A Writer’s Garden with Author Claire Gem

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A Writer's Garden, Catherine Castle's garden blog, Claire Gem, ghost story, orchids, paranmormal romance, pictures of orchids, Spirits of the Heart

Today’s writer/gardener guest is author Claire Gem talking about a flower we’ve not yet seen on the garden blog–Orchids. Welcome, Claire.

My World for an Orchid

 

Everyone has their favorite flowers, and I wonder sometimes what this might say about a person. Each flower stands for something, right? Even the flower’s color has special meaning. Although some are obvious—the Forget-Me-Not means “remember me forever”—not all are as intuitive. A Gladiolus represents strength of character, while the Snapdragon means presumptuous. A red Rose signifies passionate love, while a yellow one symbolizes friendship. A comprehensive list of these flower meanings can be found Here.

Which brings me to me. I am a collector of orchids. This flower stands for delicate beauty, which I don’t think describes me at all! Perhaps it’s what I strive for, or maybe it’s just that the delicate beauty of the orchid inspires me to care for and protect it.

pictures from Pixabay

I have a room with a south-facing window which makes it a perfect place for the Phalaenopsis variety of orchid to live. This, the most common variety, is hardy and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. But many people, upon buying or receiving an orchid, assume that once the magnificent blossoms wither and fade, the plant is dead. I’d like to clear up this horrible misconception.

The orchid bloom can live from a few hours to six months, depending on the variety and its living conditions. But just because the flower dies, the plant is far from dead! Some types of orchids can live survive for up to 100 years—they just don’t always flaunt their lovely Sunday-best dresses. Fossil evidence supports the theory that orchids have existed in our world for over a hundred million years.

And talk about variety! The size of orchid blooms can range from 2 mm to 2.5 meters. Some display amazing coloration variations, from mimicking a snowy owl, to a monkey face, to a bee. Check out the awesome photos at this website to see them: http://www.flowerweb.com/en/article/190242/15-Amazing-Facts-About-Orchids

So, what draws me to orchids? I wish I could explain it, but I will admit I have become somewhat obsessed. As of right now, my “Circle of Life Room” (which is what my son calls my plant and aquarium room) sports over a dozen orchids in various stages. Some are plain-Jane, in their dormant phase: just thick, glossy green leaves with their fleshy rhizome roots crawling over the edge of their pots. Others are just now sending up spikes with tiny buds, the promise of new blossoms to welcome spring. Others still are in full, glorious bloom, looking for all the world like silk flowers in their perfection.

The garden staff at my local Home Depot calls me the “crazy orchid lady.” Periodically, I will peruse the store’s stock of orchids—mostly Phalaenopsis—but sometimes miniature or more unusual varieties. Do I pick the ones with the most buds? The healthiest looking leaves and spikes? No. I look for the ones who look neglected, forlorn, or ill-used. These may or may not come at a discount, but one thing is for sure: When these orchids leave the garden center at Home Depot to come home with me, they believe they’ve died and gone to heaven.

I admit it. I adopt abused orchids.

I have nursed many of these failing orchids back to life. Some remain blossom-less for months—one didn’t bloom for over a year. But what a rewarding feeling as I watch shriveled, yellowed leaves plump and turn dark green. And it’s a celebration day indeed when I find that, while I slept, a plant has thrust a bud-laden spike up toward the sun.

Easy to care for, most Phalaenopsis orchids thrive on just 3 ice cubes a week—yes, I said ice cubes. This allows for the water to trickle ever so slowly over the rhizomes, giving them time to absorb exactly the right amount of water. I’m such a fanatic I won’t even use tap water to make those ice cubes, since our town water is so bad I can’t drink it. I use filtered spring water, and have two special ice cube trays in my freezer labeled “orchid food.”

Sound crazy? Perhaps. But remember, the orchid doesn’t stand for insanity or mental instability. It stands for delicate beauty. And delicate beauty deserves careful, delicate treatment. Why don’t you think about adopting an orchid and giving this delicate beauty a try?

 

About the gardener/author:

Claire Gem is an award-winning author of five novels in the genres of contemporary romance and supernatural suspense. A New York native, Claire has lived in five of the United States and held a variety of jobs, from waitress to bridal designer to research technician—but loves being an author best. She and her happily-ever-after hero, her husband of 38 years, now live in central Massachusetts.

 

Her latest novel is the supernatural suspense, Spirits of the Heart, is set in an abandoned mental asylum in the town where she grew up.

An addiction counselor & a security guard struggle to free two, lost spirits trapped inside an abandoned mental asylum.

Laura Horton returns from college to move in with an old friend & start her career. But her homecoming is jarring. Her friend’s moved out, leaving Laura alone with the gorgeous but intimidating ex-boyfriend—in a house that snugs up to an ancient graveyard. Officer Miller Stanford is a man with a shattered past. His alcoholic dad destroyed their family, a weakness Miller is terrified will consume him too. The last thing he needs is a sexy, blonde addiction counselor watching his every move. When he begins to see specters in the dark, he starts questioning his own stability. But Laura sees her too—a pathetic child-spirit searching for her father. Can they unravel the mysteries of Talcott Hall without jeopardizing their love—and lives—in the process?

 Note to readers of sweet romance—Spirits of the Heart has been labeled steamy by some reviewers and may not be suitable for readers looking for sweet romance.

 Book Trailer: http://bit.ly/1QreCAY

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2jt6k1p

You can find out more about Claire and her work on her website: http://www.clairegem.com/

 

 

 

 

 

A Writer’s Garden with Author Carole Ann Moleti

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A Writer's Garden, Carole Ann Moleti, Catherine Castle’s gardening blog, Garden blog, hostas, paranormal romance, pictures of hostas, pruning, Storm Watch, trimming, Unfinished Business paranormal romance series

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Today, we have gardener/author Carole Ann Moleti on A Writer’s Gardening with some beautiful pictures oh her hostas, and talking about garden clutter and getting rid of it. Welcome, Carole Ann

Thanks, Catherine,.

In gardening, as in writing, I find it difficult to get rid of things. The clutter sneaks up and gets out of control. I just can’t discard “my darlings” be they plants taking over a plot, escaping a border, or clever phrases and lush description concealing a storyline. So I reduce, reuse, and recycle everything.

