I rarely read stories written in the first person, so this book took me a couple pages to adjust. But once I did, I was enthralled. I related well to the main character and loved the growth she experienced throughout the story. Circumstances give her great insight and she chooses to hold onto this knowledge and allow it to change her for the better.

A second thing that really caught my attention happens in the middle of the story. The author writes in a nice little twist as the main character begins to realize she loves someone besides the man that seemed obvious at the beginning of the story that she would end up with. And I love how this plays out. This guy who fails to win her heart realizes first that she’s in love with another, yet Ms. Lynxwiler doesn’t yet write him out of the story. Ever the gentleman, he tries a couple more times to win her heart before giving in to what he already knew.

Finally, the end of the story! I won’t spoil it here, but it caught be by surprise and I loved it!

The only thing that bothered me in the novel was occasionally the Christian theme seemed forced. A scene in the church and prayers or Bible readings all flowed nicely, but at least twice I was jolted out of the action as the writer pointed out how someone was a nice “Christian” man.

This is a sweet story and an easy read. Anyone who loves a good, clean romance with a Christmas flavor should give it a try.

What’s a recent romance you’ve read that stole your heart?

Each book begins with a verse or passage from the Bible. The verse is the central theme, the guiding light for the main character, although I’ve yet to reuse the passage within the text of the story. I suppose you could consider it the life verse of the novel.

This passage of Scripture is so important to me that it gets it’s own page before Chapter 1, much like an acknowledgement page would. If your book is autographed, it’s the page on which I sign my name.

Crossing Values guiding Scripture is Ephesians 3:17b-21. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we askor imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

One of my favorite promises of Scripture, Peter and Amber both needed to know that God can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. Amber needed to learn that God’s love is deep and surpasses knowledge.

The guiding Scripture for Ryan’s Crossing is Proverbs 2:1-6. My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding — indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Care to guess what Ryan needs to learn?

As I got older, cars remained important to my brother. He loved the old Mustangs and Cougars, almost always owning one or the other throughout his life. I remember the summer he bought the 1968 Cougar he owns now — and the impressive four miles to a gallon it got. I was old enough at that point to understand he was a little crazy. He spent that first summer sanding and priming, preparing it for a fresh paint job. Mostly, though, he likes to tweak the engine, tinkering here and replacing there. It’s all about making the car lighter and run smoother and sound…well, sound like a muscle car should sound.

In Crossing Values, I chose to give the main character, Peter, a love for working with wood. In Ryan’s Crossing, though, I defaulted to what I’d grown up with – guys who loved cars. Amber’s brother, Ryan, loves to tweak cars. I naturally wanted to give him one of my all-time favorite cars: a late 1960s Ford Mustang Shelby. But that causes a problem. If you own an old Shelby, you restore it. You do not tweak it.

So, knowing little about cars myself, I did the only logical thing. I cornered my brother. The 50+ year old who I once saw using an entire piece of paper to calculate the biggest, fattest tires he could buy for his Cougar that would still clear the wheel well when he took sharp country turns a bit faster than is legally allowed or parentally recommended. (And he was way past 16 or even 25 at that time).

And so we ended up with another classic muscle car in the family of my favorites. A 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback with a small block 302 engine. Black with red pin-striping, complete with the running ponies interior.

Wow. I think I’m a little jealous.

Lots of people say they hate to read but I’ve often wondered something: do they truly hate to read or has no one ever helped them find the right topic and format?

Now I’m sure in this very populated world a dozen or more people could be found who truly hate to read anything and everything. But the rest of them?

I have two boys and both loved to be read to when they were younger, but now at 13 and 10 both claim to hate reading. Yet they devour books on CD and race to the mailbox when they know I’ve ordered a new audiobook for them.

To me, the format of reading doesn’t matter nearly as much as the practice of it. I suppose it would be interesting for some great scholar to do a ten-year research project on kids who read via various medias and see if any real difference in benefits can be found. Is a paper book better than an eReader better than an audiobook better than a magazine?

Maybe it depends on what you consider the end goal. I just want my kids to love books. Because I know the end result of kids who love books are smart adults who can learn pretty much anything.

What about you? What is your favorite media for reading: books, eReaders, audio, magazines, something else?

And then the Patriot Guard showed up.

Wow. What a group of sweet men and women (and beautiful bikes!). They respectfully parked on the side of the church where they would be least intrusive. They placed large American flags along the roadway and driveway, then one full hour before the start of the funeral, they lined up along the path the family would walk holding more American flags. For one hour, they quietly stood.

