Call for Submissions: Pens of Mystery

Pix-N-Pens and Write Integrity Press are pleased to announce their newest line of books – Pens of Mystery. We are now accepting submissions for mystery novels between 60,000-90,000 words.

We are open to submissions for a wide range of mysteries, including:

• Cozies 
• Procedurals
• Contemporary PIs
• YA Mysteries

We especially like series of three or more books.

Our books are clean and wholesome, but they can be written with or without a gospel message.

We do not accept horror, paranormal, erotic, or pornographic manuscripts.

Please follow these guidelines for submission:

You may submit your proposals to EITHER (both is not necessary or preferred - we provide two in case of technical difficulty) of the following e-mail addresses. Please replace words in brackets with symbols and delete any spaces:

editor [at] writeintegrity [dot] com

or

tracyruckman [at] pixnpens [dot] com

In the body of your original e-mail to us, please include

• A brief cover letter, to introduce yourself and your book.  
• Full word count (using Word’s counter) if the manuscript is complete, or an estimated time of completion and anticipated word count.
• A short bio.
• Pitch - 30 words or less.
• Long blurb – 150-200 words (think back cover blurb).

Then attach to the email in Word format:

• The FIRST three chapters AND the LAST chapter. If the book has a prologue or epilogue, include those in addition to the required chapters.

Do NOT send full manuscripts unless we request them. Consideration will be given only to packages submitted as requested - full manuscripts that have not been requested will be discarded.

Please follow industry-standard formatting. This means:

• Pages should have 1" margins on all sides.
• Lines should be double-spaced.
• Font should be Times New Roman, size 12.
• Use black ink only - do not use color fonts.

We will try to reply promptly to all submissions, but please allow up to 90 days to hear from us. If you haven't heard from us by that time, please send a brief e-mail inquiry.

We do not accept submissions by snail mail.

Submissions to Pens of Mystery should not include the following:

• Incest of any kind.
• Murder of children; child abuse.
• Vampires, witches, werewolves, paranormals, aliens, future realities, and New Age psychics as protagonists.

These guidelines will also be posted on a separate page of our website - please check the links above for future reference.

Shining in Africa

Shining in Africa

Guest post by Joan Campbell                

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:3NIV).

My country, South Africa, has a dark past of racism and oppression. This year we celebrate twenty years of democracy. Even though much has changed and improved, overcoming the deep scars of Apartheid has proven more difficult than we could have imagined. Our politics are fraught with corruption. Trade unions incite drawn-out labour strikes that bring our economy to its knees for weeks or months at a time.  One in ten people is HIV positive. The potent mix of poor education, chronic unemployment, and drugs, has led to the dubious ‘honour’ of having one of the highest crime rates in the world.

South Africa often feels like a rather dark place.

At times I have struggled with whether this is a good country in which to raise my daughters. Yet, over the years, God keeps reaffirming that this is just where He wants our family to be. For where there is much darkness, I believe God often provides the greatest light.

We know that Jesus called Himself the ‘light of the world’ (John 8:12 NIV) and rightly so. Yet I find it amazing that He called us—His followers—the light of the world, too (Matthew 5:14). With His Holy Spirit in us, we are to shine whether we are on the tip of Africa, an island in the Pacific Ocean, or a town in America’s mid-west. No matter where He has placed us, we are there for one purpose—to shine out His love and grace. How we do this will be as unique as He created each of us to be. Yet, led by His Spirit and driven by love, we are to reach out and care for those still lost in the dark.  

In my own life, I have found two things that keep me from fulfilling this purpose.

The first is discouragement. This can set in as I listen to news reports highlighting the suffering and anguish around me. How easy sometimes to believe that darkness has the upper hand! The second is indifference. As I see yet another beggar at yet another traffic light, a cool numbness can easily replace compassion.

It is when I sense these two attitudes creeping in that I have to run once more to the feet of my Father. It is only as His light falls afresh into my own heart that I can let it shine again in my city and my beloved country.

