Hey, y’all! How’s your week been? Mine’s been great! I spend half of Thursday, Friday, and half of Saturday at a writer’s conference in Pittsburg, KS. While here, I learned and connected with new friends and people I already knew. But mostly, I was continually reminded just how incredibly blessed this writing journey has been for me.
I got back to my room Thursday night [my husband was okay with me splurging for my own room! With the conference discounted rate, it wasn’t bad at all!], it struck me just how gracious God has been. See, one of the first people I saw when I got here was Kathleen Y’Barbo. Not long after, Jeane Wynn. Many of you have probably heard of Kathleen – she was a member of InspyRomance for a while before she refocused on her historical books. She’s one of the top authors in the business, with nearly 60 books out. Jeane… well, you’re probably less likely to have heard of her, but when I say she’s probably the top publicist in the Christian book world? I mean it.
And Thursday night, after the group session where Kathleen gave a keynote, I went to Walmart with the two of them. And hung out. And talked. About all kinds of stuff, not just bookish things. And when I sat down and thought about it… Man alive! I’m blessed enough to call these amazing women FRIENDS!
Me with Jeane and Kathleen at lunch Saturday
I’m not sure how I first met Kathleen (I think she came to my local writers’ group) but I remember being intimidated by Jeane. She’s fabulous and I had been told that, but we’d never been introduced and she’s an industry professional and all. At the ACFW Conference a couple years ago though, somehow, I ended up in this conversation with Jeane and several other people I did know. I don’t remember what we talked about, but it was fun! I have pictures to prove it.
I never set out to make connections with people so much further down the road than me – at least not with the “what can they do for me someday?” attitude. I never expected anything. But somehow… in the process of becoming friends with Kathleen and Jeane and Janice Thompson and Julie Lessman and Candace Calvert and too many others to name, I’ve not only made fabulous friends, but somehow I’ve gained incredible mentors.
It’s beyond the scope of my very limited human understanding to know why God put these people, these relationships, in my life. It’s for so much more than writing purposes. Those purposes are pretty cool, but the rest of it? The doing life with these folks? That’s infinitely better.
What about you? Have you been struck by something lately? Some blessing you didn’t even really realize how big it was until one day you stopped and took a bit of a step back and thought “Wow!”?
[Plus, when I told Kathleen and Jeane my plan for Saturday afternoon [after conference ended] was to run to Walmart and pick up a couple of frozen dinners for lunch and dinner tonight and write all afternoon… well, they kidnapped me and took me to Chili’s for lunch instead ;). Much better than frozen macaroni and cheese! And Kathleen lives less than three hours from me and Jeane is smack dab in the middle which means I get to see both of them from time to time!]
As always… If you’re a winner contact us at:
prizes at inspyromance dot com
Last week
Monday, Sally Bradly talked about Honeymoon Fights.
Heather Gray was here Tuesday with some random thoughts on prayer.
JoAnn Durgin talked about her new release, Heart’s Design, on Wednesday. The winner is Britney Adams!
Thursday saw Autumn MacArthur talking about her newest release set in Paris! Her winner is Lori Meeker!
Staci Stallings talked about Good Friday and Easter Sunday on Friday.
And Saturday, Deb Kastner talked about her first – blind! – date with her husband. This winner is meezcarrie!
Coming Up
Me with Jeane Wynn during that first conversation at ACFW 2013 – not sure what we were talking about but it was fun!
Monday: Narelle Atkins
Tuesday: Marion Ueckrmann
Wednesday: Belle Calhoun
Thursday: Lee Tobin McClain
Friday: Hallee Bridgeman
Saturday: Lindi Peterson
News & Notes
New Releases
April 2015
Along Came a Prince (The Montevaro Monarchy 2) by Carol Moncado
More Than a Princess (The Montevaro Monarcy 3) by Carol Moncado
Heart’s Design by JoAnn Durgin
Pinky Promise (Riverbend Romance 2) by Valerie Comer
More Than a Princess (The Montevaro Monarchy 3) by Carol Moncado
Island Refuge (Wildflower B&B Romance Book 1) by Kimberly Rose Johnson
And the Greatest of These is Love by Staci Stallings
NEWS & AWARDS
Raspberries and Vinegar by Valerie Comer is now available in audio!
Love Brings Us Home BOX SET by Hallee Bridgeman, Valerie Comer, JoAnn Durgin, Kimberly Rae Jordan, Staci Stallings, Lynette Sowell, and Debra Ullrick is on sale for 99¢.
PERMANENTLY FREE
Raspberries and Vinegar (A Farm Fresh Romance 1) by Valerie Comer
The Wedding List (Love in Store 1) by Autumn Macarthur
To Protect and Serve (Courage 1) by Staci Stallings
His Baby Bond (Sacred Bond 1) by Lee Tobin McClain
Greater than Rubies (Jewel Series 2) by Hallee Bridgeman
When she's not writing about her imaginary friends, Carol Moncado is hanging out with her husband and four kids in the big yard of their southwest Missouri home, teaching American Government at a community college, reading, or watching NCIS. She's a member of ACFW and RWA, President and founding member for the MozArks ACFW group, and a category coordinator for ACFW's First Impressions.
Sounds like you had a great time with some wonderful author friends! Isn’t it always nice when you can reconnect with some great people God placed in your life? And being treated to lunch at Chilis is a double bonus….good company, good food, great conversation & fellowship! What a blessed weekend you had Carol & I’m sure they felt the same :-)
I hope this week is just as blessed for you in whatever God places in it. May you ever feel His presence & see His hands working in everything! As always, looking forward to another great week here at Inspy Romance. I love anticipating what the Lord has put on each author’s heart to share with us!
I’m so glad you enjoyed a wonderful weekend, Carol! I love the pics!
I’m thrilled to be JoAnn’s winner and look forward to reading Heart’s Design! Thank you!
Hey, Carol, miss you, miss your cookies, girlfriend, but mostly you!! :)
Hugs,
Julie