Brain Worms

I have brain worms. How they arrived I have no idea. But they are alive and thriving and multiplying. Each worm is wriggling with a wonderful story idea. Worms are like rabbits. They perpetuate...rapidly. While my fingers are busy working on a ms that needs to be finished, these worms wake up and start talking to each other. They won't leave me alone.

I need to come up with a plan of attack. I don't want to eliminate the infestation, just find a way to keep them dormant until I need them.

It's going to rain today. A perfect day to sit at my desk and watch the changing sky and write. But, I have to head to work and sit in a windowless cell and enter senseless figures into a spreadsheet. Over and over and over....

Ah, I see now how the worms gained control.

Hope you have a wonderful day. Don't let the worms take over. Thanks for stopping by!

Tweet, Tweet...

Okay, I hopped on the twitter bandwagon. Not sure why, but it's kind of fun seeing what my friends are doing without having to spend a lot of time on a social networking site. At one time I had a My Space, but I deleted it after finding it drew only other authors.

Not sure what the best way is to do marketing via the internet, which is the only method available to me at the current time. Well, except for the neat pens I ordered. How do I use them to market? Whenever we go out to eat, I sign the receipt and leave a pen! Pens are so much easier to hand out that business cards. I'm always passing out pens.

And now I've become a bird. Hear me tweet on twitter. If you're a bird, too, feel free to twitter me at CarolAnnErhardt.

Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!

I'm a Pack Rat

I have to admit it. I have too much stuff. Instead of throwing thing away, I hoard them...magazines, books, knick knacks, STUFF! I hold on to all my Writer's Digest books. Those articles are good. I may need to refer to one someday. I have all my RWRs. Those areticles are good. I may need to refer to one someday. I have a bowl of potpouri sitting on my desk. It's pretty, but it takes up space. However, there is nothing wrong with it, so I may use it someday. You should see my three, no make that four, cups of pens. Pens from other authors, banks, family members, different colored pens, markers, highlighters. Ack!!!

I'm hopeless.

My files drawers? Stuffed full of stuff that I rarely refer to. What to do?

I guess I need to do some spring housecleaning in my office.

Am I alone in this? Please tell me I have other kindred pack rat friends. Anyone have a solution to overcome this pack rat tendency? Leave a comment on my blog to be entered in a drawing to win a free pen to add to your STUFF!

Thanks for stopping by!

My Husband is a Trash Picker

Saturday I decided to do spring housecleaning on our deck. We had collected so many flower pots which had nothing in them and were simply sitting on the shelves collecting dust and bugs, that I decided to do a clean sweep. As I worked my way around the deck, I tossed things into a bag and later dropped them into the trash. Hubby was elated that I had cleaned the deck, which is normally his job. We headed out to buy two additional swivel chairs to match the ones we purchased last year. Since neither of us could carry the heavy box, we opened it on the truck tailgate and carried the chairs to the deck one by one where we assembled the bases. I drug the big box next to the trash can. Later in the day I saw hubby cutting it into pieces to throw in the trash. I never thought any more about those items I'd tossed earlier.

However, later he mentioned that I had thrown away his little duck planter. I laughed. I explained that we had too much stuff and that all these things only collected dust and served no purpose. He didn't comment further, but later that evening guess what I found on his workbench?

Yep. The little duck planter.

I have no doubt it will reappear on the deck, all cleaned up and with a brand new plant inside in just a couple of days.

Thanks for stopping by!

Tissue Alert...

It always warms my heart when a reviewer issues a tissue alert for JOSHUA'S HOPE. Yesterday, Karen Robbins reviewed my book on her blog.

Writer's Wanderings.

I'm so looking forward to this weekend! I'm planning on taking my computer to the park where I will walk and play through a scene in my mind then capture it while resting in the shade enjoying the beautiful weather.

Hope your weekend is wonderful!

