order here


COMING IN MAY - the story of Nic Carano, who first appeared in "A Season For Grace," 2007 ACFW Book of the Year.

Order here

NEW BOOK COMING MARCH 1!

Single Christian teacher Rainy Jernagen is a kid crazy foster mom. Rancher Nate Del Rio is burdened by the responsibility of his three siblings and never wants children. Can there be a future for this mismatched pair?

HOME TO CROSSROADS RANCH - Available March 1 where ever books are sold or order here.

New Book Coming in January

Romantic Times magazine gave the book 4 1/2 stars and said:

Living alone, with only the rescue dogs she trains for company, suits Melody Crawford perfectly. The locals think she's crazy, which is fine with her too -- it ensures her privacy unless she's needed for a search-and-rescue. That changes when ex-Army Ranger John North is hired as the team's management director. He enlists Melody's aid to improve the inadequate maps of the area and, in the process, befriends her. Trust is hard for Melody, due to her tragic family history, but somehow North gets to her, because intimacy isn't simple for him either. Goodnight offers a unique story with extra-special characters.....

Available January 13, 2009 Preorder now!

Order or read an excerpt at Amazon

Thanksgiving Recipes--yum

It's time to share some good eatin'! If you have a favorite recipe to share, please leave it for me in the comments. Here are a couple of my family favs.

Goodnight Sweet Potato Casserole

Casserole for a crowd:
3 big cans or 6 big, big sweet potatoess (baked/boiled and peeled and cut in hunks. You can also mash the potatoes if you like that consistency. )
¾ cup butter
1 ½ cups brown sugar
½ cup pineapple juice, opt.
1 tsp. cinnamon –can add a sprinkle more
Mash this all together and spread in a 9 X 13 baking dish.

Sprinkle with the following praline topping
½ cup brown sugar
3 T. butter cold
4 Tsp. flour
Mix with fork until it crumbles.
Add ½ cup finely chopped pecans
Sprinkle over 9x13 casserole and bake at 350 for 30-45 min.



This salad, which is more like a pie to me, was a big hit its first time out last year at Thanksgiving. We're making it again this year.



STRAWBERRY PRETZEL SALAD

ngredients:
2 cups crushed hard pretzels
3/4 cup melted butter or margarine
3 tablespoons sugar
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese
2 cups whipped cream or whipped topping
1 package (6 oz) strawberry gelatin
1 package (10 oz) frozen strawberries, thawed
2 cups boiling water
1 cup sugar (Splenda works fine, too. In fact this recipe can be made with all low-fat ingredients for a great dessert that doesn't feel )low fat.

Preparation:
Mix together the crushed pretzels, butter or margarine, and 3 tablespoons of sugar. Pat into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish; bake at 400° for 8 to 10 minutes. Beat the cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, and whipped topping and place over the cooled pretzel crust. Put this in the fridge while you make the next layer. Mix gelatin into boiling water, then add frozen strawberries. Put in fridge until it is 'jelly-like' but still spoonable. Spoon the gelatin mixture over the cream cheese mixture. Put in the fridge until it all sets up nicely. (This is one of those things you can make the day before. Yay!)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Veteran's Day

I received this as an email a week ago and thought it was incredible. Not only is the art work amazing, but the sentimenet expressed herein is also mine. Enjoy the amazing art of an Iowa teenager, 'Bubba' Sorenson. In case your wondering, the flag is part of the art work. It's not a real flag!

I can't let today pass without saying a heartfelt thank you to the brave men and women in the armed forces. To all those, around the world--American, Canadian, British, Aussie-whoever and where ever you are--who have served for the cause of freedom, THANK YOU! Without you, without your willingness, evil would long ago have had its way.

It is so good to live where freedom rings.

God Bless you!

My Trip to New York City

Central Park is a surprisingly large oasis of beauty and peacefulness in the midst of the Manhattan madness. I loved it.



Lady Liberty still strands strong in NY Harbor. I got chills looking out at her and thinnking of how blessed I am to live in this land of the free.




My trip to NYC wouldn't be complete without lunch with my editor, Allison Lyons. She took me to Ecco, a fabulous Italian restaurant in Old New York. As you can see, I tried the luscious gellato, Allison had the fruit with real cream, and my beautiful daughter Sundy tried the Italian Cheesecake. Even though I got lost and was late, we had a fabulous time.

New Book on the Shelves

AVAILABLE NOW! For an excerpt or to order, visit Amazon or your favorite book store.

Also, check out the Wedding Planners blog for a chance to win a copy!

ACFW WIN

What a joy! The third book in my Brothers' Bond trilogy, THE HEART OF GRACE, won series contemporary "Book of the Year" at the American Christan Fiction Writers' conference in Minneapolis. I am thrilled to pieces and very thankful. This series has been so well received. Thanks to all of you readers, 'my boys' have won two "Book of the Year" awards as well as the RITA.

