When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin {book review}

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. These are my honest thoughts.

This book would have been guzzled in a scant number of days if I hadn’t had broken water pipes to deal with in my house.

What a zinger! I adored this story overall. Once again, Mrs. Sarah Sundin melded history with fiction in a seamless way that brought the past to life for me. Her treatment of a female reporter when men ruled the newspaper business was superb. It touched on women’s rights issues yet respected the men in the book at the same time. That’s a delicate touch on a tough subject, if you ask me.

Evelyn Brand was a heroine I could root for. She was spunky and brave, but she had flaws and fears that sometimes got in her way. As a reporter, she knew her stuff and dared to be different. She was courage on display.

Beyond Her Calling by Kellyn Roth - Blog Tour + Giveaway

This week, I'm a part of a blog tour for Kellyn Roth's new book, Beyond Her Calling. Please read through the very end of this article, because there's lots of good stuff heading your way, including a giveaway opportunity that I'm sure you're going to love.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Reveries Co. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

~~~

Sweet. Charming. Idyllic. Classy. Faith-filled. Romantic (in a sweet way). Scottish charm.

These are just a few terms that define Beyond Her Calling, book four in the Chronicles of Alice and Ivy series. I haven’t read the previous three books, so while I enjoyed this one immensely, I did feel I had missed a few things by coming in late. My remedy for this? Saving up money to purchase the full series in paperback and reading from the beginning.

I especially loved the innocent sweetness of this story. Ivy was quite refreshing with her take on the world. It’s not every day that a “mentally challenged” person is the lead of a novel, and I found it something to cherish, truly. Her perspective was my favorite, and I thought the aspect of her different way of thinking was captured perfectly.

Called to Protect by Lynette Eason

It's been many years since I first discovered Lynette Eason's suspense novels. I really enjoyed the Women of Justice series, which was the first one of hers I read, and I've been following her career with the publisher Revell since then. When the second Blue Justice book showed up on NetGalley, it took me half a second to request it, because I'd quite liked the first book and was eager to read the next one. I read Called to Protect last week, and here are my thoughts about it, as posted on Goodreads and NetGalley.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received an electronic copy of this book from NetGalley. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

My favorite two things about this book were how much the talents of K-9 officer Hank were featured and that the human trafficking angle was handled so expertly as to highlight the dangers of it while not delving into the nastiest parts. The author handled both of these things like an old pro, with lots of grace, spot-on details, and creativity.

A couple of key things were highly predictable to me, but that did not stop this book from easily sliding into my top-five list of new releases in 2018. There were enough surprises along the way that I was kept intrigued and flipping pages faster and faster the deeper I got into the story. The human trafficking aspect was perhaps the most inspiring angle of all, as there was so much hope for redemption and escape fused into each chapter. This isn’t an easy book by any means, as the aforementioned topic hints, but it is a must-read for all suspense fans.

My Soul Sings by Kim Vogel Sawyer

by Andrea Renee Cox

Do you believe in jinxes?

I don’t.

But there’s a fictional town that completely does, and a young woman is suffering because of their superstition.

Kim Vogel Sawyer’s My Soul Sings contains an incredible sweetness that I have come to expect and admire in her writing. I especially liked how she wove that in amongst trials such as disability, outcasts, superstitions, hermits, and prejudices. Not only that, but she laces the entire tale with a thread of humor that perfectly balances out the weighty topics. One thing more that I enjoyed was how she’s got such a wonderful ear for nuances of speech. That really comes through well on each page.

Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Beth K. Vogt

by Andrea Renee Cox

If you’re looking for a new series to read, you won’t want to miss the Destination Wedding series by Beth K. Vogt. It kicks off with the sweet novella, Can’t Buy Me Love (see my review). It continues in Crazy Little Thing Called Love, which ramps up the (mis)adventure you would expect in a series that features travel and weddings.

Be My Guest: Becky Wade INTERVIEW

by Andrea Renee Cox

It's an honor to bring you an author interview with the delightful Becky Wade today. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we had putting it together.

Becky Wade

Andrea Cox: Welcome to Writing to Inspire, Becky! I’m so glad to have you here today.

Becky Wade: Thank you for having me!

Andrea: Tell us a little about how you came to write inspirational Christian contemporary romance novels.

Becky: How about I answer in two parts?

