Holy Week was wonderful. I always enjoy Holy Thursday. Amanda served at this Mass and did a great job. She was server on all the Thursday night Masses and Stations of the Cross during Lent. She also was a server for the Good Friday Liturgy. We enjoyed going to church on Easter and the church filled up so quickly. We were glad that we went early to get a seat. Easter dinner was delicious because everyone brought something yummy to eat.

I hope everyone had a joyous and blessed Easter yesterday. It has rained here daily so we are tired of this weather. We are going to have showers all week except for Friday. Tom and I had a big disappointment on Good Friday. We didn’t get the house we made an offer on because we think that the listing agent held our offer until his buyers made an offer. I had a bad feeling when the listing agent told our realtor Joe that his sellers were not available. He acted like no one else had made an offer. Then later he said there was another offer and he wanted a bidding war between us. We didn’t want to do that and wanted to just deal with the sellers and had hoped to make a counter offer if they didn’t accept our first offer. I seriously doubt they even saw our offer. Well, the listing agent will get the whole commission now. I’m very discouraged about ever finding another house at such a good price like the one we lost. Only 5 years old and a ranch which had so many things we loved about it.

I did get good news on Saturday. I was assigned a scoring project for writing so I’m thrilled to start working this Thursday. I’m busy trying to get as many chapters done on my new book as possible.

Have a good week, everyone! Happy reading and writing!

Thanks for all the great comments - I enjoyed reading them! I drew Tina Pinson’s name out of my Bengals cap. Congratuations, Tina!

Here is the link for today’s blog stop: http://sci-fiadventures.blogspot.com/ A.R. Norris has a great post about submitting to DBP - it’s something all writers experience in our struggles in finding the right publisher for our books. Her first book will be released in June and the title is Duty and Devotion! Be sure to visit her blog for a chance to win her giveaways!

Desert Breeze Publishing is celebrating their second anniversary. Mine is the first stop in the Birthday Bash Blog Tour. Visit a new blog each day for the next ten days. I’ll post the link for tomorrow’s stop here when I post the winner of my giveaway on Saturday morning!

GIVEAWAYS for Desert Breeze’s Birthday Bash:Leave a comment here on today’s post and you’ll be entered to win the Kindle edition, pdf.format, or Nook edition of WHITNEY IN CHARGE! If you’ve already read Whitney In Charge, then the giveaway will be MARRYING MALLORY, which is also published by DBP. There will be daily giveaways so be sure to visit each blog stop!

On APRIL 30th on the DB Blog we’ll do a birthday “extravaganza.” Any readers or commenters who leave birthday wishes will be entered for the GC to Amazon grand prize - which Stephanie Burkhart will pick out of a hat and post on MAY 1st.

WHY I CHOSE DESERT BREEZE PUBLISHING!

In March 2009, I learned about Desert Breeze Publishing from one of my author friends. I immediately went to their website. After reading what they wanted in a manuscript, I felt it would be a good fit for the type of sweet romances I write. I asked others active in the publishing world if they knew anything about this new house, and I was pleased to hear only positive things about Desert Breeze Publishing. I also liked their book covers designed by co-owner, Jenifer Ranieri, which was important to me.

Early April I emailed my manuscript to Gail Delaney, the editor-in-chief of Desert Breeze Publishing. I was happy to receive a contract from her for WHITNEY IN CHARGE during the same month. At the same time, another small publisher offered me a contract, but I felt Desert Breeze was the best fit for me as an author. I especially liked the fact that they launched their company to provide a place for readers and authors to go where there are only non-erotica/non-erotic romance novels. You don’t have to search through erotic romances and erotica that are offered on many other publishers’ sites.

Gail and Jenifer have a great relationship with their authors. Both are available to answer questions and give frequent updates about the growth of their company. The Desert Breeze authors are wonderful and supportive. Many of them have become my online friends and I’d love to meet them in person someday. I’m impressed with how many of the authors have won awards for their DBP books and also have received outstanding reviews. The publishers, Gail and Jenifer, are definitely getting our books noticed by their aggressive marketing.

