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My guest today is Author Carolyne Aarsen, a longtime Love Inspired author and friend. She has chosen to write about the “silent strength” her mother demonstrated. Here’s Carolyne:

“I like writing about coming home to faith, community and love. And one of my favourite moments to put down on paper, is that time in the book when the heroine has to make a decision. And often a sacrifice that can portray a strength of character that she never had before. One of my inspirations for this moment is my own mother. For many years she took care of my father who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. As he lost mobility my mother bathed him, dressed, him and got him ready for the day. And when the day was over, she helped him get ready for bed. All of these things she did without any of us fully understanding the burden she carried. Because she never, ever said anything about it to us.

She never complained. After all, she told us later, this was her beloved husband who had done so much for her when he was physically able. When my father was hospitalized for so many years, she faithfully went, every day, to visit him and spend time with him. And often shave him, bathe him and clean up his room. Being the neat freak she was, she would sometimes even wash the floor! For my mother, that sacrifice was never a moment in the story, but a life-long commitment. An example to us, her children, of how love is expressed without words and an example of silent and faithful strength.”–Carolyne

Here is Carolyne’s latest Love Inspired romance.

“Rancher Kip Cosgrove promised his dying brother he’d take care of his motherless young twins. So when the boys’ estranged aunt shows up on the Cosgrove doorstep with a will and the law on her side, Kip digs in his boot heels. Nicole Williams is wonderful with the boys, but Kip is just as much their kin as she is. And until legal issues are settled, she’ll have to abide by his rules. Which means visiting the twins at the ranch. Seeing how much he loves the boys. How much they love him. And maybe…staying forever.”

If you’d like to read an excerpt or purchase this book, drop by
http://www.eharlequin.com/store.html?cid=236

My guest today is Author DeAnna Julie Dodson who is going to share her experience with writing a work for hire novel. Here’s DeAnna:

Do you live in a small town? Author Jill Elizabeth Nelson writes about small town lies. Do you think this story could happen in your town?

Secrets Buried Deep!

Evidence from a decades-old murder is the last thing Nicole Keller-Mattson expected to find in her grandmother’s back yard, but the finger-pointing and accusations leveled at her family came as no surprise. Everyone in Ellington is eager to blame the Kellers—but after an attack leaves Nicole’s grandmother in a coma, only Nicole can clear the family name. With the assistance of police chief Rich Hendricks, she stands a chance of solving the mystery . . . if she’s willing to accept Rich’s help. Nicole lost her policeman husband in the line of duty—getting close to another cop is too painful. But keeping her distance could be deadly.

WORDS FROM THE AUTHOR ABOUT LEGACY OF LIES:
I’ve always been fascinated by social dynamics in a small town. Having lived in rural communities all my life, I’m intimately familiar with the unique politics involved. Crafting a story about the shadow cast over a town by its founding family came readily to me. I was particularly interested to explore the affect past sins and secrets can have on a tight-knit community and how the illusion of power is always trumped by the immutable laws of God. We do reap what we sow, no matter how grand and invincible we imagine ourselves to be.

The scripture I used at the front of the book was Psalm 37: 10 – 11 from the NIV version of the Bible: A little while and the wicked will be no more; Though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. I comfort myself with these words quite often when I see the injustices in the world.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0373444087/jillelizabeth-20“target=”new”>CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BOOK NOW!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jill Elizabeth Nelson writes what she likes to read—tales of adventure seasoned with romance, humor, and faith, earning her the tagline: Endless Adventure, Timeless Truth. She was delightfully astonished this year to receive the prestigious Carol Award in the Short Contemporary Suspense category for her 2009 release, Evidence of Murder. Jill speaks regularly at conferences, writer’s groups, library associations, and civic and church groups. When teaching classes for writers, she thrills to bring the Ahah! moment to her students as they make a new skill their own. Jill and her husband live in rural Minnesota where they raised four children and are currently enjoying their first grandchild. Visit Jill on the web at http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com for book giveaways, excerpts, and information.

