Orchard Hill Highlights

New Release at White Rose Publishing - A Time for Healing

2010-07-09T05:44:00.000-07:00

by Tamelia Tumlin

As an active church member, Jaci Sinclair believes the Christian message that forgiveness is open to all…all except her, that is. Years ago, Jaci made a life-changing mistake, and now she’s sure she doesn’t deserve the one thing she wants the most—a family of her own. But when Hunter Grant walks into her life, her world is turned upside-down. Not only does he make her desire a family even more, he shines a lamp on the one thing she refuses to see.

Ex-FBI hostage negotiator, Hunter Grant, has lost the one thing he treasured the most—his family. Filled with bitterness and anger towards God, Hunter vows never to let anyone close to him again. He moves to Yellow Rose, Texas, trying to forget the tragic deaths of his wife and son—deaths he should have prevented. Wanting to lose himself in the sleepy little town, he is not prepared for the powerful feelings Jaci stirs within him.

As Jaci’s and Hunter’s worlds collide, neither is prepared to face the demons that haunt their pasts and hinder their future together, but for everything there is a season…even a time for healing.

New Review for Susan's 4th of July Fireworks!

2010-07-06T06:19:00.000-07:00

The latest installment in the Orchard Hill Romance series was reviewed at Kathy's Review Corner. I greatly appreciate her insightful, well written reviews (and not just because this one is positive - honest!)

Here's a bit of the review:

Susan's Fourth of July Fireworks was a sweet romance of a woman growing up, finding forgiveness, and love. Some people might not understand why Susan held back so long with her father, but she loved him, and knew that he did everything out of love for her. Readers will cheer as this former villain shows a vulnerable side and matures into a heroine worthy of her own hero. I am thrilled that Kara Lynn Russell has returned to Orchard Hill, and I hope she does again soon.
Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

To see the complete review, visit Kathy's Review Corner.

Susan's 4th of July Fireworks

2010-06-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

Now available at White Rose Publishing. Available on Amazon for Kindle soon.

Introducing Susan

2010-06-07T19:08:00.000-07:00

This week, on June 10, White Rose Publishing will release a new Orchard Hill story - Susan's 4th of July Fireworks. It features Susan from Entertaining Angel as the heroine. Unfortunately, she didn't seem to be heroine material in that story. It was only fair to give her a chance to redeem herself. Her first appearance is on a date with Jeff, the hero of Entertaining Angel. Jeff has agreed to keep an eye on his friend's sister while she's in Orchard Hill. He's only known her for a couple of days, but she's already caused a lot of trouble for him. This includes sending Jeff to the emergency room after he eats muffins that she bakes. The muffins contain peanuts, which he is allergic to.

From Entertaining Angel -

He picked up Susan at five thirty on the dot. Susan liked to go out early. She was a morning person, like him, so it didn’t bother him.

“Hi Jeff,” she said when she let him into her house. “I heard you had some bad luck today.”

“A little. Nothing to worry about.”

“Who’s the new girl at your place? I didn’t know you’d hired someone.”

“I haven’t.” Jeff explained the whole humiliating episode to her as briefly as possible.

“Oh, too funny dear,” she laughed. “That’s what you get for being so nice.”

“Tony is a good friend. He’s done lots of favors for me.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What does this sister look like? Is she pretty?”

Susan had many good qualities, Jeff told himself. Unfortunately, the one glaring fault she did have was jealousy. Perhaps it was because of her fiercely competitive nature.

“How she looks has nothing to do with it.”

“If she needs a keeper she must be either gorgeous or completely incompetent.”

“She’s nice. Just sort of—”

Susan snorted. “Lethal?”

In Susan's 4th of July Fireworks, she attempts some big changes in her life - including conquering her jealousy before it sabotages her latest relationship.

I've talked a lot about Susan. Next week I promise I'll introduce you to Susan's sweetheart, Cal and you can decide for yourself if he is the type of person that would bring out the best in her.

Susan's 4th of July Fireworks

2010-05-31T10:15:00.000-07:00

The United States has several patriotic holidays such as today - Memorial Day, when we remember our loved ones and in particular those that gave their lives for their country. Coming up we have the 4th of July when we remember how our country won independence from Great Britain.

In Susan's 4th of July Fireworks, to be released June 11, the heroine Susan is fighting her own battle for independence. She's always followed the path her demanding but well-meaning father has set for her. After her mother deserted the family, Susan's grandmother told her to be good to her father because she is all he has left. From then on, Susan has been afraid of doing anything that would hurt her father. But as an adult she is becoming frustrated with her father's insistence on running her life.

When Susan's high school crush, Cal returns to town, it seems she might have a chance for happiness - until her father declares him off limits because he thinks Cal lacks ambition. Can Susan gain Cal's love without losing her father's?

Here's a sneak peek of Susan and Cal's first meeting after high school:

Cal Wensloff, the subject of her high school fantasies, stood in her doorway. Unprepared to meet him again after all these years, Susan stared at him dumbly. Over six feet of hard muscle, broad shoulders and that mischievous glint in those blue eyes that contradicted the farm boy “aw shucks” smile on his face.

“Hi Susan,” he said, his smile widening a bit for her. “Can I come in?”

“S-sure. In. I mean, come in.” So much for her cool, self reliant businesswoman image.

She stepped back so Cal could enter. His arm grazed hers and tingles flew up to her shoulder. She might as well be back in Mrs. Schlaeger’s home room, she told herself.

Suddenly Susan couldn’t remember if she’d combed her hair yet. And she wished she was wearing a suit and heels. She felt vulnerable in her bare feet.

Her father greeted Cal and he nodded in return. “Ready to go?” he asked.

“Not quite. Give me a couple of minutes.”

“Would you like some coffee, Cal?” There, she could speak in complete sentences. Cal had just caught her off guard, that was all. She was fine, Susan told herself.

“Sure, if it’s no trouble.”

She opened her cupboard and saw that she’d used the last mug on the lower shelf. Standing on tiptoes, she stretched up to reach the higher one.

“Let me get that for you.” Cal was suddenly right behind her, crowding her against the counter and reaching over her head to grab the mug. He rested one hand on her shoulder and his chest brushed her back. Instantly every nerve she had was on high alert and her heart fluttered in her chest.

See, she had come a long way since high school. If he’d touched her like this back then, someone would have had to mop her up off the floor and pour her into a bucket. Now, they’d probably only need a spatula.

If Susan's story interests you, you may also enjoy Orchard Hill Romances Keeping Faith and Enduring Hope.

Keeping Faith: School secretary Faith Fielding has been in love with her boss for years. She’s waiting for him to move beyond his late wife’s memory. But when he finally does ask someone out – and it’s not her – Faith decides she’s had enough and gives her notice. School principal Andrew Thomas can’t imagine life or work without loyal efficient Faith but he doesn’t understand why she’s quitting. Faith’s last day is the big end of school Memorial Day Picnic. Will Andrew figure out how to keep Faith by then or will she be gone for good?

Enduring Hope: Quiet, privacy loving phys ed. teacher Oliver Laurence is alarmed when he finds he's signed up for the same team that bouncy, outgoing librarian Hope Velasquez is on. He thinks she’s loud and pushy. She thinks he’s not a team player. Both want the Fourth of July Softball Tournament to be a success. Oliver wonders if he can endure Hope for that long. But when they discover that opposites attract, will Oliver and Hope set off a few fireworks of their own?

Chatting at Coffee Time Romance

2010-03-21T17:42:00.001-07:00

You are invited to join Cindy K. Green, K.M. Daughters, Pamela S. Thibodeaux and me, Kara Lynn Russell at Coffee Time Romance for a chat on March 23rd, at 9:00 Eastern.

We will be talking about our books, our upcoming works, White Rose Publishing and whatever else comes to mind. So grab some coffee (or another beverage of your choice) and join us!

Cindy K. Green is our chat leader. (Thanks Cindy for scheduling this!) She will be sharing about her award winning novella Snow Kissed. Pamela Thibodeaux writes "inspirational with an edge" and will be talking about The Inheritance. K.M. Daughters will be discussing their wonderfully unique novels Jewel of the Adriatic and Rose of the Adriatic. I will be babbling on about my favorite fictional town Orchard Hill and my collection of stories set there.

It's quite possible you will bump into other White Rose Publishing authors and I hear there may be prizes. I hope we'll see you there.

A Basket Full of Books for Easter

2010-03-01T09:21:00.001-08:00

Now is the perfect time to fill up your Easter basket with books and stories from White Rose Publishing. (Just remember to leave room for the chocolate.) The themes of rebirth and redemption associated with Easter are a great inspiration for Christian romance writers.

Recently White Rose Publishing released two new books with Easter themes - New Beginnings by Wendy Davy and The Easter Edition by Robin Shope. Some of you may remember last year's Easter Lilies contest and the winning stories - Wildflower in Bloom by Janelle Ashley, Under the 5th Street Bridge by Carla Rossi, and By Another Name by Ashley Elizabeth Ludwig.

White Rose Publishing has a few more Easter themed stories on its roster:
Lasting Love by Sharon Donovan, Learning to Let Go by Elizabeth Pina,and Considering Lily from my Orchard Hill series. You can buy the complete set of Orchard Hill Romances in print along with a basket, perfect for Easter giving. Or buy your own basket and fill it up with books of your choice.

Just keep in mind, if you read ebooks, you'll have a lot more room in your basket for chocolate, jelly beans and marshmallow peeps!

Ash Wednesday Today

2010-02-17T06:32:00.000-08:00

Lent and Easter are somewhat early this year. Ash Wednesday is following on the heels of St. Valentine's Day. I know that not all churches observe the season of Lent, so for those who may not be familiar, here is a bit of the Wikipedia article on Lent:

Lent, in Christian tradition, is the period of the liturgical year leading up to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer — through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial — for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Conventionally, it is described as being forty days long, though different denominations calculate the forty days differently. The forty days represent the time that, according to the Bible, Jesus spent in the wilderness before the beginning of his public ministry, where he endured temptation by Satan.[1]

Many people choose to give up something they enjoy, like chocolate, for the season, as a sign of self-discipline and penance. I once gave up fiction for Lent. I had gotten in the habit of reading novels when I should have been attending to other things, such as housekeeping and parenting. So I read nothing but good wholesome nonfiction for that Lenten season. Not as fun or as easy as zipping through a novel, but it definitely helped me to get my priorities back in order.

Since then, I've tried to choose a book to read for Lent that will make me think about my faith and my relation to God. These are not necessarily devotionals or theological books, but most often my favorite type of reading - novels. Here are three of my favorites:

Byzantium by Stephen R. Lawhead - Excellent for exploring our expectations of God and other questions of faith. Plus, it is an incredible story written by an author with great talent.

Small Gods by Terry Pratchett I know Pratchett is an atheist, but this book raised some good questions on true faith vs. following social custom, and on the way that religion influences society.

Mister Monday, book 1 in the Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix - While I would not say there is a Christian or any kind of religious message in this book, Christian myth and imagery is used very effectively throughout. The thing about this book that makes it suitable for my Lenten read is the hero - his choices, the responsibilities he chooses to shoulder and the sacrifices he makes.

I have not yet decided what my Lenten read for this year will be. I've been reading David Crowder's Praise Habit but since I'm already about halfway through I don't think it can count as my Lenten read.

Can anyone suggest a book that inspires the reader to really think about faith issues? White Rose authors, do you think one of your books may be a good Lenten read?

(Photo above by Roland Ally. See more of his work at Public Domain Pictures.)

Valentine Reads

2010-02-02T18:55:00.001-08:00

One of the best things about Valentine's Day is reading Valentine romances. And I think I have done my share in contributing to White Rose Publishing's offerings for this holiday. Orchard Hill Romance #2, Entertaining Angel, is a Valentine's story. Here's the blurb:

Artist Angel Marcell is on her own for the first time in her life. If only her brother would stop treating her like a child! He’s asked one of his college friends to watch over her while she’s in Orchard Hill visiting cousin Misty Green. Jeff Bradley is working day and night to make his real estate business a success. He doesn’t have time to entertain his friend’s little sister – no matter how cute she is when she blushes. Besides when she’s around, his life turns into chaos and he starts longing for things that aren’t compatible with his business plan. When Angel stands in for a Valentine’s Day date, will he change his mind about what he wants?

I have a funny story about this story. Last year I read another White Rose release called The Valentine Edition and got quite a surprise. It's by Robin Shope and a great read!

Both Robin's story and mine are set in a small Wisconsin town and feature petite, redheaded heroines who are new in town. Both heroines are involved in an accident that results in an injured stray dog. Both vets are tall, handsome men. Of course, both heroines adopted the poor dogs. Robin's heroine named hers Cupid and my heroine named hers...Cherub. Not quite the same.

I was a bit worried by this time but the plots diverged from there and developed very differently. My vet may have been tall and handsome, but he wasn't the hero. Robin's vet ended up with the girl - and the dog. But don't feel too bad for my poor vet. He got his own story and his own girl in Considering Lily.

I guess that's a case of great minds thinking alike. (Humor me, okay.)

I also have a free Valentine's read on my website. It's sort of a mini-sequel to Saving Gracie. I promise I'll write something that's not set in Orchard Hill someday. But for now there may possibly be one more Orchard Hill Valentine's story on the way. Stay tuned.

I was surprised to find those were the only Valentine stories I found in the White Rose catalog. If I missed some, someone please correct me. I hope there are more coming this year. Writers, I challenge you to add your own Valentine story to the White Rose catalog - or even a free read to your website. Readers, what do you want to see in a Valentine story?

2010-01-17T11:00:00.000-08:00

If you are reading this blog, chances are, you are a fan of inspirational romance. But all fans are not the same! Fortunately White Rose Publishing has something for everyone. They really do. What? You don't believe me? Then I'll show you.

Let's take best friends Tammy, Becky, Jane and Sandra. (Yes, I am making these people up for the sake of example.) Part of the reason they are friends is that they all love reading and discussing inspirational romance. But they don't always read the same books.

Tammy loves to cuddle up in her favorite chair with her cat on her lap and a historical romance in hand. At White Rose Publishing she'll find titles to choose from such as All or Nothing, Journey to Forgiveness, and Fragile Dreams. All of these are available as print books as well as ebooks. But Tammy is fortunate enough to have an ebook reader so she also enjoys shorter stories she can download such as Dilema of the Heart or Wildflower in Bloom.

Becky adores contemporary stories such as Alvarado Gold, Beneath a Texas Sky and Case of the Heart. These are all available in print. But wait. Becky is a cubicle dweller and she really likes short stories that she can read on her computer during her lunch hour. So she might prefer Child of My Heart, By Another Name or Dreams Do Come True.

Jane wants a bit of mystery or suspense thrown in with the romance. She might enjoy Lethal Lasagna, A Matter of Trust or First I'm Nobody. Jane is often on the go. For those times when she's standing in line or stuck in a waiting room she likes shorter stories that she can read on her smart phone. She could choose from titles such as Daniella, Sweet Rest or Through a Glass Darkly.

Sandra is a stay-at-home mom. She doesn't care what kind of romance she reads as long as it fits into her budget. White Rose Publishing offers free reads on their site such as A Perfect Fit, Matchmaker of Love or Review of Love. Sandra joined the White Rose Publishing group on Yahoo to get some of the free "members only" reads there. As an added bonus, she's found a source of adult interaction that she can access without leaving the house! When she runs out of free reads, she'll probably start on the Dollar Downloads. Those include titles such as Cathy's Angel, Hyacinths in Winter, or Turning Back.

This is a just a few titles I pulled out at random. The White Rose catalog is much, much bigger and includes more categories than I listed. Jewel of the Adriatic and Rose of the Adriatic include mystic elements. Isanne's Revelation is a time travel romance. And don't even get my started on the great holiday stories! In my series Orchard Hill Romances, each story centers around a holiday. (See how I just slipped that into the conversation. You almost didn't notice that it was a plug for my own books, right?)