How I became a writer… My husband and I lived overseas on the Caribbean island of Anguilla during the early years of our marriage. Because of work permit restrictions, only he was allowed to work, which left me without much to do. Frankly, being stranded on a sunny island without anything to do sounds like heaven to this working mom of three, nowadays. Back then, however, the situation left me somewhat bored and stir-crazy.

I had a huge love of reading, a computer, and a decent imagination. It occurred to me that perhaps I could try to write a book. I dreamt up a story and characters and sat down to begin a novel without knowing one single thing about the craft of writing. If I hadn’t liked writing, that would have been the end of the story. But, instead, I loved it. Right from the start.

How I became a writer of Christian contemporary romance… I published three not-very-successful historical romances for the general market back in ’99, ’00, and ’01. Then I stopped writing for many years when my kids were small. When I left my job as an author, I was so burned out on it that I thought I might never write again. Then, seven years later, I began to hear God calling me back to it. Alongside His call, new ideas began to come to me, my excitement for writing rushed back, and my joy in the work redoubled. I knew for certain that I was meant to write Christian romances for a Christian publisher this time around. In His time, and due only to His grace, God gave me a second chance at my first career.

Andrea: What a wonderful gift, to be given a second chance at your first career! I noticed on your website, along with what you just shared with us, that you’ve traveled quite extensively, in your childhood and also since your marriage. How have your adventures played a role in your writing (other than giving you free time to write while in Anguilla)?

Becky: I think travel enriches us. And anything that enriches us is good not just for our general well-being but for our creativity. I met people and saw scenery and heard stories and ate foods overseas that I still remember. Some of those things have become fodder for my books. Some have simply become fodder for laughter. My family and I still laugh about things that happened to us on trips decades ago!

As authors, it's tempting to think that our best approach is to shut ourselves into a room alone and hunch over a computer. But actually, getting out there and experiencing things can sometimes be the very prescription for our novels. 

Andrea: That sounds like a great reason to plan a vacation. *wink, wink* You are quite the busy woman, with a family to nurture while also managing your flourishing writing career. How do you balance all the responsibilities God has blessed you with?

Becky: I have three kids (ages 14, 11, 5) and — happily — my youngest started kindergarten this past fall. Woo hoo! The fact that all three are now in school has made my writing/home life easier to balance. 

I always have a weekly goal for my writing and I try to work steadily <ploddingly?> toward that goal, Monday through Friday, during the hours when my kids are in school. Once three o’clock hits, I’m busy driving carpool, hitting the grocery store, taking my kids to and from activities. If needed, I catch up on social media or email or pages I didn’t quite finish at night after my five year old is in bed or on the weekends when my husband is out with the kids.

At this phase of my life, with a family that needs my time and energy, I purposely limit my output to one book per year. In 2015, I’ll also release a fall novella. At this point, one novella and one novel in twelve months is my fastest pace. Sometimes I’m tempted to think that my books might be more successful or that I’d earn a larger income if I wrote more. MORE is a temptation for all of us, isn’t it? The desire for more can so easily wreck our contentment if we let it.

Whenever I start to think along those lines, God reminds me that the goal of my work isn’t to be successful in the world’s eyes or to earn more money. I’m called to write the books He leads me to write for His glory and to take care of the family He’s entrusted to me. That’s it. So I’ve made peace with the fact that I’m a tortoise, not a hare.

Andrea: Oh, that tricky longing for more. Setting it aside, finding contentment … that’s quite a difficult challenge, but God provides the way. I’m glad you’ve been able to find the balance between work and family. What is something that originally surprised you about the process of writing books and having them published? Is there anything that still surprises you about it today?

Becky: Original surprises about the world of publishing (back when I was first writing in the 90’s):

"What? There’s such a thing as a ‘craft’ to writing a novel? I thought I knew everything I needed to know, because I’ve been a lifelong reader."

"Huh? I don’t just send each editor and agent my full novel? They all have individual preferences about what they’d like to see included in a submission? And I have to send it to them formatted a certain way with a query letter attached? Why can’t I just call them?"

"Against all odds someone is actually going to publish my novel!!!!"

"It’s going to take a YEAR between now and when my book will hit shelves? As in, twelve whole months?!"

Recent surprises:

"It’s unexpectedly painful to write a book for God’s glory and have my ministry criticized by fellow Christians."

"Authors have A LOT more marketing items on their To Do lists in this era of blogging, social media, and platform! Eeek!"

"I had no idea that a publisher could be as nurturing and supportive of their authors as you, Bethany House, have been to me."

