The Homestead Heart subscription

Deeply Devoted - Christmas Giveaway

2011-12-10T08:01:00.000-08:00

Our friend and beloved author of the Heart of the West series has a wonderful new book recently released: Deeply Devoted. She's sharing about a fabulous giveaway by her publisher, Revell Publishing. I'll let Maggie tell you more...

Well hello y'all,

I promised you a Christmas Giveaway that you just couldn't refuse!!

I’m excited to announce the launch of an incredible promotion from my publisher, Revell, in celebration of Deeply Devoted. The prizes are amazing: A $250 Bed & Breakfast Date Night, a 21-piece Blue Willow china set, or a gourmet Italian feast fit for a king (or queen!) Wouldn’t one of these prizes be the perfect way to start the New Year?

To enter the giveaway, go here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maggie-Brendan/209545385783344?sk=app_28134323652.

The link is also on the sidebar on the left of my facebook author page as well.

Don't forget to savor the meaning of Christmas admist the shopping, decorating, etc. Slow down and take time to enjoy the free gift of God's incredible gift--the reason for our celebration.

Blessings,

To enter the giveaway, go here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maggie-Brendan/209545385783344?sk=app_28134323652.

Thanks Maggie and Revell Publishing, for dropping by to tell us about this incredible contest!

To learn more about Maggie and all of her books visit her website and blog.

Both are listed on her author page on Facebook.

Author Janice Thompson on Writing and a Giveaway of Her Book: Fools Rush In

2010-09-25T00:08:00.000-07:00

We have a great guest visiting today!

Author and writing teacher, Janice Thompson joins us to chat about writing and a little about grandkids.

Janice, you are one BUSY lady with online courses, webinars on writing, your own editing business and writing. You've written a lot of books, tell us what genres you've written and how many you've published/contracted.

Yes, I’ve written a lot of books! I’ll be signing a contract soon for book #62. Seems crazy, especially in light of the fact that my first book wasn’t published until 1999. I write in multiple genres: contemporary romance, romantic comedy, historical, historical romance, cozy mystery, suspense/thriller, non-fiction self-help, non-fiction devotion.

Any genre you enjoy writing most?

Those who’ve read my most recent novels know I’m particularly tickled to write romantic comedy. This dates back to my days as a playwright. All of my stage plays are comedies. (There’s no greater reward for a writer than to listen to an audience roar with laughter at something you’ve written.)

Who was a favorite character you've written?

Ack. What a tough question. I love Aunt Rosa in the “Weddings by Bella” series, but I think I love Grandma Lenora even more. She’s the grandmother character in my upcoming “Backstage Pass” series from Revell. She’s an aging Hollywood star who’s stuck in the 1950’s.

I really want to take a moment here and highlight this, I think so many readers of this blog would also like to become writers but don’t know where to begin…Janice, you're very active in teaching ACFW's online courses, having free fiction writing webinars, and providing online courses for fiction writing. Please share with us more about what you offer in your online courses.

Thanks for asking. I’ve always been a teacher at heart. Back in the ‘90s, I taught drama and creative writing at a school of the arts. I also homeschooled my four girls and seven other students, as well. And yes, I’m active in the ACFW course loop. I’ve had such a blast helping other writers learn the craft.

Because I feel called to teach (and because so many writers come to me with the same questions/issues) I decided it would be easier to come up with actual lessons. Sending a lesson is much easier than repeating the same information over and over again!

I started with a course called “Becoming a Successful Freelance Writer.” It’s all about earning money with your writing. Each of the ten lessons in that course will become its own course. I’ve just completed the “Fiction Writing Master Course,” which I believe to be one of the most comprehensive, affordable courses available to fiction writers today.

To learn more about both courses, go to www.freelancewritingcourses.com.

Thank you, Janice. I’ve been there and there are several courses I’d love to take.

What would you say to the person visiting with us now who feels she has a book in her but doesn't know where to start, never written anything that wasn't a school assignment?

Learn the craft. I see far too many people dive in and write the book, not knowing the acceptable manuscript forms and writing styles. Learn, learn, learn. Then take what you’ve learned and apply it to what you’re writing. If you’re serious about selling that manuscript, figure out how to write a solid proposal.

Spend time checking and re-checking your manuscript for common problems like passive writing, and make sure you have a clear understanding of POV (point of view). I’ve seen more fiction writers shoot themselves in the foot because of POV than anything else.

What advice would you give a novice writer? What sort of support systems would you recommend also?

I would encourage you to do several things: join a local writing group, if you can find one. Get in a critique group. If you can’t find one, then join ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and asked to be put in an online group. Be willing to accept critique, both from critique partners and from editors and agents. Go to conferences if you can afford them. There, you will meet like-minded writers and others in the business. Finally, consider signing up for my online courses. As I said above, they are both comprehensive and affordable.

How can we find out more about your books and you as an author?

Easy! You’ll find me on the web at www.janiceathompson.com. I’m also on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jhannathompson

How can we find out more about your online courses and where can we go to see when classes are starting?

The classes are audio/video driven and are a “work at your own pace” style, so they’re always available. Check out the information at www.freelancewritingcourses.com. For more on the fiction course, go here: http://www.freelancewritingcourses.com/category/fiction-writing

For more on the “Becoming a Successful Freelance Writer” go here: http://www.freelancewritingcourses.com/becoming-a-successful-freelance-writer

Any question(s) you wished I'd asked that I didn't?

You didn’t ask about my grandbabies!

Oh my goodness! That would be the best part of our interview! Please do tell us about your little sweeties!

I have six beautiful grandchildren: Madysen Lynae (3), Avery Rae (2), Peyton Renae (2), Ethan Ames (18 months), Boston Craig (four months) and Brooke Ryleigh (three weeks). Can you imagine six grandbabies, all in this age group? They’re precious and I love each and every one!

Thank you so much the visit and the writing advice and sharing where we can take your writing courses! And, thank you that you’ve kept them so affordable!

Janice is giving away a copy of her book:

Fools Rush In

Book one in the Weddings by Bella series

Visit Janice's blog to look over her Books page.

Come back here and tell us what

top 3 titles sound like an great read to you.

Don’t forget to leave your email address in this format: YourName[at]whatever[dot]com

This giveaway ends Oct 31, 2010

Follow Pete Wilson Friday!

2010-09-24T00:03:00.000-07:00

Well, we have to have a little fun to cap off the work week (especially after my long absence from you all--have you forgiven me yet?) Before we do, I want you to know I'm reading and going through a study in Pete Wilson's book PLAN B. I got the book in exchange for a review, but this thing is so GOOD that I couldn't help but to go through the study.

Let me just take a brief moment here to tell you this--life can go haywire crazy, hopes can shatter like glass, and dreams can remain way off in the distance. Out of reach. And sometimes, the way we think things should have been come back to us and haunt us. The What Ifs and the Whys become loud clashing cymbals and drown out everything else. And God can seem so far away. But He's not. The Plan didn't fall apart, even if you feel like you have. I highly recommend PLAN B for anyone facing life with big questions and huge disappointments.

Plan B

Pete Wilson

Available Now!

Okay, back to the fun--I saw this video on Pastor Pete's blog Without Wax--if you haven't visited Pete Wilson's Without Wax blog, you're missing out!

So, back to the video--which was actually from last weeks posts on Without Wax. Pete had a competition with his lovely bride, Brandi, to see who could hold their breath the longest. Silly, I know, but fun and so funny my stomach hurt from laughing so much.

We're a little late, but after you watch the video, click over to Pete's blog and answer the question he asked on his post. Com'n, let's go visit Pete! While we're there, let's check out the latest series there at Cross Point Church: Empty Promises. There are a few vids to check out on that and you can watch the Sunday message feeds. Click here: http://www.WithoutWax.tv

Enjoy your weekend!

Special Guest - Carman Boley talks about her Christian Book Giveaways blog (and a GIVEAWAY!)

2010-09-22T00:04:00.000-07:00

Some of you know our guest, Carman Boley, very well from her blog Christian Book Giveaways.

But for those of you who don't, you'll want to get to know her very well, especially if you enjoy reading Christian fiction!

Carman is not a writer yet, but she does something fabulous for readers and authors and we thought you'd love to know about it.

Carman, you have a wonderful free service you provide to authors ~ please tell us about it.

On my first blog, A Sequence of Continuous Delights http://continuousdelights.blogspot.com/, I host author interviews and giveaways featuring one or more of the author’s books. It mainly helps get the word out about a new release and generate excitement about reading the book. I also do reviewing, which (I hope) is helpful to both readers and writers.

On my second blog, Christian Book Giveaways http://christianbookgiveaways.blogspot.com/, I post about giveaways that other people are having on their blog. This creates a site dedicated to helping readers find giveaways that interest them. This also helps bloggers get more traffic, and author’s books get more exposure.