I hope this little post has made you curious. I wish I could have included the blurb for each title, but this would be an enormously long post if I did. I also don't have the patience to add a link to each title, but you can access the White Rose catalog here. If you are not familiar with White Rose Publishing I think you are in for a big treat! Happy Reading!

Wrapping up the Trivia Contest

2009-12-13T10:44:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

Thank you to all who participated in my "Spend a Year in Orchard Hill" Trivia Contest. To recap:

Day 1
My early bird winner was Sherry Kuhn and the drawing winner was Nancy Garrett.

Day 2
Becky Tidberg was both the early bird and the drawing winner.

Now on to Day 3. (Drumroll, please)
The early bird winner is E. A. West
The winner of the drawing is JoAnn Carter

The early bird winners will receive an Orchard Hill magnet set and the drawing winners will receive an Orchard Hill desk calendar and the Orchard Hill download of their choice.

But wait...There's more.

Beverly Gordon is the only participant who entered multiple days and did not win a prize. Beverly, I'll send you a magnet set, too.

Again, I thank you all for entering in spite the link problems. I greatly appreciate the time you gave to read my excerpts and find out a little bit about Orchard Hill. I hope you've enjoyed your time there and will visit again soon. In fact, please stop by my website tomorrow to read the newest free story "First Comes Love."

I wish you all a Christmas filled with blessings. I hope you will be together with family and friends. At a season when time always seems short, I also wish you the time to be still and remember why we celebrate this day and give thanks for Jesus, God's great gift to us.

Merry, merry Christmas!

Kara Lynn Russell

Looking Ahead in Orchard Hill

2009-12-12T12:21:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I posted a blurb and excerpt about a new story due out in June 2010. Before that there will be two more free reads available.

The first will be posted on my website on Monday - http://karalynnrussell.googlepages.com/. In "First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage" Cora Applebaum gives an account of all the weddings that resulted from Pansy and Misty's matchmaking. She also has a few things to say about an old beau that she keeps meeting at these weddings. If you plan to read the complete series, but haven't yet, you may want to wait to read this one.

Next, "Baby Boom" will be featured as a free read from White Rose Publishing. I don't have a release date for that one, but it should be some time in January or early February since it is a Valentine's story.

In "Baby Boom" Riley and Ian's cousin Vanessa has volunteered to baby sit so that they can take their wives out for Valentine's Day. It sounds better than staying home alone yet again on Valentine's. But caring for Riley's infant twins and Ian's six puppies is more work than she bargained for - especially when the puppies escape. So she grabs the baby monitor and heads out into the snow to find them.

Here's a tiny peek at the story:

****

Kneeling, she began to reach under the prickly bush. She'd just managed to get her hand around one of the puppies when she was suddenly grabbed from behind and pulled to her feet. She shrieked in surprise and the puppy wiggled away. The baby monitor slipped from her belt and fell into the snow.

Behind her a man's voice demanded "Who are you and what are you doing?"

"My name is Vanessa and I'm...I'm babysitting."

The grip on her arms loosened slightly. "You're what?"

"I'm babysitting for my cousin's twins and my other cousin's puppies. Only the babies were crying and then the puppies escaped and..."

She tried to turn so she could see the man, but his hold on her tightened again. "That's quite a story. Have you got any more?"

"I'm not making this up! There are two puppies in your bushes. I need to get them inside before..."

A tiny wail sounded from the baby monitor, now covered in snow.

*****

Sounds like the worst Valenine's ever, right? But then again, maybe not.

Orchard Hill Trivia - Day Three

2009-12-12T07:31:00.000-08:00

Good Morning!

Once again I apologize to those who had problems with the links. I am not sure what the problem is. They work when I test them, but people are still reporting being unable to get through to my website. I hope today goes better. Anyone who has been unable to enter, please contact me at karalynnrussell (at) gmail.com. I'll email the excerpts to you.

Answers may be found at my website: http://karalynnrussell.googlepages.com/home This is the home page. You will need to select Orchard Hill from the side menu to get to the blurbs and excerpts. Yesterday and the day before I tried to link directly to the Orchard Hill page. Since that's not working, I've decided to try linking to my home page instead.

Yesterday's Winners - Becky Tidberg is both my first entrant of the day and the winner of the drawing. Congratulations! Everyone else, please give it another try today. I will send a set of bookmarks to anyone who enters or anyone who emails and tells me they haven't been able to get through to my website for the answers.

Today's Questions
7 What does Harmony not want Joseph to see when they are caught together during a thunderstorm?
8. What is Shaun's big surprise when he sees Patience after their separation?
9. What is Joy doing when Isaac comes to visit her?

Stop back later today for news about two free Orchard Hill stories to be released soon.

Thank you everyone for entering my contest, or at least trying to enter my contest, in spite of the problems.

New OH Story coming in June

2009-12-11T15:02:00.001-08:00

Here's a sample of "Susan's 4th of July Fireworks," which will be released from White Rose Publishing next June.

Pansy and Misty matched a lot of couples in Orchard Hill but not everyone needs their help.

Cal Wensloff has moved back home to Orchard Hill and Susan Schmidt discovers that the crush she had on him in high school is alive and well. The amazing part is that Cal seems to be interested in her, too. But when her father forbids her to see him, and a rival sets her sights on Cal, Susan has to make some hard choices.

The 4th of July is coming up and one way or another, there'll be fireworks for Susan.

********************

Excerpt (In which Susan discovers that her high school crush is her father's new employee.)

Cal Wensloff, the subject of her high school fantasies, stood in her doorway. Unprepared to meet him again after all these years, Susan stared at him dumbly. Over six feet of hard muscle, broad shoulders and that mischievous glint in those blue eyes that contradicted the farm boy “aw shucks” smile on his face.

“Hi Susan,” he said, his smile widening a bit for her. “Can I come in?”

“S-sure. In. I mean, come in.” So much for her cool, self reliant businesswoman image.

She stepped back so Cal could enter. His arm grazed hers and tingles flew up to her shoulder. She might as well be back in Mrs. Schlaeger’s home room, she told herself.

Suddenly Susan couldn’t remember if she’d combed her hair yet. And she wished she was wearing a suit and heels. She felt vulnerable in her bare feet.

Her father greeted Cal and he nodded in return. “Ready to go?” he asked.

“Not quite. Give me a couple of minutes.”

“Would you like some coffee, Cal?” There, she could speak in complete sentences. Cal had just caught her off guard, that was all. She was fine, Susan told herself.

“Sure, if it’s no trouble.”

She opened her cupboard and saw that she’d used the last mug on the lower shelf. Standing on tiptoes, she stretched up to reach the higher one.

“Let me get that for you.” Cal was suddenly right behind her, crowding her against the counter and reaching over her head to grab the mug. He rested one hand on her shoulder and his chest brushed her back. Instantly every nerve she had was on high alert and her heart fluttered in her chest.

See, she had come a long way since high school. If he’d touched her like this back then, someone would have had to mop her up off the floor and pour her into a bucket. Now, they’d probably only need a spatula.

Orchard Hill Trivia - Day Two

2009-12-11T05:53:00.000-08:00

Before I announce yesterday's winners or give the questions for today, I must apologize. It seems that I forgot to mention yesterday that you can find the answers to the questions on my website - http://karalynnrussell.googlepages.com/

I've been talking about the contest so much I guess that I'm not paying attention to what I say anymore! In apology, I'd like to offer a set of my bookmarks to anyone who was not able to enter yesterday. Just email me with your snail mail address and I'll send them out.

Thank you to those of you who did enter yesterday. My first reply was from Sherry Kuhn. The winner of the drawing was Nancy Garrett. Congratulations ladies. I'll be contacting you.

Today's questions are:
4. What animal is printed on the pajamas that Faith is wearing when Andrew and Harmony stop by?

5. What is the name of Oliver's rival for Hope's affections?

6. What does David think he and Sarah need to practice?

Just a reminder - the first person to email me with the answers will receive an Orchard Hill magnet set. The winner of each day's drawing will win the Orchard Hill download of her choice and a "Spend a Year in Orchard Hill" desk calendar, featuring a different cover from the series for every month.

Thank you to all who participated. Later today I will post an excerpt from my upcoming Orchard Hill release "Susan's Fourth of July Fireworks."

Orchard Hill Trivia Day One

2009-12-10T09:32:00.000-08:00

Get Ready...
Read the questions. There will be three trivia questions each day for three days. That's one question per story (excluding the free reads.)

Get Set...
Go to my website http://karalynnrussell.googlepages.com/ and search blurbs, excerpts and free reads to find the answers to the questions.

Go!
The first person to respond each day will win an Orchard Hill magnet set. Each correct answer that a person submits = 1 chance in that day's drawing. The winner will receive a "Spend the Year in Orchard Hill" desk calendar and one download of any Orchard Hill story.

Today's Questions:

1. In which room of the church did Riley comfort Gracie after her fiance left her at the altar?

2. What does Angel name the dog she adopts?

3. Why is Lily unwilling to let anyone get close to her?

Email the answers to me - karalynnrussell (at) gmail.com. Please do NOT leave answers as comments. Those will not be counted as entries. Please DO include an email address so I can contact you if you win. I will not use these addresses for any other purpose but to contact the winner.

Come back tomorrow to see who wins todays contest - and to get the next set of questions.

Introducing Orchard Hill

2009-12-09T09:54:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the Orchard Hill Trivia contest. So today I will introduce Orchard Hill for those who are new here. Orchard Hill, Wisconsin is named after the orchard that overlooks the town. Orchard Hill is actually in a valley. Other than the name thing, it's a pretty typical small town. But even small towns have excitement once in a while. And last year was a big one for Orchard Hill!

At the Orchard Hill Community Church Pansy Parker serves as secretary and Misty Green is the Choir Director. These ladies also consider themselves experts on love and romance. Each claims to be Orchard Hill's best matchmaker. When their rivalry gets to be a problem, they decide to put it to a test. They will prove which one is the best matchmaker by keeping track for a year. The one with the most matches wins. Not that there's a prize, other than the satisfaction of being the best. It's not like they can tell anyone, right? Pastor Isaac would never approve of that.

The contest begins at the New Year's and goes straight through to Christmas. The titles are:
Saving Gracie
Entertaining Angel
Considering Lily
Keeping Faith
Enduring Hope
Accepting Charity
Disrupting Harmony
Losing Patience
Finding Joy.

You can find more information on Orchard Hill and my other books by visiting my website karalynnrussell.googlepages.com.

I hope you'll be back tomorrow for the beginning of the Orchard Hill Trivia contest. Plus there'll be few extras here before the end of the year. Cora Applebaum, Orchard Hill's most informed citizen will be reporting on all the weddings that took place after the matchmaking contest. (They sure kept Pastor Isaac busy!)

And I'll give you a little sneak peak of a couple of new Orchard Hill stories. Pansy and Misty may have done their share of matchmaking, but sometimes love happens even without them!

Spend a Year in Orchard Hill and Win!

2009-12-06T16:35:00.000-08:00

Think you'd like to visit Orchard Hill, a small town with big romance? There are a few ways to get there. You can

Try some short Orchard Hill stories for free!

Buy individual Orchard Hill stories at White Rose Publishing.

Buy the collected stories in print - volumes 1, 2 & 3 - at White Rose Publishing.

Buy the Orchard Hill Gift Set from White Rose Publishing. Includes all three print volumes, a White Rose Publishing Mug and Apple Cider mixes.

OR

You can enter the Spend a Year in Orchard Hill Trivia Contest!

I'll post 3 Trivia questions each day on December 10, 11, and 12. Answers to all questions can be found on my website, in the story blurbs or excerpts. Send me the answers at karalynn_russell@yahoo.com. Please include your email address so I can contact you if you win.

Every correct answer earns you 1 chance in that day's drawing. (3 correct answers means I'll put your name in the hat 3 times.) I will draw the winners' name on the day after I post that set of questions and announce the winner on the blog.

One winner each day will win a "Spend a Year in Orchard Hill" desk calendar and a download of any Orchard Hill story they choose.

The first person to reply each day will win an Orchard Hill magnet set, which includes one small magnet featuring the covers of the print volumes and a larger calendar magnet with the slogan "Spend a Year in Orchard Hill."

So pack your bags and get ready to visit Orchard Hill. Just make sure to lock up your heart if you don't want to lose it. You never know what will happen with Pansy and Misty competing for matches.

Spend a Year in Orchard Hill Contest

2009-11-30T14:46:00.000-08:00

There are some are some big romances happening in this small town, thanks to matchmakers Pansy Parker and Misty Green. Each believes she's the best matchmaker Orchard Hill has ever seen. To decide once and for all who's really the best, Pansy and Misty agree to a matchmaking contest. Whoever makes the most matches in one year wins. From New Year's to Christmas, no heart in town is safe. Spend a year in Orchard Hill and watch the sparks fly!

Visit Orchard Hill: http://karalynnrussell.googlepages.com/orchardhill

Participate in the Orchard Hill Highlights blog trivia contest and win free Orchard Hill books, magnets and calendars.

The contest begins December 10th, right here at Orchard Hill Highllights - http://orchardhill.blogspot.com/

More details available soon!

Library Journal Reviews The Prodigal Father

2009-11-18T20:12:00.001-08:00

I know this blog is supposed to be dedicated to my Orchard Hill stories, but...
I have a book coming out in December from Five Star Expressions and yesterday I found out that it was reviewed in Library Journal:

Russell, Kara Lynn. The Prodigal Father. Five Star: Gale Cengage. Dec. 2009. c.278p. ISBN 978-1-59414-823-1. $25.95. CF

Set in Wisconsin, this modern story revolves around the Lunds, a family in crisis. Three years ago, Scott left his wife, Beth, but has now returned to win her back. Beth wants to believe that they can make the marriage work, but she can't quite get over his leaving and learn to trust him again. Complicating matters, Beth tells Scott that they have a daughter with Down syndrome. Scott wants to embrace them both if Beth will just give him another chance. VERDICT This well-written, tender tale of forgiveness and reconciliation features realistically drawn characters struggling with the same problems that many contemporary couples face. Sure to attract fans of domestic fiction that explores marriage issues.

In case you are curious, here's the blurb for The Prodigal Father:

Beth is faced with the decision of a lifetime when her estranged husband Scott suddenly returns and asks her to give their marriage a second chance. She thinks he will change his mind once she tells him they have a daughter, and that their daughter has Down syndrome. Instead, Scott convinces her to come to the resort he owns in northern Wisconsin and along with their daughter, Risa, take a chance on becoming a real family. He does his best to adapt to his new role as father, learn about his daughter’s disability and show Beth that they all belong together. Beth realizes she still loves Scott and wants to stay with him. She is torn between her desire to create a family, the fear of failure and guilt over past mistakes.

I promise to post an excerpt in the near future. And to get out details about my "Spend a Year in Orchard Hill" promotion! Please stop by again soon.

Join the White Roses at the Coffee Time Romance Forums

2009-11-17T05:55:00.001-08:00

White Rose authors are at the Reader's Retreat at Coffee Time Romance's forums all month and you're invited to join us. Stop by to talk to your favorite White Rose Authors, ask questions, read excerpts and more. I hope to see you there!

You're invited...

2009-11-10T13:18:00.000-08:00

Orchard Hill Trivia Contest

Win books, calendars and more

Details coming soon

When Matchmakers Compete no heart is safe.
Spend a year in Orchard Hill and watch the sparks fly!

Looking for a Great Christmas Gift (or two or four)

2009-11-08T14:23:00.000-08:00

White Rose Publishing is offering gift bundles - just in time for Christmas buying. Why trudge out to the mall with the rest of the herd when you can complete your Christmas shopping from your computer?

