Free at last...

Quick update - I'll be MIA for a few days.

My mother in law, nineteen months after having her traumatic horseback riding accident in June 2009, passed away Friday night the 28th at 9:00 p.m.

The next few days are going to be a blur of visitation services, funeral services, flowers, food, family receptions, and the such. Thanks for the prayers and support as we go through this time. So difficult even though we knew it was coming! But most importantly, we know now that she is whole, healthy and happy, worshipping at her Savior's feet in Heaven. 1 John 5:13. I'm so happy for her yet still so sad at the same time. Its been a long 2 years. But now she's free at last...praise the Lord.

Here's the obit I wrote that ran in Sunday's paper. Please take a moment and honor her memory with me by reading it!

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=cindy-stockman-st-amant&pid=148171045&fhid=10785

Here are some pics of her over the last several years... (and if you're thinking "good grief she's young", you're right. She barely made it to her mid-40's)

My husband's birthday party a few years back

When Little Miss was "new" :)

Her last conscious mother's day with her son (my hubby) - Mother's Day May 2009.

PS - if you have a copy of my April 2010 Love Inspired novel RODEO SWEETHEART, you can read the Dear Reader Letter and dedication in that story that is about my mother in law and what happened. I was writing that book the summer of the accident (about horses, no less) and wow, that was a rough one to finish. Yet God blessed the sales of that book more than any other so far. His ways are mysterious.

Hear, hear

Divine Appointments...

Divine Appointments by Charlene Ann Baumbich is a unique story from a well established author that is wonderful for a rainy night "escape" read.

This heartfelt story combines romance, real life, and a dash of the supernatural via a snowglobe. Join Josie's tale of life, love, work, menopause, and everything in between as she struggles to find who she is, what she wants, and what she needs - and the difference between the three.

While slow at times, this story is very relatable and the characters solid - a quirky ;)

Purchase this story here!

I received this book free to review from Waterbrook Multnomah.

Visit me today at....

Visit me today at Scribblechicks for a more indepth look at outlining and plotting as you go!

What's your favorite....

What's your favorite...

Nicholas Sparks book?

Yes, I know he head hops in his writing. Yes, I know being a fan of Sparks is somewhat of a cliche these days. Yes, I know his books are such tear jerks sometimes you close them wondering why on earth you just subjected yourself to the emotion, but you know what? I'm a fan. :)

I'm actually writing this post now while staring at my living room bookshelf that boasts almost every one of his novels, old or new, in hardback.

I think my favorite is the Notebook, and not just because the movie was also fantastic. It was just so, so good. My next favorite is probably The Last Song, because of it's young adult vibe and I'm very much in a young adult mode right now while working on my January 2012 release with Barbour.

I wasn't fond of The Choice. I thought True Believer wasn't his best, and I really enjoyed Three Weeks with My Brother which was a true account of sorts. I also liked and was very surprised by The Wedding, which is sort of like a sequel to The Notebook in that it's Allie and Noah's kids and grandkids as the main characters.

And of course, A Walk to Remember and Nights in Rodanthe are just big sob fests. Whew!

The Lucky One was also good, and Dear John incredibly moving, but for those, if you currently have a loved one deployed in the military, please don't read them until they are home safe, for your own mental health! Ha!

So spill it. I know I'm not the only Sparks fan. Who's with me? :)

(And Nicholas, if you get Google Alerts for your name and happen to have enough free time to visit this humble blog and read this post, how about you do a booksigning in Shreveport? Young working/writing mommies have a hard time getting to Dallas and the Carolina's so frequently. Thanks.) =P