It's wonderful! I know so many authors and readers appreciate what you're doing. So, how and why did you get into doing this?

It all started when I got a facebook. Weird, I know, but it’s true. I was really excited when I found out that a lot of my favorite authors were on facebook, so I added as many of them as I could to my friend list. On day I got an email from Jenny B. Jones asking if I would like to review her next two books that were about to be released. Needless to say, I was ecstatic.

I kept on reviewing and posting my reviews on places like amazon, borders, Shelfari, and other places like those. But, a few authors said that they couldn’t send a person a book, unless they had a blog to post their review on. That stunk but I still didn’t want to get a blog. (It seemed like way too much work and I was a little overwhelmed by the idea.) But then, I heard from Julie Lessman that you had to have a blog to review one of her books. Well, that sealed the deal for me. I had my first blog (SCD) set up by the end of the day.

For my other blog, CBG, it got started when I found the site, Sweepstakes & Contest List Directory http://theblackcell.com/blogs/. I loved the idea of the site, and I would go everyday and see the book giveaways going on at the time. But, I grew tired of sifting through those giveaways trying to find ones with Christian books. Not to mention the book covers of some of the books were not things I should be looking at. I thought it would be nice to make a place that dedicated itself to Christian giveaways. Then people could go there and find good books without having to mess with all the other ones. Now, I’m posting around 45-60 giveaways a month on my site with more coming all the time.

Tell us about the type of books you enjoy reading.

Mainly I like to read romance. I’m a romantic at heart and love Jane Austen, and the Christian fiction romance authors. I try to avoid reading secular fiction, and only read things that I don’t have to feel guilty about later. :) Also, I’ve lately tried to add in more non-fiction books to my regular every-day reading. They might not be the most FUN things to read, but they are important and they can help us to grow in Christ.

What was the most recent book you read that you'd highly recommend to others?
Hmmm… let me think. That would be “So Over It” by Stephanie Morrill. Actually that whole series is amazing. I know it is a teen’s story, but the lessons in it are truly uplifting and inspiring for all ages.

What's in your 'To Be Read' pile?

Oh gosh. More than I can count! LOL. I have around 400-500 books on my TBR list, but in the little pile I keep near me at all times… I have Angel Song (Walsh and Cushman), Heartless (Stengl), City of the Dead (Higley), and The Fruitful Life (Bridges). All of these authors are new to me, but I’m looking forward to reading them!

Have you ever thought about writing books? If so, what types of stories would you write?

My mom thinks I should write, but I’ve never wanted to. However, if that is what God wants me to do, then I’ll gladly try, because I know that if He calls me to do it, He’ll equip me for it. :) I would probably write CF romance novels. As to the time periods… anything really. I love learning/reading about any time period from ancient history to contemporary. (The funny thing is that I HATE learning history from a schoolbook, but I love reading about it in a historical fiction setting.)

Where can we visit your site on giveaways? Do you have a subscriber signup--for email notices of new giveaways posted, so we don't miss any?

Here is the link to my blog, CBG: http://christianbookgiveaways.blogspot.com/

Yes, I have that option for readers on both of my blogs. That really is the best thing, in my opinion, because that way if you forget or don’t have time to go to my blog to search for giveaways, you don’t have to. You’ll get an email with all the latest giveaways listed right in your inbox. The place where you enter your email address is in my blog’s sidebar.

A few fun things about Carman:

Favorite dessert
Um, just about anything with sugar. :P I’m a confirmed sugar addict. But, one of my favorite every-day desserts is homemade whipped cream with strawberries. YUM. It is fantastic.

Someplace, anyplace in the world you'd love to visit?
I’ve *always* wanted to go to Europe. See all the old places that I’ve read about, the palaces, the history, the people’s ACCENTS! It sounds wonderful. But, I’ve been very blessed with lots of family vacations and have seen many beautiful places.

Favorite music:
Just about anything. I like praise music, Christian rock, rap, dance music (gotta love that dance music), and, yes, even a few country songs. ;)

Authors you'd love to meet:

Too many to count!

Here are my favorite authors and I would just about faint from excitement if I got to meet any of them (listed in no particular order):

Michelle Sutton, Julie Lessman, Jenny B. Jones, Mary Connealy, Deeanne Gist, Jill Williamson, Roseanna White, Sarah Sundin, Susan May Warren, Erynn Mangum, Sharon Gillenwater, MaryLu Tyndall, Denise Hunter, Janice Thompson, Linore Rose Burkard, Cathy Marie Hake, Tracie Peterson, and Lynn Austin.

Also, I think it would be so fun to get to meet my fellow bloggers. I love all you guys!

Wow! That's quite a list of incredible authors! Carman, we loved having you and hope you'll join us again!

Thanks so much for having me Tina! It’s been fun. :D

You can get on Carman's email list to be

notified of upcoming interviews and giveaways.

Just sign up in the sidebar of her blogs.

Well, she may not be an author (yet!), but we've got...

a giveaway!

Speaking of Cathy Marie Hake

as one of Carman's favorite authors,

we'll giveaway a copy of...

Texas Brides

Cathy Marie Hake

Go to one of Carman's blogs and from one of the books/author's she has listed, let us know what book sounds like a good read to you. Leave your answer here, along with your email addy.

This giveaway ends October 31, 2010

Now, please go back to Carman's blog and check out

some of those other interviews and giveaways!

My Come to Jesus Moment by Billy Coffey

2010-09-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Well, if you've been making yourself at home here, then you already know our guest is no guest at all. He's family.

That's because his writing comes straight from his heart to ours. And it's a God-given gift--his talent to tell a good story.

But before we head over there, I just want to take a moment to share the great news that Billy's book, SNOW DAY, is releasing SOON! So, head over to your favorite book store and reserve your copy, and be sure to tell a friend. And order a copy from your library and ask them if they'd display it on their front shelf of featured books. (THANK YOU!!!)

Snow Day

by Billy Coffey

Available: October 11, 2010!

The following is another favorite excerpt of mine. Billy's testimony. Loved it. I know you will too...

My Come to Jesus Moment...by Billy Coffey

You do stupid things when you’re seventeen. Things that maybe don’t make much sense later, but certainly do at the moment. It’s a scary age. You stand right on the pivot point of your life, teetering and tottering between the child you were and the adult you want to become. You try to find your balance, but more often just stumble and fall.

At seventeen, I stumbled and fell.

I referenced Allison in a post on What I Learned Today and the events surrounding her then-anonymous letter to me, and I alluded to what I considered at the time to be a one-way trip into the mountains above my town. At the time, I wrote only what I had to in order to put the rest of the story in perspective. But since so many of you wanted to know how I came to Christ, I’m going to do that right now.

Here’s the part I didn’t tell.

The sad thing about high school is that everyone from teachers to guidance counselors expects you to be able to plan the rest of your life. That’s just not possible. Being a senior in high school is all about living in the moment. The now. It’s enjoying what you have because you’ve realized you won’t have it much longer.

Me, I enjoyed my senior year for that very reason. I was leaving. Headed for either college or some major league farm system. So while my classmates crammed and studied and stressed over SATs, me and my motley crew of friends partied, fought, and chased girls. Looking back, I was being stupid. But at the time?

Oh, it was magical.

But it’s usually when we manage to convince ourselves that we have the world on a string that the string breaks. Mine broke during the sixth inning of a baseball game. Not slowly, mind you. I didn’t hear it tighten, didn’t hear it strain. There was just one clean, violent snap.

My future was there, then it was not.

Then there was nothing.

Men define themselves by what they do. It’s one of the first questions we’ll ask when meeting another man for the first time. “What do you do for a living?” we’ll ask. Me, I was always going to answer “Ballplayer” to that question. That was all I had. All I was.

I was an awkward teenager. Never confident, never truly happy. But when I stepped between those lines I was both. It was the one thing in my life that brought me joy.

Also the one thing God took away.

.............................................................

It's just gets better friends.

Let's head over to Billy's blog porch to hear the rest.

Click this link to meet me there: http://www.BillyCoffey.com

Crazy Monday Recipe ~ Steak Pita Wrap

2010-09-20T00:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, this one has been on the list to share with you for a couple of months! But, you know how crazy life can get and I'm just re-entering my writing life again (YAY!)

There's so much to share with you, but we'll just ease into it all. So today, we're starting with our Crazy Monday Recipe and it's sooooo goooood!

And EASY-peasy!

You need leftover steak (ha, like there'd be any!) or any kind of leftover meat--hot or cold, baby spring greens salad mix, blue cheese or ranch dressing or tzatziki sauce (the Greek sauce with Greek yogurt and cucumber), and pita or, my preference, garlic Naan bread (it's Indian bread).

That's it!

1) Cut left over meat into bite sizes.

2) Baby spring greens salad mix

3) Dressing/sauce of your choice

4) Naan bread (or pita, but not as good as the break from India)

Stack it, give thanks to the One who provided for it, eat, enjoy!