Since this is my blog, I get to start with my stuff. :)

The Orchard Hill Gift Set Includes all three Orchard Hill volumes, which includes all nine Orchard Hill series stories, plus three bonus stories, along with a tall mug and two varieties of sugar free apple cider mix (caramel apple and spiced apple)...Enough to make ten cups of delicious cider.

This next gift set includes a Special HARDBACK Edition of Teri Wilson's award-winning new release, Cup of Joe, along with a tall mug and 5oz of gourmet Starbucks coffee. Included is a pack of regular and a pack of decaf, so you can enjoy this set no matter waht time of the day or night you decided to indulge.

Get this lovely White Rose Publishing tote bag filled with three wonderful Christmas stories. This two-tone recyclable tote bag model features a black base with a colorful top. The wide adjustable strap makes it easy to carry this tote bag around comfortably without much shifting. Plus, the convenient side pocket stores a pen or other slim device for easy access.

The books you'll receive are:
The Christmas Edition by Robin Shope
Wanted: Boyfriend for Christmas by Kimberlee R. Mendoza
Almost Home by Carla Rossi

All three books are holiday favorites among White Rose fans. If you're in the market for something a bit simpler but still filled with holiday spirit, I recommend Cindy K. Green's newest release Snow Kissed. Who wouldn't want to find this delightful download in their inbox?

And last, but certainly not least is a unique gift set. You'll receive both Fragile Dreams and Love Never Lies by critically-acclaimed author, Karen Cogan. Award-winning, artist John D. Cogan lends his talents to create the image for the five note cards included in this set. Specializing in southwest landscapes, Winter Light at Mather Point is a beautiful Grand Canyon winter scene. Use these cards--blank inside--as Christmas cards or for any occasion...or frame one!

So are you convinced? Have you put your car keys down? If not, then what about some of White Rose's other holiday stories

Nick and Noelle by Kara Lynn Russell
A Girl Named Christmas by Kimberlee R. Mendoza
The Cactus are Lowing by Emily Brevard

White Rose Publishing offers not only great stories but also some of the best covers on the market today. (At least I think so. Check the website. I think you'll agree.) And that combination makes the best gift set of all.

Exciting News for fellow Wisconsin author Robin Shope!

2009-04-07T17:20:00.000-07:00

Salty Earth Pictures and Robin Shope are pleased to announce that plans to produce a Feature motion picture based on Shope’s novel “The Christmas Edition” is underway.

Ms. Shope, an author now living in Dallas, Texas, has written a series of novels that are set in Wisconsin, known as The Turtle Creek Edition series. Salty Earth Pictures, located in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin is a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging, producing, and distributing entertainment that challenges minds, lightens hearts, and strengthens souls.

“Ms. Shope’s faith based novels take place right out our front door, making them a perfect fit for Salty Earth Pictures,” said studio President Steven F. Zambo. He added, “It is our goal to produce a feature based on Robin’s “Christmas Edition” in a manner much like the successful “Facing the Giants” film was produced.” The film will be shot for a relatively low budget, by Hollywood standards, but will rely on volunteers and passionate individuals and supporters to bring the film to the screen. When asked about the movie of her book Shope commented, “Being born and raised in Delavan, Wisconsin, I couldn’t think of a more perfect setting for a book and now the movie.” Wisconsites may remember Robin Shope as Robin Jansen. She is a 1968 graduate of D-DHS and also graduated from U-W Whitewater.

Without revealing too much of the story, the movie will be based on a struggling family owned business in a small Wisconsin town. It focuses on relationships, secrets, trust, faith, and the hope Christmas and it’s message provides.

Much work needs to be done before the camera will roll. “Scripting, casting, financing,music and locations are all issues we will be facing in the next several months. But, it is our prayer that we will be in production late this year with a planned distribution for Christmas 2010,” said Zambo. Salty Earth Pictures’ studio is located in Fort Atkinson,Wisconsin and will be the primary location for production. The studio has over 30,000 square feet of production space.

Marketing an independent film is no small task. Zambo says, “We are going to use the
electronic tools out there to build and keep interest.” Periodic video update will be
available on Salty Earth Pictures’ Youtube Channel. Also, both Shope and Salty Earth
Pictures will be using their group pages on Facebook to build audience interest as well as Robin Shope’s Shoutlife page and blog.
“The finished movie is only a part of the product,” says, Zambo. “We feel the journey getting there will also be exciting and entertaining. We want to share the entire experience!”

Spring and Rumors are in the Air

2009-03-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Rumors from Orchard Hill
Hello all,
This is Cora Applebaum from Orchard Hill. You know, the quaint little town that Kara Lynn Russell writes about. Yes, that Orchard Hill. Well, we all thought we'd seen the last of Kara and her stories about our fine citizens. But today I heard... You know I really don't like to pass on rumors. Maybe I'd better not say. I mean, it isn't like I've got proof or anything.

No, I've made up my mind. I ain't saying. You know how I don't believe in gossip. We'll just talk about the weather. It's cold and nasty today, isn't it? You know I saw the first robin last week and it's snowed twice since then, so that means only one more snow until spring. And no, that's not just an old wives' tale. Three snowfalls on the robins is just as reliable as that groundhog and his shadow anyway.

Now, I know you want to bring up that thing with Kara Lynn again, and it's no use. I told you it's just a rumor anyhow. There's probably nothing to it. Why would Kara want to write another story about us Orchard Hill people anyway? Not that she is. Well, not officially. I mean, I've heard talk about it, but I don't actually know that there's going to be another Orchard Hill story.

And even if I did know that there was going to be another Orchard Hill story, I couldn't possibly say that it's about Susan. You remember Susan, don't you. She's the real estate agent that Jeff dated before he fell in love with Angel. Kara told that story in Entertaining Angel. I know Susan wasn't very nice to Angel about the whole thing...okay, she was down right nasty...but there's a reason Susan behaved that way. I think that's what Kara wants to tell people about in her new story.

If there is one. Which I'm not saying there is. But there might be. Just remember, you didn't hear it from me.

Cora Applebaum

Welcome White Rose Publishing!

2009-03-15T06:13:00.000-07:00

The Wild Rose Press, which published the Orchard Hill Romance Series, publishes all types of romance including young adult, fantasy, paranormal, mystery, western and historical. Inspirational romances had been published under the White Rose line. Some of our readers and potential readers would not visit the Wild Rose Press site because they found the covers and storylines for some of the "hotter" romances to be offensive. Showing great sensitivity for the preferences of their readers, RJ and Rhonda, owners of The Wild Rose Press, have decided to allow the white rose line to create their own company - White Rose Publishing. We're all excited by this news. You can read more and visit the new White Rose Publishing site here.

Pamela Thibodeaux's Valentine Contest

2009-01-25T09:19:00.000-08:00

A Sweetheart of a Contest

As we all know, the flagging economy is forcing businesses to make tough decisions and the book industry is no exception. Book stores are closing. Publishers are laying off people, cutting back on production, and pulling titles from distribution.

What’s an author to do?

Get those sales up.

So, Fellow author and Friend, Pamela S Thibodeaux, is having a Valentine’s Day contest Where Everyone Gets a Gift!

Between Jan. 31st & Feb. 13th

Everyone who enters will receive Thib’s Teaser (a pdf with blurbs/excerpts/discount coupons/short story) AND their name will be entered into a drawing for the GRAND PRIZE – simply email Pertinent Promotions at ppromocntst@aol.com with Sweetheart Contest in the subject line.

No Purchase Necessary to Participate

~HOWEVER ~

Purchase any (1) Tempered novel and, along with Thib’s Teaser you will receive a Special Surprise Gift and your name will go into the drawing twice for the Grand Prize! Simply forward a copy of your receipt or proof of purchase to ppromocntst@aol.com (include your mailing address for the surprise gift).

Purchase 2 Tempered novels and in addition to Thib’sTeaser you will Receive a Special Surprise Gift, Your pick of a FREE download of either Choices or Cathy’s Angel and three chances to win the Grand Prize! Simply forward a copy of your receipt or proof of purchase to ppromocntst@aol.com (pick your short story and include your mailing address for your surprise gift)

Purcahse the first 3 Tempered novels (Tempered Hearts, Tempered Dreams & Tempered Fire) and in addition to Thib’s Teaser you will Receive: A Special Surprise Gift, Your pick of a FREE download of either Cathy’s Angel or Choices a FREE autographed copy of Tempered Joy and 4 chances to win the Grand Prize! Simply forward a copy of your receipt or proof of purchase to ppromocntst@aol.com (pick your short story and include your mailing address for your autographed copy of Tempered Joy & your surprise gift)

Together we can take the Tempered Series to Amazon’s Best Seller List!

**Amazon Purchase NOT Your ONLY Option**

If you purchase Any of the Tempered Series according to the rules above from your local book store, MAIL a copy of your receipt to Pertinent Promotions c/o Pamela S Thibodeaux, PO Box 324, Iowa, LA 70647 and your prizes will be the same as those listed.

Same rules apply if you purchase DIGITAL copies of The Tempered Books *Note* If you purchase digital copies of Tempered Hearts, Tempered Dreams, and Tempered Fire according to the rules above, you will receive a digital copy of Tempered Joy. *Digital copies also available @ All Romance Ebooks!

Winner will be announced on Feb 14th

*All entrants will be added to Pertinent Promotions and the Author’s personal mailing lists.*

Grand Prize: CD of my TWRP titles which includes 3 short stores (Cathy’s Angel, Choices, & A Hero for Jessica), 1 full-length novel The Inheritance and an advanced copy of my Upcoming Release Winter Madness (short story) and a Valentine Gift Basket!

New Review Site

2009-01-18T08:48:00.000-08:00

Hello All,
Great news here. I've just heard through the grapevine that there's a new book review site going up on the web. I know what you're thinking - another review site, ho hum. But this site is different and I'm guessing it's just what some of you have been waiting for.

Novel Editions is a site that reviews inspirational and "clean" books - books that don't include large amounts of graphic sex and violence. And no foul language either. I don't understand why some authors have to do all that cussing to tell their story anyway.

While there are many great review sites out there, those of us with more delicate tastes find ourselves a bit overwhelmed by all those book covers and banners featuring, well, you know. Now those sites have reviews for some good books on them, but what if I were on the computer that my son bought for me and one of the neighbors came over and caught me visiting one of those sites? Well, there'd be no end of talk about it. Some people just can't help gossiping, you know. Pretty soon all of Orchard Hill would think Cora Applebaum is some kind of sex maniac. And then they'd ask Pastor Isaac to visit me to discuss my problem and...you can see how this all gets out of hand.

So I'll stick with Novel Editions. They're still getting set up over there, so be patient when you stop by. I hear that Kara will be doing some of the reviews. I wondered what she was going to do now that she's finished her Orchard Hill series.

Cora Applebaum

White Roses in Bloom Blog

2009-01-12T03:51:00.001-08:00

It's quiet in Orchard Hill this week, so you may want to go over to the White Roses in Bloom blog. They have new members and a new look. Check it out: White Roses in Bloom.

Watch for Trivia Contest

2009-01-04T11:18:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

Did everyone have a good Christmas? I know I did, even though I ate too much and now my pants don't fit. It looks like I'll have to start doing more walking around my neighborhood and see if I can drop a few pounds. Plus I always enjoy seeing what my neighbors are up to.

Speaking of being up to something, I know Kara Lynn is putting together a contest for Valentine's Day. I guess you can't expect a romance writer to let that holiday pass without notice.

I don't have the details yet. All I know is that it will involve Orchard Hill Trivia and the winner will receive a complete set of Orchard Hill ebooks! Now that's a grand prize!

Here in Orchard Hill things are bustling even though it's the time of year when most people are burrowing in and expecting to wait out the winter. Not this year at the Orchard Hill Community church. This will be a banner year for brides here. Former enemies Pansy Parker and Misty Green were just married - not to each other, of course - in a double ceremony. Pansy married Misty's father and Misty married Pansy's son. I didn't think it would ever happen but the two ladies are on friendly terms with each other. Now that they're family I guess they had to put their feud aside.

Riley O'Neil and Grace Randall are getting ready for their Valentine's Day wedding and after that... Well, let's just say I could go broke buying wedding gifts this year!

Luckily, you don't need to worry about that. Just check back soon for more information about Kara's Valentine's Day contest.

Stay warm!
Cora Applebaum

Orchard Hill nominated for CAPA awards

2008-12-28T11:01:00.000-08:00

Cora here, reporting from Orchard Hill. The nominees for The Romance Studio's CAPA (Cupid And Psyche Awards)were announced recently on the site's yahoo loop. I'm happy to say that a number of Kara's fellow Wild Rose Press authors were nominated for awards, including White Roses in Bloom members Cindy K. Green for "Relationship Rescue," Carol Ann Erhardt for Joshua's Hope and Cami Checketts for The Broken Path. The first two were nominated from Inspirational Romance of the Year and the last for a Psyche Award. The Psyche Award is a category for romances that did not meet the nomination criteria but that reviewers felt deserved special recognition. Friends Sarita Leone and Sandra Kay were nominated as well - Sarita Leone's Bay Leaves and Bundles for a Psyche award and Sandra Kay's Heart of Stone for Contemporary Romance.

Kara and Orchard Hill did pretty well, too. Seven of the Orchard Hill Romances were nominated for Inspirational Romance of the Year - Saving Gracie, Entertaining Angel, Considering Lily, Keeping Faith, Accepting Charity, Disrupting Harmony and Losing Patience. In addition, Kara Lynn was nominated for Favorite Author.

I talked to Kara earlier today and she was very honored to have been recognized in this way, among so many other wonderful authors. She asked that I include a huge thanks to her editor and cover artist, Nicola Martinez and added "Remember earlier this year when I complained about how much work this series was? Well...um...never mind."

Don't forget, a new free Orchard Hill story was recently posted on Kara's website - An Angel's Advice. Please stop by and enjoy this short holiday story.

Cora Applebaum

Merry Christmas from Orchard Hill

2008-12-22T07:23:00.000-08:00

Well, with only a few days left to get ready for Christmas, almost everyone needs a break - but make it a short one because there's still presents to wrap and cards to mail and goodness knows what else to do.

In the midst of all that, Kara and I invite you to sit back and relax for a few minutes with a gift from Orchard Hill. The last Orchard Hill story, a free read has been posted at Kara's website. "An Angel's Advice" is the story of how Ian and Lily from "Considering Lily" finally get engaged. It involves a snowstorm, an angel, Santa Claus and a little glitter glue. I'm sure you'll love it.

And once you're finished, you'd better get going again. Those Christmas cookies won't bake themselves you know.

Wishing you peace and joy this Christmas,
Cora Applebaum

A Year in Orchad Hill

2008-12-14T15:30:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

The tree is up, the gifts have been made and bought, there are Christmas cut-outs in my cookie jar. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

"Finding Joy," the final installment in the Orchard Hill Romance series has been released and we are officially coming to an end of our year in Orchard Hill.

But it's not quite over yet. I know Cora has a few things she'd like to say. Plus, some might have noticed that there's something missing. I wrote "proposal" stories for Gracie and Riley, and for Angel and Jeff. Ian and Lily still need to have their story told.

My goal was to have their story finished by Thanksgiving, but that is long past and I'm still not done. Some edits for a novel that's being released next year got in the way. My new goal is to be finished by the end of this week. So watch for an announcement about Ian and Lily's story being posted on my website. Plus, there may be a few other surprises coming.

If you haven't yet read the other free Orchard Hill reads, you can find Riley and Gracie's story "A Long Silly Love Chase" on my website at karalynnrussell.googlepages.com. "Catching the Bouquet," Jeff and Angel's story is available at The Wild Rose Press. (I've also heard that WRP has some fabulous free Christmas stories availble.)

