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!

RITA FINALIST - CINDY WOODSMALL

Cindy Woodsmall is the author of the best-selling novels WHEN THE HEART CRIES and WHEN THE MORNING COMES, the first two books in the Sisters of the Quilt series. Her real-life connections with the Plain Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity. Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband, three sons, and one daughter-in-law.

1. DESCRIBE YOUR RITA PHONE CALL.
What a busy and fun day that was! On Tuesday of each week I have an assistant, Barbara, who comes in and we juggle as much of the non-writing-related aspects of being an author as we can. The call came in during one of those days. Like other authors, I screen calls during work hours, so when I didn’t recognize the number I didn’t answer. I had a couple of radio interviews that day, so Barbara started fielding phone calls from the downstairs office. (Two of my children grew up and moved out, so I now have two offices! ;-)
When she shared the news that I was a RITA finalist, I stared at her for a long moment, then mumbled, "Is this a joke?"
She shook her head, smiling broadly.
I gaped at her. "Are you sure? The RITA?"
She laughed. "I’m sure."
Once I got over feeling stunned, excitement grew like a crescendo in a wonderful piece of music. Eventually, the song dissolved into two women in a home office, squealing in delight.
2. TELL US ABOUT THE RITA BOOK AND WHY YOU THINK IT STOOD OUT IN THE CROWD.
WHEN THE MORNING COMES is book two in a three-book series, each chronicling a different aspect of Hannah’s journey. At the beginning of book two we see her as a seventeen-year-old Amish girl who has been betrayed by her family, her fiancé, and even her faith.
Broken, she steps off a train to search for a shunned aunt she hopes still exists. With only an eighth-grade education, she has little knowledge of how to survive in the outside world.
I think what sets this book apart is the parallel journeys of reaping devastation and the hope of building life anew.
A man, who has lost just as much as Hannah has but is nothing like her, becomes an unlikely champion who grows to love her like no other.
3. HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU WRITTEN?
So far I have three novels completed, with the third coming out in September.
Book one in the series is WHEN THE HEART CRIES.
Book two and the RITA finalist is WHEN THE MORNING COMES.
Book three is WHEN THE SOUL MENDS, and it will be out September 16, 2008.
4. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE?
Since all three of my books are part of the same journey, each one is a favorite for a different reason. Hannah’s Old Order Amish innocence, strength, and epiphanies work both for and against her in each book. I think those things will linger in my heart as I continue to write more books.
Book one, WHEN THE HEART CRIES, made the CBA best-seller list and was an ECPA Christian Book Award finalist, along with books by Karen Kingsbury, Angela Hunt, and Charles Martin. I didn't think it was possible to be more pleased with a work, but book two, WHEN THE MORNING COMES, made the New York Times best-sellers extended list (#34) and is a RITA finalist, so I’m just off-the-wall excited. Of course, those who know me best would tell you I didn’t need a set of books to be off the wall. ;-)
5. DESCRIBE YOUR WRITING PROCESS.
I’m a super plotter who starts by taking the time to discover who the characters are. That begins with who their parents were and the mood of the home throughout their childhood, and it includes any traumatic or ecstatic experiences they had while growing up.
I spend time inside an Old Order Amish home, living as my characters do, while interviewing those within the community and seeing firsthand the various trades in which they make their living. This ensures that my characters and plots have a solid foundation.
The next step is to spend a week plotting out each character’s goals, motivations, conflicts, as well as the events that distance each one from his or her goals. I don’t plan out the epiphanies but allow those to grow organically as I write. So far they’ve surprised me every time.
After all that prewriting, I let creativity take over, ignoring or changing the outline as needed. I extensively edit, edit, edit as I go. After that I send each chapter to my critique partner. Since she’s also part of the planning and plotting process, she knows the story inside and out. She critiques with great scrutiny, and I pay close attention to anything she has to say.
6. WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A WRITER AND WHY CHRISTIAN FICTION?
I decided to write when I had no other choice. The stories inside my head wouldn’t go away and refused to become quiet, so (long story short) I began writing.
The stories grow naturally from characters who may tremble in pain, fear, or confusion, but whose faith is never negotiable to them. Although the journeys are not about being or becoming a Christian, the characters have a God-centered world view, and the stories are about them dealing with the traumatic and ecstatic parts of life the best way they know how, and both the beauty and the distress of doing so.
7. TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEXT OR UPCOMING PROJECTS.
I’m about halfway finished with THE HOPE OF REFUGE, an Amish novel where the lead heroine, Cara, is a single mom living in Bronx, New York. Cara had been raised in foster care, and while trying to keep her own six-year-old daughter from the same fate, she begins following pieces of a memory that lead her to an Old Order Amish community. What she discovers inside this community seems more destructive than all her years of having no one.
8. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR UNPUBLISHED WRITERS?
Pray. Not so much about God opening doors for you as much as seeking from Him your direction, your inner compass. Be willing to lay writing down. Be willing to revamp your entire lifestyle in order to write. Be ready to follow every rule concerning writing. Be ready to break every rule.

