Wednesday Writers–Interview with Mary Ann Diorio, author of Miracle in Milan

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author interview, Christian fiction, financial suspense, Italy setting, Mary Ann Diorio, Miracle in Milan, romantic suspense, Wednesday Writers

Welcome to Wednesday Writers! Today we have an author interview with MaryAnn Diorio and an excerpt from her newest release Miracle in Milan. Thanks for being with us today, Mary Ann!

Please tell the readers about the book that is being showcased today.

Miracle in Milan is the story of a young, female auditor who discovers evidence that the man she loves is an embezzler and who must choose between ruining him or ruining herself.

Amy Torelli, Chief Auditor for New York City-based Enson Pharmaceuticals, is assigned to audit the books of Enson’s Italian branch in the enchanting city of Milan, Italy. Having made an inner vow never to trust a man again because of her father’s betrayal, Amy finds herself falling in love with Enson Italia’s American-born Vice-President, Ted McMasters. Will Ted be the one to cause her to break her inner vow?

Ted McMasters is on the run. A run from rejection. From himself. From God. Having been wounded by a father who made him feel worthless, and having been dumped by the woman he wanted to marry, Ted is determined to keep all women at bay. But will Amy be the reason he changes his mind?

How did you come up with the concept for this book?

The Lord gave me the idea for this story several years ago. Italy has always intrigued me, especially since my mother was born and raised there. Having lived and studied in Italy, I wanted to write a story set in that beautiful, romantic country. Interestingly, I ended up first writing my trilogy titled The Italian Chronicles, based on the life of my paternal great-great grandmother. But I knew that another story set in Italy lay dormant within my heart. That story was Miracle in Milan.

 Setting is important in books. I noticed that your story is in set in Milan, Italy. Were you inspired to set the book in Italy because of a visit to the country? If not, tell the reader why this setting inspired you.

As mentioned, I have close ties with Italy through my Italian mother. While a student there, I had occasion to visit Milan, the financial and business capital of Italy. When it came time to writing a novel based on financial intrigue, Milan seemed to be the natural choice.

What genre is this book, and why do you like to write in this genre?

Miracle in Milan is a novel of romantic suspense. Actually, this is the first novel I have written in this genre. My main character is a young American woman who works in New York City for a global pharmaceutical firm. The story flowed organically out of who she is and the lie she believes, a lie that has stood in the way of her fulfilling God’s call on her life. I enjoyed writing in this genre and look forward to writing more romantic suspense.

Do you write in more than one genre? If so, why?

Yes. I started out writing historical women’s fiction with an element of romance. Three of my novels–The Madonna of Pisano, A Sicilian Farewell, and Return to Bella Terra–are all historical women’s fiction set in Italy and America during the late 19th century and early 20th centuries. My novel titled In Black and White is a historical romance set in the 1950s, in the United States and Ghana. I also write fiction for children.

While I particularly enjoy writing historical fiction, I like to use the genre that best fits my character and story. When a character emerges in my heart, she emerges within a time period. I instantly know what century she lives in and, in most cases, what decade. The time period has a lot to do with making my character who she is in the natural and in the supernatural.

Do you have a day job? If so, what is it?

I am blessed to be able to write full-time. I used to have a day job as a university professor of foreign languages.

Name three interesting things most people don’t know about you.

• My mother tongue is Italian.
• I play the mandolin, an instrument my maternal grandfather used to play.
• I am also a visual artist and paint in oils and acrylics.

What’s next for you? Are you currently working on something new?

I’m working on a novella titled The Captain and Mrs. Vye. Summary: When a young widow inherits an oceanfront inn upon her husband’s death, she receives more than she bargained for as a whaling boat captain becomes her first tenant and disrupts her heretofore peaceful life.I am also writing a middle-grade novel titled Dixie Randolph and the Secret of Seabury Beach, the first novel in a six-book series for eight-to-twelve-year-old children.  

It’s been a pleasure having you here today. As you say goodbye, can you leave the readers with an encapsulation of your life’s philosophy? (a quote, a Bible verse, a precept you live by or have tried to instill in your children?)

There is nothing more important in life than accepting Jesus Christ as one’s Savior and Lord and living for Him. This is what Jesus meant when He said in John 3: 3 that a person must be born again in order to experience eternal life. One may accomplish great things in the earth, but, ultimately, unless one knows Jesus, everything else is meaningless. While one’s name may be listed in many records of earthly accomplishments, all that matters in the end is that one’s name be listed in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

There are four quotes on which I have based my life:

1) John 8: 32 – “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
2) Philippians 3: 10 – “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings….”

3. “Only one life; ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” ~ Charles Studd

4. “The true success of my life will not be judged by those who admire me for my accomplishments, but by those who attribute their wholeness to my having loved them, by those who have seen their true beauty and worth in my eyes.” ~ David Grant.

Years ago, I created a mission statement by which I have lived and written. It is this:
To create works of art that communicate Christ’s love and connect people to Him.
CREATE. COMMUNICATE. CONNECT. This is what I’m all about.

Thanks for being part of the blog, Mary Ann. It’s been a pleasure to host you. Good luck with your book. It sounds intriguing!

Thank you so much for featuring me, Catherine. I trust that I will bless your readers.

MaryAnn

Miracle in Milan

By Mary Ann Diorio

When young, female auditor Amy Torelli is assigned to audit the books of her company’s Italian branch in Milan, she discovers convincing evidence that the man she loves is an embezzler.

Excerpt:

      “This way, Ms. Torelli.” Giorgio led her into his private office and shut the door. It was a modest office, as far as offices go. Nothing like Mr. Conklin’s plush space in the downtown Manhattan headquarters. A medium-sized window overlooked a narrow street with another office building on the opposite side. In one corner of the office space stood a large plant about the size of a small fig tree. On a credenza behind the desk was a picture of two small children sitting on either side of a lovely woman who looked to be in her late thirties. Very likely Giorgio’s wife and children.

          “Please, sit down.” Giorgio pointed to a small sitting area in the opposite corner furnished with two barrel chairs and a small coffee table.”

          Amy took the chair to the right and sat down. Her muscles tensed.

