From the Vault

This week's title from the vault is...
Perfect Ways by Jeri Odell
978-1-60260-885-6
HP 906
Romance

Adelaide needs a fresh start.

I can't do this. Forced to sell all her possessions upon the death of her husband, Adelaide English suddenly finds herself moving cross-country, enrolling in college at forty-five, and landing a job as the new freshman resident director. But starting fresh isn't easy - especially when Adelaide finds herself in the crossfire of college scandal and romance.

I will never love again. Dr. Isaiah Shepherd has never looked at another woman since his wife died until Adelaide enters his world. Something about her fragile, caged spirit draws him, even against his better judgement. But as scandal unfolds, Isaiah must make a choice. Fight for the woman he's falling for, or just let her go?

As rumors fly, will Adelaide find forgiveness, freedom, and even love?

This sounds like a book that could be turned into a movie. What is your favorite book that has been made into a movie?

Another Day with Jeri Odell

photo © 2010 Jinx McCombs more info (via: Wylio)When I got the contract for Idaho, my husband and I planned a great adventure. Our daughter, her husband and our tiny two month old granddaughter, Reese, had just moved to Lake Chelan in central Washington. Well, as the Lord and geography would have it, to drive from Arizona to Washington, one passes through Idaho. Seemed God ordained to me. A great excuse for a trip to see Reese and do research. What could be more perfect?

Our first stop was Sun Valley. And I, a naive girl from cactus country, fell in love with the potato state. Who knew the beauty we'd discovered as we ventured through the state sandwiched between Washington and Montana? I'm sure some of you may have, but I was clueless. Miles of rivers. Beautiful mountains. Rugged country. Wow. A state that has seemed boring and uneventful became one of my favorites.

So I invite you to experience Idaho along with my characters. Book one, Perfect Ways, is already out and was set in charming Coeur d'Alene at a fictious Christian college. Book two, the one featured this week, is set in the quaint town of Sandpoint, and the last book of the series will be set a ski resort in Sun Valley. I hope you'll enjoy their adventures in a place that offers year round outdoor beauty and fun. And if you haven't had the chance, grab an opportunity and visit Idaho for yourself, if only in a book. :)

Where is your favorite place to visit?

Welcome Jeri Odell!

photo © 2007 glasseyes view more info (via: Wylio) People often ask, "Where do your ideas come from?" Most of my books start with a tiny seed from real life. One of my good friends, Pat, has twin daughters, Audra and Autumn. Audra had her heart broken a few years back at the same time Autumn was getting married. I found myself wondering how Audra might feel. I knew she was happy for her sister, but I wondered what other emotions might be brewing.

Everything beyond those few facts was my imagination. I put myself in her shoes, but her feelings and thoughts may have been very different from my character, Tori's. Audra may not identify with Tori at all, but a few brief facts from her life provided fodder for a new story for me to tell. And as God would have it, Audra has since met and married a great guy. Reminds me of that saying, When God closes a door, He opens a window.

God's 'no' always brings a greater 'yes', but sometimes the 'yes' is down the road months or even years. The trick is hanging tough and truly waiting on Him, trusting Him, hoping in Him. I've run ahead of Him, and then I miss His 'yes' for me. And waiting is never easy. We live in an instant society. Waiting is foreign. But it is in that lingering stage that I seek His face with new determination. It's in the waiting that I know Him better, see Him more clearly and ultimately love Him with renewed tenacity.

If you are facing a tough season, I encourage you to hang tight with God because that is what I'm trying to do day by day and sometimes moment by moment. And for those of use who are waiting on Him for direction, for answers, for wisdom, for a miracle, "The LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 ESV

When God closes a door, He opens a window - when has this ever applied to you?

A New Featured Title!

This week's featured title is:
Perfect Peace by Jeri Odell
978-1-61626-079-8
HP 945
Romance

Tori's sister is stealing her wedding.

Tori Wade's dreams are shattered when her fiance unexpectedly break their engagement with no explanation. But her wound deepens when her twin sister enters a whirlwind romance and steals the wedding Tori should have had. Forced to hide her heartbreak behind a happy smile, she wonders if her heart will ever heal.

Jake Matthews doesn't play games. When his cousin asks him to show some attention to his soon-to-be sister-in-law during the wedding week, Jake firmly declines. But when he meets Tori, his heart is immediately captured. Is he just her rebound guy or can their relationship develop into something lasting?