Creative Minds Want to Know About...Hypnotherapy

As a writer, I'm always curious to experience new things to help me paint a better picture with my words. As a scorpio, I'm always curious to experience new things because it's my nature. I've always been interested in things that are "out there" so to speak. I've always believed things aren't just black and white. The gray area exists and it entices me to delve further into situations and issues. Usually able to see both sides of a question, I walk a narrow road at times. But, I'm diverting from my mission.

If you follow my blog, you know my battle to lose weight. I've tried so many things and the one and only one that seemed to make sense to me was the Paul McKenna "I Can Make You Thin" book and CD. And it works. That is, the left brain side of me understands the theory and why it will work. But this is when I'm consciously thinking about it. Problem: I don't always think about it. I'm busy. I'm in a hurry. I inhale my food and then go on about my business, only later chastising myself for not following his golden rules.

A friend went to a hypnotherapist to quit smoking. She highly recommended this person and I've been toying with the idea of doing this for some time. I listen to the CDs with the self-hypnosis. I just don't think it works for me. So, I thought about it for a long time and decided I should seek help one-on-one with a hypnotherapist and maybe then it would work. I'm not convinced I can be hypnotized...or allow my right brain to accept the suggestions which will remain with me and help me beat the weight loss thing. Right brain accepting the suggestions plus left brain understanding the concept should equal success. Right? After speaking with this lady, I feel very positive. In fact after I hung up I wondered if I had already had some messages planted in my brain because I've been energized and consciously thinking about what I eat and how I eat.

I'm going to begin my journey the evening of May 7, and I plan to share that journey with you here on my blog. I also plan to use this in my book. How? Well, I never tell the twists and turns of my novels before publication. So, have I created a little suspense here?

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for stopping by!

The Cat and the Bags

Yay, sunshine here in Ohio today! Tomorrow I'll share my latest life choice and I'll be sharing the experience here in my blog beginning May 7th.

On a funny note, my cat Templeton is always a source for a good laugh. The other day hubby came home from the hardware store with two plastic bags filled with various screws and things. He sat them on the workbench and Templeton just had to get nosy. While trying to get his head inside the bag, he managed to get the handles stuck around his head and legs. When he tried to get out, and couldn't, that cat went sailing through the air and ran fast enough to rival any olympic medalist. So, here's the cat, head stuck, bags rattling, hubby chasing and yelling...a perfect Funniest Video Moment. I'm at work, unfortunately. One of the bags fell off and hubby was able to retrieve the purchases. The other was found under the bed, where Templeton decided to spend the rest of the morning with an expression that said, "I meant to do that!"

Thanks for stopping by!

Surprise For Me This Morning

I was busy writing my inspirational blog for The White Rose Press when I found that my free read, Lethal Legacy, is now available.

Download now for free

Have a fun filled day!

You're Never Too Old to Fall Out of Bed

I learned that this morning.

Pleasantly dreaming of the next scene in my chapter, I was rudely awakened by the blaring alarm clock. When it reached through the fogginess of my sleep-deprived mind, I rolled over to hit the shut off button.

(Side Note) I have been wearing wrist braces on both arms at night because of some pain I've been experiencing. These have metal splints on both sides and look a bit like the ones that bowlers wear.

Back to story. Anyway my brace didn't stablize when it hit my night stand and instead slid across the wood and knocked off the phone. Both of my legs cramped at the same time and I wound up on the floor. There I sat, legs stretched out, unhurt, with the alarm blaring through my head. Hubby jumped out of bed. Cats yowled. I couldn't believe I had just fallen out of bed!

I'm writing this blog now and still laughing at the silliness of the situation. Geesh! Maybe we do revert back to childhood as we grow older.

I know our children sometimes become just like us. My daughter is seriously in contention to take of my "crazy cat lady" title. Check out her blog entry for an "awww" moment. http://delanaknits.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by and sharing a laugh at my expense today!

