Happy October!
I always enjoy having the chance to spend Sundays with y’all and give you the run down on all our general administrative news.
This month, my header images will be featuring scenes from a train trip my family took mid-September through a lovely scenic valley in West Virginia. The valley is home to a couple of nesting pairs of bald eagles. We did see one eagle, but I wasn’t fast enough on my camera, so I only have a memory of it, rather than a photo to share.
The train station is a three hour drive from our house. It was a lovely drive in and of itself as we headed away from the hustle and bustle of the DC area into the Shenandoah and then beyond.
For all it was mid-September, it was hot. I think it topped out at 97 that day. There was no A/C on the train, but there was a nice enough breeze when we were moving. My youngest and I rode in the open car for a little while, but were glad to get back inside when it was time.
In addition to my family (husband and two boys), we took my dad along. He’s always enjoyed trains and so it was fun for the kids to have their Papa along to share the experience.
Winners this Week
Heather Gray’s winner was Kate Schoenherr!
Stacey is Jaycee Weaver’s winner!
The two gift card winners from the month of September are Lori and Sarah Taylor!
Julie Arduini’s winner was Melanie Pike!
Shannon Taylor Vannatter’s winner was Susan P!
If you’re a winner, you should have received an email from the author in charge of the giveaway. If not, please email us at: prizes at inspyromance dot com.
Congratulations!
Don’t forget… every comment you make qualifies you to win one of the monthly Amazon card giveaways!
Reader Gathering
Did you know Inspy Romance hosts a Christian Romance Reader Gathering group on Facebook? Join us… but don’t forget to answer the questions for admittance!
Have you seen our Back List Book Club in Christian Romance Reader Gathering?
Last Week on Inspy Romance
Monday: Autumn Macarthur bid us adieu.
Tuesday: Marion Ueckermann talked about babes and book babies.
Wednesday: Narelle Atkins recommended Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate.
Thursday: Liwen Ho introduced us to her favorite Spark brother.
Friday: Ginger Solomon talked about real life struggles.
Saturday: Heather Gray talked about a love that transforms.
Next Week on Inspy Romance
Monday: Jolene Navarro
Tuesday: Jan Thompson
Wednesday: Toni Shiloh
Thursday: Shannon Vannatter
Friday: Valerie Comer
Saturday: Jaycee Weaver
New Releases
October 2019
The Texan’s surprise Return (the Cowboys of Diamondback Ranch) by Jolene Navarro
Sara’s Gift by Kimberly Rose Johnson
Valerie’s Verdict (The Dixon Brothers 2) by Hallee Bridgeman
Nate’s Gift (Small-Town Christmas Wishes) by Jackie Castle
Once Upon a Christmas: Contemporary Retellings of Timeless Tales by Toni Shiloh, Angela Ruth Strong, Jaycee Weaver, and 2 others
September 2019
Dancing at Daybreak (Urban Farm Fresh Romance 7) by Valerie Comer
A Heart Rearranged (Peacock Hill Romance 5) by Elizabeth Maddrey
An Extra Spark (The Spark Brothers 5) by Liwen Y. Ho
Wait for Me (Vacation Sweethearts 3) by Jan Thompson
Not Until Us (Hope Springs 4) by Valerie M. Bodden
A complete list of Inspy Romance books by our authors is always available on our BOOKS tab. Find our audiobooks, our permanently free e-books, and our thank-you gifts for newsletter subscribers there as well!
Wemble says
Hi Elizabeth, how fun:) Was it a steam train? We enjoy steam trains and have been fortunate to ride a few. Some of them, we are able to take our bikes on and then ride back- train one way, ride the other (usually the downhill!!) It is a great way to see more of the countryside.
Blessings:)
Renate says
Hi Elizabeth! Love taking train rides through the country side. The Shenandoah Valley is lovely. Best wishes.
Paula Marie says
Hi, Elizabeth! Thank you so much for sharing…I have always wanted to go on a real train ride (not a Disney one, lol)!!
Lori Smanski says
Ohh A train trip. This sounds exciting. I look forward to your pictures.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
I had thought it would be a steam train but alas no. Still the kids had a lot of fun with it.
The bike / train combo sounds so fun!
Elizabeth Maddrey says
Thanks! There really is so much beauty to be found if we open our eyes.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
The Disney train is fun though- and it means you’re at Disney! :)
Elizabeth Maddrey says
Thanks Lori! It was a really fun outing.
Trudy says
I’d love to go on a train trip! It’s on my bucket list to do!! There’s on in Canada that looks like a lot of fun, though your trip sounds great, too!!! I’d better start small, and then build up to a longer one!
Elizabeth Maddrey says
I’d like to take a longer train trip someday – I often play on the Amtrak website to see what it’d cost to do one of their longer treks.
We took the train from Seattle to Vancouver many years ago and that was a gorgeous trip.
Nancy says
Not sure my comment was submitted, due to finger going wrong way.
I really enjoyed the blog about Sacrificial Love. I shared it with some of my friends and family.
Looking forward to seeing the pictures of your train ride adventure.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
It was a great post, wasn’t it?
Ausjenny says
I am so far behind I tried to post yesterday. when I was in America we didn’t go on a train but did drive on the Skyway(is that the right name) and went to the Shenandoah . We stayed at a mountain lodge and at night had a talk about nature in the area. While others in the tour thought it was a bit rustic and nothing to do with history (trip was Historical Highlights) and now they stay somewhere else no longer staying here. I loved it the cabins we stayed in were good and actually bigger than some of the other rooms. and the scenery was beautiful. We even saw a mama bear and 3 cubs on the way up. We stayed there after a stop at Harpers Crossing (is that the name in WI).
A train trip would be lovely. I have done a few trips on steam trains, There is near Melbourne. I have done country trips (my town to the city) which I got to hate as it was always late up to 2 – 3 hours and we stopped at all the little places. The last two hours was the worst as in a car it would have taken less than an hour. When it changed to bus it took a couple hours of the journey.
When I go to Melbourne I go by train for part of the trip and its a nice train ride.
I would love to do the Rocky Mountainair one day. I think that would be beautiful.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
I think maybe Skyline Drive is what you did if it was the Shenandoah. It’s gorgeous. And maybe the cabins are a bit rustic but it sounds like you got to see some great nature.
Anything in the Rockies is worth doing.
Ausjenny says
yes that’s it the Skyline. we left Harpers Ferry (got the name wrong) and then went on the skyline and stayed in the mountains somewhere. The cabins would have been what I call 4 star I had 2 double beds I think or may have had a double and two single. they all had tv, fridge, bathroom. We got a breakfast orange juice in the morning. It was really nice and the area was so nice. We did have to walk to the lodge for Dinner and Breakfast and they had only opened the week we arrived which meant they were still getting ready for the season. I have to say something I ate didn’t agree with me but loved the area and it was a nice break. I got a lovely jigsaw there.