When Tori's ex-fiance returns to the scene and suspicious dealings are uncovered at Jake's resort, Tori and Jake's budding relationship is put to the test. Do they share a true love that will last?

Book Excerpt

He eyed the bright, festive, over sized flowers. "This place never changes." Jake took his menu, but laid it aside, already knowing what he planned to order. Tori did the same.

"So, it's Monday and you're here, not at school." His eyes roamed over the bright potted plants, Mexican tile, and bright Mexico decor.

"Luckily, I'm on spring break - otherwise this wedding week would prove difficult. Roni planned a full schedule"

The waitress breezed by, stopping to take their order. She grabbed the menus and disappeared.

"I like the way they are doing this prewedding week. Lots of activities and time to spend together."

"Roni hates that so often your closest friends fly in, hit rehearsal dinner, attend wedding, and fly out. She didn't want it to feel rushed. Of course, not everyone can come for the whole week."

"I'm glad I could. And you for the matter." He winked at the cute blond seated across from him and found himself looking forward to spending time getting to know Tori better. Who knew, but maybe by the end of the week he'd convince her to come to Idaho and work fro him this summer. He needed an accounts payable clerk for Allison's two month maternity leave, and since Tori taught basic accounting, she might just fit the resort's needs. And his...

Key Verse

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3







About the Author

Jeri Odell is a native of Tucson, Arizona. She has been married over thirty-five years and has three wonderful adult children and five precious grandchildren. Jeri holds family dear to her heart, second only to God. She thanks God for the privilege of writing for Him. When not writing or reading, she is busy working in the finance office of her church.

Weddings are always fun. What is your favorite part of a wedding?

A New Random Drawing Winner!

photo © 2006 Tony Hisgett more info (via: Wylio)









Congratulations Kaitlin, you are this week's random drawing winner!

Just email us at heartsongblog @ gmail .com (without the spaces) and let us know if you would like a copy of The Reluctant Outlaw, Carousel Dreams, or ten Heartpoints to use towards a future shipment of Heartsong books.

Be safe and have a wonderful weekend!

From the Vault...

This week's title from the vault is:

Carousel Dreams by Paige Winship Dooly

978-1-60260-100-0

HP 820

Romance

Ellie is furious.

When Ellie discovers her recently deceased grandfather spent his entire life savings to purchase a carousel for their Great Salt lake resort, she feels cheated. And she's not afraid to give a piece of her mind to the scoundrel who arrives to build the carousel.

Bascom Anthony is back on the job. After a staged fired killed his wife and son two years ago, he had yet to build another carousel - until now. Time has mended Bascom's heart, but it has not ended the stalker's threats. The longer Bascom stays to finish his job, the more damaging events occurs at Ellie's resort.

Can Ellie's new found faith help her overcome her distrust of Bascom? And can Bascom trust the Lord to protect Ellie and her daughter from the same fate that claimed his wife and son?

Carousels and resorts are reminders of summer. What are some things that remind you of summer?

Another Day with Paige Winship Dooly

photo © 2009 Hartwig HKD more info (via: Wylio)

















I loved working on my Georgia Brides historical series! Georgia is a beautiful state with mountains, ocean and wide-open spaces. The Lightkeeper's Daughter was set on an oceanfront island. The Displaced Belle took place just outside Atlanta, Georgia. The Reluctant Outlaw is my final book for the set and is set in the mountains of north Georgia.

The first story is told about a hero with a rough family background who overcame his past with the help of more fortunate heroine, though she was facing hardships of her own as they worked on their relationship.

The second story had both the hero and heroine trying to find their way after rough family situations.

When plotting this final story, I decided to reverse the "typical" stereotype of a family. It seems to me that a lot of families have tales of a black sheep son or daughter, the one who is the challenge to raise and keeps his or her parents scratching their heads over the child's choices or poor behavior. Sometimes the bad behavior will influence other children in the family in a trickle down effect.

While I know that seems to be the experience for the majority of families, I started thinking about the opposite scenario, the one where the black sheep family has a child who by nature doesn't want to do wrong and doesn't want to take part in the family "activities."

This heroine would have a harder time at redemption because of the obstacles provided by the family. With this premise in mind, I sketched out the proposal and wrote the story for The Reluctant Outlaw.

I hope you have as much fun reading it as I had writing it!

If you were in a book like this, would you want to be the black sheep in the family, or the child who is in a black sheep family?