As the memorial started inside, these men and women quietly collected their flags and prepared to leave. I had to go say thank you, to shake all their hands. And I could barely contain my tears as I did.

I know many Americans are thankful for what job our military does every day. But to see such great respect at such a practical level is rare. Many in the Patriot Guard are not prior military. The group has no requirement that members be motorcycle riders or have a particular belief. They only require that you respect what the military soldier has done.

Their motto is simply: Standing for those who stood for us.

And that means so much.

It all started the end of March when a group of writer friends started throwing around ideas for a round robin. One of us would start a story and we would each take turns continuing the saga. The story has been quite interesting with a blend of authors from different genres each adding a few paragraphs.

If you’d like to read the story in its entirety on your own, you’ll want to start at Laird Sapir’s blog. She is sweetly keeping track of all the entries for us here. If you just want to catch up and follow the story from here on out, the link above will also get you to the bloggers adding to the story after me.

As Ellen Gregory so expertly summarized two turns ago, here is the start of the story: “Simon has been lured out of a year of slothfullness by Marguerite, whom he’s not seen in all that time. But while she’s been keeping him busy in the cafe, Simon’s pet octopus Ninja — who appears to have special abilities — has been abducted by Braden, the erstwhile henchman of Mr Jones, who reportedly wants the octopus back!”

Since then, Ellen and Barbara Forte Abate added that while the octopus, Ninja, is being comfortably kept hostage in a whirlpool tub, Simon discovers his year on the couch numbed his abilities. With thought only for saving Ninja, Simon makes a bold move. He opens his wand and pours something onto his tongue.

Far off,  on the other end of town, Ninja’s eyes blinked open as the water in the tub all at once began churning, rolling, sloshing wildly.  A high pitched girlish scream that could only be Braden, broke loose beyond the closed bathroom door.  

With all eight tentacles reaching to grasp the edge of the tub, Ninja held tight to keep from being pitched onto the tile floor.  And if he’d had a set of lips instead of a beak he would’ve smiled.  He almost couldn’t believe it.  At long last it looked like his boy Simon had grown a set.  High time to lock and load, baby …

Minutes later, Braden walked unsteadily into the bathroom and looked at Ninja. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been in an earthquake that strong! Are you okay in here?”

“I’m quite fine,” said Ninja.

Braden turned to walk back out the bathroom door. “Well that’s…” He stopped abruptly as the blood drained from his face. “You…you…you’re talking again!”

Ninja slowly gathered his tentacles underneath him and hoisted himself upward like a man would stand at his full height. “I would say the cybernetic unicorn has replaced his horn with a deadly flamethrower, wouldn’t you?”

“Cybernetic unicorn?” Braden backed out of the bathroom slowly as Ninja advanced.

“Really, now, my man. You should try taking less assignments from Mr. Jones and pick up more books.” Ninja crossed to a straight backed chair and sat, crossing two of his tentacles over two others much like a child would sit cross-legged. “I would recommend running at this point.”

The door opened and a very short man with a thin mustache and slick dark hair stood just outside the thresh hold holding an umbrella. The light sparkled off his multiple gold necklaces hanging loosely. “I do believe running would get you eliminated, Mr. Braden,” he said.

Braden’s eyes filled his face as he looked at the door. “Mr. Jones!”

Without taking his eyes off Ninja, Mr. Jones said to Braden, “Are you going to invite me in?”

Braden scrambled forward. “Oh, of course, sir. Of course. Please, come in. Sit…” Braden grabbed a pile of clothes from a small couch and tossed them into a corner. “Would you like to sit here?”

Mr. Jones hobbled to the couch using the umbrella much like a cane as Braden slinked into the background.

“It appears the accident also affected you,” said Ninja.

“Yes, a bit. But then I never did rely on the strength of my legs, Ninja.” Mr. Jones drummed his fingers on the top of his umbrella while the room sat quiet. He raised his chin and squinted at the octopus. “So apparently Simon has been reunited with his wand. That was quite a disturbance felt throughout the city a few moments ago. I wonder how much Marguerite had to do with all that.”

Ninja sat quietly.

“Perhaps Marguerite has withheld other critical information,” said Mr. Jones.

“It sounds like you need to have this conversation with Marguerite,” said Ninja.

“Yes,” said Mr. Jones. “I will. But first I am wondering this: how long do you plan to keep Simon in the dark about our little arrangement?”

What arrangement could Ninja have with Mr. Jones? And where is Simon? Get the answers to these and more as the story continues….Next up is Veronica Valli and she will have her part of the story up soon!

