An opportunity for writers to ask an editor!

I'm excited about this opportunity for writers targeting Love Inspired. Pass the word!

Love Inspired Editor Emily Rodmell (& one of my favorite Tweeters--@EmilyRodmell) will guest blog on Seekerville in May to celebrate the expansion of the Love Inspired Suspense line from four to SIX books each month. Emily will talk about the expansion, but she’ll also answer questions you might have about Love Inspired Books, the three LI imprints: Love Inspired, Love Inspired Suspense, and Love Inspired Historical, the submission process, what she’s looking for in a submission, how to WOW! an editor and more.

Send the questions you’ve always wanted to ask an editor to seekers@seekerville.net between now and March 24. Questions will compiled and sent to Emily who will respond on May 21 in her Seekerville guest blog.  All those who send in questions will be entered into a drawing for a $10 Amazon gift card.

Blessings,
Janet

Wade Cummings, the hero of An Inconvenient Match is at Harlequin today. Use the following link to learn more about Wade.

http://community.harlequin.com/content/hero-interview-inconvenient-match-janet-dean

He's a great guy. My only complaint--he doesn't read fiction. Ah, don't tell him, but he is fiction. LOL

Had to share the fun photo reader Lois sent me of finding my book on the shelves while she was in Florida. She and my heroine's sister in An Inconvenient Match share the same first name. Hope you enjoy the story, Lois!

Blessings,
Janet

For a chance to win a copy of An Inconvenient Match

For a chance to win my January release, An Inconvenient Match, stop in at Margaret Daley's blog this week http://www.margaretdaley.com/margarets-blog/ and leave a comment. Hope to see you there!

Please don't leave a comment here.

Blessings,
Janet

We have a winner! Congratulations Karen K!

For a chance to win Wanted: A Family visit these blogs

I'm at Petticoats and Pistols today talking about old Victorian houses and postcards. Leave a comment for a chance to win my March release Wanted: A Family.

http://www.petticoatsandpistols.com

Leave a comment at Mindy Obenhaus' blog this entire week, starting March 7.

www.mindyobenhaus.blogspot.com

Try again on Monday, March 14 when I post at Seekerville. I'll be talking about using character weaknesses and strengths to plot our books.

http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com

Blessings, Janet

For a chance to win one of January's Love Inspired Historicals

I'm thrilled that my editor, Tina James is coming to Seekerville Monday, January 10! She's talking about Love Inspired Historical going from two to four releases a month starting now. This is very good news for readers and more opportunities for historical writers. Check out her post and leave a comment for a chance to win one of the four January romances.

Blessings, Janet

A red letter day!!!

It's a red letter day when this Steeple Hill author gets her photo with her wonderful agent Karen Solem on the blog of Publisher's Weekly If you've got a minute, check it out. A huge thanks to Barbara Vey and Cathy Shouse, PW cub reporter and author of Images of America: Fairmount for sharing our picture and giving a overview of the American Christian Fiction Writers' conference held in Indianapolis last weekend where this photo was taken.

Not sure the clickable link is working. If not, copy and paste:

http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/beyondherbook/?p=2207&utm_source=Publishers+Weekly's+PW+Daily&utm_campaign=2a8071d5b0-UA-15906914-1&utm_medium=email

Blessings, Janet

Giving away all three of my books in Seekerville!

I'm talking about Romance Matters in Seekerville today.

www.seekerville.blogspot.com

Stop in and leave a comment for a chance to win Courting Miss Adelaide, Courting the Doctor's Daughter and The Substitute Bride.

Blessings, Janet

I'm at Seekerville today!

I'll be talking in Seekerville today about pitfalls of writing scene and sequel with some pointers from Jack Bickham's book Scene and Structure.

www.seekerville.blogspot.com

Stop by and leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Shirley Jump's Vegas Pregnancy Surprise.

Blessings, Janet

Sizzling First Encounters

I'm at Pepper Basham's blog today sharing the first encounter between Mary and Luke in Courting the Doctor's Daughter. Hope to see you there!

http://pepperbasham.wordpress.com/2010/06/22/sizzling-first-encounters-with-janet-dean/

Blessings, Janet

I have a title!

