Sunday, June 16, 2013

A Bride For All Seasons, western romance novellas

Western Romance Novellas - A Bride For All Seasons
A Bride For All Seasons

A BRIDE FOR ALL SEASONS

The Mail Order Bride Collection of novellas by western romance authors Debra Clopton, Margaret Brownley, Mary Connealy, and Robin Lee Hatcher

It All Started with an Ad in a Mail Order Bride Catalogue…
Melvin Hitchcock of the Hitching Post Mail Order Bride Catalogue isn’t dishonest—not exactly. If he tweaks his clients’ applications a bit, it’s because he’s looking out for their best interests.
This charming bouquet of romance novellas introduces four Hitching Post prospects in the year 1870, each one eager for second chances . . . and hungry for happiness. Year in, year out, they’ll learn that love often comes in unexpected packages.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

STORY DOODLES, Stephen Bly's Story Worksheet for Homeschoolers, Future Writers & Those With Writer's Block

Story Worksheet article by Stephen Bly
Stephen Bly

Many have asked about my story worksheet that I've used at writer's classes, workshops and conferences.


What's a story worksheet?

 Do you remember those cardboard matchbook covers that said, "Draw Me!" If you're not of a certain age, probably not. They often included a cartoon character of a lady's or man's head.

Sunday, May 05, 2013

Six Parenting Problems With The Crowded Nest

Parenting Adult Children: Once a Parent Always a Parent by Stephen Bly
Once A Parent, Always A Parent

What Empty Nest? Parenting Adult Children by Stephen Bly ... Six Problems to Anticipate

Sometime between the ages of 18 and 20, our kids challenge us with a dramatic turn of events in our parenting. Like an eaglet stumbling from the aerie on its first flight, our child appears as a fully grown adult. Ready to take his or her plunge into society. We enter the world of our own solo flight: parenting adult children.

Or not.

The nest can seem more than full at times. It's crowded.

Saturday, May 04, 2013

My Kids Drive Me Crazy: Am I a Good Mom?

Kids Drive Me Crazy with Keaton Bly photo
Keaton Bly

Or when my kids drive me crazy, am I a bad mom? And who am I really, apart from them? by Stephen Bly & Janet Chester Bly

It's a challenge to keep an identity while kids grow up. "My kids drive me crazy," every mom says at least once. At those times, when you're life is so tied to them and their issues, it's hard to remember who you are, apart from them. 

A good goal: value your identity as a mother, but also as a unique individual.

Thursday, May 02, 2013

Mothering Is Easy & Other Good Mom Myths

Good Mom Myths by Stephen Bly & Janet Chester Bly
How To Be A Good Mom

Myths of Motherhood from How To Be A Good Mom by Stephen Bly and Janet Chester Bly

Family and parenting begins with a woman knowing the joy of her baby's first cry. Or smile. Or rocking her child to sleep. But it's also the time she bumps against certain good mom myths. Such as ...

Good mom myth #1:  Mothering is easy. No job on earth takes more physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual strength than being a good wife and mother.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Western Research: 12 Incredible Montana Factoids

Western Research: author Stephen Bly
Stephen Bly (1944-2011)
12 Incredible Montana Factoids, western research by award-winning western author Stephen Bly


I've set lots of books in Montana, including the recent historical western romance, Creede of Old Montana. In fact, we came close to moving to the Treasure State over thirty years ago. Somehow, Idaho snagged us instead. Even though there were a dozen towns in western Montana from our western research that intrigued and tugged at us.

In the meantime, I learned a lot about the Big Sky country. All of it part of my extensive western research, both fiction wise and personal. Here's some of Montana's many charms.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Somewhere Between Heaven & Hell by Janet Chester Bly

Country girl Janet Chester Bly & her snow covered car
Snow covered Chevy Lumina

Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell, a country girl adventure by Janet Chester Bly

We never know when we're about to face a frightening moment of decision. Doesn't matter if you're city bred or a country girl out for a ride.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

What Is a Karimption? Western Slang Devotion by Stephen Bly

What Is a Karimption? Western slang
western slang post by author Stephen Bly
Stephen Bly speaking
Maranatha Conference Center
Michigan 2010 
devotion by award-winning western author Stephen Bly



Old Jack Ferguson had a special role in our church. He counted the folks who attended the worship service. But he didn't bother with exact numbers. He used western slang instead.

He had 3 categories: Karimption. Sunday rodeo comfort. Or funeral size.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

The Offering, new novel by Angela Elwell Hunt

New novel, The Offering by Angela Elwell Hunt
The Offering

The Offering, new novel by Angela Elwell Hunt releases May 14th, but it's available for pre-ordering now...at your bookstore or favorite online bookstore!


Be among the first to read this new novel story--an intimate look at what can happen when technology intersects a contemporary American family. Angela set the book in her own geographical area. She enjoyed doing firsthand research in her own locale--which in this case involved visiting a local Cuban grocery.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Rebekah, novel by Jill Eileen Smith

Biblical fiction: Rebekah, a novel by Jill Eileen Smith
Rebekah, a Novel

Rebekah, biblical fiction novel by Jill Eileen Smith, Wives of the Patriarchs Series


This biblical fiction novel received 4 Stars from RT Book Reviews.

Can love heal the rift between two souls?