New Heart's Haven babies all present and accounted for!

All 'babies' in the new collection of Heart's Haven novellas are present and accounted for! They're all bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and eagerly awaiting your attention. Just click on the links (or the covers) below to find our babies.

THAT DOGGONE BABY


Everyone thinks they can push Jaci Meadows around: her family, her boss, even her full-grown Malamute, Baby. The dog reaches Jaci's shoulders, weighs more than the petite event planner, and has decided Jaci's designer shoes are a favorite toy. Justin Blakely understands dogs better than most people. It's clear to him Jaci Meadows can't handle her own life, let alone a two-hundred-pound Malamute ready to take on the world. Can one oversized Malamute and one very discerning dog whisperer help guide Jaci back to her true path? Can she learn to say no or is she just too addicted to the need to be needed?


BABYCAKES




When his sister dies in a tragic accident, crime-beat reporter and author Cade Magnusen becomes father, mother, and uncle to his four-year-old niece Gracie. Bitter over the loss, Cade can no longer stomach chasing the true crime stories that elevated him to the top of the New York Times bestseller list. When he hears of an opening for a community events reporter at the Angel Falls Trumpet, Cade grabs the chance to relocate to the quiet community of Heart's Haven.Emmy Lassiter loves ice cream—and children. Unfortunately, an accident has rendered her barren. She hides her grief at Babycakes, where she shares her love of sweets. The only mystery in Emmy's life—beside the uncertainty over her future with a family—is what brought new Heart's Haven neighbor, Cade Magnusen, to Angel Falls.When Cade drops by Babycakes to collect a feature story for the Trumpet, he and Emmy feel a quick and powerful connection. Can the pair trust God to move them from the past into a sweet and fulfilling future?


NOBODY'S BABY BUT MINE

Noah Talbert just lost his twin sister—his closest living relative—to a horrific automobile accident. Her death brings him straight to Angel Falls where he claims guardianship of his five-year-old nephew, Dylan.Elementary school counselor Charlotte Latherson is focused on Dylan's case for reasons both personal and professional. His mother was Charlotte's best friend, and the loss has transformed the once joyful and engaging little boy into a reticent, downtrodden kindergartner.Charlotte is well aware of Noah's history. Other than a close relationship with his sister, Noah's life has been solitary; he keeps to himself and builds strong walls of protection around a heart. Can he provide what's best for Dylan? At times they butt heads over the youngster's life, but as they struggle, God opens a loving pathway in their hearts. While Noah fights for a child he feels is nobody's baby but his, Charlotte wonders if the feelings they share can't create the bridge to a miracle.'




OH BABY!

Dawni Manors is happy to see San Antonio in her rearview mirror. In search of peace, she rents a unit at Heart's Haven, a quaint cottage-rental complex in East Texas. The place is said to be a hangout for angels—and for love. Dawni's not looking for love, and she's not convinced angels exist. What she yearns for, after a chaotic childhood as an orphan, is tranquility and hope. Maybe she'll find those things at Heart's Haven.
Instead, she finds Pro Cowboy Gavin Sampson, an abandoned infant, and a whole lot of emotional chaos. If the Heart's Haven angels really are there, what in the world are they thinking?

Heart's Haven Sampler: First Chapters

Curious about Heart's Haven? Wondering what it's all about?

Here's your chance to find out. Our wonderful publisher just delivered a gift...for YOU! It's a Heart's Haven Sampler (in pdf format), which includes the first chapters of all the books in every collection currently released...that's twelve free chapters! It's like being handed a mini-vacation to Angel Falls.

If you'd like a copy, just leave your email address in the comment section, and we'll get it right out to you. Enjoy the trip!

John 11:25 - Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

The Tangled Tale of Hart's Heaven...er, Heart's Haven

From the Column:
"Falls Facts & Foibles"
by Belle Eyre
Angel Falls Trumpet, Staff Writer

Angels? Yes, of course! At least one per person…

Love? Well, rumor has it this place is some kind of mystical “gateway to romance.” No one who lives here is immune…and sometimes even visitors fall under its power, completely unprepared and often unwillingly.

Family legend? Oh, yeah. And a beautiful little quote to keep it living on and on forever.

