Guest blog with S. Dionne Moore - Day One

In my research for Promise of Tomorrow, I ran across several conflicting facts. Such as the pile of debris that gathered in front of the stone bridge west of Johnstown after the devastating flood. Some references say it covered 60 acres, some 30, I’ve also heard 20. But only for those who need such details in their story is this a problem. Many times when I find research facts conflict with one another, I simply drive the story in a direction that won’t require that fact (opinion?) be used. Was there a stone bridge at all? Yes. Was there debris? Most definitely. And caught in the debris was a hodge-podge of houses, animals, wire. . .and humans. This is a known, proven fact. Tragically, the pile of debris caught on fire and those who survived the horror of the flood were subjected to listening to the anguished cries and screams of the humans caught in that nightmare. For me, this is a much more poignant and terrible fact than the question of how many acres did the debris cover. So, in story, I didn't sweat details that conflicted from resource to resource, sticking, instead to using the bits of fact that are established from one resource to another.

What I found most difficult to conquer in writing this story was the balance between romance and reality. There are several terrible, gruesome stories that result from the flood of Johnstown, but how much to use in my story? How do you balance a readers desire to escape while maintaining the level of reality needed to be true to the tragedy's devastation and those who survived? This is, afterall, a romance.

I had to strike a balance.

So I mention details of the destruction that are tragic and gruesome, but I don't dwell there. I chose, rather, to expand on my characters' reactions to the flood. How they desired to help those who had survived, even as they grieved for all they had personally lost, whether family or friends, houses or possessions. I also tried to show how tragedy causes introspection. Both Alaina and Jack use the time to search their hearts and souls. For me, that was the crux of the book--how tragedy strips away all the frivolous things and brings us face to face with our moral fragility, causing us to take a good hard look at what resides in our heart.

Question of the Day: I recently watched a PBS documentary about the Johnstown Flood, and I was stunned at the power and destruction of that water. Eye-opening and heart-rending.
 
So, question is: What's your favorite PBS show? The documentaries? Concerts? British Comedies?
 
For me, it's Masterpiece Mystery. Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, Inspector Lewis, Midsomer Murders...I love them all.

Promise of Tomorrow by Sandra Moore

This week's feature author is S. Dionne Moore. She's making her first appearance here at Heartsong Connection with her historical Heartsong, Promise of Tomorrow.

HP #912

Historical

ISBN #9781602609051

From the back cover:

Alaina Morrison loves Jack Kelly. So why won't he realize that all she wants is to get married and begin their new life together? She doesn't need a large home or new clothes or other things. She only needs him to actually spend time with her and to show how much he loves her. As dangerous floodwaters threaten their home of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, will Alaina and Jack allow God to bridge their growing differences with His unifying love?

Solomon 8:7 7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

A little about the author: 

The view from S. Dionne's home.

S. Dionne Moore is a multi-published author of both cozy mystery and historical romance. Her second LaTisha Barnhart cozy, Polly Dent Loses Grip, is a finalist for the Carol Awards. She lives in the gentle hills of South Central PA with her husband, daughter and a Malti-poo who thinks he's a chick magnet but is really a tick magnet. Visit her at http://www.sdionnemoore.com/

The Malti-poo in question. :)

The question of the day: We're gearing up here to get back into the school year. Do you have any end-of-summer flings planned? 

This week's winner

This week's winner is Rhonda Gibson!

Congratulations, Rhonda!

Email us at heartsongblog at gmail dot com with your choice of one of Darlene's feature books this week or 10 Heartpoints!

Have a great weekend!

From the Vault

This week's from the vault book is:

Romanian Rhapsody
By Darlene Franklin
HP# 650

From the back cover:


A tour changes lives forever.


Haunted by the orphans she met in Romania, Carrie Randolph returns to work in an orphanage. Soon she finds herself mothering five toddlers full-time and dreaming of adopting one of them when her two-year mission is finished.

Steve Romero’s wife and son died in tragic circumstances in Romania, and he struggles to put the past behind him. When he decides to adopt a child, he returns to Romania and the orphanage where Carrie works—breaking her heart when he chooses Viktor, her favorite.

Will Carrie trust God to fulfill her dreams in His time? Can Steve let go of grief and love again?


From the book:

About a week before Christmas, Steve answered a ringing phone.


“You might want to sit down, Mr. Romero.” Somehow the smile transmitted over telephone wires. Excitement built in Steve’s heart and tingled to his fingertips, where the earphone trembled in his hand. He stood, frozen in place, waiting for the announcement.

“Do you have a current passport?”

Passport? Romania! Sweat poured down his arms, and the phone slipped in his hand.

“Ah, yes, does this mean—”

“Congratulations! Your application has been approved! How soon can you fly to Bucharest?”



“You will like the director,” Anika told Steve as they headed for the orphanage. “She is a sweet saint of God.”

“But all is not sweetness in the children’s home,” Radu interjected. “I hear the American news has reported on our orphans.” The statement ended like a question.

Steve nodded his assent. “The situation sounded grim.” He didn’t elaborate.

“The situation is sad. But God is at work.” A peaceful smile lit Radu’s face. “He has used those reports to bring many foreigners to our country to adopt the children. Good from evil. Like your own tragedy.” He never minced words.

The string of words couldn’t penetrate Steve’s excitement. “I can’t wait. Ever since the idea of adoption occurred to me, I’ve been hungry for a child to call my own. After what happened here—" Momentarily his voice faltered. “Romania was one of the first places I thought of.”