Andrea: Sounds like surprises keep coming for you! What’s one of the most challenging things about writing? How does this obstacle make you a better writer, and a better person?

Becky: I don’t always have the ideas or the passion or the mind frame needed for writing when I sit down to write. That’s the most challenging part. But I’ve contracted to have a manuscript ready by a deadline and I’m always determined to turn in that manuscript not only on time, but also as finished and polished as possible. So, whether I feel like it or not, I make myself do the work anyway. 

This sort of determination has made me a better writer and person because it’s shown me that God can use people, regardless of how they might be feeling at any given moment. God honors a writer’s faithfulness when that writer simply brings herself to the table and shows up. In my weakness, He has again and again and again proven Himself strong. 

Andrea: I know exactly how you feel. Sometimes it’s all we can do to show up and pray God helps us through. What’s up next for you? Any new books we should know about?

Coming soon!
May 2015

Becky: A Love Like Ours releases in May! Like my previous novels, it’s a contemporary inspirational romance. The hero, Jake Porter, is the brooding, wounded type, so I had lots of fun squeezing every drop of drama out of him that I could.

I’m currently working on Dru Porter’s book. I don’t plot everything out ahead of time. Instead, I start with a general idea of where I’m going and glimpses of turning-point scenes. So, whenever I’m in the process of writing a first draft (like I am now), I'm slowly discovering things about the story and characters as I go. It’s challenging and fun and uncertain — the first and most time-consuming step in a long process. 

Andrea: Isn’t that first-draft phase such fun? It’s my favorite part—discovering the story for the first time. Any extra little tidbits, about you or your writing, you’d like to share with us today?

Becky: I guess this is when I have to confess that I’m a chocoholic (dark with nuts, please). There. You’ve wrestled it out of me. Oh, and I love my afternoon cup of tea in the winter. I also enjoy tennis, procrastination, romantic movies, bubble baths, dinner out, and the BBC version of Pride & Prejudice.

Thank you so much, Andrea, for interviewing me on your blog. I truly appreciate your kindness and support. It’s an honor to visit you here. God bless!

Andrea: And may God bless you as well, Becky. It’s such a sweet pleasure to host you here at Writing to Inspire. Thank you for sharing part of your writing process, adventurous life, and secret indulgences with us. Don’t worry; we won’t tell about your little chocolate addiction. Because if we did, we’d have to tell about ours too. (I’m truly hooked on anything by Lindt.)

Stay tuned for information about Becky's latest book (below).

Becky Wade

Becky Wade makes her home in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three children. She's the Carol Award and Inspirational Reader's Choice Award winning author of contemporary Christian romances, My Stubborn Heart, Undeniably Yours, and Meant to be Mine.

She may be found at the following places (and I'm sure she'd love to hear from you!):

Website: www.beckywade.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorbeckywade

Twitter: http://twitter.com/beckywadewriter

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5298259.Becky_Wade

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/beckywadewriter/

Now, readers, I must tell you: I am super excited about Becky's upcoming novel, A Love Like Ours (now available for pre-order). I'm also working on a book with a hero that deals with PTSD after returning from war, so it will be wonderful to read her novel for inspiration when I'm feeling like this writing journey is impossible to figure out.

About A Love Like Ours:

A Porter Family Novel #3

Coming in May 2015!

Deeply scarred from a day he wishes he could forget during his military service, Thoroughbred trainer Jake Porter has given up on love. He struggles against symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake’s childhood best friend, returns to their hometown of Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tenderhearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake trusts her with his prized racehorse, Silver Leaf, then battles his hopes for his horse against his increasing fear for Lyndie’s safety.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake’s will, Lyndie’s sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he’s built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he’d thought he’d lost returns. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

Readers, do you have any questions for Becky Wade today? What are some of the ways you've connected with your favorite authors? If you haven't yet reached out to your favorite authors, consider sending them an encouraging word about how their books touched your heart. That is always a great way to bring a little smile to an author's day.

Thanks for stopping by today! I look forward to hearing your thoughts in the comment section below. And don’t forget to drop by next Monday for my latest article.

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Full Steam Ahead

By Andrea Renee Cox

If you’re looking for a delightful read that will keep you riveted from beginning to end, look no further than Karen Witemeyer’s latest offering, Full Steam Ahead. Even though I’ve read two of Karen’s previous novels and knew enough to expect her spunky storytelling, I was quite surprised to see an even greater depth of character and history than usual from her hand. I especially admired the way she meticulously wove the truth about steamboats and boilers into the storyline in such a way that I didn’t even question whether or not she’d checked her facts. Such easy-to-read fiction isn’t an easy accomplishment, but rather speaks of a very talented author who dares to put in long, tough hours, tweaking and honing each chapter until they leap off the page.