~ ~

About Joan:

Joan Campbell lives in Johannesburg and is the mom of two teenage daughters. She has written for various publications including The Upper Room and Scripture Union, and co-authored WIP’s The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt. She is releasing her book Encounters in November 2014. Joan leads writing workshops for the ministry MAI and she blogs on the topics of creativity, self-worth and faith. Download her e-book “10 Keys to Creative Living” when you subscribe to the blog.



Lighting my Corner of the World

Guest post by Deanna Klingel.

How do I let my light shine for the world? That was the question posed to me.

What I decided is, I don’t. At least, not for the world.  

Mother Theresa reminds us we cannot do great things on this earth, but we can do small things with great love. And so it is that I try to light my little corner of the world. For those I can reach, I offer hospitality. For those who hurt me, I can forgive. To those I love, I can shine a light for them to follow.

My hospitable corner must have enough room to invite God the Father with his majesty, God the Son with his abundance of love, the Holy Spirit who brings many gifts. So there isn’t any room in this corner for junk. It all has to go. When the cobwebs are swept, when the trash is out, I light my little light and all who wish to be near can come follow.

All my work is of, for, and in God. I offer my work day to Him, ask Him to bless it and complete it for His use. I don’t worry about getting it done, how many words I’ve written, whether it’s perfect, whether it will sell, or whether it will become a book. I have already given it to His care. When I hear from a reader that my story touched them, or if they just enjoyed it, I say thank you. Then to God, I say Thank You, Amen! It’s then I know that His work through me is a tiny light for someone. Not the whole world. Just someone God loves.

When I’m traveling with my books, my corner is the car. I drive carefully and courteously because God trusts me to do that. I begin my trips with a CD. I pray the rosary and morning prayers and listen to the beautiful music. If it’s a long trip, I might find some music of praise on the radio. But usually, the car is quiet while I listen to what God has to say to me. It’s the best place to listen. Sometimes He prompts me with something I should think about; maybe take an action, or maybe something I should write. I think God is found in silence. If I’m to have a light to shine, I must receive the light in quiet. And travel is a perfect time for peace and quiet.

When I’m meeting people while selling my books, I can see God using me, refining me in surprising ways. The humble Saint Theresa had a small little light that barely chased shadows from Calcutta, but that little light showed the rest of the world that it isn’t how much we do but how much love we put in that action. Following her example into my own little corner, I don’t try to shine a light all over the world, but only that those I meet, those I work with, those I love, or those who need to feel love, will feel God’s love as a result of our encounter that day. And that isn’t something I’m in charge of, really. I’m just in charge of keeping my light shining. I can only say as Mother Mary did, "here I am, Lord." And if my little light shines at all, ever, I can only humbly say, Praise God.

~~

About Deanna:

I was a child in a small town in the 50's. It was a time when kids amused themselves with paper, scissors, magazines, paste, crayons, and books, while listening to the radio. That's when I wrote and illustrated my first books, lacing the pages together with shoe strings. Writing wasn't something I dreamed of doing "when I grow up;" it was something I was already doing. I wrote plays for my classmates, wrote for the school newspapers, yearbook, tons of letters of correspondence with relatives and pen pals. I recently found a yellowed poem I wrote for the Michigan State University newspaper. Don't remember it, but there it is! After I had kids (7) I wrote puppet plays and stories for them, edited school newsletters, and projects, plays and news for Scouts and church. I wrote all the time. I made scrapbooks, diaries and kept journals. I hadn't figured out that I was a writer, or an author. That didn't happen until after the children were grown and I began writing travel books for grandchildren. Then one day it happened. I woke up and said, "I have a story in my head, and I think it wants to be a book. I guess I'll try to write a book."

Visit her personal website at www.booksbydeanna.com.

Cracks in the Ice

  

The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt

Light the Darkness Around You

Guest post by Ruth O'Neil

"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness 

rather than light, because their deeds were evil" 

(John 3:19 KJV).

This verse may have been written sometime toward the end of the first century, but it is still relevant to us living in the twenty-first century. Maybe even more so.