A couple of years ago, my Black-Eyed Susans took over the front yard, and I culled several of them to fill in my mother’s flowerbeds. I edited more than 20,000 words out of my upcoming novel: flowery sections of prose that smothered the storyline. They’re being used as teasers bonus content for my newsletter subscribers.

This year, the Hostas are choking out the groundcover and daylilies. They’re dangling over the border onto the patio and into the driveway. My colorful accents have become a monotonous behemoth. So I grabbed a shovel and filled about fifteen pots with the lush foliage, giving most of them away to friends, saving some for our upstate cottage that needs things the deer do not favor (I let them sample the corn and crab apples).

Now the sculptures can be seen, the dead leaves hiding under the leaves are composted, and the Cana lilies are poking through the canopy. Next week, I’ll take a spade to the massive pinwheels of color spinning out of control in the front yard before they roll over the lilies of the valley and the remaining Black Eyed Susans.

My new novel, Storm Watch, the third book in the Unfinished Business Series of paranormal romances, is being released on June 28. Back to work.

 

About the Author:

 Gardener/writer Carole Ann Moleti has been gardening since she was old enough to remember. Her favorite things about gardening are the sense of peace and oneness with nature, bees buzzing, butterflies alighting, the fragrance of flowers, the field mice, frogs, and toads. When she’s not gardening, Carole is writing in a variety of genres including spicy paranormal romance, gritty urban fantasy, memoir, and nonfiction that range from the sweet and sentimental to the snarky and irreverent. You can see her portfolio at http://amzn.to/23KBru8 and find out more about her at http://caroleannmoleti.com/

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Writers Welcomes YA Author L. R. Burkard

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book excerpt from Defiance, Catherine Castle's Wednesday Writers blog series, Christian Post-Apocalyptic YA Suspense Dystopian fiction, Defiance, Linore Burkhard, Pulse Effex series

Today I’m welcoming L.R. Burkard, aka Linore Rose Burkard, to Wednesday Writers. Lenore has recently switched genres and is giving us a peek into what sparked her Christian Post-Apocalyptic YA Suspense Dystopian setting in her series PULSE EFFEX. Keep reading for a peek into the third installment, DEFIANCE. Welcome, L.R.!

Thanks, Catherine.

When my sweet historical romance series was published, I never dreamed my next would be YA/dystopian. What a switch in genres! So, how did I go from one end of the writing spectrum to another? Blame it on an idea that refused to die. I read a headline about how close the earth came to suffering a catastrophic electromagnetic pulse, or EMP, in 2012. We missed the worst effects of a solar flare by a hair (in space terms); but the “what if” factor had been set in motion. What if that flare hadn’t missed us? What if I was a teen raised on electronics–or an adult medically dependent on them–and it all went dead in a matter of seconds? What if the next flare doesn’t miss? PULSE, the first book in my PULSE EFFEX Series, was born. This month, the third installment, DEFIANCE, releases!

 

Defiance

Defiance: Because sometimes resistance just isn’t enough.

In this third installment of the PULSE EFFEX SERIES, foreign soldiers and fellow Americans gone rogue are just the beginning of what Andrea, Lexie and Sarah must face. Beneath the threat of nuclear strikes and guerrilla armies, the girls long for a free country in which to live–and love. Survival means resistance must give way to defiance. But can ordinary teens and their families withstand powerful forces and keep hope alive?

A PEEK INSIDE

Angel took a handgun out of a side holster and handed it to me. “We’re gonna need you, Sarah.”

“I—I’ve only had a few lessons,” I said, weakly.

“Just aim and shoot when you need to,” she said, quietly. “It’s already chambered. Remember what we taught you—when a bullet’s chambered, it’s ready. Don’t aim it until you’re gonna use it and don’t put your finger on the trigger until you’re gonna shoot.”

“Here they are!” Richard cried.

The gang of marauders appeared, descending upon the cabin with hoots and shouts that made my blood curdle. I took the gun with a sense of unreality. How could this be happening? It couldn’t be, because I, Sarah Weaver, did not take part in real battles! Sarah Weaver was an anxious, fear-filled teenager with enough insecurities for ten girls. I was the one to have panic attacks when alone; the one who’d been taking anti-depressants for two years—until the pulse stopped that.

I held the pistol up with shaky hands. And I knew: This was reality now. This was life, and there was no room for the old Sarah. I could not allow myself to crumple in weakness or fear.

For a full excerpt from Book One in the series, PULSE: http://www.linoreburkard.com/READER_EXCERPT_PULSE.PDF

Buy Link: http://amzn.to/1JYR0Qg

 

About the Author:

Linore Rose Burkard wrote a trilogy of genuine regency romances for the Christian market before there were any regencies for the Christian market. Published with Harvest House, her books opened up the genre for the CBA. She also writes YA Suspense/Apocalyptic fiction as L.R. Burkard. Married with five children, she home-schools her youngest daughter, preferably with coffee in one hand and an iPad in the other. Her latest  PULSE EFFEX SERIES, takes readers into a “chilling possible future for America while affirming the power of faith in the darkest of times.”

Contact: Linore Burkard.com, LRBurkard.com

A Writer’s Garden with Author Caroline Warfield

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A Writer's Garden, Caroline Warfield, Catherine Castle’s gardening blog, gardening with deer, historical romance, Pre-Victorian romance, romance set in India, The Reluctant Wife

Let’s welcome author/gardener Caroline Warfield to A Writer’s Garden today. She’ll be talking about the garden enemy that makes all gardeners cringe—deer—especially when they see their neighbors putting salt licks in their back yards for the foraging creatures. Welcome, Caroline.

Thanks, Catherine.

Let me say it clearly: I love gardens. As my various biographies have stated, I am enamored of gardens, but not so much the act of gardening. Gardening can be glorious or backbreaking in turns. It can also be heartbreaking. Five years ago we moved to Cheltenham, an older suburb that borders Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I left behind three lovely, manageable flowerbeds and my thyme garden, a mature herb garden designed around a sundial, a sort of literary conceit with several varieties of thyme used in Edward Eagers The Time Garden. I miss it still. That’s the glorious part.