If you are an aspiring author or a published author looking for an appropriate home for your non-erotica/non-erotic romance novels to submit to, you should consider Desert Breeze Publishing.
~~~~
WHITNEY IN CHARGE BLURB:

TV producer Whitney Benson is tired of her older sisters’ attempts to fix her up with every single male they meet. Shannon and Regan cross the line when they arrange for her to go skydiving with the simple excuse that more guys like to float in the air than women.

Whitney meets two eligible bachelors, Jack and Ben, who constantly battle for her affection. Which one will she choose? Both men make Whitney realize, even a heart shattered by her husband’s death, can once again be made whole.

But did she have to fall off a cliff to learn that?

EXCERPT from Whitney in Charge:

The phone rang again just a few minutes later. She learned her lesson last time, and checked the caller ID, and her heart skipped. Whitney swallowed hard and took a deep breath before picking up the line. “Hello, Jack.”

“Hi, Whitney.” His voice was so rough and deep, it made her feel warm, and she really did like the way he said her name.

“Did you need something?” she asked.

He released a long breath and cleared his throat. “I’ve been thinking about it, Whitney, and I’d like to meet you in person today. It’s short notice, I know, but would you like to go out to dinner tonight?”

When it rained it poured. And Whitney realized with a flush of heat to her cheeks that she was more disappointed at the thought of not seeing Jack than she expected. She really wanted to meet him, even after just a few phone calls. But it’d be rude to cancel her date with Ben, even though he hadn’t called it a ‘date’.

Whitney closed her eyes, huffing. “I’m sorry. I just made plans this evening with a friend to go hiking.”

“Don’t be sorry. Asking you on such short notice was a bad idea on my part. I’m on call, anyway. I’d hate for something to happen tonight and I’d have to cut our evening short.”

“I hope not. That must be scary when you receive a call.”

“Every time we go out, we have no real idea what we’re dealing with until we get there. That’s the worst of it. Not being prepared, or at least not feeling prepared.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard Casey talk like that,” Whitney said. “But I imagine he must.”

Jack signed, his breath whispering over the line. “Enough of that. I do mean it, Whitney. I’d like to meet you. I didn’t at first, I’ll admit, because I’m not a fan of being set up.”

“Join the club,” she said with a chuckle.

Jack joined in. “I’ve enjoyed talking with you. I’d like to do it face-to-face. Over dinner or coffee or whatever. How about later in the week?”

“I would like that, Jack,” she answered, knowing she meant it.

They hung up, and Whitney tried to convince herself she could still have fun with Ben even though her mind would be on Jack that evening.
~~~~

Sorry I’m late in getting this posted. I finished writing all the names for the drawing before we left for a Fish Fry yesterday, then went to church after dinner. We did Stations of the Cross and then stayed to hear the speaker. They have visiting speakers at church because of Lent.

There were tons of comments from March 1st thru yesterday. Thank you, everyone, for your lovely comments and participation. I’m pleased how many of you left comments here for the visiting authors. I know life is busy and it takes time to visit blogs so you are appreciated! My daughter Sara drew the winner when we returned home last night! She drew Stephanie Burkhart. CONGRATULATIONS TO STEPH! She lives in California and would like Linda Swift’s ebook, SUMMER LOVE.

We went on an interesting road trip this past week so will share the photos next week. We saw some really cool historic stuff and a miniatures museum.

I’m busy writing again and loving my new Christian romance. I plan on it being a series.

Here is the blurb and cover of SUMMER LOVE - Steph’s choice for her giveaway! By the way, it’s only $4.79 at Amazon.

BLURB:
When Paula’s husband leaves her to “find himself” after years of a good marriage, she is devastated. Adding to her hurt and anger, he joins a band and dates the band’s sexy young singer. Forced to start over again in the job market, she goes back to school for a degree in Special Education.

Here she meets Derek, a retired naval officer, back in college to qualify for a second career. As Paula learns to cope in a whole new world, she is surprised to “find herself” falling in love again. And starting over proves to be better than she could have ever imagined.

REVIEW OF A SPRING/EASTER COLLECTION - Anthology:Sweet.
Publisher: Victory Tales Press
In paperback and electronic formats
Buying links: Smashwords, Amazon

Authors Cindy Carrier, Stephanie Burkhart, Markee Anderson, and Kate Kindle wrote delightful and heartwarming stories in A Spring/Easter Collection – Anthology: Sweet. Sometimes in an anthology, there might be one story that I don’t like as well, but this isn’t the case in this collection of stories. I thoroughly enjoyed each one and appreciated the variety.

I’ll admit that I’m not a big fan of western historical romances, but Cindy Carrier won me over immediately in the story, Love’s Sweet Journey, with her characters, Juliet Chandler and Sebastian Tucker. Sebastian’s nickname is Stormy, which definitely fits him. His cousin, U.S. Marshall Everett Gibbs is taking him to jail since he robbed a bank. Everett is also responsible for taking orphans, seventeen-year-old Juliet and her two siblings to Denver. Juliet needs to arrive by her eighteenth birthday in order to collect her inheritance, so she can take care of her baby sister and young brother. Juliet’s heart beats faster around handsome Stormy, which causes her stress. She doesn’t want to fall in love with a criminal, even though he’s a kind and unusual one. Although Stormy is attracted to Juliet, too, he feels unworthy to even be thinking about her.