People are obsessed with the dark. Have you noticed the themes of entertainment lately? Many movies and books are “dark.”

The Christian is commanded to be a light in the dark. In a conversation with other writers, we were commenting that many places where an author can advertise his book are full of other books that are simply filth. At first I didn’t really want to advertise my book in those places because I didn’t want it mixed up with the trash. However, as I thought about it later, and as one of my writing friends commented, that book would stand out because of its light.

Sometimes people make fun of me because of what I won’t watch. I let them have their fun, because my convictions may not be theirs and vice versa. However, I am convinced this is how Satan sneaks into our lives and pulls people way. He makes the dark look inviting and exciting.

That is why I have devoted my life to writing good things. Where there is utter darkness even the smallest of light will be seen. Yes, I could make more money writing things that were more sinfully appealing, but I won’t. I want to be able to stand before God and not have any shame in anything I wrote. I want to meet people that, because of my writing, were led to Christ, or at least deepened their relationship with Him. That kind of success is something money can’t buy.

I challenge you to pray and ask God to open your eyes to the light. Take thirty days and only watch, read, and participate in things that are wholesome. You know – the things that you wouldn’t be embarrassed by if your grandma or your kids were there with you. Take note of your attitude and demeanor after those thirty days. Has anything changed?

I hope so.

~ ~

Ruth O’Neil has been writing for over 20 years. She has published hundreds of articles in numerous publications, including one of the letters in Love Letters from the Heart, published by Pix-N-Pens, and a chapter in the bestselling novella, The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt, published by Write Integrity Press. She has also published a cookbook for kids and a novel Come Eat at My Table. She homeschools her three children (well, one now really, as two have graduated). She and her husband have been married for 20+ years. In her spare time she enjoys quilting, crafting, and reading.

The Art of Characterization

The Art of Characterization How to Use the Elements of Storytelling to Connect Readers to an Unforgettable Cast by Fay Lamb
Put on your director’s cap and prepare to set your story world’s stage with memorable scenes and unforgettable characters. Great storytelling isn’t done haphazardly. Storytelling is an art which requires practice to master. In The Art of Characterization authors are shown elements of storytelling which, when practiced correctly, utilizes forward–moving description and back story, deep point of view, dialogue, and conflict to create a cast of characters readers will never forget. Available in print from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and by request at your local bookstore.
Also available on Kindle. 

Valentine Memory: He Didn't Forget!

A Dozen Apologies is FREE this weekend. Get your copy now!

Our authors continue to share their romantic moments with us. Today's guest is Debbie Roome.

I was a gawky teenager – so skinny that I looked almost anorexic – and at a girls only high school. Valentine’s Day was always a mixture of emotion for me. I hoped and longed for a card to arrive in the letter box or be slipped under the front door. By sunset on the 14^th February each year, the hope slowly transformed into sadness and rejection. No one would ever love me – or so I thought.

Then I met Kevin and on the 1^st February 1986 we married. Two weeks later, the usual anticipation arose as I got up, dressed, and packed some lunch for work. Would he have remembered? I looked on the dining room table, checked under my pillow and by the telephone. Nothing.

 

Kevin came out of the bathroom and gave me a big hug. “Have a good day, see you later,” he said.

I nodded squeezing him back, trying to stifle the disappointment. He disappeared out the door and I headed for the bathroom to brush my teeth. A large cream envelope was propped up by the taps, my name written in flowing script across it.

Wow! He didn’t forget!

I opened it carefully and found a beautiful card, covered in red hearts and gold swirls, with a lovely romantic message inside. It was a moment of pure joy and healing, and one I will never forget.