You'll need a napkin. Aw, go ahead, just lick your fingers, I won't tell.

Yum! Did I say YUM? I'll say it again, YUM!

What about you?

Tell us how you make your favorite sandwich.

P.S. - Stop by tomorrow and we'll hop over to Billy's porch for a great story!

This week's line up

2010-09-18T17:19:00.000-07:00

How have you been?

I'm just popping in to tell you about the things going on this week, so come, make yourselves comfortable.

The weather has cooled - I'm welcoming my favorite season: AUTUMN!

Monday--on Crazy Monday Recipes we'll have a quick and easy steak pita sandwich.

Tuesday--we're getting our much needed dose of Billy Coffey.

Wednesday--we have a special guest, Miss Carman Boley, to tell us about her very popular blog Christian Book Giveaways.

Thursday--I'm praying, Chapter 7 of Love's Gamble (hope with me on this!) I didn't realize I've got a whole chunk missing from the last part of the chapter, the only thing there? Just the unintelligible scrawlings of my rambling mind.

Friday--we'll laugh with Pete Wilson on a video he and his lovely Mrs., Brandi Wilson, did--then go visit him at Without Wax.

Saturday--we'll enjoy some time with author Janice Thompson and learn about how you can become a writer too.

So there ya have it!

I also have a surprise, but I'm waiting for the okay to share it. I will, as soon as I get the go-ahead. (No, I wasn't offered a contract with a publisher...I wish!)

Have a blessed week!

See you Monday!

Author Erin Rainwater - Giveaway of Refining Fires

2010-07-28T00:02:00.000-07:00

Sit back and relax was we visit today with author Erin Rainwater. Erin's here to chat about her book, Refining Fires. So, grab your cuppa and let's enjoy some time with Erin.

[Also, a quick editorial note: I don't know what has happened, but my blog has a mind of its own today, the formatting is doing something crazy, so please excuse the post's messiness! Goodness!]

--Refining Fires - Fires is plural. Could you tell us why?

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. This quote from Isaiah begins the book. Each of the characters in these three stories goes through a refining process. The hero of the stories is Peter Cochran, and his fiery process is literal as well as figurative. So the title of the first part of the book, which deals with him and his nurse Clare, is “Refining Fire” (singular). But the nurse, the little girl, and the woman of questionable repute all undergo some type of refinement and redemption. Thus the plural Fires captures all of their trials.

Questions for Refining Fires' hero - Peter

--Peter, could you tell us about yourself, your injury and how you got it, what struggles you're facing?

There was a time that seems not so long ago when I never would’ve answered your questions, Tina, and in fact would’ve told you what you could do with them. But my world is different now, thanks be to God and the gift He sent me.

I was born into a Christian home but wandered from those roots. I had money and good looks, so doors of worldly opportunity were wide open to me, and I went through them. Yet I remained in the family business and took it over when my father died. I served in the Korean War, and on my last day there, the plane that was bringing me home crashed. After many months in the hospital, I returned home badly scarred in more ways than one.

Bitterness reigned in my soul. My only friend was my butler, Leopold, who remained loyal despite my acrimony. I rarely left the sanctum of my home. Why should I, only to face all the wide-eyed children and the wincing parents who’d grab their kids by the collar and steer them clear of me? And I steered clear of God. Four years after the crash is when Clare entered my life.

--In the story, Peter, we find out that Clare is a VA nurse--how does she come to work for you and what challenges did you face early on?

I look back and wonder sometimes if God allowed the unfair circumstances in Clare’s life just so she’d be desperate enough to accept the job as my live-in nurse. It pains me to think so, but she sure had to be desperate—homeless and penniless—to put up with me. She had cared for soldiers as an Army nurse during the war and veterans at the VA, but all put together they didn’t equal the challenge I presented. But my anger was no match for her chicanery in getting me to hire her after I’d already had her thrown out. No match for her tenacity. Nor for those emerald eyes of hers. Nor her laugh. Nor her…but I digress. Suffice it to say, Clare resurrected my long-lost sense of humor, along with the courage I’d need to define myself as a man. But the biggest challenge I faced with her was learning the meaning of what it is to love sacrificially.

--What was your first impression of her?

My first impression was tainted by my bitterness, and I did not want to hire her or to like her. I even tried sabotage, and had her thrown out, but her fight for fairness moved me in ways I hadn’t counted on. I couldn’t get her out of my mind. To this day I don’t know what would’ve become of me if she hadn’t tricked me into hiring her.

Now, back to Erin:

--Erin, tell us about the how the three stories in this book are connected.

The first story, “Refining Fire,” is about a former Army nurse who is just desperate enough to take on the most horrible patient any nurse could ask for—Peter Cochran, a bitter and disfigured veteran. But her faith and determination combine to elicit renewed life from his damaged body while evoking a raw yearning in his damaged soul. In “Blind Courage” you’ll meet a frightened young girl name Susannah whose mother is very ill and there is no one to save her but Susannah. At first you’ll see no connection to the first story, but be patient. Susannah crosses paths with a man who has suffered his own fiery trials and who offers her help with her refining process. Then you’ll meet the “Kept Woman.” Oh, she’s a prickly one, all right, and refining her is no easy task. But a little girl and a man well familiar with God’s grace show her a different path than the one she’s on that leads to self-destruction.

--How long did it take to write the entire book?

Considering I wrote a form of the middle story, “Blind Courage,” as an English assignment in the eighth grade, I guess you could say it took me about forty-six years. Then it was a short story, and I got an A. Unlike most grade school work, which is forgotten once handed in, I never did get the story of this little girl out of my mind. I wrote the story of Peter and Clare in my thoughts over the course of a couple of years, and got the insane notion of combining the stories into one, which obviously necessitated reworking “Blind Courage.” The idea for “Kept Woman” came last, and I wrote that fairly quickly, deciding to make it a part of what became a sort of trilogy.

--What do you hope your readers will 'take away' from reading Refining Fires?

The fact that God’s unfathomable love takes many forms, and sometimes takes the form of discipline. Peter learned that what God allowed in his life was an act of love, impeding his progress toward that which would have been ruinous to him. Sometimes His love takes the form of a test, asking us to prove our faith is genuine. But the Refiner’s hand is always on us, regardless of how circumstances may appear. And He always provides the courage and tools we need to persevere and come out refined.

--What other books have you written? Can you tell us a little about them?

I published two historical love stories via POD, both of which I’m thrilled to say readers are loving. The first is True Colors, a Civil War-set romance/adventure, a scene from which is being translated onto the theater stage this fall:

Cassie Golden feels called to leave her safe but lonely Pennsylvania farm to tend the Union wounded in Alexandria, Virginia. Love and conspiratorial intrigue enter her life there, both arriving in the form of an intelligence officer, Major Michael Byron. When duty sends him away, Cassie becomes unwittingly enmeshed in a mosaic of espionage, kidnapping, imprisonment and murder. Their unanticipated reunion only creates a chasm between them as sweeping as the one dividing the nation. Only the truth can bridge such a chasm. And truth is in short supply.

The other story, The Arrow That Flieth By Day, picks up just after the ending of True Colors, and takes place in Colorado:

Mandy Berringer is on the last leg of a homebound journey to Denver when a mistaken accusation by Indian warriors diverts the course of her life. Believed dead by her family, Mandy will do anything to get home. But a disabling accident, an epidemic, an unexpected love and a tragic loss prolong her separation from her family until she is finally reunited with them—only to be devastated by what she finds. The man she loves undergoes crushing trials of his own, and their search for each other leads them on separate journeys into new tests of faith and enduring love.

--Where can readers find you on the internet?

My web page is www.erinrainwater.com

Erin Rainwater in the spotlight:

--What's your favorite book and why is it?

To Kill A Mockingbird. I love Scout, her pluck, her curiosity, and even her wisdom. The plot is so powerful, yet there’s humor, and overall it’s heartwarming. But mostly I love the story because my father was an attorney like Atticus Finch—honest, intelligent, a lover of his children. He died when I was two, so I saw in Atticus a picture of my father. Gregory Peck played him in the movie, and I’ve been in love with him ever since. So is Clare in Refining Fires.

--What's your favorite breakfast?

Anything served in bed. Just not runny eggs.

--Who from present or history would you like to spend an afternoon with and why?

First and foremost Jesus, of course. But assuming you mean besides Him, I’d pick Abraham Lincoln. I’ve read a lot about him and all things Civil War related, and I am fascinated by his humility, his sense of responsibility, his wisdom and his wit despite the incredible power he held and the immense burden he bore.

--Do you have any pets?

I love animals, but I’ve had a dog that died at the age of six, two cats that went missing, and two ferrets that also died. I determined to never again own a pet because it’s just too hard to lose them.