The heartbreaking part wasn’t so much leaving it behind, as facing the new environment and finding an army of enemies. As if weather, rainfall variations, clay soil, dying fruit trees, and insects weren’t enough, I discovered some of my new neighbors to be a scourge upon plant life. That is to say, we are surrounded by white-tailed deer.

When I asked if I needed to worry about my raspberry plants, my grandson sagely replied, “These are city deer, Grandma. They will eat anything.” He didn’t exaggerate. They leave my daffodils and irises alone, but tulips, hostas, and annuals are at their mercy. The lovely hydrangeas I saw when we looked at the house have been reduced to nothing. They almost destroyed the buckeye tree we brought from Ohio until we fenced it in. The beasts target small trees.

buckeye tree

You may wonder how a deer or two can do so much damage. One can do quite a lot, and we have many more. I’ve counted eight in our yard at one time. Other family members once counted a herd of fifteen nearby. A scourge, indeed.

Research quickly turned up a wide variety of home remedies from human hair (which appears to have been a preferred tactic of the previous owner), to soaps to hot sauce, all of which need to be repeated often. Some more repulsive home remedies and commercial deer repellent products involve foul smells. None worked well for us.

We declared a moratorium on planting flowers until we know more about deer resistant plants and methods. Abandoning a vegetable garden, however, will not happen. It is my red line in the sand. After a disasterous first season, we declared all out war. We had only one option. We constructed an anti-deer fortress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It has served us well for two seasons and we expect success this year as well. It is too narrow to tempt them to jump in and, while lower than experts recommend, is high enough to keep them from leaning in to the vegetables. They get a wee nibble of tomato plant late in the season, but leave the fruit alone. I don’t begrudge them.

For now we’re enjoying Philadelphia’s abundance of public flower gardens and wondering how they do it! So far, only Bowman’s Wildflower Refuge has revealed their strategy. They have a ten-foot electronic fence around the refuge. Sigh.

 

About the Author:

Caroline Warfield finds walking through a garden deeply soul satisfying, and she doesn’t need to own the garden to enjoy it. She has been thrilled with public gardens all over the world, from Singapore to London to New York.

Caroline has been many things: traveler, librarian, poet, raiser of children, bird watcher, Internet and Web services manager, genealogist—even a nun. She reckons she is on at least her third act, happily working in an office surrounded by windows overlooking bird feeders, trees, and her deer fortress where she writes family-centered romance with interconnected characters.

Her current series involves three cousins who have been driven apart by lies and deceit, drawn back to England by family ties, and sustained by loves of their own. Her books have a moderate level of sensuality. She believes that in romance sex will happen, but it can be handled with sensitivity and care. In such scenes she focuses on relationship, commitment, and emotion not eroticism per se.

In The Reluctant Wife, a disgraced Bengal army officer finds himself responsible for two half-caste daughters and a headstrong, interfering,—but attractive—widow. This time, failure is not an option.

Genre: Historical Romance, Pre-Victorian (set in India and England in 1835)

Heat Level: Moderate. or warm

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Reluctant-Wife-Children-Empire-Book-ebook/dp/B06XYRRR1R/

 

Kimberly Rose Johnson Talks Setting on Wednesday Writers

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An Encore for Estelle, book excerpt from An Encore for Estelle, book setting, Catherine Castle's Wednesday Writers blog series, contemporary romance, Kimberly Rose Johnson

 Today Wednesday Writers welcomes Kimberly Rose Johnson to the blog. Kimberly will be talking about setting for her contemporary romance  An Encore for Estelle. Welcome, Kimberly!

 

 Thanks, Catherine.

When I sat down to write A Love Song for Kayla, the first book in this series, I wanted to set it in a small town without having to do any research. I also wanted to place the story in Oregon—up to that point in my writing career, all of my published books had been set in Washington State, so I thought it would be nice to change states.

I created a town called Oak Knoll, positioned NW of Salem, in the Willamette Valley. The name was inspired by a golf course West of Salem called Oak Knoll Golf Course. I imagine my town is somewhere near the golf course.

Oak Knoll is quaint like any small town should be. It has the usual places: a coffee shop, florist, churches . . . you get the picture. In An Encore for Estelle we see the community center, where the theater is located and the coffee shop—I wanted a hangout where my characters could go and visit with one another outside the theater.

I’m currently writing the third book in the series, and I’ve added a block to the town where Amber’s dance studio is located. We meet Amber in An Encore for Estelle. She is the dance choreographer for the musical. She is also the main character in A Waltz for Amber, which I hope to release in October.

It’s been fun to create a town and see it expand as the series grows. So far I have two series set in actual places and two in fictitious locations. The advantage of making up own town is that I can have whatever I want there. The advantage of using a real location is that people can relate to the story when they’ve been there. It’s so fun for me when people tell me I nailed those locations, and they feel like they were there as they were reading.

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

An Encore For Estelle

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

A former A-list actress seeks to redeem herself in the most unlikely of places—a children’s theater. The writer/director didn’t anticipate a famous actress would ever show interest in his musical much less him. Will their pasts pull them apart or join them together?

Excerpt:

Estelle turned to face the man. She sucked in a breath. He had to be over six feet tall. His dark hair had a messy look that she liked. Get it together. He wasn’t the first ruggedly handsome man she’d ever met. Plus there was Jeff.

He looked down at her with chocolate brown eyes. “It’s nice to meet you. Helen has told me all about you.”

Estelle shot a look toward Helen. “Don’t believe everything you hear.”

“Believe every word, Blake.” Helen waved a finger toward Estelle. “My friend here is a remarkable woman.”

Estelle’s face warmed. There was nothing remarkable about her, but people had always said stuff like that about her. Although it had never bothered her before, it did coming from Helen. She thought Helen knew her well enough to know she wasn’t all that.

Blake grinned, although it looked forced. “I’m heading to town. Did either of you need me to get anything while I’m there?”

“No thanks, but maybe Estelle would like to join you.” She raised a brow toward her.

Estelle caught her breath. Was her hostess trying to play matchmaker? She ought to warn her to give up now, because she was a relationship disaster. At least that’s what she felt like.