Be ready.

That’s what listening during the quiet hours can do for us—cause us to be ready to both hear and follow to the best of our ability.

But please, please remember that success is not about how many books we’ve written or sold—if any. Success is being His and walking in whatever that means from His perspective, not some preconceived idea of ours or those around us.


Thank you so much for such a wonderful interview! I’m deeply honored to be a RITA finalist with such a wonderful lineup of authors.

I welcome the readers of this blog to visit me at my Web site, where I have a couple of contests running. One offers a chance to win an autographed copy of all three books, and one is a year-long contest with a chance to win an Amish-made quilt.

http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/

Susan Mae Warren Rita Interview!

1. Describe your RITA phone call.

The truth is, well, I had FORGOTTEN about the RITA. I’ve never finalled. Never even remotely thought I would final. So, there I am, reading my email, sipping coffee, sitting in my pajamas, and in comes a call. I see it’s RWA and think, uh oh, I forgot to pay my membership or something. Because WHY would they be calling me?


You could have pushed me over with a puff as the voice on the phone told me that Taming Rafe finalled in the RITA. In fact, I think I uttered an incredulous, “HUH? What?” Thankfully she repeated her news, slowly and clearly.

And then dancing started.

2. Tell us about the RITA book and why you think it stood out it the crowd.

Taming Rafe is about a bull-rider who finds himself at the bottom of his game, even his life. He’s lost everything and has made some pretty bad decisions. Into this mess walks Kat Breckenridge, a philanthropist who is trying to fill her deceased mother’s big, fashionable shoes. She’s got some mystery to her past that draws her to cowboys, but most of all, Rafe had decimated her latest charity event, and owes her big. As they sort out blame, and eventually come together with a game plan, they discover each one offers the other healing in ways they could never imagine. It’s a mulit-layered story, with a subplot romance, and a story within a story that illuminates the emotional plot of all the characters (and has it’s own plot). It was my most ambitious story to date, a challenge to write, and I loved it. I’m so thrilled that the RITA judges liked it!


3. How many books have you written?

Twenty-two, including novellas.

4. Do you have a favorite?

Oh boy – I love my first story, Happily Ever After – I wrote it from such a pure place, it’s still the story of my heart. And then there’s Everything’s Coming up Josey, my chick lit story – finally got to tell the truth about being a missionary. And then Rafe…well, who doesn’t like a cute Bull Rider?