Happy Feet

I purchased a new pair of walking shoes. They are supposed to help circulation and balance. If you've never seen these, check out an Avon book. That's where I found them--in the Curves for Women section. They are strrrraaaaange looking shoes, and they felt weird when I first put them on.

Whoa! You know those exercise balls that you have to balance on...or fall off of in my case? Well, these shoes made me feel like I was standing on one of those balls. I can roll back on my heels and then forward on my toes. Look at me! Back and forth, back and forth. I felt like I was on one of those rocking horses for kids. Woo hoo!

Then I tried to walk. Uh-huh. Now I felt like I had rocking chair rockers attached to the bottom of my feet. My gait was kind of: step, roll; step, roll. I can only imagine what those workers at the new Fed Ex building next door thought. My hubby says I have a very noticable gait. Supposedly, my head bobs up and down when I stroll. Okay, so what was it doing now? I know with these THICK soles I'm at least two inches taller. Hey! That's a long way to fall.

But soon I had the rhythm. Now all I need is some music to complete my "Happy Feet."

Thanks for stopping by!

Hey, Is Everything Free?

I don't even know why I go out in public with my husband. Since he's retired,he's become...well, an old man. He works around the house on his wood projects or out in the yard on good days and he's like a little boy. He doesn't clean his hands before he reaches into his pockets for one thing. Let me tell ya, I can't get his everyday pants clean. There's just no way. He has dirt, grass, paint, and who knows what other kinds of stains on his clothes. So, when I call on my way home and ask if he wants to go out to eat, I should have my head examined. Something is wrong with me. I KNOW what he'll look like, because he sees no reason to change his clothes. Oh, wait, I take that back, he will change his shirt, but he just dusts off his pants and he's ready to go. To make matters worse, he has his favorite quilted flannel jacket shirt which he wears when it's "just a bit chilly" outside. It's plaid. It's blue...or rather dirty blue. The cuffs look like his pants. So does the collar. Choke me now.

So, now you have a picture, right. Okay, we go to Bob Evans last night for dinner. I pretend that I'm blind and can't see what he looks like. We have a nice meal and finally escape. NOT! We get to the register to pay and no one is there. I don't worry because I know someone will come soon. A minute later...it might have seemed a bit longer...my road construction crew hubby walks back to the counter and announces to the ENTIRE RESTAURANT..."Hey! Is anybody working the register or is everything free tonight!"

Finally, a girl comes running to the register. I feel bad. I feel like running out and letting him pay. But, being the one who tries to smooth things over, I give a little laugh as she comes toward me. But hubby, says again, "I thought maybe everything was free." She mutters, but loud enough for me to hear, "Nothing is free." And he doesn't stop there. "It took so long to get someone over here that I could have walked out of here three times already without paying."

He laughs when I tell him that he's becoming this cantankerous OLD MAN. A Mean Old Man.

Thanks for stopping by.

Author Interview with Laurean Brooks

The blog camera pans the laughing audience while the band plays "Tiptoe Through the Tulips." The notes come to the end and the blue curtain parts and Carol Ann runs on stage clapping and laughing.

"Wasn't that great? I've been complaining about this Ohio weather for so long and then this morning I saw my neighbor's garden full of red tulips in bloom. Glad I could be an inspiration to our fabulous band today."

Band director bows.

"Nice to be back in the studio again. Today I'm excited to introduce my guest author, Laurean Brooks. Laurean has loved to write ever since a fifth-grade teacher
encouraged her by announcing to the class, 'Some day Laurie will become an
author.'

Laurean kept that seed tucked away in her heart for decades. Today, it has
become a reality. Her first book, an inspirational romance, titled, JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS was recently released by "White Rose Publishing."

When not browsing antique malls with her husband, or walking her spoiled
labs, Laurie enjoys church-related activities, Christian television, worship
music, and quiet time communing with her Creator.

Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome my guest, Laurean Brooks!"

APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE. LAUREAN WALKS ON STAGE.



SHE AND CAROL ANN HUG AND THEY TAKE SEATS PLACE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STAGE.

CAROL ANN: Laurie, I'm so happy to have you here with us today.

LAUREAN: It's so much fun to be here in the studio with you.

CAROL ANN: I love the book cover for your brand new book.

**CAROL ANN HOLDS UP A BOOK AND THE CAMERA PANS IN**



LAUREAN: Thank you. The cover artist did a fantastic job.

CAROL ANN: Would you mind sharing a bit about your book?

LAUREAN: JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS is based on my mother's life. The year is 1938. Jenny Hinson's abusive father has deserted the family four years earlier, taking the oldest son with him. The family is left in dire financial straits. When the cotton crop, their main source of income, fails, Jenny has only one option. To accept the invitation from a Chicago aunt to move north and seek employment to support her mother and younger siblings.

Due to the paternal abuse, Jenny holds a bitternerss and distrust toward the male gender. So when Austin Grant makes off with her luggage at the train depot, Jenny labels him a thief. But what could he possible want with a lady's vanity case?

She consoles herself with the thought that she will never lay eyes on the man again. Wrong! Guess who takes swaggers up to take the pulpit in her aunt's church? Austin Grant. And now he is coercing the congregation to donate money "supposedly" to aid victims of a tornado-ravaged town.

When the reverend asks for volunteers, Jenny enlists with one goal. To find proof that Austin is a con artist and thief. But when she catches him with his hand in the mission strong box, she doesn't report it. Why? Surely she hasn't fallen for the guy!

Catastrophes strike with every encounter between Jenny and Austin. From getting locked in her aunt's storage shed with the illustrious Austin, to falling off a stool right into the thief's arms. The story ripples with humor, but the anger issue towards her father continues to raise its ugly head. She incurs frequent nightmares of the beatings.

God is dealing with Jenny to forgive her father, but she resists. "He doesn't deserve it," she argues. In a twist of fate Jenny meets up with her estranged brother who asked her to visit their terminally ill father. She is faced with a decision that will alter her life. Will she hold onto bitterness and distrust of the male gender, or will she come to grips with her haunted past and forgive her father?

Holding onto her anger means forfeiting a future with the man who has stolen her heart? Stolen her heart? But Austin Grant is a thief and a con artist, isn't he?

CAROL ANN: Congratulations on this new release, Laurie. What do you consider the hardest aspect of being a writer?

LAUREAN: That's easy. Sticking to a schedule or routine. Cutting time out to write, post, promote and still take care of household chores is not easy. Organization is a skill I lack. I could use some suggestions here. LOL. And since I'm a panster (one who doesn't plot), routine stifles my creativity.

CAROL ANN: I consider myself organized, but I have the same problems. I love your comment that routine stifles your creativity. I never thought of that before, but it is so true! Okay, so I'm a pantster, too. In your writing process, what comes first?

LAUREAN: Definitely the story idea comes first. I ask, "What if....?" I don't do outlines. I know how I want the story to begin and how I want it to end. But except for a few scenes in between, the rest is a surprise to me. The characters take over early on. Like I mentioned earlier, I am a full-blown panster. I sometimes wish I could do outlines and stick to them, but it stifles my story and then I hit a brick wall.

CAROL ANN: You sound like you are describing my writing process. Maybe this is how most pantsters operate. Tell me, what stumbling blocks have you encountered and how have you overcome them?

LAUREAN: One comes to mind. In Chapter Seven of JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS, Jenny takes her first plane ride in a small aircraft. It was necessary that I describe Jenny's experience. Since I have never flown, I was clueless. I searched the internet for World War II stories of pilots in combat. But even with the information I had gathered, something did not feel right. I laid the manuscript aside for a couple months. When I picked it back up, I skipped that chapter. A couple chapters later I went back and wrote the flying scene.