          Bassetti sat down in the chair across from her, crossed his legs, and folded his hands in his lap. “First of all, I want to thank you for making the long trip to Italy to help us.”

          Dare she say she’d had no choice but to lose her job if she’d refused? “I’m glad to do what I can.”

          Bassetti cleared his throat. “I don’t know how much you know, but Enson Italia is on the verge of bankruptcy.”

          Amy nodded. “Yes, Mr. Conklin explained as much to me.”

          “Then you know that we are in a precarious situation. The future of our Italian operation depends on your discovering what is going on.”

          Amy stiffened. There it was again. The burden of responsibility resting squarely on her shoulders. A burden she didn’t like at all. She hated having the ball in her court “Yes, I understand.”  She squared her gaze on him. “So, what are your thoughts on the problem?” She loved to toss the ball back to where it belonged.

          Bassetti shifted in his chair. “Frankly, I don’t know.”

          Amy sensed he was lying. “But surely, from your perspective as president, you have some idea, do you not?” His dodging annoyed her.

          Bassetti squirmed. “All I can say is that we have discovered some expenses that do not align with our expenditure categories and that seem to have no correlation with our normal business expenses.”

          “Has anyone investigated those unusual expenses?”

          Bassetti’s eyes narrowed. “That is what you are here to do.” His voice was curt.

Want to read more? You can find Miracle in Milan at  My Book Table  Amazon (affiliate) Print:  EBook:  and Universal Link:

About the Author:

MaryAnn Diorio is a widely published, award-winning author of fiction for both adults and children. Her stories are powerfully moving and deal with the deepest issues of the human heart.
MaryAnn resides in New Jersey with her wonderful husband of 51 years. They are the blessed parents of two amazing daughters, a very smart son-in-law, and six rambunctious grandchildren. You can learn more about MaryAnn and her writing at maryanndiorio.com.

Connect with MaryAnn on her Website: Facebook: Amazon Author Central: BookBub

Musings from a Writer’s Brain–Valuable Memories by Anne Montgomery

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Anne Montgomery, diving, essay, Musings from a Writer's Brain, robbery, suspense, women's fiction

from Anne Montgomery

A while back, I returned home to find the front door ajar. My first concern was that my dogs had gotten out, but when I went inside, they both stared at me and wagged their tails. Did I spy a wee sense of guilt on their doggy faces?

Though I saw nothing out of place in the living room, something felt wrong. Then, I approached my bedroom and a chill ran down my spine. The mess inside showed I’d been burglarized. I briefly wondered if the perpetrator was still in the house, but since the dogs were sitting placidly, I realized I was alone.

“Really?” I squinted at my two cattle-dog pups. “You couldn’t bark or something?”

They responded by vigorously wagging their tails.

I turned back to the mess in my room. The drawers had been rifled. The decorative boxes on my dresser had been dumped onto the bed, what remained of my jewelry scattered in glittery bits on the bedspread and floor. It was easy to see that the good stuff was gone. That the really good stuff was in a safe gave me a moment of relief. But then I thought of my ring, the emerald and diamond piece my sweetie pie presented to me on a beautiful day in the desert, an adornment he purchased because of my love of emeralds and because he wanted us to be together forever.

The box where I kept the ring was empty.

It wasn’t until later that I noticed my office had been searched as well, but nothing appeared to be missing.

Sadly, I was wrong. “I can’t find my log.”

“I’m sure it’s here somewhere,” Ryan said.

But we searched and the book was gone. I was heartbroken.

What had disappeared was my dive log, a planner, of sorts, dedicated to those of us who scuba dive. The idea is that when you’re a new diver, reflecting on what happened underwater is a good way to become a better diver. Generally, we document the conditions: water and air temperature, dive site, date, and dive profile. Then we write down what we saw – beautiful jewel colored fishes on a sunlit reef, magnificent sharks, charming dolphins, sea turtles and star fish and eels and nudibranchs.

But we also revisit what went wrong on a dive: losing track of your partner, not paying attention to air consumption, getting caught in a current, misplacing the dive boat. The log contains stamps, as well, verifying special dives on wrecks and others where we descended below 100 feet.

So, the log is a reflection on our dive memories and underwater performance. The idea is to document your first one hundred dives, a milestone I was approaching.

The other day, Ryan and I were walking our dogs. I don’t recall how the question came up, but it hung between us. “Which do you miss more, your emerald ring or your dive log?” he asked.

I didn’t answer right away, but I couldn’t lie. “My dive log,” I said wistfully.

“I knew you’d say that.” Then he smiled.

I’m so glad he understood.

Now, I have a new dive log that Ryan bought me, one with lots of clean, white pages. I guess I’ll just have to start over, so I’ve got a lot of diving to do.

Yes!

Here’s a little from my latest women’s fiction book. I hope you enjoy it.

A woman flees an abusive husband and finds hope in the wilds of the Arizona desert.

Rebecca Quinn escapes her controlling husband and, with nowhere else to go, hops the red-eye to Arizona. There, Gaby Strand – her aunt’s college roommate – gives her shelter at the Salt River Inn, a 1930’s guesthouse located in the wildly beautiful Tonto National Forest.

Becca struggles with post-traumatic stress, but is enthralled by the splendor and fragility of the Sonoran Desert. The once aspiring artist meets Noah Tanner, a cattle rancher and beekeeper, Oscar Billingsley, a retired psychiatrist and avid birder, and a blacksmith named Walt. Thanks to her new friends and a small band of wild horses, Becca adjusts to life in the desert and rekindles her love of art.

Then, Becca’s husband tracks her down, forcing her to summon all her strength. But can she finally stop running away?

Amazon Buy Links

E-Book – Paperback

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anne Montgomery has worked as a television sportscaster, newspaper and magazine writer, teacher, amateur baseball umpire, and high school football referee. She worked at WRBL‐TV in Columbus, Georgia, WROC‐TV in Rochester, New York, KTSP‐TV in Phoenix, Arizona, ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, where she anchored the Emmy and ACE award‐winning SportsCenter, and ASPN-TV as the studio host for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Montgomery has been a freelance and staff writer for six publications, writing sports, features, movie reviews, and archeological pieces.

