I was delighted to see my new title up on Christianbook.com a few days ago and wanted to share that with you here. I feel a little like a new mama naming her book baby. This time the title is mine and I’m so glad my publisher kept it…

The Mistress of Tall Acre

The cover and back cover copy  is yet to come on Amazon and other sites so this is a delicious teaser, or so you readers tell me! To entice you further, or so I hope, here’s a look at the Pinterest board that will go live in September when the novel is released. Just a few images central to the heart of the story. I hope you like the sneak peek!

 This book was a joy to write. The story was born on the Isle of Mull off the coast of Scotland almost two years ago. Here’s a pic of the manuscript in longhand and my writing chair in my lodging there. Truly a magical place! It’s hard to believe this book is now about to go to print…

Can’t wait for you to meet these characters! Counting down till September with you!

 

Flight of the Sparrow was recommended to me by reader and Pinterest friend, Becky, and I can’t thank her enough. It’s the kind of book I wish I’d written. Full of beautiful prose, both evocative and emotional, with a hero of all heroes named James Printer who happens to have feathers in his hair:) But be forewarned, this isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s written with a lot of early American angst and does not necessarily have that HEA…

The final three are ones I’ve recently endorsed with pleasure ~

Brentwood’s Ward just released by the very talented Michelle Griep!

Mist of Midnight is coming soon. Author Sandra Byrd, my fellow tea drinking buddy with British genes, really wows with this book! If you’re a fan of Victoria Holt and Gothic romance, this one is for you!

And last but not least, Melanie Dickerson reminds me of why adults still read fairy tales in The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest. Isn’t that cover beautiful?

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I’d love to know what you’re reading, too…!

I’m getting excited to decorate my kitchen and thought I’d start with this;) I love making biscuits and gravy so it fits. Here’s my granny’s old recipe that I often make today. Unfortunately, it’s done with a pinch of this and a pinch of that. But you can take short-cuts and I’ll include the easy version here…

1 pound sausage (Jimmy Dean is our favorite)

Dried sage, salt, fresh ground pepper, cayenne, flour, milk, butter

Frozen Pillsbury Biscuits

In cast-iron skillet, brown sausage in a bit of butter (yes, butter. Somebody put Jimmy Dean sausage on a diet and it’s too lean nowadays). Add pinch of sage. Then add a couple of tablespoons of flour and pepper and mix well. Gradually add 2 cups milk. Turn to simmer and let thicken, stirring occasionally. Add salt and more pepper or even a pinch of cayenne to taste.

Bake biscuits (I know it’s a terrible thing to use store-bought biscuits but does anybody make homemade biscuits anymore besides me)!? Besides, Pillsbury makes a good biscuit as well as a pie crust in a pinch. 

Anyway, when gravy is bubbly and thickened, slather on freshly baked biscuits. Eggs and fried green tomatoes can be served alongside.

Happy eating:)

Every January equals new hopes or changes and I wanted to share my favorite devotional books this year, including one fictional book a dear reader gave me for Christmas called Stepping Heavenward. Some of you undoubtedly have read this little gem of a woman’s journey to Godliness. 

Since last August I’ve been on the sweetest journey of my life and hope to share more of that with you here soon. It came after a very dark period, a time of searching and wrestling like I’ve never known. Just as that new journey began, the Lord led me to the little book, Blessings for the Morning. It was tailor-made for me during that sweet season and continues to bless me in ways I can’t recount.

I’m re-discovering that God is a deeply personal God, passionate and involved in every detail of ours lives, and He desires a rich relationship with us every minute of every day. Some of you may be saying, “Well, yeah – duh!” but for this girl, I’m learning it later than sooner. Better late than never:)

I’d love to hear what your favorite devotionals are ~ or anything that the Lord is using to bless and change you! We’re in this together and I’m so very thankful!

I’m very thankful for new years, new circumstances, new opportunities. The last two New Years my ‘words’ for 2013 and 2104 have been ‘focus’ and ‘joy.’ 

This year my word or words are ‘a new song.’ 

I’d love to hear yours!

 

So thankful to celebrate another Christmas with treasured readers here. I pray your holidays are blessed and you come away with a renewed sense of His peace and care for you amidst the busyness of the season. See you in the new year!

2 Corinthians 9:15

The Friendly One

Robert Duncan

I sent out a few of these Christmas cards this year. The scene reminds me of my childhood, my love of dolls and sleds and snow ~ and nature. I found myself wishing I could mail a card to each of you. All my readers. Please know I am praying for you this Christmas season, that you will find unexpected joys in surprising places, even if you are in a difficult, emotional storm or season. Your encouragement, prayers, loving-kindness and more mean so much and have helped me weather some rocky places, too.

Merry Christmas to you!

 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

2 Corinthians 9:15 (KJV)

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.

~Harlan Miller

I’m deep into baking bliss with sugar cookies, chocolate mice, and such here at home. I’ve gotten out my granny’s vintage cookie cutters and tied my apron on. My motto tends to be ‘a little extra butter makes everything better’ but lately am having to loosen my apron strings! For those of you who’ve asked for my sugar cookie recipe again, here ’tis…

Bless you all!

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.

~W.T. Ellis

*Pinterest