About the Author:

Debbie Roome was born and raised in Zimbabwe and later spent fifteen years in South Africa. In 2006 she moved to New Zealand with her husband and five children. Writing has been her passion since the age of six and she loves to write stories that touch people's lives and turn them towards God. Over the years she has won many awards and trophies for her work, including placing first in the Rose & Crown Novel Writing Competition in 2009 and 2012. In 2013, her novel, Contagious Hope was a finalist for the Australasian CALEB Award. Debbie's writing has opened doors for public speaking and she is often asked to share her life story and her experiences as a writer. Her books are available through all the major online booksellers and titles include Embracing Change, Contagious Hope, Magnitude 7.1 & 6.3, Cyber-Bullying is Never Alright, and Loving Leanne. Fly with Me is due for release in March 2014. She also has a number of ebooks available through Amazon.com.

Connect with Debbie on the Web:

Blog

Website

Other Romantic Moments:

A Romance Writer's Anniversary

My Sweetest Non-Valentine Moment
Romance on Thanksgiving
The Valentine Gift that Can't Be Topped
Wrapped in an Unforgettable Memory
One Romantic Weekend

Exciting Announcement!

Now that the voting is over, we're spotlighting the authors of each chapter and revealing who created each hero. Check out the author spotlights on Fay Lamb's blog every day for the next two weeks. 

Author Spotlight: Jennifer Hallmark

Author Spotlight: Theresa Anderson

Author Spotlight: Debbie Roome

Author Spotlight: Marji Laine

Author Spotlight: Phee Paradise

Author Spotlight: Betty Owens

Author Spotlight: Paulette Harris

Bonus Blogs:

Jennifer Hallmark on Delighted Meditations "Chicken House Fire"
Phee Paradise "Where My Treasure Is"
Marji Laine "Heroes and Romance"
Jennifer Hallmark at the Borrowed Book "Finding Time to Write"
Riley Tompkins Interviews Mara's Parents Cara and Dane Adkins
Tracy Ruckman is interviewed at Author Culture

A Dozen Apologies FREE on Kindle!

Everyone has been so patient, waiting for this day to arrive. Even Mara has tempered her anxiety a little.



Readers have spoken! You chose Mara's hero! Thank you for reading, deciding, and voting. We heard from many readers during the voting process, and we're grateful for the time and effort put into your choice - the decisions weren't made lightly, based on comments we received. A Dozen Apologies is FREE on Kindle February 14-16, so be sure to tell your friends. Here's a "Note from the Publisher" that we included at the front of the book to explain how we shared A Dozen Apologies with our blog readers.

A Dozen Apologies is a unique book. For readers joining us for the first time, I'd like to share its brief history.

Eleven authors were selected to participate in our Valentine project. Once all the authors were on board, we provided them with the first chapter, and the story synopsis and timeline of the story. Each author was assigned a specific month to set their chapter. While the authors went about creating their heroes, we held a contest and invited writers to submit their own hero for a chance for that hero to win his place in the book. We provided each entrant with the same information we provided our authors: the first chapter and the story synopsis.

We asked both the authors and the entrants to write two chapters. One of the chapters would be their hero chapter where Mara apologizes to that particular man.

Patricia M. Dyer was chosen as the winner of that contest, and her hero was incorporated into the book.

On January 20, 2014, Write Integrity Press began publishing the chapters of A Dozen Apologies on its blog - one chapter per weekday for thirteen days. Readers were introduced to the heroes in the chapters but also became better acquainted with them through "interviews" with each of them. Also during those thirteen days, Marji Laine shared portions of Mara's journal on her blog. You'll find links to all of the interviews and all the journal entries in the "Fun Bonus Materials" section.

The second chapter we required the authors and entrants to write was the final chapter. In this chapter, the hero was to “win” Mara’s heart, though we intended only one ending for Mara. To determine which hero would provide the happily-ever-after ending, after the opening chapter and each heroes chapter were posted, the readers were asked to vote for their favorite fellow. Because we wanted to make sure the heroes won the vote on their own merits, the author for each hero remained anonymous until the voting closed. For four days, readers voted, and a clear winner was decided.

Chapter Fourteen was only published in this eBook, and that chapter reveals the winning hero written by the author who created that hero at the very beginning of the project. We have not revealed the heroes identity outside the publication of this book. We don't want to spoil the ending. So we ask our readers to please help us keep that secret, too!