5. Describe your writing process.

I’m a detailed plotter, plotting out the story, the subplots and even the epiphany. My character is pretty fleshed out when I start the first page. However, after that it gets really messy. I slap down the first draft without grammar or spell checking, just a download from my brain every day for a month or six weeks. At the end of the day, I simply save and crawl out of my mess of research books lying open around my writing chair. The next day, I crawl back in. I don’t cook. I don’t clean. I do shower. But my entire brain is on Book. My family calls it (kindly) being under my “Thought Blanket.” THEN, after the book is roughed out, I go back, chapter by chapter, adding in all the elements I’ve forgotten, as well as texture, and richer description. And then I go through again, smoothing it out and polishing it. THEN I print it, and read it, adding in final proofing or edits. By the time I turn it in, I’ve read it four times, at least.

6. When did you decide to become a writer and why Christian fiction?

I LOVE to write. I would rather write than eat (my children occasionally bring me food). And, I was a missionary for years, and I truly believe that the best stories engage the spiritual element in us. I love to stir up issues of the soul, and let the reader ponder them with the character, hopefully long after they put the book down. My hope is that my readers, regardless of their spiritual background, would see God at work in their lives, loving them, giving them grace, just as He works in the character’s life on the page.


7. Tell us about your next or upcoming projects.

I just finished a book called, “Here Comes Trouble.” It’s a novel about a girl who returns home after ten years to discover the mess she left behind. But she’s a different person now. Can a girl change her stripes in her own hometown? Or will she always be labeled Trouble? Funny, and romantic, with elements of mystery and suspense, it’s the first in the PJ Sugar series.

Do you have any advice for unpublished writers?

Yes – Read books in your genre, take notes, analyze, write, then continue the cycle….forever. *g*




Susan May Warren
award-winning author of...soul-stirring fiction
http://www.susanmaywarren.comsus/

Interview with Rita Finalist AMY WALLACE

Amy Wallace is a wife, homeschool mom of three, writer, speaker, Bible study leader, and avid chocoholic. She loves crafting high-action suspense that delves deep into heart issues, but who she really is can be summed up in a few short words: Amy is a daughter of the King learning to live and love with laughter. Amy is also the author of Ransomed Dreams and Healing Promises, books 1 and 2 of the Defenders of Hope series, a contributing author of God Answers Mom's Prayers, God Allows U-Turns for Teens, Chicken Soup for the Soul Healthy Living Series: Diabetes, and A Cup of Comfort for Expectant Moms.

Stop in for a taste of dark chocolate suspense at www.amywallace.com

1. Describe your RITA phone call.

Being a homeschool mom, I rarely answer the phone during school hours. So it was easy to ignore the first few times the same out-of-state area code popped up on Caller ID. After about five similar calls and no messages, I was sure the person calling was an annoying telemarketer. And I was ready to let them know what I thought about their pestering should they call again.

Well… they called again. And my terse greeting received a cheery answer from a very sweet lady with RWA. Once I realized this was no telemarketer, I was mortified. So I didn’t even hear what contest she was calling about.

Not too long after, I left for a writer’s meeting and shared my embarrassing phone call. A dear friend about fell out of her chair with excitement, “YOU are a RITA FINALIST! That is SO awesome!”

By that point, I was asking the Lord’s forgiveness for being rude on the phone and tearing up with thankfulness that even when I’m not listening or looking, God still finds ways to lavish His goodness on this undeserving child.

2. Tell us about the RITA book and why you think it stood out in the crowd.

To be a RITA finalist with my debut novel was a God kiss that my heart desperately needed. Physical challenges and painful circumstances of the previous two years had left me feeling broken and abandoned. But when I learned RANSOMED DREAMS was a finalist, I sensed God whisper to my heart that He sees. So for me, this honor was a gift God knew would encourage me to keep going. And it has.

RANSOMED DREAMS blurb:

Chained To Yesterday

When tragedy struck and Gracie Lang lost everything, her faith crumbled, and nothing but the drive for justice propelled her forward. But after two years of dead-end searching, the truth Gracie seeks is the very thing her stalker will stop at nothing to hide.

