Author interview with Jodie Wolfe

So excited to visit with Jodie Wolfe, as she is one of our own here at Stitches Thru Time. A huge congratulations on the recent release of her book, Taming Julia:
 

In 1875, Kansas bachelor Drew Montgomery's sole desire is to serve God, but his congregation's ultimatum that he marry or leave, forces him to advertise for a wife by proxy.

Jules Walker strides into Drew's life wearing breeches and toting a gun and saddle--more cowboy than bride. After years on the trail, she's not exactly wife material, but she longs for home and family, and will do anything to ensure Drew never discovers what she really is.

What made you decide to become a writer?

I fell in love with writing when I was in grade school. In 2nd grade we had an assignment to write a poem. I wrote about my favorite thing in the world at the time - Snoopy. Soon after, I started creating little stories. I was hooked. I knew when I grew up I wanted to be a writer.

Where did the inspiration for your latest book come from? 

I've always been intrigued by the whole mail-order bride possibility. How could a woman answer an advertisement, choosing to leave all she'd known in order to take a chance on love and find a new path in life? How did she choose to leave the familiar and step into the unknown with someone she'd never met?

The more I studied stories and clippings from the past, the more my mind kept spinning with ideas. What would happen if a pastor was dictated by his congregation that if he wanted to keep his job, he had to find a wife by a certain time? What if the wife he advertised for was completely different than what he expected? How would he handle it? That nugget of an idea is what spurred the inspiration for Taming Julia.

How does your faith and spirituality work in with your writing? 

My faith in God is just part of my everyday life, so it naturally comes out in my writing as well. My characters struggle like I struggle. You'll find them often praying or calling out to God for answers to their problems.

What do you want readers to come away with after reading your books?

That true hope can only be found in Christ. He is the greatest encouragement in my life, along with my husband.

What is one of your favorite scenes in Taming Julia?

One of my favorite scenes takes place later in the book. I can't share a lot about it so I don't spoil it for you, but it takes place in Texas. My husband's aunt and uncle live next door to the area I wrote about, so they were a tremendous help with being accurate in my description. Then a couple years ago while visiting them, we got special permission so I could see it first-hand. It's in the hill country of Texas where an unexpected gorge has been carved out because of a waterway.

What is your favorite thing about where you live?

 I live between two sets of mountains. From our house we can see both of them. We have a state college in our town, along with Amish farmers, and rural countryside. It's a nice mix and very little traffic. I can make it across town in about ten minutes, depending on traffic lights and school buses. :)

What are you working on next? 

I'm working on two books - a sequel to Taming Julia (part of the Burrton Springs Brides series), as well as a book set in the town where I live dealing with belonging entitled, Hannah's Quest.

Bio

Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Romance Writers of America (RWA), and COMPEL Training. She's been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests. A former columnist for Home School Enrichment magazine, her articles can be found online at: Crosswalk, Christian Devotions, and Heirloom Audio. She's a contributor and co-founder of Stitches Thru Time blog. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie. Learn more at www.jodiewolfe.com.

Purchase Links for Taming Julia:

https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Julia-Jodie-Wolfe-ebook/dp/B083L8MDD5/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=taming+julia&qid=1578503989&sr=8-1

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taming-julia-jodie-wolfe/1136004491?ean=9781522302711

https://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=37_46&sort=&filter_id=671&alpha_filter_id=0

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jodie_Wolfe_Taming_Julia?id=FH7IDwAAQBAJ

Website: https://www.jodiewolfe.com

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jodie-wolfe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jodie-Wolfe-553400191384913

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JodieAWolfe

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/JodieAWolfe

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15220520.Jodie_Wolfe

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jodie-Wolfe/e/B01EAWOHXO/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

A huge thanks to all of you for joining Jodie and me today!

Welcoming Cozy Mystery Author Karen Robbins with her Newest Book

So glad to share Karen Robbins' newest book cover and blurb with you all today! Also check out all her books on Amazon!