To win a copy of Erin's book, please visit her site to find the answer to her question, then return here and leave your answer and your email address (email[at]whatever[dot]com format) in a comment.

Erin, thank you for being our guest today and for the opportunity for one of our readers to win a copy of Refining Fires.

Here's Erin's question for you:

There is a scene in my novel True Colors where the hero, Michael Byron, must decide whether to remain at his present position or answer a deeper calling that would take him away from his love, Cassie. What real-life scenario is part of that scene based on?

Crazy Monday Recipe ~ The Best Crunchy Golden Onion Rings!

2010-07-26T02:29:00.000-07:00

Okay, I must confess...I had been craving crunchy onion rings for over a week. Yes, I lasted a week before going online and searching for a recipe that would make its new home in my little wooden recipe box, and I found it!

I won't give you the original recipe (you can visit FoodWishes.com for that--ohhhh, and it's worth it!), but I will tell you what I substituted because I didn't have those few original ingredients:

I didn't have club soda, so I used diet Sierra Mist (I said I had to improvise, LOL). The second substitution was Italian bread crumbs for the Panko bread crumbs.

What can I say? I just don't use Panko very often. Other than that, all ingredients and measurements remained the same.

So, I'll give you the link to the original recipe, courtesy of FoodWishes.com, but what I will give you now is the video of the yummy goodness of this great recipe. Even my husband, who hates onions, likes these. A lot!

FoodWishes.com ~ LOVE YA!

Ranch or Blue Cheese dressing makes a great dip for these onion rings. Mmmm....

This delicious recipe

and

pretty pics

courtesy of

FoodWishes.com

Go visit them!

So many yummy things there!

Crazy Monday Recipe ~ Lil Tiger's Pasta Salad

2010-07-20T02:13:00.000-07:00

Oh my! How's your Tuesday?

I'm a little late on posting our Crazy Monday Recipe, but here it is! This is a versatile pasta salad, so feel free to change it up if you don't have all the ingredients on hand. After all, how can you go wrong/mess up pasta salad?

And if you do mess up, eat the evidence. Go ahead, I won't tell.

So kick off your shoes and stay awhile (you know I've missed ya lately!) And while we're visiting, I'm excited to tell you about a few interviews we have coming up in the next few days and coming weeks...authors Erin Rainwater, Julie Carobini (she's cuter than the smile on a ladybug!), and my good friend who is also one of my favorite authors, Vickie McDonough. Also, coming soon is THE Ms. Lena Nelson Dooley (we love this lady--yes we do!), Maggie Brendan--you already love her books.

And we'll also visit with our cyber pastor (yes, he is a real guy, LOL) Pastor Pete Wilson (we love his blog Without Wax)--we'll chat with him about his new book PLAN B. I'm reading, and soooo needing, this book--I think you'll find it very insightful as well.

We'll also chat with musician Nate Fowler who'll join us in the next couple of weeks.

Sounds like a lot, but there's more! If you're not subscribed to The Homestead Heart via the Feedburner, sign up now (located at the top of the sidebar on this page, just under the pic of the pool). Don't forget to verify your subscription when Feedburner sends you the email to do so--it's important to completing the subscription process.

Back to our main topic for today - FOOD!

We're calling this Lil Tiger's Pasta Salad, because that little guy is just crazy about it.

Lil Tiger's Pasta Salad

Shopping List and Directions

Cooked ingredients:

- Olive oil, 1/3 cup

- Garlic, 1 head ~ 8 cloves thinly sliced

- Large Black Olives, 2 cans ~ sliced or cut into halves

- Marinated Artichoke hearts, 2 jars (small) ~ half or 1/3 cut each (even though they're cut already, still cut down--like the picture to the right, that baby cut lengthwise would be just the right size)

- Hearts of Palm, 1 can ~ sliced a little thick

- Pasta, cooked al dente

Add-later ingredients (close to time of serving and when pasta is not hot or warm):

- Parmesan, sprinkle kind

- Hard Salami--optional, diced small (or cut in thick slices then cut again into fourths)

- Gruyere cheese (if you don't use salami or gruyere, I recommend a good amount of Parmesan cheese--who doesn't love cheese?)

- Parseley, freshly chopped

Add at-last-minute ingredients:

- Toasted pine nuts, a lot (I only use Costco's pine nuts, nothing compares and they keep in the freezer for a loooong time)

Directions:

1) Heat all olive oil on low in a large, deep frying pan, nonstick if possible.

2) Add sliced garlic and slow cook for about 10 minutes, watch to make sure it doesn't burn. Once garlic is cooked to soft, go proceed to # 3).

3) Add all the cooking ingredients (cooking ingred ONLY), including marinade from at least one jar of artichoke hearts (but not the hearts of palm juice)

4) Saute on low for about 10-15 minutes (you want ingredients to be hot).

5) While sauteing ingredients, cook pasta to al dente, and drain. Run cold water over the noodles, set aside to let drain more.

6) Depending on if you want your pasta salad hot or cold:

a) Hot/warm - don't run cold water over pasta, but put in a large serving bowl, add hot ingredients from frying pan. Toss, then add fresh chopped parsley, salami and approx. 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and toss again. Sprinkle with chunks of white cheese (but if you add it too soon, it may melt) Add pine nuts only to the top, because they tumble down to the bottom when you toss them in, they'll work their way down as folks serve themselves. Or you can have them on the side, already toasted and folks can add their own.

b) Cold - Cool pasta, cool ingredients in the pan, then toss together in a large bowl. Add chopped parsley, Parmesan cheese, salami, and white cheese and then toss again. Toasted pine nuts on the side (or a few sprinkled on for looks).

Enjoy at a picnic, potluck, or
tucked away in the coat closet
as you shamefully eat your 3rd serving
out of sight of family and friends!

What? Works for me!

Writing Naked ~ Guest Post by Billy Coffey

2010-07-06T00:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday!

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILLY!!!

I'm always glad to have Billy drop by and share with us, and I enjoy visiting his blog, love his writing.

You know, there has been a lot going on in life for me and it's taken me away from writing (case in point - how long have you been waiting for chapter 7 of Love's Gamble? LOL.)

I'm so thankful for your patience, & your encouragement, & absolutely grateful for your prayers!)

Many thanks to Billy for the privilege of a visit with him & inviting us to his blog for the rest of the story--this has given me a much needed rest and several moments to catch my breath.

Here's Billy, we'll hop over to his blog porch --or you can race me there now and grab the porch swing...I'll leave that up to you--and whatever you choose suits me fine, we're family, be comfortable here, or there.

And thanks, Billy! I appreciate you and am blessed by your words. Keep 'em flowing!

Writing Naked

by Billy Coffey

Originally posted on www.BillyCoffey.com

January 28, 2010

I write in terror. I have to talk myself into bravery with every sentence, sometimes every syllable –Cynthia Ozick

I took exactly one class in writing. It was about fifteen years ago at the community college and was taught by a real published author whose name I cannot recall. But she was published, and as far as I was concerned that was all the credentials she needed.

image courtesy of photobucket.com

The first class turned out to be the most useful. That’s not to say the instruction given in the proceeding eleven weeks of the course wasn’t useful. It was. But that first night alone was worth the money.

The twenty or so people in the class formed a semi-circle around the professor, who stood in behind a wooden podium that was much more intimidating than she. We sat at attention, notebooks ready, eager to have our heads filled with the hidden secrets of literary success.

“Tell me,” she said, “what does one need to write?”

The more outgoing among the class were quick with suggestions:

“Time.”

“Perseverance.”

“Skill.”

“Connections.” (That one was met with a nervous chuckle from the rest of the class.)

“Practice.”

Each was met with an approving nod and so was written down by everyone, myself included. But that really wasn’t what she wanted to hear.

“Those are good suggestions,” she said, “but you’re leaving the most important aspect out. Anyone?”

No one.

“Courage,” she said.

I didn’t really understand that and snickered under my breath. Courage? Soldiers needed courage. Cops needed courage. EMTs and stunt men and bullfighters. But writers? Sitting on your butt and typing on a keyboard did not take courage.

“There are some who might disagree with that,” she said—and to this day I swear she looked at me when she said it—“and I understand. You disagree because you’re writing with your clothes on. By the time you leave here, you’ll be writing naked.”

I’ll admit I almost walked out then. I’d heard about kooky writing classes given by kooky professors who did some pretty strange things in the name of “art.” I was afraid if I stuck around I’d end up dressed in a blue tracksuit with a cup of Kool-Aid in my hand because a comet was passing by to take me to heaven.

Wait! There's more!

Hop over to Billy's blog porch with me and we'll read the rest together. You'll love it. If you want to know what it's like to write a novel for publication, come listen to the rest of the story.

Or come, just to hear Billy tell us the rest, because he's a great storyteller.

Don't Leave Me...Hungry for Love...