All that, in one little rental complex, nestled in the shadow of the Angelina National Forest in East Texas? Absolutely—if the rental complex in question is Heart’s Haven.

The place is owned by landlord Andrew Hart. (He doesn’t like cameras, but think Clint Eastwood in his more mature days.) He’s a crusty old bachelor, not big on conversation, but some folks believe he does speak with angels. While Hart doesn’t bother to so much as acknowledge those whispered rumors, neither does he deny them. And more than one reliable witness has seen the man talking to…well, nobody!

Hart lives in a huge old manor that fronts the property. When his grandparents opened a boardinghouse there, back in the 1800s, it was known as Hart House. Andrew and Lily Hart did well at the business, and Lily made the best chicken pot pie—to say nothing of her apple pies!—for miles around. Yet, not a bachelor in the area would allow himself to be tempted by the lady’s culinary expertise, because it seemed every time a man stepped through the door of Hart House, he came back out with a gal on his arm. Truth, folks!

Lily lovingly stitched a tapestry—it still hangs in the big house—with the words, “May love find all who enter here.” The current Andrew had those words carved into lovely wooden signs that hang over the trellised gates of all the rental cottages. And even today, they seem to have some kind of…I don’t know…love magic? Seriously. Most of the tenants do fall in love while living there—and quite often, they fall for each other. (Good thing most of them aren’t aware of the Heart’s Haven legend before they move in! Chances are, those lovely little apartments would sit empty a great deal of the time. Now that would be doggone shame…!)

Oh, and about the name of this place. You see, Andrew Hart meant to name his little rental community Hart’s Heaven. His name, and his opinion about the heavenly beauty of the area—to say nothing of his stunningly beautiful flower gardens. But when he called someone out to carve the big sign that hangs out front, next to the main highway leading into Angel Falls, something (Someone?) must have had other ideas. You see, the sign maker turned up three sheets to the wind, and put the ‘e’ in the wrong word. The result was Heart’s Haven, and old Hart—frustrated and completely out of sorts—never bothered to have it changed.

You can watch folks fall in love, despite themselves, starting with Pia and David in Jewels for the Kingdom by Delia Latham. The other three books in our introductory collection are Operation Breathless (by Marianne Evans); Leap of Faith (by Tanya Stowe); and Dance with Me (by Mary Manners)

But the fun doesn’t stop there. With those first eight tenants almost certainly becoming just four couples, Old Hart faced the prospect of some empty cabins and placed an ad in the Angel Falls Trumpet. Needless to say, he had no trouble getting folks to move into those charming little cottages. Soon enough, four more stories just begged to be told—and they were, in the second collection, Heart’s Haven Holidays. They are: Lexi’s Heart (by Delia Latham); Love Notions (by Mary Manners); Haunted Hearts (by Tanya Stowe); and Maria’s Angel (by Marianne Evans).

Look like Old Hart’s gonna be a regular customer here at the Trumpet. If you’d like a tour of his heavenly little complex out there at the edge of the Angelina National Forest, I know he’d be happy to show you around. Just remember, sometimes the romance of the Haven touches visitors too…

© Delia Latham 2012

Special Note, July 2014:

Heart's Haven has suffered some deep losses in the time since this article was written. I'll leave that bit of news for the writers to reveal in their novels. However, I will say that it appears the Heart's Haven angels never take a break. Another collection of romantic tales came to life during Easter of this year, with: Jodie's Song by Marianne Evans; Wounded Grace by Tanya Stowe; Designed by Love by Mary Manners; and Love in the WINGS by Delia Latham.

This reporter can hardly wait to see what happens next at Heart's Haven!

Heart's Haven: A Thin Place?

Some time back, when the four authors involved first started writing stories about couples brought together through Heart's Haven, the local (fictional) newspaper - Angel Falls Trumpet - took some interest in the place. Their columnist, Belle Eyre, wrote a few articles. We'd like to share them with you. We'll start with this one, and add another in a few days. We hope you all enjoy these pieces as much as we did. :)

Heart’s Haven…a Thin Place?

by Belle Eyre

Angel Falls Trumpet Staff Writer

You’ve heard of “thin places.” They’re mystical places in one’s life, or sometimes even physical locations where the “veil” between our world and another world is thin, bringing the other world nearer our own. Some believe in them. Some don’t. But the idea of thin places has become increasingly popular.