To catch you up, here are the details on the planned books:

Crossing Values (released January 2012): For years, Amber traipsed around the northwest avoiding the skeletons in her closet and refusing to let anyone get close to her. As winter plants itself across the Rockies, she takes a chance on a job at a logging company with a family different from any she’s known. Could they truly be genuine? Could Faye understand her trauma or Peter think of her as more than just the office help?

Ryan’s Crossing (coming summer 2012): After ten years, Ryan’s parents found his sister. Now, as he meets up with her before her wedding, his mind fills with the changes coming. Besides figuring out where she will fit into his life, a job change is on the horizon for him. But should he stick with small town life? Or move to Portland, Oregon? Something about Crossing calls to him. Is it the friendly people or the cute brunette who happens to be sister of the groom?

Romancing Melody (coming winter 2013): This third installment of the Crossing series begins at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Melody welcomes her first baby into the world and then her husband deploys with the War on Terror. When a crisis hits, who will she turn to for help? Could God be in control of even this? What awaits her in Crossing?

A fourth book is beginning to take shape, centering on the fiesty Mrs. Guire. While you will learn more about her in the third book, this book will go into more detail about why she turned into the woman who is a constant blip on Sheriff Daniel’s radar.

Now that you know where the main storyline is heading with the books, I’m wondering if you have any questions about the series. Maybe I could answer them in short stories posted here. Or give you more detailed background stories. Or maybe your idea will become the seed for book five. Who do you want to know more about? What question do you have lingering from Crossing Values?

Ryan’s Crossing: Most of you who have read Crossing Values have asked when Ryan’s Crossing will be available. SOON! Okay, I know some of you are tired of that answer. I can tell you that the book is done in editing and on it’s way to design. It will soon be formatted and have a cover!! This is one of the most exciting parts for me – a little because it’s where I have the least direct work but mostly because I love seeing the characters come to life on the cover. Those who receive my blog posts in their email box will see the cover first! Not signed up? Click here and enter your email address in the box on the right.

Guest Blog Post: I’ve been wonderstruck! Author Sherri M. Hutchins had the wonderful idea to interview various people on five simple questions, including what has caught my attention, what in my favorite part of the day and what is the hardest. Great questions! Want to see my answers? Check out her blog on May 15th.

Local Author Showcase: In the Fayetteville, North Carolina, area? Come see me at the Local Author Showcase hosted by Cumberland County Library on June 22nd. The event will take place at the Headquarters building located at 300 Maiden Lane and starts at 7pm. I would love to see you there!

When I finally decided to turn and face my enemy Fear head on, one Bible character became my inspiration: Daniel. No, not when he was thrown into the lion’s den. Not when he was under the king’s edict to pray to no one but the king. The very beginning of his biblical story in Daniel chapter one.

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, God has enough and allows Nebuchadnezzar to come in and take over. Nebuchadnezzar not only takes some of the articles from God’s temple, he also takes several of the young men. The qualifications for these men were simple: no physical defect, handsome, and very smart. Daniel was one of the chosen.

These young men were supposed to be fed from the food at the king’s table. But Daniel knew this wouldn’t be best. The Bible says in Daniel 1:8, “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.”

Don’t gloss over that simple verse. Daniel is a young man, prisoner in an enemy country, and he apparently stood alone to make the request. Was he afraid at that moment. I can imagine. But he resolved, and he faced the fear and asked his question.

What fear do you need to resolve to face today? God is expecting the fear to be conquered overnight. Although I know God can work that way, He did not do it that way for me and I didn’t allow my heroine in Crossing Values to be rid of her fears completely overnight either.

Don’t focus on the end result that may be way down the road. Focus instead on forward progress, baby steps toward facing your enemy. Baby steps accumulate into great victories.

Perhaps I did this because it’s what I grew up with. For as long as I can remember, my Dad has had one room with two solid walls of book-filled book shelves. As well as small piles here and there on and around his desk and reading chair.

Perhaps I did this because it’s something I dream of in my own home. And I’m on the way. One wall of my office is about two-thirds filled with books. A second wall is partially filled, but it doesn’t really count because it’s primarily home school curriculum and educational/historical reading books.

I love books. I love to hold them, flip through their pages. Buy them. Keep them.

But how many books does one really need to keep in one’s house? How many of these books on my shelves will I truly pick up and read again? Or loan out to others? And if I’m not going to re-read them, or loan them … then why keep them? I could sell them to a used book store and have money to buy more books. Hmmm. Not sure that solves my problem.

So I think I will keep them. At least most of them. For now.

I need another bookshelf.

What about you? Do you love books? Would a library in your own home delight you?