2010-07-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Hello again! Can't wait to share with you today! I just found this band via Twitter ~ yah, love Twitter. Doesn't suck up all the time Facebook does, it's short, sweet, and you move on after 140 characters or less. It's hands-down the best 'stalk-me' social-network out there, my humble opinion, anyway.

So, back to this group, a band you probably already know and love, but I'm pretty behind on the music scene, LOL. Sanctus Real sounded like a punk band to me, but I thought I'd lend them an ear for at least 30 seconds, after having a Twitter 'follower' named Hungry for Love follow me, then they tweeted about the band.

Hmm...what kind of perv am I going to find by the name of Hungry for Love (you wouldn't believe what's out there)? But to my great surprise, I found Sanctus Real (Hungry for Love is the name of their current album tour) had a great sound. And their content is touching, haunting, and encouraging. This group has quite a different flavor from the vid we watched yesterday (COTM's Dad's Life). Don't pass-up today's video or you'll miss something great.

I watch this and I listen to the words, but it's my husband's heart I'm hearing in the song. That makes it pretty special. Actually, that makes him pretty special.

Sanctus Real - Lead Me

Lead Me-Father's Day from Ryan Black Films on Vimeo.

Sanctus Real - “Lead Me”

I look around and see my wonderful life

Almost perfect from the outside

In picture frames I see my beautiful wife

Always smiling

But on the inside, I can hear her saying...

“Lead me with strong hands

Stand up when I can't

Don't leave me hungry for love

Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight

That I'm still the love of your life

I know we call this our home

But I still feel alone”

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes

They're just children from the outside

I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine

They're in independent

But on the inside, I can hear them saying...

“Lead me with strong hands

Stand up when I can't

Don't leave me hungry for love

Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight

That I'm still the love of your life

I know we call this our home

But I still feel alone”

So Father, give me the strength

To be everything I'm called to be

Oh, Father, show me the way

To lead them

Won't You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands

To stand up when they can't

Don't want to leave them hungry for love,

Chasing things that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight

And give them the best of my life

So we can call this our home

Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Have a wonderful week, everyone!

It's the Dad Life

2010-07-03T20:49:00.000-07:00

Happy July 4th!

This is one of my favorite holidays! We'll enjoy celebrating all the wonderful freedoms we have in this great and God blessed country, along with celebrating those inspiring and courageous souls who braved preposterous odds--and overcame them--to gain these freedoms we enjoy as Americans.

This is a day to celebrate!

Now, many dads will be out this weekend mowing the lawn, grilling, and playing, carrying kids on their shoulders to a favorite spot to watch those brilliant fireworks light up the sky. Don't you just love dads and husbands?

I though you'd get a kick out of the playfulness, or maybe seriousness, of these guys...

COTM - Dad Life

The fabulous Lena Nelson Dooley, a wonderful author, shared this and I thought you'd get a good chuckle out of it.

Come back tomorrow, we'll have a whole different twist on the husband/dad theme ~ it's worth dropping by, promise!

Happy July 4th!

Send Me by Billy Coffey

2010-07-02T00:04:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm excited as you are--Billy Coffey visiting with us. This offering originally posted on Billy's blog June 18, 2009 and is title Send Me.

I love Billy's writing, because his writing is more like porch stories. You know, a chat on his porch as the sun sets and you sip sweet tea from a tall glass while rocking in a chair, listening. Listening to Billy. Good stuff, some of my favorite stuff.

Before we move on, just a reminder to check out Billy's book, Snow Day, which releases fall 2010. I can't wait!

This is one of my favorite stories by Billy, one he shares on his blog, so, to encourage you to make yourself at home with Billy, we'll have him start off here, then we'll hop over to his blog for the rest of this story--the last of a series of stories he shared from a vacation he and his family took last year. Come along, you'll enjoy it. Like I said, it's one of my favorites!

Here's Billy...

Send Me

One last beach story:

Despite all of its tourism, Virginia Beach has always been a military town. The naval base was just down the road and to the right of our hotel, and the Oceanic Naval Air Station was just a few miles beyond that.

All of which made every day resemble a Fourth of July parade.

There were plenty of these on the way into town:

And once at the hotel, we saw many more of these:

And I wasn’t alone outside yesterday morning to watch the rain. I had company in the form of Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children, otherwise known as the United States Marines:

Add to all of that the parade of destroyers and frigates passing over the horizon and the steady stream of F/A-18 Hornets flying over my head, and I had a three-day testosterone high. It all became quite the Pavlovian experience. Every engine, every thump of a rotor, and every bellow of a drill sergeant would illicit from me an immediate stare and an even more immediate, “Awesome.”

I guess it was all that testosterone that nearly got me into a lot of trouble Tuesday morning.

My wife and I decided to have an early breakfast at a nice little restaurant down from our hotel. One that didn’t promise the kind of food you could neither pronounce nor eat without proper instruction.

We decided to make our return trip via the sidewalk rather than the boardwalk, thereby avoiding the daily throng of joggers, walkers, and rollerbladers. After all, a good breakfast should always be followed by some good peace and quiet. And that’s exactly what we had for a while. Until I looked up and saw the four men jogging toward us.

“What are these guys doing?” I asked. “Don’t they know to run on the boardwalk with everyone else?”

“Don’t worry about it,” my wife told me.

But I did.

For the rest of the story (yes, you want to read the rest, it's great!) come along with me and we'll head over to Billy's blog. While we're there, I hope you'll subscribe to his blog via email, that way you won't miss a visit whenever he's on the blog porch and story-tellin'.

See y'all at Billy's!

Crazy Monday Recipe...on a Wednesday! - Favorite-Berry Crumble

2010-06-30T00:06:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed a bowlful of warm Berry Crumble this morning, and instantly, I thought of you. So here's the recipe. It's great with crispy bacon, and a large mug of steaming with coffee fixed just the way you like it.

Today, we used blackberries, but our family favorites are either blueberries, or peaches (although peaches aren't really berries, did ya know that???! Mmm, good anyway!)

Favorite-Berry Crumble

Berry Topping

1 bag of your favorite berries

Sugar, brown & white (1/3 cup each)

Butter – 1 tbsp

Salt – ½ tsp

Nutmeg – ½ tsp

Cinnamon – 1 tsp

Corn starch – 3 tbsp

Cook the above until berries thicken. Use a non-stick pan if possible—unless you love doing dishes, then throw caution to the wind and go for it! (Not me, non-stick, I’m in love with your easy-cleaning ways!)

Cake Mix

Bisquick – 2 cups

Sugar – 1/3 cup

Brown sugar – 1/3 cup (yes, more of the sweet stuff)

Milk – 2/3 cup

Butter – 2 tbsp softened (makes you feel kinda naughty, doesn’t it—all that butter!)

Cinnamon – 1 tsp

Nutmeg – ½ tsp

Mix dry ingredients then cut in the softened butter. Next, add milk and stir.

Coat an 8x8 pan with non-stick spray.

Cook cake mixture for 25 min - 350 degrees.
Test with a toothpick, if it comes out clean
she's done!

We spooned the berry mixture on each serving,

then drizzled with vanilla cream frosting.

Vanilla Cream Frosting

Powdered sugar – 1 cup

Vanilla – 2 or 3 drops, literally

Heavy Cream – start with 2 tbsp and add until you get desired thickness

On a diet? Well…maybe eliminate the butter. Butter has about 11 delicious and non-nutritious grams of fat/tablespoon. Why, oh why, Lord??? Take heart dear friends, butter will be just as delicious--if not more so--and yet fat-free, in Heaven!

GIVEAWAY Basket ~ Anna Finch and the Hired Gun by Kathleen Y’Barbo

2010-06-26T02:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I would invite you to make yourself comfortable, but I think you're going to want to head over to Kathleen's after you read about her GIVEAWAY goody basket. Kathleen wrote the page turning romantic adventure The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper.

The next book in the series, Anna Finch and the Hired Gun, is out and I think you'll want to read that one as well. BUT!--here's a fun little something you can do to win both books and a few fun goodies--oh, let's just have Kathleen give us the nitty grity on it...

"To kick off the release of my new book Anna Finch and the Hired Gun, I’ve put together a basket of goodies including signed copies of Anna Finch and The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper to offer as a prize to one lucky Facebook fan or Twitter follower!

Simply comment on a Facebook fan* post or direct message me in response to one of my Tweets between 6/16/2010 and 7/19/2010 and you’ll be entered to win!

Not following me on Twitter or a part of my fan page on Facebook? Click here to interact with me on Facebook or Twitter. Contest ends 7/19/2010, so enter now!"

Author Giveaway

*Please note: This contest is for interactions on my Twitter page and Facebook Fan page only. If you have “friended” me on Facebook but not “liked” my fan page, you’ll need to join the fan page and interact with a post there to be entered in the contest.

You can also visit Kathleen on her website.

Ready to enter for the giveaway? Remember to go to Kathleen's Facebook Fan page or her Twitter her.