Enjoy this blessed season,

Kara

I'm over at Cindy's

2008-12-10T12:35:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone,
Come and join the Christmas Jubilee at author Cindy K. Green's blog. Every day this week she has excerpts, interviews, recipes and more from some great authors. My contributions will be up tomorrow.
See you there,
Kara

Cindy K. Green's Christmas Celebration

2008-12-04T15:40:00.000-08:00

December 8th to the 14th -- Come one, Come all to a special Christmas Book giveaway event. Make sure to pop in everyday for a chance to win. There will be lots going on everyday--all day long.

White Christmas Book Jubilee

14 Authors ~ 14 Holiday Book Giveaways

December 8th to December 14th

Free Books, Holiday Recipes, and Excerpts to warm you to the tips of your toes

Don’t miss the celebration!

http://cindykgreen.blogspot.com/

Schedule:

Monday, December 8th – Rose Ross Zediker & Jan Scarbrough

Tuesday, December 9th – Pamela Thibodeaux & Linda Swift

Wednesday, December 10th – Cindy K. Green & Sarita Leone

Thursday, December 11th – Kara Lynn Russell & Anna Kathryn Lanier

Friday, December 12th – Marianne Arkins & Stacey Joy Netzel

Saturday, December 13th – Nan Jacobs & Teri Wilson

Sunday, December 14th – Stacy Dawn & Carla Rossi

White Rose Christmas Celebration

2008-12-02T08:04:00.000-08:00

It's time to get out the tinsel and the mistletoe because the White Roses in Bloom are ready to celebrate Christmas! Watch for special posts all through the month on our blog in which your favorite White Rose authors share stories, tips, recipes and more to help you get ready for Christmas. You won't want to miss it. It will be much more relaxing than a trip to the mall.

Come back often this month to join in the celebration!

Kara

Gift Basket Winner!

2008-11-26T07:39:00.000-08:00

Good Morning All!
Kara Lynn asked me to announce the winner of her birthday drawing. As if I don’t have enough to do on the day before Thanksgiving, but oh well. My son is home for the holiday and it’s not that I don’t appreciate the visit, but…

Here is Wisconsin Thanksgiving is secondary. The real focus of the season is deer hunting season. My son brought several of his friends with them and they’ve been out in the woods every day. They get up at five a.m., bang around my kitchen, leave me a mess and then they’re off. They come home after dark, all smelly and sweaty, and expect me to have supper ready. I’m getting too old for this. I’m well past the age when I should be packing lunches and picking up dirty socks.

Not to mention that they’ve scared my poor cat nearly half to death. As soon as those lumbering oafs burst into my home, she skedaddled to under my bed and I don’t think she’s been out since. I can’t even convince her to go out for her nightly prowl.

So tomorrow is Thanksgiving and in the middle of all this chaos I’m supposed to produce a magnificent feast for this crowd. If they think they’re going to go sit in the woods all day and then come home to find a hot meal waiting for them, they have another think coming. I’ve got enough aprons and potato peelers to go around. If they aren’t interested in helping, I’m off to the church’s Thanksgiving supper and they can be on their own.

Wait. What were we talking about? Oh yes, the winner of the gift basket. I know Kara enjoyed her party immensely, even though I don’t see any sense in going to this sort of party. I mean, there’s not even any cake! But on the other hand, no one had to bring a gift. Anyway, the winner of the gift basket is Laurel Bradley. Laurel just happens to be another Wild Rose Press author. She wrote a fantastic romance called Crème Brulee Upset. Congratulations Laurel!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Cora Applebaum

Gift Basket Giveaway

2008-11-25T04:35:00.000-08:00

Thank you everyone who has left me their good wishes for my birthday. You have all been entered in the drawing for my Orchard Hill gift basket. Among other things that basket contains an apple scented candle, two amigurumi apples that I crocheted myself, a Christmas doily that my grandmother crocheted, and a copy of my Christmas book Nick and Noelle.

Now, I know what you're thinking. Nick and Noelle is not an Orchard Hills story. But Cora Applebaum, a well known Orchard Hill resident has endorsed it. Actually Cora told me she may be dropping into the party later today.

In the meantime, I thought I'd give you a little taste of Nick and Noelle:

“What I want,” the pastor stated “is for you two to learn how to get along. Separately you both have much to offer the church. Together – you’re a disaster waiting to happen.”

Nick and Noelle have been in competition against each other from their Christmas day births to their present adulthood. After their rivalry causes chaos at a youth group event, Pastor Thorn assigns Nick and Noelle the task of decorating the church for Christmas. Can Nick and Noelle cooperate? Will they end up killing each other – or maybe kissing each other?

Excerpt:
Nick straightened and turned toward Noelle. “I think we should do this.”

She considered, trying to estimate how much more damage they could do to the church if things went wrong.

“We can get along,” Nick sat up in his chair again, enthusiasm building on his face. “In fact…”

“In fact what?”

“I challenge you.”

Noelle covered her face with her hands and slumped down in her chair. A challenge. He was already making it into a competition. “Challenge me to what?”
He grinned at her, a vast improvement over the scowl he’d been wearing. “To get along with me, of course.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“You don’t think you can do it, do you?” he teased.

She might as well be back in grade school. Noelle had to resist the urge to stick her tongue out at Nick. “I can so.”

“Prove it.”

Let The Celebration Begin!

2008-11-24T06:02:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is my birthday, the big 4-O and since I can't avoid it, I'm going to celebrate all I can.

My celebration plans include spending much of the day in bed watching my favorite old sit-coms on TV, letting my husband make dinner (husband + dinner = take out)and sharing the raspberry cream cheese pie that I bought from my daughter's class fundraiser in place of a cake. I'll celebrate with my family on Thanksgiving.

You may also want to stop by the White Roses in Bloom blog. I posted an entry there on why I'm not depressed over turning 40.

My celebration also includes checking my blog frequently to reply to any comments you might leave and, after tomorrow, to draw a winner for my Orchard Hill gift basket. To enter, all you need to do is to leave a comment on my blog. Please be sure to include your email address in case you win.

I can't wait to hear from you all. Let the celebration begin!

Kara

Finding Joy Releases Wednesday

2008-11-17T06:02:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,
This is Cora here in Orchard Hill. Thanksgiving is coming up fast. Before the leftovers are gone we'll be swept up in Christmas preparations - sending cards, buying gifts, the annual quilter's circle Christmas Tea and so on. Before all the activity starts, it would be smart to enjoy the quiet with a good book or two.

Finding Joy, the final story in the Orchard Hill Romance series will be released from The Wild Rose Press on Wednesday. Kara sent me a blurb and excerpt to post for you -

Shy, timid Joy Harper, the organist for Orchard Hill Community Church has long been overlooked by Pastor Isaac. Then Pansy Parker announces she’s retiring and Joy is asked to fill in as secretary. With an unusually large number of weddings coming up and the Christmas holidays looming, Joy and Isaac put in a lot of hours together and he discovers a beautiful and caring woman beneath Joy’s reserved façade. Can he convince her that the only gift he wants for Christmas is her heart?

Excerpt (Isaac goes to Joy's house to ask about her filling in for Pansy)

“May I speak with Joy?”

“Certainly.” The woman led him to a room that reminded him of a Victorian parlor. “She’s filling the bird feeders, but I’ll call her in.”

The large window at one end of the room drew Isaac. It had a view of the back yard. There seemed to be plenty of bird feeders to fill. And they must need to be filled often he guessed. It was one busy bird restaurant out there. A broad lawn sloped down and away from the house. There were beds that must have flowers during summer and walks flanked by concrete planters. The lawn was also dotted with mature trees and shrubs, which no doubt, attracted the birds.

Then he saw her. Joy was standing completely still, the sunshine turning her hair to gold. A chickadee flew down to her outstretched hand and took some of the seed she offered. When the tiny ball of fluff took flight, another eagerly took his place.

Joy’s face was alight with happiness, and she looked more like an angel than ever, standing there with birds fluttering all around her. A brilliant red cardinal rested briefly on her shoulder and then flew away again. She laughed, and Isaac’s heart skipped a beat. What was he doing here?

Thanks for reading!
Cora

My Gift Basket Giveaway

2008-11-10T05:17:00.001-08:00

I'm giving away this Orchard Hill themed gift basket. To win, just stop by my blog and wish me a happy birthday on November 24th or 25th. Make sure to leave your contact info in case you win. I'll draw a name on November 26th.

The basket contains:
A copy of Nick and Noelle (I know this isn't an Orchard Hill Romance, but Cora Applebaum, an Orchard Hill resident recommends it.)

Two Amigurmi apples, one red and one green. Amigurumi refers to the Japanese craft of creating small, cute figures. These are crocheted by me.

A red, green and white doily, made by grandmother.

A spiced apple candle in a tin.

Aspen Mulling spices for some holiday cider.

Several Orchard Hill bookmarks - so you can share with your friends

And a few other surprises. I hope I'll hear from you on the 24th or 25th.

Kara

Losing Patience Released Today

2008-11-05T05:13:00.000-08:00

Losing Patience, the eighth story in my Orchard Hill Romance Series was released today from the Wild Rose Press.

Blurb:
Shaun Thiesen’s jealous nature and quick temper drove his wife Patience away. Since then he’s been through counseling with Pastor Isaac and gotten involved with the church. Now he’s just waiting for his second chance. When he learns Patience is visiting her parents for Thanksgiving, he thinks this may be it. In only a few precious days he has to win back his wife, and suddenly the stakes are raised when Patience tells him he’s going to be a father. Can Shaun show convince her they deserve a second chance?

Excerpt - Shaun and Patience's first meeting after their separation

He couldn’t believe how beautiful she was, with her long blonde hair hanging loose and that sweet smile lighting up her face as she walked towards him. She couldn’t be here to tell him she wanted a divorce if she smiled at him like that, could she?

Then his gaze dropped and... He tried to comprehend what he was seeing. Patience, his wife was...going to have a baby. His baby. He was going to be a father. And she hadn’t told him.

A wave of confusion, hurt, betrayal, fear broke over him. A slow burning sensation he knew well surged, pulsing in his temples—anger.

Patience stopped, and her eyes filled with tears. The look on her face made him hesitate. He’d driven her away with his ungovernable temper. If he lost it now, she’d run again. He knew he didn’t want that. But he knew he couldn’t contain his anger either. If he stayed, he would explode. So he turned around and left.

Thanks for reading!
Kara

November News

2008-11-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it's November already? This is a great time of year. I love the cool, crisp feel to the air, the spicy cranberry and pumpkin scents and flavors and the family gathering for Thanksgiving. November is also my birthday month. This year I find myself looking forward to that day with less enthusiasm than usual. Looming ahead is the dreaded Milestone Birthday. One of those that end with a (shudder) zero.

I've looked at this problem from every angle and decided there's no way I can avoid this event. So I might as well celebrate. One of the best things about birthdays is presents. Since I don't think everyone out in cyberspace is going to send me a birthday present, I've decided to give one instead.

In honor of my Orchard Hill Romance series, which will soon be drawing to a close, I created a gift basket. Stop by my blog November 24th or 25th to wish me a happy birthday, and you'll be entered in a drawing for my gift basket.

What's in the basket? Stay tuned for more information. Cora will post a picture and a description next week.

Kara

The End is Near!

2008-10-25T19:33:00.000-07:00

Hello All,
I hope you've been enjoying the fall colors. They are about finished here in Orchard Hill. All that's left is raking leaves.

Our official chronicler, Kara Lynn Russell tells me the final story in her series is completed. That's right, it's been written down who, for once and for all, won the matchmaker's contest. Of course I know who the winner was, but I'm not talking. You'll just have to wait and see for yourself.

Just as I'm sorry to see this year coming to an end, I'm glad I was here to enjoy it. At my age, you never know if you'll be here to see the next season.

I'm also sorry to see the end in site for the Orchard Hill series. I'll miss having all of you to visit with. You're such good listeners. But there's still plenty of story left to tell and fun to be had.

Next month, November, is Kara's birthday. I wouldn't want to say too much, but I hear it's one of those annoying birthdays that ends in '0.' I'm figuring Kara might need some cheering up, so I'm going to try to convince her to plan some festive events in November. Check back for news on the final two Orchard Hill stories, Losing Patience and Finding Joy. Plus, Kara will post the engagement story for Lily and Ian (Considering Lily) as a free read. Watch for news of "A Gift from St. Nick."

See you in November,
Cora Applebaum

New White Rose Portal

2008-10-14T05:27:00.000-07:00

The Wild Rose Press has created a new portal to their site made specifically for readers looking for inspirational romance. It was suggested to the owners that some readers may find certain titles on the main site offensive so they have responded by creating this portal, which leads directly to their "White Rose" inspirational line. It also allows access to the rest of The Wild Rose Press catalog, if the viewer so desires. In addition the portal provides links to the White Rose "coming soon" page and submission guidelines.

Stop by and visit at http://www.WhiteRosesBooks.com. They have up blurbs and covers from some of the newest White Rose releases. I especially love the cover for "Relationship Rescue" by Cindy K. Green. As much as I love the cover, I have to admit the story it represents is even better.

I hope you'll find your way to our new address!

Kara

Holidays are Coming

2008-10-08T06:23:00.000-07:00

Fall has definitely arrived here in Wisconsin. We're trading in shorts and t-shirts for jeans and sweatshirts. But nature is putting on its usual show of brilliantly colored leaves for us.

When fall arrives, it's certain that the holiday season is right behind. Kara has assured me that the holidays will be celebrated in the final three stories in her Orchard Hill series. The recently release Disrupting Harmony covers Halloween. Will Harmony be able to tame Joseph's terrible trio with the promise of fabulous costumes for the church's harvest celebration?

Next month Losing Patience will be released. Shaun Thiesen is planning on refusing his mother's invitation to Thanksgiving dinner. He's not ready to get over the hurt she caused him. Unexpectedly, his estranged wife shows up and -surprise- he finds out he's about to become a father. Suddenly making peace with both his mother and his wife become top priority.

Finally, in December the series will come to a close with Finding Joy. December is one of the busiest months of the year for Isaac, especially this year with so many weddings coming up and so many couples to provide pre-marriage counseling for. When church secretary Pansy Parker quits to prepare for her own wedding, Isaac thinks he is doomed. Pansy convinces painfully shy but fabulously talented musician Joy Harper to fill in for her. Isaac is sure this will be a disaster. Not only is Joy lacking in both secretarial and people skills, but he's had a secret crush on her for years.

And of course, you'll finally discover who wins the matchmaker contest in Finding Joy. I know, but my lips are sealed. Anyone care to take a guess at whether the winner will be Pansy or Misty?

That's all for now.
Cora Applebaum

Disrupting Harmony Available Soon

2008-09-25T18:14:00.000-07:00

Harmony Solberg is happy with her quiet, orderly existence. Then Joseph Velasquez and his brood of noisy children, teenagers move next door, shattering her peace. Against her will, she’s drawn into the children’s lives. Soon she’s sewing Halloween costumes and helping out with the church’s fall harvest party. Harmony realizes that she’d rather have a loud, chaotic life with Joseph and family than go back to her lonely old life but Joseph doesn’t seem to think she’s cut out for it. Will she be able to convince him, with a few tricks and maybe a treat or two?

True Love Never Runs Smoothly

Hope was very nice about the whole thing, considering that Joseph just showed up on her doorstep with Harmony that evening. Her eyes grew big when she opened the door and saw her brother with an overnight bag in one hand. With his other hand, he was holding onto the arm of a clearly outraged Harmony.

“Can Harmony stay with you tonight?” he asked abruptly.

“Um…sure.” She took a step back and motioned them inside. “Come in. Oliver and I were just watching a movie.”