So get your copy of A Dozen Apologies and tell all your friends it's FREE right now.

Our Authors are Sharing Some Romantic Moments:

The Romance of Tender, Loving Care
My Sweetest Non-Valentine Moment
Romance on Thanksgiving
The Valentine Gift that Can't Be Topped
Wrapped in an Unforgettable Memory
One Romantic Weekend

Exciting Announcement!

Now that the voting is over, we're spotlighting the authors of each chapter and revealing who created each hero. Check out the author spotlights on Fay Lamb's blog every day for the next two weeks. 

Author Spotlight: Theresa Anderson
Author Spotlight: Debbie Roome
Author Spotlight: Marji Laine

Author Spotlight: Phee Paradise

Author Spotlight: Betty Owens

Author Spotlight: Paulette Harris

Bonus Blogs:

Betty Owens "Happy Valentine's Day "
Jennifer Hallmark on Delighted Meditations "Chicken House Fire"
Phee Paradise "Where My Treasure Is"
Marji Laine "Heroes and Romance"
Jennifer Hallmark at the Borrowed Book "Finding Time to Write"
Riley Tompkins Interviews Mara's Parents Cara and Dane Adkins
Tracy Ruckman is interviewed at Author Culture

The Romance of Tender, Loving Care

Tomorrow is the day! A Dozen Apologies releases on Kindle! And it will be free for the whole weekend!

Our authors love to toy with my emotions - if they can make me laugh or cry with their stories (or sometimes jokes or antics), we all celebrate. Today's special guest, Phee Paradise, has done just that with her special romantic moment. Grab the tissues. 

Wayne is the romantic half of our couple. He delights in giving me gifts – a Vermont Teddy Bear, pajama gram, emerald tennis bracelet and myriad bouquets of roses. He tells me that his goal is to see “that look” when I open a gift. But I don’t love him for the gifts. We’ve also had walks on the beach and candle lit dinners. But I don’t love him for the romantic outings. It’s the tender, loving care he lavishes on me.

A trip we took a few years ago is a perfect example of that. We planned it together, but he made all the arrangements. He drove the four hours to Raleigh where we wandered the botanical gardens at Duke University, looking for ideas for our little patch of yard. The next morning he took me to the hospital for a corneal transplant. He stayed with me while nurses came and went, putting drops in my eyes. He was at my side when I woke up from the surgery and talked with the doctor about after care while I dozed. Back at the hotel, while I lay flat on my back, he carefully washed his hands every fifteen minutes before putting drops in my eyes. After bringing me supper from the hotel restaurant, he went out for ice cream. He knows my dad always brought ice cream when I was sick. He knows that for me it’s a necessary part of healing. When we came home, he continued to care for me until I could see again.

It wasn’t a romantic get away, but that trip was an expression of the deep, deep love of my husband. I am blessed.


About the Author:

Phee Paradise is a freelance writer with diverse writing experience. Her work includes book reviews, newspaper articles and short stories, and she writes devotionals for her blog, Delighted Meditations. She has contributed to several books, including A Pixel-Perfect Christmas, Love Letters from the Heart and A Ruby Christmas. She resides in South Carolina where she teaches public speaking and volunteers at her church. She’s a happily married mother and grandma who loves children’s ministries, gardening and reading.  Phee prays that her work will be used by God to His glory. 

Connect with Phee on the Web:

Delighted Meditations

Faithwriters

Other Romantic Moments:

A Romance Writer's Anniversary
My Sweetest Non-Valentine Moment
Romance on Thanksgiving
The Valentine Gift that Can't Be Topped
Wrapped in an Unforgettable Memory
One Romantic Weekend

Exciting Announcement!

Now that the voting is over, we're spotlighting the authors of each chapter and revealing who created each hero. Check out the author spotlights on Fay Lamb's blog every day for the next two weeks. 

Author Spotlight: Debbie Roome
Author Spotlight: Marji Laine

Author Spotlight: Phee Paradise

Author Spotlight: Betty Owens

Author Spotlight: Paulette Harris

A Romance Writer's Anniversary

Two more days! Are you ready for Valentine's Day? Ready to read the final chapter in A Dozen Apologies? I know Mara sure is. She's been staring in her closet all week! 

