Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Vivian Maier-Quiet Genius



By Lisa Karon Richardson
With a consummate eye for composition, tone, and mood, Vivian Maier captured mid-century urban America as no one else. One of the most talented photographers of the 20th century she was nevertheless a complete unknown until the time of her death. It wasn’t until a storage unit she had rented was auctioned for non-payment that the world was introduced to her genius. Luckily an amateur historian, John Maloof, bought thousands of her undeveloped negatives for $380.



When he began looking through them he knew he had found a treasure. He then went on a search for their creator, but he found her obituary instead. She had slipped on ice and hit her head. Since then he has championed her work, bringing it to worldwide acclaim.



An exceedingly private woman she nevertheless left an incredible body of work of over 100,000 images as well as audio and video recordings that reveal much about America from the 1950s to the 1970s.




Vivian Maier was born in New York City to a French mother and Austrian father. It doesn’t appear that her home life was particularly settled. By the age of 4, census information indicates that she and her mother were living with Jeanne Bertrand, a famous portrait photographer. Shortly thereafter she and her mother went to France where she spent several years. She returned to the US in 1939 with her mother, and then again in 1951 alone.



Upon her return she went to work as a nanny. An occupation she held for the rest of her working life. She moved from New York to Chicago, and loved to travel the world, and she gravitated toward the less fortunate wherever she went.



Personal accounts from people who knew Vivian indicate that she was a non-conformist, also opinionated, highly intelligent, and intensely private. She wore a wide brim hat, a long dress, wool coat, and men’s shoes. And she was never without a camera when she left the house. On her days off she would obsessively take pictures, but she never showed her photos to anyone.
Self-Portrait, Vivian Maier

Vivian captured the transient moments of the day-to-day and ended up documenting an era. I find her story fascinating. Part of the reason is, I think, that I can identify with her. Doing an ordinary job, but craving the chance to create something more. To be something more.


Can you identify with the urge to create; be it art, or stories, or music?

Friday, June 19, 2015

Uh Oh!

by C.J. Chase

If you follow current events at all, you’ve no doubt heard the name Rachel Dolezal this week. She’s the white college professor who for years successfully passed herself off as a black woman. In order to do that, she changed her appearance and invented an entirely new background for herself, complete with different parents of a different race.

She has gone so far as to claim that there’s no proof (in the form of a DNA test) that the white couple who raised her are her biological parents. The major question that has arisen: is it a sham or is she so deep into her make-believe life than she can't separate her delusions from the truth?

It was in this context that I first heard the phrase “fantasy prone personality.” Psychology Wiki describes it asdisposition or personality trait in which a person experiences a lifelong extensive and deep involvement in fantasy.”

But…isn’t that normal? No? Uh oh.

This fascinating New York Times article suggests about 4% of the population spends half (or more) of their time living in internal fantasy worlds with “fully articulated plots.” You mean, 96% of the population doesn’t spend their days conversing with imaginary people? So what goes on in their brains all day then?



Fortunately, the researchers say this is only a problem if the person can’t distinguish between fantasy and reality. Whew! I was afraid they were going to say it was a serious problem if you couldn’t stay in the right fantasy—you know, like when your contract says you’re supposed to create a “fully articulated plot” set in 1857 Virginia and your mind keeps sidetracking you to 1796 France or 1881 Montana instead. (Not that this has ever happened to me, understand.)

So, let's discuss. What about you? Are you a 4%er? (Or, like I, do you believe that the number has to be higher than that? After all, it sure seems like everyone and his brother wants to write a book.) Do you think an overactive imagination is a hindrance or an advantage in "real" life?

Oh, and if your flights of fancy become too debilitating, you can always check out this Wiki page for How to Deal with Maladaptive Daydreaming. After you wrap up that "fully articulated plot," that is.




Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Travel Gems Including World Wide Knit in Public Day


by Anita Mae Draper

I've been on the road since May 22 with another week or so to go and let me say it's been a full schedule. But I wanted to tell you about a gem I found when and where I least expected it. That's what a gem is, isn't it? Something precious amidst the common?

My agenda had taken me from my home province of Saskatchewan, across Manitoba, and into Ontario where I drove along the northern shore of Lake Superior and Lake Huron until I reached cottage country. After a brief weekend in Barrie to attend the Ontario Genealogical Society conference I headed south to explore the agricultural land of our family history.