Harmony glared at Joseph. “You see, she’s busy. I’ll be fine at my house.”

“Ignore her,” Joseph ordered his sister. “She needs a place to stay for the night, and she won’t stay at my house.”

Hope’s mouth dropped open and her gaze went back and forth between them. She obviously wanted to say something but was at a loss.

Oliver stuck his head out of the living room and said, “Hi Joseph, Harmony.”

“I’m sorry to interrupt your evening, Oliver,” said Harmony, with a scorching glance at Joseph. “But I wasn’t given much choice.”

“Is…is there a problem at Harmony’s?” asked Hope, a bit timidly.

“Yes,” replied Joseph at exactly the same time that Harmony said “No.”

Hope and Oliver exchanged looks. “Which is it?” Oliver ventured.

Harmony’s eyes narrowed and she pointed at Joseph. “The only problem is that my bathroom no longer has a door.”

Joseph’s face darkened further, which Harmony thought a remarkable feat. “If you had come out when I asked you, I wouldn’t have had to take it off the hinges.”

Back to School Time

2008-09-07T17:35:00.000-07:00

Cora here. I've finally caught up on all my reading so I'm back to report on the happenings in Orchard Hill.

School started last week. Now every morning I see children walking by my house on their way to the bus stop on the corner. (By the way, Tommy Jenkins, I know you're the one that's been teasing the new boy. You'd better knock it off or I'll let your mother know.) These kids have a happy school to go to this year, I'm guessing, after all the romances its employees found this summer.

At the end of the last school year, our elementary school principal, Andrew Thomas finally realized he loved his secretary Faith Fielding. The whole town knew she'd been in love with him for years, but apparently this intelligent, educated man didn't know his own feelings until Faith threatened to quit. Now Faith's got a ring on her finger and a smile on her face. Andrew looks pretty happy, too. What would he have done if his daughter and Faith's son hadn't stepped in to give him a little nudge in the right direction?

Then there was an unexpected development between gym teacher Oliver Lawrence and school librarian Hope Velasquez. We were all convinced that Oliver couldn't stand Hope. Boy, were we wrong! Their courtship was a field day for the town gossips. (I don't go in for that sort of stuff myself, but I admit to taking a concerned interest in my neighbors and Faith lives across the street from me.) Although they had a rocky start, Oliver and Hope are happy together now. Their engagement announcement took everyone by surprise, especially Hope's brother Joseph. I don't think Joseph is convinced that Oliver is good enough for his sister. This situation may not be resolved yet!

And then there's speech therapist Sarah Rogers. She offered to help David Daniels with his niece Charity. The poor man's sister passed away and left him as guardian to Charity. He didn't have a clue about how to deal with children, never mind one that has a disability. Anyone could see that they made the perfect family - anyone but Sarah that is! David had quite a time convincing her that he loved her for herself and not because she was great with Charity. You should see the ring she's wearing now! That diamond is so big I'm surprised Sarah doesn't need a wheelbarrow to haul it around in. In most cases I'd say that was just plain showing off, but Sarah deserves it. She's such a sweet girl and she had such a hard start in life. David really wanted to show her how much she meant to him.

You can read the stories of all three couples in Kara Lynn Russell's stories - "Keeping Faith," "Enduring Hope," and "Accepting Charity." All are available at the Wild Rose Press.

Looking Forward in Orchard Hill

2008-09-02T06:11:00.000-07:00

Accepting Charity is doing well - it's number one on The Wild Rose Press's inspirational bestseller list! It is number six in a nine story series. That means the final three are coming up yet. Those three revolve around events at the Orchard Hill Community Church and the three big holidays - Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Here's a little sneak peak:
#7 - Disrupting Harmony - Former television show host and expert homemaker Harmony Solberg is happy with her quiet, orderly existence. Then Joseph Velasquez and his brood of noisy children and teenagers move next door, shattering her peace. Against her will, she’s drawn into their lives. Soon she’s sewing Halloween costumes and helping out with the church’s Harvest Celebration. Harmony realizes that she’d rather have a loud, chaotic life with Joseph and family than go back to her picture-perfect, but lonely, old life. Then she receives an offer to host a new television show. Will she chose fame and fortune or home and family? You can read an excerpt from Disrupting Harmony at my website: karalynnrussell.googlepages.com.

#8 - Losing Patience - Shaun Thiesen’s jealous nature and quick temper drove his wife Patience away. Since then he’s been through counseling with Pastor Isaac and gotten involved with the church. Now he’s just waiting for his second chance. When he learns Patience is visiting her parents for Thanksgiving, he thinks this may be it. In only a few precious days he has to win back his wife, and suddenly the stakes are raised when Patience tells him he’s going to be a father. Can Shaun show Patience they deserve a second chance? Losing Patience has a little different tone to it. It's a little more serious than the other stories but I'm really happy with how it turned out. I'll put up an excerpt on my website soon.

#9 - Finding Joy - Shy, timid Joy Harper, the organist for Orchard Hill Community Church has long been overlooked by Pastor Isaac. Then Pansy Parker announces she’s retiring and Joy is asked to fill in as secretary. With an unusually large number of weddings coming up and the Christmas holidays looming, Joy and Isaac put in a lot of hours together and he discovers a beautiful and caring woman beneath Joy’s reserved façade. Can he convince her that the only gift he wants for Christmas is her heart? I believe this will wrap up the series nicely. Look for favorite characters from all the other Orchard Hill stories to make appearances.

Extra! - I'll also be putting out another free read about Ian and Lily from Considering Lily. In spite of Lily's gun shy attitude about relationships and marriage, they may just end up saying "I Do."

What comes after? I thought I'd be happy to see the end of Orchard Hill by the time I'd written all these stories. But I'm not. The characters have all become friends. (One good thing about being a writer. You're never lonely with all these people in your head to talk to.) I may have an idea for at least one more Orchard Hill story. As the saying goes "first comes love, then comes marriage..." We all know what comes after that!

Kara

Accepting Charity is released!

2008-08-21T05:25:00.000-07:00

"Accepting Charity" is now available from The Wild Rose Press. The sixth story in this series is the only one that doesn't feature the heroine's name in the title. So who's Charity, you ask? She's an adorable three year old whose mother has recently passed away. Her uncle, the hero of our story, is her new guardian. Only he doesn't know a lot about children in general, and he certainly doesn't know anything about raising a child who has special needs.

Charity has verbal developmental dyspraxia, which makes speaking very difficult for her. You can find out more about developmental dyspraxia in this Wikipedia article, which has links to more scholarly sites if you are not a Wikipedia person.

The inspiration for Charity was a beautiful little girl that I had the pleasure of knowing a few years ago when I worked as an aide in an early childhood classroom. She was bright, sweet, helpful, and very loving. But it was difficult for her to get more than one or two words out at a time. Fortunately there are programs such as Birth to Three and Early Childhood that can get children like Charity help when they are very little. These special needs kids work very hard but they have the hope of a bright future ahead of them, thanks to devoted teachers and therapists.

"Accepting Charity" is dedicated to one of those teachers. She was my daughter's birth to three teacher and also became one of my best friends. She always went above and beyond the call of duty for her students and their families. So here I'm formally saying "Thank you Theresa! We love you!"

Kara

Interview with Author Sarita Leone

2008-08-18T04:23:00.000-07:00

People have been telling me I need more variety on my blog here. What do they expect? Orchard Hill is a small town. It's not like there's that much to report. At least that I can make public on the internet, but if you ever stop by for coffee...

Anyway, to satisfy those critics, I've invited author Sarita Leone to tell us a little about herself and her work. Welcome Sarita.

Thank you so much for having me here, Cora. I'm thrilled to have this opportunity to chat with you!

Sarita, Tell us a little about yourself.

I don't know how else to say this so I'm just going to come out with it: I'm a very ordinary woman. Wonderfully blessed, incredibly happy, but really very ordinary. I've been married to the same amazing man for many years. We live in an old farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. Our days are spent puttering around the house and grounds. In my spare time I sew, work on needlecrafts, draw and read. Together my husband and I garden, hike and go rowing in the summer and in the winter we eat the fruits of our summer gardening endeavors, snowshoe and play a lot of chess. And I write every morning before the day "officially" begins. Like I said, I am pretty typical. I could be anyone, anywhere. Nothing spectacular here. Just an average woman leading a very satisfying life, and feeling very fortunate to be doing so.

I understand there's a ghost in your upcoming release Legal Tender. Can you tell us a little about her?

Granny Walker is a wise-cracking, advice-giving ghost who just won't move gracefully to the hereafter. She's passed on in an unfortunate manner, leaving a will that has so many stipulations to it she feels her granddaughter may still need her around—so she stays. Granny dispenses advice right and left about her farm and the way it should be run but mostly she comments on Lindy's love life. You see, in Granny's heart she just wants Lindy to be happy...so she tries to "nudge" her granddaughter toward finding true love and contentment.

Lindy, your heroine in Legal Tender is a city girl who's stuck in the country. What adjustments does she have to make?

Poor Lindy! She has to give up so much to fulfill the stipulations of Granny's will! She moves from the city to the farm and stays put while her sometimes boyfriend takes the dream trip to Europe they'd been planning. As if that's not enough, Lindy's got to learn the ins and outs of running a successful strawberry and apple operation. She's gone from taking the subway to driving a tractor, but she's managed to do it gracefully. Lindy's one of the strongest heroines I've written so far.

Legal Tender is a mystery. What does Lindy need to find out?

So many things, really. There's a cloud surrounding Granny's death that needs to be dispelled. Also, her cousin Jenna has an agenda for the farm which she must unravel. And maybe the most important mystery for Lindy to deal with is the one that we all deal with at one time or another...the search for self. Lindy makes some big changes, takes quite a few leaps of faith, but she's still faced with serious issues. She's got to decide who she is, where she's going, and what she wants. And she must discover the mystery of her own heart—something that isn't always easy, even when the heart in question is one's own.

Your book is also a romance. Give us the scoop on that.

One of the stipulations in Granny Walker's will is that Lindy will marry within two years. So Lindy--with an other-worldly push from her grandmother—sets about finding true love. She's got to fulfill the legal obligation but, more importantly, she must satisfy the demands of her heart. Lindy is determined to find romance and love or forfeit her inheritance. Even with three men vying for her attention Lindy takes her time deciding whether or not any of the men she's got feelings for are "Mr. Right."

When and where can I buy this book?

Legal Tender will be released from Whiskey Creek Press on September 1st.

http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=93

Signed copies are available for pre-order through my blog, From the Heart. The email address for pre-orders is snowdancebooks@gmail.com

September 1st! I can't wait that long. What other books do you have out?

Snowdance, my first book, is the story of a woman's life, told by the nearly 100-year-old woman herself. Elinor Montoya is one of those ladies who lives an extraordinary life—ordinarily—and tells about it, through letters and reminiscences on a snowy afternoon.

Vineyard Mambo is a cozy romantic mystery. When a body is found in the quiet little town of Milton Falls, librarian Anna Romeo decides that murder and mayhem won't do—not in her town. She sets out to discover who's killing people, setting fires and causing so much disruption that the annual Zucchini Festival may be postponed. Anna loves the festival, and her friends and neighbors, and won't rest until order is restored. This is the first Anna Romeo mystery. I have a feeling Anna and her brilliant cat, Merlot, may make more appearances on the bookshelf.

Sniffing Sand is the first in a series of romantic mysteries set on the small island of Chincoteague, Virginia. When Nina's husband leaves her alone in their new, gorgeous beach house, she has to decide how she's going to pick up the pieces of her chaotic life and move forward. She seems to be doing that—until a body turns up on the beach, practically outside her back door! With the help of a handsome police chief and her best friend since childhood, Nina learns that sometimes even the most shocking events in life can be turned into something good. It's a story of overcoming and uncovering, island-style. The second book in this series, Sandswept, releases in December.

Cora, thank you so much for having me here. I've enjoyed this visit more than I can say!

Me too, Sarita. If you're ever in Orchard Hill stop by and we'll have coffee. Then I'll give you the scoop on what I can't print on my blog!

For more information on Sarita Leone and her work visit her website - http://www.saritaleone.com/ - or her wonderful blog - From the Heart

5 Star Review for Accepting Charity

2008-08-13T05:10:00.000-07:00

Manic Readers gave "Accepting Charity" a 5 star review. Thank you Valerie for a great review!

Scroll down to Monday's entry for an excerpt from "Accepting Charity." This story will be released next Wednesday from The Wild Rose Press.

Accepting Charity coming Soon

2008-08-11T04:40:00.000-07:00

It's time for the next Orchard Hill story to be released and so Kara Lynn sent me an excerpt to post. This is a really good one. That Sarah deserves a great guy like David. And little Charity deserves to have great parents like her uncle and his new wife-to-be. I've heard tell that they staged a fake engagement to fool that lady that wanted to take Charity away from David. Who knows? However it started, it sure is real now.

Excerpt
Sarah reached for the door handle, but before she opened it, David spoke again. “One
more thing.”

“What?”

“What about physical stuff.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know, engaged people hold hands and hug and…”

“And kiss.” Sarah groaned. “How did everything get so out of control?”

David knew he was treading on dangerous ground, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. “Maybe we should practice?”

“Practice?”

“Yeah. I think we should try a practice kiss, so the first time we have to kiss in public, it won’t be so awkward.”

“Why would we have to kiss in public?”

“Because that’s what people who are in love do, Sarah. I’m not saying we have to put on an exhibition, but we should at least kiss each other hello and good-bye.”

Sarah looked doubtful. “I suppose.”

“So I think we should practice.”

“When?”

“How about right here, right now.”

“Are you serious?”

“Totally. Trust me, this is the best thing to do. We’ll just get it over with and then the next time won’t be so awkward.”

Sarah considered. “Maybe you’re right.”

“I know I am.” He reached across the seat and took Sarah in his arms.

She giggled nervously. “This is ridiculous.”

“Usually I get to kiss a girl before she laughs at me.”

“I’m not laughing at you. Just the situation.”

“Enough talk. How about some action?” he teased.

David’s only intention had been to steal a simple kiss, but the moment his lips touched hers, he knew nothing would ever be simple between them. Instead of letting go, he pulled her even closer. She felt perfect in his arms. The world faded away, and he was aware of nothing but Sarah. He felt her heart beating against his chest, her form filling his arms, her lips moving against his. The word ‘home’ drifted
into his mind.

****

Maybe that's a good place to leave off. Is it just me or is it getting hot in here? Anyway, come back soon to hear about Sarita Leone's latest release Legal Tender.

Back to School Reading Tips from Hope

2008-08-04T09:46:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,
Cora asked me to fill in for her today. It seems she downloaded a few too many new ebooks and doesn't have time to do the blog today. I thought this might be a great opportunity for me to talk about reading.

As a school librarian, I get questions all the time on what kids should be reading. I don't have a specific list of titles that your child should read, but I have a few ideas I'd like to express.

First of all, everyone can be a reader. If your child is not reading there's a reason. He or she is not enjoying it! No one is going to read because it is good for them. But they will read if they find it fun or interesting.

The same book doesn't fit every child, just as the same pair of shoes wouldn't fit every child. There a wide range of differences in a child's ability, attention span, and preferred learning style. Fortunately there's also a wide range of options in how we read these days. Traditional print media is very important, but if your child isn't enjoying it, you may need to let them try something else for a while. Using alternate formats doesn't stop a child from reading print books. It is more likely to encourage it than anything else. So feel free to let your children try:
1. Audio Books
2. Graphic Novels
3. Ebooks
4. Magazines
5. Print books in non-traditional format. There are many nonfiction books out now that feature great illustrations and photos and have information broken up into bite-size chunks. A hybrid of novel and comic book has appeared recently in such works as Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney.
5. DVDs - No, DVDs don't count as reading, but you could use them to springboard your child's interest in reading the book the movie was based on, or offer watching the DVD as a reward for reading the book.

