Welcome Connie Stevens!

photo © 2008 Carolyn | more info (via: Wylio)
Day One

The main characters of Revealing Fire, Pearl and Hubert, are older than the usual hero and heroine. They appear in my first book, Leave Me Never, as minor characters, and I fell in love with them during the writing of that book. I knew I had to give them their own story. The fact that they were both in their mid-fifties made them special to me. Over the years, I have had the privilege of seeing more than one "older" couple fall in love and marry. Who says love is only for young folks?

Pearl and Hubert both have more silver in their hair than dark strands. I like to pull back the curtain of time and see what experiences have tempered and shaped the heart and soul of a person who has lived for more than four or five decades. A fifty year relationship with God deepens that person's character, and carves lines of laughter and sorrow into their face. They have learned through their mistakes, and if they allow God to use them, they can become mentors for a younger generation. These are the kinds of characters I wanted to write about in Revealing Fire.

I turned the sixtieth page in my own life last year, and since I have walked through some dark valleys as well as some mountaintops, I called on some of those experiences and gave them to my characters with a different twist or two. I found that hard times and sorrow don't have to destroy your ability to love. On the contrary, as a craftsman refines and purifies silver by carefully putting it through the fire and precisely gauging its purity during this process, so God refines us over the years. Passage of time enhances one's capacity to love rather than decaying it.

My husband and I have been married or almost thirty-eight years. Once in a while, when I least expect it and for no apparent reason, he brings me a rose. Such a trivial thing, some might say. But it's not trivial to me. That rose tells me he's thinking about me, he cherishes me, I'm important to him, we share something deeply grounded and intertwined together. We can communicate as much through a look as with words. He still makes me heart flutter. We still hold hands. His smile is the one that matters to me.

Do you know an older couple who are in love? What can you learn from them and apply to your own life and relationships?

Revealing Fire by Connie Stevens

This week's featured title is...
Revealing Fire by Connie Stevens
978-1-61626-330-0
HP 951
Historical

Pearl feels too old to fall in love.

Pearl Dunnigan is in her September years, well beyond the age when most women fall in love. She married her childhood sweetheart years ago. Now as a widow, she operates the only boardinghouse in Willow Creek, Iowa, and is content with life until Hubert dares to convince her to dream again.

During Hubert Behr's youth, blind ambition and careless actions destroyed his family and his marriage. Have the lessons he's learned since then made him worthy of a second chance, or has his past made him unsuitable for love? Hubert is willing to try again, but what will Pearl say when she learns his secrets?

Hubert's estranged son arrives in town, and his anger and scorn threaten to undo Hubert's and Pearl's plans. When all the truth is revealed, will their love be destroyed or refined by fire?

Book Excerpt

"I suspect this woman is -"

"Her name is Pearl." The muscles in Hubert's neck tensed, but he forced his tone to remain even. "When you speak to her or refer to her, please do so respectfully."

Everett's eyes narrowed but he didn't retort. Instead, he appeared to take a deep breath - whether to sigh in resignation or calm himself, Hubert couldn't tell.

"All right, I will be respectful. But, Father I can't help but feel you are marrying beneath you. Mrs. Dunnigan likely doesn't make a great deal of money running a boardinghouse for people who can't afford a home of their own" He paused before making his point. "Have you considered that she might be seeking marriage of comfort and position?"

The tightness in Hubert's neck extended to his jaw muscles. He clenched and unclenched his fingers. Allowing his temper to erupt would not only destroy the fragile relationship between him and Everett, it would also negate any chance to speak of his faith with his son. He certainly didn't want to start out by setting parameters, but he couldn't allow Everett to voice such speculations about Pearl. Distress burned in his chest. Unless Everett changed his attitude, the possibility loomed of having to make a choice between his son and the woman he loved.

Key Verse

"Every man's work shall be made manifest because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." I Corinthians 3:13

About the Author

Connie Stevens lives in north Georgie with her husband of over 35 years, John. She and John are active in a variety of capacities in their home church. One cantankerous kitty - misnamed Sweet Pea - allows them to live in her home. Some of Connie's favorite pastimes include reading, sewing, browsing antique shops, collecting teddy bears, and gardening. She also enjoys making quilts to send to the Cancer Treatment Center of America. Visit Connie at http://www.conniestevenswrites.com/.

Do you think a person can fall in love at any age?

New Random Drawing Winner

photo © 2007 Jerry Downs more info (via: Wylio)


















This week's random drawing winner is Julie Pollitt!

Congratulations Julie, please send an email to heartsongblog @ gmail .com (without the spaces) and let us know if you would like a copy of Shades of the Past, If the Dress Fits, or 10 Heartpoints to be used towards a future shipment of Heartsong books.

I hope this weekend brings beautiful weather for everyone to enjoy!

From the Vault!

Today's book from the vault is...
If the Dress Fits by Debby Mayne
978-1-59789-900-0

HP 785
Contemporary

Cindi no longer believes in happily-ever-after.

Cindi is helping brides and living her dream by owning a bridal boutique and helping brides choose dresses for their unforgettable day. But her world crumbles when her parents announce their intentions to divorce. Bitter and disillusioned about marriage, Cindi decides to throw in the towel and sell her business. When Cindi's lost love from high school reappears as the potential buyer, her jaded heart warns her to stay away.

Jeremy Hayden is a changed man. Now a successful entrepreneur and business flipper, he jumped at the chance to own Cindi's store and her heart. Can he prove to Cindi he cares about more than just the business? Can Cindi forgive him for breaking her heart so many years ago?

As Cindi and Jeremy face their unresolved past and troublesome present, can they overcome the odds to make a lasting commitment?