June 10th found me driving south again to attend the Write Canada conference in North York, a suburb of Toronto, but which has been absorbed into Canada's largest city. The day was wet and dreary, concrete and glass grew where once farms had stood, and all I wanted was to get to my hotel room and vegetate for a while. But I still had miles to go, and with every mile, the buildings filled in more of the space.



When I finally got to the hotel, I had to drive down into the parking garage. I can tell you I wasted no time getting my things and leaving my vehicle, although I did remember to take iphone pics of my car with a numbered post beside it, as well as the number of the parking level.

And then finally... finally ... I opened the door of what would be my sanctuary for the next few days. As I drew open the drapes, I caught my breath. The clouds had blown aside and sun was shining down on a welcoming garden and grass scene. I took some pics and posted one on  facebook.



Later, as I gazed down, I saw a picket fence leading to a well-mulched garden. Of course, a picket fence is something quite common in a small town, but it's not often you see one surrounded by hi-rise office and apartment buildings.




However, this area seemed to have an Asian presence and that was reflected in the zen-like quality of the park on the west side of the wall that connects to the parking garage in the bottom left corner of the image. Over time I realized the park is not on a level, but rises as you enter on the bottom right, leveling off as you approach the wall, and then declines into the garden on the other side. The left side is referred to as Gibson Square.




This side of the wall is called, Gibson Park and once I saw that, I did some research and found that this land had once been the estate of Scottish immigrant David Gibson. A land surveyor who helped map early Toronto, Gibson built an 1851 Georgian mansion in what had been at that time a rural community.




Now called the Gibson House Museum, visitors can experience this elegant 1851 farmhouse through recipes and daily activities such as dipping candles and weaving on a loom. School groups are especially welcome.

In case you're wondering, the above photo isn't the side that I was looking at from my window. Here's a view of the Gibson House and the Novotel North York Hotel where I was staying. That triangular-shaped arch is on the hotel side of the street although it looks very close to the Gibson House.




And here's a news flash that at least one of our Inkies will appreciate... Sundays at Gibson House are special because it's the weekly get-together of the Keeping You in Stitches knitting and crochet group (Sep - Jun only), but June 21st is extra special because the group will bring their chairs out onto the lawn to celebrate World Wide Knit in Public Day! Yay!!!

Can't you just see everyone knitting outside? Or on the verandah in inclement weather?

We want to hear those knitting needles clicking everywhere this Sunday, so pass it on!

Have you ever participated in World Wide Knit in Public Day? Would you like to?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Anita Mae Draper is retired from the Canadian Armed Forces and lives on the prairie of southeast Saskatchewan, Canada with her hubby of 30 plus years and the youngest of their four kids. Anita's short story, Here We Come A-Wassailing, published in A Cup of Christmas Cheer, Volume 4, Heartwarming Tales of Christmas Present, Guideposts Books, October 2014, is a finalist for the Word Guild's 2015 Word Awards. Anita is represented by Mary Keeley of Books & Such Literary Management. You can find Anita Mae at  www.anitamaedraper.com


Monday, June 15, 2015

The Lumberjacks' Ball & Upcoming Facebook Multi-Author Party with Guest Carrie Fancett Pagels!


Hello Inkie readers! I’m Carrie Fancett Pagels, the author of The Lumberjacks’ Ball, and I’m thrilled to be visiting again! I’ll be talking a little bit about my latest release and about a WONDERFUL upcoming Time for Tea & Romance Facebook party that will take place in two weeks!  And I’ll give some tips for Facebook Party novices.

First let me tell you about Garrett Christy’s and Rebecca Jane (Daggen)Hart’s story. In book two of The Christy Lumber Camp Series, I feature a woman trying to escape her past and a man glad to be reunited with her. PTL, the book has been on the Amazon bestseller list for Christian Historical Romances almost since its release, which is a God thing because I was hospitalized a week after it came out and could do almost no promo.

Here’s the blurb:

A decade after surviving a brutal attack, a mercantile owner’s daughter begins her life anew in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A gifted craftsman wishes to leave the lumber camp and seeks employment at her new store. When his presence dredges up memories she wishes to suppress, the proprietress must learn to face her past and open her heart. When complications arise, will they overcome adversity in time for The Lumberjacks’ Ball?

Here’s the link to my Pinterest board for The Lumberjacks’ Ball https://www.pinterest.com/carriefpagels/the-lumberjacks-ball/

You can buy The Lumberjacks’ Ball at Amazon (after July 5th, it will be available through Barnes and Noble.) It is available in both paperback and ebook formats.