My final suggestion - take your kids to the library and see all of what there is to offer. There's a type of book out there for everyone that will make reading enjoyable for them and librarians are excellent at figuring this sort of thing out. How about planning a trip with your child right now?

Hope Velasquez

New Release from Cindy K. Green

2008-07-30T05:35:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,
I know its been a while since you've heard from me. I've been visiting with my sister in Michigan. This is what I have to say about that: "There's no place like home." I love my sister, but being dragged to every blessed yard sale and flea market within a hundred mile radius of her house is not my idea of a vacation.

I did get to have a nice visit with my niece and her family. My niece said that since I was getting so handy with a computer I should try some of these ebook things. She showed me how to download books from The Wild Rose Press site where Kara Lynn Russell's Orchard Hill stories are published. Ha! Now I can download them and see if she got the facts right. I might even enter the Wild Rose Press contest to win a Sony ebook reader. I wish I'd had one of those while I waiting for my sister to finish wandering around those flea markets.

I just finished reading "A Night of NovelTea" by Cindy K. Green and it was very well done. If I were a few years younger, I would have gone chasing after that Grant fellow myself. Let's just say that when all was said and done, I bet Juliet decided that dumpster incident was worth it.

Today I see that the sequel "NovelTea Next Door" has been released. I just have to see what happens to Grant and Juliet next.

So I'm going to put up my feet (my bunions are still hurting from walking around all those yard sales!) and have a good read.

Belle's Two Cents

2008-07-16T07:11:00.000-07:00

Hi, Belle here. Last, as usual. I hate being the youngest. Dori and Lucy never listen to me, even if I'm only a few minutes younger and not like years younger than they are.

We are on summer vacation right now and every week Aunt Hope takes us to the library. Dori complains that it's boring there and Lucy just wants to check out DVDs. They are so lame. I love going to the library. This year the summer reading theme is "Catch the Reading Bug." I don't like bugs, but I do like books. Maybe someday I'll be a librarian like Aunt Hope. Or maybe I'll write the books that are in the library.

Lucy says she wants to be a nurse when she grows up. She thinks working in a hospital would be exciting. Dori just says she wants to be rich. Talk about lame.

Still sometimes it is good to have Dori and Lucy around. I always have someone to play with, even if we have to play what Dori wants. And if someone is bothering my at school, like that bully Mindy Anderson, Dori always makes them quit. I guess it would have been scary to be all alone when Mom got sick, too.

Maybe it's not so bad being a triplet. Sometimes.

Belle

2008-07-10T04:35:00.000-07:00

Hi,
I'm Lucy. If you read my sister Dori's post before mine, you know that we and our other sister Belle are living with my Uncle Joseph's family while my mom is away.

Don't tell Dori I said so, but I think we are really lucky. It's bad that our mom is sick and had to go away. It's good that we have Uncle Joseph and Aunt Hope to take care of us. In fact, Uncle Joseph and Aunt Hope have even had arguments over who should get to keep us.

This is really amazing because Dori, who always has to be the boss, is very good at getting us into trouble. Her ideas sound good to start with, but somehow they don't end up that way. Like the time we hid on Aunt Hope and she got scared. We made her cry, which is bad.

Aunt Hope is getting married to a man named Oliver. We weren't sure we'd like him at first because he told us a lie. But he also takes us with him and Aunt Hope for ice cream and I love ice cream, so I guess he's all right. Oliver is our gym teacher at school and we have to call him Mr. Laurence there. He'll be Uncle Oliver after he and Aunt Hope get married. Aunt Hope says we can be flower girls at her wedding.

Dori says she'll get to go down the aisle first because she's the oldest. I don't see what that's got to do with anything. Just because she was born first, it doesn't mean she can go first at everything our entire lives! I asked her if she'd ever heard of taking turns and she said that didn't count for triplets.

Oh well. At least I'll get to wear a pretty dress and carry a basket full of rose petals or something like that. Aunt Hope says we can get our hair and nails done, too. I will feel just like a princess, I think.

That's all I have to say.

Dori

Terrible Trio Blogging this Week

2008-07-08T05:05:00.000-07:00

Hi,
This is Dori. You may have read a little about me and my sisters in "Enduring Hope." We're triplets named Dori, Lucy and Belle. Our mom has been sick so we live with our Uncle Joseph for now. Ms. Russell asked us each to write a little bit about Orchard Hill since Ms. Applebaum is on vacation, visiting her sister in Michigan.

Ms. Russell is helping me with the spelling and stuff like that. I'm not so good at that, but we're only going into second grade this fall, so give me a break. Belle thinks she should get to write first because she is good at that stuff, but I'm the oldest so I always get to go first. I keep telling her that's the law, but she doesn't believe me.

So, what do I think of Orchard Hill? It's a dumb place to live. I hate it here and I want my mother back. But it is sort of nice at Uncle Joseph's. There's always someone around if we need them. And no one ever forgets to buy food or toilet paper or stuff like that. And we really like being with Abby. She's our older cousin. She knows all this cool stuff, like how to drive. She'll be getting her license soon. She doesn't know anything about make up though, because Uncle Joseph won't let her wear any. Sometimes Uncle Joseph is a real party pooper.

He has rules about everything. He says what time we go to bed and how much TV we can watch and how many vegetables we have to eat before we can have desert. He is a tyrant. I learned that word in school last year. It means he's really bossy and makes you do everything he wants you to. He even makes us go to church - every single Sunday.

Then there are the boys. They are Abby's brothers, Noah and Peter. Noah is old, like almost eighteen. He doesn't pay much attention to us. Sometimes Peter will play with us, but mostly he says he's too old, even though he's only fourteen. That's old, but not that old.

So that's my family, except for Aunt Hope, but Lucy wants to write about her, so I guess that's about it for me. Thanks for reading (Uncle Joseph told me I had to say that.)

Dori

Accepting Charity on sale August 20th

2008-06-30T06:47:00.000-07:00

Kara Lynn has just given me the news that Sarah and David's story will be released from The Wild Rose Press on August 20. I know what you're thinking. If Sarah is the heroine, then who's Charity? Charity is David's niece, who he had unexpectedly become guardian of. David isn't sure if he's ready to be a parent, and Charity has a disability that adds an extra challange. She has - let me see if I can remember what Sarah told me - Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia. This condition makes it difficult for Charity to speak, although she's smart as a whip and understands everything that's going on around her.

I asked Kara Lynn what she knew about the condition. Here's her reply. "I used to work as an aide in an early childhood class. That's a special ed class for three and four year olds. There was a little girl in my class who had the same challange as Charity. She was very sweet and shy, but not being able to talk much is a real problem, even for a three year old. During the summer school session, when we did not have our regular bus drivers, they forgot to drop her off at her house, not once but THREE TIMES! How frightening for her. She was small, so they couldn't see her head above the seats, and she couldn't answer when they called out to see if she was there. Being shy, she was also afraid to draw attention to herself once they passed her house. She was not discovered until after all the other children had been dropped off and by then her mother was frantic, no doubt. But she was a delightful child and very much like Charity in the story. I'm sure she has a bright future."

That about sums it up. Come back soon, and I'm sure Kara will let me post an excerpt from "Accepting Charity."

Cora Applebaum

Keeping Faith is on the Palm store's Bestseller List!

2008-06-26T05:38:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't understand a lot about these newfangled palm pilots and such. To me PDA stands for Pretty Darn Aggravating. But Kara tells me this is good news. "Keeping Faith" is listed as a bestseller at the Palm bookstore. To celebrate, she's asked me to post an excerpt. So here it is -

Andrew has heard a rumor that Faith is quitting her job because she’s having trouble with a man at work and he confronts her about it.

…Andrew moved closer to Faith. His voice was low, but charged with an emotion Faith couldn’t identify. “I don’t know why you’re acting like this Faith, but I’m going to find out. I can’t stand the thought of anyone hurting you.”

She tried to back away, but he caught her hands and held her there. “You don’t know anything about it,” she repeated.

“That’s because you won’t tell me.” He pulled her even closer, and Faith’s heart started to beat faster. “You’re important to me, Faith. I need you.”

She allowed her body to lean into his, and he let go of her hands to put his arms around her. They stood like that for a moment. Faith was sure Andrew was going to kiss her. He lowered his head and said. “You’re the best secretary I’ve ever had.”

Anger flared in Faith. She shoved Andrew away from her. “Go home! Nothing happened that you can solve. It’s my problem and I’ll handle it.”

“By running away?”

“I’m not running away. I’m starting over.”

They glared at each other for a few heated moments. “Fine,” he said. “I’ll leave.” At the door, he turned and added “But I will find out, Faith. You can count on that.”

I'll have some more info on upcoming Orchard Hill stories next week.

Cora Applebaum

And the Winner is...

2008-06-14T04:54:00.000-07:00

Kara Lynn wanted to tell you who the winner of the drawing for the free download of "Enduring Hope" is herself. This entry is from her. I'm taking a well deserved break after a busy week here. I wonder where that cat has gotten to? I may have to go look for her. - Cora

Thank you everyone who took the time to stop by this week. I am overwhelmed by the response. So I’ve decided to give away two copies of “Enduring Hope” rather than one. I had my daughter draw the names. There is nothing like a teenager for complete indifference…I mean objectivity.

And the winners are…..Sarita Leone and Rose Ross Zediker. Congratulations! I'll be contacting you soon.

If you didn’t win, please don’t be disheartened. There are four Orchard Hill stories yet to come. I’ll leave you with a sneak peek at “Accepting Charity” OHR #6. This is the only story that doesn’t refer to the heroine in the title. Keep that in mind in case I ever decide to run an Orchard Hill trivia contest.

David Daniels has been left with custody of his three year old niece on the death of his sister. Misty Green introduces him to Sarah Rogers, a speech therapist at the Orchard Hill Elementary School. Sarah helps David understand the condition that Charity is challenged with – Verbal Developmental Dyspraxia. Her disability makes speech difficult and at times impossible.

Although he loves his niece very much, David doesn’t think he’ll make a good parent because he travels a lot for his job. But when another relative, who is definitely not a fit guardian, makes a bid to adopt Charity he will do anything to prevent it – including entering into a fake engagement with Sarah. But the more time he spends with Sarah, the more he realizes that she’s just what he and Charity both need.

And now for the excerpt:

Sarah reached for the door handle, but before she opened it, David spoke again. “One more thing.”

“What?”

“What about physical stuff.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know, engaged people hold hands and hug and…”

“And kiss.” Sarah groaned. “How did everything get so out of control?”

David knew he was treading on dangerous ground, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. “Maybe we should practice?”

“Practice?”

“Yeah. I think we should try a practice kiss, so the first time we have to kiss in public, it won’t be so awkward.”

“Why would we have to kiss in public?”

“Because that’s what people who are in love do, Sarah. I’m not saying we have to put on an exhibition, but we should at least kiss each other hello and good-bye.”

Sarah looked doubtful. “I suppose.”

“So I think we should practice.”

“When?”

“How about right here, right now.”

“Are you serious?”

“Totally. Trust me, this is the best thing to do. We’ll just get it over with and then the next time won’t be so awkward.”

Sarah considered. “Maybe you’re right.”

“I know I am.” He reached across the seat and took Sarah in his arms.

She giggled nervously. “This is ridiculous.”

“Usually I get to kiss a girl before she laughs at me.”

“I’m not laughing at you. Just the situation.”

“Enough talk. How about some action?” he teased.

David’s only intention had been to steal a simple kiss, but the moment his lips touched hers, he knew nothing would ever be simple between them. Instead of letting go, he pulled her even closer. She felt perfect in his arms.

The world faded away, and he was aware of nothing but Sarah. He felt her heart beating against his chest, her form filling his arms, her lips moving against his. The word ‘home’ drifted into his mind.

From what seemed like a long way away, there was a sharp knocking sound. Suddenly Sarah shoved him away. Confused by the abrupt shift back to reality, David blinked and the world swam back into focus. Sarah’s friend Hope was knocking at the window.
“Come on, you two,” she shouted. “You’ll have plenty of time for that later. I’m starving. Let’s go eat.”

Sarah opened the door a crack and said. “We’ll be right there.”

“No way,” Hope insisted. “If we leave, you’ll just go back to what you were doing.”

Oliver stepped in and pulled Hope away. “We’ll be inside,” he called back.

Sarah turned back to David and speared him with a sizzling glare. “Got any more bright ideas?”

You can find more information on Orchard Hill on my website - karalynnrussell.googplepages.com.

Thanks for reading,
Kara Lynn Russell

An Interview with Cindy K. Green

2008-06-13T04:36:00.000-07:00

Today I'm talking with Cindy K. Green, author of Meeting Mr. Right Online, recently released from By Grace Publishing.

Cindy, what else have you written?

Actually, I have a long list of titles. By the end of 2008, I’ll have ten releases to my name. With the Wild Rose Press, I’ve written a couple Inspirationals: my full-length novel, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding; a short story, Relationship Rescue; and a short Historical novella, Dilemma of the Heart. At The Wild Rose Press, you can also find my romantic suspense NovelTea Series. Book #1 (A Night of NovelTea) is available now and Book #2 (NovelTea Next Door) releases July 30th. From By Grace Publishing, I have several sweet, Inspirational, and even sensual books available including my newest release, Meeting Mr. Right Online, a sweet chicklit novella.

Do you think there are any similarities between your writing and Ms. Russell's?

Yes, I definitely do. In fact, at one time, we both named a character Grace Ryan (which became the heroine in Kara’s Saving Gracie). I’ve been very fortunate to have met Ms. Russell both as a colleague and a friend. We share similar tastes in reading and writing and in that way are able to help and encourage each other. It’s important to have a critique partner who ‘get’s’ you and ‘get’s’ your writing. I’ve been blessed in having that in Kara Russell.

You and Kara are sometimes critique partners. Have you read any of "Enduring Hope," the next Orchard Hill story to be released? And if so, what did you think about it? I only ask because I want to make sure Ms. Russell got the details right.

I have read some of Enduring Hope and look forward to reading the completed version. Hope and Oliver are a fun pair. They seem like complete opposites, but in time you find they do have more in common than originally thought. Ms. Russell always brings something new and fun to each story. I’m always amazed at how varied she is at bringing to life a new couple for us to follow.

Do you have any favorite characters from Orchard Hill?

Gracie and Riley from the first book will always be a favorite. But I can’t wait for everyone to meet David, Sarah and Charity in Accepting Charity which comes out in August. Great story with fun twists.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a new Inspirational called Romancing Miss Abbot. This book is a romantic comedy as well as Inspirational. Let’s just say that the hero and heroine in this story have a colliding first meeting which ends in him getting a bloody nose. I’m also polishing up a high fantasy romance called The Princess and the Outlaw. And I hope to finish my full-length historical, Redemption of the Heart which is the sequel to Dilemma of the Heart.

Who do you think will win the matchmaker's challenge, Pansy or Misty?

Oooh that's hard to say. They are both doing very well in this contest. It may end up with inconclusive results. ;) aka: a tie!

You can visit Cindy on the web at cindykgreen.com to find out more about her and her wonderful books. And watch for the short story "The Thing About Temping" to appear soon in the Free Reads section of The Wild Rose Press.

Coffee with Cora at the Grace Place

2008-06-12T06:03:00.000-07:00

This is Cora Applebaum again. Thanks for meeting me at the Grace Place. Go ahead and get some coffee and maybe try one of those little pastries that look like cream puffs. They’re called “knee-caps” around here, you know.

OK, you’ve got your coffee now. It smells delicious. And I see you took my advice about the knee caps. Do you really think two, though? Well, it’s not my place to say.

An old woman like myself, I have a lot of time for observing people. But I just keep it all to myself, of course. I’m not one to go around telling tales, you know.