“How about it?” Blake asked. “Would you like to come along?” His words were friendly enough, but the look in his eyes was guarded. Almost like the last thing he wanted was for her to say yes.

Why did he seem wary? She didn’t recall ever meeting him—she would have remembered. “No thanks. I should finish my lunch then get settled.”

He dipped his head. “Okay then. See you around.” He turned and headed in the direction from which he’d come.

Estelle sat back into the chair she’d vacated when Blake showed up.

Helen leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Isn’t he cute?”

She burst into laughter. “You are old enough to be his mother.”

“I didn’t say I wanted to marry him. Goodness.” She frowned.

Estelle sobered. “I’m sorry, Helen. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“Sorry, I overreacted. I’m fine. Don’t give it another thought.” She fanned her flushed face. “One would think at my age that I’d stop blushing so easily, but it appears that trait will forever plague me.”

“At least when you blush you’re pretty. When I blush, my neck turns red, and I get all blotchy.” Estelle made a silly face. “It happened once on set and the director was not happy. They had to take time out for the makeup artist to cover the red before we could continue filming.”

Helen bubbled with laughter. “It’s going to be fun having you here. Have you given any thought to how you’ll fill your time? I know three months is a long vacation.”

“I agree, and like I said, I may not stay the entire time. I have no idea how I’ll fill my days.” It’d been forever since she’d had the freedom to do whatever she wanted. There always seemed to be something or someone that needed her attention.

“You could volunteer at the community center. Every summer they do a children’s theater program. Auditions are coming up, and they’ll begin rehearsals soon.” She dipped her head and fiddled with her fork.

“You know I don’t act anymore.”

“So you said, but those kids don’t care. They’d be thrilled to have a real actress—” she raised a hand, “former actress mentor them. A little birdie told me you used to volunteer with the children’s theater in LA.”

Estelle sighed. It had been a long time since she’d done anything with the children’s theater. She liked kids, but she’d left that life. Then again, this was Helen asking. “I’ll think about it.”

“Don’t think too long. My son tells me this new musical is ambitious for such a small town, and Blake needs help.”

If Derek was concerned then there was probably reason to be. “What does Blake have to do with the children’s theater?”

“Didn’t I mention that it’s his brainchild? He coordinates the program. He’s the reason I invited you. Actually I’m hoping you’ll stick around through the summer too. The theater has become a big deal here, and no matter what Blake thinks, he can’t keep doing it all on his own.”

Estelle shook her head. This must be the real reason for Helen’s invitation to spend the summer with her. Not that she minded, but wished her friend had been upfront about the reason behind her request. “You neglected to mention any of this.” She felt snookered, but it was fine. She’d do almost anything for Helen. Plus the timing worked—at least for now. If she could manage to stay away from her restaurant, and her life for three months remained to be seen. If necessary she could fly home a couple of times to check up on things. The idea of working with the theater sent a tingle of excitement zipping through her. That settled it—she was in if Blake would have her. She loved the theater.

Want to read more? You can get An Encore for Estelle at

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2pDQweE

About the Author:

Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul. Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. You can sign up for Kimberly’s newsletter via her website at: http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/index.html

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyRoseJohnson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimberlyrosejoh

Amazon Follow: https://www.amazon.com/Kimberly-Rose-Johnson/e/B00K10CR6E/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1435862403&sr=1-2-ent

 

Johnnie Alexander Joins Wednesday Writers

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book excerpt from What Hope Remembers, Catherine Castle's Wednesday Writers blog series, contemporary romance, horse riding story, Johnnie Alexander, Sweet romance, What Hope Remembers

 

 

 

 

 

Today I’m welcoming Johnnie Alexander to the Wednesday Writers blog. Johnnie going to talk a bit about writing what you know, a bit of life history which she used in her contemporary romance What Hope Remembers. Welcome, Johnnie.

 

 

 

Getting Back On—Long Years Later

By

Johnnie Alexander

 

When I was a young teen, I got thrown from a pony. And I mean tossed-in-the-air, fall-flat-on-my-back thrown.

A gracious onlooker said that it was the most graceful fall she’d ever seen. (That soothed my pride but not my aching muscles.)

A couple years later, I sat astride the family pony (which I seldom rode) in the pasture across from our house. I was content with a quiet walk, but he decided it’d be more fun to stay with the others in our group.

He jogged.

His saddle slid sideways.

I ended up on the hard ground.

You all know what they say about getting back on after falling off, right? I’ve heard that, too.

But instead of heeding that advice I never rode again.

Fast-forward a few, ahem, decades.

I’ve decided my newest contemporary romance needs a horse-riding hero. Come to find out, the heroine rode horses, too, when she was a young girl. Then her parents died in a fiery plane crash, and she quit the activity she loved most because her dad was no longer there to cheer her on.

A friend from church who is an avid rider and trains her own horse had given me tips on “horse lingo” for a historical novella I’d previously written so I turned to her again.

“I think I want to take riding lessons,” I said. “Just a few.”

“I know just the person to teach you,” she replied.

As it turned out, my first riding lesson was with my friend. I rode Chance, a glistening black beauty, while she held onto the lunge line. We rode in giant circles while I did my best to stay in the saddle. I enjoyed it though I was intimidated by Chance’s size. (Hey, I’m barely five feet tall.)

Chance and Johnnie

The following week, we went to the stables where I’d end up taking several lessons. On that first visit, the instructor asked my goals.

“I just want to be comfortable,” I said. “To do something I’m afraid of and not be afraid anymore.”

She told me about Gabby. “But she’s a pony. Most adults don’t want to ride ponies.”

“I’m not too proud,” I quickly said. “I’d love to ride Gabby.”

Gabby and Johnnie

It turned out Gabby was the perfect choice. She was a tall pony—larger than the ponies you often see at carnivals or fairs for children to ride.

Over the next few weeks, I learned to keep my heels down, my back straight, to properly hold my reins, and even a tiny bit of dressage.

Then the holidays came and several weeks later, I moved away.

But I’ll never forget my riding lessons with Gabby, and how even that little bit of horsemanship added more realism to the scene where my heroine rides again for the first time in years. After all, I knew how much her behind would ache!

I hope to ride again sometime.