What a party!
It is no secret that I LOVE having online parties! We do them regularly for my Colonial Quills group blog. Recently I’ve been asked by others to join them in parties on Facebook and it is interesting to celebrate with different folks. So when God put on my heart to put a party together with Carrie Turanasky, such a sweet lady and wonderful author, and possibly invite a few other friends, I was super excited! We started out with asking other friends who are Christian historical romance authors and had new releases – Julie Lessman (who ended up moving but agreed to come on board) and Melissa Jagears (who has young children but is so fun and energetic and got right into the swing of things!). Then MaryLu Tyndall mentioned she had an upcoming release and I knew Tamera Alexander did, and they agreed to join us. And finally, after much arm-twisting and negotiation I pinned Gina Welborn to the table and she said “Uncle!” or maybe it was “Aunt!” 
SO, I am THRILLED that on June 23rd, 2015, Inkie contributor, Gina Welborn, will be joining me (Carrie Fancett Pagels) in celebrating Christian romance with five other authors:

Carrie Turansky

Julie Lessman

Melissa Jagears

Marylu Tyndall

Tamera Alexander

Each author has a time slot of thirty minutes. I’ll be up first, kicking things off at 6 pm. Gina is a little bit later.


Carrie's gorgeous lilacs!
The Grand Prize, Carrie Turansky’s tea set collection is gorgeous! MaryLu is giving away a lovely ruby necklace. There will be copies of books, etc., and more good stuff!

I’ve been asked recently, by my BFF, about how these parties are done. First, for this one I failed to set it up as a public event so you will have to have an invitation (sorry folks!) Send me a private message on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/carriefancettpagels - personal, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carrie-Fancett-Pagels/317053071710640?fref=ts - author page) if you haven’t been invited to the Time for Tea & Romance June 23rd Event (https://www.facebook.com/events/115820972084413/ ) but want to CELEBRATE. So, once you have an invite to the event, Click on the bar indicating that you will attend (IT will show JOIN, Maybe, Decline). Then once you JOIN, you will begin to receive notifications if anyone has decided to post anything on that Event Page ahead of the party. For instance, our readers at my parties like to “dress up”. So they post pictures of the gowns they will be “wearing” and accessories.  Where do you get pictures? My fave is Pinterest – go over there and search for Tea Gown.  Find one you like.  Click on it.  Go up to the address bar and COPY the link to the page.  For instance I found an Edwardian tea dress that would be PERFECT for Carrie Turansky’s wonderful books.  https://www.pinterest.com/pin/140174607124910077/

Go over to the event page and copy that address in as a post. Maybe you’d write – “Here’s my beautiful Edwardian gown that I’ve worn in honor of Carrie Turansky’s lovely writing” and then copy the address and post it. IF you do NOT want to post anything before the party—you don’t have to!  Just show up on the appointed day and search out your events. You can find this normally on your Facebook Home page (NOT your wall) over to the left and near the top. Click on Events and scroll until you find it (it looks like a CALENDAR page for the graphic icon). What I usually do, though, is I’ll see people posting to the party in my Notifications Feed and I’ll click on that and then click through to the event. Remember if you do that, you may only see that ONE comment, so be sure to move your cursor up to where it shows the person’s name and click on the Event name.  For instance it might look something like this over the post – Susie Dietze>Time for Tea & Romance and you would put your cursor over Tea Time for Romance, click, and it should take you to the Event Page.

Time for Tea & Romance is set in a garden on historic Mackinac Island at turn of the century. (I love Mackinac Island and my books have Mackinac Island in them for some scenes but are not set there.) We’re pretending as though we are actually there as each author talks about her book. So, e.g., I may post a recipe related to my book and ask if any of you have ever made it before. You can like my comment, comment back, or do nothing but read what people are saying. BUT, if you want to be entered in each author’s contest and the overall Grand Prize package you’d need to follow that person’s directions.   
Lilacs near McGilpin
Questions: Have you EVER attended a Facebook party? Did it make you want to buy the authors’ books? Was it fun? Have you ever won anything at a party? What is your fave type of online party?

Giveaway on today’s post (please leave a comment to enter): A copy of either The Fruitcake Challenge or The Lumberjacks’ Ball. Please include your email address in the comment so we can contact you if you win. Contest ends Friday, June 19, 11:59 pm EDT.
 

Contact info
 

Thanks so much for being here, Carrie! What a helpful post. Through it and my experience in a FB party with you, I've learned so much. These parties are fun for authors and readers alike. Congratulations!

TWO CHANCES TO WIN this week! Head over to Susanne's blog for another opportunity to win one of Carrie's books!