During the Facebook book banter in which I won a copy of this book, I asked Karen how many drafts she goes through in the writing of her books. Her reply? Since she edits what she wrote the day before, she really only has one draft. One draft! Can you imagine? I can only dream of that ability at this young stage in my writing endeavors. (Thank you so much for answering a few of my questions during that chat, Karen. Thank you and Bethany House for the complimentary copy of Full Steam Ahead. I hope my review inspires others to pick up a copy next time they visit their favorite book vendor.)

Even though Full Steam Ahead takes place mostly on land, it has the feel of a pirate story. Perhaps that’s due, in part, to the fact that the lead female, Nicole Renard, carries a dagger in her garter. Or maybe it’s because the lead male, Darius Thornton, calls her his “little pirate.” Somehow I think it’s more to do with the adventure style of the tale. With plot twists, witty dialogue, and peculiar characters, it really isn’t much of a wonder why it has that high-seas feel to it.

Karen Witemeyer

In Full Steam Ahead, Nicole Renard faces a dangerous journey, with a couple of brutish men on her trail, to protect her family’s legacy and find a husband—who would become her father’s heir, as she is his only child. When circumstances cause her to cut her trip much shorter than she’d planned, she ends up working for a madman. Will she be able to see past his unkempt appearance and exploding experiments to the heart of this out-of-the-ordinary man? When trouble searches her out, will she trust the odd scientist with the truth of her identity and mission? Can she place her safety in God’s capable hands?

My favorite line in this book came in chapter five:

“She’d managed to wring an address out of the postmaster, now all she needed to do was convince a madman to hire a female secretary before he blew her to bits.”

That brought a burst of chuckles to my lips immediately. Many times throughout this book I found myself laughing and smiling. Definitely a keeper that I’ll be reading over and over again. Five stars, for certain.

Readers, what book have you read lately that found a spot on your bookcase for keeps? What was it about the story that stood out as fantastic? Was it a new-to-you author or a tried-and-true favorite?

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Be My Guest: Carrie Turansky

Hello friends! Today, I welcome Carrie Turansky back to Writing to Inspire. Last time she was here, she shared with us about the setting for The Governess of Highland Hall. This time around, she's got a neat article for us about something the lead character deals with in the next book in her Edwardian Brides series, The Daughter of Highland Hall. Happy reading!

A Guide to Edwardian Courtship

By Carrie Turansky, author of The Daughter of Highland Hall

When eighteen-year-old Kate Ramsey travels to London with her family to make her debut into society, her main goal is to meet the right young man and secure a marriage proposal by the end of the season. Her overbearing aunt insists her future husband must be a wealthy young man who is in line to inherit his father's title and estate. When Kate meets Edward Wellington, she thinks he may be the man she has been looking for. But as she gets to know Jonathan Foster, a handsome medical student and strong Christian who is determined to protect the poor and vulnerable in London's East End, Kate’s not sure which man should win her heart.

Kate has spent months preparing for the season and learning all that’s expected of her. Understanding the “rules of courtship” for men and women was part of her training. Here is some of the interesting advice given to guide young men and women during courtship in the Edwardian Era in England.