I don't recommend skipping a scene. It is not easy to connect the story to make it make sense, once you move ahead. I learned my lesson.

CAROL ANN: I know other people who write a bunch of scenes and then piece them together. I don't think I could write that way. I'd get too confused. **laugh** How about a personal question? Who can you always count on to make you smile, even if you are feeling down?

LAUREAN: This may sound silly, but I have two adorable Lab-mix dogs. A male and female who are siblings. The female (Yipper) is chocolate, the male (PeeWee) is black. When I feel disquieted or unsure of my next move, all I have to do is sit down on the front porch steps. Both dogs are all over me. PeeWee ends up with his front legs stretched across my lap while Yipper lies down on the other side of me waiting for a belly rub. These dogs bring me joy at my lowest times.

CAROL ANN: Peewee and Yipper? **laugh** Those are great names! And Lab-mix dogs are fantastic. I had a collie lab and she was the most affectionate, loyal, and funny dog. I still miss her. But, she weighed nearly 100 pounds. So..Peewee? Gotta laugh. Okay, a change of subject. Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword?

LAUREAN: Yes. Everyone is influenced by what they read, view, and think. I have heard of criminals and rapists who attained their ideas from books. But on the up side, I know people whose lives have been profoundly changed by an inspiring book. The Bible is the greatest example. And books like "The Purpose-Driven Life" has sold millions and influenced many.

CAROL ANN: Let's pretend that you are sitting in a restaurant with several friends when someone thrusts a microphone in your hand. You have one minute to give a message of hope to the world. What will you say?

LAUREAN: "Mmmmm! The food here is delicious!" (Only kidding.) Let's see.... I know. "Folks, please listen to me. I know these are difficult times. The future of our country is uncertain. But remember this. The world is not controlled by its leaders, no matter how great or how mighty. God is the controller and Creator of the universe. He loves you and will look out for your welfare. Turn to Him, read the scriptures, talk to Him daily, and give Him the glory He deserves."

CAROL ANN: You did great with no time to really think of that answer. Here's another. What do you have under your bed?

LAUREAN: **laugh** Besides a dozen sweaters that have been stuffed inside that plastic storage bag since I started having hot flashes? (That was seven years ago.) Guess I should give them away before they rot. But they can't rot if air doesn't get to them, right?

Besides the sweaters, I have a stack of books I plan to read when I get the time. Then there's a small box of music tapes.

CAROL ANN: I gave away all my wool blazers rather than put them under my bed. **laugh** Who is the hero in your life?

LAUREAN: I would have to say Jesus. He's always there for me. I wrote a blog post on January 21st on the White Roses in Bloom blog, which your audience might want to read at www.whiterosesinbloom.blogspot.com. Jesus has brought me through things I could not have survived without him. One major thing was a brutal divorce that resulted in losing contact with my then 10-year-old son for four long years. Ecrutiating beyond words. We have rebuilt our relationship since.

CAROL ANN: I can't even imagine what you must have gone through. Laurie, I'm so sorry but our time is up. Time flies when you're having fun. I've really enjoyed having you with me today, and I wish you many sales on your wonderful book. Before we go off air, can you share some links where readers can find out more about you and your books?

LAUREAN: I thought you would never ask. Besides the White Roses in Bloom blog www.whiterosesinbloom.blogspot.com , your readers will enjoy The White Rose Publishing site www.whiterosepublishing.com. And let's not forget my personal blog, Laurean's Lore. http://laureanslore.blogspot.com.

Taglines, Brands...Who Am I?

I'm supposed to have the perfect tag line that brands me as a unique author. There are so many different views on how to brand yourself. The tag line should identify your name with what you write so the reader can tap right into who you are.

Well, funny, ha-ha! I don't know who I am half the time. I'm a child of God, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a daughter, an Executive Assistant, and a writer. Even as a writer, I'm not sure exactly who I am. I just love to write. Most of what I write is suspenseful. So, my website is geared to the romantic suspense element. BUT...I also write inspirational romantic suspense. So, who am I?