Friday, June 12, 2015

Inspiration in the Mundane


Hi, Dina here. Recently during my local book club, one of my friends shared this poem. I found it kind of brilliant, so I wanted to share it with all of you. I think you will relate with it. Be blessed!

Hammershøi Dust Motes Dancing

ODE TO A KITCHEN FLOOR
by Angela Andrews

‘Tis wonderment to me

When I see heaven-honey

Pour through my kitchen door.

I look up to see The Source,

But He cleverly hides Himself

In the clearest light to ever

Touch our musty orb.


In His brilliant, pure invisibility,

He traces my face

with a whisper breeze

while touching the world wide.


Caressing me, the newborn babes,

The wee flower buds and their

chrysalis company – while shining

light where the helpless wait to

grasp His infinity.


At my kitchen door,

My heart responds just as hungrily.

Fill me up O Lord and also cover me.

Now on my knees the light refracts,

in its travels, travels over me.


I feel His arms encircle me.

Frothy mirth and rich delight ripple,

He and me. My eyes wide open

to search such beauty. Surprised,

the travelling rays have moved along,

almost from my periphery.

But there is more to see and

more to learn back here on my knees.


I drink the lingering rays.

Tho’ pure and bright while standing up,

From here that is not what I now see.

He gave me manna strength and clear vision

to see what my child–mind of long ago

said were crystal diamond jewelry.

The dust floats down, shimmers in His light,

But landing on yesterday’s gleaming floor

Instantly becomes wretched dust ----

Dirt to be removed once more.


Frustrated, I stand and clutch my broom.

I sweep the kitchen floor with His strength.

I sweep my heart even more.

I no longer dread this perpetual task,

Because of Him I know,

As I clean my kitchen floor,

He gently and daily cleans me.


Can you share a time when you unexpectedly found God in everyday life?

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Mental Health Provided by Pinterest!


by Jennifer AlLee


At the end of last year, my mother got sick. Not "it's just a head cold" kind of sick, but seriously, "in need of 24 hour a day care" kind of sick. It started in October, and on December 28th, she went home to be with Jesus. Now, I know that's exactly where Mom went, and I know that she is having the time of her life. Me, on the other hand... well, it's been hard. Today, for example, I spent many hours dealing with financial issues directly related to her passing. Not fun.

BUT! That's not the point of this post. Believe it or not, by the time you get to the bottom of the screen, you will at least be smiling, and most likely, you'll be laughing out loud. Why? Because I'm going to share with you some of the random, goofy things I've found on Pinterest that have lifted my spirits after slipping into the dumps.


In case you can't read the little sign, it says, "Bill Posters is an innocent man!" This is like what happens in my head every time I hear someone shout, "Fire at will!" I think, "NO! What did Will ever do to you?"


It's an ear of CORN riding a UNICYLE... It's a UNICORN!  LOL 


Pop culture reference. Who gets it?


Finally, you can't go wrong with a wisecracking Minion!
Happy Wednesday to you :)




JENNIFER ALLEE was born in Hollywood, California, and spent her first ten years living above a mortuary one block away from the famous intersection of Hollywood & Vine. Now she lives in the grace-filled city of Las Vegas, which just goes to prove she’s been blessed with a unique life. When she’s not busy spinning tales, she enjoys playing games with friends, attending live theater and movies, and singing at the top of her lungs to whatever happens to be playing on the car radio. Although she’s thrilled to be living out her lifelong dream of being a novelist, she considers raising her son to be her greatest creative accomplishment. She's a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and Christian Authors Network. Her novels include The Pastor’s WifeThe Mother Road, A Wild Goose Chase Christmas, Last Family Standing, and Vinnie's Diner from Abingdon Press; Diamond in the Rough, Vanishing Act, and Curtain Call from Whitaker House and co-written with Lisa Karon Richardson; the novella Comfort and Joy in the Christmas anthology, Mistletoe Memories from Barbour; and A Worthy Suitor from Harlequin's Heartsong Presents.

Monday, June 8, 2015

What Moves You? Compassion, or Wrath?

By Niki Turner

Something is moving us.

You can keep singing "I shall not be, I shall not be moved..." all you like, but you're still being moved. The question is what's moving you.

Jesus, throughout the New Testament, is recorded as being "moved with compassion" when he spoke, when he prayed, when he acted.

He was moved with compassion when he saw the sick, the poor, the forsaken, and He acted on their behalf... Feeding the hungry, healing the sick, restoring the lost.

