Hillside Bible Church Author Visit

I was so pleased to be asked to speak to the middle school girls of Hillside Bible Church in Ortonville, Michigan.
Every week they were read a couple chapters of Webber House then they discussed those chapters.  They have started writing journals, too. They even drew pictures of Katy and Jen and the detective with the mustache.
Tonight they asked me questions and told me they loved Webber House. Thank you Mrs. Bills for choosing Webber House and sharing it with the girls. Thank you girls for the wonderful evening.

When using one of my books in your classes

This is a great class idea we could use when I come visit or Skype to a "Meet the Author" night - or the teacher could use it at the end of reading the book.  I found this on Pinterest, but the original site is not available.  I did find another site with the poster - I do not know anything about this company - I just know they have the poster available.

Inspiration from Donna

I always say that I just never know who or what is going to inspire me. I try to look at things in life with an open heart and soul. Always willing to be touched by something.

Last week I was on Pinterest looking at pins of people I follow. One of my favorites is Donna at Funky Junk Interiors. She finds ordinary junk at a flea market and turns the pieces into works of art.
I clicked on the picture and read about how picking up a blue drill changed her life. I wrote to Donna and asked her if I could put her and her blog about the drill in my book. They fit perfectly in one of the storylines. Thankfully, she agreed. She will be included in the fourth book of the Holiday Series, A Very Thankful Thanksgiving.

I love including real people in my books. For your own inspiration - Click on the "Funky Junk Intereriors" or "read about how picking up a blue drill changed her life" links above.

The Holiday Series Takes Over!

Truthfully, I never thought Katy, Jen and Colleen from the Saginaw Series would make room for anyone else.  They occupied every part of my thoughts for a whole year.  I just hadn't met Kyla and Liv yet!

This morning my husband, Pat, and I watched Freedom Writers starring Hilary Swank.  I love that movie.  I told him that Liv was reading The Diary of a Young Girl. That book changes the students lives in Freedom Writers.  I decided to put the movie in my first book in the series, too.  So, one hour later, Freedom Writers made its way into No Christmas for Olivia!  One of the things I love about writing is how ordinary everyday living inspires my work.

I hope right after the holidays that I can send my cousin, Mary Lynn, the first book to edit.  The Holiday Series should be on Amazon by the end of the summer.

Saginaw Series: Book One - Webber House - Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

Jen ran as fast as she could through the winding park walkway, but it wasn't fast enough. The echoing footsteps behind sounded so much closer. She focused on Katy's long auburn hair flying behind her in the wind. Suddenly, Katy slowed in front of her, stretched her hand behind her back and grabbed Jen's hand. Thankfully, they both took off faster than she could have running on her own.

They each silently prayed they would make it to the street so they could melt into the crowd that had been watching the parade earlier. With a burst of energy they turned the corner and sprinted the last few feet, pushing their way through the spectators. Without looking back, they entered the crowded coffee shop and quickly moved away from the window. Jen bent over trying to catch her breath; she was sure her pounding heart would explode!

Saginaw Series: Book Two - Bertie's Bakery: Heaven Scent - Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

The girls let out a collective scream, “AAAAHHHHH!!!!!” Colleen yelled, “I don’t know why you make me do this!” Jen agreed, “Katy, this is not acceptable, I want you to turn the movie off, now!” Katy grabbed a hand on each side of her and laughed as she screamed, “My Aunt Jane told me we had to watch the classic original “The House on Haunted Hill” together, and she kept saying something about having to hold hands through it!” Then they understood why you had to hold hands. They closed their eyes until they could only see through little slits while watching the end of the scary movie.

St. Anthony's Rock

The Kent family goes to St. Ignace to see the St. Anthony Rock - but - they can't find it! As Mr. Kent says when they do find it, "If it was a snake it would have bit us!"

Classic Michigan

Grand Marais Devil's Slide

Watch "Log Slide!" on YouTube

A link found on You Tube of Devil's Slide.

The Michigan Hands

Ask people from Michigan where they live and they talk with their hands! In the Saginaw Series:Bertie's Baker: Heaven Scent, Grand Marais is just before the knuckle on the top of the left hand.

Grand Marais Agate Lady Blog

Gitche Gumee Museum

Click the words "Gitche Gumee Museum" to go to the museum website.

The Agate Lady is mentioned in the Saginaw Series: Bertie's Bakery, Heaven Scent.  If you are anywhere near Grand Marais you need to stop by this museum to hear the fascinating history of agates.  These rocks are the most beautiful you will ever see. 

Saginaw Series: Book Three - Andersen Pool - Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!" exclaimed Tommy Blackburn shivering at the top of the high diving board at Andersen Pool. He wasn’t cold, he was terrified! He had never jumped off the high dive before. And like usual, when he wanted to do something he knew he might not get to do, he lied to his grandfather. Tommy told him that he had jumped off a million times.

Colleen, Katy and Jen's Easy Delicious Brownies

The brownies made by Colleen, Jen and Katy in the second book of the Saginaw Series: Bertie's Bakery Heaven Scent.  They are so good they made a comeback in the Four Season Friends book, too!


Click Read More to see the recipe!

