Dr. Micah Greyson never hesitates to answer the call of duty, no matter how dangerous, until the enchanting Keziah walks back into his life and turns his well-ordered plans upside down. Torn between the life he has always known in Savannah and the fight for abolition, Micah struggles to discern God’s plan amid such turbulent times.

Battling an angry fiancé, a war-tattered brother, bounty hunters, and their own personal demons, Keziah and Micah must decide if true love is worth the price . . . and if they are strong enough to survive the unyielding pain of war.

Click HERE to order this book from Amazon.com.

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Historian Paul Russell is in Jerome to face his own horror: Was the car crash that killed his wife his fault?

Their lives become intertwined when an old lady dies on a long staircase in a vintage Victorian house. As Marty and Paul search the house for a small copper box Marty believes will unlock the mystery, accidents begin to happen.

Someone else wants the copper box—someone willing to commit murder to get it. As Marty and Paul face the shadows in the house and in their lives, they must learn to put the past behind them and run the race God is calling them to.

Click HERE to order this book from Amazon.com.

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Josie and Palmer become close during the long Alaskan summer days, but Josie knows that, come fall, she’ll be returning to reality and the career she’s worked so hard for. Palmer, on the other hand, would like nothing better than to make Josie his wife and to keep her in Ponder. But Josie can’t imagine abandoning her mother back in the Emerald City and sacrificing her career to stay in this isolated town—not even for a man she’s quickly coming to love.

Fate has other plans. Josie misses the last boat out of town before winter sets in, stranding her in Ponder and putting her dream job at risk. As the holidays approach, Josie and Palmer must grapple with the complications that arise when dreams confront reality, and the Christmas magic that can happen when they put their faith in love.

Debbie Macomber is at her best in this beautiful holiday story about the far journeys we travel to find a place to call home.

Click HERE to order this book from Amazon.com.

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This tender story about fresh starts will charm readers as all of Melody Carlson’s Christmas offerings do. Full of redemption and true holiday spirit, Christmas at Harrington’s will be readers’ newest Christmas tradition.

Click HERE to order this book from Amazon.com.

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“Wonder is the best kids’ book of the year,” said Emily Bazelon, senior editor at Slate.com and author of Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

Click HERE to order this book from Amazon.com.

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Upon her arrival, she soon discovers a series of changes in the “never-changing” community. A handsome stranger has arrived, a festival is in the works, and a person she desperately needs is dead.

When her estranged brother is charged with the crime, he begs Andy to find the true killer.

Will Andy amateur sleuth skills be adequate to find the murderer? Or will she become the next victim?

Click HERE to order this book from Amazon.com.

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I met a woman once who greeted everyone with Howdo! She combined the Southern Howdy with the more formal How Do You Do? And voila. Just like that, she had the perfect greeting.

I loved that! So, welcome to my blog and Howdo!

Here’s the thing. A gazillion people have a blog. Why should you read this one? I can’t offer tips on how to get rich, beautiful, or skinny. I can’t even advise you on matters of the heart. I don’t think. I’ll ponder that one.

But here’s what I CAN plop on your plate:

~ Tidbits about my debut cozy mystery, Pocket Change
~ Interviews with my characters
~ Interviews with authors
~ Observations on day stumpers – those hurtful happenings that hit us all
~ My eclectic picks of titles for grown ups
~ Love – I thought it over. Love will definitely come up in the conversations. ; )
~ Critters
~ Letters, you know, those old timey things that are sent through the post office.
~ … and last but not least–some “Laripen” (Extremely good tasting) recipes to put in your pretty bowls

And that’s it.

Be happy. Be well.

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When I decided to interview the characters in my debut novel, Pocket Change, I thought it might be a fun to start with my main character, Mary Clare Casteel (Mac). After all, the woman just won eleven million dollars! She’s building her dream business and selling books, antiques, primitives, and her cousin’s line of Funderwear among other oddities. In her small town of Pocket, Arkansas, things are great…right up until she finds a dead body in her showcase casket.

Allow me to introduce the main character of Pocket Change: Mary Clare Casteel.

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

Me: So, Mary Clare, tell us about yourself. Have you worked anywhere before?

Mary Clare: Are you kidding? After Daddy died, it was just Mama and me. She worked hard teaching fifth grade, but when I got old enough, I wanted to help out. I ‘ve worked in all kinds of places–most of them good. I worked in Mr. Chick-a-Boom’s Chicken Palace all through college. It’s a great place, but if I never have to see another chicken liver I’ll be a happy camper.