And yet, today I see (and I count myself in this group, with shame) many of my Christian brethren moved not with compassion, but by wrath.

"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." James 1:19-20

We live in a time that doesn't permit us, without a conscious effort, to be swift to hear and slow to speak and slow to wrath. The Internet is instantaneous. As a result, there's a lot of wrath swirling around out there, both in the secular realm (where we should expect it) AND in the Christian realm (where we should know better.) It's been particularly bad in the last few months, and we haven't even entered into campaign season!

Most of the time we define wrath as a kind of vindictive anger (which isn't incorrect), but the Strong's Bible Concordance also defines wrath as "excitement of mind." In other words, one definition of wrath is simply being all stirred up in your head. That's the word James used--orge--where we get our word for "orgy." All this mental/emotional/spiritual input is like an orgy. Ew.

Just try reading James 1:19-20 like this, "...be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to excitement of mind; for the excitement of man's mind does not produce the righteousness of God."

Step back and look at everything going on in the media (Christian, conservative, liberal, or otherwise) and examine it from that perspective. Is what we're being fed simply causing excitement of mind, or is it moving us with compassion? The New Testament word used for compassion means "to be moved from the bowels." The Jews believed the bowels were the seat of emotion and feeling.

It makes for an interesting word picture. Being stirred up in the mind, mentally excited, produces a picture of someone with a lot of opinions. Conversely, a person who is "moved from the bowels" gets up and takes action. Ever been in the car with someone "moved from the bowels"? You  pull over. Ever been in the car with someone who's all stirred up in the head? You keep driving and tell them to shut up. Or argue with them for a few hours. Do you see the difference? Compassion DEMANDS action. Wrath is just a tempest in a teapot.

So here's our litmus test: Is what we're seeing and sharing stirring us up so we're like toddlers bouncing off the walls, unable to contain our personal opinions? And then getting us in strife with each other, and keeping us stirred up so that no one is accomplishing anything productive? OR, does what we're seeing and hearing and sharing propelling us to ACT in love and mercy and with the kindness and goodness of God?

Or, to put it more simply...
"Finally, my brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things."
Wait, you say, I'm expressing my opinion, that's my right!
No. Your right, and mine, as Christians, is to walk in love, whether we approve or disapprove, agree or disagree. Walking in love is, according to Jesus, the greatest commandment.
But, some have asked, aren't we called to judge? (Why do we even have to ask that? Are there really people out there who are so confident of their own righteousness and holiness before the Almighty God that they believe they can act as judge and jury for others? That's kind of scary. The folks Jesus was most indignant with, the ones he called "brood of vipers" and "whitewashed tombs" were those kinds of people.) I'm reasonably sure they were convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt their doctrinal stance was correct. Bummer.

Sure, you CAN judge... but I suggest starting with yourself (remember that whole 'beam in the eye' thing?), not with what pops up on our Facebook wall. If we objectively judge ourselves with the same measure we're using to judge and condemn everyone else, whether it's the Duggars or the Kardashians or Caitlyn Jenner, we probably come up short in the righteousness department. 

But that's HARD!!! 
Yeah, I know. That helps me keep my mouth shut and pray, instead of sharing and retweeting and posting everything that floats by. If it's causing (wrath) excitement of mind, it's not producing God's righteousness, if it doesn't pass those tests, then no matter how "righteous" it feels to our flesh/mind, it's not worth sharing. It won't produce anything good.

Something to think about this week.

Friday, June 5, 2015

His Perfect Catch

Welcome back to one of our former Inkies, and still dear and delightful friend, Narelle Atkins! Narelle is here to tell us a little bit about her newest release, His Perfect Catch

First, let's learn a little bit about Narelle:
A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, NARELLE ATKINS was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia.

Blog: http://narelleatkins.wordpress.com

And now let's learn a little about Narelle's newest release:
Narelle, please tell us more about the Australian setting for His Perfect Catch.
His Perfect Catch is set in the fictitious town of Sapphire Bay on the South Coast of New South Wales. I love visiting the South Coast region, only a few hour’s drive away from where I live in Canberra. Sapphire Bay is a small seaside town with a pristine surf beach and a pretty bay. It’s a great fishing spot and a popular tourist destination, especially during summer.


How does your novella fit with the SPLASH! water theme?
Pete, my hero in His Perfect Catch, loves fishing. He regularly takes his boat out on Sapphire Bay to catch his dinner. Pete and Mia, my city girl heroine from Sydney, temporarily become next door neighbors. They live in beach houses that back onto the sand dunes and overlook the ocean. The relaxed Sapphire Bay lifestyle is closely associated with water and His Perfect Catch is a light summer beach read. 