Carrier’s story continues to cleverly include roadblocks to Juliet’s journey to reach Denver by the required time. This story is short, but it has a bit of everything – compassion, adventure, and sweet romance with a dash of excitement thrown in the mix.

The second story, A Polish Heart, is a wonderful and fascinating read by Stephanie Burkhart. It’s a contemporary romance and the setting is the beautiful city of Warsaw, Poland. American architect Darrin Riverton is hired to look at the next plans of construction at the National Stadium in Warsaw. At the airport, he’s pleased to see his translator, Sofia Buraczynski, is a beautiful woman. He learns quickly that her beauty isn’t just on the outside. She has a depth of character and openness about her Catholic faith that is quite unlike the women his parents want him to date. Even while in Warsaw, his parents insist he return home for Easter. His mother wants Darrin to spend time with one of their superficial women friends for show only. Darrin’s soul opens to a newfound faith because of Sofia’s refreshing honesty and spirituality. Learning about Sofia and her family’s Polish Easter traditions is a nice addition to this story.

Burkhart’s writing caused me to fall in love with Warsaw, even though I’ve never been there. Her descriptions of the setting and culture made me feel like I was experiencing firsthand Poland’s interesting country. Burkhart’s dialogue and romantic scenes make this story a page turner.

Lilies of Hope by Markee Anderson is a contemporary romance with a big conflict right off the bat between third grade teacher, Alexis Jensen and Dr. Jasper O’Malley. School board president, Dr. O’Malley, walks into her classroom with no warning. After observing Miss Jensen teach for a few minutes, he angrily accuses her of unfair treatment of Caleb, one of her students. He explains that Caleb has a troubled and abusive home life. Later, he calls her to apologize but she’s hesitant to believe him. He invites himself to her apartment and helps her bake cookies. The phone dialogue and the cookie scene are fun to read. Jasper becomes enamored of the lovely blonde teacher while she doesn’t want a man in her life…not even the kind and good-looking doctor. After Caleb’s father kills his mother and shoots himself, Caleb and his little sister, Christy, have no relative in Mississippi to take care of them. Jasper ups his romancing of Alexis because he loves her and wants to get married quickly to give the children a stable home.

Anderson’s a pro at writing fun and crisp dialogue that moves the story along at a nice pace. She makes a meaningful connection to Easter by her use of an old clay pot in the story. The children hold on to the pot of dirt because of their mother’s belief. She told them good things happen when lilies bloom from the pot of dirt. It represents faith and hope to the children. With Easter symbolizing new life in Christ, the pot of blooming lilies is a beautiful concrete example of God’s incredible love for us.

Easter Promise by Kate Kindle is the last story in this anthology. Roberta Lannon is a woman with a big heart and moves from sunny Florida to Maine to take care of her dying aunt. Roberta’s past and present life seems to be dull, unrewarding and uncreative. Her former job was working as a lowly hospital cleaning lady. Now she’s devoted to her handicapped aunt, which turns out to be a permanent situation with little social life for the young woman. Aunt Vi doesn’t die as expected and thrives under Roberta’s loving care and attention. Roberta’s and Aunt Vi’s prayers result in some wonderful changes. A dream of Roberta’s causes her to investigate an unused greenhouse on her aunt’s property. The possibilities of raising vegetables in the greenhouse excite Roberta of what she might be able to accomplish. When romantic interest, Manley Rogers, enters the story, Roberta’s life is no longer boring but beams with hope for a bright future. A little girl, Jessica, adds another layer of richness to Roberta’s life.

Kindle writes wonderful descriptions of the Maine coastline during March. I felt the rush of the seawater as I read her prose. An important message in Easter Promise is not to be judgmental of those with less than exciting jobs. God gives each of us important gifts and talents and how we use those blessings is up to us. Roberta lives her simple life more fully than people with so- called greater advantages. Easter Promise will touch readers’ hearts in a special way.

I highly recommend A Spring/Easter Collection Anthology: Sweet for your reading enjoyment. $3.99 for ebook and $9.95 for paperback.

Click here for SW!
Click here for Amazon!
For other buying links, visit VTP’s site here!