When she can, Anne indulges in her passions: rock collecting, scuba diving, football refereeing, and playing her guitar.

Learn more about Anne Montgomery on her website and Wikipedia. Stay connected on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.

A Writer’s Garden—A Garden In The Treetops by Carole Ann Moleti

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing. Today’s writer/gardener guest is Carole Ann Moleti, with a most unusual garden view.

Welcome, Carole!

Normally, when I think of a garden, I think of our frog pond, flowers and vegetables. But For the last year and a half, I’ve become accustomed to the view from my second story bedroom window. It’s the only room large and private enough for me to take my Zoom Yoga and Ballet classes.

Whether it’s setting up a makeshift barre or spreading out my mat, the hour and fifteen minutes doing something physical, as well as seeing familiar faces, has been a comforting ritual. This was particularly important because as a nurse practitioner, my workdays have been long, unpredictable, stressful, and emotional for the last year and half.

My house is surrounded by very large oak and maple trees that are homes to many squirrels. This year, I discovered they had bored a nest hole in the trunk that had been hidden from view from below. I never realized how many birds sit on those branches, and wonder if the cardinals, robins, blue jays, and sparrows have been out in force because all of us were not, or if they have always been there and I never noticed.

squirrel’s nest tree and birds’ perch

My spot for balance or demi pointe poses have been the line of trees down the block. Last fall, they displayed a beautiful riot of colors much better appreciated from the second story than ground level. My favorites are the reds and oranges, and they were very vivid last year. In winter, the branches swayed in the winds threatened my “spot” as I struggled to stay upright. But they looked so beautiful covered in snow that I didn’t want to tear my gaze away. This spring the best “spot” was the flowering trees covered with white and pink blossoms that never failed to raise my spirits.

treetop view from my spot

I noticed that leaf buds appear earlier that I’d thought: late March here in New York City. And that maples go through several different cycles with brown buds that give way to two stages of green ones. Pin oaks shed their leaves in spring before they bud out. 

I must admit I like the convenience of not having to drive to Manhattan (and park) to attend ballet class. And nothing beats jumping out of bed and taking yoga in my pajamas. The small talk in our own bedrooms and living rooms created a sense of camaraderie between instructors and attendees alike, and were also a welcome opportunity for commiseration and encouragement.

Classes are now hybrid, but I’m sticking with online. This fall, I, like millions of other students, will go back to in person classes. I’ll get back into the raucous rhythm of New York City as the seasons change once again.

I’ve spent most of the last year editing and submitting manuscripts and have focused on writing short non fiction, to help release the tension and to try and make sense of pandemic chaos. But this summer I’m prepare to ease back into fiction, and you can be sure the pandemic experience will inform my work in progress: a contemporary Western Romance set in Northern California.

But as life normalizes, I don’t want to loose this newfound skill of slowing down to notice the details not normally at eye level, as well as to savor the things my busy eyes and mind never had no time to focus on. Like these bees who chose the Lace Cap Hydrangeas over the traditional ones for their appointed rounds.

Slowing down has helped me appreciate the small details that are essential for writers, and I hope this experience will enhance my ability to find pearls to enhance my prose as well.

What has the pandemic been like for you and your writing process? And how has your adjustment to ‘normalization’ been going?

About the Writer/Gardener:

Carole Ann Moleti lives and works as a nurse practitioner in New York City, thus explaining her fascination with all things paranormal, urban fantasy, and space opera. Her nonfiction focuses on health care, politics, and women’s issues. But her first love is writing science fiction and fantasy because walking through walls is less painful than running into them.

Carole’s Cape Cod paranormal Unfinished Business Series novels have been published by Soulmate. He short stories have been featured in several of the Ten Tales fantasy anthologies, and her darker fiction has appeared in the Hell’s Kitties, Hell’s Heart and Hell’s Mall anthologies.

She won the Oasis Journal 2009 Prize for best nonfiction, and two timely pieces of her memoir have been published in the acclaimed Shifts and Impact anthologies.

Connect with Carole through her Website: Newsletter: Facebook: Amazon Author Page

Unfinished Business Series

The Widow’s Walk (Book One of the Unfinished Business series)

By Carole Ann Moleti

Mike and Liz Keeny are newlyweds, new parents, and the proprietors of the Barrett Inn, an 1875 Victorian on Cape Cod, which just happens to be haunted— by their own ghosts from past lives. The Barrett Inn had become an annex of Purgatory, putting Liz and their infant son in danger. Selling the historic seaside bed and breakfast was the only answer, one that Liz and her own tortured specter refused to consider. Were Mike and Liz doomed to follow the same path that led to disaster in their previous lives? Was getting out, getting away, enough?

Tasty Tuesdays–Quick Oven Quesadillas

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books, Catherine Castle, entrees, food blog, Mexican food, Oven Quesadillas, Recipes, Tasty Tuesdays, The Nun and the Narc

The other day I wanted a quick easy meal, so I peeked into the pantry to see what I had on hand. I found cans of chicken, green chiles, corn, black beans and cream of chicken soup, and some tortillas, so I set out to create something. Here’s what I came up with. We liked it, and I hope you will too.

Quick Oven Quesadilla

Ingredients: 

• 2 12.5-oz canned chicken, drained and broken up
• 1 4-oz can diced green chilies
• 1 2.5-oz can sliced black olives, drained
• 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1-11-oz can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1/2 can cream of chicken soup
• 1/4 or less cup water (start with a smaller amount. You only need enough water to allow the condensed soup to mix with the other ingredients )
• 1 cup finely shredded Mexican style cheese.
• 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoon taco seasoning, or to taste if you like it spicier.
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 high-fiber large tortillas (or corn tortillas) or  enough to fit a straight sided cake pan, or 2 high-fiber street tacos to make individual servings in a smaller pan

Directions:

• In a skillet over medium high heat brown the tortillas on both sides.
• While tortillas are browning, mix chicken, corn, beans, chilies, olives, soup, cheddar cheese and water. Heat the mix in a large saucepan stirring until well mixed and beginning to bubble.
• Lightly spray the bottom of a cake pan or baking sheet. Lay one tortilla in the pan, top with about 3/4 cup mix (for a large tortilla, less for smaller tortillas) onto top of browned tortilla, spreading mix almost to the edge. Top with 1/4 cup of finely shredded Mexican cheese.  Repeat with other tortilla and 3/4 cup mix. (You will have mix left over for another day’s use, or you can double the tortillas and make a bigger meal the first time)
• Bake in 350 degree oven about 10-15 minutes or until cheese on top has melted and you can see filling bubbling. (I’ve also baked this for a shorter time at a higher temp when was in a hurry.) Turn off oven and switch to the high broil setting on the oven and broil until cheese on top begins to brown.
• Remove from oven. Cut and serve with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, onions, guacamole, salsa or other Mexican side toppings.

