A different kind of Thanksgiving--Lenora Worth

This will be a new kind of holiday for my husband and me. We're empty nesters now and since all of our family lives away, we will be alone on Thanksgiving. But we don't mind. We stay in touch with our two children and hopefully they will both be home for Christmas. We've decided rather than cooking, we'll go out and eat and maybe go to a movie. It will be nice to spend a quiet day together. We also have New Orleans Saints football on that day. They are playing the Dallas Cowboys. Any predictions on who might win? I'm cheering for the Saints, of course.

It's bittersweet to realize we have no one else with us on this holiday, but we did our job. We raised our children to the best of our abilities and now they are out there on their own. And while we'll miss relatives who are far away, we know we are loved. We've had several invitations to join others and we're blessed with good friends. But the idea of not fretting about cooking, cleaning and making sure everyone is happy is very appealing. There is something to be said for a quiet holiday where we reflect on our blessings, consider our ways and send up prayers for those we love. We are blessed. And that is the real Thanksgiving gift.

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope wherever you are, you know that you are loved and appreciated.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

By Debby Giusti

As another year draws to a close, my thoughts turn with gratitude to all that has happened in 2009. An increased awareness of the bounty of God’s mercy and love tops the list of things for which I am most thankful.

In this time of economical upheaval when so many in our country are experiencing hardship, I am blessed to be surrounded by a loving family and give thanks for their continued health and well being.

In the past few months, like many of you, I’ve experienced a new appreciation for the simple pleasures of life. Scaling down means more time to appreciate others. As we all know, happiness does not come from material possessions but from a life focused first on God and then on serving others.

As always, the men and women in uniform have my deepest respect. Because of their sacrifice, we continue to be the "land of the free and the home of the brave." I ask you to join with me in praying for their protection and for the families who wait for their safe return.

Thank you for making 2009 a wonderful year to be a Craftie Lady of Suspense. Whether you post comments or merely read the messages others write, you’re part of this blog family and I am so thankful for your support.

Have a Happy New Year! Looking forward spending more time together in 2010!

Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
http://www.debbygiusti.com/
http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/

Still available:
CHRISTMAS PERIL
Featuring Merry Mayhem by Margaret Daley
And Yule Die by Debby Giusti

Watch for KILLER HEADLINE, Feb 2010—Book 2 in the Protecting the Witnesses Love Inspired Suspense Continuity Series

The Thanksgiving Target

Today we're welcoming Tara Carmichael, the heroine of , The Thanksgiving Target by Laura Scott, a November 2009 release.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.
1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense. Hello, my name is Tara Carmichael and I’m a social worker in St. Louis, Missouri. I was trying to help one of my client’s, a woman named Melissa Forrester escape from an abusive relationship when I discovered someone was stalking me. I thought both incidents were completely separate until we discovered that they were both connected to the same man. A man from Max’s past, bent on revenge.

2. So, during the book you met Max Forrester. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love? I knew from the moment we first met, that Lieutenant Max Forrester was a man who liked to take charge. But he was also deeply disturbed by what had happened to his sister, Melissa. I wanted to offer him comfort and support but in the end, he ended up protecting me when my house exploded. I tried to keep my distance from Max on a personal level, because I’d lost my husband two years earlier and thought I was being unfaithful to his memory by opening myself up to love again. But in the end, once I realized that God’s greatest gift was love, I rejoiced in my love for Max.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness? I think my greatest gift is compassion and caring. In my job as a social worker I’m exposed to many people in need. I like being able to help others in getting their lives back on track. My biggest weakness is refusing to allow myself to be too emotionally involved with my clients. In Max’s sister’s case, for example, I kept wishing I’d been a better friend to her.