This reminds me of the perfect country western song. All you need to do is write a song about cheating, drinking, mothers, dogs, pick-up trucks, and jail. **snicker**

Some readers view romance authors as wealthy, bon-bon eating eccentrics who have little yippy dogs, and tons of affairs. Not so. Unfortunately romance authors have day jobs, home commitments, cook, clean, and find very little time for writing, let alone romance.

Maybe I'm thinking of this tag line thing all wrong. Maybe I should look at what I would aspire to be instead of who I really am.

*sigh* I'll have to sleep on it.

Thanks for stopping by.

Honey...Where Did I Put...

Hubby is so amusing. He found an article on Saturday about one of his favorite little restaurants closing. I happened to be downstairs on my computer when he came running in to tell me about it. Fifteen minutes later I was in the bathroom applying makeup and getting ready to meet a friend for lunch when he came back downstairs and asked, "Where did I put that paper?"

"Um, what paper?"

"The one with the article in it about Nancy's Restaurant."

Now, I've been known to guess a few times and be right about things, but I didn't have a clue where to start with this one. Sometimes hubby will look right at something in the cabinet and ask where it is. I reach inside, put it in his hand, and he looks at me like I'm a genius.

This time, I didn't have time to retrace his steps and find that article. I knew he didn't bring it into my office earlier or he would have read the article to me. (Save me from the readings of Dear Abby, please.) I headed off to my lunch and when I returned, he read me the entire article. Where did he find it?

I didn't ask. He might have forgotten that he had even misplaced it and that conversation would have gone nowhere.

Life--ya gotta live and love it. Even the amusing little anecdotes.

Thanks, for stopping by!

Cables, Phones, Thumbs, and Alarms...Oh, My!

Chaotic day, for sure. Started last night when I reached into my sock drawer to get a pair of socks for work. Excruciating pain shot through my thumb. I do have arthritis in both thumbs and tendonitis which flares occasionally. But this time it did not go away, not even overnight. So, I called off work...can't drive when the thumb won't work. Have you ever tried to do anything without your thumbs? I mean, how humiliating that my hubby had to dress me for bed! And try wiping your rear! Oh, this is my right thumb and I just happen to be right-handed. Sigh. I debated whether to go to Urgent Care or the doctor. Doctor won. They have an exray machine and the copay is less expensive. Yeah. First wrong decision of the day. Exray machines down in doctor's office. Diagnosis--keep thumb immobilized, rest, if it doesn't get better, take prescription for exray to hospital. Cha-ching. If I do that I will have to pay for the exray myself. Bought a thumb immobilizer brace at Walgreen's and I'm learning how to type slowly and use my left thumb only for the space key.

But...when we walked in the door the trouble light was sounding on our alarm system. Sigh. Now what. Called the alarm company. Went through the testing and the blaring of the alarm for a minute to see if they would receive a signal. My eardrums hurt as much as my thumb by then. My hubby was looking at me with his finger poised over the alarm pad and kept saying, "Can I shut it off now?" The cats were leaping in acrobatic stunts beyond description, and their eyes? Bulging and frightening! Finally, we were allowed to stop the noise. ADT says, no signal. She asked if we had a phone change recently. Bingo! We moved my office from the upstairs bedroom to the lower level last Saturday. I have an extra light blinking on the modem, although everything seems to be working all right. She says we need to check the phone to see if there is a problem. I say, "Well, if you can hear me, then it's working!" Sigh.

So, I call our cable company. Problem is the phone jack upstairs is where the cable company had wired the alarm system through. Now we have everything hooked up to the phone jack downstairs! Sigh.