If you want to make several stacks at a time lay the base tortillas on a baking sheet and assemble as many as your ingredients allow. Number will depend on the size of your tortillas.

If you only make one stack, or 2 smaller individual servings, the first time you can use the remainder of the filling for a second quesadilla meal or as filling for enchiladas. It will make about 4-6 enchiladas depending on the size of your tortilla. Warm your ingredients before assembling the stacks or enchiladas to cut down on heating time in oven. Make a cheese sauce, or other Mexican sauce to cover the enchiladas and top with shredded cheese. Heat in a 350 degree oven until cheese has melted and is beginning to brown. 

While your dinner is cooking, check out Catherine’s multi-award-winning Inspirational Romantic Suspense The Nun and the Narc. Partially set in Mexico, the heroine, Sister Margaret Mary, an adventurous novice, dines on some unusual marketplace snacks.

The Nun and the Narc

by Catherine Castle

Where novice Sister Margaret Mary goes, trouble follows. When she barges into a drug deal the local Mexican drug lord captures her. To escape she must depend on undercover DEA agent Jed Bond. Jed’s attitude toward her is exasperating, but when she finds herself inexplicable attracted to him he becomes more dangerous than the men who have captured them, because he is making her doubt her decision to take her final vows. Escape back to the nunnery is imperative, but life at the convent, if she can still take her final vows, will never be the same.

Nuns shouldn’t look, talk, act, or kiss like Sister Margaret Mary O’Connor—at least that’s what Jed Bond thinks. She hampers his escape plans with her compulsiveness and compassion and in the process makes Jed question his own beliefs. After years of walling up his emotions in an attempt to become the best agent possible, Sister Margaret is crumbling Jed’s defenses and opening his heart. To lure her away from the church would be unforgivable—to lose her unbearable.

Buy Links Amazon and Barnes and Noble

About the Author:

Multi-award winning author Catherine Castle loves writing. Before beginning her career as a romance writer she worked part-time as a freelance writer. She has over 600 articles and photographs to her credit, under her real name, in the Christian and secular market. She also lays claim to over 300 internet articles written on a variety of subjects and several hundred poems. In addition to writing she loves reading, traveling, singing, theatre, quilting and gardening. She’s a passionate gardener whose garden won a “Best Hillside Garden” award from the local gardening club. She writes sweet and inspirational romances. You can find her award-winning Soul Mate books The Nun and the Narc and A Groom for Mama, on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Follow her on Twitter @AuthorCCastle, FB or her blog.

 

Wednesday Writers–June Foster and her Award-Winning Book The Inn at Cranberry Cove

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Award-winning Romantic Suspense, book excerpt from The Inn at Cranberry Cove, June Foster, Selah Awards, The Inn at Cranberry Cover, The Story Behind the Story, Wednesday Writers

Welcome to Wednesday Writers! Today’s guest author is June Foster with the Story Behind the Story of her Award-winning book The Inn at Cranberry Cove plus a book excerpt. Welcome, June!

Thanks, Catherine.

Twenty years ago, my husband and I lived in Washington State – in Olympia, the capitol. I love the Pacific Northwest and frequently set my stories there. In fact, the first five or so were inspired by the forests of Douglas fir, majestic mountains, and lakes and streams that are perfect for fishing.

One weekend during our time in Washington, we decided to travel west as far as we could go until we reached the ocean. Our trip brought us to a delightful B&B in Ilwaco on the south end of Long Beach Peninsula in the southwest corner of the state, between the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River. I hadn’t realized that a sleepy, historic fishing town nestled there.

The B&B was once an old place of worship, and today boasts of guest rooms, lush gardens, and a large meeting room where the sanctuary used to stand. At the time we were there, I hadn’t written my first book, but years later, upon thinking back to the lovely inn, my imagination began to percolate and The Inn at Cranberry Cove was born.

Today the B&B is owned by a sweet couple by the name of Leanna and Kevin Moos and is now called the Inn at Harbor Village. The picture on the cover of my book is the real inn that the Moos graciously allowed me to use.

I’m so proud to announce that The Inn at Cranberry Cove won first place in the romantic suspense category of the 2021 Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s conference Selah awards.

And now here’s a peek at the award-winning book.

The Inn at Cranberry Cove

By June Foster

Ashton Price arrives in Cranberry Cove, Washington, her pride wounded by her former boss. James Atwood endures punishing guilt after the death of his wife and son. Together, they must discover the mystery that haunts the Inn at Cranberry Cove.

James Atwood leaned over his desk at Pacific Cranberry, Incorporated. Nothing appeared to be amiss with the company’s delivery schedule. Everything seemed to be working, but he couldn’t dismiss the latest of several complaints of non-delivery and invoices received for items not obtained.

He scratched his head and then rubbed his eyes.

His office door opened. “It’s after five, James.” His secretary, Leslie Cunningham, followed her daily routine of checking to see if he needed one last thing before she left. “I’m good, Leslie. Thanks.”

She smiled and started to close the door.

“Wait. Is Robert still in his office?”

Leslie’s smirk told him all he needed to know. His cousin had probably left the office five minutes after returning from lunch. James would have to talk to him tomorrow. If they could remain in each other’s company for more than five minutes, perhaps they’d be able to figure out the breakdown in the company’s delivery system.

