Ah, can you just feel those cool autumn breezes? Okay, so it is August in Texas. Which means it's hot. But the next book we're exploring is set in the fall and could be a nice escape for all of us from the summer heat.

What inspired Kate’s Conundrum?

The case was actually inspired by my mom. She had a great idea for a story told from the point of view of the victim. As I approached writing this book, it struck me how perfect the idea was to go along with the story, but of course it would be from the investigators' perspective. Mom was gracious to let me use the idea. 

The setting was one I came across in my searching the internet for a fun setting (it really made me want to visit Ashland, Oregon in fall). It was fun to be able to look up pictures and feature real places.

What was the biggest challenge in writing this book?

One I have a lot with mysteries - the rate of revealing information. This one proved especially difficult, because I had to include some information but not make it super obvious I was including the information. I will never be the master of a who-dun-it novel, but I sure enjoy working with my team of FBI characters.

Why read the book?

Who will enjoy this book?

Those who enjoy cozy mysteries, series about teams working together, and strong faith elements.

The story behind the dedication:

You can check out her books HERE and the videos we made of the first couple of years of classics we read HERE

Fun bonus content for you:

Today's Deal: 

Get the deal HERE

Remember when everyone seemed to be doing fairytale retellings? Well, I jumped on that bandwagon for a while. I had a lot of fun (not as much as my Emma retelling, but that is a story for another day). I'm excited to share with you today about one of my favorite short stories ever, just because it was so fun.

What inspired Waltz into the Waves?

There was a short story contest to be included in a cindrella retelling. Since it's my favorite fairytale, It inspired me. I thought it would be fun to have a beach setting. I also wanted to have a story where it was vary obvious why the stepmother resented Cindrella, or in this case Amelia.

What was the biggest challenge in writing this book?

Making it short. This was the first time I had written a short story. It was challenging because I'm used to taking more time to show off my characters. It was also fun to see how much I was able to do in a short time. I still prepfere longer stories, but I think dipping my toes into short stories has helped me tighten my storytelling.

Why read the book?

Who will enjoy Waltz into the Waves?

Teens, those who enjoy simple and sweet retellings, or those who are looking for a fun, quick beach read.

The story behind the dedication:

This book was dedicated to my nieces who were little at the time and were in a princess phase. Someday, I'll need to dedicate a full sizd book to each of them. 

Fun bonus content for you:

I did a lot in the political arena in my teens and early twenties. At some point, I'll have to write a post about why I left a lot of that behind me because I don't think I ever have. But all I did led me to my first job, which I loved: working for my state representative at the Texas state capitol. And that job inspired the setting of the second Kate book. 

My time working at the Capitol, Sue Thomas FBEye, and doing a lot of thinking about good intentions versus doing what's right.

What was the biggest challenge in writing this book?

Not getting too bogged down in details. Trying to keep it interesting when the case was a slower paced on.

Why read the book?

1. To continue the series 

2. To read Kate being alternately tough and yet have moments where you see her vulnerability

3. You get to see Patrick and Kate in a rose garden

Today's Deal:

Well, it's been a while, but I am bringing back one of my favorite blogging events: August Amazingness. This is the part of the year when I offer a lot of freebies and fun things to do with my books. I hope you will find this as much fun as I do. Make sure to check back every day for a new deal or giveaway.

We are going to start with one of my most popular works - Kate's Innocence

What inspired Kate's Innocence?

I was watching Sue Thomas a lot as well as some other shows about teams doing things and growing together. I was in my late teens when I first had the idea. The first draft of the idea looked different. It started with Kate being a very bubbly person who thought she was deluvering a inncenct pacage to a friend, and it ended up having contraband. As the idea matured in my head, Kate became a woman with a lot in her past to deal with, and the case became a little more serious. The other characters also took on lives of their own.

What was the biggest challenge in writing this book?

Honestly, I had a first draft, and I felt it was missing heart. It took me a while to figure out some of the missing components. I could have done better, but in the end, I had a story I loved.

The second hardest would be knowing that people would be critical that this wasn't a realistic look at law enforcement. But seriously, if I had done it realistically, it would have been pretty boring.

Why read the book?

Those who enjoy fun mysteries, found family, faith-filled fiction, slow back story reveals, and longer series.

The story behind the dedication:

Last year, my birthday looked different. My husband didn't go to work at all. We spent the whole day together and had amazing food for each meal. Today, he had to go into work for a bit. Last year, I felt the tiny life within me move for the first time (at least the first time I was sure it was her). This morning, I'm trying to get my daughter to focus on eating her breakfast. Last year, I got to sleep in. This year, Hannah woke up happy at six, ready to start her day.

Some years, the changes between birthdays are huge. Some years, I could barely tell anything had changed. This year, so much has changed as I have entered motherhood. I'm finding it hard to fit in writing time at all. I'm finding that even though I've cut out a lot of sugar and have changed my diet some, my body is just holding on to the weight I gained during the pregnancy as fiercely as I hold onto the people I love. I've found motherhood so much better than I thought it would be (and I have wanted to be a mom since I was a kid). I am amazed at some of the ways I've grown, and I miss some things about my eighteen-year-old self.

