Wherefore art thou, Romeo?

My book is set in the small town of Romeo, which is not far from the southern border of Colorado. It lies right in the heart of the beautiful San Luis Valley. I don’t have any pictures, but I hope those thousands of words I wrote will do justice to a setting and culture that captivated me as I worked on the story.

I have spent time in Santa Fe, Taos, and northern New Mexico, as well as a great many parts of Colorado. But because I was unable to visit Romeo itself, I am extra-thankful to Aaron Abeyta, a professor and writer who lives near there and provided me with loads of information. He feels about the San Luis Valley like I do about the Arkansas River Valley—it is home sweet home.
Most people who pick up this novel will probably assume, as I did, that the name of the town is related to Shakespeare’s most famous romantic tragedy. I’d like to tell you whether or not that’s correct, but you’ll just have to read the book to find out!

Old friends, new friends…

Hey again, y’all!

These conversations about how far back we all go are beginning to make me feel a bit long in the tooth. So knock it off, will yas!

Hehehe. Seriously, I think Rachel’s comment was, as the Brits say, spot on. We’re all so blessed, and in so many ways…. A few of us have been fast friends for ages, the rest of us can rejoice that we’re in the process of cultivating new friendships…all thanks to Summerside. No doubt in my mind, either, that bringing us together has long been part of God’s larger plan.

So a heartfelt thanks to you, Sandie Bricker, for sharing the good news about this fantastic company. I’ve never felt more at home while at work. (Hey, wait, my office is in my basement; I’ve always been at home while I worked!) Oh, I’m sure y’all know what I mean. <g>

I’ve said it before, but it definitely bears repeating: I’m honored to be a member of the Summerside family!

All my best,

Loree

Our visit to Valentine, Nebraska

As I mentioned in my May 13 post,  my husband, Rod, and I spent two days in Valentine during the first week in April.  I had almost completed my book, but it had been a few years since we’ve visited Valentine, and I needed a current “feel” for the town.  Because we were there during an unexpected spring blizzard, our photos are a little “dreary,” but I wanted to share a few of them with you, so when you read my December book, you might feel right at home in Valentine.

VALENTINE’S VISITOR CENTER

Valentine’s vivid white and red visitor’s center snags tourists’ attention as soon as they reach town. Valentine is known as the Heart City, which is indicated by the large red heart on the lawn with the slogan, HEARTS “R” US.  Hundreds of red hearts are painted on Valentine’s sidewalks along historic Main Street. It’s customary for people to come from “near and far,” to be married in the town on Valentine’s Day.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK

The brick relief murals were created by Lincoln artist, Jack Curan, in the early 1990’s. The top mural features running longhorn cattle to symbolize the movement of the cattle industry in the Sandhills. The smaller mural at the bottom depicts the first century of progress in Valentine.

HOLIDAY INN PORTICO

In my book, a wedding reception will be held at the Holiday Inn. We stayed at this motel because I wanted to walk the same area where my characters would be celebrating. We stayed one day longer than we’d expected, when approximately eight inches of snow fell. Since the blizzard caused us to be snowbound, we became well-acquainted with the staff. Because it was springtime, we hadn’t anticipated cold weather and we didn’t take winter clothing. One of the receptionists gave me her gloves when we started out on our long eight-hour drive through the blizzard to the airport in Lincoln. I’m sure that the characters in my book were also given a warm welcome.

BREAKFAST ROOM – Holiday Inn

This photo features the breakfast room area of the Holiday Inn where my fictitious character enjoy the wedding reception near the end of the book.

Loree has a picture of Paradise, PA for you!

Well dearies, as promised, here’s a photograph of beautiful Paradise, PA. Wide vistas of rolling farmlands are a fairly regular sight up there, but visitors can stop in the quaint little town to shop or eat or just stroll along the main street, too.

Next time I visit, I’ll share a picture of the nearby Wolf Sanctuary of PA, where Simon and Julia meet. But I hafta warn you, once you see these magnificent creatures, you might just want to hop in the car (despite gas prices!) and meet them, yourselves!

Until then, I pray you’ll never miss a rainbow or a sunset because you’re looking (or feeling) down.

Blessings!
Loree

Loree Lough joins the Summerside Sisterhood!

Hello, everybody!

Let me start by saying I pray the Lord has blessed you all with a safe, happy, and healthy summer.

He has surely blessed me, many times over. The family is happy and healthy, my malfunctioning computer has been repaired, and I recently learned that my contract for Love Finds You in Paradise, PA will arrive any day. How cool is that!

The basic storyline, for those of you with inquiring minds, goes something like this:

Julia (legal aid lawyer) and Simon (veterinarian) are regular volunteers at The Wolf Sanctuary of PA (a real place, just like Paradise!). Both also have ties with their good Amish friends. With so much in common, it’s no surprise that, right from the get-go, they’re drawn to one another.

Simon, lonely and brokenhearted since the death of his wife, has prayed for someone to share his beliefs, his life, and his yearning for children. Julia, an orphan raised in the foster care system, wants the same things. But convinced the handsome, big-hearted animal doctor deserves far better than someone like her–the product of a mother who died of a drug overdose and a father who died in prison–she does everything in her power to stay a safe heart-distance from Simon, who is determined to prove her wrong…

…until an Amish child is harmed by an “Englisher”, and her boss forces Julia to represent the offender in court.

Can the loving lessons of the humble Amish help him understand that Julia’s just doing her job? That the boy in question, like little Liam, is also child of God, deserving of forgiveness and mercy? Or will outrage that Julia could defend the young man’s violent acts keep Simon from living by God’s laws, not man’s?