Pickle Dilly

Links to purchase books:
In A Pickle:  https://www.amazon.com/Pickle-Annie-Pickels-Story-Pickes/dp/1974391868/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Pickle Dilly:  https://www.amazon.com/Pickle-Dilly-Annie-Pickels-Story/dp/1974397092/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Welcome Tommy Madison. I understand you are in the pickle business. What do you do?

I am one of the officers of the newly incorporated Annie Pickels Pickles. I’m actually in charge of production. Mrs. A, that is Mrs. Annie Pickels who is the president and originator of the business, taught me how to can her special dill pickles. I helped her out with some problems she had in making a profit and together along with a couple of others, Arnie Forrester and Elma Thompson, we begun to do pretty well.

That’s not your only job though, is it?

No. I work full time actually for Tinkers Tavern wherever the proprietor, Bill Barker, needs me to help out. He’s a great guy and lets me arrange my hours so that I can help out with the pickle business as well.

This Annie Pickels and you got into a little trouble a while back I hear. Can you tell us anything about that?

It’s not something I’m proud of. I was growing marijuana on a plot of land that Mrs. Pickels rented me. You see I have some physical problems with my legs from an accident when I was much younger. The marijuana gave me some relief from the pain. Annie got in some trouble along with me when she mistook it for marjoram and put it into her pickle recipe. That’s kinda how I got involved with the pickle business. I’m working off some fines Mrs. A paid for me. I’ve also found help with the pain instead of the marijuana—lots of prayer and visits to a pain clinic.

What is the latest on the relationship between Arnie and Annie?

Well, if Elma had her way, they’d be walking down the aisle as soon as she could get Annie into a wedding dress. Annie is a deep thinker and she takes relationships seriously. She was married quite a few years ago to a fellow that she really loved and she’s had a hard time getting over his death. I think Arnie would like to be very special in Annie’s life but that’s for the two of them to work out. They don’t need any pressure from me. They have enough from Elma.

Tell me more about Elma.

Elma is a hoot. Annie made her VP of marketing and she has taken it very seriously. She has grand ideas of making our business international. But she also has the biggest heart of anyone I know. She and Annie have been best friends for many years. They live across the street from each other.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell me about Annie or Arnie or Elma?

Arnie is a great lawyer. He’s only doing it part time now that he’s retired but he certainly has helped us all out a lot. We all suspect that Elma may have a new someone special in her life but I really couldn’t tell you yet for sure. And Annie? Well Annie, in addition to her kindness and grace and love for all of us and her pickle expertise, she makes the greatest cinnamon rolls in the world. Hands down!

How can we get to know more about all these wonderful people?

There are two books by Karen Robbins that tell pretty much the whole story. In A Pickle was the first and now she’s finished the Annie Pickels story in a new book, Pickle Dilly.

KAREN ROBBINS is a writer, author, and speaker. She and her husband are travel addicts and many of her stories are enriched by their adventures in different parts of the world. She has written six novels, collaborated on two non-fiction books and contributed often to Chicken Soup For The Soul books. She is currently working on a Christmas novella, A Pocketful Of Christmas. While the world is fun to explore, Karen most likes to spend time with her grandchildren. They offer the greatest adventures of all.

Catch up with Karen at her blog, Wandering Writer (www.karenrobbins.com), Twitter (https://twitter.com/writerwandering), Facebook (www.facebook.com/KarenRobbinsAuthor) or Amazon (www.amazon.com/author/karenrobbins)
Recommended!

About Carole:

Besides being an active participant of many writing groups, Carole is an award winning author and enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense, tough topics, romance and whimsy into her books, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? 

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-brown-79b6951a?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Google+:    https://plus.google.com/u/0/113068871986311965415/posts

Word Sharpeners: https://wordsharpeners.wordpress.com/

Stitches in Time:  http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/

Interview with Special Guest...YOU!

Since today is Sit-Down Saturday, I thought it would be fun to turn the tables and pose a few questions for our readers to answer. So guess what? You're in the interview chair today!

Answer one or all of the questions below and get your name in the drawing for this week's giveaway of  Embracing Hope!