“And this afternoon you may find your answer. Here we are.”

Key Verse:
 
The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him. . .It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. (Lamentations 3:25-26)
 
 
Question of the day:  Piano lessons...did you take lessons? Did you like it? Do you still play?

Guest Blog--Day two with Darlene Franklin

The question I’ve been asked the most often about the process of writing The Prodigal Patriot is “What did you learn that you didn’t know before?” Something about the Revolutionary War period fascinates people. I answered with minor things, such as the two battles for Fort Ticonderoga or Ethan Allen’s famous quote, “In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress!”


In all of that I forgot the big thing I didn’t know.

Vermont wasn’t one of the thirteen original colonies. (I did know that.) It became the fourteenth state, officially admitted into the Union on March 4, 1791.

Vermont had been part of another colony, two of them, in fact: Connecticut and New York. When the two parents couldn’t reach a custody agreement, Vermont took a step towards a long history of independent thought. When the 13 colonies split from England, Vermont formed a republic all of its own, formed under the name of New Connecticut, or Vermont.

The tension with New York plays a role in The Prodigal Patriot. Although an independent republic, Vermont’s Green Mountain Boys played a heroic part in the battle for America’s freedom.

The more I learned about Vermont, the more eager I was to write stories about its history. The Prodigal Patriot introduces us to Josiah Tuttle and Sally Reid, founders of a proud Vermont family.

Question of the day:
 
Vermont brings to mind images of snow and skiing and making maple syrup. I remember first reading about tapping trees and boiling sap to make syrup in Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Do you remember reading that? How old were you when you discovered Laura and the Ingalls family?

Guest Blog with Darlene Franklin

Today is my birthday. How cool is that? This blog makes a great birthday present.




Birthdays put me in mind of birth and babies. I am eagerly awaiting the birth of my first grandson next month, who will join his three older sisters.



Let me share a story about the three girls. The first time they visited my new house, they each displayed their personality. Larger-than-life Savannah (14 going on 30) shot for the back bedroom and announced, “This one is mine!”



Toddler Jordan found a big bouncing ball in the pile of moving boxes. (I couldn’t have laid my hands on it.) She claimed it as her own and tried to take it home with her.



Shannon, at ten, didn’t say much ... but she was the only one who said “It’s a nice house.”



I want the characters in my books to be as individual as my grandchildren and as well-rounded as real people. I look forward to your feedback regarding Josiah and Sally. Did I succeed?

Question of the Day:  First, let me say Happy Birthday, Darlene!
 
The question is: Cake...what's your favorite kind of cake?

The Prodigal Patriot by Darlene Franklin

This week's feature book is:

The Prodigal Patriot
By Darlene Franklin
HP 911
Historical
ISBN: 9781602609044

From the back cover:


The Reids will not be scared away.


Sally Reid’s family decides on a dangerous course when the Tories of Maple Notch, Vermont, chase Patriot families from their land. They make a home in a secluded cave nearby and farm their land by moonlight, working hard and waiting for the day when they can safely return home.

When Josiah Tuttle discovers their secret and offers to help, Sally doesn’t know if she can trust him. After all, Josiah’s father is one of the Tories who forced her family into hiding.

The Tuttles have already lost one son to the hated Patriot cause. How can Josiah both honor his grieving father and protect the woman he loves? When called upon to take a stand, which side will he choose? How can Sally and Josiah battle through the barriers separating them from love and forgiveness?

 
Key verse: Be Thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: Thou hast given commandment to save me; for Thou art my rock and my fortress. (Psalm 71:3)
 
 
From the book:
 
Mother’s hand shot to her mouth, and she shook her head. “No, no, no!”


Bit by bit, Father pulled every last detail from Josiah. How Solomon had engaged the British sentry, how Josiah had killed him. How he had spent the night at the fort and fought with the Green Mountain Boys, and how Mr. Reid had also died.

“These Patriots and their illusions of independence. It’s evil, that’s what it is.” Father slammed his fist into the table hard enough to send a splinter into his hand. “And now we’re the ones suffering for it. At least you had the good sense to come home.” He leaned toward his remaining son. “I tell you this much. I know you have a soft spot for the Reid girl. But don’t you dare think of helping them out. Or any of those traitors to the king. I had urged moderation in the treatment of those wretched Patriots, but not anymore.”

Confusion must have shown on Josiah’s face, because Father continued, shouting now. “I won’t be satisfied until we chase every one of them off their land and get it back for King George. Including those Reids. And if you set one foot in an enemy’s house—don’t bother coming home.”

After Solomon’s death, Josiah would do almost anything his father asked.

Except neglect Sally Reid.

 
About the author:
 

Award-winning author and speaker Darlene Franklin recently returned to cowboy country—Oklahoma. The move was prompted by her desire to be close to her son’s family; her daughter Jolene has preceded her into glory.

Darlene loves music, needlework, reading and reality tv. Talia, a Lynx point Siamese cat, proudly claims Darlene as her person.

Darlene has written two books previously for Heartsong Presents (Romanian Rhapsody and Beacon of Love) as well as two mysteries and two novellas with Barbour Publishing. She is also is a prolific devotional writer. Visit Darlene’s blog at http://darlenefranklinwrites.blogspot.com/ for information on book giveaways and upcoming titles.