The trouble alarm went off again. I silenced it, but it is going to sound off again. Hubby is on his way to the store to buy 50 foot phone cord. We'll drill a hole through the floor to drop the cord from that jack and attach it to the modem. If it works, I can cancel the scheduled appt with the cable company tomorrow afternoon. I sure hope it does. If not, I'll be up all night shutting of the blasted alarm. Sigh.

I have to laugh at the entire sad situation. If my thumb hadn't gone out, my hubby wouldn't have known what to do about the alarm and he would have called me at work where I would have been trapped in a senior management meeting all day. There is always a bright side to everything. **grin**

And Then I Laughed....

Last night, tired and bleary-eyed, I mailed out my newsletter. When my copy came through I cringed...all those dreaded symbols that replace hyphens and quotes were beautifully placed throughout the newsletter. Ack! So, then I sent out an apology to my email list and gave them the link to read on a hidden page of my website. This morning I looked at the newsletter again because I wanted to make sure and update my blog with the upcoming author interview dates--and then I laughed. Here's what my newsletter said: "For the upcoming months, I will be hosting interviews as follows:"
To my utter humiliation, I had left off the names and dates...

For the schedule, look at the sidebar of my blog.

Did you know that laughter is good for you? It lifts your spirits and chases away depression. So, I always step back and laugh at myself whenever I can. I'm not perfect and I'm the first to admit it. So, beginning this coming week, I'll be sharing the "amusing" side of my life.

Stop in and you can start your day off with a laugh...at my expense.

An interesting article on how laughter can help your heart. Click here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Ever Packed 50 lbs of Sand into a 1 lb Box?

Well, that's what I did this past weekend. I looked at my office upstairs and thought it would be a breeze to carry down the odds and ends of my writing life to the downstairs bedroom. My son and son-in-law arrived promptly at ten on Saturday and they managed to carry downstairs: one six foot wooden desk, a six foot tall computer hutch, a treadmill, printer stand, and two bookshelves. They moved a bed upstairs to the vacated office. Made it look like nothing at all.

Guess I must be getting old. I began moving boxes full of books, and research material from that office on Friday night and filled up the family room. On Saturday morning I finished moving out the remainder of the stuff into our bedroom and then took apart the bed and moved it to the family room. Tell you what. I worked from 4pm on Saturday through 10pm before calling it quits. Then I started again after church at 2pm and worked until 8pm before I finished moving all that stuff back into my "new" office and finding a place for it.

My body is screaming at me that I will NEVER DO THIS AGAIN. And, I won't. My office is on the lower level to stay...forever.

I stand by a statement I made after we moved to this property in 1984...if I ever move again...everything goes. I get all new furniture, clothing, etc. It's the only way you'll get me to budge from here.

How does one accumulate so much stuff? And an even bigger question...how does one pack that much sand into such a small box?

Book Promo Day - Ready-Made Family by Cheryl Wyatt, Steeple Hill Publisher

It's always my pleasure to promo books by my writing friends. I came to know Cheryl through my blog when I was reading her first release. This book, Ready-Made Family is a wonderful story that will warm your heart. I recommend this book highly, and I'm not alone.

Romantic Times 4.5 Star Review:

“READY-MADE FAMILY (4.5) by Cheryl Wyatt: Air Force pararescue jumper Ben Dillinger knows what to do when a little girl comes to him saying that her mommy needs help. Suffering from dehydration, Amelia North ends up in the hospital. Wanting her independence and to take care of her daughter, Amelia finds herself unwillingly relying on Ben, who has his own problems taking over the care of his brother, who suffers from mosaic Down syndrome. Can Ben bring himself to be honest with Amelia, and can she overcome her distrust of men for love? Wyatt's wonderful love story about learning to accept God's will has delightful characters and a truly happy ending.”