Is Heart’s Haven one of those controversial places?

Located in the fictional East Texas town of Angel Falls, Heart’s Haven is a small, modest rental cottage complex. Aside from the fact that nearly everyone who comes into contact with this friendly little community winds up in love, there’s that other thing…you know—that “angel” thing…

Andrew Hart

Oh, you hadn’t heard? Well, it seems the owner of Heart’s Haven, one crusty old bachelor named Andrew Hart, is rumored to not only see but actually speak to…well, umm…angels. As in, the man has actual conversations with them. Regularly.

Kind of odd, since he’s a bit taciturn when it comes to human beings. Doesn’t have a lot to say, period. (He outright refused to speak with me when I visited!) The old guy can’t even be bothered to acknowledge these rumors. On the other hand, he doesn’t deny them....

But it isn’t just old Hart’s winged friends that make one question that “thin place” thing. Several of his current tenants have admitted to strange things happening after they moved into one of those quaint little cottages that make up the complex. (Speaking of which, those units truly are lovely! Hart apparently has a divine touch when it comes to growing things, and he’s turned his little haven into a heavenly place...! Ahem. Well, perhaps that was the wrong choice of words, but trust me—Hart has a very green thumb.)

Pia Peretti

Pia Peretti claims that the day she first visited Heart’s Haven, she felt something strange. After looking at the empty cottage (which she ended up renting, by the way), she spent that entire evening in a frenzy of design madness, slashing out page after frenzied page of angel wings in various shapes and from different perspectives. She dropped into an exhausted sleep, and when she awakened, she realized she had come up with designs for no less than three angel-themed jewelry designs.

Yet Peretti claims she didn’t hear the rumors about Hart until after she moved into the complex.

Zoe Wyndham

And then there’s Zoe Wyndham. This time-misplaced flower child has lived in Heart’s Haven just over a year. So far, she hasn’t been bitten by the love bug, but…she’s completely sold on the idea that Hart sees angels. In fact, the winsome sprite professes to see the winged creatures herself! “I don’t have as strong a link to them as Mr. Hart does,” she told this reporter. “But I do see my own angel, and occasionally those attached to others around me. I don’t have the ability to speak with them, like Mr. Hart, but I’d certainly love to!”

“So, I guess there’s no need to ask if you believe angels walk this property, is there?” I asked Zoe.

“Of course I believe it!” She actually seemed confused by the question. “Don’t you?”

I left Heart’s Haven feeling as though I’d visited a thin place, but I can’t decide whether it was the quaint little community, or something in my slightly bemused brain.

As I left Zoe’s place and walked beneath her trellised gate—overhung, as are all eight gates in the complex, with a carved wood sign that reads, “May love find all who enter here”—I heard something unusual…like the beating of enormous wings.

And something wrapped itself around my shoulders. Something too soft to be of this earth, and yet so strong! I knew I could never fall as long as…whatever it was…held me. Nothing could harm me while I stood within the circle of its embrace.

Then it was gone, and I felt so alone. And yet…not alone. Ecstatic. Over-joyed. I felt as if I’d been visited by one of Heaven’s own emissaries.

Ahem.

Away from Heart’s Haven now, I can’t stop thinking about…well, everything. Did I really feel what I thought I felt? Or did I allow myself to get caught up in the hyperbole of Heart’s Haven, and simply imagine the entire incident?

All I can say for sure is that I’m beginning to believe in thin places. And if they do exist, then Heart’s Haven is one of them.

It’s located just south of Angel Falls, on the main highway that runs through town and along the edge of the Angelina National Forest. You can’t miss it…a huge sign hangs over a set of double gates out front. Letters have been cut, rather inexpertly, into the wood. They read: HEART’S HAVEN.

Make a sharp right beneath the sign, drive around behind the "big house," and take a look around. Find out for yourself…. 