Here I am cheesing to high heaven as my friend Janet Lee Barton presents the award at our local writers' meeting. (I didn't attend the award ceremony in Minnesota.)

FREE Books

Please come over to Tiffany Stockton's blog and read my interview with her. You can leave a comment for a chance at TWO free books. I hope you win!

NEW BOOK

I think I've forgotten to mention one of the two new books I have on the shelves right now. This one is mostly available at Christian bookstores or larger retail book stores that carry books from Christian publishers.

A BRIDE BY CHRISTMAS is a book of four novellas set on the American Prairie in the 1800's. I authored the story titled,"The Cossack Bride". For fun, we authors decided to make each heroine a particular ethnicity and toss in some Christmas traditions from their native cultures. We have a Cossack (Ukrainian-Russian), Dutch, English, and Irish. I hope you'll pick up a copy or order one and enjoy this taste of early American Christmas.


To order the Cossack bride from Christianbooks.com click the blue words.

To order from Amazon, click here.

FREE! Online novella

If you'd like to read some of my work FREE of charge, eharlequin is posting a short novella of mine. Just follow this link and enjoy! (And let me know what you think.)

Family Ever After

Life Lessons - Regrets

God's been trying to tell me something lately and I think my hard head is finally getting the message. I'm always saying, "One of these days I'm going to do this or that," and yet, I never get around to it. I'm talking about important things, not cleaning out my desk drawers. I mean spending time with people I love or people in need. Going places that I really, really want to see. Doing things I really, really want to do.

One day my dad and I were talking about my son who wanted to watch the NY Yankees play in Yankee Stadium before it closed, but decided he couldn't afford the expense. My dad said something that resonated loud and clear. He'd always wanted to do the same thing. He'd always wanted to go to a World Series, too. He'd always planned to travel and see Europe, etc. But he put it off, thinking he didn't want to spend the money or he didn't have time. And he never went. Now, at 81, he is severely hearing and visually impaired. He will never see or do or enjoy those things. He can't. The choice is no longer his to make. So he said to me, "Sis, you will never miss the money you spend on doing things you always wanted to do. You'll never miss the time it took. But someday, if you don't do those things, you'll look back and wish you had."

I've thought a lot about what my dad said. Then I turned on the radio and a country song was playing. I don't know the song or the singer, but the gist of the story was a man who'd reached his 102nd birthday telling people to love and do good and enjoy life because a hundred years goes by faster than you think.

We don't have the promise of a 100 years or even the promise of tomorrow. But we have today. So I'm starting today. I sent in my application for foster care. (It's been sitting on my desk for 3 months.) And I contacted an old friend that I've been wanting to get together with for YEARS. We email often and say things like, "We have to get together soon," but we never do. So now we are. For real.

So, that's my challenge to you today. Do something good that you've been putting off. And then let me know how it turned out.....

Peace and Grace!

Honoring 9-11 in America the Beautiful

Warning: This is a blatantly patriotic posting. I am so thankful to God that I was born in America and today I salute, not only the heroes of 9-11, but this nation as a whole.

Contrary to the gloom and doom media and all the self-serving political rhetoric, America is a fabulous land, full of opportunity and good people, and to me still the grandest, safest, most blessed land on the planet. We aren't going down the tubes. We aren't starving. We aren't going broke.

The media has perpetrated a great and negative lie about our situation, and too many people blindly listen. Look around--I mean, REALLY look around for yourself and see that we are so incredibly well off, so blessed, so fat and full and over-indulged. Maybe we're too spoiled and that's why we squeal so loudly when we have to tighten the belt a bit.

So today I fly Old Glory and remember the day America stood together, regardless of political and philosophical differences, unmindful of gas or grocery prices or the unemployment index, against the worst of enemies. We stood together and we prevailed together. And I pray that we can remember that powerful, powerful moment of unity and strive to always be one nation under God conceived in liberty.....

America is, indeed, beautiful.

GREAT NEIGHBORS and Good Party

When you live out in the country, your neighbors may live several miles away, but they're still neighbors. In fact, country folk make some of the best neighbors. They watch your place when you travel, help you fight grass fires, and are always ready to lend a helping hand or a shout of encouragement.

Yesterday, my neighbors gave me a shout of encouragement. Spider and Nadine, Julie and Dave, George and Mary, along with Nadine's Mom, Nelda put together a neighborhood gathering in my honor to celebrate my RITA Award. I don't know what I've done to deserve such a thing, but my heart was really touched. I was a little embarrassed, too, at the attention, but hey! who am I to spoil a terrific gathering of great friends.