If I can find another tall pony as sweet and gentle as Gabby.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

What Hope Remembers

By Johnnie Alexander

When Amy Somers loses her job as a lobbyist, she moves to Misty Willow, well aware that she’s crossing bridges she’d burned years before. With all the mistakes she’s made and the uncaring things she’s done–even to her own family–she can hardly believe that happiness will find her, especially when Gabe Kendall, her first crush and her first kiss, rides back into her life atop a buckskin mare.

A former Marine, Gabe is at loose ends after serving a prison sentence for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He sees beyond Amy’s hard exterior to the girl he once knew and loved, and he longs to see her open her heart. Yet with his vision clouded by shame for his past and fears about the future, he finds it difficult to see the path ahead.

But the memory of that long-ago kiss just may have the power to reignite a romance that brings out the best in both of them.

 

Excerpt

The June sun beat on Gabe Kendall’s bare head and tapped into his childhood memories of the horse farm. He leaned his arms on the weathered fence and let his mind bask in the remembrance of long summer days under tranquil blue skies.

The pastures, lush and green. The paddock with its packed dirt circuit. The stables, once alive with the soft snuffles of contented horses and the familiar smells of oiled leather, fresh hay, and honest sweat.

Except for the glow of memory, nothing was the same.

The horse barn, the machine shed, even the nearby house were smaller than he remembered. Perhaps a consequence of seeing his uncle’s place for the first time with grown-up eyes. Or maybe his imagination had tricked him into thinking everything about the place was bigger. God knew he’d experienced too many nights when the only way he could lull himself to sleep was to conjure up happier times.

That long-ago summer, the summer after Mom’s last illness, he’d cut hay, filled the silo with the yellow kernels of newly harvested corn, and ridden horseback every chance he got. When the chores were done, he dozed beneath the old sycamore back by the pond. And he prayed for a return to before. The same prayer he wanted to pray now.

Not that it would do any good.

Praying wouldn’t erase the cracked paint on the fence and the buildings, the clumps of weeds overtaking the grass. Wouldn’t transform the land into the paradise he remembered. Ugly facts taunted him with their staunch reality.

A forlorn air hung over the place, heavy with regret and heartache. But the silent emptiness wasn’t because of his adult perspective or the glow of childhood memory.

Whisper Lane Stables might be a thriving business if Rusty were still alive. Except then he’d know how low Gabe had fallen…

Want to read more? Purchase: Link to Online Retailers

 

About the Author:

Johnnie Alexander is a wannabe vagabond with a heart for making memories. While relaxing on her Sunshine State patio with her dogs Rugby and Griff, she writes stories that tug at your heartstrings. She has won the prestigious American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Genesis Contest (Historical) and received several conference awards. Johnnie is marketing director for the Mid-South Christian Writers Conference and past president of both the ACFW Memphis and ACFW Central Florida chapters.

 

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Amish Author Susan Lantz Simpson on Wednesday Writers

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Amish romance, Amish suspense, Catherine Castle's Wednesday Writers blog series, Plain Haven (Plainly Maryland Book 1), Susan Lantz Simpson

Today I’m welcoming Susan Lantz Simpson to Wednesday Writers. Susan loves Amish and I think you’ll find her new Amish romance, Plain Haven (Plainly Maryland Book 1) has an interesting twist. At least it caught my attention. Welcome, Susan

Thanks, Catherine.

I have been fascinated by the Amish for a very long time and have always wanted to write stories with Amish characters. I chose to set my story in Southern Maryland where I live. We have Amish and Mennonite communities here, but as far as I know, no novels have been set here. Our Plain communities are small and pretty obscure. We do not have the commercialism found in many other areas. St. Mary’s County, Maryland is basically rural–though we are growing. Plain farms may be located right beside English farms or houses. Plain businesses, such as feed mills, quilt shops, furniture shops, grocery, stores, and even a dairy, serve Plain and English customers alike, but our Plain neighbors rarely seek employment in English establishments.

I wanted to take an English character and plunk her in the middle of a small Amish community she had never even heard of before. The reader learns about Amish ways and Southern Maryland along with Hannah Kurtz. The fact that Hannah is really Lilly Brandt, a crime witness seeking a safe haven, adds a bit of suspense to the story.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Plain Haven

By Susan Lantz Simpson

Can deception, even if it’s necessary, be forgiven?

Lilly Brandt was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now she is running for her life—straight into a small, obscure Amish community in Southern Maryland. Now as Hannah Kurtz, she vows to remain aloof since she doesn’t expect to be in Cherry Hill long enough to form any attachments. But her head has neglected to inform her heart of this plan. She hadn’t counted on meeting and being attracted to the kind, young man with the amazing blue eyes.

Jacob Beiler, skilled young furniture maker, has made a vow of his own. After being jilted by the girl he trusted right before he is about to propose, he decides to focus strictly on honing his craft and guarding his heart from any future injury. When Hannah Kurtz drops into his world, she drops into his mending heart as well, thawing the wall of ice he has meticulously erected. Against his better judgement, he allows himself to care again and to trust another woman.

When the Amish community discovers Hannah is not really Amish and that she is not even Hannah Kurtz, Jacob feels betrayed yet again. Will Jacob be able to forgive Hannah’s necessary deception or will he turn his back on her despite her desperate attempts to reason with him?

You can find Plain Haven (Plainly Maryland Book 1) on Amazon

 

About the Author:

I have been writing stories and poetry ever since I penned my first poem at the age of six. I have always loved the magic of words and how they can entertain and enlighten others. My love of words and books led me to earn a degree in English/Education. I have taught students from prekindergarten to high school and have also worked as an editor for the federal government. I also hold a degree in nursing and have worked in hospitals and in community health. I write inspirational stories of love and faith and have published a middle-grade novel (Ginger and the Bully). I live in Maryland and am the mother of two wonderful daughters. When I am not writing, I enjoy reading, walking, and doing needlework.