“See you in the morning.” Leslie closed the door.

James turned off his computer, grabbed his keys from the desk, and exited his office.

“Son.” Dad stopped him in the hall. “Leaving so soon.”

His father used the tired joke as a way to tell James he worked too hard. Dad had always been able to leave his job behind. Before, James hadn’t been able to … and he couldn’t now after all that had happened.

James tried to make his smile genuine. He wasn’t sure if he could succeed at that any longer. “Yeah. I figured I’d bug out a little early and get some gardening in.”

Dad studied James for a long second. “I admire your work ethic, but you haven’t stopped one minute since—”

James held up his hand, pleading silently for his father to drop what he was going to say. “I did stop, Dad. I stopped to sell the estate, to donate Bethany’s clothes to charity, and to move …” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “To move myself into the cabin. That was enough of a break, don’t you think?”

Dad patted his shoulder. “Sometimes a man needs to stop in order to let his emotions catch up to him. If he doesn’t, they may come out when he least expects it.”

Dad didn’t know, hadn’t visited James when he was alone in the cabin, the door to one room closed, impossible for him to open because of the grief that was stored inside. That’s why the gardening, away from home, the respite he’d been afforded meant so much to him. And he needed to get there … and now. “You have a good evening, Dad. I’ll see you in the morning.”

About the Author:

An award-winning author, June Foster is also a retired teacher with a BA in Education and a MA in counseling. She is the mother of two and grandmother of ten. June began writing Christian romance in 2010. She penned her first novel on her Toshiba laptop as she and her husband traveled the US in their RV. Her adventures provide a rich source of information for her novels. She brags about visiting a location before it becomes the setting in her next book.

To date, June has written over twenty contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels and novellas. She loves to compose stories about characters who overcome the circumstances in their lives by the power of God and His Word. June uses her training in counseling and her Christian beliefs in creating characters who find freedom to live godly lives. She’s published with Winged Publications. Visit June at www.junefoster.com to see a complete list of her books.

A Writer’s Garden : Gardening – A Family Legacy by Liz Tolsma

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A Writer’s Garden, Christian Suspense Romance, family gardening, flowers, Garden blog, garden legacy, Liz Tolsma, perennial garden

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing. Today’s writer/gardener guest is Liz Tolsma, who will be sharing the family legacy of her garden. Welcome, Liz!

blazing star

My husband and I had just purchased our first house, and we stood in a backyard and stared at the overgrown, falling apart dog kennel behind the garage. Because we were on a corner lot, the house faces one street, and the garage faced another. That meant we could see this hideous sight from our kitchen window and our patio.

Something needed to be done.

My father was an avid perennial gardener. His yard was beautiful. So when he had a day off, I invited him over and showed him our mess of a yard. To his credit, he wasn’t daunted by the task before him. He suggested we start in the front. Okay, so he didn’t want to tackle the back! Our bushes were out of control, and he helped me trim them.

Underneath the leftover winter debris under these buses, he discovered hostas. I had never heard of such a thing, but he was excited. He even knew the variety they were – Royal Standard. He told me they were great shade plants and that they would bloom white later in the summer. To this day, he gushes about the amazing find we made that day.

We then went to a local nursery and purchased some moonbeam coreopsis. He thought they would do well in our shady yard. I got quite the education in perennials that day.

And it didn’t stop. Once my husband and I tore out the dog kennel, my father gave us some plants from his yard. He patiently told us the name of each one (usually the scientific name) and how to care for it. Before long, our yard was filled with color.

• 

• 

• 

Apparently, it runs in the blood. My great-grandfather was a gardener. My grandfather started his own landscaping company once he retired from dairy farming. I have cousins who are avid gardeners. I guess you could say we have dirt in our veins.

My dad can no longer garden, but each time I walk to my yard, I can hear him waxing about each plant. It’s a legacy he’s passed to me, and one I hope to pass to my children one of these days. Along with some of the plants now growing in my yard that came from my dad’s.

About the Writer/Gardener:

Liz Tolsma is the author of several WWII novels, romantic suspense novels, prairie romance novellas, and an Amish romance. She is a popular speaker and an editor and resides next to a Wisconsin farm field with her husband and their youngest daughter. Her son is a U.S. Marine, and her oldest daughter is a college student. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her working in her large perennial garden, her happy place. To her, there’s nothing better than a little dirt underneath your fingernails and a bouquet on your table. Please visit her website at www.liztolsma.com and follow her on Facebook and Instagram. She is also the host of the Christian Historical Fiction Talk podcast.

The Silver Shadow

By Liz Tolsma 

Denver of 1900 is still a dangerous place to be following the silver crash of 1893. And of out of the dark comes a shadow intent on harming women. Ambitious young Denver newspaper reporter Polly Blythe is searching for the big story that’s going to launch her career. On Friday evening, August 24, 1900, she gets her break when two women are cracked over the head within a two-minute walk of each other. But policeman Edwin Timmer thwarts Polly’s ideas of a serial criminal. . .until the shadowy figure strikes again. Will the reporter and the policeman team up to find the culprit before he strikes too close for comfort?

Want to read more? You can find The Silver Shadow, a Christian Suspense Romance on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Christianbook.com

Musings from a Writer’s Brain–The Valley of Life—From Promise to Fulfillment by Linda Wood Rondeau

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books, Christian Mystery, Christian romance, devotion, God’s intervention, God’s lessons for us, LInda Wood Rondeau, Musings from a Writer’s Brain, Suspence, Wolf Mountain Legacy

Variations of the same theme:

God doesn’t close a door, but that He opens a window

Failure is God’s opportunity.

When man’s hope is gone, God’s Grace is only beginning.

These sayings all teach us failure and disappointment are not the end, merely God’s redirection.  

Another release and more months of poor results despite dollars and time poured into marketing … wondering if God truly called me to write or is this just my imagination on steroids? Though I remember all these above sayings, I wonder sometimes if they aren’t another form of sour grapes.