Me: Interesting. You said you went to college. What did you study?

Mary Clare: Education. I became a children’s librarian.

Me: That’s cool. Do you miss it?

Mary Clare: I DO! I really miss my students. They were amazing. But, now that I’m opening Pocket Change, I’ll have a chance to see them when they visit our store. They’re one of the reasons, Mama (who is now my business partner) and I included a fun area called the Children’s Chamber. It’s full of books, games, toys, and even a reading bar with a Book Barista named Molly.

Me: That sounds awesome! I wondered if you could talk to us about…um, Mary Clare, where are you going? Our interview isn’t over.

Mary Clare: I am SO sorry. Did you hear that?

Me: I didn’t hear anything.

Mary Clare: Could we pick this up in a day or so? I’d love to tell you more, but, someone’s in the shop. And we’re closed.

Me: I heard a thud.

Mary Clare: And a scream!

Me: Mary Clare…Someone’s coming down the stairs. MARY CLARE!

*Note: This interview has been rescheduled for a later (and safer time). I’m on my way to the police, and Mac is running next door to get her handsome new neighbor.

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Confession: I’ve known for a long time that I was a dabbler. Dabbling is safe. Especially for people who like to write. It means writing, revising, sending your things off then waiting for a reply. During the wait, I’d dabble some more, jot down a massive number of ideas, get excited, and tackle another project. But every time a rejection popped up in my inbox, it knocked the breath right out of me. *Sigh*

Perfect timing for disappointment and despair to jet in. All my enthusiasm sucked right out my head and I gave in to self pity.

What a useless emotion.

It took me a WHILE to figure out that pity and publishing DO NOT make good buddies.

I decided to get myself in writing shape. I tossed out time-consuming activities and replaced them with things that will beef up my writing time. Now, while most of the world heads to the tv to watch their favorite character, I hug my husband and hurry to the office where I get to create my own character. While the world watches people deal with the events on the news, I get to create my own solution to the problems in my story. There’s a sense of balance and gratification in that. *grin*

I discovered a precious thing. I have a cheering squad! As I settle in and begin typing, one by one, all my critters wander back to the office with me. Where Molly, my little cocker/ golden retriever writing buddy used to lay, is Ruby – a small mixture who resembles a possum. Maybelline and Bear are by the door and at least one of the cats usually sprawls on top of my honkin’ big desk. These animals are my muses, my sounding boards, and my faithful cheering squad. Everybody needs a cheering squad that drools and sheds.

Point is … if you want to write for publication, then write, don’t dabble. Time is too precious. I’ve experienced all the commas, colons, periods, and hyphens life has to offer me. I’m ready for an honest-to-goodness exclamation point in my life! Aren’t you?Confession: I’ve known for a long time that I was a dabbler. Dabbling is safe. Especially for people who like to write. It means writing, revising, sending your things off then waiting for a reply. During the wait, I’d dabble some more, jot down a massive number of ideas, get excited, and tackle another project. But every time a rejection popped up in my inbox, it knocked the breath right out of me. *Sigh*

Perfect timing for disappointment and despair to jet in. All my enthusiasm sucked right out my head and I gave in to self pity.

What a useless emotion.

It took me a WHILE to figure out that pity and publishing DO NOT make good buddies.

I decided to get myself in writing shape. I tossed out time-consuming activities and replaced them with things that will beef up my writing time. Now, while most of the world heads to the tv to watch their favorite character, I hug my husband and hurry to the office where I get to create my own character. While the world watches people deal with the events on the news, I get to create my own solution to the problems in my story. There’s a sense of balance and gratification in that. *grin*

I discovered a precious thing. I have a cheering squad! As I settle in and begin typing, one by one, all my critters wander back to the office with me. Where Molly, my little cocker/ golden retriever writing buddy used to lay, is Ruby – a small mixture who resembles a possum. Maybelline and Bear are by the door and at least one of the cats usually sprawls on top of my honkin’ big desk. These animals are my muses, my sounding boards, and my faithful cheering squad. Everybody needs a cheering squad that drools and sheds.

Point is … if you want to write for publication, then write, don’t dabble. Time is too precious. I’ve experienced all the commas, colons, periods, and hyphens life has to offer me. I’m ready for an honest-to-goodness exclamation point in my life! Aren’t you?

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