Billy Coffey - The Dinner

2010-06-16T23:34:00.000-07:00

Ha! Surprised you! Didn't think I'd be waiting for you today, did you?

I'm here, and so glad to be here with you. You really bless me by visiting. It can get lonely around here...but who am I telling? I've left you all for too long.

I'm back (it's a good thing, really!)

If you've been visiting here for any amount of time, you know I have my favorite guests. But I also have my favorite favorites!

One of them is Billy Coffey.

Billy has one of the best blogs in all of cyberspace, because he's one of the best storytellers this century. I believe that. I truly do.

With life being a little crazy lately, our friend Billy has given me permission to share with you some of the past posts from his blog. Today, I'm going to give you the entire post, but in the future--because I want you to get to know my friend Billy--he'll become your friend if he's not already! I'll post a tasty morsel of his writing and a link so we can hop over to his site (which you'll enjoy very much) to read the rest. But today, just sit back and sip from your cup while your heart drinks in Billy's writing.

Before we get into Billy's post, I want to share about his book Snow Day coming out in October 2010. I hope you'll order your copy, or ask your library to order a copy that you can borrow. Or you can get yourself a copy and ask the library to have one on their shelf. Then, after you discover that you like or love the book, talk about it. A lot. Talk to friends, talk to strangers, coworkers and people at church. But only if you like it. Or love it. I think you will.

Peter is a simple man who lives by a simple truth--a person gains strength by leaning on his constants. To him, those constants are the factory where he works, the family he loves, and the God who sustains him. But when news of job cuts comes against the backdrop of an unexpected snowstorm, his life becomes filled with far more doubts than certainties.

With humor and a gift for storytelling, Billy Coffey brings you along as he spends his snow day encountering family, friends, and strangers of his small Virginia town. All have had their own battles with life's storms. Some have found redemption. Others are still seeking it. But each one offers a piece to the puzzle of why we must sometimes suffer loss, and each one will help Peter find a greater truth--our lives are made beautiful not by our big moments, but our little ones.

Sounds good, doesn't it? I can't wait to read Snow Day. Let's dig into Billy's gift to us, this was a post I really enjoyed last year.

The Dinner

May 12, 2009 by Billy Coffey

The local Outback Steakhouse is Nirvana to the steak-and-potato sort, of which I am a card carrying member.

It is also a favorite for teenagers on their first date, like the couple who was seated in the booth beside ours last week. Bad for them, maybe, but good for us. It’s not often that regular folks like my wife and I get both a dinner and a movie at the same time.

Sixteenish boy and very nervous, trying in vain to impress his classy date and not doing very well at it:

“Sit me first,” she said.

“Okay,” he answered.

“Do I look nice?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me I look nice.”

“You look nice.”

“Mean it.”

“You look nice.”

“That’ll do,” she says. (He breaths a sigh of relief. This is much harder than he thought it would be.)

“Now, I order first, then you. Don’t order for me, though. Some ladies like that. I don’t. Did you bring enough money to pay for my food?”

Silence. Then his confession: “I thought you’d pay for your own.”

“No,” came the exasperated answer. “NO. You pay. Always.”

“Okay.”

“Sit up straight. Don’t fidget. Look me in the eyes. Smile.”

“Okay.”

“You’re going to pray, right?” his date asked.

“Um. I dunno. Should I?”

“You’d better,”

And on it went.

I felt sorry for that young man, I really did. He thought dating would be natural. Take a girl out, have some fun, maybe dinner or a movie, and then drive her home. No fuss, no muss. How hard could it be? From the small beads of sweat on his forehead, plenty hard. His date was demanding. She offered little in the way of praise and much in the way of criticism. He was confused, frightened, and unsure of himself. All because of her. Why had he agreed to take her out in the first place? he wondered. And even asked. But she merely smiled and winked and said it was the only way he’d ever be allowed to take anyone else out ever.

He knew she was right, and so did I. She had all the power, you see. She’d had it for about sixteen years now.

Because his date, this unimpressed, hard, stringent lady, was his mother.

I manage to get the backstory when her son excused himself to the bathroom. Presumably to flush himself down the toilet, which also happened to be right where his evening is headed.

He’s a good boy, according to his mother. Always has been. And she wanted to keep him that way, too. But he’d gotten to that age when children began to feel a little too sure of themselves. Their world brightened and grew bigger, and they were under the impression that they were growing brighter and bigger right along with it. It was easy to get muddled and begin thinking they were in charge. That it was all about them.

So, mother and father decided that before they would allow their son to start dating, he would do a trial run with mom. It’s important that he knows how to treat a lady, she said. And it’s important to know how to spot one, too.

“Understand?” she asked.

Yes.

We pass onto our children what we consider to be the necessities of crafting a good life—the attributes of honesty and hard work, the values of education and faith. But too often what’s left out is the most basic necessity of them all: how to behave when mom and dad aren’t around.

Too many of us mourn the fact that today’s younger generation is so over-the-top rude. Too few of us take the time to consider the fact that much of the fault is our own. It was nice to see a parent put forth just as much effort to ensure her child got into the right life than she would to ensure her child got into the right college.

Education can get you far in life. Good manners can get you further.

Still, I couldn’t help but express my empathy for the young man.

“This has to be the longest night of his life,” I said.

“Oh, don’t feel sorry for him,” she smiled. “Feel sorry for his sister. She’s fifteen, and her first date is next year. With her father.”

You know you want to visit Billy. Just click those ruby red shoes three times--or, if you forgot those, just click here.

And thanks for dropping in. We'll meet again on Friday. xoxo!

Lil Tiger's Vegetable Garden

2010-05-21T22:48:00.000-07:00

Yes, we're visiting again--I said I wouldn't stay away for so long again, I meant it. I miss you all when we're not visiting.

Lot's going on lately and Lil Tiger (my 8 yr. old son) wanted to share one of his projects with you. For a couple of years our family has wanted to grow a large vegetable garden. Then, our school science project tied in nicely with starting one. We also started a flower garden, but that's something Lil Tiger will share during another visit with you.

Here's a peek at Lil Tiger's garden project (with a lot of help from daddy and some watering assistance from mommy). This was great, because he's actually eating the vegetables we're growing and he believes them to be tastier than what we can get at the local grocer--and he's right!

Here's his garden about a month and a half ago, at first planting:

Here's his garden about a week ago (maybe two):

Here's his garden today:

In case you didn't recognize them he's growing

sweet corn, spinach, green beans, sweet peas,

three kinds of tomatoes, red leaf lettuce, and cucumbers.

Sounds like the makings for a great salad!

How about you? What's in your garden?

Any gardening questions for Lil Tiger?
I'll post his answers!

Crazy Monday Recipe...on a Wednesday! - Strawberry Cream Stuffed French Toast

2010-05-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

Oh, life! What craziness life can bring. But you're right there with me, aren't you? We're all in this together, and we'll all walk each other through it. I could use your prayers, my requests will remain unspoken, many of you already know what madness has let loose. But that's okay, let it loose, God is in control. I'm so thankful for that, aren't you?

Since it's been a while I wanted to do something fun with you today. So instead of waiting till next Monday, I'm posting our Crazy Monday Recipe today...yummy Strawberry Cream Stuffed French Toast! Okay, okay, I admit it--I pirated the recipe from a Tasty Kitchen friend, so I'll give you her page url at the end of this post so you can see what a lovely food photographer she is and what this recipe would look like made by the hands of a real cook!

Me? I could mess up making a tray of ice...but that's another story. For now, enjoy this:

Strawberry Cream Stuffed French Toast

Bread & cream stuffing:

- 1 loaf of french bread, cut into 2 inch thick slices

- An 8 oz pkg. cream cheese, room temperature

- 4 oz of Mascarpone cheese

- 2 heaping Tbsp powdered sugar

- 1 1/2 heaping tsp of strawberry preserves

- 1 1/4 cups chopped fresh strawberries

Mix all of the above in a large bowl. Refrigerate while you prepare the bread and egg dip.

Egg dip:

6 eggs

1 Tbsp vanilla

a splash of milk

cinnamon

Whisk together egg dip ingredients.

You'll also need butter (for frying pan).

Cut a slit in the bottom of your 2 inch thick bread, to make a pocket (don't cut all the way through, you just want deep enough to make a large pocket).

Carefully stuff the strawberry cream into the pockets. Lay one side of the stuffed bread into your egg dip, then turn over. Add to a buttered frying pan, cooking at medium-low heat. Turn over once that side is done and cook the other side. Add more butter to the pan when you add a new batch of french toast. Add more cinnamon as needed to your egg dip. Mind tends to stick to the first couple then I need to add more cinnamon.

Serve with powdered sugar sprinkled on top...and a knife and fork.

