Happy Wednesday!

Hello there,

A cool breeze is wafting in from the screen room as I write. It's only seventy degrees this morning, and the birds are sweetly singing despite the haze from the Canadian wildfires.

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” 

—Psalms 118:24

Joe and I decided to get out and enjoy the summer this week, so we took a couple of day trips. We went to Worlds End and Loyalsock Forest (the setting for Grave Consequences) and grabbed a Cheesesteak from Big Mike's while we were out that way. Then the following day, we visited Ricketts Glen State Park (the setting for Grave Secrets) and took a leisurely walk along the trail near the lake. We even ran into some friends and former neighbors while we were there. It was wonderful to see them.

Speaking of friends, I consider my newsletter readers friends, so be sure to let me know how I can pray for you this week. I want to keep prayer at the top of my priority list where it belongs.

FARM NEWS

We took a ride out to Tractor Supply and stocked up on sweet feed for the goats and sheep. We stopped by the grocery store and picked up a few things for us, too, but we tend to be the afterthought around here.

There are exceptions to every rule, however, and last night when I suggested Farmer Joe give the over-ripe bananas to the goats, he nixed that idea in favor of having me bake him some banana bread. I'll admit, it's been a while, and he was appreciative when I pulled it from the oven, and he cut himself a warm slice before heading off to work today.

The chickens have been a little better about the eggs this week. We're still not back to getting the usual amount, but they're giving us a few most days. 

For the most part, things have been quiet this week. 

FROM MY WRITING DESK

I was interviewed yesterday for the Between the Lines of Christian Fiction podcast with Jennifer Sienes. It will air later this month. 

Not much else is new this week. I haven't made much time for actual writing, but I expect that to change as I have a few deadlines staring me down, so I'll have to buckle down and get those books written ASAP. 

Excerpt from
PERSUADED BY THE HERO

Bryce cleared his throat. “I’m looking to promote from within rather than hire someone off the street. Do you have any interest in becoming an executive assistant?”

She frowned. “You mean working directly for you?”

Bryce’s sorrowful eyes reminiscent of a reprimanded puppy reminded her of why she'd fallen so hard. She’d been naive when she’d believed his lies. Youth had its disadvantages.

“Yes. Working for me. The position would come with a significant increase in pay.”

Filling her lungs with air, she considered his proposal. Paying for rent, utilities, and food ate up most of what she earned, so a salary increase would be an enormous help. If it was working for anyone else, she’d jump at the chance, but she’d been fooled by Bryce Harrington once, and she wouldn’t let it happen again.

She'd heard Bryce was trouble, but she’d ignored all the warnings. Her heart trusted when her head told her to run the other way. If she'd listened to her head instead of her heart, she wouldn't have agreed to elope and given him her innocence. But if she hadn’t, she wouldn’t have her son. She would do everything in her power to protect her boy. Even if it was from his own father.

COVER REVEAL SNEAK PEEK:

MADISON LOVE

I’m undercover as a nanny, protecting a billionaire hockey player and his spitfire daughter. The catch? I have to return home and face the one person who could destroy me.

When Aiden Shaw started receiving threats, his parents hired me to get close enough to protect him and his little girl. Only Aiden doesn’t know I’m more than the hired help.

From the beginning, we’re like fire and ice, but we’re forced to play on the same team if we stand any chance of winning. With opponents like the mafia, a vindictive ex, and a raving fan against us, we must go on the offense to ensure victory.

Facing insurmountable odds, including my mother and a past that haunts me, Aiden goes for a power play.
He announces to the world that we’re engaged, hoping this will solve most of his problems. All it does is make things worse, and I’m forced to call in reinforcements and turn to God for help—something I never thought I’d do.

As his last line of defense in a game with no rules and the players out to win at all costs, I’ll have to risk everything for us to triumph—including my heart.

Available in Kindle Unlimited

CRYSTAL'S ARC REVIEW 

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