World Blog Tour: Delia Latham

Delia Latham

When my critique partner and co-writer Tanya Stowe invited me to join the World Blog Tour, I was not excited. It sounded like just one more iron to add to those already jousting for space in my blazing fire of activities. But the more I learned about the Tour, the more I realized what a great opportunity it was—for me, and for readers to learn a little more about my writing process. Each writer’s process is different, after all, and readers are inquiring minds that “want to know.”

Tanya Stowe

First, a little about Tanya.

An exceptional woman and author, Tanya is my critique partner, whose input I value highly. I shudder to think of sending anything in to my publisher without passing it by her first. She’s sharp and articulate and sees all the things I miss. God did me a good deed when he brought her into my life.

Aside from what she is to me, though, Tanya is a Christian Fiction writer with an unexpected edge. This Pelican Book Group author fills her romances with the unusual…gifts of the spirit in Tender Touch and spiritual warfare in Haunted Hearts. In Never Ending Night she explores the horrors of a Civil War battle and unravels a mystery. Tender Trust treks to the Old West. Leap of Faith brushes wings with an angel and White Christmas wraps romance in the traditions of a small town holiday. No matter where Tanya goes…on a journey through the past or contemporary adventures in new lands…be prepared for the extraordinary.

Here’s a link to Tanya’s World Book Tour post, where she shares her writing process.

Moving right along…a little about me. 

I’ve authored over a dozen novels to date, all inspirational romance. But that’s what I do, not who I am. Who I am is a Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. I treasure above all my role as a princess daughter to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is my reason for living, and the source of my joy and inspiration. I like to categorize my priorities as God first, family second, and career third. I love to write, but my written words can’t give me warm hugs or sweet kisses. I can’t lean on them when I’m weary, and they have no shoulder to cry on when my heart is broken. My heavenly Father and my family and friends fill those roles, and so many others.

That said, writing is very important to me. I consider it a ministry, in which I can share the Good News of Jesus Christ with readers, even as I entertain them with romantic tales of love and romance.

All participants in this Tour are answering the same four questions to share our individual writing processes. Here’s mine:

1) What am I working on? 

I’m rarely working on just one project at a time. Remember all those irons in the fire I mentioned earlier? Well…my writing projects make up several of them. Right now, I’m working on a novella for the next Heart’s Haven collection, Heart’s Haven Babies; a Christmas tale for one of Pelican Book Group’s new lines; a co-authored Christmas story with Tanya Stowe; and the first in a series of four books set in and around Cambria, California. So far, the series consists of a proposal that’s with my publisher now, awaiting approval or…ugh!...rejection—but in the meantime, I’m plowing ahead by faith.

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre? 

No two authors write exactly alike, and that’s a good thing. We each want to have our own, distinct voice. I hope I’m gaining ground in that area with each book I release. But I think my work differs from other inspirational romance authors in that God seems to place an angel in almost all of my novels. This wasn’t something I planned—never even had a passing thought about angels in my books. I’m a pantster—meaning I don’t sit down and plot out my storylines. Instead, I get the seed of an idea and sit down and start writing, allowing the story to take me wherever it will. Into that rather hare-brained process, several of God’s messengers have winged their way between the lines. It’s an adventure, and a blessing. I believe in angels, although I’ve never seen one myself—or at least, if I have, I wasn’t aware of it. Still, I’m honored that God would use my stories to make people aware that his angels are out there, watching over us every moment, every day of our lives.

3) Why do I write what I do?

I believe God has a special life partner planned for each of us from the moment we’re conceived. I believe in soulmates. I believe in love. And I believe God works behind the scenes of every situation in our lives to bring together what is meant to be. It doesn’t always happen easily—sometimes there are trials of faith to be conquered, mountains of forgiveness to climb, long miles of doubt and insecurity to travel, many moments of soul-searching and questioning and learning about ourselves to go through before God can bring us to that point of becoming one with the love of our life. I write about these things to glorify God, and to remind my readers that even through the darkest times, He is there, working things out for their good and His glory in every situation.

4) How does my writing process work?

I write something almost every day. Some days I might achieve a mere 250 words. Most days, I average about 2,000 words. On really, really awesome writing days, I grind out 6,000-8,000 words or more.

But every writing day starts the same way. With prayer. Because God is my inspiration. Without Him, I can’t string two words together, and I have nothing to write about. So, first stop—knees on the floor, heart raised toward Heaven, mind open to God’s leading.