1. When walking with a lady, the gentleman takes the protective position closest to the street. Leave her the inner side of the pavement. - Beadle’s Dime Book of Etiquette

2. No gentleman should permit a lady, whom he likes, but does not love, to mistake for one hour the nature and object of his intentions. Women may have some excuse for coquetry; but a man has none. - From The Illustrated Manners Book

3. Neither party should try to make the other jealous for the purpose of testing his or her affection. Such a course is contemptible; and if the affections of the other are permanently lost by it, the offending party is only gaining his or her just deserts. - Our Deportment

4. Remember: passion can make a person blind to faults. It is important to note that a man of refined taste and a good education would not find that degree of happiness were he united to a course, vulgar and uncultivated female. A Lady of polished education and of fine accomplishments would feel miserable in having to pass her days in the company of a boorish, rude, and ignorant husband. – The Etiquette of Love and Courtship, a Guide for Romantics

5. In public a gentleman should show constant attention to his intended, and neither in company nor elsewhere should he flirt with any other lady. On the other hand, he should avoid, even to his bride-elect, those marked attentions and endearments that would excite in strangers a smile of ridicule. – Cassell’s Handbook of Etiquette

6. When traveling with a lady, always carry her bag and assist her in and out of the trains. Your behavior is on its mettle under these circumstances, and traveling is very apt to be like a mustard plaster, bringing out both the good and evil attributes of a man. – The Complete Bachelor: Manners for Men

7. A man should never make a declaration of love in a jesting manner. It is most unfair to a lady. He has no right to trifle with her feelings for mere sport, nor has he a right to hide his own meaning under the guise of a jest.  – Our Deportment

8. As to the gentleman, it will be well for him also to watch carefully as to the disposition of the lady and her conduct in her own family. If she be attentive and respectful to her parents, kind and affectionate toward her brothers and sisters, not easily ruffled in temper and with inclination to enjoy the pleasures of home; cheerful, hopeful and charitable in disposition, then may he feel, indeed, that he has a prize before him well worth the winning.

If, however, she should display a strong inclination towards affectation and flirtation; be extremely showy or else careless in her attire, frivolous in her tastes and eager for admiration, he may rightly conclude that very little home happiness is to be expected from her companionship. - Social Etiquette: or, Manners and Customs of Polite Society

About Carrie Turansky

Carrie Turansky

Carrie Turansky is an award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and novellas. She has written contemporary and historical romances, women's fiction, short stories, articles, and devotionals. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Scott, and they have five adult children and four grandchildren.

About The Daughter of Highland Hall

What if the title, the estate, the life of security and splendor… what if it isn’t enough?

Strong-willed and beautiful, debutante Katherine Ramsey feels ready to take the London social season by storm, and she must. Her family estate, Highland Hall, has been passed to older male cousin, Sir William Ramsey, and her only means of securing her future is to make a strong debut and find a proper husband. With her all-knowing and meddling aunt as a guide, Katherine is certain to attract suitors at the lavish gatherings, sparkling with Great Britain’s elite.

When a shocking family scandal sidelines Katherine, forcing her out of the social spotlight, she keeps a low profile, volunteering with the poor in London’s East End. Here Katherine feels free from her predictable future, and even more so as a friendship with medical student Jonathan Foster deepens and her faith in God grows. But when Katherine is courted anew by a man of wealth and position, dreams of the life she always thought she wanted surface again. Torn between tradition and the stirrings in her heart for a different path, she must decide whom she can trust and love—and if she will choose a life serving others over one where she is served.

This series has made me a fan of Carrie Turansky. With interesting characters, a great plot line, and faith finely woven into the story, The Daughter of Highland Hall is one of the best stories I've read all year. For more of my thoughts on the book, be sure to check out my honest review.

Carrie, thank you for once again being my guest here on Writing to Inspire. It's always a pleasure. Have fun writing the third installment of your Edwardian Brides series. I look forward to reading it next autumn!

Readers, since Carrie Turansky shared about Edwardian courtship, let's discuss relationships. How did your romance begin? What have you learned along the way about sustaining a meaningful relationship? What advice would you give to someone still searching for the love of their life?

Thanks for stopping by today! I look forward to hearing your thoughts in the comment section below. And don’t forget to drop by next Monday for my latest article.

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All My Belongings

By Andrea Renee Cox

What happens when your troublesome past mashes down the replay button?

That’s the question looming before Jayne Dennagee in Cynthia Ruchti’s All My Belongings. Once her father’s reputation bars her pursuit of a nursing career, Jayne changes her name and moves halfway across the country in an attempt to start fresh. But when her past comes tripping after her, will the footing she’s gained with her new friends be ripped apart and leave her wondering yet again if she’ll ever belong anywhere?

Cynthia Ruchti (pronounced ROOK-tee) presents a heart-gripping story wrapped up in the life of a caregiver. Each chapter brings new heartache for the lead female, a testament to the author’s talent for digging deep and laying her heart on the line. I always appreciate that in a good book. When you can see how much the author poured out in the writing … it makes you care all the more about the characters and their journey.

Cynthia Ruchti

My favorite of all the characters in All My Belongings was Aurelia Hughes. Though she was fading from life, she still retained her spunk and humor. I especially enjoyed this line of hers: “I’ve got a scream could peel paint off the Titanic, you know.” Isn’t that a hoot? It’s characters like her that make books memorable … and keep me coming back for more stories from the author.