Is your novella connected to a series?
I originally created the Sapphire Bay setting for Seaside Proposal, the third book in my Sydney series and my final book from Heartsong Presents. Seaside Proposal features Mia’s cousin, Billie, and the story opens in Sapphire Bay. I loved writing about Sapphire Bay, and I decided it would make a fabulous setting for a new contemporary Christian romance series.    

Congratulations, Narelle! Now let's learn a little bit about the SPLASH! Collection:

NINE Refreshing Romances Filled with Faith!


Nine beloved authors of contemporary Christian romance have banded together to offer this limited-time collection of all-new romance novellas perfect for your summer vacation reading pleasure. Come visit Scotland, Zambia, Australia, Canada, and several American states, including Alaska, in these inspirational romance novellas. You'll love each refreshing contemporary romance as the characters enjoy the water on hot summer days, whether it be in a river, lake, ocean... or a swimming pool!

His Perfect Catch by Narelle Atkins, author of the Snowgum Creek series
A holiday romance isn’t part of the plan when Mia Radcliffe temporarily moves to Sapphire Bay and lives next door to Pete McCall, her secret crush from years ago. Pete prefers the simple life. Can Mia leave behind her big-city dreams and settle with Pete in the seaside town?

Sweet Serenade by Valerie Comer, author of the Farm Fresh Romance series
Carly and Reed thrive on the rush of running rapids in a canoe until they capsize in both river and romance. Will secrets from the past drown their future, or can this idyllic summer romance lead to a lifetime of sweet serenades?

More than Friends by Autumn Macarthur, author of the Love in Store series
When nurse Catriona asks for help with her Vacation Bible School for disabled children, she never imagines how much could go wrong on a simple seaside day out — or that the colleague she's secretly loved for years might come to see her as more than his best friend's little sister.

Love Flies In by Heidi McCahan, author of the Emerald Cove series
He’s a seaplane pilot determined to honor his convictions. She’s a kayak guide who mocked his faith for sport. One small lakeside cabin in Alaska can’t house them both.

Testing the Waters by Lesley Ann McDaniel, author of the Madison Falls series
After breaking up with her ultra-critical boyfriend, Teresa decides to reinvent herself. She meets a nice guy named Curt on the beach in Crescent Cove, Oregon, and tells him she’s Terése from Paris. Pretending to be someone else is fun until the unthinkable happens — she starts to fall for him.

The Lifeguards, the Swim Team, and Frozen Custard by Carol Moncado, author of the CANDID Romance series
Lifeguard Alivia Collins looks forward to another summer on the guard stand at the Serenity Landing Aquatic Center. This year, she’s going to have to keep herself from falling for the cute, new guard - or realize it’s time to give love another chance.

Time and Tide by Lynette Sowell, author of the Lone Star Hearts series
When out-of-work fashion journalist Karyn Lewis uses the summer to regroup on the coast of Virginia, she plans to lie low at Pine Breezes campground. She doesn't plan for her heart to be on a collision course with old friend Brodie Reed. They must decide if the past that looms between them will be too much for them to have a future together.

Draw You Near by Jan Thompson, author of the Savannah Sweethearts series
Savannah artist Abilene Dupree keeps her personal life out of her commercial paintings except one. That one painting has now brought Londoner Lars Cargill back to the coastal town and into her art world. Can she hold him at bay before he invades her personal space and her heart?

Orphaned Hearts by Marion Ueckermann, author of the Heart of Africa series
His faith buried with his wife, Simon devotes himself to raising his daughter and orphan elephants. Lady Abigail postpones an arranged marriage, leaving England to teach the children of Africa. Will his past—or her future—keep their hearts orphaned?

Grab a tall glass of lemonade or iced tea and dip your toes into a cool pool of water on a hot summer's day while you enjoy the never-before-released Christian romance novellas in SPLASH! Click here and snag your copy today.

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We, the ladies of Inkwell Inspirations, would love to give free stuff to everybody. Since we can't, we will often have a giveaway in conjunction with a specific post. Unless otherwise stated, one winner will be drawn from comments left on that post between the date it was published and the end of the giveaway as determined in the post. Entries must be accompanied by a valid email address. This address is used only to contact the commenter in the event that he/she is the winner, and will not be sold, distributed, or used in any other fashion. The odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. NO PURCHASE, PLEDGE, OR DONATION NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

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