Connect with Susan at:

Website: https://susanlantzsimpson.wordpress.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Susan-Lantz-Simpson-372578556286726/?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/slantzsimpson

Pinterest:Susan Lantz Simpson (susanlantzsimps)

Madelyn Hill and Highland Faith on Wednesday Writers

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book excerpt from Highland Faith, Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, Highland Faith by Madelyn Hill, Highland Romance, historical romance, researching historical romance, sensual romance, Wild Thistle Trilogy by Madelyn Hill

Today Wednesday Writers welcomes historical author Madelyn Hill. Madelyn will be talking about researching for historical details, specifically related to how she researched for the second book in her Wild Thistle Trilogy, Highland Faith. Welcome, Madelyn!

 Thanks, Catherine.

Writing historicals can sometimes be a daunting task, especially when we are writing to the whim of a muse and we need to be able to accurately research historical details. Highland Faith is the second book in the Wild Thistle Trilogy to be released May 17^th. My heroine is a strong and feisty lass, whom is also a huntress.

While the weapon of choice for Faith is a bow and arrow, my expertise in this realm was limited by my experiences from a decade ago. Using a bow and arrow, finding the right terms, feelings, and nuances can be tricky because you must go back in history and determine the right materials, language, and hunted beasties. You have to know the landscape and where an animal may lurk and how a huntress will have the advantage as she stalks her prey.

Early in the novel, the reader learns of Faith’s hunting experiences and how she perfected her skill. A skill which puts her at a level higher than any other clansmen. While men appreciate the fruits of her labor, they find it somewhat emasculating how she bests them on hunts. And the hero, our handsome Graeme, is skeptical of her skill until he witnesses her prowess first hand.

Since I only write historicals (for now), I am used to researching every detail. I often use my book, English Through The Ages, to see if word choices are appropriate or Google certain words to see their specific usage during the novel’s time period. This also means I have to research archery terms and techniques. I had used a bow and arrow before, however aiming toward a target is vastly different than aiming toward a moving animal. There are consequences when wielding such a weapon and the archer must be nimble, strong and accurate.

Since Faith had the freedom to traipse about the MacAlister territory to hunt game, I needed to know the landscape. For this, I used Google Earth. I’m a tech nerd, so if I can use technology to aid me in any way, I’ll use it. Google Earth allows you to “zoom” into a certain location and experience a “street view” of the location. This is incredibly helpful and even though my novel is set hundreds of years ago, I can still get the feel of the vegetation, geography, and perhaps stumble upon a cave or unique land feature to use in my story.

Thanks, Madelyn. I love to research using Google Earth, too. And now for an excerpt from Highland Faith.

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Highland Faith

By Madelyn Hill

Excerpt:

’Twas her sister’s fault.

Hope had married Aidan MacKerry, leading the MacAlister Clan together, and now they were acting like lovesick cows. Aye, they’d recently had another bairn and ’twas why they were smiling like amadans. But Faith MacAlister had enough of the cooing and kissing.

She had to leave the Wild Thistle Keep or go mad.

Hunting was the only option.

The size of the MacAlister Clan dictated hunting trips each fortnight to keep the larder full. Faith grabbed her quiver and bow, left word with the guards at the palisade to inform the lairds Aidan and Hope her direction, and left to find sustenance and peace.

And now, three days later she continued stalking the elusive stag. She kenned her sister would be close to sending a group of men to look for her in a day or so. Luckily she’d managed an agreement with her sister whom was also her laird. An agreement between sisters proved hard to negotiate, but she’d won in the end. And she hunted without escort as long as she never left without telling the guards her direction.

A sun filled day, just cool enough not to need too much clothing that may hinder her movement, but warm enough she didn’t need to start a fire to warm herself. She stretched in the britches she’d stolen from one of the stable hands. Aye, she’d tried the tartan her sister Hope loved to wear, but found it too revealing as she moved and climbed to find her prey. And a gown, the devil take them, ’twould make it nigh impossible to hunt and secure meat for the clan.

She moved quietly through the woods. Each footfall, purposeful, silently brought her closer to her elusive prey.

Aye, there he stood. In the morning mist that hovered just above the low foliage, a proud, beautiful stag who’d avoided her arrow for too long. Huge, with several points on his rack and a cocksure stance stating, I’m king of the forest. She hated to take down the magnificent animal. But he’d provide for her clan and her duty dictated securing meat for those who depended on her.

She drew her bow, stretching the sinew, straining her arm muscles as she prepared to let the arrow fly. The feather fletching grazed her cheek as she held her breath waiting for the perfect moment to release. She’d traveled far for this chance, stalked her prey as her father had taught her so many years ago with her so wee she could barely hold a bow, much less draw and aim. And today, her size may well again thwart her hunting. ’Twould be problematic once the massive stag was felled. She’d have to dress him in the field and lug the meat back with her. No matter, she’d manage as always.

Two more steps forward. Stared down the length of the arrow past the head, ready to release.

“Well, well, well. What have we here?” a man said.

Interested in reading more about Faith and Graeme? Highland Faith, Book 2 in the Wild Thistle Trilogy will be released May 17^th! You can find the book and pre-order link at Amazon

To my readers of sweet romance, please note that Highland Faith is a sensual romance.

About the Author:

Madelyn Hill has always loved the written word. From the time she could read and all through her school years, she’d sneak books into her textbooks during school. And she devoured books daily. At the age of 10 she proclaimed she wanted to be a writer. After being a “closet” writer for several years, she sent her manuscripts out there and is now published with Soul Mate Publishing. And she couldn’t be happier! A resident of Western New York, she moved from one Rochester to another Rochester to be with the love of her life. They now have 3 children and keep busy cooking, watching their children’s sporting events, and of course reading!

Connect with Madelyn at:

Website:  http://www.madelynhill.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madelyn.hill.94

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMaddyHill

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/madelynhill68

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/authormadelynhill

Madelyn Hill’s Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Madelyn-Hill/e/B00ELRG34U

A Writer’s Garden—Casting Your Cares in the Garden with Christina Lorenzen

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Author Catherine Castle's garden blog, CAsting your cares in the garden, Christina Lorenzen, dealing with change, garden devotional, Healing Seas, turtles, turtles in the garden

When your troubles weigh you down, what better place to be than in the garden. Today’s guest Christina Lorenzen shares the soothing aspect of her garden with us. Welcome, Christina.

 

Thanks, Catherine.