And what will it take for Julia to forgive herself for representing the individual who caused such pain and heartache in the Amish community and her own?

Only a miracle can mend all the broken hearts, and renew the peace and tranquility of Paradise, PA….

Come back soon to view pictures of my klutzy, neurotic rescued dog, my gardens, family (and maybe even me!), and of course, the beautiful Paradise vistas.

Until then, may God’s blessings keep you smiling!

All my best,

Loree

I’m thrilled to be writing about Maiden, North Carolina!

I’m Tamela Hancock Murray and I’m thrilled to be here! I’ve written about North Carolina in the past and am excited about my setting. Many of my family and friends live in and around the Cary and Graham areas so the state holds a special place in my heart.

My family took a trip to Maiden to see the scenery for ourselves. The town is near Hickory, which you may know if you enjoy decorating, is home to a thriving furniture industry. We brought back a few pictures of Maiden. I hope to post them soon. The town is peaceful and idyllic, and reminds me much of the small town where I grew up, Victoria, Virginia. During our trip we visited the Catawba County Museum. There I found two excellent volumes on the county that I don’t believe I could have found anywhere else. I enjoyed making the personal connection with the people there, and of course, touring the museum.

The trip was about 400 miles each way for us. We had beautiful summer weather and a lovely drive through the mountains.

Gorgeous Treasure Island

I spent a couple of hours driving around Treasure Island, where my book is set. As you’ll see in these pictures, this is a gorgeous town with a nice blend of old and new Florida. Here are a few pictures that capture the essence of this delightful vacation paradise.

One of several bridges on Treasure Island – where a gentle breeze lifts your worries and carries them away!

Treasure Island beach access – for a great escape!

Walkway from the parking lot to the beach – don’t forget the sunscreen!

Gorgeous white sandy beach – relax and enjoy!

Windjammer Hotel – a little bit of old Florida to warm the heart.

Your Lifelong Friends

I’d love to introduce myself. I’m Anita Higman, and my novel with Summerside Press will be Love Finds You in Humble, Texas. Humble is a small town near Houston, and when I visited there recently to do some research for my novel I was amazed at how the atmosphere transported me back to my childhood in Oklahoma. I grew up on a farm in the western part of Oklahoma, near Custer, so I’m not only familiar with cows and chickens and hogs, but I also have an understanding of the inner workings and dramas within small-town life.

There is an uncomplicated charm, a closeness, and a beauty to small towns that isn’t like anyplace else in America. There, people wave at you. People know your father’s name is Edwin. They know your favorite fishing hole. They bring you a basket of pears when the trees get too heavy. They attend your christenings, your weddings, and your funerals. They become your lifelong friends. So, as you read Love Finds You in Humble, Texas know that I have some of that small-town air still in my lungs and the memories of small-town life forever woven in my heart.

I’m looking forward to sharing my story with you, and I hope you’ll leave a comment. What do you love most about small towns?

Anita Higman
www.anitahigman.com

Treasure on the beach

I’m excited to be included in the Summerside Press lineup! What an honor to be among some of my favorite authors!

My book is set in Treasure Island, Florida, a small beach community on the West Coast of Florida. As soon as I heard this book was being contracted, I headed to Treasure Island and snapped a bunch of pictures. I’ll pick out a few of my favorites and post them here. Research will be so much fun! If anyone is up to hanging out at the beach all day—looking for treasure, of course—with seafood breaks every few hours, come on down!

Pictures from Miracle, Kentucky

My husband Daniel and I took a brief Fourth of July getaway weekend and toured Miracle, Kentucky (or “Merkel” as the locals say). It’s a rural area south of Stanford. To get there, we drove down a steep, winding two-lane highway. My ears actually popped. To me, Miracle looks like a basin of pastures surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachians. It’s very peaceful and its residents are kind and helpful — especially to lost tourists.

But I’ll let my character, Meg, tell you more about it. She just moved there from Chicago to teach school in Stanford. Everything my character describes (see pictures below) is in my story.

Will love find her in Miracle, Kentucky?

This is the Bayers’ place in Stanford.

Here’s Grams’ house in Miracle. I love the wrap-around porch and the magnolia tree.

This is the view of my grandmother’s property in Miracle.

This is Tom’s place. He’s my grandmother’s neighbor and best friend.

This is what my dad’s house looks like in Miracle.

Like so many people in Kentucky, my dad owns horses.

This picture is overlooking Cedar Creek Lake at dusk and after thunderstorms rolled through the area. The lake is located between Miracle/Stanford and Crab Orchard. The Owens’ farm is nearby and it was at a picnic on the farm that Vance and I got acquainted.

Here’s the Depot Restaurant where Grams and Tom like to eat every Friday night and this is where I met Vance and Cammy Bayer for the first time. On the menu: deep fried catfish, deep fried shrimp, sweet potato fries and cornbread that’s shaped like pancakes.

Grams’ quilts (as well as other crafts) are on display and for sale at the Depot Restaurant.

It’s only a 5 mile drive into Stanford, but it seems longer because of the steep, winding roads leading in and out of Miracle. Just out of town, there’s a Wal-Mart, a Food Lion, and a 24-hr McDonalds — among other businesses.

This is the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital in Lexington (about 45 minutes from Miracle) where Vance and I took Cammy for an evaluation to see if she’s a candidate for an experimental surgery that could enable her to walk.