Once I’ve invited God to use me as His transcriptionist, allowing me to write only the words He dictates into my heart, head and fingertips, I sit down and start writing. As I mentioned already, I’m a pantster. However, I’ve had to learn to come up with a tentative plotline so I can send the required synopsis to my publisher before I write a book. So, thanks to those few paragraphs of loose outline, I have a general idea of where the story is going, but I haven’t filled in all the little details that make a book speak to a reader. God fills them in as I write, which makes the story an adventure for me as well as for my readers, because I’m often blown away by where the characters take me before I get to type “the end” and call it done.

I’m fortunate to be able to dedicate most of my time to writing. Hubby and I are empty-nesters, and I’m beyond blessed that he loves to cook and has taken on that chore almost entirely. I still keep the house presentable and see that we have clean clothes in the closet, but seriously...with only two of us to worry about, those things don’t take a lot of time. (Certainly not like they did when we had four children in the house and I was doing the lion’s share of the cooking in addition to all the other housekeeping chores!) Physical ailments keep me from doing a lot of outside activities; I’m not a shopper; and I’m a bit shy around people I don’t know, so I’m far from a socialite. Which means most of my time is spent at home, dedicated to writing or marketing or any number of other writing-related activities.

I spend a few hours a day writing—usually late at night, when the rest of the world is sleeping, but some daytime hours are spent writing, as well. Most of the hours slotted for writing during the day are spent marketing my books, keeping up with social media, developing ideas for stories, and critiquing other writers’ chapters. But my favorite times are those hours when the story is flowing, I’m writing fast and furious and barely aware there’s a real world around me because I’m so lost in the one I’m creating in my head. It’s a natural high unlike any other, and I’m highly blessed and favored of God to be able to do what I do. That natural euphoria is topped only by the thrill of hearing a reader say my words touched her heart, lifted her spirit, helped her through a tough time in life, or simply made her heart smile. 

Life don’t get much better’n that! :)

My books are available publisher-direct, on Amazon, or through most other online booksellers.

Moving right along. I’ve invited several authors to participate in the World Blog Tour, but since we're coming along after the initial rush of tours, most everybody has already participated...so I have TWO follow-up authors. I think you’ll find each of their posts will bless your day—and hopefully introduce you to another author whose novels you reach for when you need a good read. 

They’ll be posting on July 1st, so be sure to look them up, using the links on their names below. And tell them Delia sent you… :)

LoRee Peery attempts to see God’s presence every day. Often that gift comes from nature, and she is most relaxed in the outdoors. The call of a cardinal draws her to look for the distinctive flash of crimson. A meadowlark’s melody always transports her to the farm where she grew up. A rainbow holds special significance, since one appeared the day of her father’s funeral and means to her the promise of the Lord’s presence in her life. (LoRee is participating in the World Blog Tour via her Facebook page.)

Paula Mowery is a pastor's wife and a formerhomeschool Mom. She’s also a Christian writer. Her articles

have appeared in Woman's World and in her ongoing column on christianonlinemagazine.com/. Paula also writes Christian fiction. Her debut novella, THE BLESSING SEER released July 6, 2012 from Pelican Book Group. The sequel, BE THE BLESSING, released Sept. 13, 2013. She is also an author and acquisitions editor with Prism Book Group.

Note:  My first novel reached #1 Bestseller status on Amazon this past week. I am so excited and grateful - to God, and to the readers who made it happen! Goldeneyes is currently sitting at #5, so still well within the Top 100. I hope you'll take a moment to pop over and check it out!

World Blog Tour!

Hello! Welcome to the next version of the World Blog Tour! 

I’m Tanya Stowe, a Christian Fiction writer with an unexpected edge. I’m a Pelican Book Group author who likes to fill my romances with the unusual…gifts of the spirit in Tender Touch and spiritual warfare in Haunted Hearts.  In Never Ending Night I explore the horrors of a Civil War battle and unravels a mystery. Tender Trust treks to the Old West. Leap of Faith brushes wings with an angel and White Christmas wraps romance in the traditions of a small town holiday. No matter where I go…on a journey through the past or contemporary adventures in new lands…be prepared for the extraordinary.