New curtains to match my new quilt and a Paddington audiobook. Those were my evening plans. I hit the play button on the Paddington audiobook and pulled out the longest piece of fabric left over from my quilt. I quickly realized I would need to piece something together if I wanted a decent-sized curtain. I didn’t have enough of any one fabric to make a whole curtain. I looked toward the window, but there wasn’t much to see. Even though it was a lovely day, the blinds and the curtains that had been made over ten years ago were closed in an attempt to block some of the summer heat from seeping in.

I rolled my neck. Here it was, just the beginning of August, and already I was longing for the cooler temperatures. With August usually being our hottest month, I was not sure I would make it. How had people survived the heat before AC?

I smirked. Probably by living further north.

I settled on a simple pattern and cut out the pieces for my curtain rather quickly. I stopped only once to blow my nose. I was grateful my cold was mostly gone, and my symptoms were dissipating.

There was a knock at my door.

“Come in, but be careful,” I called.

Ben poked his head in. “Mind if I come and talk for a bit?”

I glanced around. I stood, making sure I didn’t disrupt my neat rows I had laid out. I moved my purse and bags, which I had dropped on my chair when I got off work, and motioned for Ben to take a seat.

“What are you making? Another quilt?”

I stared at Ben for a moment. His voice sounded weird, but I let it slide. I returned to laying out my pieces. “Curtains to match the quilt.”

“That’s nice.”

I selected the first row to sew and moved toward my sewing machine.

“How was work?”

“Okay, I’m still struggling to get back my stamina, but it was fine.” I set the pieces in place under the needle.

“That’s nice.”

I turned toward my brother. He was fidgeting. And did his face look a little red? “Ben?”

Ben didn’t look up. He rubbed his hands on his jeans. “Did you get dinner?”

I put my hand on my hip. “Yes, I did. Now, are you going to tell me what’s going on and what has your ears so red?” I could only remember a few times my brother had been like this. Most of those times had been in his teens. But who of us didn’t blush or turn red a few times in our teens? It’s an awkward time.

He grew redder. “I’m thinking about getting my own place.”

I swallowed and knew I needed to pick my words carefully. While I loved living with my adult siblings in our parents’ home, I had always known it wouldn’t last forever. Frankly, I had been more than a little surprised that the boys had stayed as long as they had. Independence often meant a lot more to young men.

“I think I might want to buy a house and… have my own place.”

I nodded and set aside my work. I sat on the edge of my bed and faced him. “Have a house in mind?”

I didn’t think Ben could get any redder. “Well, I…wanted to get some opinions I hadn’t…I mean, this isn’t just about moving out on my own… I mean, I want to be for the practice… but not because I don’t like living here. I…”

I raised a hand. “Ben, are you okay?”

He pulled at his shirt collar, which wasn’t tight at all, and cleared his throat. “I’m just thinking it’s time I start preparing for the future.”

Like a movie, my brain caught hold of images and started snapping them together. “Goodness, Ben, are you thinking of…” I cut myself off from saying getting married, because that was a huge jump forward. I swallowed “dating someone?”

I had been wrong. Ben could get redder.

“Well, I’ve been emailing with Natalie and I…” He blew out a breath.

My mind raced. Of course. Some of the Keller family had visited their church last week, and Ben had spent all his time with them. I had been occupied with Joan and my own disappointment that Evan wasn’t with them. But I found it was a minor disappointment. Perhaps I was finally growing out of my silly feeling for someone who barely knew I existed.

I remembered how Ben had talked about perhaps joining the church plant.

I remembered how Ben said he was keeping up with the Kellers via email, but I had been trying to suppress/deal with my feelings, so I hadn’t asked him questions or asked who.

Of course, Ben was interested in Natalie. I blinked. Ben was sitting there, clearly waiting for some kind of response from me.

I put a hand on Ben’s shoulder. “I think this is great, Ben.”

He lifted his eyes to meet mine. “You do?”

I nodded. “I hope things work out with you and Natalie, but even if they don’t. I think owning your own home is a great idea.” I figured I should encourage him on both fronts.

He smiled, and the color slowly returned to normal. “Do you think Mom and Dad will think I’m silly for doing a long-distance relationship or moving forward with buying a house when I don’t know if it will work out?” The red returned.

I thought for a moment. “I don’t know how Mom and Dad will respond right now.” I had to be honest with my brother, even if it wasn’t what he wanted to hear. “I know they have never liked the idea of long-distance relationships, but there is nothing biblically wrong with them. Besides, you and Natalie have known each other for years.”

Ben nodded. “Thanks, Pam.”

My heart squeezed tight. In that moment, I knew I was standing on the threshold of the way things had been and the way they were to become. I wasn’t ready, and yet, there was peace.

Weekly mercies:

Peace with the coming changes

My new curtains

Ben hearing back from Natalie. They are officially a dating couple.

Hello friends!

How is it almost the end of May? This time last year, I was entering the second trimester and had begun to think I might possibly get to hold this little one after three losses before. Now, my little girl fills my days with joy, smiles, and a lot of work.