Then I recall God’s many interventions, and I feel pricked at how soon I have forgotten them. The twists and turns, bruises and bleeding, I mistake for abandonment are merely speed bumps along the way … lessons God has yet to teach. Perhaps the pain is not from pricks but from pruning … not for success as the world or even Christian publishing interprets but rather for deeper purposes not yet evident.

The works of my hands are not what matters most to God. His quest is not my profession as defined by man. More so, His quest is my heart and my unwavering love.

A valley often stretches between God’s desires for my life and the fulfillment of his promise—in that valley God reveals himself and chases after my whole heart. This valley is called Life, the terrain by which the Lord fulfills his true purpose for me. He permits me to write, but his call is for something greater … fellowship with him.

Abraham looked forward to God’s promise of a son, though the fulfillment seemed as if God had forgotten. As the valley from promise to fulfillment grew wider with each year, the far distant fulfillment stretched his faith. At the right time, after decades of pruning, Isaac was born. Yet, Abraham’s journey did not end. God still had much more to teach him, as well as Isaac and Jacob and all who followed Father Abraham.

Perhaps Abraham’s frustration of delayed answered prayer stemmed from only hearing part of God’s promise, his sights set on the tangible rather than the intangible elements of God’s call, “They will be my people and I will be their God.”

Therein is the valley from promise to fulfilment—the place where God teaches me how much he wants to be my God and how much he desires for me to be his child. “Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children” (Revelation 21:7).

WOLF MOUNTAIN LEGACY

by Linda Wood Rondeau

How do you prove you’re not crazy?

What about the 150-year-old ruins atop Wolf Mountain keeps drawing Marci Henderson to the site? Village legend says the beautiful wife of the older railroad tycoon, after setting fire to their mansion, ran away with his accountant. Was there no way to prove Felicity’s innocence? First, Marci must prove she had the right to walk among the sane.  

Dr. Blake Montgomery, a college professor, has come to Collins Bend to work on his book, Adirondack Railroad Development. To aid in his research, Blake hires Marci Henderson, his former student, one he never stopped loving, who is now a widow. When Marci is insistent people are following the two of them, Blake wonders if she is headed for another psychotic episode.

Old emotions surface as the two embark on a suspenseful journey leading them closer to solving the age-old mystery of Wolf Mountain, a journey fraught with suspicion and murder. Along the way, Blake’s faith is challenged, and Marci searches for spiritual truth about the God she had never known.

BUY LINK Also available in print

About the Author:

Linda Wood Rondeau has been fascinated with the beauty, history, and mysteries encompassed in the Adirondack region, the perfect backdrop for Wolf Mountain Legacy. Find out more about the author on her website, www.lindarondeau.com, and signup for her newsletter to stay informed. The author is available to speak to groups, in person or online.

Visit her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, MeWe, Bookbub and Pinterest.   

Signup for her newsletter from her website

A Writer’s Garden–The Healing Garden by Christa MacDonald

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A Writer’s Garden, Christa MacDonald, flowers, Gardening blog, plants, Redemption Road, romantic suspense, roses, Sweet romance, the healing effect of a garden, tomatoes, vegetables

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing. Today’s writer/gardener guest is Christa MacDonald who will talking about her garden and its healing and calming effect. I’m sure we can all relate. I know I can. Welcome, Christa!

Tomatoes in Grow Bags

It’s June and my garden is already overgrown. I have not been attentive this year. This is more of a problem than usual because I added two additional beds. Also complicating things, I decided to put my tomatoes in grow-bags. It’s my anti-blight experiment. For years I never had blight issues, but the last two summers have been pretty brutal so I’m seeing if the grow bags can solve it. So far, I’ve only seen the impact on my water bill. Yikes these things dry out quickly!

The roses have been outstanding this year. Is anyone else having a rose year to end all years? It’s a balm to my tattered soul.

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After a very rough few months managing a job heavily impacted by the pandemic, I went into this gardening year a bit ragged. This was followed by the sudden loss of my 17-year-old daughter, Eden, to an undiagnosed, asymptomatic intracranial brain hemorrhage. The shock, the struggle to save her and the devastation knowing we couldn’t has nearly finished me off. Grief is an angry ocean, and I am tossed about on its waves, struggling to keep my head above water. Sitting in my garden, especially in the evenings, is a way I’ve found to calm the seas. 

Gardens are healing places. I’m not sure if it’s being connected to God’s creation, the smell and vibrancy of life all around, or just the quiet and peace of it that does it. The garden offers a safe place to be your wounded self. Weeping is entirely acceptable with the plants, and so is staring off into the distance, lost in thought. And if you’re feeling the rage coming, take it out on the weeds. They won’t mind. 

Eden’s Rose

In my family, I’m the only gardener. Eden hated gardening, although she loved plants, specifically bright, vibrant, unusual ones. She even kept a moss terrarium up in her room. But the act of digging in the dirt, dodging bees (she was allergic to wasps), and dealing with the heat – not her thing. Every Saturday, though, we’d watch the BBC program Gardeners’ World together. I even planted a rose because it shared her name. 

As it happens, that rose was in the front yard and took a beating this winter. It looked close to death, so I transplanted it to my herbaceous border in the back. At first, things were looking grim, but it hung tough, and a few days ago, just after Eden died, the rose with her name gave me a bloom. It was as if the garden knew I needed to see that proof of life. I, of course, wept. 

But our family has something better than a bloom as proof of life after death. Eden was a child of God, saved by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Our souls are eternal, and it’s a comfort knowing that hers is with the Father. 

Sitting in my garden tonight, in the gloaming, I can’t help but think that those of us who garden, who hike forests, who farm, who seek out God’s creation, we are the lucky few. God is the original gardener; we are His apprentice. Time spent tending his creation is time spent with Him. What is more healing than that? 

About the Writer/Gardener:

Christa MacDonald is a lifelong gardener and writer living in New England despite its terribly short growing season. She’s the author of the Sweet River Redemption contemporary Christian romance series. All three books are now out on Amazon and the first in the series, The Broken Trail, is on audio at Audible

Connect with Christa on her Website.

Redemption Road

By Christa MacDonald

It’s redemption that he needs, and she’ll pay any price to help him find it.