1)Tell us about yourself in three sentences.
2) If your life were a song, what would be the title?
3) Morning person or night owl?
4) Coffee or tea?
5) If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?
6) What is one book you wish someone would write?

I'm so looking forward to seeing all of your answers and chatting with you today. :D 

 

Meet Cynthia - A modern Cinderella from Cinderella's Boots by Darlene Franklin

 Today we welcome Cynthia Ellen Cooper, the heroine from Darlene Franklin's newest release, Cinderella's Boots. She's here to tell us a little about herself and her adventure.

Welcome! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Yes, I’m that Cynthia, Cynthia Ellen Cooper, AKA Cinderella—the Cinderella who left her groom at the altar four years ago to work on her penpal’s sheep station in Australia.

Aside from that aberration, I’m normal with a capital N. My parents divorced when I was little, but I love my stepdad and my half-sister who complete my family with my mother. Believe it or not, I ended up working in the animal clinic that belongs to my ex-fiance’s father. Now that Keith has finished vet school, he’ll be working with his father. I’m a little worried about what that will be like.

What brings you to back to the West?
I never intended to stay away. I only wanted to spread my wings before I settled down.

What would be your dream occupation?

A variation on what I’m doing now. I work at the animal clinic as a vet assistant and dog groomer. I’d like to run a full-service dog facility, with a mobile pet-grooming service. You know, doggy day care, boarding services, dog training, vet tech services.

What is your greatest fear?
I don’t like getting backed into a corner. I worry if I squandered my best chance at love when I walked out on Keith.

If you could go back ten or fifteen years, what advice would you give yourself?
I suppose you expect me to say I would tell myself not to leave Keith at the altar. And I would—but I wouldn’t say to marry him. I’d tell myself to be up front and tell him I needed more time. Tell him about the opportunity in Australia, and ask him for another two years.

Where do you see yourself being ten years down the road?
Married—to Keith? Or someone else. With children and maybe even my pet-grooming truck.

Any parting remarks?
For anybody out there who feels like you can recover from the mistakes you’ve made—I believe in second chances. Every day is a new beginning with God.

Thanks so much for sharing with us today, Cynthia!

Readers, don't forget to leave a comment to get your name in the drawing for this book!

About the author:

Best-selling hybrid author Darlene Franklin's greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. This year she expects to reach fifty unique titles in print and she’s also contributed to more than twenty nonfiction titles. Her column, “The View Through my Door,” appears in four monthly magazines. Her most recent titles are Capturing the Rancher's Heart, Romancing the Ranger, and Cinderella's Boot

Website and blog

Facebook

Amazon author page

Twitter: @darlenefranklin

Sit Down with Denton Davies & Alex's Famous Cole Slaw Recipe

Sit Down with Denton Davies

Good morning everyone. 
Whoot! Whoot! I'm excited to announce that more fun times are ahead when Denton and Alex Davies tangle with their hardest case so far. But they are certainly up to the task! :)

Today, Denton Davies--the protagonist in the Denton and Alex Davies mysteries--has agreed to talk with me about the mysteries he’s been involved in, and give us the lowdown on how he works. Let’s hope he follows through with the promise. 

But knowing him (a little), we can’t be entirely sure that will happen. Ahem. Let’s see what he has to say . . .


Welcome, Denton. Glad you stopped by to chat with my friends here on Stitches Through Time. I see Alex, your wife, didn’t come with you. Was she busy?

(Frowning): Yes, she’s shopping. For shoes. As if she needs another pair!

I doubt if any woman ever has enough shoes, Denton. Never mind that. Let’s move on: How did you first get involved in solving mysteries? 

Hmmm. Alex and I have always loved reading mystery books together. Lots of times we’ve solved the mystery before the finale was revealed, and one day, a real live mystery fell into our lap. I think my author, Carole Brown is going to write a novella prequel soon, so the details will be forthcoming (my word for the week) then. Suffice it to say, that danger to my true love, Alex, sent me headlong into that mystery.

