Little did I know, God was listening!
A few weeks later, I perched on my chair in the first-timer's orientation at the 2012 ACFW conference in Dallas. Yeah, I chatted with the fabulous Jon and Tom Hopkins (twins!) a bit, oogled Cara Putman's adorable outfit, and then I drifted off to my own thoughts.
How cool would it be if Becky Wade--the Becky Wade--was here? But what are the odds that I would run into her even if she did show up? I mean, there are like 700 people here. Still...
Cara divided us into groups by genre. I kind of wanted to sprint out of the room, but I figured that would be immature, so I gamely headed to the "contemporary romance" section where one person stood.
And that's when I heard it.
My name.
Southern accent.
It was--Becky Wade!! In the flesh!!
What happened next? I hugged her. Practically jumped up and down. Okay, I did jump up and down. I hugged her again. Maybe once more. I'm sure she felt molested. But I was riding high! I couldn't control myself!!
The best part? She was cool! She didn't give me the weird look or the am-I-dealing-with-a-stalker? step backward. We chatted. I gushed. And I said a thank you prayer to God for making one of my dreams come true.
Since we've met, Becky has become a huge influence in my life--she answered God's call to a prayer I hadn't been brave enough to utter. I hope I can be half as generous to others as she's been to me.
Becky's second inspirational romance, Undeniably Yours, released this week. I was blessed to receive an advanced reader copy, and her amazing talent did it again. What a superb book! I hope you buy it and like it as much as I did!
***
Undeniably Yours
When Meg Cole’s father dies unexpectedly, she becomes the majority shareholder of his oil company and the single inheritor of his fortune. Though Meg is soft-spoken and tenderhearted -- more interested in art than in oil -- she’s forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of her father’s empire.
The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father’s thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.
Bo’s determined to resent the woman who’s decided to rob him of his dream. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them -- her wealth, his unworthiness, her family’s outrage -- and earn the right to love her.
But just when Meg begins to realize that Bo might be the one thing on the ranch worth keeping, their fragile bond is viciously broken by a force from Meg’s past. Can their love, and their belief that God can work through every circumstance, survive?
Becky Wade delivers another compelling inspirational contemporary romance. She writes such rich, memorable, relatable characters. Meg, the heroine, was sympathetic, funny, and with believable thoughts to contrast her play-by-the rules actions. I could spend a day shopping with Meg, no problem!
***
My Favorite Lines (This book is full of them! I have many, many more!)
"She wanted to drop-kick her Cole Oil job..."
"She didn't personally care for the 'I can kill deer!' decorating style..."
(Meg imagining a horse, Silver Leaf, thinking,) "I have benevolence on you, small human."
***
About Becky Wade
Undeniably Yours is available for purchase now! Head to Becky Wade's Books for links!
It's the first Friday of the month, so my latest 2 Minute Resolution Webisode is up on YouTube! Click here for My Hall Closet: 2 Minute Resolution!!
Thank you SO much for stopping by! What author do YOU have a crush on?
Have a wonderful weekend!
***
My Review--5 Stars!!!
Becky Wade delivers another compelling inspirational contemporary romance. She writes such rich, memorable, relatable characters. Meg, the heroine, was sympathetic, funny, and with believable thoughts to contrast her play-by-the rules actions. I could spend a day shopping with Meg, no problem!
The
hero, Bo, made me swoon multiple times. I love a rugged cowboy with a
protective streak and oozing with integrity. He was fabulous, and he provided
Meg with the calm security her money had never been able to give her.
Meg’s
spiritual journey tugged at my heart. Even strong Christians underestimate
God’s plans for our lives. I really related to the fears, prayers, and
decisions the characters had to make.
Fantastic
book! I hope we’ll be reading future books based on other characters—I would
love to see Jake get his happily-ever-after!
**I
received an advanced reader copy of this book with no obligation to review it.
All opinions are my own.**
"She wanted to drop-kick her Cole Oil job..."
"She didn't personally care for the 'I can kill deer!' decorating style..."
(Meg imagining a horse, Silver Leaf, thinking,) "I have benevolence on you, small human."