You may connect with author Cynthia Ruchti at her website: www.cynthiaruchti.com. She’ll be thrilled to hear what you thought of her novel. Be sure to stop by and let her know!

I received a copy of this book as a courtesy from the author, via the ACFW book club (Yahoo! group). This is my honest review.

Readers, has there ever been a time in your life when you felt like you didn’t belong? What did you do to overcome that feeling and gain confidence? Any advice for others struggling with this problem?

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The Daughter of Highland Hall - Coming Soon!

By Andrea Renee Cox

Another wonderful book is heading to stores near you in early October. The Daughter of Highland Hall is the second book in Carrie Turansky’s Edwardian Brides series, following The Governess of Highland Hall in grand fashion. Fans of Jane Austen, Downton Abbey, and Julie Klassen will love this author’s work as well!

When Kate enters London society as a debutante, her hopes for her future soar to new heights. But mistakes and family scandals seem to follow her like the train of her debut dress. Will she follow her aunt Louisa’s advice and “pull herself together and act like the gracious and confident young woman she’s been trained to be”? Or will she find an uncharted path carved out for her by the God she doesn’t yet understand?

Then there’s Jon, who doesn’t have a clue what he wants to do after he finishes his medical studies to become a doctor. Will he choose to return to India, where his family served in the mission field for years before his father’s illness brought them back home? Or will he choose one of a number of other options? Will he be able to discern the difference between his human desires and God’s will for him?

One thing that intrigued me about The Daughter of Highland Hall was the detail the author put into it. Not only did I feel immersed in the London season (in which young ladies attended parties, teas, and balls in hopes of finding their future husbands), but the intricate homes and settings really came to life under Carrie Turansky’s hand. In addition, I learned a lot about a couple of different missions of the era that captivated my interest. There is so much to take in, I’m sure I’ll need to read this book more than once to grasp it all.

Carrie Turansky

When I read the first book in this series, I knew I’d found a new author to love. Part of the reason is how Carrie used faith in the story. The characters’ faith in God was delicately threaded throughout each element of the story line, which is exactly what I look for in a great Christian fiction book. Sinking my teeth into this new installment of her Edwardian Brides series gave me more of that same intricately woven faith, assuring me I’ll be a fan for life. Have you become a Carrie Turansky fan yet? If not, I suggest you begin with her Edwardian Brides series. It’s five-star fantastic!

Thank you to Carrie Turansky and her publisher for the complimentary copy of The Daughter of Highland Hall. This is my honest review.

Readers, do you ever feel like you’ve traveled back in time when you read historical fiction? What is it about the story that pulls you into another era? What books have accomplished this for you?

Be sure to come back next Monday to read my newest article!

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Shadowed by Grace

By Andrea Renee Cox

A while back I won a copy of Cara Putman’s book Shadowed by Grace, and I had no idea  whether or not I’d like it. I’d never read anything by Cara before. The story sounded interesting, though, and I like discovering new-to-me authors, so I dove into it with an open mind. Boy, am I glad I did! What a treasure this book turned out to be.

Set in WWII, it tells the story of a photojournalist who travels to Italy to capture images of the war to help the folks back home really understand what it’s all about. Of course that isn’t the only reason she took on the job, but I can’t give away all her secrets. When she starts her journey, Rachel Justice wonders if she’ll ever be able to find peace in a time of war.

Throughout the chapters, I found myself completely immersed in the time period and setting. I’ve never been to Italy, but I sure felt like I was right there with Rachel. That’s when I realized I’d discovered a new favorite author. When history and the characters and the place really leap off the pages and come alive, that’s when I realize I’m falling in love with reading all over again.

One thing that really resonated with me was Rachel’s longing to “do something that matters.” I don’t know about you, but that’s what whispers through my heart too. I want to do something that matters. Something that not only will make a difference in the world, but something that really makes a difference in the spiritual sense. Furthering God’s kingdom. Advancing the Gospel. I’m not sure exactly what this something is yet, but I know God will reveal it to me in the right time. In the meantime, I’ll keep focusing on the tasks before me, which I’m sure are preparing me for whatever may come next.

Readers, what are you doing today that might make the difference for someone’s tomorrow? When has a book inspired you to make a positive change in your life?

