Talking Turkey

Hey!

Today I'm talking turkey over at the Love Inspired author's blog. Come on over and say hi!

Love Inspired--Guidelines and a Promise

Most of you know that I write books. Some know I write romance. Some know that I write books that have a faith element. I also write for Harlequin. Yep, that Harlequin.

I write category romances for Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. It's one of over thirty categories of romance that the company publishes. Why is this important? you might ask. And it's a good question. Here's why. Harlequin believes that with every book, they're making a promise to the reader. So, when you buy a Love Inspired book, for example, whether it's a romance or a romantic suspense, you know exactly what you're getting. A romance--two people's journey to love and faith through trials and troubles (murder and arson, if you're reading mine).

The exciting thing about writing these books is that within the parameters of the guidelines, the possibilities are endless. I like to write stories with characters who have walked the edge and sometimes fallen off. Characters who have seen what the world has to offer and know that they need something different. By God's grace and through His faithfulness in trying circumstances, they find love and life.

So if you see a Steeple Hill Love Inspired book on the shelves (and you can find them at Walmart or any major chain of bookstores) you should rest assured that if you pick one up, you've been promised a certain kind of story. One that you can share with your friends. One that you can leave lying on the coffee table and not be embarrassed. You won't have to worry when your 13yo daughter picks it up that she's going to get an "education" and not in a good way (ahem, not that that EVER happens at my house).

You will also, always, 100% of the time, get a happy ending.

Now here's my promise. I will always do my best, within the guidelines, to bring you an entertaining story that will touch your heart and make you think. That will remind you why you love your Lord or maybe why you need to get closer to Him. And I will always write a happy ending.

So there you have it. Harlequin's promise and mine.

The Gift of Free Reading

I got a new library card today. One of the benefits of moving to a new place is that they don't know you at the library. They don't know that you forget to bring books back, that you end up paying for lost books, or even that you wait for food drives for overdue fine forgiveness. Not that I'd ever do those things.

My daughter thought there might be some national library database and that when I showed the librarian my driver's license, red lights would flash and a siren would go off. Caused me a moment of trepidation.

But, all went without a hitch and I was able to check out a couple of books (for the same daughter that was making fun of me...talk about forgiveness). I actually went to the library to work, which I did, because it's quiet, unlike my favorite coffee shop. Best of all, it's full of books. And unlike most things today, they're still all free. (Well, unless you're me.)

The Kiss

He had just saved her from a fire in her house, rescuing her by carrying her out of the house into her front yard, while he continued to fight the fire.

She was pregnant.

When he finally got done putting the fire out, he sat down to catch his breath and rest.

A photographer from the "The Observer," noticed her in the distance looking at the fireman.

He saw her walking straight toward the fireman and wondered what she was going to do.

As he raised his camera, she came up to the tired man who had saved her life and the lives of her babies, and kissed him, just as the photographer snapped this photograph.



I love this picture!! (Original source: www.lablaughs.com)

Vive la France

My daughter has been working on a geography project...you know, project just doesn't seem to convey what she's been doing. Let's call it an opus. It's one month--a study of one country. Thankfully she picked a country I knew something about because this thing has been in depth! She's had a great time learning about France (when she wasn't complaining about it) and I've had fun filling her in on some of my favorite things about a country that I've been in love with since I was her age.

This week, her project was to make a recipe from the country she's been studying. Well, I ate while in France when I lived there for that one magnificent quarter, but I was a poor college student. I ate a lot of baguettes and cheese. So, we made one of my favorite cafe meals--a staple of my life in Paris: a croque madame. It's basically a ham and cheese sandwich, but with grilled sourdough bread, tangy gruyere cheese and a fried egg on top.

Try it. And as you bite into the first chewy, crunchy, cheesy mouthful, imagine yourself nineteen, in the City of Lights, walking where the Romans walked and seeing some of the most amazing art in history.

Check out this recipe from the Food Network. And this photo of Paris when I was there last year. It really is the most incredible city. Oh, and my daughter thinks this project won't be complete without a trip to the Loire valley to see the chateaux in person. I wish.

Real Life Conversations

Me: Sorry if I've been a little cranky. Between my shoulder hurting and this deadline I've been feeling a little grumpy.

Daughter: Don't forget you had PMS last week, too.

Me: Yeah, thanks. We wouldn't want to forget that.

My BFF

Sometimes I think my tombstone will say "her slow cooker was her best friend." I have to admit...I love the thing, especially when I'm on deadline like I am now. It saves time, to be sure, but it also saves me headaches. When food is in the slow cooker, I have an answer to the daily question from my husband, "What's for dinner?" When food is in the slow-cooker, I'm not as stressed in that crucial crunch time of running kids to activities, picking them up, doing homework, etc, especially when I'm on a deadline.

My favorite recipe is one that my friend Catherine Mann shared years ago when I was asking how she managed to write and raise four kids. (The slow cooker is her BFF, too). Boneless chicken breasts, a packet of Hidden Valley Italian Dressing Mix and 1/2 cup of water. Cook all day and serve over noodles or rice. If I'm feeling particularly enterprising, I might add some frozen vegetables to the mix. Usually not.

I've been using my slow cooker a lot lately (Have I mentioned that deadline?) so I could definitely use some new inspiration. Anyone have any great recipes to share?