4. What scares you? I think being in love scared me at first, because I’d lost my husband so young, we had only been married a year and, I was afraid to open myself up to suffering another loss. But now that I have Max, I’m not afraid any more.
5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I wish I could learn to be less quiet and shy and more open to relationships with others. I feel I’ve come a long way though, after everything that has happened.
6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story? I was raised with a strong faith and belief in God. However, after my husband’s death, deep down, I blamed God for taking him too soon.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story? Meeting Max, helping him to grow in his faith, made me understand what I was doing. I knew God had a mission for me but it took me a while to realize my mission involved not just showing Max faith but actually loving him.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant. This scripture is special to me, first of all because I love the Book of Psalms. But this scripture became even more important when I believed Max and I were going to die. I truly believe that God heard our prayers and answered them. God would never leave us, especially in those moments we need Him the most.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why? Mint Chocolate Chip ice-cream cone. Because it’s my favorite, especially with the tiny chunks of chocolate offering a surprise in every bite. 

Thanks for having me here at the Craftie Blog today.


Thank you Laura for sharing Tara with us. This sounds like a great holiday read.

Things to be Thankful for this Thanksgiving

Hello from Lisa Mondello. I was going to talk about the Project Runway finale (I really do love looking at all those fashions!) but I find myself a little sidetracked today.

I have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. You see, yesterday my agent called me to let me know that Steeple Hill is offering me another contract, this one for the Love Inspired line. I mean, how cool is that? I get to write the kind of books I love and I get paid for it!! Fly Away Home, a soldier's homecoming story, is scheduled to be released October 2010! By the way, that title most likely will change, so check back soon. I've very excited about this book because it'll be my first Love Inspired Contemporary.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. My December 2009 Love Inspired Suspense release, Yuletide Protector comes out next month! I'm really excited and feel blessed to be sharing the month's releases with Margaret Daley, Debby Giusti, Pamela Tracy and Ramon Richards, 4 amazing women who are part of the CRAFTIE Ladies of Suspense.

As Lenora Worth announced in her post the other day, some of the CRAFTIE Ladies will be participating in a short story. Each day for 8 days they'll be giving readers a new piece of the story. You won't want to miss this, so mark your calendars.

I know it's easy to get wrapped up in annoyances and worry about things that in the end really don't matter. It's easy to overlook the things that are important. My hope for all of you is that you stop and take a breath this Thanksgiving and enjoy time with your family and friends.
I know that's what I will be doing.

Until next time, many blessings, Lisa Mondello

A Canadian Thanksgiving

By Barbara Phinney

We up here in the Great White North have already celebrated our Thanksgiving. Now, it's not a lot different than our neighbours and friends south of the border. We have turkey and stuffing, lots of veggies and gravy, pies and cakes and squares and lots of tea to wash it all down.

There are some things unique to each thanksgiving meal, though, and they often change, don't they?

This year, I had the joy of watching a barn cat of ours deliver her very unique babies. (Look at the paws on this baby) I've enjoyed picking them up each day, and look at the tiny bundle of fur open its mouth and hiss at me. Too funny to see such attitude! Mum doesn't mind, either, but considering I've provided her with a large Rubbermaid container, on a thick cushion, filled with a hot water bottle and a thick flannel sheet, changed every other day, all set in a garage. If I was expecting Mum to move them under the shed, I was mistaken. She ain't goin' nowhere!

This year I found myself thankful more because our Pastor reminded us to be thankful in every circumstance. Not for everything bad thing that comes along, but in everything. And I am. My nephew and his wife and two daughters came down for Thanksgiving, and I had the pleasure of accompanying them to the park.

And though the weather is often filled with wild winds and rain, and even some heavy frost, I can remember that our hurricane season has been mild this year, and those sunny days are so welcoming.

God gives us plenty to be thankful for. Let's take the time to consider the good things He has provided, even in desperate times. And let us not forget that He gave us something we can never give ourselves. He has given us His Son, that part of Himself sent to die on the cross for us, so we may come to Him.

So, my US friends, as your Thanksgiving approaches, I hope that you'll be able to see things you can be thankful for.