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Be My Guest - Beth K. Vogt

Earlier this year, Beth K. Vogt released her third novel, Somebody Like You. It took on a different persona than her previous two, but then stories have a way of coming into their own. All three of her books are lovely reads that you'll want to come back to often. I'm pleased to host my friend and fellow writer, Beth K. Vogt, today. Please enjoy her article on the inspiration for writing twins into her latest story.

Write What You Know

By Beth K. Vogt

“Write about what you know and care deeply about. When one puts one’s self on paper — that is what is called good writing.”  

Joel Chandler Harris (1845-1908), American journalist & novelist

As writers, we are given lots of directions as we travel the writing road. The instruction “write what you know” is probably one of the most oft-repeated bits of advice. Here’s another one I like:

“There’s nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”

Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961), novelist

Of course, nowadays writers are sitting down at their computers and bleeding . . . I mean, writing. But the point is the same: You write what you know because it’s important to you.

And that is how I came to write about identical twin brothers in my latest novel, Somebody Like You.

Getting Personal

Brenda and Beth

I’ve always wanted to write about twins because I have a twin sister. My sister and I are fraternal twins, but I’m still capable of tackling the issues faced by identical twins. My sister and I looked so different that we had a difficult time convincing people we were sisters, much less twins. Even so, we dealt with people comparing us. Asking us why we weren’t more alike. We were called “the twins” or “Beth and Brenda” – you know, kind of like a permanently matched set.

The challenges I faced as a twin – and yes, the fun I experienced too – were woven into the story of Stephen and Sam Ames in Somebody Like You. By writing a novel about twins, I gave readers a small glimpse into my life – and that became a fun way to connect with readers who had no idea that I was a twin.

There were other little personal things I wove into Somebody Like You. At one point, Stephen tells Haley, the heroine, about when he and his brother, Sam, were born. He tells her that he was older than Sam by four minutes. I’m older than my twin sister by four minutes. Also in the story, Stephen gives Haley’s baby a nickname after it’s born prematurely: Peanut. That was my sister’s nickname when she was born. We were born six weeks premature and she was so tiny that my dad called her “Peanut.”

 

A Recipe from Somebody Like You

In Somebody Like You, Stephen enjoys cooking. I don’t spend all that much time in the kitchen, to be honest. But my husband loves to cook, as does my son, Josh, and my sons-in-love, Nate and David. It’s wonderful to see the guys in the kitchen cooking or outside grilling. In Somebody Like You, Stephen prepares Pasta Carbonara for Haley and her mother. So here’s a fun recipe for the readers of Writing to Inspire, with thanks to my son-in-love, Nate Huntley, who’s quite an amazing cook. (He went to culinary school!):

Pasta Carbonara

Ingredients:

1 pound dried Bucatini pasta (hollow spaghetti – better texture & traps the sauce inside)

1 cup raw Pancetta (Italian bacon)

¾ cup diced white onion

¾ cup Fava beans (cooked)

2 eggs

2 TBL butter

2 TBL olive oil

salt

pepper

Directions:

1. In a pot of boiling water, cook pasta to al dente (firm to the bite).

2. While pasta is cooking, cube Pancetta to ¼ inch pieces. Sauté until brown on medium-high heat.

3. Add diced white onion and Fava beans to Pancetta and cook for about 3 minutes.

4. Drain pasta and add to sauté pan with beans, onion, and Pancetta.

5. Add butter, eggs, and olive oil – and then immediately turn off heat.

6. Stir mixture constantly for 3 minutes to keep eggs from scrambling.

7. Add salt and pepper to taste.

(Note from Andrea: You may check out my review of Beth's Somebody Like You here.)

Beth K. Vogt

Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” A nonfiction writer and editor who said she'd never write fiction, Beth is now a novelist with Howard Books, with her third novel, Somebody Like You, releasing May 2014. She enjoys writing inspirational contemporary romance because she believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us. Beth is also the Skills Coach for My Book Therapy writing community. Connect with Beth on her website or check out her blog on quotes, In Others’ Words.

Beth, thank you so much for visiting with us today and sharing your son-in-love's yummy recipe. I'm not sure it will turn out quite so well by my hand as his, but I might just give it a try! It's always fun to hear behind-the-scenes stories behind the books I love so well. Thanks for sharing your sister with us through this article. What a blessing.

Readers, what's your favorite part of interacting with the authors of your favorite novels? What are some of the challenges you faced with your siblings (whether or not you're a twin)?

Don't forget: There's still a couple more days left on the giveaway from last week. Be sure to add your name to the drawing.

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