Can you give us three things you're passionate about, besides solving mysteries? 

Excellent question, and an easy one. Alex, of course, is the love of my life, and along with that comes our daughter Kelli, who Carole will feature in a future book, and who is the joy of our lives. Secondly, traveling throughout the U.S. in our RV, fulfills the wanderlust I constantly feel. And last, fishing. There’s just something about sitting on the bank of a stream, river or pond, that tends to relax a person. And I’ve got to say, that most all of us need that nowadays, don’t you agree?

I certainly do! I enjoy traveling too, but have never had the privilege of solving any mystery. Why do you have such a fascination with words?

(Denton laughs) I’ve always loved to read so it came naturally. Words, their meanings, their origins, all that stuff interests me. I guess it’s become a habit through the years to choose one word a week, and see how many times I can use it.

Okay, last question, and the one we’ve been waiting for. How do you go about solving the mysteries that seem to fall into your lap?

Well, I certainly don’t look for them. But the way I solve them? Here’s a few things I try to do:

• Ask questions. Lots of them. Sometimes that’s offensive to others, but, fortunately, that doesn’t bother me. That’s the only way to get answers.
• I look at people’s actions and their behavior. Many times it’s just a little thing that sticks in my mind. I might not slip it into the right slot of the puzzle until much later, but it resides there in my mind until I need it.
• I’m willing to look in odd places and at unsuspicious characters to see the whole scheme or plot. A picture, rope, news item (all of which was used in Bat Crazy) are ordinary things, but put them together, and they can help you see what could be. You never know who is guilty. That sweet little old lady could be an evil person just waiting to poison her next victim. That young and attractive, successful looking business man may actually be involved in criminal activities. Don’t take anything or anyone for granted.
• And finally, you have to have the knack of putting all those little insignificant pieces together. You have to expand your thoughts and your facts into possibilities, and when those seem true, then many times they actually are. 

Thank you so much for joining us today, Denton. I have favor to ask. Would you be willing to share your wife, Alex’s cole slaw recipe? I’ve heard it’s very good.  

(Sheepish look crosses his face) Sure thing. I may have to sleep in the doghouse tonight, but I’ll have good company with our pet Jack Russell, Taffy. It’s simple to make:

Alex’s famous Cole Slaw:
Shred cabbage, depending on how many people you’ll be feeding and how well it’s liked.
Shred a bit of carrot for color. (up to a whole carrot)
If you like onion, feel free to dice/shred a bit of that too, but be careful not to overwhelm the taste.
Stir together.

In the meantime, mix:

• Mayonaise (again, trial and error is good). Alex usually uses two large heaping tablespoons.
• A couple tablespoons of white vinegar
• Dashes of salt and pepper
• A tablespoon or so of sugar (again, to taste)

Whip together

If it ends up not being enough, just repeat the process, cutting down on the ingredients or adding more, as you need.

You want it to be pourable.

Then pour over your mixed cabbage, carrot and onion. Stir. You won’t want it too runny or too dry. Sample taste and adjust as desired.

Let sit covered in the fridge till ready to eat. Stir lightly.
Enjoy! 


Be sure to check out the latest Denton and Alex Davies Mystery series. Here's the blurb:
Red-eyed Monster Bats that attack humans? 

Denton doesn’t think so and Alex hopes not, but who are they to quibble with the local gossip?

Transmission problems and a blown tire land Denton and Alex Davies right in the middle of a dilapidated, unfriendly town that’s welcoming no strangers, least of all nosy ones with a bent toward solving mysteries.

But with support from the town detective--an admirer of the Davies--and their own tenacious personalities, Denton and Alex aren’t easily scared off. Not when warnings in the form of painted bats show up on the porch of their rented cabin, not when the mayor threatens to run them out of town and not even when Denton finds the bones . . .

An ancient story, a bit of a map, a lost jewel and even a bat clan serve to provide the Davies and their sidekick, Taffy, the dog, their hardest case so far.

Available on Amazon and other online stores:

http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? 


Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212