As the new game warden in Sweet River, Alex Moretti is focused on enforcing Maine’s wildlife laws and little else. Moving from tragedy to a fresh start, all he wants is a way to fix his life in the tranquility of the north woods. Until he meets Annie Caldwell at Coffee by the Book. But his own bitter, dark life is a threat to Annie’s sweetness and light. It’s better for him to stay away.

Annie doesn’t know how to label her relationship with Alex, but she is determined to figure it out. After a few false starts and a kiss under the Christmas lights, their romance goes from fiction to fact. Annie has fallen hard. Then trouble shows up. Someone is stalking Alex, seeking to punish him for a mistake which ended in deadly consequences. When Annie becomes a target, he tries to push her away, but she won’t abandon him. Alex is desperate to keep Annie safe while he attempts to reconcile the past, but what he really needs is redemption. And she will risk her life to help him find it.

Wednesday Writers–Blood Moon Redemption by Judy DuCharme

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award-winning fiction, Blood Moon Redemption, Book Excerpt from Blood Moon Redemption, Israel, Judy DuCharme, Middle East, Prophetic and Historical Suspense, Wednesday Writers

Welcome to Wednesday Writers! Our guest today is multi-award winning author is Judy DuCharme who will be talking about her Prophetic and Historical Suspense Blood Moon Redemption. Today, Judy will share a bit about The Story Behind the Story and an excerpt from the book. Keep reading, because this excerpt will catch your attention! I know it caught mine. So, please welcome my guest,  Judy DuCharme!

Thanks, Catherine.

The blood moons were in the news. TV shows talked about the significance of blood moons over the years and the possible prophetic impact. It was all quite fascinating. My husband and I read and listened to a lot of the information. We love Israel and we prayed almost daily for their protection and blessing. 

So one day, my husband told me I should write about this, do a novel. Now my husband never reads fiction, only non-fiction, and this surprised me. Then he said I should have an object, a relic that would pass down from the different times of the blood moons. One day we watched a program where a pastor shared the story of a rumpled man that came to visit his church and had a word for him, but he never saw him again and wondered if he was an angel. My husband added that aspect to the story, the one that I hadn’t written yet . . . I should have a strange character that brought words from God.

Well, soon I was at the computer writing Blood Moon Redemption. It certainly seemed to have an anointing as I finished it in about ten months. Lee often laughed that he’d be looking for me, but I was off somewhere in the Middle East. Because of all my research for this book, my friends were sure I’d never get through security at the airport when I tried to fly into Washington DC to visit our daughter. Thankfully, I always made it.

The book walks the edge politically, theologically, culturally, and prophetically. That may be why it took three years to find a publisher. It’s won seven awards. My brother wrote my favorite review: Most such novels have pacing that gives you natural places to stop for the night but this one runs right through the stop signs. My publisher said it was gripping from the start to the last moonrise.

Blood Moon Redemption

By Judy DuCharme

The blood moons were always surrounded by great persecution and great provision, great trial and great triumph.

When the Jews were expelled from Spain and traveled with Columbus, only a tassel from a prayer shawl remained with them to signify their faith. That tassel, handed down, stolen, and hidden, became a marker of God’s protection and now is the focus of a terrorist scheme and a young woman’s destiny.

Blood Moon Redemption is an end-times thriller that will keep you riveted until the very last moonrise.

Excerpt:

Mr. Goldman arrived shortly after she returned from lunch and lost no time in describing his situation. His wife had moved to the States from Israel. Her grandfather was part of an oil company drilling for oil in Israel. The man had spent all of his own money as well as money he’d been able to get from the Israeli government. Apparently, he had at least one friend in high places. He also had Christian financiers in the States. They thought oil in Israel fulfilled some Biblical prophecy.

As Tassie listened to Mr. Goldman, she felt like Hector was also sitting in the room. She glanced around expecting to see him. Crazy.

Mr. Goldman continued, “My wife’s grandfather was about to close down the company. It would have created a lot of debt for all those involved financially: the Christian groups, the Israeli government, and my wife’s family. We were embarrassed, and Sally didn’t even want anyone to know who her grandfather was.”

“Okay.” Tassie waited. That’s it. They went bankrupt and now Mr. Goldman doesn’t want to carry any of the debt.

Goldman sighed. “But he hit oil. It wasn’t a big strike, but everyone thought they could at least break even.” Tassie shifted in her seat. I just want the facts. This is like listening to my mother.

She took a sip of her coffee and then smiled at Mr. Goldman. Don’t offend the client. Polite, gracious, listen. She put her pen to the notebook and looked up.

Mr. Goldman droned on. “Well, within two months a well already drilled, one that had not produced before, began to produce. It provided enough revenue to drill one last place. The family wanted him to stop. They would break even. Don’t risk more. But her grandfather was not that type. He’d been high military. He was a calculator, a risk taker.”

And probably not a storyteller. Please, Mr. Goldman. Tassie kept her face down as she took notes. She would reveal her weariness with the story if she looked up. She silently willed him to finish the thing, so she could get to the custody issue.

Mr. Goldman spread his hands. “Her grandfather said he had a dream. A dream.” He shook his head. “Can you believe it? Everybody’s livelihoods on a dream! What, you ask, was he thinking? I ask that question myself. I don’t know the answer. And what was the dream? That I can tell you. He saw the location of a new well. It was where some old Israeli map showed Asher dipping his toe.”

“What? Who? Asher?”

“Jewish prophecy. Moses telling the children of Israel about their futures. It was the tradition of the patriarchs before they died, and it’s recorded in the Torah.”

Tassie nodded but did not reveal her own Jewish roots. Not necessary. Don’t get involved.

“So, what is that story? I tell you, that’s a story in itself.” Mr. Goldman wiped his forehead with his hand. “Anyway, he felt he had to drill this one last well. He had drilled in this area before. Did he know the map from the Torah? Yes? Yes, of course yes, but this was more specific. They did their soil samples and it looked good, but what they got was almost a gusher. Somehow, they kept it out of the press for a while, or else nobody thought much of it. All the surrounding nations had the oil advantage. Israel was a small gamer in oil. No one really expected much.”