Last spring was a particularly tumultuous time in my life. As a matter of fact, it was around this time one year ago when it seemed like everything around me was unraveling. I will be the first to admit I don’t do well with change, and especially when there are several changes at the same time.

My husband had been dealing with health issues since late winter and here it was late April and he was still on medical leave from his job. As a person with health anxiety, the dozens of doctor appointments and medical tests were unnerving for me. I wanted to be calm for him. My daughter, a junior in college, was also dealing with health issues in the form of anxiety. She was struggling, unable to walk to class alone or stay home without one of us there. Though I knew I should have been grateful for my own health and good fortune in life (my second and third books had been published), the weight of their troubles pressed down on me.

If you’ve suffered from anxiety at some point in your life, you know that there are times when the weight of it can feel as if you can’t take a deep breath. I felt like that often, except for the times I went outside.

I had been reading articles about natural ways to cope with anxiety and most agreed getting outside in the sun and fresh air was a great way to be in the moment. While people who struggle with depression tend to live in the past, people battling anxiety tend to live in the future. Without a doubt, this is where I was. What if my husband couldn’t go back to work? What if something happened to him? What if my daughter couldn’t stay in school? What if her dreams were the future ended before they even began? What if I had to take care of two people when I finally had gotten to a point where I had time to pursue my writing? As I ran these scary projections of the future in my mind, it occurred to me that the ‘what ifs’ I was creating were weighing me down like the rocks in the garden outside.

It was that thought that prompted me to step outside that day. I hadn’t noticed before that how green the grass was, how the crab apple tree had blossomed or the way the petals had scattered to the ground below it. But what caught my eye was the cluster of rocks surrounding a small plant.

I couldn’t remember what kind of plant it was or when it had been planted. It was then that I realized I had been so frazzled and so consumed with the future, I had been missing the little things happening every day. I was deep in thought, marveling at how I had compared the things weighing on me to rocks and there I stood in front of a small border of rocks, Then I noticed a faint movement out of the corner of my eye. At first I panicked, thinking it might be the mouse we had seen last fall. I geared up to make a break for it when I saw a small grayish head pop out – of a turtle shell!

In the twenty plus years we have lived in our house we have seen an assortment of ‘wild life’ pass through our yard. Our children thrilled at the sight of rabbits, ducks, frogs, possum, raccoon and even a yucky mouse or two, but never had we seen a turtle. Since we don’t live anywhere near water, I thought this sighting was especially unusual. I inched closer and bent down to get a good look. Sure enough, the little head drew back in so quick it looked as if a vacuum had sucked it away. I stared at the shell, sitting there in full view in the green grass, and wished I knew how to tell how old he or she was. And being a worrier, I immediately wondered how this turtle, which upon seeing him my daughter named Vern, would find his way back home. Without even thinking, I whispered this verse.

Matthew 6:25 -26

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns — and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

For the next week or so, no matter how busy I was, I stopped whatever I was doing and took a few minutes to spend time in the garden – and check on Vern. By the end of the week, he was gone. I searched the plants and flower beds around where he had been just to be sure. I could have stood there and thought the worst. I could have added another ‘rock’ to the load I was carrying. But I could still hear those words from Matthew. And somehow I just knew that wherever Vern was, he was okay. And with that reassurance, I let myself drop each of those rocks, doing as the Bible instructs us to do by ‘casting’ my cares, knowing that all would be well.

 

About the Author:

When I’m not writing or reading, I love spending time with family, my cats, taking walks with my Cocker Spaniel Yogi or getting lost in jewelry design, a venture that feeds my creativity as a writer. I am a member of Faith, Hope & Love, the inspirational chapter of RWA (Romance Writers of America) and ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).

My most recent release is:

Healing Seas

by Christina Lorenzen

In just a matter of days, Addie Mayfield’s life is upended. Through an arrangement her father makes, she sets sail on the RMS Titanic as governess to the two young Fairchild children. When tragedy strikes, she finds herself rescued alongside strangers on the RMS Carpathia, headed for New York City. Far from home, she is taken in by the O’Reilly family to wait for her family to send for her. With no money for her passage home, she’s brought to the small hamlet of Montauk to become a caretaker for a great aunt she has never met.

Captain Frank Shea is a man without a ship. Removed from duty as captain of the RMS Morrow, he’s come to Montauk to recover from a leg injury. More painful than the injury is his fall from grace after spending his entire life at sea. The ocean was his home and he has never needed anyone. Now faced with an uncertain future, he’s desperate for a way back to the sea. Until he meets Addie Mayfield, a woman who is just as lost as he is. Can these two people find hope for the future after all they’ve lost? Can an unexpected love heal two broken souls?

Available on Amazon:

I hope you’ll visit my home on the web www.christinalorenzen.com often and keep in touch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Writers Welcomes Ada Brownell and Peach Blossom Ranch

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Ada Brownell, book excerpt from Peach Blossom Ranch, Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, Christian fiction, fiction about insane asylums, historical romance, Peahc Blossom Ranch

Today Wednesday Writers Welcomes Ada Brownell, author of Peach Blossom Ranch, a book that has been described as suspense, romance, humor, murder, insanity, hope, fun, wrapped in a Western you won’t forget.

Welcome, Ada.

 

Thanks, Catherine.

You won’t believe the work required to run a peach and horse ranch, or the types of diagnoses that could get you committed to an asylum in the early 1900s.

To write this historical romance I drew from my  experiences growing up in Fruita, Colo., near Palisade’s peach country, and from my years as a journalist covering the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo, a former asylum.

In this Historical Romance, a handsome young man inherits a ranch in ruin and hopes to marry a beautiful young widow who is an attorney. But she takes up the case of a brilliant doctor committed to an asylum because of one seizure. Will the rancher, the attorney, and the asylum patient achieve their dreams?

Peach blossoms, regal horse flesh, three beautiful women and one handsome rancher almost fall to the background in this book as an insane asylum surfaces, holding people who are not imbeciles, as they called them in the early 1900s.