I'm very excited to have a title for my upcoming Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical!!

Wanted: A Family

Pregnant widow Callie Mitchell and falsely accused ex-con Jacob “Jake” Smith, a bitter orphan searching for his birth mother, stand against the disapproving town when Callie turns her house into a home for unwed mothers.

The story will release March 15, 2011. I'll keep you posted as soon as I have a cover.

Blessings, Janet

Let's Celebrate with Renee Chaw!!!!!

To celebrate Renee Chaw's first year of blogging, she's holding a Blogaversary celebration, March 15-19th at http://www.steelergirl83.blogspot.com/ To visit Renee's Black 'n Gold Girl's Book Spot, click on the blogaversary to the right of this post.

I'm one of five authors blessed to help Renee celebrate! I'm thrilled to be in the company of wonderful authors Candace Calvert, Cerella Sechrist, Laura Frantz, and fellow Seeker Julie Lessman! I'll be giving away a copy of The Subsitute Bride on Monday March 15. Each day one of these author will give away a copy of her book. Renee has other surprises in store for those visiting her site and leaving a comment. Don't miss this chance to win some wonderful books!

Here's Renee explaining her plans in her own words:

Some of my very favorite Christian fiction authors will be stopping by during the week to help me celebrate and I would love for you to stop by too! Not only will there be great posts featuring some great books but there will be giveaways as well! How awesome is that?! After all what is a party without presents? ;-) On top of all that I will also be giving a gift to one lucky person who comments during the week! Below is a list of my Blogaversary VIPs who will be guest posting throughout the week! Be sure to click on each authors name to visit their terrific websites! Trust me, they're beautiful and feature a lot of great info about each author and their books plus links to Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc!

Monday, March 15- Janet Dean

Tuesday, March 16- Candace Calvert

Wednesday, March 17- Cerella Sechrist

Thursday, March 18- Laura Frantz

Friday, March 19- Julie Lessman

Be sure to stop by March 15th for all of the details! I look forward to seeing you all!!!!!
If you would like to help spread the word you can grab my "Blogaversary" button located on the top right sidebar of this blog at http://www.http//steelergirl83.blogspot.com

Hoping to see you at the celebration!!

Blessings, Janet

SHARING MY FAVORITES

Monday, March 8, I'm at Seekerville talking about my favorites.

www.seekerville.blogspot.com

I'll be giving away a copy of The Substitute Bride. My critiquer partner will also give away The Other Wife. Two free books so two winners! Share your favorites for a chance to win.

Blessings, Janet

Interview at Sherry Dyke's blog on Wednesday, March 3

Time flies, doesn't it? I can't believe March has slipped in under my radar. That means my deadline for Wanted: A Family, Love Inspired Historical, is one month closer. I'm making progress. And getting to know Callie and Jake. Not that you'll be surprised to hear it, but trouble is brewing in Peaceful, Indiana. :-)

If you enjoy my books, I hope you've gotten a chance to read The Substitute Bride, a mail-order bride story you won't want to miss. Ted and Elizabeth's story was such fun to write. I'm hearing from some readers that this is their favorite book so far.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 3, PST, I'm a guest at Sherry Dyke's blog. I enjoyed answering her interview questions. Stop by to see which scene in The Substitute Bride, on shelves now, was my favorite. Leave a comment on Sherry's blog along with your e-mail address for a chance to win a signed copy.

Sherry's blog:

http://web.mac.com/dkyle/Site/Blog/Blog.html

Blessings, Janet

For another chance to win The Substitute Bride

For a chance to win a copy of The Substitute Bride, my mail-order bride story out now, visit Trish Perry's blog between now and February 17 and leave a comment after my interview.

http://www.trishperry.com/

Thanks for your interest in my book!

Blessings, Janet

For a chance to win The Substitute Bride

For a chance to win The Substitute Bride, my February release, visit Goodreads at http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/2442-the-substitute-bride. I'm giving away three copies of this fun to write mail-order bride story. You may enter between now and March 1.

If you enjoy historical romances and want to hook up with others who do, visit the Love Inspired Historical Discussions at Goodreads.