Thanks for stopping by, I promise not to be away so long again.

xoxo,

And, as promised, here's the fun food site where I picked up this recipe. I hope you'll enjoy your visit with Alice at Savory Sweet Life. I love this site, her fantastic food photos, and her recipes! This link will take you to her page for the above recipe--mine pales by comparison!

Winners, Winners!

2010-04-18T21:52:00.000-07:00

Winner

for

THE HUSBAND TREE

Mary Connealy

Amanda!

(Her comment is just above my last comment.)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Winner

for

SWORN TO PROTECT

DiAnn Mills

Megan!

(of inspiredbyfiction...)

Amanda & Megan

please email me at

Tina[at]TinaDeeBooks[dot]com

Saddle Up & Ride Along!

2010-04-16T21:53:00.000-07:00

Please join us at the Inspirational Romance book clubs network (you can join by clicking on the group in the sidebar on this site--under Pastor Pete Wilson's picture).

ADDED Saturday a.m.: BTW--I just checked and this book is selling for a steal on Amazon, under $8.00! It's worth every penny, too! [so get yours now!]

Also, just to provide full disclosure here, there are some obvious subliminal messages laced throughout this post--following them, I must warn you, may result in you buying Mary's books, laughing so hard you fall out of chairs and break your tailbone, start giggling helplessly in church if you let your mind wander to her stories, holing up yourself in your backyard shed to escape reality and live vicariously through Belle Tanner--not that I've done any of those things...lately...or still...

We're reading Mary Connealy's THE HUSBAND TREE [you want this book! Get it now, while supplies last]. Several folks hadn't received their books by April 1st, so we adjusted our book club reading to start Saturday, April 17th [meet us there, you know you want to].

If you've already read this book come on over and join us in the chat!

If Mary's schedule permits, she'll drop by to chat with the book club (we all just leave comments/replies so it's very convenient for our schedules), but she's all over the map with book signings right now, so we'll see if we can lasso her to join us here and there [but you know she'll drop by just to talk to YOU]. She's also giving away one of her previously released books at the end of the book club's reading of THE HUSBAND TREE, so come join us! All you have to do to be entered is chat up a storm with us on the book club for THE HUSBAND TREE [you'll wish you were walking in Belle Tanner's boots--and if you're a man, you'll be thankful you're not under her husband tree, lol].

By the way, Mary's new book, WILDFLOWER BRIDE, releases May 2010! So join us for reading THE HUSBAND TREE and you'll be ready just in time for WILDFLOWER BRIDE!

And if you think Mary's books are funny, you should also sign up for her newsletter here, they're a hoot! She doesn't send them out very often--only when she's releasing a new book, but that's okay, it doesn't mean she doesn't love you, just means she needs to write faster (wink!)

I was not paid or compensated in exchange for the subliminal tracks in this post, but I do enjoy laughing and laughter and that is the contagious result of reading Mary's books. I hope you know this for a personal fact, otherwise, you have my sympathy.

Life should be fun and funny when possible (Lord knows there's so much otherwise in the world), so read a Mary Connealy book and laugh, laugh out long and hard, and then tell a friend how much you enjoyed the read.

Lord bless your weekend! And, come meet with us in the book club!

The Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible by Thomas Nelson

2010-04-07T20:55:00.000-07:00

My review of:

The Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible (NKJV)

Thomas Nelson Publishers

This audio Bible contains 20 CDs of New Testament and a Behind the Scenes DVD. Major motion picture actors provide the voice talent, add are a musical score and sound effects. The CDs & DVD come in a good quality soft-back CD holder. The words are nearly verbatim to the written NKJV, with the only exceptions I found being the words said, or says--those aren't used since we hear the dialogue. Overall, this was a high quality production and my son (as well as my husband & I) enjoy listening to the audio Bible in the car.

The things that kept me from giving this a five star rating...Jim Caviezel reading the parts of Jesus. I was very excited to find out he was involved. I'd heard so many wonderful things about his acting, but unfortunately, it didn't translate to audio very well. His voice sounds strained, as though he's reading for a part in a play rather than bringing Jesus' voice alive. A few of the other actors did the same, read the part--sounds like they're merely reading their lines for the first time. This does not happen with everyone, but enough that it brought the rating down a star, in my opinion.

That being said, I would very much recommend The Word Of Promise New Testament to anyone. It's been great listening to the Bible on CD and I do think others will enjoy it as well.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Mary Connealy Interview ~ THE HUSBAND TREE ~ GIVEAWAY

2010-03-28T17:46:00.001-07:00

I'm excited and I hope you will be too! Mary Connealy is joining us and she brought the hero, Silas Harden, from her latest release THE HUSBAND TREE. If you haven't read THE HUSBAND TREE yet, I highly recommend it. It was my favorite read of 2009 and one of my all-time favorite books.

I'm reading it for the fourth time this week in our online book club--I hope you'll join us! We've got a treat for one lucky book club reader--at the end of reading THE HUSBAND TREE one of our book club participants will have her choice of one of Mary's previously released books as a prize. So if you'd like to join the fun and be in on that giveaway, join us at Inspirational Romance online book clubs network, go to the DISCUSSION for THE HUSBAND TREE. Mary will also drop by here and there on our discussions, so that will be a lot of fun! Since we're doing this book club online, you can drop by anytime of the day to leave a comment/reply for the book club, it's all at your convenience. So, take a moment and join us there.

Let's enjoy our time with Silas Harden, handsome hero from THE HUSBAND TREE...

Silas, we won't go into too many details about where you worked just before meeting Belle Tanner, but what kind of work do you do/have you done in the past?

I've been a rancher all my adult life. I started a nice little spread in Arizona and got driven out by the Lincoln County Wars, then I moved on to New Mexico and started up again, only to abandon it to escape the noose of matrimony in a trumped up shot gun wedding.

How'd you come to work for Belle at the Tanner ranch?

She sat down beside me in a diner in Divide, Montana. I'd been drifting a long time, living off the land and doing fine. Then here comes a woman, a WOMAN hiring men for a cattle drive. Inside I was thinking it was crazy but my mouth opened up and asked for a job without my brain giving it the go ahead to do such. I think it was her pretty hazel eyes that made me do such a fool thing.

You pretty much had a rifle pointed at you on the ranch--care to tell us whose finger was on the trigger and why the rifle was aimed at you?

One of Belle's daughter threatened to shoot me because I was yelling at Belle for planning to take her four little girls—one of 'em wearing diapers—on a cattle drive. Now I'm not criticizing the girl. I'd expect her to pull a gun on any man who laid his hands on their ma. But I wasn't about to hurt her. It caused me considerable shame that the young'un thought I might, especially when she said a man had hurt Belle before.

And after Lindsay went back inside with her rifle, I controlled the urge to yell at Belle some more which was a big mistake, because before you know it, I was kissing her instead. And then here came Lindsay back with the blasted fire iron.

You're heading out on trail with an interesting crew. Tell us about them and what you think is in store for you on this drive. Do you foresee any problems?

Problems? I'm going to be doing the work of five or six men for a month. I won't have time to sleep or eat or think. Belle claims she's a good cowhand and her daughters will pull their weight but I don't believe that for a moment. I'm going to be lucky to get us all through this drive alive.

At this point, what are your plans once you finish this drive?

I figure once I get one thousand head of cattle and five cantankerous women to Helena, the word will get out that I went on a cattle drive with a breast feeding, diaper wearing baby and every man in the west will know me on sight and laugh his head off.

I might as well go ahead and shoot myself to speed up the process of being embarrassed to death.

I guess that's my plan.

Thank you Silas, for stopping by. I know you've got a ranch to get back to so we appreciate you dropping by. In fact, we don't mind a handsome cowboy dropping by anytime!

The Husband Tree - Available Now!

Belle Tanner buries her third worthless husband and makes a vow over his shallow grave. She’s learned her lesson. No more men.

Silas Harden just lost his second ranch because of a woman. The first deserted him when times got tough. Now he’s had to quit the whole state of New Mexico to avoid a trumped-up shotgun wedding and the noose of matrimony. He’s learned his lesson. No more women.

Belle needs hired hands to move a cattle herd late in the season and there’s no one around but seemingly aimless Silas. She hires him reluctantly.

Silas signed on, glad for the work, though worried about a woman doing such a thing as hiring drovers, only to find out he’s the lone man going with five woman, including a baby still in diapers. After the cattle drive is over, he might as well shoot himself to speed up the process of being embarrassed to death.

A fast approaching winter.

The toughest lady rancher you’ve ever seen.

A cynical cowboy who has to convince five women he’s right for their ma. . .and then convince himself.

And one thousand head of the crankiest cattle who have ever been punched across the backbone of the Rockies.

GIVEAWAY!

For a chance to win a copy of one of Mary's books

Subscribe to Mary's newsletter

Winner will be announced April 17th

after subscription is verified

Author DiAnn Mills & Sworn To Protect - Giveaway!