Be sure to check the links at the bottom of the post for the Author Spotlights where the authors discuss the creation of their heroes.

Today's special romantic memory comes from Marji Laine.

Romance? Yes, I write about it, but I don’t live it. I married an accountant, for pity’s sake. Although, he is my real life hero in dozens of ways every day.

But romantic? This is the guy who proposed after the movie “Goonies.” I still have to laugh at that one. And laughter is indeed something we enjoy together.

Then there was that anniversary. Our 20^th. Sweet Hubby was so giddy and secretive. I had to pack. That’s all I knew. Well, not ALL I knew. I knew our finances were such that we weren’t going to Hawaii or anything like that.

But I never guessed the depths of his nostalgia. He took me to our first home after we got married. We retraced our steps, eating at a favorite restaurant, visiting the church we’d attended. Then he put us up in a precious bed and breakfast for the night. LOVED that! 

The next day he took me shopping. Being only a few weeks before Christmas, I expected us to do some gift buying, but no. This was all about me. A new outfit and then, a new ring. He’d been a poor college student when we got married. My ring was precious, but tiny. He’d always wanted to give me a larger one. And boy, did he ever!

Then he continued to lavish luxury on me. Took us to a fabulous restaurant and put us up at the Gaylord Texan – fancy place and covered in gorgeous lights during December.

What a joy to spend the weekend all alone with him. And with four kids, that in itself was quite the trick. The best part was late in the evening when he pulled out his Ipod and sang “I’m Gonna Love You Forever.” I’m the singer of the couple. He jokes that he’ll always sing “solo that no one can hear me.” Yet, he honored me with the song.

Oh, yeah. That was romance!

About the Author:

Marji is a homeschooling mom of 4 with the oldest working in the mission field in Africa. She spends her days transporting to and from volleyball, teaching writing classes at a local coop, and directing the children’s music program at her church. With decades of leading worship, directing and performing in theatre productions, and script-writing, Marji took the plunge to creating scintillating Christian romance and romantic suspense novels with a side of Texas sassy. She invites readers to unravel their inspiration, seeking a deeper knowledge of the Lord’s Great Mystery that invites us all.

Connect with Marji on the Web:

MarjiLaine.com

Facebook 

Pinterest

Goodreads

Google +

Other Romantic Moments:

My Sweetest Non-Valentine Moment
Romance on Thanksgiving
The Valentine Gift that Can't Be Topped
Wrapped in an Unforgettable Memory
One Romantic Weekend

Exciting Announcement!

Now that the voting is over, we're spotlighting the authors of each chapter and revealing who created each hero. Check out the author spotlights on Fay Lamb's blog every day for the next two weeks. 

Author Spotlight: Marji Laine

Author Spotlight: Phee Paradise

Author Spotlight: Betty Owens

Author Spotlight: Paulette Harris

Bonus Blogs:

Jennifer Hallmark on Delighted Meditations "Chicken House Fire"
Phee Paradise "Where My Treasure Is"
Marji Laine "Heroes and Romance"
Jennifer Hallmark at the Borrowed Book "Finding Time to Write"
Riley Tompkins Interviews Mara's Parents Cara and Dane Adkins
Tracy Ruckman is interviewed at Author Culture

My Sweetest Non-Valentine Moment

Just three more days until we find out who you - our readers - chose for Mara's hero in A Dozen Apologies! Are you ready? Who do you think won? Are you imagining the scenes in the final chapter yet? Be sure to check the links at the end of this post for more author spotlights that provide an inside look at the creation of their heroes.

Today, Elizabeth Noyes is sharing a romantic moment with us. 

My Sweetest Non-Valentine Moment

You know, my husband and I met over the telephone. Truly. We like to say it was the wrong number, but actually it was the right number. The wrong person answered. You see my girlfriend/roommate had been dating this Army guy who was learning to fly helicopters at Fort Rucker, but one day he stopped calling.