Right now, I’m working on a romantic suspense set in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It’s called Santa Fe Sunrise and involves art, flamenco and pot-hunters. Of course, Santa Fe’s unique flavor runs through the entire story like a fine silver thread.

You probably noticed, I write in a wide variety of genres…historicals, romantic suspense and the ever popular contemporary Heart’s Haven Series you see on this blog. Why do I write so many different kinds of stories? I have to say my inspiration comes from curiosity, sparked by my travels. Wherever I go, my mind asks questions. What is it like to live in a small town like this? Would I like waking up every morning and looking at that peak? What did the first settlers see here?

My first book was inspired by a motorhome trip through the California Gold country. I wanted to know why some of the boomtowns born in the gold rush survived while others disappeared. My search for answers led to the creation of my own gold town called Harperville and a book called Tender Touch. While researching Tender Touch, I read about Civil War battles in the West. I never knew battles were fought in the West, so off I went and Tender Trust was born.

While sitting in a movie theater, I heard a new type of flamenco music in the background. My mind didn’t rest until I discovered Nouveau Flamenco and found the perfect setting in Sedona, Arizona. Sedona Sunset came to life and Santa Fe Sunrise followed because, of course, I’d heard so much about the unique capital of New Mexico and had to see it for myself. Yes, curiosity is really my muse.

Imagine my concern however, when we moved to the Middle East and after six months, no story ideas came to me. I wondered if my career was over! But rest assured, it took a little longer, but Danger in Dhofar was created from pieces of information about Somalian pirates!

I think my characters rise out of my curiosity. Remember those questions I ask, like how would I like to wake up each morning and see that peak? I put myself in a setting, work out those questions and resolve the problems. That process has led to some very interesting characters like Stumpy McPherson, a 49’er trying to get by after the glory days of the rush, or willowy, wispy, Zoe Wyndham, the late-in-life love-child raised in communes.

For my characters to really work through their problems, I have to plot. When I first started writing, I had interesting characters but they jumped from one event to the next without any real purpose and never resolved anything! Plotting helped me to settle those bouncing motivations down and find not only a purpose, but a resolution to my character’s issues. With plotting, I can create multi-dimensional characters with real problems and God-inspired solutions. I love that process because it’s real life!

I’m not sure what sets me apart from other writers. I know I like lean, tight writing. I’m more interested in the stories, the people and the places than crafting words. That insatiable curiosity just won’t let me rest! It wants me to keep asking questions and moving forward…even while I’m on vacation.

I wonder whom I’ll meet and what they’ll teach me on my way to Mesa Verde. Hmmm…is that a story already in the making? I can’t wait to see!

I’ve enjoyed chatting with you on this World Tour Blog. I hope you’ve enjoyed learning a little bit more about me. Also, please join us for the next leg of the tour. Next Monday, June 23, my friend Lynn Willis will post insights on her writing life.      

Lynn Chandler-Willis has worked in the corporate world (hated it!), the television news business (fun job) and the newspaper industry (not a fan of the word "apparently" and phrase "according to"). She keeps coming back to fiction because she likes making stuff up and you just can't do that in the newspaper or television news business.

She was born, raised, and continues to live in the heart of North Carolina within walking distance to her kids and their spouses and her nine grandchildren. She shares her home, and heart, with Sam the cocker spaniel.   You’ll find Lynn’s blog at: http://lynnchandlerwillis.com/

Mary Manners is an award-winning author of inspirational romance who lives in the beautiful foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with her husband and teen-aged daughter. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and Smoky Mountain Romance Writers.

During the school year, she teaches middle-schoolers reading and Algebra. In her free time, she likes to garden, take long walks with her husband, and read romance novels in a hammock beneath century-old shade trees.

Mary will be posting here on the Heart’s Haven Blog. 

On Tuesday, June 24, Delia Latham will share her unique writing perspective right here on the Heart’s Haven Blog.  

Delia Latham is a Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, but especially treasures her role as princess daughter to the King of Kings. She has a "thing" for Dr. Pepper and LOVES hearing from her readers. Delia writes inspirational romance from her home in the California mountains.