My career as a newspaper reporter dropped me into that pit, and one piece of authentic historical information that I was given by the now Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo told the story about some of the characters that appear in my historical romance, The Peach Blossom Rancher. The rancher’s intended wife is an attorney and she’s trying to get a doctor released who was committed because of one seizure. Here’s how the document ended up in my book:

*****

Silence descended on the courtroom as the patient stared. Finally, Dr. Dillon Haskill spoke. “The list is headed, ‘The Eleventh Biennial Report from the Board of Lunacy Commissioners, dated 1899 to 1900.’ First, I’ll read some diagnoses that might”—he eyed the judge—”might show insanity. Seven types of mania. Six types of melancholia. Five types of paranoia. Nine types of dementia.”

He took a deep breath, squirmed at the straitjacket, and then started on the list again. “Now for the questionable diagnoses. Thirty-nine patients admitted because of intemperance.” He smiled. “I don’t think those folks listened to Solomon, who wrote in the Bible, Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”

Snickers drifted over the room.

He searched the list again. “Eleven men and three women admitted with syphilis. End stage of this disease can result in insanity, but are the patients held in an area separate from others to avoid spread of the disease?”

Under Dillon’s condemning gaze, the superintendent squirmed.

Dillon tipped his head toward the paper in the silent courtroom. “Here are only a few of the ones I believe aren’t a true diagnosis of lunacy. Religious excitement.” Dillon scanned the audience where low murmurs began. “Be sure and don’t get excited about meeting Jesus and having your sins forgiven, or you could end up in the loony bin.”

People covered their mouths to prevent laughter from exploding.

“Domestic trouble.” Dillon cocked his head sideways. “Better be sure the neighbors don’t hear arguments with your wife.” A low giggle swept through the crowd.

“Ill health and privation. Better not get sick or hungry. Exposure. Don’t stay out in the cold or the sun too long, or you’ll be found insane.”

The superintendent jumped to his feet. “This imbecile is again making a mockery of this court.”

The judge faced the attorney. “This is an interesting list. May I see the paper he’s reading?”

Archibald handed it to the judge.

The hard lines in the judge’s bulldog face softened as he studied the shaking paper in his quivering hand. “I’ll read some of these to the court myself. Jealousy. Sunstroke. Grief. Disappointment. Childbirth. Rheumatism. Injury. Suppression of menses. Excessive use of tobacco. Injury to spine. Loss of money. Christian Science. Cerebral hemorrhage. Hmmm. According to what I’ve learned, that is a stroke where people often become paralyzed on one side, and it may mess up their speech, but they don’t lose their minds. I guess it goes along with ‘injury to spine.’ Paralysis is what we have here with the teacher, Jim Cook.”

He lowered the paper, studied Dr. Haskill, Pete, the boy with Down’s Syndrome, and Jim, and then shook his head, and his eyes bore into the superintendent. “Who makes these diagnoses?”

 

 

Peach Blossom Ranch

by Ada Brownell

EXCERPT, End of Chapter One

 

The young lady rancher flipped her blonde braid over her shoulder. “But I wouldn’t keep her around here. She has a temper to match her red hair. Yet, after her parents died, she lost her spunk. Claims Wellington compromised her, but nobody believed it.”

John took his knife out of his pocket and began grooming his fingernails. “She was doing a lot of praying when we found her in the barn loft, and she wanted me and Abe to leave her alone. Soon as I understood a baby was on the way, I went for Polly.”

Edwina wrinkled her little turned-up nose. “What’s that terrible odor?”

John stepped to the fence. “Might be coming from my prize pigs. See the big one over there I call Gertie?”

Gertie trotted close and rubbed her prickly mud-covered back on the hog wire.

“I expect to make big money from pork while I rebuild the horse herd and work in the peach orchards. You ought to try a few pigs. You get a quicker turnover with your money than with horses. Your papa used to raise them. Besides, it’s always nice to have smoked ham and bacon available.”

Edwina leaned over the fence. The pigs grappled with each other over the slop, snorting and grunting. “I might get some. The little ones are cute. Since my papa is in the wheelchair, I’m running everything. How is the pork market doing?”

“It sounded great to me. It …”

Gertie stuck her snout through the fence and sucked Edwina’s lacy pink dress. Edwina jerked the skirt out of the slimy jaws and then, stringy pig saliva slid down her pretty legs.

“Eeeeewwww!” she squealed, holding her dress out away from her. “I didn’t know pigs would eat clothing.”

Laughter almost escaped John’s lips. He pressed his fist over his mouth until his insides quit quaking in case she was mad enough to use the gun strapped on her slim middle. “Gertie probably smelled the cornstarch you used to starch your dress. I’d guess for her it was quite tasty. I’ll get you a towel.”

“Don’t bother.” She grabbed a big blue handkerchief from the buggy, wiped at her legs and jumped in the driver’s seat. “You probably wanted me to stand over by the fence so that would happen. You are incorrigible, John Parks. Get someone else to go to the church picnic with you!”

As the dust rose from her departure, she almost ran into the mailman.

John meandered to the mailbox. Strange. He hadn’t asked her to the picnic. He never intended to.

Want to read more? Read the first chapter free or purchase the book at http://ow.ly/4ETL302QdhW

 

 

About the Author:

Ada Brownell has been writing for Christian publications since age 15 and spent much of her life as a daily newspaper reporter. She has a B.S. degree in Mass Communications and worked most of her career at The Pueblo Chieftain in Colorado where she spent the last seven years as a medical writer. After moving to Springfield, MO in her retirement, she continues to freelance for Christian publications and write non-fiction and fiction books.

She currently is working on another novel, plus compiling her more than 125 articles from The Pentecostal Evangel into a book.

She is author of Peach Blossom Rancher, released By Elk Lake Publishing in 2016; The Lady Fugitive, Elk Lake 2014; Joe the Dreamer: The Castle and the Catapult, 2013; Swallowed by Life: Mysteries of Death, Resurrection and the Eternal, 2011; Imagine the Future You, released 2013; and Confessions of a Pentecostal, Radiant Books, out-of-print but released in 2012 for Kindle;. All the books are available in paper or for Kindle. Imagine the Future You also is an Audio Book.

You can connect with Ada at

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/AdaBrownellWritingMinistries

Twitter: @adabrownell

Blog: http://inkfromanearthenvessel.blogspot.com/ Stick to Your Soul Encouragement

Amazon Ada Brownell author page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001KJ2C06