Becky's a California native who attended Baylor University, met a Texas boy, and settled in Dallas. She published historical romances for the ABA, then put her career on hold for several years to care for her three children. When God called her back to writing, Becky knew He meant for her to turn her attention to Christian fiction. She loves the kind of books she's writing now! Her CBA debut, My Stubborn Heart, has been named a finalist for Romance Writers of America's RITA Award. Her new contemporary romance, Undeniably Yours, is available now.
Undeniably Yours is available for purchase now! Head to Becky Wade's Books for links!
It's the first Friday of the month, so my latest 2 Minute Resolution Webisode is up on YouTube! Click here for My Hall Closet: 2 Minute Resolution!!
Thank you SO much for stopping by! What author do YOU have a crush on?
Have a wonderful weekend!
Great review - and I love your introduction.:-) I felt like you were in my living room telling me that story. :-) Thanks for this tip!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennifer! What a compliment! Sooo many highlights from last year's conference, and chatting with YOU was one! I'll never forget our "tractor pull" conversation. ;)
DeleteWhat a fun way to support a fellow author! Have heard a ton of great things about Becky & her writing. Would love to meet her in person someday!
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
You've heard correctly--I love her books! And I love her! Obviously... :) Thanks!
DeleteWe definitely need to meet in person, Wendy!
DeleteI love this story! I imagine that I'd probably be arrested after meeting Kristan Higgins I'd be so uncontrollably excited.
ReplyDeleteAnd you. Of course! :D
Ooh! I love Kristan Higgins' books. Fabulously funny and emotional at the same time.
DeleteOoo, I've heard good things about Kristan Higgins' books, but I've never read one. I'm going to have to change that!!
DeleteThank you so much, Jill, for putting together this very, very kind post. Wow! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHere's the story of how we met from my perspective... September's conference was my first ACFW conference. This explains why I was also at the First Timers session. This also (maybe) explains why I knew very few fellow attendees. At the beginning of the conference I knew only Bethany House authors and a handful of the authors from my local ACFW chapter.
I reached the 'contemporary romance' part of the room before anyone else and was standing there awkwardly, hoping someone would appear, when this petite and pretty blonde with striking blue eyes and a big smile came over. She glanced at my name badge and said, "You're Becky Wade?!!! I read your book!". Honestly, I couldn't believe it. Hundreds of books release every year in the CBA and (back in September) I'd only published one. That this perfect stranger had read it blew me away! It was SUCH a wonderful surprise and blessing to meet you, Jill. You were (as you are) so generous, kind, fun, and outgoing. Your encouragement then and now mean a lot to me.
Clearly, God meant for us to be friends!
Oh, Becky, you make me shake my head! I'm grinning like crazy over here! Thank you--thank you for blessing us with your books AND for showing such kindness to "that" stranger. I'm throwing a DITTO back to you on everything!! Love you!!
DeleteI love hearing the story of how you two met--from both POV's. :) I haven't read a Becky Wade book yet, but I keep hearing wonderful things about her writing--and Jill, the lines you posted grabbed me--what a great way to show an author's voice. :) Loved this!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeanne! Some meetings are God-ordained, and I KNOW how I met Becky was one of those times! I can't recommend her books enough. Her voice just makes you want to keep reading forever!!
DeleteI can't wait to read this one! I LOVED My Stubborn Heart. And Becky is right, you are a beauty with striking blue eyes! :)
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks! Of course I want to say you need to check your eye prescription, but I won't. Except I did. :)
DeleteHa! Ha!!
Yeah, I know what I need to put on my reading list :) So great to meet a new author to me. I love how God works too.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Becky Wade groupie too. I read My Stubborn Heart while exercising on the Dreadmill. After I finished the book, I wrote Becky a very spazzy email, letting her know how much I loved her book. Yeah, I'm a dork, but when I love someone's book, I share my enthusiasm with others.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Jill. So glad you got to meet her in person and so early in the conference!
How neat that you were able to meet one of your heroes, Jill!! So cool. Becky's book sounds amazing. God bless~
ReplyDelete