For example, my next door neighbor, Hope Velasquez, has been having an interesting summer. I’ve seen her several times with that new gym teacher Oliver Laurence. Just between the two of us, he’s not hard on the eyes. I see him out running a couple of times a week, in those little shorts he wears. It’s practically indecent, but that’s the way things are today, I guess.

Anyway, this Oliver seems to be interested in Hope, but I don’t think he knows how to show it. There’s been stories…I’ve heard those two snuck off in some corner at a party and then not long after that, he was seen dragging Hope out of the pizza parlor. I don’t know what’s going on there, but I have to tell you, there have been some mighty steamy kisses on her front porch. I only noticed because I was looking for my cat. She usually comes home about the time this happened. You know I’m not nosy or anything.

I wonder what Hope’s best friend Sarah thinks of all this? That girl could use a nice young man to pay attention to her. She’s so sweet, and I’ve heard she’s great with the kids at the elementary. Sarah works there as a speech therapist, you know. There’s just got to be someone out there for her. I was telling Misty Green that the other day and she got this strange look on her face. Now, Misty’s been known to dabble in matchmaking. I wonder if she’s planning something.

Now, there’s no doubt in my mind about how Hope’s brother Joseph feels about all these goings-on. I’ve heard he confronted Oliver about it, in the church building, no less. Joseph’s pretty protective of his little sister. I think Oliver had better watch out.

Unless Joseph gets distracted by those three nieces of his that he took in. Dori, Lucy and Belle are their names, but I hear that at the school, they’re known as the “terrible trio.” It’s a wonder Joseph can handle them all by himself, on top of his own three children. It must be three years or more since his wife passed away. Now there’s a man who could use a wife. But how many women would want to take a household like that? I asked Pansy Parker that question the other day and she said she could think of someone. I wonder who she meant.? To be honest, Pansy is a bit of a matchmaker herself.

Are you finished already? Well, I don’t want to keep you. I know how you young folks are always rushing around with things to do. Who wants to sit around with an old lady like me. I have nothing to talk about anyway.

Thanks for having coffee with me. Let’s do it again real soon.

(Kara’s note: Sarah’s story will be told in Accepting Charity and Joseph’s in Disrupting Harmony.)

An Interview with Nicola Martinez

2008-06-11T06:43:00.000-07:00

Today I'm talking with Nicola Martinez, the editor for the Orchard Hill Romances and also the cover designer.

What role have you played in the Orchard Hill stories?

I just get to read and enjoy them. Kara Lynn does all the hard work. She's developed an entertaining series.

The covers for the stories are absolutely beautiful, even better than some of Angel Marcel's work. How do you do it?

You are too kind! I wanted there to be a continuity between the covers. Saving Gracie was the toughest, but after I focused on Gracie, I decided all the covers would focus on the heroine in each respective story with a little hint of what's between the pages as a backdrop for her.

I especially like the logo for the Orchard Hill stories. Where did you get the idea for it?

Thanks. I'm glad you like it so well! I knew the logo had to be an apple tree--we are in Orchard Hill, after all--and since the entire series revolves around our rival cupids, the arrow came into play.

As Ms. Russell's editor, do you have any inside information on the author? What is she like to work with? Any bad spelling? Missed deadlines? Poor grammar?

Kara Lynn is terrific to work with. She never misses a deadline, takes instruction so well, that each project comes in with less editing needed than the project before--not that she was ever "bad"--and she's a sweetheart personality. She's an editor's dream, is what she is.

Hmmm. I'm not sure I buy this. But never mind. Let's move on.

What do you like about being an editor?

There are many aspects to editing which I enjoy, but my greatest pleasure comes in being able to help an author see the fruition of his or her dream. It's a privilege to get to share in the excitement.

Who do you think will win the matchmaker's challenge, Pansy or Misty?

Ah, now you know I can't answer that. I can't play favourites. OK, maybe I'm leaning a little towards Pansy...no wait, Misty...See? I'm rooting for them both.

An excerpt and a free read!

2008-06-10T05:08:00.000-07:00

Exciting news! A free Orchard Hill story is now being offered by the Wild Rose Press as part of their new free reads program. "Catching the Bouquet" features Jeff and Angel, the couple from "Entertaining Angel." This really is a big week for Orchard Hill!

Some of you may not know this, but there's another free Orchard Hill story available on Kara Lynn's website. In "A Long Silly Love Chase" Steve decides he wants Gracie back, but Riley's not about to give her up.

Before you run off to check out those other stories, here's the promised excerpt from "Enduring Hope." You won't see this one posted anywhere else!

***

Enduring Hope 3
Confused by his feelings for Hope, Oliver decides to keep his distance from her for a while. But unfortunately this has left her open to his rival Jordan’s advances.

“Too bad you weren’t fast enough when Hope asked for a ride home. I’ll be taking over that duty tonight. And I plan on getting more than a good night handshake in return, if you know what I mean.”

That did it. Oliver stood up so quickly the stool he was sitting on wobbled and threatened to tip over. Pushing past Jordan, he strode to their table, grabbed Hope’s arm and hauled her out of her chair.

Shock registered on her face. “What are you doing?”

“I’m taking you home.”

“But I’m not finished…”

“Hope, we’re leaving now.” Oliver pulled her along behind him, oblivious to the questioning looks from his teammates.

As they passed Jordan, he opened his mouth as if to protest, but Oliver glared at him, and Jordan didn’t say a word.

They came out into the fading light in the parking lot. Oliver opened the passenger door of his car and handed Hope in. Then, he went around to the driver’s side and slid into his seat.

“Oliver, what…”

“Save it,” he growled and backed out of the parking space.

Hope was silent during the entire drive to his house, but he could tell she was angry. He didn’t care. He was angry, too.

When they arrived at her house, he went around to open her door again, but she’d already left the car and was halfway up the walk. He caught up with her and followed her into the house.

Two steps inside she rounded on him and shouted “Why did you do that?”

“Because Jordan started telling me his plans for your ride home, how he’d be taking the ‘scenic route’ and such. How could you accept a ride from that jerk?” Oliver yelled back.

“I didn’t want to, but no one else offered.”

“He was all over you from the minute you said ‘yes.’”

“I can handle guys like Jordan. It’s you that I don’t know what to do with.”

He’d never seen her so angry before. Her eyes were dark and stormy, her hands clenched into fists at her side, and her whole body shook with emotion. She was beautiful that way, filled with fire and passion.

She may not know what to do with him, but he knew exactly what he wanted from her. He took a step toward her, and she backed up, bumping into the wall behind her. He moved closer, until his body was pressing her against the wall. Then his mouth captured hers.

***

Please stop by tomorrow to read an interview with the editor and cover artist for the Orchard Hill series, Nicola Martinez. She's a wonderful lady and interviewing her was a pleasure. Remember to leave a comment, so you can be entered in the drawing. Multiple entries are fine, so leave a comment every day if you wish.

See you tomorrow!

Cora Applebaum

Stacey Joy Netzel and Donna Marie Rogers on Small Town Romance

2008-06-08T17:04:00.000-07:00

Cora Applebaum here. With the fifth Orchard Hill Romance due out on Wednesday of this week, I thought it was time to take a look at what makes this series so special. Please stop by every day this week for interviews, excerpts and a chance to win your own copy of "Enduring Hope." Just leave a comment on the blog this week and a way to contact you and you'll be entered in the drawing. The winner will be chosen on Friday.

Today I'm posting an interview I did recently with Wild Rose Press Romance authors Stacey Joy Netzel and Donna Marie Rogers. These talented ladies were kind enough to take time from their busy schedules and chat with me. Let me introduce them to you.

Stacey Joy Netzel fell in love with books at a young age, so for her it seemed only natural to graduate to writing them. A member of RWA and WisRWA, she credits not only her parents for encouraging her dreams of becoming a published author, but also the very talented friends she’s made in WisRWA since joining in 2004. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and kids, a couple of horses, and three barn cats. When not writing and living life in general, she loves to read and watch movies—Happily Ever After’s a must. You can visit Stacey at: staceyjoynetzel.com.

Donna Marie Rogers lives in a renovated old schoolhouse in beautiful Northeast Wisconsin with her husband and children. She's an avid gardener and home-canner, as well as an admitted reality TV junkie. Her passion to read is only exceeded by her passion to write, so when she's not doing the wife and mother thing, you can usually find her sitting at her computer creating exciting new characters, fresh new worlds, and always happily-ever-afters. Please visit her at: www.DonnaMarieRogers.com

I understand you two have written a book of short stories set in a small town in Wisconsin called Welcome to Redemption. What is Redemption like and is it like Orchard Hill at all?

Stacey: In my mind, Redemption is very similar to Crivitz, the town I grew up in in Northeast Wisconsin, only ‘newer’ and a little bigger. Crivitz has population about 1000, and Redemption is somewhere between 5000-8000. It has a sense of family and the familiar, where everyone knows everyone, and that includes, sometimes unfortunately, everyone knowing everyone else’s business, too. Living between two small towns now, I think many small towns in the Midwest are basically alike, and after reading Saving Grace and Entertaining Angel, I have no problem picturing Orchard Hill in my mind. In fact, with Angel flying into the Green Bay airport, it kinda sounds like it’s not far from Redemption. LOL Maybe I’ll have Tara take Wes for a Harley ride through Orchard Hill this summer. And I bet Sugar and Cherub would get along great!

Donna: To me, Redemption is the small town I dreamt about while growing up in the south suburbs of Chicago. I used to spend weekends up in Edgerton, Wisconsin with my best friend's family, and to me, it was heaven. Now I make my home in Northeast, Wisconsin so I live in heaven...okay, most of the time anyway. LOL Orchard Hill actually sounds a lot like Redemption, with lots of small town businesses, great people, and plenty of drama.

What is it about small towns that makes them great settings for romance?

Stacey: I think a small town is a great setting for a romance because of the sense of family and of coming home. Or being home. Creating crazy, quirky secondary characters is also a definite plus.

Donna: I've always preferred small town settings, they're just easier to imagine myself living in, falling in love in, raising a family in. There's something so comforting about a close-knit community. And yes, those quirky secondary characters really come to life in a small town setting. ;-)

Are there any matchmakers in Redemption?

Stacey: Well, Tara had to battle her brother’s over-protectiveness to spend time with Wes, and Dana had to convince her cousin Allie she wasn’t simply falling into old habits when she fell for her tortured hero, Charlie, so no, not in my two stories, anyway…Oh, geez, wait—how could I forget??? Sugar. Charlie’s Great Dane (one of those quirky secondary characters I mentioned) is the entire reason that Tara and Wes were even introduced in the first place! She’s the matchmaker, definitely.

Donna: I like to think that Rosalee, Caleb's mother who passed away before the start of the book, had a little something to do with his finally coming home and ending up on Lauren's doorstep. Rosalee adored Lauren and her kids (Max & Emma), and is no doubt quite pleased with how well things turned out. And it was Caleb and Lauren who played matchmaker to Carrie the hothead and Matt the dreamiest librarian in the Midwest. LOL

Is there any chance that we'll read more about Redemption?

Stacey: Yes, there’s a definite chance you’ll read more about Redemption. I have the first story of the sequel written with Allie and Rick, and Donna’s working on her first story, too. With other projects in the works for both of us, it’ll be a little time, but we fell in love with the town as much as readers have, so we don’t plan to abandon it. At some point, we'd love to do a historical anthology of how the town was founded.

Donna: Drew and Lindy's story just has to be told. They seem like an explosive couple, and I sure hope they live up to my hype. Unfortunately, I have another project to finish before diving into the sequel. And since I'd only be repeating what Stacey said, ditto on the rest.

What else have you written, together or separately?

We started out in the same RWA chapter in 2004, WisRWA, joining within one month of each other, and shortly after became critique partners. We write so differently, and like to read different things, the idea of us writing together never crossed our minds until our dear friend Delia Deleest (It Takes Moxie, Eye Of The Beholder, both available at The Wild Rose Press.) suggested the three of us write related stories for an anthology. We decided to give it a shot, and Welcome to Redemption was born. Only Delia decided to pursue other interests, so we were 'forced' to each come up with a second story to round out the anthology. Needless to say, we thanked Delia in our dedication.

Stacey: I’ve written a Christmas novella, titled Dragonfly Dreams, which was nominated LASR Best Short Romance E-book 2007, and a paranormal miniature rose, If Tombstones Could Talk. Both are published with The Wild Rose Press. I am also awaiting edits with my most recent contract with TWRP, Chasin’ Mason, a Yellow Rosebud I hope will be released this year yet. I just got the cover...what do you think?

Donna: Golden Opportunity (a Yellow Miniature Rose which takes place in Golden, Colorado) and There's Only Been You (a Champagne Rose which takes place in Green Bay, Wisconsin) both release this year from The Wild Rose Press, with There's Only Been You available in print April 2009. Meant To Be (a Champagne Rose and second in the series to There's Only Been You), is contracted and going to edits soon. I also write erotic romance as Liza James and have several short stories published with both The Wild Rose Press and Red Rose Publishing.

Who do you think will win the matchmaker's challenge, Pansy or Misty?

Stacey: Seeing as how I’ve only read the first two stories so far (but have the others waiting in my computer because I truely enjoyed the first two) this is a tricky question. Honestly, I think Misty worked a little harder for her first match than Pansy (so does Misty) and going off that, and the epilogue at the end of Entertaining Angel, I’m gonna put my money on Misty. Any chance I can get you to whisper who wins?

Donna: Okay, to keep it interesting, I have to go with Pansy, but to be fair I haven't had a chance to read the whole Orchard Hill series yet, so I reserve the right to change my mind. ;-).

Thank you Donna and Stacey, for taking the time to answer my questions. I'd love to visit Redemption sometime. That's all for today. Check back tomorrow for an exclusive sneak preview of "Enduring Hope."

Cora Applebaum

Get Ready for "Enduring Hope"

2008-05-31T05:58:00.000-07:00

I've just heard that another Orchard Hill Romance will soon be released. Orchard Hill chronicler Kara Lynn Russell says that "Enduring Hope," the fifth story marks the halfway point in the series.

"I wanted to make this story extra special," Kara told me "to celebrate reaching this point. "Enduring Hope" is longer than any of the previous stories and I absolutely fell in love with my characters. I hope readers will have as much fun reading about Hope and Oliver as I did in writing about them."

"So what's this story all about?" I asked, as if I didn't know. I'm Hope's neighbor and I'll tell you that their courtship has been particularly interesting. It involves softball, an unwanted suitor, an extreme aversion to marriage, Hope's triplet nieces, her big brother's disapproval and fireworks. Not to mention Oliver dragging Hope out of Big Apple Pizza, a well-timed punch in the face, and lots of ice cream. I saw a fair bit of kissing, too when I was looking out my window at night. Not that I was snooping, I was just watching for my cat Whiskers, to return after her nighttime prowls.

Come to think of it, that's a better explanation of the story than the one Kara gave. I'll leave hers for another time. She tells me she'll be doing some special things here on the blog to celebrate the release of "Enduring Hope." Check back for exclusive excerpts, a chance to win a free copy of "Enduring Hope" and interviews with fellow authors Cindy K. Green, Donna Marie Rogers, and Stacey Joy Netzel, and with editor and cover artist Nicola Martinez. Sounds like a party to me.

Cora Applebaum

Romance Writers Descend Upon Green Bay

2008-05-18T06:34:00.001-07:00

I picked up the Green Bay newspaper today and what do you think I saw? There's a group of ladies - and few men, too I hear - gathered in Green Bay to learn about romance writing. I guess there's a lot to learn if you're going to write that stuff. But I do love a good romance.