2010-03-24T00:02:00.000-07:00

Today, we're visiting with my friend DiAnn Mills. DiAnn's books line the book shelves of many inspirational fiction readers. If you're not familiar with DiAnn's writing, she'll soon become an author whose stories you'll enjoy. We have a triple treat, DiAnn, the hero, and heroine (Danika & Alex) have joined us today. Sit back, relax with a warm cup of tea and let's chat...

DiAnn, you write a deep-set story, seasoned well with details about the setting, the characters, their sympathies. It's not a light story, but one that really draws the reader into another world and keeps her there. What kind of research did you do for SWORN TO PROTECT? Hang out w/BP?

Actually I did hang out with the Border Patrol! My husband and I received permission from the BP office in Washington DC to tour the station in McAllen, TX. I respected and admired the BP prior to this trip, but that aspect grew after the three day visit! We have no idea of the danger involved, not only for the agents who have a commitment to their job, but for their families who can be targeted for BP activities.

You did such a great job in SWORN TO PROTECT of objectively showing both sides--those eagerly crossing the border illegally for the chance at a better life and what it's like for them, and those who protect our borders and what they go through in upholding the law, but also not opposed to immigrants. Did you interview anyone trying to cross?

I live in Houston and I know those who are not legal immigrants. I understand their desire to have a better life. I also know - from these illegal immigrants - the fear of the gangs and those involved in crimes who also steal across the border. I'm glad you saw the objectivity because that was my goal. In short, yes I did interview illegal immigrants.

How did this story come to you?

My stories are always about women in unlikely roles - strong women who are led to a role or a profession that does not traditionally belong to a woman. Living in Houston means being exposed to media reports about what is happening at the borders separating the US from Texas. To me, this was a setting to include in my Call of Duty series. I wanted a woman who was dedicated to the Border Patrol and had various hardships that stood in the way of all she attempted to do.

What's the next book in the series about?

Pursuit of Justice is about a woman who is an FBI agent sent to her old home in West Texas as lead agent in solving a series of murders. She learns her father is under suspicion and must reckon with a rocky past.

That sounds like a great suspense read! I hope your FBI agent will drop in for a visit when her story hits the shelves. We'd love to meet her.

Now, a few questions for our hero & heroine, Danika & Dr. Price...

Danika, tell us about your job. And, what's the most difficult thing you do?

I'd say the most difficult part is the understanding that I can't take my job home. My daughter needs a mommy who has her undivided attention, not distracted by work problems. I refuse to allow fear to stand in my way when apprehending potential illegals, and I must always react and respond according to my oath to keep US borders safe.

You just passed the two year mark of your husband's death, how are things going? What's going on in your life now?

Some days are better than others. I miss Toby, and I regret that he won't see our daughter grow up. And she will never know what a wonderful father he was to her. All she will know is the stories I tell her about him. I want Toby's murder solved, but the police haven't been able to find a clue. I fear they've given up.

Dr. Alex Price seems like an interesting man. What circumstances bring you two together professionally?

He's a doctor at the hospital where we take illegals. He's nice enough and attractive, but we definitely have a difference of opinion when it comes to the border situation. I'm trying to keep him at arm's length.

What were your first impressions of him?

Kind. Caring. Compassionate. Hard not to like a guy like that. But definitely off limits for me. If the BP found out that I was dating a man who supported an open border, I'd lose my job. I should have asked him his position.

We can definitely see the conflict there. I actually hope you'll find a way to get to know him better. In fact, let's turn to him now and put him in the hot spot.

Dr. Alex Price, please tell us about the hardest part of your job.

I know that once my patients leave the hospital, I may never see them again. Most of them are illegals who are fearful of being apprehended and sent back to their country. Some of my patients are brought in by the Border Patrol for medical treatment before being sent back across the border.

Dr. Price--Alex, you know a few things about Danika Morales without ever having met her before--how is it that you came by this information?

I knew her husband Toby. He used to bring in illegals for treatment. However, he never told me about his wife and child. Perhaps he feared for their welfare. When I learned who Danika had been married to, I was surprised because I thought Toby and I were good friends.

She's interesting to you (we can tell by the way your eyes smile even though your lips don't necessarily), what do you admire about her?

Strength and compassion in the line of duty. I thought a woman BP agent would be hard, but she's not. For that matter, most of the agents who bring in people for medical attention are compassionate. Danika is more . . . she's a solid professional with a feminine touch. Guess you can tell I'm attracted to her. :)

Yes, we can! And we like that you're persistent. You both have a wonderfully suspenseful story - I very much enjoyed SWORN TO PROTECT. DiAnn's writing is flawless, and the story is so good, the characters so interesting that before I knew it, I'd turned the last page. A great read and I'm looking forward to the next book.

Sworn To Protect - Available Now!

Border Patrol Agent Danika Morales has sworn to protect the southern borders of our nation, but that oath has cost her. Two years ago, her husband, Toby, was killed trying to help the very immigrants Danika was responsible for sending back to Mexico. His murder was never solved. But now, a recent string of attacks and arrests leads her to believe that someone in McAllen is profiting from sneaking undocumented immigrants into the country . . . and it may somehow be tied to Toby’s death. Watch the trailer on www.DiAnnMills.com

A Woman Called Sage - Coming May 2010
They took away everything she loved ... now, she's out for revenge. Sage Morrow had it all: life on a beautiful Colorado ranch, a husband who adored her, and a baby on the way. Until five ruthless gunmen rode up to their ranch and changed her life forever. Now Sage is a bounty hunter bent on retribution. Accompanied only by her majestic hawk, she travels throughout the Rocky Mountains in search of injustice, determined to stamp it out wherever it's found. The stakes are raised when two young boys are kidnapped and Sage is forced to work with Marshall Parker Timmons to rescue them. But Sage may ultimately get more than she bargained for. In this exciting historical romance set in the late 1800s, murder, intrigue, kidnapping, and questions of faith will keep you in suspense until the final pages. Watch the trailer on www.DiAnnMills.com

GIVEAWAY!

Want TWO chances to win? Here's how:

1) Answer the question and leave a comment here on The Homestead Heart

2) Let us know that you are or have signed up for DiAnn's newsletter (doesn't matter if you've been on it for a while or if you're just now signing up. But, you do have to let us know in the comment here that you are currently signed up.)

Giveaway of Sworn To Protect
Question from DiAnn:

What foreign mission is close to my heart?

You can find the answer on www.DiAnnMills.com

Don't forget to sign up for her newsletter!

Giveaway winner will be announced

Saturday, April 17, 2010

A Special Treat From A Real Irishman - Author Terry Burns

2010-03-16T20:23:00.000-07:00

Can I introduce you to a friend of mine? He's a fun inspirational writer who blogs regularly on Bustles And Spurs.

Terry is both an honest to goodness real cowboy and an Irishman. How can it get any better than that?

Here's Terry...

Since it's St Patrick's Day and a lot of people know that I'm a 5th generation Irish storyteller and a 4th generation Texas Bull Shipper (you notice how carefully I said that word) that it might be appropriate to say a few words.

My Irish heritage goes back further than 5 generations, that's just as far as I can document the storytellers in the line, although I suspect they all are. My great-grandmother was an O'Green from Cork County, although they dropped the O on the boat on the way over and it just became Green. I know her daddy could spin a wee tale, so that makes five for sure.

On St Pats day everyone wants to be Irish. I was at a conference in San Antonio when it rolled around a couple of years ago and everyone in the place was trying to be Irish to the core. When they found out I was the real deal I became something of a celebrity. Given my size they speculated that I might actually be a leprechaun disguised in a ten gallon hat. Someone pointed out that leprechauns were very little men but someone else quickly pointed out “not in Texas.”

I neither confirmed nor denied it and still stand by that position. If you look up the definition of leprechaun it says "they usually take the form of old men who enjoy partaking in mischief." Ask my wife if that isn't true.

Should any of you be superstitious, or if you just don't want to take chances, the famous "Luck of the Irish" is only transferable on this day by receiving an Irish blessing, preferably from a real leprechaun. For that reason I will now pronounce upon you the most famous of all the Irish blessings:

May the road rise to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

The rains fall soft upon your fields

And until we meet again

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Oh, yes, it's also said that you can capture a leprechaun and find the location of their pot of gold, but that's back in the old country and you'd have to catch one over there to accomplish that.

The first book in The Sagebrush Collection, On the Road Home contains short stories and poems about life and love from renowned inspirational western writer and literary agent Terry Burns.

Now for a little fun...visit Terry's site (you'll want to bookmark it, I've spent a good deal of time there!) and find the answer to the following question.

Come back here and post the answer in your comment for a chance to win a copy of this book. I'll announce the winner and send the book on March 27th.

What award did one of Terry's books win recently? And what was the name of that book?

Visit Terry Burns website.

You can also friend Terry on Facebook.