Blessings, Janet

Gourd Christmas tree

Several years ago in my pre-pubbed days, I went through a gourd painting phase, producing Santas, large and small, snowmen, even angels with netting wings. I loved painting with friends. We used hard shell gourds that last for ages and acrylic paints, then sprayed them with a topcoat that protected the paint and gave them a sheen.

I made so many I had enough to decorate a small tree in my kitchen. Here's a close up. They are a bit weird but they make me smile.

To paint Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus I looked at Christmas cards. I left the background of the gourd natural to give the look of the stable walls.

I painted the snowman from directions in a gourd painting How To book.

If you like to paint with acrylics, try painting on hard shell gourds that have been cleaned. It's fun!

Blessings, Janet

We're decorated for Christmas

I love Christmas! I love celebrating the birth of our Savior through music and carols and the giving of gifts to family and those in need. The whole month of December is such a happy, hectic time that we decorate the house early so we can enjoy it all month long. I thought it would be fun to share a couple pictures from one of our trees and the significance of the ornaments hanging on it.

I call this my Victorian tree because it's loaded with ornaments of every color and style. My mother decorated the blue and silver ornament in the close up photo, just one of the many she made that are now hanging on our tree. I remember the joy she had crafting them and the beauty of her trees. She's gone now so each one holds a special place in my heart. The sand-filled ornament is a souvenir from an anniversary trip to Bermuda. The sand really is pink there. :-) If you look carefully, you'll see the holy family in the glass ornament purchased the year we had our first child. The little red Chinese lantern is a Shiny Brite, part of my collection. On the left is a sideways glimpse of the Mickey Mouse ornament from a trip to Disney World with our grandkids. The entire tree is hung with precious memories.

It looks nothing like the trees I had growing up. We hung icicles with care on each branch. When the furnace kicked on the icicles would dance. The lights had large hot bulbs and we didn't have a lot of purchased ornaments. But I loved looking at those trees, as I do now. There's something magical about a Christmas tree!

Blessings, Janet

The Substitute Bride author copies arrived today.

The Monday after Thanksgiving is the day we decorate our church for Christmas. A fun, busy time stringing lights and fluffing artificial trees, garland and poinsettias as we chat and eat. Oh, yes, we enjoy a delightful high caloric lunch that does nothing to help shed those Thanksgiving pounds, but gives us energy to keep going until the job is done. And what a great feeling that is!

When I pulled into the drive this afternoon, I noticed two familiar boxes on the front porch. My author copies of The Substitute Bride had arrived! I couldn't wait to rip into the boxes. One of the most exciting moments for me is holding a new book in my hands. The Substitute Bride releases in February, but I know it won't be long before I'll get e-mails from book club readers who get the book early. My husband took a picture of the moment to share with you.

Life got hectic and I neglected to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. Hope the day was a great time of fellowship and sharing your blessings with family or friends. We had a lovely day. On Friday our daughters and I fought the crowds at the Mall while my poor husband battled stomach flu. Saturday I took our grandchildren on the annual trek to select a Christmas ornament. Unlike the older grandchildren, our youngest selected a non-moving, non-musical ornament. When he got it home and the other three were showing off the action and sounds of their choices to their parents, he kept asking, "Where's the button? Where's the button?"

With my d/h feeling well again, we're back to routine, whatever that is. And squeezing in time to decorate for Christmas at home. Hoping all is well with you.

Blessing, Janet

For a chance to win Courting the Doctor's Daughter

If you haven't read the second book in the Courting series, and would like a chance to win a copy of Courting the Doctor's Daughter, visit Missy Tippen's blog and leave a comment at:

http://lifewithmissy.blogspot.com/2009/08/welcome-janet-dean-win-copy-of-her-book.html

Thanks for your interest in my books!

Blessings, Janet

Harlequin's 60th Anniversary celebration at Don's Books

As part of the fun during the two-day celebration of Harlequin's 60th Anniversary at Don's Books in Kokomo, IN, I'm signing Courting Miss Adelaide and Courting the Doctor's Daughter from 11:30-2:00, along with Blythe Gifford, Jade Lee, Dana Corbit, Denise Lynn and Lori Foster. Hope you can stop by!

Blessings, Janet