Forgiveness Unlocks the Future

An FBI agent in the Crimes Against Children Unit, Steven Kessler spends his days rescuing other people’s children and nights caring for his son. He’s through with God, embittered by his ex-wife who abandoned them both.

The Past Is the Key

A plot to kidnap a British ambassador’s daughter dangerously intersects Steven and Gracie’s worlds–a collision that demands a decision. But are they willing to pay the high ransom required to redeem dreams and reignite hope?

3. How many books have you written?

I’ve written three Defenders of Hope novels, and a fairytale for my kids which they think is “way cool.”

Stuffed into a file cabinet and a jump drive, I have two other novels and one novella which may someday see the light of day.

4. Do you have a favorite?

Tough question! If pressed to choose, I’d say RANSOMED DREAMS. Because in writing that story, I saw with my heart that God had indeed called me to write and would equip me for every step of this journey.

5. Describe your writing process.

My writing process has evolved from just sitting down to type in that blissful state of ignorance and excitement to doing fairly detailed chapter-by-chapter outlines and character sketches before I begin to write. Because the Defenders of Hope series is suspense focusing on Crimes Against Children FBI agents, I had tons of research to do before I began crafting the stories. Once my research helped me define the timeline, I set to work on the chapter-by-chapter and character details. I've found the outline and information about the characters incredibly helpful in keeping me on task with the story, not only the action plot, but also the development and depth of the characters.

6. When did you decide to become a writer and why Christian fiction?

I conceded to begin the writing journey when my husband and God teamed up and pushed me in that direction. I’ve always written and even won an award in fifth grade for a truly wretched first attempt at suspense. But the dream of writing for publication didn’t enter my mind until God plopped some novels in my lap and sent a dream that dogged my sleep. Then my husband took the initiative and scheduled an interview for me with a Secret Service agent he knew. After frenzied research, an amazing interview and watching these dream characters come to life, I was in it for the long haul because I'd found something I could put my whole heart into, something I'd been created to do.

Why Christian fiction? When I sat down to write the story that would become Ransomed Dreams, my heart’s desire was to portray real emotions and the struggles many believers face. It never crossed my mind not to write about God and His involvement in our lives through the vehicle of fiction. For that reason, I’m honored to be called a CBA author.

7. Tell us about your next or upcoming projects.

The second Defenders of Hope novel, HEALING PROMISES (April 2008), is about FBI Agent Clint Rollins who takes a bullet during a standoff, which might just save his life. But not even the ugly things he’s seen during his years working in the Crimes Against Children Unit could prepare him for the beast of cancer. As he continues to track down a serial kidnapper despite his illness, former investigations haunt his nightmares, pushing him beyond solving the case into risking his life and career. Clint struggles to believe God is still the God of miracles. Especially when he needs not one, but two. Everything in his life is reduced to one all-important question: Can God be trusted?

ENDURING JUSTICE is the third Defenders of Hope book releasing spring of 2009. Hanna Kessler’s childhood secret remained buried for decades. But when the shadows of her past threaten those she loves and the system fails FBI Agent Michael Parker—setting a white supremacist free—they must learn the difference between vengeance and justice is their choice to heal.

8. Do you have any advice for unpublished writers?

I’m a firm believer that God never wastes an experience or trial. So if we’re willing to be honest and open about where our lives have taken us—first with the Lord and then with others as He directs—there’s great potential for hope and healing and seeing the redemptive hand of God at work through us. In the writing realm, my mentor calls it “bleeding into your work.” A graphic but appropriate description. Oftentimes it feels exactly like it sounds.

Powerful words are born out of our willingness to embrace our experiences and allow God to use them for His good. And powerful words draw people into a place where they’re more open to hearing the Lord and letting Him heal their hearts. Those words give us an entrance into another’s soul.

So consider your story. Ask God to use it. He will.

There are people waiting to hear the words only you can uniquely share. And I pray that as you share, you’ll see that nothing in God’s loving and compassionate hands is ever, ever wasted.