Welcome Fandangles' Friends

Tom and Steve were kind enough to send you to my blog. The post below is the menu for Sarah and Joseph's wedding from my third book in the Saginaw Series, Andersen Pool.
Click this link to go to Amazon

Menu for Sarah and Joseph's Wedding

Wedding Dinner of Sarah and Joseph

Catered by Fandangles' of Flushing, Michigan. Fandangles' is a real restaurant just minutes away from Saginaw.  Tom and Steve have created a beautiful restaurant with ever-changing art from local artists.  They cater symphony parties, university dinners, and classy weddings!  So I knew when Sarah and Joseph were planning their wedding they just had to use Fandangles'!

Click on Read More to see the fabulous wedding dinner menu!

Saginaw Series: Book Four - Daniel's Den - Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

The music was blaring from the large speakers behind them on the stage. The dance floor was alive with gyrating teens all laughing and flirting while moving to the rhythm and beat of the original rock and roll song. It was another exciting Friday night at the teen night club, Daniel's Den. Katy’s friends, James and Colleen were by the stage with her sister, Jen and her boyfriend Adam. They were looking up at her as she was singing like there was no tomorrow.

Art of the Saginaw Series

I asked D.A. Clifford if he would illustrate the covers of the Saginaw Series. I provided pictures of the buildings.  The Webber House picture I have used with persmission of the Saginaw Library.  The Bertie's Bakery picture I took of the existing building that is closed and boarded up.  The Andersen Pool is from an old Saginaw postcard.  The Daniel's Den was a picture from the Internet.  The covers were so wonderful.  I was so pleased with the beautiful artwork.  Thank you so much D.A. Clifford for your attention to detail on each of them.

Lights in the Night Grand Rapids

The Kent family travels to Grand Rapids to be part of Artprize. They plan a prayer memorial for their parents during the "Lights in the Night Grand Rapids" art experience. This event brings together thousands of people on a beautiful fall evening in Michigan. The moon was almost full - the sky clear - the lights unbelievable.



Video used with permission from Paul Jendrasiak.

Grandma's Wedding China

I am writing the second series. It is called the Holiday Series.  The four books are:

No Christmas for Olivia
Spring Break in Florida
Independence Day
A Very Thankful Thanksgiving

I asked my niece to take a picture of their Thanksgiving table to use on my Pinterest Board.

When my Mom died we all knew that Kim should have her wedding china. She entertains like Grandma Shea.

This is lovely Franciscan china made in California in the DEL MONTE pattern. I am happy to have it in the book.

Crystal of the Holiday Series

In the Holiday series the beautiful cut glass and several Heisey Candlesticks are a special collection of Grandma Dade's.  The Lismore Waterford goblets have special meaning because they were purchased on a trip to Ireland with her best friend.  The table set with the beautiful china and all the sparkling crystal was a sight to see.

Bishop Ken Untener's Homilies

Bishop Ken's homilies are online. His sister, Sr. Mary Ann Untener, IHM, gave them to Visitation North Spirituality Center to post. I knew Bishop Ken when he was the Bishop of the Saginaw Diocese. He was a humble man. He sold the Bishop's residence and moved to the different parishes in the Diocese.

In the Holiday Series Mary tells Sgt. Davidson to go online to read Bishop Ken's wise words. You can, too!

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW

Bishop Ken Untener's Year A - Matthew Gospels - Homilies

Bishop Ken Untener's Year B - Mark Gospels - Homilies

Bishop Ken Untener's Year C - Luke Gospels -Homilies

Art of the Holiday Series

The picture on the bottom is one taken by Dennis Keyes - I found it on Pinterest - Choosing Chihuly Board - the quilt above is one that my cousin, Mary Andrews from Grand Blanc, MI made after being inspired by a trip to the Botanical Gardens in Phoenix when a Chihuly exhibit was showing.

Mary made that masterpiece and several others after that show inspired by Chihuly. That beautiful quilt art is hanging in my kitchen and it brings me inspiration on a daily basis.

In the book, Holiday Series: No Christmas for Olivia, Mary makes this quilt for Robbie's nursery as a rememberence that life is filled with beauty and that he should always look for it in his every day world or even in unexpected places.

The picture below is also from the book: "One hill had hundreds of smooth, bright red-colored glass rods that reached to the sky."

White Chili

My friend Ruth Eggerd gave me the original white chili recipe. We had it for a soup supper at St. Mary Cathedral during Lent. It was so delicious. Over the years I have added and changed a few things and it is one of my favorite recipes.

Fran makes it for dinner when Dennis comes over the first night he meets Ayva in the 2nd book of the Holiday Series, Easter Break in Florida. The secret ingredient to Fran's white chili is Charras tostadas. If you cannot find them in the Mexican food section of your grocery store you could replace it with tostada chips.

Click on Read More to see the recipe!

Blitz Kuchen

The delicious coffee cake that is in the 2nd book of the Holiday Series, Easter Break in Florida. The St. Mary Cathedral youth group makes them to sell at a bake sale after Mass. After a sleep over at the church they bake 100 of these delicious coffee cakes.

In my real life my sister was in Campfire Girls. Her group made these to sell at church one year as a fundraiser and ever since this has been a favorite recipe in our family.

Click Read more to see the recipe for one.