Tassie remembered hearing reports of Israel’s oil, but it sounded laughable. The consensus was that Israel couldn’t be an oil power. Not when the little country was surrounded by such giants in the oil business.

“Israel’s government became more involved, as did the Christian financiers, yet they somehow managed to keep it under the radar. We didn’t hear about it. But then my wife’s aunt began letting Sally know that this was growing far beyond expectations. More oil wells, more drilling, more profit.”

Mr. Goldman took a breath. “Because they want to keep this undercover, they want only trusted family members in the business. So, Sally’s aunt offered her a position in the company.”

“Not you, though, Mr. Goldman?”

“Oh, yes, me too. You think I don’t belong to the family? Of course I belong, but the job is in Israel. Me, live in Israel? What are they thinking? It’s dangerous there, no? And I like it here. I like my job here.”

“So, bottom line, your wife wants to move to Israel and take your daughter, and you want to stay here?”

“Yes, of course, yes. My daughter, Josie, what a joy she is to me. She is happy here, and she doesn’t want her mom to leave. Do I want her mom to leave? No, of course not.”

“When did Sally move here from Israel?”

Mr. Goldman sighed. “When we got married. We met when I traveled to Israel on business. I’m in marketing for a fine arts and relics gallery.”

Probably knows my mother. I might need to recuse myself. “Is there anything else we should know?”

He wrung his hands and then rubbed his chin as he looked over at the window. “Yes, yes, perhaps. This is a bit odd, but because my company deals in relics this caught my attention. They were out surveying and did a little digging. They unearthed a glass bottle sealed with wax and fully intact. Inside was a tassel, probably from a prayer shawl.”

Tassie coughed. The blood drained from her face and light-headedness took over. I’m going to pass out.

She reached for her cup but had no strength. The story of the tassel is true? How can that be? She tried to stand but was too woozy.

 Want to read more? You can find Blood Moon Redemption at Amazon

About the Author:

Judy DuCharme grew up with Lake Huron next to her back yard and has always loved the water. She, her husband, daughter, and son moved to Door County in 1984. After teaching 5th Grade at Gibraltar School for 22 years, Judy followed the calling that tugged at her all her life to write. Blood Moon Redemption is one of seven published books. Her middle-grades book is set to be released soon and another book is under contract. Judy is the recipient of numerous awards and writes for Guideposts Magazine. If you visit Door County, you may find her hiking in the woods, jet skiing on the bay, worshipping at her church, teaching a Bible study, cheering for the Green Bay Packers, playing with her amazing grandson, or sitting outside enjoying the beauty around her.

Connect with Judy on her website, Facebook Author Page, Twitter, or Instagram

A Writer’s Garden-Plants and Pets by Sally Brandle

Tags

A Writer's Garden, flowers, Garden blog, Pawn, romantic suspense, Sally Brandle

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing. Today’s writer/gardener guest is Sally Brandle who will be sharing her garden and her garden pet partners. Welcome, Sally!

One thing about gardens, if you have good soil and rain, they will grow without any help. Of course, that includes persistent flowers such as forget-me-knots (aptly named as they reseed with fervor), wonderful geums, bee balm, euphorbia, Japanese anemones (also a bit pushy), iris, blue bells and a host of other plants which make their home in my yard. When I clip bouquets or prune, I’m generally not alone. Spock, the kitty, sees the pink harness and sits at the door. We have coyotes, and he chases birds, so he’s stays indoors otherwise.

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My rescue pups, Ursa, the Heeler, and Maggie, the Shepherd, are willing to go outside and assist. When we brought them home and their outdoor help became a bit overzealous, we added a temporary (hopefully) wire barrier around the flower beds—at least until Maggie is out of her teen years. A former dog of ours was renamed from Dylan to Digger, as his determination to take out the yard ended up with us installing fake grass. We’ve had it for five or six years and love the easy care. We keep real grass down by the lake, but the no weeding or mowing advantage is hard to beat.

I was known as Sally G. Frog in college and spent my childhood loving frogs . . . now I cherish outdoor versions given to me by family and friends, and the occasional live resident.

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Writing and riding my horse, Lance, who turns 31 on May 7^th, keeps me busy. I’ve published four books in four years and its time for me to take a break and pull a few determined groundcovers and remove weeds.

Here’s my work in progress to fill in the flagstone with a few flowers and polite ground covers. I’ll do an update on a post in October. I pulled three garbage bins worth of a nuisance ground cover from this area. Uggh.

My parting words for happy gardening are that if you see horsetails beginning to grow, dig down carefully as far as the root goes and get rid of them! Happy almost summer, and happy gardening!

About the Writer/Gardener:

I grew up in a family of vegetable and flower gardeners. When I lived in an apartment, potted plants sufficed. The sense of being one with Mother Earth calms me.

 I write clean/sweet romantic suspense. My stories contain sensual elements, mild swear words, and villains receiving non-gory justice—along with female friends supporting one another while they search for their perfect heroes.

The Targeted Pawn is a contemporary clean romantic suspense. If you enjoy smoldering romance, mercenary villains, and rescued animals, you’ll love escaping again to Emma Springs, Montana.

 Visit Sally’s website for an overview of her books and to see what she’s about to publish next!  www.sallybrandle.com

Threats forced her to flee Seattle. Honor binds him to Montana. A second chance at love tethers them together.

Elon Hardy’s romance skills are rusty after a loveless marriage ends, but upon meeting hunky rancher, Rane Calderon, sparks blaze hotter than her welding torch. To support her collegiate sons, she’s determined to acquiesce to the bullheaded, female-phobic boss until her divorce finalizes from her deceitful husband.

A woman Rane trusted ruined his life, and at forty, he won’t be fooled again. Blisteringly mad he’s hired a female bearing a man’s name, he fights attraction for the curvy, determined brunette while thwarting efforts to build a private prison atop his Blackfeet ancestors’ burial ground.

Can Elon and Rane realize love doesn’t have a “best used before date”? If you enjoy smoldering romance, mercenary villains, and rescued animals, you’ll love escaping again to Emma Springs, Montana.

Available on Amazon