There's plenty of that these days in Orchard Hill, even without cracking open a book. There seem to be couples everywhere. I asked my good friend Pansy Parker about it. She said she didn't know a thing about it but between you and me, she looked like the cat who's got into the cream. I think I'll have to keep my ears open on this one. You'll let me know if you hear anything won't you?

In the meantime I'm going to hit the books. This romance conference has got me to thinking about all the great authors we have right here in Wisconsin. I've got a copy of "Welcome to Redemption" by Donna Marie Rogers and Stacey Joy Netzel, a copy of "A Wish in Time" by Laurel Bradley and a copy of "It Takes Moxie" by Delia DeLeest. They all look so good, I don't know which one to read first.

Until next time,

Cora Appelbaum

Happy Mother's Day from Orchard Hill

2008-05-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

There's no doubt about it, being a mother is hard work. It's a good idea for moms to take some time off every once in a while. What better way to make your family appreciate all your hard work! Let them come home to no dinner and dirty laundry for a few days and they'll appreciate you, believe me.

That's why they invented Mother's Day. It gives your children a chance to show that appreciation for you so you don't get any ideas about taking a vacation and leaving them in the lurch.

Single mothers out there deserve a little extra gratitude from their children. And just think of single mother Faith Fielding! Not only is she raising a teenage son by herself (and doing a great job. Her late husband would be so proud.) but Faith is also our town's elementary school secretary. She's done a lot of mothering to all the children of Orchard Hill in that role. Faith's desk should be filled with flowers and candy come Monday morning, if you ask me.

So, all you mothers out there, listen to me. Take it easy today and soak up all the love and attention your family can dish out. You deserve it. And you aren't likely to get any more of it before next Mother's Day.

Cora Applebaum

The Dating Game

2008-04-28T06:30:00.000-07:00

Signs of spring are everywhere - and most of them say "garage sale." That's right, Spring in Orchard Hill means that it's time to clean out those closets and sell all your old junk to your neighbors.

The Orchard Hill Community Church held its annual Spring Fling recently. The Youth Group hosts this craft fair/luncheon/worship event. While I was there, I overheard this interesting bit of conversation between Faith Fielding and Andrew Thomas.

Dropping any hint of subtlety Andrew asked “How is your date going?”

Faith narrowed her eyes at him. “Just fine. How’s yours?”

“How’s my what?”
“Your date. You know, Harmony.”

“Oh, yes. That’s going fine, too.”

“Now that we’ve established that, what will we have to talk about?”

Andrew leaned forward. “Joseph’s a nice guy, but don’t kid yourself that he’s ready to make a commitment.”

She gasped. “What makes you think I want one from him?”

“So this is just a fling?”

“It’s just a date. One date. I’m hardly going to start picking out china patterns. You’re worse than Kevin.”

“Kevin is upset about you seeing Joseph, isn’t he?”

“Andrew, this is none of your business,” she told him firmly.

None of his business. It seemed as if Faith was shutting him out all of a sudden, and he didn’t like it. Not one little bit. He stared at her, willing her to understand.
“You never used to say things like that to me. We used to share everything. What changed between us, Faith?”

“I think you’re mistaken.” Her voice was cold, and it shook a little. “We’ve never shared everything. You just didn’t notice before, and I don’t understand why you’ve suddenly started caring.”

“We didn’t share everything? I shared everything. What have you been keeping from me?”

“Why don’t you just go find your date, Andrew?”

Anger swelled in his chest, and he answered her in a mocking voice. “Go find your date, Andrew. Go home Andrew. Don’t you have work to do Andrew? You keep pushing me away.”

She stood. “Then maybe you should take the hint.” Faith walked away, moving through the crowd to leave him stranded at the café table.

Hmmm. What could be going on there?

Until next time,
Cora Applebaum

LASR Reviews Appearance

2008-04-22T10:19:00.001-07:00

Cora Appelbaum here again. It seems that Orchard Hill is in the news all over. Kara Lynn Russell, who has written down some of our local happenings, has an interview posted at the Long and Short of It reviews. You can find out all kinds of personal tidbits from what authors she likes to what time she gets up in the morning.

Word is, tomorrow, April 23rd, Kara will be at LASR's Yahoo Group, just in case anyone has questions for her. I hope someone asks her who does those great covers for her Orchard Hill books.

Cora Appelbaum

Kara Lynn at Fallen Angels

2008-04-18T05:38:00.000-07:00

You can get the scoop on Orchard Hill chronicler Kara Lynn Russell over at Fallen Angel Reviews. She was recently interviewed by Linda H. there. You can read the interview here.

You can tell all your friends about this little tidbit. Just don't tell anyone that Linda H. got the info before me.

Until next time,
Cora Appelbaum

Spring in Orchard Hill

2008-04-04T09:26:00.000-07:00

My grandmother always said that it had to snow on the robins three times before spring would come. Our robins must have weathered those three snowfalls because spring has come to Orchard Hill.

The sun is shining and the tulips and daffodils are blooming. I love watching the children go past my window on the way to and from school. They seem to be blooming, too as they shed heavy winter coats and boots for colorful spring jackets.

And speaking of school, the word is that school secretary Faith Fielding will not be returning to work in the elementary school this fall. What could make her want to leave after spending ten years with Orchard Hill's beloved principal, Andrew Thomas?

Could it have anything to do with Andrew's decision to enter the dating game again, for the first time since his wife passed away eight years ago? The following scene from his office was given to me in strictest confidence, so if anyone asks, you didn't hear it from me. ;)

“What’s up, Andrew?” she asked.

“Well, this is a personal matter,” he admitted. “Robin asked me to do something, and I need your advice.”

“Oh, how is Robin doing?” asked Faith eagerly. “I got an email from her last week, and it sounded like her classes were going well.”

“Yes, she’s fine,” Andrew told her. Normally, he would be happy to go on about his daughter. But now, he wanted to put this promise behind him.

“I’m so glad. I know she was nervous about going away this fall, but Robin’s got your charm, Andrew. She must have oodles of friends already.”

“And admirers lining up to carry her books,” Andrew added wryly. “But as I was saying, she made me promise something last night, and I want to take care of it.”

“Oh?” Faith tilted her head at him, curiosity in her eyes. “What did you promise?”

“I promised to go out on a date.”

Faith felt herself go still. A date? Her heart sped up. For years, she’d been hoping Andrew would ask her out. Was this it? Was it finally going to happen?

Wait a minute. Did she want him to ask her out just because Robin told him he needed to go on a date? But maybe it wasn’t that way. Maybe it was more that she’d given him her blessing. Faith knew Andrew would never get involved with someone Robin didn’t like.

Oh, who was she kidding? She’d take a date with Andrew any way she could get it. Even when she’d first started at the school, she thought Andrew was strikingly handsome. In the ten years they’d worked together, his salt and pepper hair had gone completely to silver. But she thought it looked great on him and made his gorgeous dark blue eyes stand out even more.

But, as handsome as she thought he was, physical appearance was the least of the reasons Faith loved him. His sterling character, charismatic personality and generous heart drew her to him. “So who’s the lucky lady?”

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” Andrew leaned over the desk, and Faith found herself drawn to him as if he were a magnet and she a hunk of steel. “I wanted to ask you…”

“Yes?” her voice came out barely louder than a whisper.

“I wanted to ask you…who I should ask.”

Considering Lily

2008-03-31T05:54:00.000-07:00

There was a visitor at the Orchard Hill Community Church this Easter Sunday. Lily Robinson brought her mother to the Easter breakfast and the worship service. Our town's esteemed veterinarian, Ian O'Neil, was supposed to be serving, but ended up eating breakfast and talking with Lily and her mother.

Ian and Lily both served on this year's adoption fair committee this year. Could a friendship have bloomed during that time? Or maybe more. The rumor is that Ian and Lily are an item now! Good for you Ian. Someone had to tame that girl!

Oh, and I don't know if anyone has noticed, but it seems both church secretary Pansy Parker and choir director Misty Greene have found beaus. But they aren't saying who they've been dating. Who could these mystery men be?

Valentine's Day News

2008-02-22T06:26:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is the most romantic day of the year. That's what people tell me anyway. I guess it was a pretty romantic day here in Orchard Hill. Well, unless you're a certain Realtor named Susan. Then you really blew it in the romance department and you have no one to blame but yourself.

Angel Marcel made quite a stir at Orchard Hill's annual art show, down at the community center, drawing the attention of art lovers and even a Green Bay gallery owner. She also drew the attention of Jeff Bradley, owner of Apple Blossom Realty. Word is, Jeff took Angel to a fancy dinner party his parents gave at their cottage in Door County. It sounds like a fabulous evening, so where is Angel now? It seems she disappeared on poor Jeff just like Cinderella at midnight!

In other news, Grace Randall has been seen sporting a stunning diamond ring on her left hand. It seems Riley O'Neil has popped the question. Boy it didn't take him long to make up his mind! Both Grace and Riley seem radiantly happy.

I've heard that they've asked Riley's brother Ian and Grace's friend Lily to stand up for their wedding. Poor Ian! Everyone knows Lily has it out for the entire male species. But as a veterinarian, Ian's had lots of practice dealing with savage beasts. Maybe he'll be the one to tame Lily. You never know.

Until next time,
Cora Appelbaum

Angel's in Town!

2008-02-04T05:59:00.000-08:00

Misty Green's cousin Angel has arrived in Orchard Hill! She flew in to the Green Bay airport, where a friend of mine just happened to observe her and Orchard Hill Realtor Jeff Bradley. Here's the scoop:

...she noticed a man standing nearby. It was hard not to notice him. He was on the short side, but that was no disadvantage to a pipsqueak like her. Beneath his well cut suit, he seemed fit and muscular. Add in the slightly shaggy light brown hair and the stormy grey eyes and—well, you had quite a package.

Angel sighed. That didn’t concern her. This was a business trip. She found a spot at the end of the carousel and planted herself. She’d get her luggage and then rent a car to drive out to Misty’s place in Orchard Hill. She focused her eyes on the door her luggage would come through, determined not to give one more glance to Mr. Stormy Eyes.
Pointedly not looking his way, she focused on the carousel, and pulled off her bag.

“You must be Angel. I’m here to meet you.”

The smooth baritone voice so close to her ear surprised her. Caught off guard, she swung around a bit too quickly and caught the man she’d been admiring squarely in the gut with her suitcase.

He grunted and then doubled over. Angel dropped the bag at her side, mortified at her clumsiness. “I’m so sorry. You startled me. Are you all right?”
He straightened and nodded. After a second he said “Just knocked the wind out of me.”

“Do you want to sit down?”

The man shook his head. “No. I’m fine. Are you Angel Marcel?”

“Why?”

“Your brother, Tony, asked me to meet you. I’m Jeff Bradley.”

“Oh.” She didn’t know what to say, so she just stood there blinking like an owl. She couldn’t believe Tony would do this to her.

“So are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Angel Marcel.”

“Oh. Yes, that’s me, but I’m fine. I don’t need a ride. I have everything under control. Thank you anyway.” She turned, planning to make a smooth exit to cover her embarrassment, but Angel had forgotten that she’d dropped her suitcase and promptly tripped over it.

Not the best of beginnings, but still...We'd better wait and see what happens between these two. I'll let you know.

Cora Appelbaum

Introducing Angel

2008-01-12T05:37:00.000-08:00

Misty Green, the owner of The Green Scene Natural Food Store, has invited her niece Angel Marcell to visit her here in Orchard Hill. I’ve been told that this is a business trip rather than a social one. Angel is an up-and-coming artist who’s trying to establish her own line of greeting cards and stationary. Her cards are already for sale at the Grace Place coffee shop.

While this may be a business trip, I hope Angel will get to mix a little pleasure in, perhaps with Orchard Hill’s new real estate agent Jeff Bradley. I’ve heard he used to room with Angel’s brother Tony in college. Rumor has it that Tony has actually asked Jeff to watch out for his little sister while she’s in town, although I can’t imagine what he thinks will happen to Angel in our sleepy little burg.

Still, I wouldn’t mind having a cutie like Mr. Bradley watching over me. I wonder what Angel thinks?

Cora Applebaum

New Year's Dance a Success!

2008-01-02T16:59:00.000-08:00

The Annual New Year's Eve Dance was held at the Orchard Hill Community Building on, of course, New Year's Eve. Practically everyone in town under the age of seventy and over the age of seventeen turned out to welcome in 2008. It was interesting to note that although things have been a bit cold between Riley O'Neil and Grace Randall lately, Riley showed up to offer emotional support to Grace as her ex-fiance and his new girlfriend Janice took to the dance floor. It wasn't long before Grace and Riley disappeared from the dance altogether.

In the meantime, Riley's brother Ian was seen dancing with ice queen Lily Robinson. Will Ian be able to thaw her frosty demeanor? I guess we'll have to wait and see.

When Riley and Grace re-appeared it seems they had settled whatever was between them and they were friends again. Actually, a bit more than friends, judging by that steamy New Year's kiss!

Unfortunately, the dance didn't end quite as well for Steve. He and Janice were seen having words and it appears that she left without him. There are those who would say it served him right for dumping Grace the way he did. But that's last year's news.

Happy New Year All!
Cora Applebaum

Merry Christmas from Orchard Hill

2007-12-24T07:27:00.000-08:00

"Good Christian friends rejoice, with heart and soul and voice"

Watch for more Orchard Hill Romances in 2008

Grace Place Christmas Party

2007-12-19T17:11:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone,
Cora Applebaum here for Orchard Hill Highlights. In spite of her recent disappointment (see previous post if you haven't heard. But in Orchard Hill, news spreads fast so if you haven't heard you must be living under a rock!) Grace Randall is hosting her annual Christmas Party at the Grace Place this Saturday. Hot cocoa, cider and cookies for everyone! A few groups have signed up to sing Christmas carols, including The Orchard Hill Community Church Choir, a high school group calling themselves "Lambs to the Slaughter" (what are the young people thinking these days?) The Orchard Hill Ladies Choir, The High School Chorus class, and the Johnny Apple Seeds Barbour Shoppe Quartet.

It sounds like a lot of fun, but the big question in my mind is 'Will Riley O'Neil be attending this year?' It seems Grace is a bit miffed at him since he punched out Steve, her faithless former fiance, in The Grace Place. You have to admit, it was kind of nervy for Steve to show up there after leaving her at the alter a couple of weeks ago. Still we are commanded to "turn the other cheek."

Will you look at the time! I should be wrapping presents with Christmas coming up so soon! Maybe I'll see you at the Grace Place this Saturday.

Merry Christmas!
Cora Applebaum

December Wedding Leaves Bride Out in the Cold.

2007-12-11T13:57:00.000-08:00

Hi all,
Cora Applebaum here, for Orchard Hill Highlights. The whole town has been waiting for the wedding of Grace Randall, owner of the popular coffee house The Gracce Place and her high school sweetheart Steve. This dream wedding turned into a nightmare though, when Steve got cold feet and decided to warm them up in Hawaii with Grace's waitress Tami.

Grace was reportedly so upset when Steve's best man, Riley O'Neil of O'Neil's Handy Hardware, broke the news to her, that she locked herself in the ladies room and refused to come out until all the guests were gone. I looks like it will be a long, cold winter for poor Grace. Of course, she and Riley have been friends since kindergarten and he seems anxious to comfort her. What are the chances that Riley will be the one to thaw Grace's frozen heart?

Orchard Hill Community Church secretary Pansy Parker was overheard to say that she knew Steve was the wrong man for Grace. Does she have someone better in mind? I tried to reach her for comment, but she was unavailable.

Speaking of Pansy, she and Misty Green have been seen whispering in corners several times lately. It's no secret that Pansy and Misty usually fight like cats and dogs. When did they become so chummy? Have you finally buried the hatchet ladies? I, for one, hope so.

Faithfully submitted,
Cora Applebaum
Orchard Hill Highlights