“Call him,” I told her.

Being a good Southern belle, Wanda was aghast. “Ah cain’t call him!”

“No problem,” I said. “I’ll call him.” And I did. Only Terry didn’t pick up the phone; Paul answered. Three hours later, with a sore ear and a hoarse voice, I knew I wanted to see where this might lead. It's been four decades now and I’m thinking maybe the good Lord knew what He was doing, that the right person answered after all.

Having been raised in the Deep South by god-fearing, Southern Baptist parents, I knew better than to get involved with a stranger from the north, and a soldier to boot. We talked on the telephone – me calling him, mind you – for six straight weeks. That’s right, forty-two days exactly, and for hours and hours at a time. Finally, I agreed to meet him. Still unwilling to give out my address, we met at a restaurant – Ina’s Schnitzel House just outside the base. Ahhh! Love at first sight!

We were inseparable for the next three months, spending every waking moment together. I remember falling asleep in my bed once, the phone tucked next to my ear. Inevitably, though, October rolled around and graduation day arrived. He finished helicopter training and received his orders for Germany. Our last date together was bittersweet and, when he took me home that night, I gave in and sobbed my heart out in his arms. That’s when he proposed. Had my engagement ring in his pocket all along. Of course, I accepted…and then cried even harder.

He left, but wrote faithfully every day. Because he already had approved leave to return for his sister’s wedding after Christmas, we planned our ceremony for December 24^th. Seemed like a good idea at the time, though later we found out how difficult it is to get a babysitter when Santa is expected. Amidst a snow storm, miscommunication about his arrival, my late arriving passport, almost running out of gas during the gas rationing days when I picked him up from the airport, and the tiniest, most perfect wedding ever, we tied the knot. The worldly soldier took his naïve bride who’d never been out of the state of Alabama to Maine for Christmas, and then to Germany for three years. Today, the adventure continues. We celebrated our 40^th anniversary this past Christmas.

On a funny note, my daddy, who served in the Army during World War II and knew all about soldier-boys, gave me the funniest, sweetest wedding present—a one-way ticket home. Just in case.

I haven’t used it yet.

About the Author

Elizabeth Noyes, by day, works as a professional writer and editor of business and technical documents for a privately held corporation in Atlanta, Georgia, where she also teaches basic business writing skills. She lives in the northeast suburbs of Atlanta with husband of 40 years, and is blessed to have her two children, their spouses, and three grandchildren close by.

By night, she pounds away on a computer keyboard, having authored numerous manuscripts, a women’s monthly devotional, and more than thirty inspirational vignettes. While entertainment is a primary goal of her writing, she also seeks to scatter seeds of her faith in hopes that some will fall on fertile soil.

She is an avid reader across many genres including suspense, science fiction, thrillers, how-to books, westerns, biographies, mysteries, and what she terms hysterical (lighthearted historical) romance. With two writing conferences under her belt, a growing library of books on the craft of writing, and having attended several writing classes, Elizabeth is driven to reach the next level.

Elizabeth also participates in a weekly Bible Study with a group of Octogenarians who keep her on her toes and teach her how to stay young. She has a special affinity for the aged and for those with special needs, and enjoys volunteering with the Special Olympics program in Atlanta. As the wife of a retired Army officer, the military men and women serving today hold a particular place in her heart, as do their families.

Her first full-length novel, a romantic suspense entitled, Imperfect Wings, will be coming soon as part of a five-book series from Write Integrity Press. 

Connect with Elizabeth on the Web:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Other Romantic Moments:

Romance on Thanksgiving
The Valentine Gift that Can't Be Topped
Wrapped in an Unforgettable Memory
One Romantic Weekend

Exciting Announcement!

Now that the voting is over, we're spotlighting the authors of each chapter and revealing who created each hero. Check out the author spotlights on Fay Lamb's blog every day for the next two weeks. 

Author Spotlight: Phee Paradise

Author Spotlight: Betty Owens

Author Spotlight: Paulette Harris