The Spring season is a popular time for weddings. The bride-to-be tries her best to make her special day unique from other weddings. What are some unique ideas you have seen at weddings?

Another Visit with Debby Mayne!

Day 2

photo © 2009 Richie Diesterheft more info (via: Wylio)


Something I realized as I got to know some of the Mennonite people in Sarasota was that their needs are not that different from everyone else's. They suffer from similar conflicts, illnesses, and tragedies as everyone in the outside world. Their faith is a way of life that helps them deal with their struggles.

The conflict I chose for the first book in this series, Shades of the Past, is based on the back-story of the heroine, Mary Penner. When Mary's mother learned she was pregnant with Mary at 16, she ran away rather than face her parents and members of the church. She acted out of desperation to support herself and her child, which led to her being murdered during a drug bust. With her mother gone, the only family Mary had was her Conservative Mennonite grandparents in Sarasota. Going from the seedy world of her early years to the simple life in Pinecraft as a teenage, Mary dealt with self-imposed guilt and inner turmoil that caused her to form a shell around her heart. One of her classmates, Abe Glick, returned from college to run his family's farm. He has always had a heart for Mary, and he's very persistent, chiseling away at her hard facade, one layer at a time.

As I wrote this story, I tried to show the love the people in this community have for family and friends, as well as their imperfections and recognition of the need for salvation. The characters develop and grow through experience from both their own community and the outside world. You'll also get to meet the people who come back later in the second and third books of this series.

What are some similarities you know of between the outside world and the Mennonite and Amish communities?

Please Welcome Debby Mayne!

Day 1

photo © 2008 deeptrivia more info (via: Wylio)

























When I first started thinking about writing a Mennonite series in Sarasota, Florida, I realized I needed to do quite a bit of research. Once I got started, I became intrigued by the culture of this blend of a variety of Mennonite groups that have come together as they migrated from other parts of the country.

The delightful year-round moderate weather has attracted groups of Mennonites and Amish who started out taking their vacations in Florida and then decided to make Sarasota their home. Over time their numbers have grown, and there is now a thriving community of people who life the "plain" life in a town that is also known for sandy beaches and the Ringling Circus, Center for the Cultural Arts, and Museum. Some of the Mennonites and Amish people purchased land for farms, while others started businesses or worked in town. Many of them live in Pinecraft, a community of small rental homes.

Sarasota is a bustling beach town, so rather than use horse-and-buggy transportation, most of the Conservative Mennonites and Amish residents ride adult-sized three-wheelers, often called "bikes" for short jaunts around the community. They attach baskets, boxes, and wagons if they need to haul groceries or other items. For longer trips, they take advantage of public transportation or hire private independent drivers.

Since there are several order of Mennonite and Amish groups from different states, visitors may be surprised to see that new traditions have formed from a blend of the different cultures. Some of the businesses run by Mennonite and Amish families are popular restaurants featuring home-cooked meals, souvenir shops, roadside produce stands, and a weekly Farmer's Market.

In order to bring more authenticity to my stories, I went down to visit the Pinecraft community, since it's not far from where I live. I spoke with a few Mennonite and Amish people who guardedly answered some questions. After I returned home, I made some calls to more contemporary Mennonite churches, and I was fortunate to find a man named Lee Miller who had come from the Conservative Mennonite background. He tirelessly answered all my questions because he knew I wanted the details to be authentic.

What fascinates you about the Mennonite and Amish communities?

Shades of the Past by Debby Mayne

This week's featured title is:
Shades of the Past by Debby Mayne
978-1-61626-331-7
HP950
Contemporary Romance

Mary can't escape the past.

Born out of wedlock to a former Mennonite girl, Mary Penner lived on the edge of society until the day her mother was killed in a drug bust. Sent back to her grandparents at age fourteen, she found fitting in with their simple society very difficult. As an adult now, she enjoys the security and peace her faith gives her - even if the people still hold grudges against her and whisper about the notorious shunning of her mother.

Abe Glick has been fascinated with Mary since the first day she walked into his life. Different from the rest of the girls, she captured his imagination and his heart. But capturing her heart will be a difficult task since Mary keeps it locked up tight, hidden behind walls of self-imposed guilt and pain.

When her past confronts her, will her world come tumbling down, or will she finally see herself free?

Book Excerpt

"That's a lot of bread and grease for one person at one time."

"But that's what I want." Abe challenged her with a stare down.

She finally took a step back, nodded, and jotted his order on her pad. "Then that's what you'll get, Abe Glick, along with a big spike in your blood sugar to go with your clogged arteries."

"Are you saying you're worried about my health?" He had forced himself not to show his amusement.

"No, of course not. I was just calling it to your attention, that's all. If you want to go on to an early grave, who am I to top you?"

He blew out breath. "Then what do you suggest I have?"

"It's not my place to suggest what you should have. If you want - "

"Tell you what, Mary. I'll change my order if you'll consider going out with me after work."

"Why?"

"Because I want to get to know you better. I like you, Mary Penner."

Key Verse

How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! - Psalm 133:1


About the Author

Debby Mayne has published more than 30 books and novellas, 400 print short stories and articles, more than 1,000 web articles, and a slew of devotions for women. She has also worked as managing editor of a national health magazine, product information writer for HSN, a creative writer instructor for Long Ridge Writers Group, and a copy editor and proofreader for several book publishers. For the past eight years, she has judged the Writers Digest Annual Competition, Short-Short Contest, and Self-Published Book Competition. Three of Debby's romance novels are top 10 favorites with Heartsong book club and one of her books earned 4-1/2 stars and a Top Pick from from Romantic Times.





Sometimes it is hard to not hold grudges against people. What are some methods you use to avoid holding grudges?