—Susan Mobley


About the Author
Cheryl Wyatt's closest friends would never dream the mayhem she plots during announcements at church. An RN-turned-SAHM, joyful chaos rules her home, and she delights in the stealth moments God gives her to write. She's convinced that having been born on a Naval base on Valentine's Day destined her to write military romance. She stays active in her church and in her laundry room. Her debut novels (Books 1 and 2-Wings of Refuge Series-Steeple Hill) received Romantic Times Top Picks. In addition, her debut books received the honor of coming in at #1 and #4 on eHarlequins's Top Ten Most-Blogged-About-Books, lists which included several NYT Bestselling authors. Cheryl is currently serving as Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers. www.acfw.com
To receive her quarterly newsletter for updates on new releases and contests with GREAT prizes (think: free books, CDs, iPods, and a Kindle!), visit her Web site at www.cherylwyatt.com and sign up in the space provided. Cheryl respects your privacy and will not share your e-mail address with a third party.

READY-MADE FAMILY

April 2009-Steeple Hill Love Inspired--IN STORES NOW!

Wings of Refuge Series

Amelia North needs refuge, and finds it--in Refuge, Illinois. Stranded there after a car wreck, the single mother expects to be cold-shouldered. After all, she's already been rejected by her parents, her church and her daughter's father. Instead, she finds a town full of people with open hands and hearts…including pararescue jumper Ben Dillinger.
Ben wants to help Amelia and her daughter find safety and stability. Instead, he finds himself freefalling--right into love with the ready-made family.


BOOK PURCHASE LINKS

Christianbook.com Purchas link for RMF http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1137286&item_no=875269

Amazon.com purchase link for RMF
http://www.amazon.com/Ready-Made-Family-Wings-Refuge-Inspired/dp/0373875266/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238477381&sr=8-9

Barnes and Noble purchase link for RMF:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Ready-Made-Family/Cheryl-Wyatt/e/9780373875269

Win a FREE Sony e-Reader

Win a Sony eReader from White Rose Publishing!



Visit www.WhiteRosePublishing.com between April 1, 2009 and May 30, 2009 and purchase any title from any of the sponsoring authors. It's easy to enter: Once you purchase a book or short story from any of the participating authors (free read downloads, excluded), email your order number to sonyreader@thewildrosepress.com. That's it. In addition to the wonderful inspirational stories available at White Rose Publishing, SONY will include $25 worth of free downloads from their site with every reader we give away. So enter now!

If you purchase more than one title, you can enter more than one time. For questions regarding the contest contact Rhonda Penders at rpenders@whiterosepublishing.com

*Full details, the list of participating authors, and no purchase necessary rules are on the website www.WhiteRosePublishing.com

Winners will be announced on our website on June 1, 2009! Good Luck!

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Here's your chance to purchase my latest book, JOSHUA'S HOPE, and qualify to win a free Sony eReader!

Thanks for stopping by.

Win a FREE Kindle...

This is no April Fool's joke. My author friend, Cheryl Wyatt, is offering a free Kindle for her newsletter subscribers. Those who follow my blog might remember the post where my hubby had picked up the book I was reading and proceeded to read the next few pages without my knowledge and then tell me what was happening. That book was Cheryl's first release, A SOLDIER'S PROMISE. Currently, I'm reading the third book in her Wings of Refuge series, READY-MADE FAMILY. Cheryl creates her characters with a depth that makes me envious. I'm truly enjoying this book as well as the others in the series.

But, I promised to tell you how you can win a FREE Kindle. Here's the details directly from Cheryl:

KINDLE CONTEST--NO FOOLIN!
Starting April Fool's day 2009 I'll be running a Kindle contest. Only my newsletter subscribers will be eligible for entry. To receive those quarterly newsletters as well as more information on the Kindle contest, visit www.cherylwyatt.com and sign up in the newsletter space provided. This is a double-opt-in feature and you will receive an e-mail prompting you to confirm that you wish to receive the newsletter. I respect your privacy and will not share your e-mail address with a third party. Contest ends June 15, 2009 at midnight CST. Winner will be announced on Independence Day 2009 on my newsletter and blog.

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Thanks for stopping by!