I lived most of my lives in cities over 90,000 population. Now I live in a small town. I don’t think I’m really experiencing small town life since I didn’t raise my children here or hold a job here. Do you think that makes a difference?

My guest today is Jeff Gerke, author, editor, publisher, and man who loves his wife. Here’s Jeff:

“My wife has been my biggest support through all the crazy things I’ve done during our marriage. She worked full-time as a teacher so I could go to seminary full-time and graduate more quickly. Then when I announced I thought God was leading me not into ministry but to write fiction, she was my first fan.

When I moved her hither and yon across the country–we’ve now lived in all four time zones in the Continental U.S.–she was there beside me. She was there when I lost the occasional job and when my novels failed to achieve sales success.

And when I launched my own small Christian publishing company, she was not only cheering me on but helping me do it. She took more of the load of raising our children when I was writing my fiction craft book for Writers Digest.

At every step of our journey, she has been my strongest supporter. And all of this is without mentioning the 26 hours of labor she went through to deliver our first child. Or the grief we went through when we suffered a miscarriage. Or the shock we endured upon learning that our son was autistic.

She has suffered physically, as well. She endured a painful injection in her knee so she could walk the Great Wall of China–and the steps of Zhengzhou–to adopt our little girl in 2009. She’s got near-herniated discs in her neck and cysts on her thyroid. She’s lost both her parents to cancer and has had to move away from all her family and old friends.

And yet she still gets up every morning and fights the good fight. She cares for our toddler and does homework with our son and attends our oldest daughter’s marching band competitions in the cold and rain. She cooks, cleans, shops–loves, cares, and perseveres.

She’s a strong woman, a heroine in her own right, and I don’t know where I’d be without her.”–Jeff Gerke

Jeff has also just had his first book by Writers Digest published

My guest today is Author Leann Harris who writes Love Inspired Suspense romances. Her next one is coming out in January 2011–which may sound a long way off. But it isn’t! Here’s Leann:

“It’s amazing the people God puts into our lives. I was blessed with a daughter who has been a strength and joy. She was such a determined child that all I could do was channel that energy into the correct path. She was one of those children on the first day of 1^st grade that didn’t cling to mom’s side, but she walked into the classroom, found the teacher, and asked if she needed any help.

I also tried very hard to discourage her from becoming a teacher, which I was, but she told me it was her life and butt out. But it was that strong determination that I believe saved my life.

I suffered a brain aneurism at the age of 45. A vessel in my brain burst, and I bled into my brain. That happened late in September. I had picked up our speaker for the local RWA chapter meeting at the airport, we had breakfast, and then went to the meeting. A suddenly and terrible headache hit me, and I ended up in the bathroom, throwing up. I was taken to the hospital and in there for months. If it could go wrong, it did.

One dark night, the doctors called my family into the waiting room and told them I had less than a fifty/fifty chance of making it through the night. It was more like 30/70 chances, not in my favor. My parents lost it and my husband was devastated. My daughter (19 at the time) refused to accept the verdict. She prayed and asked God not to take me. She needed her mother. Her faith was not shaken and she believed. That is a faith of the heart. I think she also carried the rest of the family through that dark time.

I’m truly awed at the power of prayer, and I think it was her faith that God honored.“–Leann

Thanks, Leann. Tell us a little about your January 2011 book, Second Chance Ranch.
Zachary McClure lost his leg while serving in Iraq. When he came home his dreams were shattered and faith shaken. Ex-army medic, Sophie Powell, knows how a horse can heal the wounded part of a soldier’s body and spirit. As Zach and Sophie work together, they find the faith in God they lost and the love they denied years ago. But is love enough to heal their wounded hearts?

I have a tender place in my heart for disabled veterans. My own dad lost an arm and a lung in France in WWII. But it didn’t stop him in any way. And evidently God had plans for you to write for Him!”–Lyn

Drop by Leann’s website for more info:
www.leannharris.com,