We gathered at the old Fry Lake, a former church camp, now turned into a Christian marriage retreat by Dave and Julie. (Check out their website for photos and more information about the retreat.) It's a gorgeous area and I wish I'd taken some photos to share with you, but there are plenty on their website. Be sure and click on the 'more photos' button to see photos of our get-together. (I only wish I'd known there would be pictures--I would have dressed up!!)

Anyway, George and Mary have built a lovely new home, complete with a long back deck overlooking the lake. Talk about paradise in Oklahoma! Beautiful!

We had a delicious meal of Mary's roast beef and all the fixings, plus tasty desserts that included layered chocolate chip cookies that were to die for! I have to get that recipe from Nadine to share with you. Check out Nadine's art website. She's wonderful!!

All in all, it was a great afternoon of fellowship, tall tales, and lots of laughs. I am grateful for the blessing of good neighbors who aren't as backward and shy as I am and who drag me out of my writing cave once in a while!!

Thanks, good neighbors!

I WON THE RITA!!!

Here I am with presenter and fabulous author, Judy Baer and my incredibly supportive editor, Allison Lyons, who also received an award for editing my book! (Photo credit: Dave Bush Photography)

Susan Mae Warren, me with the big smile and my baby girl, RITA, and Love Inspired editor, Melissa Endlich

Yes, I'm still running around the house with a big grin, a heart of gratitude, and a little disbelief that a book I wrote, A TOUCH OF GRACE, was awarded the romance industry's top award as the best inspirational romance of the year. It's crazy wonderful, let me tell you.

I'm sure I'm going to live on this moment for a long time to come, but my fellow finalists in the catagory decided to do one final interview. It appears below, along with a couple of photos. More of those to come as I gather them in, since I didn't have a camera with me that night.

Winning the Rita Interview
Linda Goodnight

Question 1: How did you feel waiting for the winner's name to be announced.

I had spent so much time praying not to covet the award that I was perfectly at peace and ready to shout my head off for the winner. So I was just sitting there thinking that my dress was too tight and had unbuttoned my jacket. When they began to read off the Inspy finalists, I thought, “Hmm, maybe I should button my jacket just in case.” Instantly, butterflies started dancing in my stomach. (They’d probably been there all along, but now they were crushed and fighting for their lives. )

At the moment the title of my book was announced as the winner, I went blank. I never heard my name called. Even though I don’t believe in out-of-body experiences, that’s the only way I can describe those few seconds. I remember looking at my editor and saying, “What? What did she say?” I still get chills just thinking about that amazing, exhilarating rush of disbelief and realization.

Question 2: How did 'you' really feel up there on stage?

Really, really embarrassed not to have written a speech. My mind was both numb and whirling at the same time, but no coherent thoughts would come. I didn’t want to talk. I just wanted to jump up and down and laugh! The lights were extremely bright so all I could see were shadows in the audience. My brain was yelling, “You only have two minutes! Stop blubbering.”

Even though I tried to remember to thank all the right people, I forgot so many. I wanted to honor the other finalists, whom I have come to admire, and like as women as well as wonderful, worthy writers. Believe me, to win in a category with those other authors means something very, very special.

Question 3: What happens after you step off the stage, both at RWA and then later on at home?

Wow! I couldn’t stop giggling during the rest of the ceremony –and shaking. I hadn’t been shaky before but I sure was then! My editor kept whispering, “I told you. I told you.” And then I’d squeeze Miss RITA and start giggling all over again.

After the ceremony, there was this rush of people-friends, other finalists, editors-toward me, and that continued for the next hour or so. Frankly, I loved it!!! I’ve said this over and over again, but it’s so true. Awards mean nothing if you have no one to share them with. The absolute best part of winning the RITA is that first hour after the program.

I have two very sweet memories that I will treasure in my heart forever. The other finalists, Pamela Tracy, Susan Mae Warren, and Irene Hannon were the first people to greet me. Looking so beautiful in their fancy duds, they hugged and smiled and congratulated me, though I know they had to be disappointed. That meant so very much and always will. See why I admire these women? They’re the real deal.

The second treasured moment was seeing my friend, Libby Banks. Libby and I have been friends and critique partners since before I sold that first book. Libby is a strong woman, an attorney who keeps her emotions in check. But there she was, coming at me through the crush, moving people out of the way like they were bowling pins, tears streaming down her face. We fell into each others arms, laughing and crying. Sweet, very, very sweet.

The next day, after two hours sleep, (Who needs sleep when you have adrenaline?) my family greeted me at the airport and took me out to dinner. Then, when I turned down the road toward home, I was met with a big congratulations sign erected by my neighbors.

Since getting back home, my email box has been full of congratulations. My chapter sent flowers. My phone has rung off the hook. My editors have emailed. Even some agents that I’ve never met have emailed! It’s truly been an exciting, amazing, and fulfilling ride.

Thank you for letting me re-live the excitement. Now, back to work. I have a book due!